“It’s very cynically written, but I suppose it shows you are serious about this.”
Count Swangan may have believed the contents of the letter cynical, but to Byletta, the letter painted an honest truth. It perfectly encapsulated why she wanted to divorce now that she’d heard the war was over. How could she have expressed herself any better?
“I have no qualms about sending a letter, but if he doesn’t respond, there’s nothing more that I can do.”
“That’s fine. I won’t trouble you any further after this. All I need is one letter.”
Byletta’s husband had left for war before she ever even saw his face. He certainly had no attachment to her, so he would likely agree to the divorce without any pushback. While she accepted that nothing in life was guaranteed, this letter would most likely be the end of the matter.
“So you really wish to leave him, then? Have you found someone else you intend to marry?”
“I never had any intention to marry in the first place. I didn’t wish to be tied down by a husband.”
“I believe my son would carry on letting you do as you wish, in all likelihood.”
“Yet, despite that, there are times when a wife must follow her husband’s lead. And besides, it isn’t as if he wants me as his wife anyway. Do you truly think he would let me go around procuring products abroad?”
“I have no idea how much he would stick his nose in, but I imagine that, yes, it would be more difficult to go abroad.”
“And that would be a point of anguish for me. I’m afraid I would miss out on business opportunities. I’m the kind of person who has to go and see the products I’m considering with my own two eyes first.”
As Byletta pressed the point, the count sighed in disbelief.
“Ever the consummate businesswoman, you are.”
“Thank you for the compliment. That’s why I want to be unburdened.”
“Do as you like, but you will still accompany me to the estate. I doubt that my son will be returning anytime soon, even if an armistice has been declared.”
“You say that, but we don’t know when he’ll come back. That’s why I would like to leave as quickly as possible. And the problem within your lands is your job to fix.”
“Hmph. You were the first to recognize the issue, so you should take some responsibility and see the matter through to its end. How can you do so if you refuse to remain here, in this house? Besides, once my son returns from the front, he may not even come here.”
Count Swangan’s tone was matter-of-fact. It was true that his relationship with his son was strained—no matter which servant Byletta asked, they’d all affirmed that her husband never showed his face at the house unless it was an emergency.
“Very well, then. I’ll accompany you.”
The count was right. Her husband would not be returning for a while yet, whether she sent her letter or not. And even if he were to come home, he had no reason to see a wife he had no interest in. She was already packed to leave at a moment’s notice anyway. What was the harm in staying for one more month?
The realization that she wouldn’t be severing her connection to the Swangans just yet somehow left Byletta feeling a bit relieved.
“It’s strange… All I’ve known here is you working me to the bone, but…I still had a lot of fun.”
“You don’t mince your words. Shouldn’t you at least learn how to express your gratitude like a lady?”
“It seems you still have quite the flair for paying compliments, Father. I regret that I was never able to correct my manner of speaking, and I deeply apologize for any consequences of my wrongdoings.”
Rendered speechless by Byletta’s gracious apology, the count pressed his lips together tightly. It would be dangerous for her if he lost his temper right now. If he didn’t write the letter she needed, her entire plan could come crashing down.
“I’ll look into the matter of the grain. And you have a letter to write.”
As Byletta silently threw out a concession to appease her father-in-law, he wrote the letter she’d requested and sealed it in an envelope with wax bearing the family crest.
Byletta sent it to the front line the next day, but even after half a month had passed, a reply hadn’t come. There was no doubt that her husband would be returning—the imperial newspaper had reported that an armistice agreement had officially been signed. Why is it taking this long? she found herself wondering. Even if the postal system has deteriorated, it seems a bit much.
Even as she began to grow concerned, the day of her and the count’s departure for the Swangan family home approached. Byletta became consumed with her daily work.
Count Swangan managed to gather the past estate reports and look through the materials submitted to the imperial capital. He and Byletta were due to depart for the estate in four days, so she had been occupied getting her affairs in order at work in preparation.
It was late at night.
Byletta’s eyes suddenly snapped open. It felt like she was being watched. It was dark, and the only source of illumination was a beam of moonlight filtering in through the gap in her curtains.
This was her bedroom. She was supposed to be alone. And yet she could feel the burn of someone’s pointed gaze.
When Byletta finally moved her head, her eyes landed on a man by her bedside. Only able to make out his silhouette and some vague details of his expression, Byletta swallowed a cry and slowly sat up.
Her vision was still blurry, but from the relatively clear-cut outline of the intruder, she could make out that he had a face full of refined features. From his almond eyes and high-bridged nose to his thin lips, every part of him looked terrifyingly perfect.
“A pleasure to meet you, Husband. I can only apologize for the state you currently find me in.”
“Heh, the pleasure is all mine. At this hour, it is only natural that you are dressed for bed. But how did you know that I am your husband?”
The way his low voice reverberated in Byletta’s ears was surprisingly agreeable. His pleasant laugh was also appealing—and despite all the accusations of ruthlessness and cold-bloodedness, his expression was soft. Unexpectedly so. I should have known not to trust all the rumors.