A Face One Wants to Hide
The two emerged from the patriarch's office wearing starkly contrasting expressions. Isaac wore a faint smile, while Lianna's face was rigidly set. He noticed it but chose not to comment.
Good thing the conversation went well.
His talk with Arandel had gone smoothly. They'd even arranged for financial and material support to allow departure as early as tomorrow. The sum was particularly generous—essentially hush money to keep the divorce details from leaking out.
Pathetic as it is, I'm a little thrilled.
This wasn't like his previous life, fleeing in terror. Stepping forward boldly made Isaac's heart race.
They say even rude people like the bold. Turns out it's true.
Especially facing Arandel Helmont, knowledge from his autobiography-cum-last-will in the previous timeline had been invaluable. The man wasn't one for nonsense, so Isaac had taken it at face value.
Divorce is the best.
The miracle of one becoming two. A symbol of freedom. And with a hefty settlement to boot. Someone once said you only realize what you've lost once it's gone. Now, having grasped the preciousness of single life only after marriage, Isaac was prepared for another regression—this time back to bachelorhood.
"Isaac."
Lianna called out to him as he hurried down the stairs, set to leave tomorrow.
"Hm?"
"Do you understand what it means to go to the Mallidan frontline? It's the frontline."
"I know. What we thought was just a beast cluster turned out to be a major horde."
Beast clusters were gatherings of mana beasts, but hazards were different. Larger than dens, and sometimes led by intelligent captain-level beasts, they were called major hordes.
"It hasn't been confirmed as a major horde yet."
Oh, right. Hasn't reached that point yet.
It was still uncertain in this timeline. But Isaac knew it was a major horde.
"And the beasts aren't the problem. You know the Kaldias family guards the Mallidan frontline."
"Yeah, I know. Extremely hostile to the Helmonts."
Blood enemies. Rivals dubbed Helmont and Kaldias. That was Arandel's biggest reason for not sending his sons there. It'd leave a lone Helmont son amid their hated foes.
"Who knows what treatment you'd get. Especially someone like you who can't even wield a sword properly—"
"Lianna."
A hollow laugh escaped him.
"No matter what they do to me at Kaldias—"
A faint contempt in Isaac's gaze pierced through her.
"—it'll be better than the Helmonts."
She wanted to ask what he knew about Kaldias. But Lianna couldn't speak. It was Isaac's attitude, as if he trusted Kaldias more than Helmont.
He resumed descending the stairs. Listening to his footsteps, she mustered her courage again.
"You're leaving tomorrow, right?"
A sigh echoed. Her heart sank, but Isaac paused and replied.
"Yeah, first thing tomorrow."
"How about dinner together?"
"Dinner?"
"Yeah. We were... married once."
It was rare for Lianna to initiate plans. But.
"Sorry, I have plans tonight."
"It's our last night."
"Can't be helped. I already made the promise."
Isaac planned to eat with the head chef and Milli. How awkward would it be with Lianna there?
"Then drinks?"
Tonight's Lianna was persistent. A question born of lowered pride.
"Haha, drinks are even worse."
Isaac smiled softly and deflected.
"......"
"Let's not make mistakes, Lianna. Save the champagne for your next husband."
"You're my husband now."
"Still am, for now."
"......"
"Then excuse me. I'm busy."
Need to pack. With that, Isaac headed to the first floor.
Left alone in the office, Arandel Helmont closed his eyes, lost in thought. His son-in-law—bold enough to mention divorce outright and negotiate—had left quite an impression.
Does he have a side I don't know?
The Isaac he knew was ordinary. Decent looks, silver-tongued enough to charm his daughter. But unfit for Helmont. And like a herbivore, he feared Arandel, so he'd left him be.
Unexpected.
Four years under the same roof, yet he'd never suspected this side. Isaac wasn't the type to speak so boldly before him. Few could even hold his gaze without flinching.
"If the kids showed even that much spirit..."
Arandel let out a rare faint sigh. If eldest son Roengreen had displayed such mettle, he'd have named him heir long ago. Seeing his children crushed under his shadow filled him with pity first. Helmonts crushed all, even their own father.
"Hope they learn by watching."
He never thought he'd say to learn from his son-in-law. His evaluation of Isaac had risen, sparking interest.
"......"
Honestly, he'd first suspected a scheme by Lianna. At Sword Festival, he'd planned to pass succession to Roengreen despite shortcomings. He'd told her to bear a child freely and support the family. But he'd thought she sought divorce to maneuver for headship.
"Not that."
Instead, the lingering regret in her eyes was heartbreaking for a father.
"Hoo."
Resolved. Arandel decided not to meddle further in Isaac and Lianna. He cared only for the strong. Isaac hadn't even reached swordsman rank.
But.
Intriguing.
The bold son-in-law, no swordsman, lingered vividly.
Evening.
"Did the meal suit your taste?"
The head chef approached with a gentle smile, refilling his teacup. The clean finish perfectly capped the meal.
"Absolutely. Thank you for making my last Helmont night so delightful. It was so good, I almost didn't want to leave."
"Haha! We'd be grateful if you stayed, Sir Isaac!"
No flattery. The chef genuinely wished he'd remain. No one else appreciated his food so much, making him proud as a cook, affirming his efforts weren't wasted. After years with the curt family—complaining or picky—Isaac's honest joy stood out.
"Wish you'd been honest from the start."
Isaac regretted it too. Only now, at the end, could he say this.
"Sir Isaac."
"Milli!"
His tanned peer chef held a neatly packed lunchbox.
"I made a lunchbox with your favorite sandwiches. It's enchanted with warmth preservation, so you can eat it on tomorrow's journey."
"Milli, thank you so much."
To Isaac, Milli was a benefactor from his past life. He desperately wanted to take her, but it was impossible. Her food would be missed sorely.
"Milli, do you know why I like sandwiches?"
So he said something silly.
In his past life, her eyes watching him leave held only pity and worry.
"Pardon? Is there a special reason?"
"You can eat them while playing card games. That's why."
"Pfft, what a silly reason."
"......Nice."
Now, she smiled through the farewell. Isaac loved that. He wasn't her worry anymore. Pure joy.
"So when I make a fortune in card games, be my personal chef."
"Pardon?"
"My tongue's already your cooking's prisoner. I'll come fetch you later."
Isaac grinned playfully. Milli beamed back.
"My salary's quite high, you know? Not here for nothing."
"Discount for friends?"
"No."
Easy banter. Isaac pulled a drawing from his bag.
"Here, Milli. A gift for all the delicious meals and listening to me."
"You drew me? Amazing!"
"Whoa, didn't know you had such talent!"
His portrait of Milli stunned them.
I couldn't draw at all back then.
In his past life, the Silent Sword author of countless manuals was skilled in illustration too. Diagrams filled gaps words couldn't.
They exchanged drawing and lunchbox. Feeling its weight, Isaac smiled softly.
"Thank you, Milli."
"Thank you so much. Be happy, Sir Isaac."
"Yeah, but enough of that. The chef's flustered."
The chef scratched his head, bewildered between them.
"Thought I walked into a secret rendezvous."
Big talk, but alone, so whatever. But.
"......"
Lianna Helmont stood behind the chef, in pajamas, clutching a wine bottle.
"Head chef."
"L-Lady Lianna?!"
The hefty chef spun, then bowed deeply.
"Oh dear! Lady Lianna! This fool misspoke! Got carried away—!"
"Enough."
Her face said even excuses grated. She glanced at Milli, voice flat.
"Take everyone and leave."
"Y-Yes!"
The chef and evening staff bowed sidelong and departed. He'd been about to serve drinks—regrettable. Then.
Thud.
Lianna sat beside him, setting down the bottle. Her flushed face suggested several glasses already. Isaac hadn't seen her drunk in ages.
"How many have you had?"
He chided, reaching for the bottle, but her strength held it firm.
"Didn't want to show you this side."
"......"
Her gaze waited for why. But he wasn't curious, so he didn't ask.
"How did we end up like this?"
"You said you didn't want to show drunkenness. Then stick to it."
"Isaac."
"Stop, Lianna."
A long sigh escaped.
"It's already over. Don't act like you have regrets."
Pointless. He couldn't halt his departure or etch guilt. Their bond was broken in every way.
"No excuses. Stay as you are. The Lianna Helmont I remember doesn't regret her actions."
"......"
"You were a detestable woman."
But.
"Stay in my memory as one with her own convictions."
"......"
Lianna set down the bottle, collapsing chin in hand, covering her eyes. A pause, then.
"Isaac."
Low voice, emotions restrained.
"Take care."
Her goodbye.
