The Fake Madam Disappeared
Vol. 1 - Ch. 68

Daphne blinked rapidly a few times. Her eyes, which held Edmund’s face, were clouded with confusion.

“…Then….”

What happens after I give birth?

The question remained unspoken, trapped within her. Words she could never bring herself to voice aloud.

What happens to me once I’ve had the child? He only wants the baby growing inside me, not me. Once I give birth, what becomes of me?

A wave of fear surged through her. Consumed by that fear, Daphne could only gasp for breath, unable to say a single word.

“Do you understand?”

Daphne couldn’t muster the courage to meet Edmund’s eyes. His cold gaze would reveal everything, and so she deliberately lowered her eyes to avoid him.

“Nothing will change between us.”

“…And what exactly are we?”

The question slipped out before she could stop it. What are we, really? All we do is hurt each other. We’re worse than strangers. So what are we supposed to be?

“…You’re carrying my child. I must take responsibility for that.”

Edmund defined their relationship in a heartbeat.

It hurt more than Daphne expected that even laughter wouldn’t come. She was nothing more than the woman carrying his child. No more, no less.

Edmund had dragged into the light what Daphne had desperately tried to ignore. Whether he meant to or not didn’t matter. One thing was clear.

‘You don’t love me.’

Realizing that once again, Daphne smiled faintly.

“I understand.” She quickly added, “I’m not feeling well. I think I’m just tired. Will you leave now?”

“…Get some rest.”

Edmund rose to his feet.

— — — 

As the shadow cast over her body by Edmund disappeared, Daphne felt a strange emptiness like something that had quietly taken root in her heart had been yanked out. She sat there, blinking blankly like a broken doll.

Edmund turned to glance back as he grasped the doorknob. He offered her a small smile before walking out. Even after he left, Daphne remained frozen in place.

This was it. This was enough.

Edmund doesn’t love her. And Daphne… had given up on loving him. He was right. Nothing would change.

Edmund never loved her. He doesn’t love her now. And he never will.

“…Ha.”

At the end of a love that had frayed into pieces, all she was left with was her tattered heart, and the finality felt oddly calm.

Daphne finally exhaled the breath she’d been holding. Her clenched fists had turned pale without her realizing.

Tap, tap.

Tap, tap.

The repetitive sound drew her to her feet, but she staggered. 

Her gaze shifted to the window. Perched there was a crow with red eyes, tapping its beak against the glass, a piece of paper beneath it. Daphne stumbled toward the window.

Her hands trembled as she opened it and tore open the letter. Her face had gone ghostly pale. A bitter, uncontrollable scoff escaped her lips.

Daphne looked down at the letter with a hardened expression.

“Brother….”

You’re just as much a monster as Edmund.

She muttered under her breath.

* * *

Click.

Edmund quietly watched the flame flicker to life and die again in rhythm with the movement of his hand. His eyes wandered without thought, and outside, the first light of dawn had just begun to break. Staring at it for a while, Edmund finally turned his head away.

Before him lay a single document. The divorce papers, complete but for his signature. Putting the lighter down, Edmund reread the papers once again.

Again and again.

Nothing had changed. Daphne’s signature was there. His was not.

Edmund picked up the pen.

But just as the nib hovered over the signature line, his hand froze.

“…Ha.”

He suddenly remembered that day when he couldn’t bring himself to sign the papers Daphne had left behind.

[“Your Excellency.”]

The memory of Daphne calling him that, as if she’d been waiting for that exact moment, flashed through his mind. She hadn’t spoken his name since the announcement of their marriage. She avoided eye contact and stiffened in public as if paralyzed.

That had bothered Edmund.

On their wedding day, just before the reception, Edmund had spoken to her.

[“Say my name.”]

[“…Pardon?”]

[“Have you never thought that someone might find it strange how distant we seem?”]

[“Oh…”]

Daphne had blinked slowly, as though she hadn’t seen that coming.

[“…Edmund.”]

She’d murmured his name like she was practicing it, and just then, the door opened, and Edmund had pulled her to his side.

[“Let’s go, Daphne.”]

Daphne’s eyes widened. Perhaps because he’d called her by name. Or maybe because of the tenderness in his voice.

From that moment on, they’d spoken each other’s names naturally. Never once had they stopped.

[“Your Excellency.”]

Her voice echoed again in his mind, and with it came a sharp headache.

Edmund groaned softly and slumped into his chair, eyes closed. Only when the pain dulled did he open them again.

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked.

“Come in,” Edmund said, massaging his temples.

To his surprise, it was Benjamin. Edmund frowned slightly.

When word got out that he’d divorced Daphne and was to marry the princess, Benjamin had looked utterly shaken. Edmund assumed he’d be avoiding him for a while.

“Your Excellency.”

“What is it?”

“Forgive me… Do you think Madam is aware that today is your engagement ceremony?”

Ah. Edmund blinked. He had completely forgotten.

“…She doesn’t know.”

“The royal carriage will arrive shortly.”

Edmund tapped his fingers on the desk for a moment, then stopped, having reached a decision.

“Give her a sedative.”

“Madam, sir?”

“She’s unwell. Make sure it’s mild. She’s pregnant.”

“…Understood. I’ll inform Baroness Nouvelle.”

Benjamin bowed and left.

Edmund picked up the document again, but the words blurred in his vision. He sighed and pressed his fingers to his brow.

[“Your Excellency.”]

Once again, Daphne’s voice rang in his ears. Edmund stood abruptly and stormed out.

“Alec.”

He burst into Alec’s room near the training grounds without warning.

“Your Excellency?”

Alec, caught mid-work, looked up in shock.

“Outside. Now.”

Realizing what Edmund intended, Alec quickly changed and headed to the training ground. The moment he stepped inside, Edmund lunged at him.

“Urgh—”

Driven back by Edmund’s force, Alec strained to counter him, watching closely.

‘Something’s wrong.’

Edmund, who usually controlled his strength with precision, was pushing the edge. A little more force, and Alec could seriously be injured. He held on with all his might.

Finally—

“Good work.”

Edmund lowered his sword, not a breath out of place. Alec, barely able to respond, panted heavily.

“Change clothes. We’re going out. Inform the Black Knights too.”

Before Alec could ask why, Edmund was gone.

— — — 

Back in his room, Edmund looked down at his trembling right arm. Each clash of their blades had brought pain, and he had pressed harder. Welcoming the pain. Craving more, as if trying to numb something deeper.

After changing, someone entered.

“Your Excellency, the royal carriage has arrived.”

He turned. Benjamin was there.

“Madam is asleep.”

She’d taken the sedative.

“Don’t let her leave the room until I return.”

“…Yes, sir.”

As Edmund stepped out, he was met by onlookers startled by the sudden appearance of the royal carriage.

Having finished changing and preparing, Alec rushed out upon hearing the news. He glanced between Edmund and the carriage, then stiffened as realization dawned. He approached Edmund.

“Station Chris in front of Daphne’s room.”

“Yes, sir.”

“No one follows me except the guards on watch.”

And with that, Edmund boarded the carriage. 

The others could no longer deny it. The Duke had finalized his divorce and was now headed to his engagement with the princess. The unbelievable rumor was true.

— — — 

Despite being an engagement, the crowd was enormous. Understandably so since it was the engagement of Duke Winter and Princess Elizabeth, and just after his divorce at that.

No one had believed the rumor at first. But after a young noblewoman close to the princess’s maid confirmed it, the truth spread like wildfire. What sealed it was the engagement invitations sent to nearly every noble in the capital.

This event, which had stirred not just the Empire but the continent, was enough to drown out the scandalous rumors of a miscarriage caused by the Imperial family’s mistake. Who would care about the former Duchess Winter now?

All eyes were on the stars of the day.

Princess Elizabeth looked especially radiant, her smile dazzling. Duke Winter’s expression was stiff, but everyone assumed he was simply nervous.

The ceremony was held near the grounds where the imperial hunting festival had once taken place. A picturesque scene of a river flowing, birds chirping  – a storybook setting for a fairytale couple.

“How about now, Daphne?” 

Sergei asked as he watched the scene unfold. As if to say, Now do you believe it?

T/N: I just vomited a mouthful of blood after this chapter 

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