I No Longer Have Love to Offer You - Chapter 17

Before she knew it, another month had passed while accompanying Albert in his demanding work. It had been two months since her divorce from Ricardo, but Mirabelle was too busy to even think about it.

Being consumed by work ended up having a positive effect on Mirabelle. Meaningful work, a trustworthy superior, and reliable colleague slowly helped rebuild her self-esteem, which had been worn down over the years.

That day, Mirabelle received a letter from an old friend.

“Pamela says she wants to visit the trading company.”

“She’s coming all the way from the royal capital?”

Albert paused in his work. Correcting documents related to their current plans and looked up.

“Yes. It seems she’ll stop by on her way to her summer retreat.”

“Ah, the social season in the capital must be over. Though she never once visited here when Mirabelle wasn’t around.”

“Well, even if they were friends from school, a married noblewoman visiting a single man’s place wouldn’t look proper, would it?”

“It’s just a trading company. Anyone can stop by if they need something, no?”

“But now she’s a duchess. I’m sure there are all sorts of social constraints.”

Pamela, who had been close to Mirabelle during their school days, had married into a ducal family shortly after graduation. They had been engaged since their student years, and though there were political elements to the match, the relationship between the two families was said to be good making it a fortunate marriage by noble standards.

Unfortunately, due to the whirlwind of changes in her own circumstances including her marriage to Ricardo, which had elevated her from a count’s daughter to a viscount’s wife Mirabelle hadn’t been able to attend Pamela’s wedding.

Come to think of it, just like with Albert, it had been years since she last saw Pamela. The distance between the royal capital and the provincial capital, as well as their differing statuses, duchess and viscountess had made it difficult for them to meet.

And now, Pamela was stopping by the trading company just to see her. The thought of reuniting with her old friend made Mirabelle’s heart skip.

“When is she arriving?”

“…It seems she left right after sending the letter. She’ll probably be here the day after tomorrow.”

“What?! Still as impulsive as ever, I see.”

Normally, noble visits involved sending a formal letter well in advance, obtaining permission, and setting a date. Mirabelle was barely a noble in name now, so an impromptu visit wasn’t an issue but it was unusual for Pamela.

“Do you think she has urgent business?”

“Maybe she just wanted to see you as soon as she heard about your divorce?”

Indeed, Albert, who lived in the same provincial capital and dealt in information, had known about Mirabelle’s divorce immediately. But Pamela had likely only learned of it recently through a letter Mirabelle had sent.

“I might have worried her.”

“Friends worry about each other. That’s only natural.”

Albert replied casually to Mirabelle’s subdued voice not coldly, but as if to reassure her that there was no need for concern.

“She knows it’s a sudden visit. So even if our hospitality is lacking, she can’t complain.”

Saying this, Albert gave Mirabelle an errand to a famous confectionery shop in the provincial capital.

“Have them deliver it here by the morning of the day after tomorrow.”

He handed her an order slip for the shop’s most popular fruit-laden cake. Normally, they didn’t take reservations or deliveries, but they made exceptions for the trading company due to their special relationship.

(For all his talk, maybe Albert’s happy to see Pamela too.)

Albert was always hard to read, but that didn’t mean he was cold. He paid close attention to those around him, employees included and subtly helped or listened to those in need. That was why everyone who worked at the trading company or in his household trusted him wholeheartedly.

Before she knew it, Mirabelle had also grown comfortable being by his side. At first, she had worried that she might be taking his kindness for granted, but the steady stream of work assignments and his no-nonsense attitude made her believe his words that he truly valued her abilities.

(Was I mistaken in thinking he still has feelings for me?)

Sometimes, she even wondered. But just when she let her guard down, Albert would strike.

“Mirabelle, I don’t think you have time to space out?”

His voice came from right beside her as she stood lost in thought, the order slip still in hand. Startled, she looked up only to meet golden-brown eyes, narrowed like a feline’s, and a low whisper brushing her ear.

Albert only got this close to Mirabelle.

Well aware of how his status and appearance affected others, he never carelessly approached women.

And so, as if to show that Mirabelle was special to him, he would sometimes close the distance like this unexpectedly.

(How unfair…)

She knew that thinking this way meant she was already falling into his trap. But every time she did, she remembered Ricardo.

(I’m done with romance.)

She repeated it in her heart, sealing away the soft emotions stirring within. Then, after a single blink, she met Albert’s gaze firmly.

“I’ll go deliver the order right away.”

With that, she turned on her heel and left.