I know. That’s why I came here—to make things right. I wanted to properly receive your permission. And…… I also wanted to honestly express my true feelings at last.

Julietta had always been a small, fragile child, striving earnestly to earn her father’s love. She simply wished, just once, to have a real conversation.

“Then I understand.”

Immediately, Weaslet turned his gaze toward the door and called out.

“Brother, stop hesitating and come in. You need to talk with Julietta just as much as she needs to talk with you.”

Then, nervously, Brother Valentino stepped inside. Now I realized why my eldest brother had said he’d return shortly after stepping out earlier.

He must have left to give me and Weaslet, the only family member I’d ever truly opened my heart to, a chance to speak privately.

Weaslet glanced back and forth between me and Brother Valentino for a moment, then scratched the back of his head.

“I know things between you two have been strained. And I don’t really have the right to tell you to reconcile……. Honestly, I don’t think it’s wrong for Julietta to be angry with you. Not only Father, but you too were painfully indifferent. In this mansion, aside from the nursemaid, it was always me who stayed by Julietta’s side.”

I hadn’t properly explained the situation to Weaslet, yet he seemed to have understood all the reasons why I had been avoiding my eldest brother. Brother Valentino stood awkwardly and looked at me.

I started to avert my gaze, then stopped myself. Continuing to avoid him would only pile up more regret, like the stack of unsent letters I’d kept all this time.

“Julietta.”

“Yes, Brother.”

“……I’m sorry. I told myself I’d change, yet again I failed to truly listen to you—all in the name of protecting you. After hearing your conversation with Weaslet, I finally understand. I’ve never once truly respected you.”

“……”

I wished he had said those words sooner. The longing I once held for my brother had now turned into resentment, and the fear of reaching out only to be ignored again made me suddenly tremble with dread.

“You don’t have to accept my apology, Julietta. I now realize that even the desire to gain your forgiveness and feel at ease is just my own selfishness.”

His cautious tone no longer suffocated me. Instead, he waited calmly for my response, carefully observing my feelings.

A heavy, long-buried regret stirred faintly within my heart. It felt like a moment I had waited for all my life.

“At last, you’re speaking with me properly. Without impatience, without imposing your opinions and dismissing my feelings. I’ve always wished we could talk like this.”

“Julietta……”

My eldest brother’s voice sounded pained. Forgotten memories resurfaced.

“You were always busy, Brother. Always kind and gentle, but never truly by my side. Perhaps you became so consumed by duty, just like Father, because of our late mother.”

Bringing up this long-buried topic made the atmosphere grow heavy. My eldest brother fell silent, then slowly nodded.

After Mother’s passing, the atmosphere within the Orbetian household had changed profoundly, despite appearances remaining unchanged. Father had changed, my eldest brother had changed, and even Weaslet had thrown himself more passionately into love.

But yes, perhaps it was time for things to change. Perhaps it was time to allow myself to hope again. After all, we were finally able to face each other and speak honestly.

“……While I’m here, I’ll talk with you too, Brother. I’ll tell you about my married life, what I like. And in return, I’d like to know about your daily life, and what you enjoy now.”

“Thank you, Julietta……”

Hearing his gratitude, I continued. The distrust still lingering inside me made it hard to fully believe his words yet.

“Of course, if you’re busy, please say so now. I’ve already had enough of false hopes—my childhood years spent waiting for you were more than sufficient.”

“It’s fine. I’ve taken an extended leave, one I’ve always postponed and saved up. I thought to myself—if I don’t cherish this moment now, then to you, Julietta, I’d be worth less than a stranger.”

Perhaps he was right. After all, I had been doing everything I could to cut off contact with my eldest brother. Our relationship had clearly become colder than that of passing strangers.

Brother Valentino, catching his breath, spoke to me in a manner entirely different from when he first arrived at the Ferhaem estate.

“……And now I understand, Julietta, that I have no right to interfere in your matters with the Duke of Ferhaem. I feel the same as Weaslet. As long as you’re happy, I’m fine with it.”

“Thank you, Brother.”

At my words, my eldest brother smiled brightly, as if genuinely relieved. It would still take time, certainly. But…… but…… wouldn’t it be better to move forward rather than keep piling up regret and fear?

Thinking this, I reached out to take my brother’s hand—when Father entered the study with a cold expression.

“Weaslet, Valentino. Leave this place. Julietta and I have matters to discuss alone.”

His usual gentle voice was gone. Faced with this clear dismissal, Weaslet and Brother Valentino stood stiffly, their expressions tight.

As they left, I caught their worried glances, but I had steeled myself for this. After all, the reason I returned to the Orbetian estate was to clear Father’s misunderstanding and seek his blessing.

And also, to finally cast off this lingering, long-held regret.

“Sit down, Julietta.”

“Yes, Father.”

I silently obeyed. Soon, the infamous contract was placed before me.

“A contract arrived at the Orbetian estate, sent by an unknown party. It bore the official seal of the House of Ferhaem. Clearly, it was genuine, not a forgery.”

“Yes. I don’t deny writing the contract. At first, I agreed with him to a marriage lasting two years.”

“……Tell me, then—what parts of this document are true, and what parts are false?”

I calmly went through the forged contract, explaining each point. As I read the shockingly deceptive clauses, my brows instinctively furrowed.

There were many factors that could cause misunderstanding. And circumstances had been set up to provoke such misunderstandings. Rumors that Yezar loved someone else had started it all, followed by the revelation that the claim of a long-standing lover was false. And recently, my demand for divorce had amplified everything.

“……Thus, the contract was written so that, should divorce occur, the fault would lie with the Duke of Ferhaem.”

I showed Father the revised contract. Yet even this seemed unsatisfactory, as deep lines formed across his brow.

“I simply cannot understand why you agreed to such a disadvantageous marriage, Julietta……. What could my daughter possibly lack, that you’d accept such a contract? Hah……”

Father spoke as if regretting the past.

“The Duke of Ferhaem is despicable. You stopped me, but…… he claimed you were his long-time lover—spreading falsehoods. Then he entered into a marriage lasting only two years. When this marriage ends, Julietta, all that will remain for you is the stigma of divorce. No matter how lenient the Empire is toward divorce…… you could have married a man who truly wanted you and would have made you happy from the start. There was no need to take such a circuitous path.”

I heard the sound of teeth grinding. He was only holding back because this was the Orbetian estate and there was no one here to lash out at. Had Yezar been present, Father would have undoubtedly screamed in fury.

At that moment, I felt certain I had made the right decision to halt everything and return here. If someone had to bear his rage, I would rather it be me.

“……You and Mother married because you loved each other.”

Mentioning Mother, a topic no one had dared broach since her passing, caused Father’s expression to shift.

“Why bring that up suddenly?”

His tone carried a sharp edge. It was clear he still had not moved past the grief of losing Mother.

“I’ve wanted to speak of it once. You asked why I entered this marriage, didn’t you?”

“Yes. I asked.”

Father answered as if trying to avoid an uncomfortable topic. But today, I intended to confront that very discomfort.

“I believed I didn’t need love. And coincidentally, he met my conditions for marriage. So I began it…… and I do not regret that choice.”

“You haven’t met many men, that’s all. Perhaps a few sweet words from that detestable Duke swayed your heart.”

I answered honestly.

“Yes. That might be true.”

“Julietta—!”

“But Father, have you ever offered me even a few comforting words? Have you ever stayed by my side when I needed you, even once?”