I No Longer Have Love to Offer You - Chapter 9

Mirabelle had a reason for coming to town.

After stepping down from the Hylas family carriage at the stagecoach stop, Mirabelle walked south along the main avenue that ran through the capital city. The capital of Hylas was safe, and during the day, even a noblewoman walking alone was rarely in danger.

Still, it was better to be cautious, so she remained alert as she continued toward her destination.

Mirabelle was heading to a certain merchant house with a shop on the main avenue, the largest in Hylas territory, the Albert Trading Company.

Even if she hadn’t known the shop’s location, she wouldn’t have gotten lost. Its size and dazzling appearance made it stand out clearly among the other stores.

Facing the avenue were immaculately polished fixed windows. Beyond the high-clarity glass, a multitude of luxurious goods were on display; dresses and accessories to catch a woman’s eye were placed where they could be seen from the street, while deeper inside, a more subdued space for men’s goods was carefully arranged.

On either side of the double doors stood two doormen in stylish uniforms. Likely serving as security, their military-style outfits were adorned with intricate embroidery on the collars and cuffs.

Noblewomen would typically have their carriages stop at the shop’s designated carriage area before being escorted inside. A woman arriving on foot like Mirabelle was practically unheard of.

Moreover, this shop catered to nobility a clear step above the Albert Trading Company’s other stores for commoners.

Still, arriving on foot didn’t mean she would be turned away. As the largest trading company in the territory, they operated on the principle that business opportunities could come from anywhere, so they never dismissed potential customers at the door.

“Welcome.”

With a polite bow from the doormen, Mirabelle stepped inside.

Immediately to her right was a modest counter where a well-postured middle-aged man the concierge stood waiting.

“Welcome. What might you be looking for today?”

This was Mirabelle’s first time visiting the Albert Trading Company. The Hylas family had long-standing ties with another merchant house.

Besides, the Albert Trading Company was a rising force, having rapidly expanded its business over the past five years or so. Most noble families maintained relationships with older merchant houses while also doing business with newer ones like this.

Though she had never had any dealings with this company before, Mirabelle had a clear purpose today.

“I’d like to meet with the company president.”

The man’s expression flickered with the faintest hint of surprise. Normally, someone in his position would never let emotions show. He was meticulously trained to avoid it.

Yet even he couldn’t help but react. Despite the Albert Trading Company’s prominence, almost nothing was known about its president.

And now, an ordinary noblewoman was asking to meet this enigmatic figure.

“Forgive my asking, but may I have your name?”

(First surprise, now suspicion, I suppose.)

Still, Mirabelle answered calmly.
“I am Mirabelle Lumiere. If you relay my name, I believe he will agree to see me.”

Her words carried certainty.

Smoothly erasing his earlier surprise, the concierge bowed and began leading Mirabelle to a private room upstairs.

As she followed at a leisurely pace, she found the sitting room already prepared with warm tea and baked sweets. No instructions had been given, yet everything was ready proof of the staff’s attentiveness.

“Please make yourself comfortable until the president arrives.”

With that, the man left.

Watching him go, Mirabelle let out a quiet sigh.

She knew who the Albert Trading Company’s president was. More than that, he was someone she could call a friend.

(How long has it been since we last met?)

For him, this would be an unexpected visit. He’d surely be surprised. But Mirabelle had a reason, one that made coming here absolutely necessary.

Chapter 10 Request to the Trading Company

“Mirabelle, when did you return to Lumière?”

The words greeted her the moment she opened the parlor door, drawing an involuntary chuckle from Mirabelle.

“Knowing you, I’d wager you were already aware?”

Albert shrugged at her response before settling onto the opposite sofa. Though not widely known, the Albert Trading Company dealt in information as well. Their philosophy “Provide what is sought” meant they took pride in offering every conceivable product without limitation.

“It’s been a while. Five years, since we graduated from the academy…”

Theo Albert, head of the trading company, had been one of Mirabelle’s closest friends during their school days. His Bordeaux-colored hair, longer than shoulder-length, was loosely tied to one side and draped forward. His bright golden-brown eyes always gleamed with intelligence, yet his merchant’s tongue wove words with effortless charm.

(And to think this eccentric is a marquis’s son…)

As the third son of House Albert, Theo bore no obligation to dedicate himself to the family nor could he expect their support. Thus, from his academy days onward, he had sought to establish his own path.

“You haven’t changed a bit.”

“Really? I’d say I’ve aged quite appropriately.”

Though capable of aristocratic airs, Albert typically carried himself with commoner-like ease. A trait unchanged since their student days. Given that he managed shops catering to commoners alongside this establishment, he likely blended seamlessly among them.

“Once you became Hylas’s wife, I assumed I’d never hear from you again. But since you’re back in Lumière, I take it you need help?”

Leaning forward on the sofa, elbows propped on his knees and chin resting on clasped hands, Albert fixed her with a piercing gaze that seemed to bore straight through her.

“I’m fully prepared to be called presumptuous for asking favors just because we’re alumni. But I truly need your assistance.”

With no family to rely on and her ties to the countess title now nominal, Mirabelle couldn’t turn to other noblewomen. They thrived within the insular aristocracy hardly allies for one stepping off its prescribed path.

“…Very well. If it’s your wish, I’ve resolved to grant it.”

Albert’s lips curled less a smile than a smirk as he continued.

“There are two things I need from you.”

Mirabelle lifted the trunk beside her onto the table, opening it to reveal a jewelry case containing a diamond necklace and matching earrings, which she set down after moving the trunk aside.

“First, I’d like to borrow money using this set as collateral.”

“Your mother’s heirloom, isn’t it?”

“Yes. I don’t want to sell it, but I need funds. So, I’d like a loan against it.”

Donning gloves, Albert carefully inspected the pieces with a loupe.

“If I took these to another shop, they’d either lowball me or sell them off despite being collateral.”

Even with proper contracts, noble establishments would likely dismiss her as a woman. Commoner shops would haggle over the loan amount, and moneylenders would see a desperate woman pawning jewels as easy prey.

“You wouldn’t do that, would you? These are my last mementos. I can’t bear to lose them.”

Yet securing immediate living expenses left little choice.

“Did Lord Ricardo cast you out without even alimony?”

Albert’s voice turned sharp, his attention still on the jewels but his demeanor suddenly dangerous.

“He mentioned contacting the Lumière family later, so he may intend to pay. But that’s hardly my priority now.”

“The Lumière family? Surely you can’t return there?”

Indeed. With her uncle’s family now heading her former home, going back would invite scandal.

In the Kingdom of Esperanza, divorces were rare not because marriages were happy, but because couples often turned blind eyes to affairs. Most noble unions were political, with spouses living freely after producing heirs.

While widowed, childless women might return home, Mirabelle bereft of both parents; had no such recourse.

(In that sense, Ludovic and Marietta are unusual. As were Ricardo and I. I understand why Ricardo left, he wanted Marietta. But why did Ludovic agree to divorce?)

Pushing the thought aside, Mirabelle continued.

“You’re right about not returning. And I won’t take a single coin from Ricardo.”

Albert looked up sharply from repacking the jewelry.

“Meaning?”

“I never want to see him again. Nor will I accept money as compensation for our marriage.”

Perhaps it was stubborn pride. She knew that but she couldn’t bear the thought of Ricardo easing his conscience with alimony after stealing five years of her life. Nor would she let her pain be quantified in currency.

Ricardo knew his actions were inexcusable, yet paying alimony would absolve him socially while branding Mirabelle the wife so desperate to keep her husband. Meanwhile, Marietta, who would likely remarry immediately after the mandatory six months, would be celebrated as the woman worth leaving a marriage for.

However you looked at it, a noblewoman’s worth was dictated by men’s choices.

“I won’t accept Ricardo’s charity.”

“It’s not charity, it’s obligation and right. A divorced noblewoman can’t support herself. Hence husbands provide assets, and wives claim them.”

“That’s the ideal.”

Unless the split was amicable, such “obligations” went unfulfilled which was precisely why women endured unhappy marriages.

“…I know it’s not my place to say… But fine. Let’s table that.” Albert swallowed further protest. “Now, what’s the second favor?”

“It’s…”

This request, too, was something only Albert could fulfill and she knew he’d oppose it. Yet for her future’s sake, Mirabelle couldn’t back down now.