CWMBR 31

Chapter 31

***

Sponsored by Elisa. Thank you ❤️(⅕)

****

On the first day back home, Bridget went to bed without even unpacking her bags. Jane urged her several times to eat dinner, but she had no appetite and declined.

Was it because she had slept all day? Bridget woke up at dawn. Outside the window, before the sun had fully risen, it felt as if everything was wrapped in thin, blue silk.

Bridget rubbed her stiff shoulders and sat up, letting out a long breath. When she opened the window, cool, damp air filled the room. The faint fog hanging over the streets was the kind of early morning fog often seen in Glynford.

Even when it wasn't the rainy season, Glynford was often enveloped in such thick morning fog. And as a child, Bridget would gaze at the fog-filled streets and let her imagination run wild. Before the sun rose, the early morning streets, shrouded in a hazy mist, seemed like a world filled with a mysterious aura. It felt as though something extraordinary might emerge from the white mist, or as though one might be drawn into a completely different world.

The landscape she gazed upon had not changed since then. But Bridget now understood.

The thick fog was just a mirage that would disappear as soon as the sun rose, a natural phenomenon that made the air damp and heavy. The reality Bridget had to face was not the fog, but the world that became clear after the fog cleared.

Having been staring blankly out the window while touching the window frame, Bridget took a deep breath. The morning air cleared her mind. The days of dreaming in fantasy were over.

It was time to face reality.

***

Bridget received a call from Magnus during breakfast. Magnus had just arrived in Glynford after his brief visit to his office in Elston.

A letter delivered by messenger that morning shortly explained that he would be staying at a certain location for the time being and that he had a companion. It was obvious who that companion was.

So Bridget quickly finished her breakfast and began preparing to go out.

“I plan to meet Magnus today and then go to the theater, so I’ll be back a bit late.”

“Okay, I understand.”

As Bridget was about to leave the front door, accompanied by Jane, she suddenly looked up at the stairs. Donna was probably still asleep. She usually didn't get up until the sun was high in the sky.

“Did Uncle come home yesterday?”

“Mr. Ronan doesn’t come home often.”

“Still?”

"………………Yes."

After a moment of silence, Bridget nodded indifferently.

“I see.”

On the way to see Magnus, Bridget tried her best to face her situation rationally and objectively.

Wasting time in despair was something she could afford to do while staying at the monastery. Now that she had returned to Glynford, she couldn't afford to get bogged down in dark emotions.

So, for now… she would meet Magnus first and then make concrete plans. Perhaps by meeting the royal investigator by Magnus’s side, she could glimpse how her future might unfold.

In the swaying carriage, Bridget closed her eyes.

The carriage Bridget was riding in stopped in front of the address Magnus had given her. The address he had written down was not a hotel but an office in some building. As she climbed the stairs, Bridget guessed that the owner of this office was not Magnus but his companion.

And as expected, Magnus was with the royal investigators.

When the office door opened, she found a well-dressed gentleman in a coat talking to Magnus. He noticed Bridget before Magnus did and raised his eyebrows. Standing beside him was a middle-aged woman dressed similarly. When she saw Bridget enter the office, she stepped forward and spoke.

“Mrs. Wise?”

“Yes.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Sanna Mond, and I’ve been assigned to conduct some investigations related to the annulment of your marriage.”

She greeted her in a dignified voice and handed her a business card. Under the name Sanna Mond, there were several introductions written, such as that she belonged to the Royal family and was the chair of the Royal Society Cooperation Committee. From her affiliation and position alone, it was clear that the royal family had not sent someone insignificant.

Having been staring at the business card, Bridget turned to look at the man standing next to Sanna. He, who had been waiting for his turn, smiled and introduced himself.

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Wise. I am Gilum Arsiut, Dr. Mond’s assistant.”

He did not hand over a separate business card. However, since he was Sanna’s assistant, it was highly likely that he was also a member of the royal academy.

And he was probably affiliated with the Royal Bureau.

“Then please continue to talk. Madam, I will be staying at my usual lodgings, so please contact me once you’re finished.”

Magnus discreetly gathered his belongings and stepped aside. He also made sure to remind Bridget to contact him. Bridget smiled and nodded at him.

After confirming that Magnus had left the office, Sanna adjusted her glasses.

“There are more investigators, but the others are staff members, so you can communicate with us directly from now on.”

“………………I see.”

At first glance, the impression wasn't as bad as Bridget had anticipated. At least they didn't seem to be coming with a "pre-determined answer" and trying to force the process to fit it. The gaze of the two people looking at Bridget didn't carry the contempt or disgust typically directed at a woman who had "thrown herself into a sordid situation for a life-changing opportunity."

Or perhaps their acting skills were so exceptional that they skillfully concealed any negative feelings they might have harbored inwardly.

But Bridget sensed that, at least for now, they didn't seem to have any particular prejudice against her. This was because Sanna had referred to the "marriage annulment lawsuit" as a "marriage annulment application." While the former implied conflict and strife, the latter was very moderate and peaceful. Perhaps the royal family really wanted to handle this quietly.

For Bridget, it was almost a relief.

“If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

Gilum raised his eyebrows in surprise at Bridget's calm words. However, Sanna nodded indifferently without flinching.

“Thank you. Since we need to hear Mrs. Wise’s statement in detail, I will request your cooperation without hesitation.” 

“Statement?”

“Yes. It seems there are significant issues with Mr. Wise’s memory. The attending physician who examined him at the time has already submitted a medical certificate. We are looking into this matter…”

“You’re saying you need to determine if there are any criminal charges against me, specifically regarding the events of that day when his memory was impaired.”

Sanna narrowed her eyes at Bridget’s words.

“Unfortunately, that’s correct. Additionally, Mr. Wise claims that the person who climbed into his bed on the day of the incident was not his wife.”

Bridget, who had been looking down, twisted her lips.

“You’re saying I have to prove whether the woman he was sleeping with was even me, let alone whether I was pregnant.”

“I promise a thorough investigation.”

"Yes."

Sadly, Sanna's words offered no comfort. Bridget licked her lips and swallowed dryly before cautiously speaking up.

“If I agree to the annulment of the marriage, could we quietly resolve this matter without wasting any unnecessary time?”

This was the fastest and most efficient way to quell the commotion, in Bridget’s opinion. Ain seemed like the type who would do something in protest against the lawsuit, but honestly, Bridget had neither the strength nor the heart to do such a thing. If she could skip the entire process and get the result she wanted, she would naturally choose that option.

“Unfortunately, that’s not possible.”

Knowing that the world wasn’t that easy, Bridget didn’t get too disappointed when Sanna immediately shot down her idea.

………………Just a little, very little disappointed.

“If it’s about alimony or something like that…”

Bridget clasped her hands unconsciously and trailed off in a hesitant voice. Ain couldn’t simply be satisfied with the annulment of the marriage and insisted on compensation for the damages incurred, she didn't know how much of that Sanna could handle.

Seeing Bridget's darkened expression, Sanna spoke in a clearer tone.

“No, that’s not the issue. Madam, Mr. Wise stated that if this marriage vow is confirmed to be lawful and truthful without violating the oath, he will reflect on his reckless judgment and commit to a lifelong marriage.”

Bridget, who had been staring at her feet, looked up in surprise.

It was impossible to claim that she hadn't understood properly, as Sanna's voice had been too clear and distinct.

Nevertheless, Bridget couldn't help but ask again, unable to believe what she had just heard.

“What do you mean by that?”

“If there are no improper elements in the marriage vows of the two of you, then this sacred marriage will not be broken.

***