I No Longer Have Love to Offer You - Chapter 31

“It’s been a while.”

Prompted by Ludovic’s words, Mirabelle sat down on the sofa with Albert, and tea with sweets was promptly served. The aroma of Darjeeling, Mirabelle’s favorite wafted through the air. Beneath the unspoken consideration from Ludovic, Mirabelle let out a quiet sigh.

(I didn’t know how Ludovic felt about my divorce from Ricardo, but at the very least, he doesn’t seem to hold any ill will toward me now.)

That alone meant a great deal to Mirabelle. Of course, the very fact that he harbored no resentment was likely why he had stepped forward as an investor this time.

“It’s been a long time. I apologize for not being able to visit you in person when Ricardo and I divorced. I could only send a letter.”

With those words, Mirabelle bowed her head.

When she and Ricardo had divorced, she had agonized over whether to visit Ludovic, the head of the Hylas family. Marriage was a contract between houses, and since Mirabelle was not the head of the Lumière family, there was no strict obligation. Yet the promise she had made when marrying Ricardo had left her uncertain.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise, the one about never divorcing.”

Mirabelle had made that vow to Ludovic. It hadn’t been meant to bind her to the marriage, but rather, it had been Ludovic’s way of confirming whether she truly understood what she was getting into.

Back then, Mirabelle had been overjoyed at the prospect of marrying Ricardo. She had believed her unrequited feelings had finally been answered. But perhaps Ludovic had known all along that Ricardo’s feelings for Marietta had never changed.

Ignorant of that, Mirabelle had boldly declared her resolve when Ludovic had asked, “Are you really sure about this?” Yet that promise had been broken. In just five years.

“The divorce wasn’t your fault, was it? If anything, I should be the one apologizing.”

With those words, Ludovic bowed his head, his gaze sincere.

“My brother and my ex-wife have wronged you.”

“That’s hardly Lord Ludovic’s fault, is it?!”

Mirabelle didn’t know what had transpired between Ludovic and Marietta, but she suspected Ricardo’s presence had played some part in their separation.

“…You haven’t changed a bit, Mirabelle. Always worrying about others, then and now.”

The wry smile he directed at her carried warmth. At the same time, she could tell that Ludovic, too, had been deeply troubled by the recent divorces on both sides.

Perhaps to ease the lingering tension, Ludovic picked up his teacup and took a sip. Then, deliberately, he spoke.

“Before we discuss the investment, there’s something I’d like to tell Mirabelle. Would that be all right?”

The question was directed at Albert.

From the moment they had entered the parlor until now, Albert had made himself nearly invisible not because he wasn’t listening, but because he had judged his presence unnecessary to Mirabelle and Ludovic’s conversation.

“Of course. If it’s unrelated to business, shall I excuse myself?”

It was likely Albert’s way of being considerate.

(The Hylas family is an excellent investor, but why did Albert arrange this meeting himself?)

Naturally, it had been Ludovic who had requested to meet Mirabel, the architect of the plan. As the party seeking investment, they had to accommodate the other side’s wishes. Still, Albert could have left the arrangements entirely to Mirabelle.

“No, I’d prefer Lord Albert to stay.”

Ludovic’s response to Albert’s question made it clear. He wanted Albert present for what was likely to be a deeply personal conversation.

“Your presence will be a support to Mirabelle from now on, won’t it?”

“That is my hope.”

Albert’s reply was uncharacteristically hesitant, his expression troubled. For someone who usually spoke with clarity, it was an oddly vague answer.

(…A support to me?)

Mirabelle tilted her head slightly, unable to fully grasp the meaning behind their exchange. As she did, Ludovic poured more tea into his own cup and spoke again.

“This will require going back a bit in time…”

His calm voice began weaving a tale of the past.