SFYF 02

Chapter 2

Marien gazed out the window, quietly clenching her fist. A noblewoman riding a carriage, an old man pulling a milk cart, a boy selling newspapers. The familiar scenery cluttered her vision.

She took pride in having splendidly fulfilled the role assigned to her thus far. Christoph was currently the most prominent lawyer in the capital, and she had done her utmost as Madam Schneider.

At couple’s gatherings, she stood by his side, smiling beautifully like a flower, and invited the wives of business partners for tea time.

And that was not all. When the time came, she busied herself preparing for banquets and endured tedious hours attending events hosted by various organizations. Her social work sponsoring art and charitable organizations went without saying.

Yet, Marien’s life was not there. Only the life of Madam Schneider existed.

At first, that alone made her happy. She loved Christoph, and he loved her too. Or at least, she believed he loved her.

However, her countless blossoming expectations were repeatedly crushed, and she had to learn, bit by bit, to resign herself to despair.

He’s naturally reserved, so you shouldn’t feel hurt if he doesn’t express himself. Everyone knows he’s busy, Marien. So don’t nag him for not spending time with you. You have to endure.

Only after enduring countless such moments did she face a truth she didn’t want to acknowledge. Christoph didn’t love her. He merely needed a suitable wife.

In other words, it didn’t have to be Marien by his side. Anyone who could splendidly perform the role of Madam Schneider would do.

Nevertheless, Marien knew Christoph would not easily let her go.

He was a renowned lawyer and the grandson of Marquis Schneider. A proud man who had never experienced failure in his life.

There was no way he would allow Marien to leave a stain of divorce on his life. So she resolved to escape.

No longer would she let someone else hold and shake her life. The experience of expectations turning to despair was more than enough already.

“We’ve arrived, Madam.”

The car, weaving through the city, came to a complete stop in front of a luxurious department store. The driver, Günter, cast a glance through the rearview mirror.

Marien, trying not to reveal her trembling heart, got out of the car more slowly than usual.

“Isn’t your bag a bit too large? Shall I carry it?”

At Karin’s voice, Marien snapped to attention and instinctively gripped the bag’s handle tightly. Her voice carried a faint trace of tension.

“It’s fine, Karin. I saw in a catalog this morning that large bags like this are in fashion this spring.”

“Really?”

Karin tilted her head and looked around. Noble ladies in splendid dresses walked gracefully, but none of them carried a bag as large as Marien’s.

However, Karin’s doubts soon vanished without a trace. After all, the tastes of noble ladies were beyond her understanding.

“Which store would you like to visit first?”

“Shall we start by looking at the new dresses?”

“Yes, Madam Schneider.”

Karin skillfully took the lead. Marien moved slowly, glancing back. Günter was already following them.

“Oh, hello, Madam Schneider. It’s been a while. We just got new dresses this week—would you like to see them?”

While listening to the clerk explain the new dresses, Marien’s mind was half elsewhere.

The plan she had rehearsed countless times in her head was theoretically perfect. The question was whether it would be perfect in reality.

“Come back soon, Madam Schneider.”

The clerk bowed deeply to Marien, who had spent far more than usual.

With a nod, Marien slipped her fan among the displayed clothes. Then, she leisurely looked around and moved on.

Karin kept pace beside her, while Günter followed a step behind, his hands full of packages.

Marien knew the success of her plan depended on how well she could evade Günter and Karin.

Judging the moment right, she lowered her voice and glanced at Karin.

“Karin, I’d like to stop by the lounge for a bit.”

The lounge was a place where weary noble ladies could rest. At the back, there was a women-only restroom for urgent needs.

Catching the hint, Karin replied, “Yes, Madam Schneider,” and quickened her pace.

“I’ll wait here, Madam.”

Günter, laden with packages, stood at the lounge’s entrance. As Marien entered, she exclaimed, “Oh!” with a troubled expression.

Karin, following her, stopped as well.

“What’s wrong, Madam?”

“Oh, dear. I think I left my fan at the store.”

“I’ll go get it.”

Günter had already taken a step forward. Marien quickly shook her head. Looking at Karin, she said in an apologetic tone,

“Günter has too many packages. I can’t quite remember which store I left it at, so it’s better if Karin, who’s friendly with the clerks, goes. And on your way back, stop by the jeweler to check if the ring I ordered earlier is ready. There are still a few days left, but I’m curious about the progress.”

“Of course, Madam Schneider. I’ve got this department store under control.”

Karin replied confidently, as if to say, “Leave it to me.” Marien nodded at Karin, who smiled brightly without a hint of suspicion.

“Then I’ll leave it to you, Karin.”

Unaware that Marien had deceived her, Karin turned around, saying, “I’ll be back.”

“Karin.”

Marien called her name instinctively. The innocent maid turned back, saying, “Yes?” with a curious look in her brown eyes.

“…It’s nothing. Thank you.”

Marien shook her head with a faint smile. Karin replied, “Yes,” and turned away with a smile, retracing her steps.

Watching Karin’s retreating figure, Marien gave Günter a nod and entered the lounge. Only then did her tense shoulders relax, and a suppressed sigh escaped her lips.

“Well, I’ve managed to shake off sharp-eyed Karin.”

After a brief deep breath, she surveyed the lounge. The spacious area was adorned with fragrant flowers and comfortable sofas.

Three elderly noblewomen sat on a sofa, chatting. They were white-haired ladies. Three maids stood in a corner, gossiping quietly as they waited.

Marien passed them and headed straight to the restroom. Locking the door behind her, she hurriedly opened her bag and took out its contents, as if someone might chase her.

Inside were pre-prepared clothes, a hat, and a small handbag.

Quickly changing, she stepped out and checked her reflection in the mirror. In a black dress and black veil, she looked every bit a widow who had lost her husband.

“Good. It’s perfect.”

Marien slung the black handbag over her arm and crossed the lounge. The noblewomen, startled by the sudden appearance of a widow, looked puzzled.

“When did that lady come in?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t see her either.”

“Goodness, we must have been too caught up in our conversation to notice someone entering. It’s about time we left.”

“It must be. Haha, time flies when we’re chatting.”

“You’re so right.”

Marien took a short deep breath before leaving the lounge. Just a few steps away stood Günter.

Would he recognize her?

Her plan was perfect, but it would unravel the moment Günter recognized her. Marien lowered her black veil and pretended to wipe tears with a handkerchief, covering her face.

Her lips kept drying out. Her heart pounded wildly. Marien, acting the part of a grieving widow, stepped out of the lounge. She could see Günter standing right in front of her.

Thump, thump, thump.

Her heart raced faster. Her breathing quickened, and her throat tightened. Just then, Günter glanced at her.

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

Her heart felt like it might burst out of her mouth. She hid her trembling hands in her grief and buried her face in the handkerchief. She passed right by Günter.

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump.

Günter, who had briefly looked at her, soon yawned with a bored expression. Marien wanted to bolt, but that would draw attention.

Summoning strength to her legs, she left the place at her usual pace. It felt as though Günter might shout, “Madam Schneider, where are you going!” and grab her from behind at any moment.

Unconsciously, her steps quickened. Opening the department store’s doors, she boarded a waiting omnibus without pausing to catch her breath.

“Where to, Madam?”

The coachman, tipping his hat slightly, turned to ask. Marien urged him in an anxious voice.

“To the train station. As fast as you can.”

“Yes, understood. I’ll get you there faster than those tin-can taxis, so don’t worry, Madam.”

The boastful coachman swung his whip fiercely, and the idle brown horse began to move its four legs.

Threatened by the rise of luxurious taxis, the coachman whipped the horse impatiently, fearing she might be disappointed.

Marien leaned back in her seat, letting out a long sigh only after the carriage turned the corner. Across from her, a carriage carrying an elderly gentleman passed by, and a flower cart stood by the roadside.

A young girl offered matches to a passing gentleman, who harshly swatted her delicate hand away.

It was the usual scenery. Nowhere could she see Karin or Günter chasing her.

At last.

“…”

Marien swallowed hard, as if drinking hot tea. She had finally escaped Christoph’s grasp. He would never find her again.

Or perhaps he wouldn’t even try.

An indescribable shadow of emotion flickered across her face. It seemed like lingering attachment to the past, fear of the uncertain present, or perhaps anticipation for an unknown future.

Maybe it was a complex mix of all three. She felt reluctant, afraid, and excited all at once.

Marien looked ahead, gripping her hands tightly. The sound of steam hissing came from not far off. It was loud and powerful, like a beast’s roar.

She had already decided where to go.

To Blauberg, where the sky meets the sea.

With resolve in her eyes, Marien stared at the approaching train station.

“We’ve arrived, Madam.”

The train station bustled with people. Arrivals and departures created a wave of movement. Swish, crash, the crowd surged back and forth.

Silently watching them, Marien finally stood. She handed the coachman a gold coin.

“Thank you. Keep the change.”

“Thank you, Madam!”

It was time to reclaim the life of Marien Clozier, not Marien Schneider. And to uncover the truth behind Veronica’s death.

Without anyone’s help, by her own hand.

“Farewell, Lord Schneider.”

As Christoph left the chief judge’s mansion with the butler’s farewell, he hid a satisfied expression beneath his impassive face.

He hadn’t gotten everything he wanted, but he had achieved more than half. Since he had given up nothing, it wasn’t a bad deal.

Conditional bail, huh. Not bad.

About to loosen his tie, Christoph stopped, aware of unseen eyes watching. Spotting him approach, the driver promptly opened the back door.