Chapter 5

The voice was one she knew all too well.
She’d foolishly assumed the capital was vast enough that they wouldn’t cross paths—and now, here they were.

Aileen turned her gaze toward the source of the voice.

“…Ah.”

There stood Judith, dressed in dazzling splendor, her hands clutching tightly to Carlisle’s arm, which was clad in his usual all-black attire.

At that exact moment, her eyes met Carlisle’s—those once warm, deep blue eyes.

Now, they looked like lifeless stones, long forgotten and weathered.
That cold gaze shattered the last of Aileen’s composure.

The flood of emotion rushed in too suddenly. Her lips threatened to tremble, and she bit down to stop it.

“Ah… Lady Aileen.”

It was Judith who finally broke the tension, pulling Aileen’s eyes away from Carlisle.

“It’s been a while.”

Judith approached with the ease of someone who believed nothing unpleasant had ever existed between them.

At first, she seemed to hesitate—but she walked forward boldly, like a prey animal trying to appear calm before a predator, watching Aileen’s expression with wary eyes.

“Is she insane?” Sera hissed under her breath; lips tight with suppressed rage.

Understandably so.
Judith was the one who had played with a man already engaged, and now she had the audacity to be the first to speak to his former fiancée?

It was outrageous.

Aileen’s head began to throb, but more than that, she needed to leave.
She couldn’t face them—not Carlisle’s unfamiliar, ice-cold eyes… not the pain they brought.

“We’re not exactly on speaking terms, are we?”

Aileen had debated ignoring her entirely, but instead, she replied with a voice that was calm yet firm—just enough civility to avoid a scene.

It seemed Judith had expected something friendlier—maybe even a warm welcome.

She flinched, her eyes squinting slightly, then looked up at Carlisle as if seeking help.
Her eyes shimmered, and she tugged softly at his sleeve like a frightened child clinging to shelter.

As if Aileen had done something to her.

Aileen could barely keep herself from laughing bitterly.

And of course, he moved.
The man who had stood still like a stone finally took a step—at her touch.

Aileen’s heart sank with a dull ache.

Carlisle stepped forward, the deep purple brooch on his chest catching the light as he moved.
It glittered like the necklace Aileen had once mistaken for her own.

How petty that memory felt now.

“Aileen.”

His voice—it had been so long. Low as ever, but now stripped of warmth.

Behind him, Judith peered out with crimson eyes, half-hidden, half-curious.
Aileen’s chest tightened, as if someone had taken her heart in their hands and begun to squeeze.

She had started to turn away—but stopped.
Their eyes met again.

A second stretched on, feeling endless, until Carlisle finally spoke.

“…It’s been a while.”

What was this?
Did he think they were old friends now?

Just looking at the way he and Judith touched still made her feel sick.

Still, Aileen forced herself to stay composed—praying her voice wouldn’t tremble.

“I don’t think we’re in any position to exchange pleasantries.”

“……”

“I’d appreciate it if, moving forward, we pretend not to know each other—even if we happen to meet.”

It wasn’t a request. It was a declaration.

Her voice was firm. She had buried so many feelings, but some remnants still clung to her, dragging her through the muck of old memories.

And yet, Carlisle—the man who had caused it all—stood there, completely unaffected.

“…The annulment papers,” he said.

Aileen froze.

“I was hoping to receive them soon. But I haven’t gotten a response.”

Was he seriously saying this to her now?

“I’d appreciate it if you could send them quickly.”

His voice was calm. Too calm.
Aileen’s hands curled into fists at her sides. A storm of emotion erupted inside her—grief, fury, disgust.

She bit down on her lip, then looked him straight in the eye.

His expression didn’t waver. As if the only thing he had come for… was to remind her to send back that damned document.

That was it.
Nothing else.

The wedding day that had passed just days ago—their wedding day—meant nothing. It had faded from his memory entirely.

Of course. It had probably meant nothing to him for a long time.

Aileen felt foolish for mourning it, for still drowning in memories.

“I’ll send it. Don’t rush me.”

Her voice was cold, carefully measured.

Then she turned to Judith.

Her arms were still wrapped tightly around Carlisle’s arm. Always clinging. Always possessive.

Just like that first day at House Revart.
Just like the last time they met.
Just like now.

As if even a moment apart would destroy her.

Without meaning to, Aileen opened her mouth.

“Lady Judith Hessiden. I hope we never speak again under such circumstances.”

“I… I…”

Judith’s face went pale.

“I heard the Marquess of Hessiden deeply cherishes his second daughter,” Aileen added, smoothly changing the subject, her voice cool but courteous. “So much so, they say… his love has no limits.”

Judith flinched. Her already pale face drained of color.

Aileen, catching that reaction, offered a small, cold smile and added—

“I’ve been wondering lately… if that’s really true.”

“Aileen.”

Carlisle, who had remained rooted in place until now, took a half step forward and spoke her name in a low, subdued voice.

His jet-black hair, covering half his brow, swayed gently—so unlike the hardened lines of his expression.

Aileen tilted her head slightly, her smile never wavering, as if to say, Go on. Let’s hear it.

And Carlisle answered her provocation—with the cruelest words, ripping her heart apart.

“I told you before—Judith is pregnant.”

“……”

“It’s a delicate time for her. If you have something to say, say it to me.”

Her heart pounded.
Hidden beneath the folds of her dress, her hand trembled uncontrollably.

What had she done to deserve this level of cruelty?

The Carlisle she had known—the one who once looked only at her—felt like a fading shadow now. The furrowed brows, the clenched jaw, the cold, still eyes…
So much of him was different.

Her heart thudded violently in her chest, as if trying to escape her body.
Was it from sorrow? Or betrayal?

Aileen stared at him—at him, not the man standing beside Judith now.

Judith, beside him, kept her trembling gaze lowered to the ground.

Still early in her pregnancy. Still barely a visible bump.

Suddenly, a memory flickered—soft and distant—a lazy afternoon when she and Carlisle had once dreamed aloud.

—

“Carlisle.”

“Mm?”

“Do you want a son or a daughter?”

“…I don’t know.”

His answer had come a beat late, his expression uncertain—as if he’d never really thought about children.

But it hadn’t been out of reluctance. Aileen had known that well.

“A child with both of us in them… Isn’t that a lovely thought? They’d be so cute.”

“…Yeah. I’d want them to look like you.”

His voice had been almost dazed, entranced. So rare for him.

Aileen had giggled about it all night afterward.

—

But now… not only would there be no child with him—that dream had been stolen, too.

Reality struck her like ice water.

She exhaled once, then again. Three steady breaths.
When she finally spoke, her voice was flat, almost mechanical.

Her knees trembled under her dress, ready to give way.

“Whether your fiancée is pregnant or not… it has nothing to do with me. If you’re that concerned, maybe you should keep a closer eye on her. So she doesn’t go around making a scene.”

“….”

“Instead of me.”

“I… I’m sorry, Lady Aileen. It’s all… all my fault. Please don’t be angry.”

Judith suddenly stepped forward, her voice pitiful and shaky.

“I didn’t expect we’d meet like this. I was just so happy to see you again, I—”

Happy?
When had that word ever applied to them?

Aileen blinked, staring at Judith’s tear-filled eyes without a flicker of emotion.

“I’ll make sure never to speak to you again, Lady Aileen. Truly…”

She sounded like the one being scolded—like Aileen was the villain.

The absurdity of it made Aileen’s stomach turn.

“Let’s do that, Carlisle,” Aileen said flatly.

Carlisle gave a small nod.

Aileen brushed her hair back and forced a steady tone.

“Be sure to keep that promise. We’re not exactly at the point where casual greetings are appropriate, are we?”

She didn’t know if her trembling lips were truly hidden.
Still, she lifted her chin with a poised smile and walked past them.

Thankfully, neither tried to stop her.

Behind her, Sera’s anxious footsteps quickly followed.

Aileen could feel Sera fidgeting in worry—but she had no strength to address it.

Her heartbeat thundered.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

It pounded through her chest like war drums announcing an invasion.

She forced herself to ignore the storm inside her and stepped into the nearest jewelry shop.

“Welcome,” the clerk greeted her warmly, unaware of what had just unfolded outside.

Aileen steadied herself, adjusted her expression, and spoke calmly.

“I’d like to see a ruby necklace. The price doesn’t matter.”

She hadn’t even glanced at rubies in years.
The color reminded her too much of blood, of danger—and she’d always feared Carlisle might return from the battlefield injured.

But if she was honest, it wasn’t just superstition.

It was her. That vivid crimson glare. Judith’s unmistakable eyes.
She couldn’t bear it.

And now, in what felt like an act of reckless defiance, Aileen purchased a necklace studded with deep red rubies.

Then, almost without thinking, she bought another necklace—an emerald one—and gave it to Sera.

Sera tried to refuse, flustered, but Aileen insisted.

It was a small gift—a quiet thank you for enduring what no one should have had to see.