I No Longer Have Love to Offer You - Chapter 36

“Let me go over everything one more time.”

After entering Lily’s room, Mirabelle made chamomile tea while Lily was putting away her belongings. Hoping it might help calm her nerves even slightly, by the time she finished brewing, Lily had settled onto the sofa across from her.

Lily’s quarters consisted of two small adjoining rooms. A modest living space with a tiny kitchenette and a seating area, separated by a door from the bedroom. For someone who had previously lived in a nobleman’s mansion, it might as well have been smaller than a stable. Still, compared to the commoner’s quarters downstairs, having a separate bedroom was at least some small comfort.

“First, regarding the lawyer’s fees for securing your divorce, we’ll take ten percent from the alimony as payment. Since this is a contingency fee, Miss Lily, you won’t need to prepare anything upfront.”

As she spoke, Mirabelle slid a detailed document across the table.

“Next, for housing, food, and servant expenses like bath preparations, we’ll bill you for actual costs after the alimony is paid. Again, no upfront payment is required. Of course, if you’d prefer to pay in advance, that’s also acceptable, but…”

Given Lily’s circumstances, Mirabelle doubted she could manage an advance payment. Still, during their previous discussion, Lily had insisted she wanted to pay as much as possible beforehand.

“…I’m ashamed to admit I couldn’t prepare the funds.”

For Lily, raised as a count’s daughter and later becoming a countess, this situation must have felt like accepting charity. If she had been able to bring even a small amount of money with her, things might have been different. But then again, if she could have done that, she wouldn’t have ended up here in the first place.

“Then we’ll handle this afterward as well.”

(Your pride as a noblewoman won’t be wounded by something like this.)

Mirabelle wanted to say it, but she deliberately avoided the topic and moved on.

“Even if you receive alimony, it won’t sustain you forever. As we discussed before, have you reconsidered your plan to take up embroidery as work?”

Lily had been renowned for her embroidery skills since her academy days. Many had coveted her work so much so that a tapestry she donated during her studies still hung in the headmaster’s office.

“No, I haven’t changed my mind. It’s all I have. If it can become a proper source of income, I’d be grateful for the opportunity.”

“Understood. Then I’ll arrange a meeting with the dress shop.”

“But are you sure? Will my embroidery really be valuable enough to sell?”

For noblewomen, embroidery wasn’t work. It was merely a means to enhance their feminine worth. Learned from childhood as a refined skill, the ability to create beautiful needlework was considered one of a lady’s virtues. A husband who carried a handkerchief embroidered by his wife was seen as distinguished enough to have married a cultured woman.

“Absolutely. The shop’s designer specifically requested your work because they recognize its value.”

Fortunately, intricate embroidery was growing fashionable in high society. With Lily’s skill, the dress shop could attract even more attention.

“…What if my husband finds out?”

That might have been Lily’s greatest fear.

“Until the divorce is finalized, it would be best to accept commissions discreetly. Besides, it won’t be easy for anyone to enter this dormitory.”

Though it was a company dormitory, the Albert Trading Company was the most prosperous in the capital. They employed their own guards, and on paper, this was simply housing for commoners. Finding Lily here would be difficult—getting inside, even more so.

If anyone tried to force their way in, the Count’s household would effectively be picking a fight with a Marquis’ family. Though the Alberts rarely flaunted their noble status, they were still a Marquis’ house.

“For daily necessities, rely on the servants. I know it’s stifling, but it’s only temporary.”

“It’s for my future freedom. I won’t complain.”

Lily smiled softly as she said it.

It was the brightest smile Mirabelle had seen since their reunion.