“A noble marriage is only recognized as official once the marriage certificate is accepted by the church,” Flare said, taking out a marriage certificate from the drawer of her study desk.
It was the very document that was supposed to have been signed and processed at yesterday’s wedding. However, at this point, the paper remained completely blank.
“In other words, Lord Samuel and I are still merely engaged. Although he doesn’t seem to realize even that much.”
Naturally, there was a vast difference between breaking off an engagement and getting a divorce.
Of course, breaking an engagement was not something to be praised, but it was by no means unheard of. Furthermore, at the engagement stage, it was entirely possible as long as the parties involved and the heads of their respective houses agreed to it.
When it came to a divorce, on the other hand, the procedures immediately grew exceedingly tedious. First, both parties had to fill out a divorce decree and submit it to the church. Only after receiving the church’s official approval would the divorce become binding. On top of that, completing every single step took a considerable amount of time.
“That is certainly true, My Lady. But will that man truly consent to breaking the engagement?” Lucius asked with a look of concern.
Flare adopted a thoughtful expression as she answered, “You’re right. Lord Samuel is likely acting like this because he assumes we are already married, so it might not go smoothly.”
Until now, Samuel had always prioritized Lillian, but he had never been quite as blatant about it as he was yesterday. Perhaps he believed that once they were married, parting ways wouldn’t be so easy or perhaps, after seeing Flare accept whatever treatment was hurled her way over the years, he simply didn’t feel the need to keep up pretenses anymore.
“Even so, as long as Lord Samuel is clearly the party at fault, he shouldn’t be able to refuse.”
The funds Samuel had squandered on Lillian throughout his engagement with Flare. The disrespectful attitudes of the servants at the Marquis estate. On top of that, simple records detailing when and how long Samuel abandoned his promises with Flare to run to Lillian’s side would be more than enough evidence.
And the ultimate blow was him abandoning his own wedding. In a sense, every guest in attendance was a witness.
Although Flare had called off the wedding under the pretense of Samuel’s sudden illness, everyone present knew full well that it was merely a polite cover. After all, Samuel’s blatant favoritism toward Lillian was infamous throughout the social circle.
(They gossiped about me relentlessly back then, too.)
Some with looks of concern, others with pity mixed with contempt.
“I never imagined the day would come when this would prove useful,” Flare murmured, gently stroking the cover of a journal placed beside the marriage certificate.
Since she was a young girl, writing in a diary had been a habit of Flare’s. Happy events became even fond memories, while writing about painful or sorrowful times allowed her to release the ache inside her heart.
For that reason, she had meticulously documented everything involving Samuel as well.
Anyone looking through her diary could instantly see just how often, and to what extent, Samuel had put Lillian before her.
“My marriage is already tainted by scandal as it is. Adding one more rumor to the pile at this point won’t make much of a difference.”
In fact, even if negative rumors flared up, her family would undoubtedly rejoice over Flare’s decision. Though they had respected Flare’s feelings and refrained from outright opposing the union, they had never offered their unreserved blessing, not even to the very end.
“Now that my mind is made up, the sooner I act, the better.”
Call it a stroke of luck, but Samuel had not returned from the Muller residence today either. Whether that was because Lillian was keeping him there or as a deliberate insult to Flare, she did not know.
“Most of my belongings haven’t been delivered here yet, correct? I need to contact the Rickbelt family immediately.”
Originally, Flare’s belongings were scheduled to be moved into the Walsh estate before the wedding day. Because moving such a vast amount of luggage required Samuel’s presence, every single appointed day had been ruined by summonses from Lillian. As a result, the transfer had never been carried out to this day.
“The Earl and Countess will be delighted,” Lucius said softly.
“Yes… I’ve been quite an unfilial daughter until now.”
Her parents, who always wished for Flare’s happiness, had never held a good opinion of Samuel for neglecting their daughter. Even so, they had cherished Flare’s feelings above all else.
Up until now, Flare herself had failed to treasure herself more than anyone else had. She felt that truth deeply now.
“Perhaps the wedding being canceled and my belongings failing to be moved as scheduled were all signs… hints that this marriage was never good for me to begin with.”
It was almost like divine guidance.
With a strangely refreshed feeling in her heart, Flare embraced the thought.
“I will no longer be at Lord Samuel’s beck and call.”
That was Flare’s firm resolve.
Samuel, who foolishly believed everything would always go according to his desires, was bound to pay the price for his arrogance from this moment on.
And so would Lillian, who had laughed at Flare in secret while hiding safely in Samuel’s shadow.