I Failed to Divorce My Husband

Erin and Aiden were lying side by side on the bed, talking until they fell asleep.

“Erin, are you happy?”
“Yeah, I’m having fun.”

Erin answered without hesitation. It was sincere.

‘Salon Breeze,’ which was created with the hope of bringing a pleasant breeze to those who visited, quickly became a new center of the social circle.

Each person, from Angelina to Claire and Julia, had their respective roles.

Julia taught various methods of making sculptures, while Claire shared her travel experiences and introduced new things.

Princess Angelina engaged in conversations with those interested in business. All the noble ladies and young ladies gathered.

More than they had thought, they had many common interests and things they wanted to do.

When they gathered, the conversations never ended. In particular, Julia’s sculptures were very popular.

Everyone wanted to receive them as gifts to the extent that they lined up waiting for them. Among them, there were also those who showed interest in sculpting, following Julia’s lead.

I hope they don’t feel like they have to achieve something here. As I looked at them, that thought naturally came to me.

They’ve come to realize that just having this kind of time is something very new and exciting for them.

“Next time, let’s go horseback riding,” Erin said enthusiastically, continuing to chatter.

Aiden smiled contentedly and nodded or responded eagerly.

“Right. By the way, did Drennan Yeongsik come today?”

“Drennan Yeongsik?” Aiden asked with confusion.

“Yeah, I heard he’s been very interested in travEring. Recently, Lady Heserun mentioned that her sister-in-law has been coming to the salon frequently and talking about it. He came today,” she said.

He constantly asked questions while listening to travel stories from Claire.

“So the young ladies were excited and all worked up.”

Erin laughed cheerfully as she recalled the scene.

“And what else?” Aiden asked, listening to Erin.

“Julia officially got permission from Count and Countess Charte to pursue her dream as a sculptor.”

She confessed her dream as a sculptor to the Count and Countess Charte not long ago.

At first, the two of them expressed concerns and hesitations about the potential difficulties and uncomfortable situations she might encounter on her path ahead.

However, as her determination solidified, they gave her their support and permission.

“So, the goal now is to fill the salon with Julia’s masterpieces,” Erin stated.

“….”

“Do you think there might be someone else who would want to fill it with their own works after seeing hers?” Erin happily imagined the future of the salon and sought Aiden’s opinion.

In response, Aiden smiled and nodded. In fact, rather than listening to Erin’s recent stories, Aiden was more absorbed in admiring Erin’s expressions of wide-eyed wonder and blushing fascination.

If she is this delighted, it will surely turn out that way.

“It should be quite splendid, don’t you think?” Erin, filled with anticipation, murmured languidly with half-closed eyes.

“You did a great job creating the salon,” Erin said, with a faint smile.

“It’s a space that everyone needs,” a place that could serve as an escape from everyday life.

The noblewomen and young ladies in the salon showed a very different side from what they had seen for a long time.

They were lively, proactive, and had genuine, unadorned smiles.

“I guess people cannot really know everything by just looking at one side,” Erin said as she realized, prompting Aiden to speak.

“It’s because you’re Erin, seeking to recognize the different sides of people,” Aiden said as he gently stroked her head.

Erin had always been like that, bringing out her own positive side, which she herself did not know.

Aiden, too, had changed because of Erin. It was a power that only Erin possessed, Aiden always thought.

“So I’ll get to know you better from now on,” Erin said, tilting her head towards Aiden and smiling broadly.

The atmosphere suddenly shifted in a different direction, but Erin did not seem to mind.

“That’s right. Right in front of my eyes, there’s someone I need to get to know throughout my life.”

“Then, shall I show you a different side today?”

Aiden’s eyes narrowed fascinatingly.

***

It was when everyone was gathered in the salon.

Including Angelina, Claire, and Julia, they were engaged in various conversations when an unexpected person entered.

“Is this the rumored bustling salon, Salon Breeze?” she said, taking slow steps inside, she was the wife of Elder Diarn.

Erin’s gaze slowly turned to her. She was met with unfamiliar gazes from all around as they looked at Mrs. Diarn.

“Am I interrupting by coming here?” Mrs. Diarn asked with a casual smile towards Erin.

“I highly doubt it,” Erin swiftly wore a smile on her face.

“There’s so much talk about Salon Breeze recently, I was curious and had to come check it out,” Mrs. Diarn said, looking around the salon.

“You are welcome here,” Erin said, smiling with her eyes half closed.

“It seems more people come here than to receptions or tea parties these days.

That must be true,” Mrs. Diarn said, looking around the salon.

“Everyone came out of curiosity,” Erin said casually.

“What do people do when they come here?”

“There’s nothing specific. We just have conversations or study if there’s something we’re curious about,” Erin explained kindly without losing her friendly attitude.

“Maybe it’s because I’m old, but I still don’t really understand, even if I come,” Mrs. Diarn replied insincerely.

She listened dryly, letting Erin’s words pass through one ear.

“I can barely understand with so many people around and various things coming and going,” she muttered, focusing only on wanting to see certain things.

“I also worry that the decorum might be lacking a bit,” she added, causing the faces of Erin and the other noblewomen to gradually stiffen.

“But how is this place run?” Mrs. Diarn asked, glancing at Erin as if she were genuinely curious.

“I heard that even her husband doesn’t know,” she referred to Elder Diarn.

“This is a place I personally established. I just wanted to create a comfortable space for us to gather.”

Erin spoke calmly. “It’s quite substantial for such a thing.” Mrs. Diarn’s eyes narrowed.

“The marchioness is truly admirable,” she said meaningfully.

“She always manages to accomplish things that others have never thought of.”

Mrs. Diarn laughed so heartily that wrinkles formed around her eyes.

“I also want to try something here, but unfortunately, it all feels too unfamiliar to me,” she said, forcing a smile and slightly furrowing her brow.

“I’ll come again next time.”

“Anytime. Salon Breeze is open to everyone,” Erin replied.

It also meant that she wouldn’t block anyone, no matter who they were.

The look on Mrs. Diarn’s face as she gazed at Erin was subtly suggestive, but she didn’t linger and simply returned to her original position.

Angelina, who had been quietly observing the unusual conversation between Erin and Mrs. Diarn, slowly spoke up.

“It seems like there’s something fishy going on,” she said, her eyes fixed on the spot where Mrs. Diarn had just disappeared.

“I agree. It doesn’t seem like she just came here,” Erin replied calmly, her expression also showing a hint of suspicion.

“Mrs. Diarn, huh. If it’s the Diarn family… they’re in charge of trade and commercial rights in Lienster,” Angelina muttered, seeming to share similar thoughts with Erin.

“Could it be related to that?” Her gaze was now focused on Erin.

“Are they trying to find fault with us because of that?” Erin nodded without denying.

“It’s entirely possible.”

“…”

“The salon is not a commercial space at all, but it can be seen differently depending on the perspective.”

The elder’s association had been quiet recently. Over the past few years, the association had suffered setbacks multiple times, diminishing its presence.

In the process, the elders and Erin had clashed several times.

And gradually, the number of times they tried to influence Erin and Aiden decreased. It was natural for Erin’s presence to grow as the influence of Salon Breeze grew.

Therefore, the elders had no reason to be pleased with Erin’s increased presence at this point.

Moreover, the elders themselves could not afford to remain in their current weakened state.

“Perhaps they think this is their chance,” Erin thought.

There had been several opportunities to assert authority over the elders if they had pushed a little harder.

However, each time, Aiden chose to endure it.

Erin also agreed with his thinking. The relationship between Lienster and the elders had lasted for centuries.

Therefore, none of the predecessors, including Logan, could sever ties with the elders.

To cut them off abruptly could result in backlash by any means.

In addition, the Emperor was favorable to the existence of the elders because of his belief that it allowed him to control the influence of the noble families.

That’s why. Not because the elders were formidable, but to gradually and slowly sever the deep and resilient ties with them with minimal damage.

However, I had a hunch that maybe I wouldn’t have that kind of time anymore.