Chapter 55
On the day we returned to the mansion, a small but grand birthday party was held.
The people of Istheria Castle gathered to celebrate Theo’s birthday.
“Happy birthday, young master!”
“Congratulations from the bottom of my heart!”
Even the head maid was so emotional that she shed tears. Well, it was a miracle that Theo was standing here, receiving birthday wishes like this.
I nodded with pride.
Of course, Stephanie, who didn’t really understand what a birthday was, only cared about the cake.
“Theo, happy birthday.”
“Thank you, sister-in-law!”
“Happy birthday, Theo.”
“Brother!”
Theo laughed as he hugged Cassius.
He really was such a lovable child.
Ever since Cassius found out that Theo had been poisoned, he had become even more affectionate toward him.
He was trying harder to be kind to him than before.
“To become a more mature adult in the future, you must—”
Enough with the lectures.
I held Cassius’s hand tightly, making him stop talking. He gave an awkward smile and closed his mouth.
Anyway, it was a happy birthday.
Since there were no lessons today, Theo spent the whole day running around the mansion with Stephanie.
He didn’t go to bed until after 10 PM.
It took a lot of effort to get him to sleep, but at least Stephanie always fell asleep like a battery running out when it was time.
After around five, Theo finally fell asleep as I read him books.
After gently kissing his forehead, I got up.
“This little troublemaker.”
I pulled his blanket up and stroked his cheek for no reason.
Thinking that there weren’t many days like this left made me feel sentimental.
After watching him sleep for a while, I quietly left the room.
Today was the day.
I was going to bring up the topic of divorce with Cassius.
Theo was fully recovered, and honestly, it didn’t make sense for me to stay here any longer when I had already served my purpose.
Everyone had their own role to play, and now it was time for Lorencia to take over.
I knocked on Cassius’s door.
“Cassius, are you awake?”
It was almost 11 PM. He could be asleep.
Or maybe I was hoping he was asleep.
Maybe I wanted to delay this conversation for just one more day.
If we kept putting it off like that…
“Charlotte?”
Cassius opened the door, looking surprised.
Unlike what I expected, he was still awake.
Idiot.
I guess Theo inherited his inability to sleep from Cassius.
“Can I come in?”
“Of course.”
I hesitated for a moment beside him before stepping inside.
It felt like my first time entering his bedroom.
At this moment, memories of our first meeting came to mind.
Back then, he had yelled at me.
Can’t you just be quiet?
A small smile slipped from my lips.
“What brings you here at this hour…?”
Cassius hesitated, then closed his mouth again.
Come to think of it, we were a married couple who had never even shared a bed. That was enough reason for divorce.
“Can I sit down?”
I pointed at the sofa.
“Of course.”
I carefully took a seat.
“I came because I have something to say, Cassius.”
Hearing my words, Cassius let out a sigh and sat down across from me.
“This doesn’t sound like good news.”
“…Does it?”
Depending on how things ended, it could be good news or bad news.
I took a deep breath.
“The only thing I can offer you right now is water.”
“That’s enough.”
I took the glass of water he offered and drank it in one gulp.
Cold water to clear my mind.
It worked.
“…So, what do you want to say?”
Cassius asked with a serious expression.
“I’m ready.”
Alright, then.
“Let’s get a divorce.”
“…Cough.”
Cassius coughed harshly, staring at me in shock.
“What?”
“Let’s get a divorce, Cassius.”
Since he didn’t hear it the first time, I said it again.
Saying it a second time was much easier.
“What are you talking about, Charlotte?! Is this because of what happened before? If that’s the case—!”
I knew it.
He was torturing himself with guilt.
“If it were because of the past, I would have asked for a divorce back then, Cassius.”
“Then why?”
“I want you to be happy, Cassius. I’m sure there’s someone out there who suits you better than I do.”
Cassius looked at me, confused.
I wanted to say directly that the person was Lorencia, but I held back.
What if someone else took my place instead?
No, the nanny wouldn’t allow that.
Even now, she was probably keeping a sharp eye on Lorencia.
“Still, I saved Theo’s life, so… I think I deserve some compensation. Instead of money, let’s make it a house.”
Cassius just stared at me, speechless.
“What…?”
“If that’s too much, even a tiny house is fine.”
I didn’t want to sound too greedy, so I adjusted my request.
He had plenty of wealth—this much should be reasonable.
“…Divorce? I still don’t understand why we would get divorced.”
Cassius ran a hand over his face.
The reason was simple.
It was time to make way for the true heroine.
Lorencia had been waiting to take my place.
Cassius thought for a long time before finally looking up.
Alright, is he about to agree to give me the mansion?
I watched him anxiously, hoping all my efforts wouldn’t go to waste.
My heart pounded.
“…There’s no such thing as divorce in my dictionary.”
“Huh?”
That was not the answer I expected.
I looked at him in shock.
Cassius stood up abruptly, his gaze sharp and unwavering.
“I don’t know what’s making you say this, but I have no intention of divorcing you.”
“But Cassius!”
“Charlotte. I made a vow before God to protect you for the rest of my life. No matter the reason. And I intend to keep that promise, even if it costs me my life.”
I swallowed hard.
Strangely, I felt… relieved.
I had thought that maybe Cassius wouldn’t hold on to me.
After all, we were more like strangers than a married couple.
There had never been anything between us.
But now, he was holding on to me with all his heart.
“I admit that I made many mistakes with you.”
Cassius knelt before me.
“Cassius!”
“Can’t I make up for my mistakes by staying by your side in the future?”
My heart wavered.
I thought I had made up my mind, but suddenly, I wasn’t so sure anymore.
“…I can’t have children, Cassius.”
“Theo is enough.”
His words made me smile without realizing it.
Well, Theo alone was already more than enough to handle.
“And that’s partly my fault too. I would never blame you for it.”
“…I don’t have much to offer you.”
I mumbled weakly.
“I don’t want you by my side because of what you can give me.”
Cassius gently took my hand.
“I want you by my side simply because you are you.”
“…Cassius.”
I bit my lip.
All I could see was his hand holding mine.
Just as I was about to say something—
BANG! The door suddenly burst open.
“Wahhh! Where are you going, Charlotte?! No, sister-in-law! If you leave, I’m coming with you!”
Wait, I put him to bed!
I stared at Theo in disbelief, while behind him, the head maid stood firmly.
“If the duchess leaves, this mansion will fall into chaos. Please, don’t leave, madam.”
I never intended to ruin the original story…
But it looks like the original plot is completely destroyed now.
What do I do?
