The General's Wife Wants to Leave
Chapter 118: Not the General’s wife anymore

Chapter 118: Not the General’s wife anymore

Joanna had never expected to meet Clara de Lorn in such a situation.

For such an elegant yet arrogant lady who loved to keep her dignity high, calling her loudly in public was something surprising for Joanna.

Aside from that, they were actually not as close as they showed before due to their contrast personalities. Recalling how the beautiful lady glared at her with her big blue eyes when they happened to meet in a few social gatherings after the King announced the marriage decree between her and the General, it was surely a surprise to have her smile warmly when they met just now.

But Joanna did not need to let the surprised feeling take over her for too long, as she knew very well why Clara de Lorn did that. It was solely because of General Canillas von Rodega, who had walked with her. If there was no General that she had long had a crush on, Joanna was very certain that Clara de Lorn would not have bothered to call her and act friendly with her. Instead, she would stay in the carriage and let it run past her.

It was then that she had her hazy mind suddenly turn bright. All the worry and indecipherable emotions that had consumed her and made her restless, particularly after she heard about the future plan he had for them in Archess, lifted up from her entire being.

She also did not need to wait longer until the Crown Prince’s banquet to introduce the General to the most beautiful lady in Barasca. It was also because of that purpose that she was willing to take part in preparing his attire for the banquet, which she was reluctant to attend.

Because in that grand event, the big chance to make the two of them meet was widely open.

She knew that she had acted too boldly, but she was not concerned about that at that time, as she was sure that the General would be attracted by the sole daughter of the de Lorn’s beauty and charm, like how most men in Barasca laid their eyes on her wherever she appeared before their eyes.

If it were not because of Clara’s beauty, Baron Cardine and Viscount Ardenne would have still become friends and would not have fought over their sons, who had fought each other to get the heart of the beautiful lady, where the son of Baron Cardine had his arm broken because of the fight.

Joanna felt that she was nothing compared to Clara de Lorn. What she told the General about de Lorn’s qualifications for a wife was true. Most gentlemen preferred to have a beautiful, righteous, and talented woman as a wife, and Clara de Lorn was at the top of the list.

Even though she was not sure enough that the definition of righteousness was right to be labeled on Clara de Lorn, Joanna was sure that the great General von Rodega would be grateful for having her as a wife.

Joanna had frequently thought that Clara wasted her quality as a woman by having a crush on a man who was out of her reach. But at that moment, especially after hearing her answer that she would accept the General as a husband despite his failure in his first marriage, Joanna felt that it was a good thing that Clara was a loyal woman who kept her heart only for one man.

That answer had also made Joanna think that the General would be lucky to have a loyal woman as a wife. He would definitely be a happy husband, as he would also have beautiful children with her. His future would also be bright, as he would definitely benefit from marrying Clara de Lorn, who would also become a favored daughter-in-law.

However, doubt had grown inside her when she noticed that the General did not spare an attentive look at Clara. On such a rare occasion, when Clara’s beauty did not work to draw his attention, Joanna’s heart palpitated. Her heart went rampant when she found him looking at her instead, although his eyes contained a glint of discontentment.

A flicker of flame seemed to be enraged in his green eyes.

But she tried to be ignorant at that time, ignoring everything that she noticed, as she thought that it was only a temporary expression and would soon change once she gave a detailed introduction about the beautiful lady and all her values to him.

However, it did not happen. Instead, he clearly declared his advice for Clara de Lorn to not wait for a married man to be her husband, even after knowing that she would still accept someone she yearned for in her heart.

But now she was left speechless even more. She was utterly not able to form a word. He would not remarry once they separated, as he would only marry once in a lifetime.

He even wanted her to answer his question about whether she had someone in her heart, which would determine the future of their marriage.

For an unknown moment, Joanna dwelled in stillness, but she did not drift her eyes away from the man before her, even for a second, as if she were drawn by emotions she somehow recognized. Those were a mixture of emotions that she saw when they were in the deep, dark forest and last night when he suddenly knocked on her room, finding out her messy state.

But Joanna wanted to ignore all those emotions. She did not want to be swayed by the man who had made her heart disobey her lately. Thus, she would nod her head as an answer. But strangely, she felt her head stiff, unable to form even a slight nod.

Since it did not work, she would open her lips to voice out a yes. But she strangely felt her lips unable to open, less forming a word of yes.

She just kept silent with her gaze on the man who waited for her answer. She did not know how much time had passed. She did not even feel the breeze send chills through her body anymore, as she focused on ordering her body to obey her this time.

However, as time passed, instead of her nodding her head as an answer, Joanna saw the man before her nod his head. She then heard him say, "I know."

The river breeze blew again, blowing the dress she wore, and she could feel shivers crawling back up her spines this time. Joanna just felt the decision to set her hair into a taut bun instead of a loose one was right. Otherwise, her hair would be messed up by the wind.

Silence fell between them once again.

What did he know? Joanna wondered.

Did she say something out of her conscience? Joanna wondered again.

Did it mean everything was over now? Joanna was curious, but she still sealed her lips tight, not being able to form a question, just like last night when he gave her a vague answer.

Joanna wanted to get the clear meaning of his answer by observing his demeanor, but she admitted that she was not as sharp as the General as she could not read the meaning behind his facade. Even if she knew, she doubted if it would be true, as it would probably be the opposite of what she thought, like how she often mistakenly thought about what would happen next from him.

"Let’s go back." It was what Joanna heard next before she watched the General walk past her.

Turning around, she saw him keep walking toward the carriage and once again not wait for her, leaving her behind.

Then, it was really over. Joanna got the answer to her silent question.

Joanna stood still, staring at the broad back until it disappeared from her sight, leaving the carriage door open for her to enter herself.

The river breeze strongly blew, as if congratulating Joanna for achieving what she had wanted so far.

Joanna de Lara was not the General’s wife anymore.