An Ode to Divorce - Chapter 51

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

#51

“That can’t be.”

Tamar, who was beside me, retorted as if it was nonsense.

Only then did I realize that to those who didn’t know the circumstances, my relationship with Gert—still frequently interacting even after breaking up—might seem strange.

I didn’t particularly care about the social circle’s gossip, so I let it go in one ear and out the other, but I couldn’t do the same with my friend’s concern.

“It wasn’t like this from the beginning, you know? It’s a long story if I explain it…”

“I have plenty of time today. So tell me everything from beginning to end.”

Zyla struck her thigh with her fist while wearing a determined expression.

Since I had originally planned to reveal my regression to Zyla anyway, I confirmed that no one around us was listening and immediately spilled everything in detail.

***

“…Such a thing happened?”

Zyla’s mouth fell open after hearing about the events before my regression.

Since Tamar’s reaction had been so intense when I told her about drinking and sleeping with Gert, this time I subtly omitted that story. Tamar’s eyebrows rose while listening, but fortunately she didn’t point out that detail.

Even though there had been mountains of things to talk about from before my regression, by the time I rambled on about everything I’d done after regressing to keep Gert from dying, my mouth was parched dry.

Moistening my throat with wine as I explained, I ended my words with a sigh.

“No matter how I look at it, the woman Gert was trying to propose to seems to be Princess Lairinne. So I’ve been doing my best to interfere with Gert and Princess Lairinne meeting.”

“…Monopolizing him to this extent does seem quite effective.”

Zyla replied with a sour expression.

“Still, it’s too early to completely relax. Anyway, the time I’m exploiting Gert… I mean, the time I spend with Gert is only about two hours a day.”

“…So you are exploiting him.”

“I changed my words, so don’t point it out.”

Since my story had been quite long, by the time it ended, a lot of time had passed.

Zyla stared at me intently with her hazelnut-colored eyes and spoke seriously.

“If you need help with anything, tell me anytime.”

“Great! I won’t decline.”

After confiding in Zyla as well, I felt refreshed inside. Since Zyla and Tamar were among the few people I could trust, having both of them help me was reassuring.

I trusted Berta too, but when it came to matters involving Gert, there were aspects that were difficult to completely confide.

‘After all, she’s employed by Gert.’

Just then, Zyla suddenly lowered her voice and whispered.

“Oh, right. Come to think of it, there’s something I need to tell you too, Orphea.”

“What is it?”

“A golden-horned doe’s fawn has disappeared somewhere. This is confidential, so you can’t tell anyone about it.”

“Isn’t the golden-horned doe always watched over by Artemis?”

“That’s only after the horns grow. Before the horns appear, the god’s eyes don’t reach them yet. That’s why our Artume Temple is in chaos.”

I was shocked by this unexpected news.

The golden-horned doe was a deer with golden horns despite being female, possessing bronze hooves, and was a divine beast cherished by Artemis.

While serving the god and going on hunts, such a precious golden-horned doe’s fawn had disappeared, so those who had been guarding the temple were all speechless.

“Wasn’t there a similar incident before my regression?”

Tamar’s observation was sharp. I tried to recall the time before my regression, but nothing came to mind.

“There wasn’t. If a golden-horned doe’s fawn had really disappeared, even I would have heard the news.”

“That means either the deer fawn didn’t disappear before your regression, or if it did disappear, it was found quickly.”

Zyla also nodded at Tamar’s speculation.

“Even though the god’s eyes don’t reach it, no matter how young, if a deer is harmed, the god notices immediately. So it’s unlikely someone took it to cause harm. Who would want to be cursed by Artemis?”

Everyone knew how terrible a god’s curse was. That’s what made Gert, who could maintain his daily life normally despite receiving a god’s curse, so remarkable.

But ordinary people could never endure like Gert, who was blessed by Alkides, so no human would be foolish enough to walk into death on their own feet.

‘…Come to think of it, Gert was the one who did that foolish thing.’

Thinking of Gert who had walked to his death on his own feet made me sigh again.

“So we’re speculating that the baby deer running away is the most likely scenario. It’s at that reckless age. Adolescence.”

“Deer run away too? They live freely in that vast forest, so what could be frustrating?”

“The mother deer, who’s now an adult, once ran away to the neighboring mountain. She said she liked a stag on that mountain. It happens sometimes.”

“Ah…”

I sighed softly.

The followers of the goddess of chastity had to maintain their purity, yet the deer cherished by the goddess of chastity ran away chasing after stags…

It was something to feel wronged about, but Zyla seemed unconcerned and continued speaking calmly.

“However, the strange thing is that the mother deer can’t sense the fawn’s presence at all… Usually, no matter how far apart they are, she can quickly figure out where it is. That’s why the golden-horned doe has been particularly sensitive lately. So if you ever have occasion to pass near Keryneian, be careful.”

“What reason would I have to pass through the forest?”

I’d be stuck at home most of the time. At best, my movements were limited to within the capital city.

Zyla chuckled as if she knew I’d respond that way and extended her fist.

“Anyway, it would be troublesome if some hunter mistook the fawn for an ordinary deer, so we need to find it quickly. That’s why I’ll be busy searching for the golden-horned doe’s fawn for a while. But if you contact me saying you need help, I’ll come right away.”

“I’ll also look into methods for getting to the Underworld. Information is better the more we have.”

Tamar also bumped her fist next to Zyla’s. A space just big enough for my hand to fit.

“Thank you.”

I bumped my fist between my friends’ fists and smiled. Thanks to my two trustworthy friends, I felt reassured.

***

The day after my friends visited, Gert came to see me.

“Orphea.”

Since he’d been coming and going from our house so frequently lately, he seemed much more comfortable. In the old days, he would have waited in the lobby for someone to guide him, but now he came straight to where I was and opened the door without much thought.

Normally, I would have been sitting on the bedroom windowsill, looking outside and tuning my lyre, and would have welcomed Gert.

That is, if it had been a normal day for me.

“Ah, wait just a moment. I’ll be ready soon.”

Unfortunately, it was right when I was changing clothes after spilling tea on myself after breakfast.

Having taken off my damp and stained shirt, I continued speaking with my back turned to the door.

“I was trying to write down some inspiration when I knocked over my teacup. I thought I’d finished all the tea… Keep this secret from Berta. I already got lectured about not working while eating or drinking, but I insisted I was fine.”

While I rambled on, Gert remained silent without giving any response. Only then, feeling puzzled, I turned just my head toward Gert and asked.

“Gert?”

“…Ah, sorry.”

Gert, who had been standing tall by the door looking at me, had an unreadable expression. He seemed somewhat dazed.

As soon as I spoke to him, Gert quickly turned his head and stepped backward.

“I was rude. I’ll step outside for a moment.”

“No, no. I’m almost dressed. If you keep the door open, Berta might catch us, so come in quickly.”

I hurriedly grabbed Gert. If Berta saw Gert standing around in the corridor, she would definitely be suspicious!

I pulled down my shirt and smoothed out the fabric, then tied the loose strings around my neck. I planned to secretly take the ruined clothes to the laundry room later. Since Berta wouldn’t check the laundry, it would be the perfect crime.

“Thanks for waiting!”

Having finished dressing, I turned to Gert with a bright smile. The expression on Gert’s face that I met was strange. He seemed somehow uncomfortable.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————