FMLDM 02

Chapter 02 

I’m Returning This Marriage 

Shuvil’s face froze in shock at the completely unexpected words.

“Why all of a sudden, Calypse? Did something happen?”

His voice and gaze were soft—anyone watching might mistake him for a sweet, loving husband. A perfect act.

“It’s time to end this. You and me.”

“I must’ve misheard you.”

“Nope. You heard me right.”

“What the hell is this?”

The growl in his voice made him seem like one of those obsessive male leads. But there was only one reason Shuvil was acting like this. A pushover who obediently handed over money and did housework—Calypse was the exact image of the ideal wife he wanted. In short, what Shuvil didn’t want was a divorce. At least, not yet.

“I asked you what this is. What are you trying to pull?”

He pretended to be strong, but his pupils trembled slightly. He was clearly trying to figure out if I knew something. I offered a sweet smile to the pale-faced Shuvil.

“I met Lady Kiness yesterday.”

In the original novel, Calypse falls into a trap set by Shuvil and is unfairly divorced. While Calypse is busy repaying Shuvil’s debts, he secretly has an affair with Lady Kiness and prepares for divorce behind her back. After all the hardship Calypse went through to pay it off, Shuvil handed over divorce papers—ones drawn up entirely in his favor. The divorce ruined Calypse. Getting divorced rather than filing for divorce? Ridiculous. So, I prepared this perfect performance before he could. Shuvil, who had been clueless until now, stared at me, his face ghost-white.

“How do you know Lady Kiness…?”

I could practically hear his brain working at full speed.

“There’s nothing between us. She just kept bothering me, so I met her a few times out of politeness. I think you’re misunderstanding—”

Misunderstanding? Worried your pushover wife might walk away? Don’t worry. You’ve already got a replacement waiting in line. Still, from his perspective, finding a woman to toy with is easy—but finding a wife to sponge off of? That’s harder. I casually tossed the divorce papers onto the table.

“Shut up and read this.”

A tone so firm it would’ve been unimaginable from the Calypse he used to know. And now with a trace of confidence, Shuvil finally seemed to realize something had gone very wrong. His face turned even paler.

Looks like he’s starting to get it now, huh?

I pointed at the divorce papers with my chin. Shuvil hesitantly picked them up and scanned them.

“Custody of Coral will be entirely given to Calypse Pathuang.”
“Shuvil is forbidden to approach within 100 meters of Coral.”

(…abridged…)

Just as expected, Shuvil had zero interest in Coral. His indifferent expression brought a moment of relief—and rage. And right on cue, he exploded at the next clause.

“All debts will be assumed by Shuvil.”

“What the hell…?”

“Whose debts are they? Yours. Why should I pay them?”

“But we’re married.”

It’s laughable we even have to argue about this, but such was imperial law. Even after divorce, property—including debt—had to be divided equally between spouses. But if the reason for divorce lies solely with one party, the other doesn’t need to assume the debt. Fortunately, I came prepared.

Smiling faintly, I pulled out the evidence I’d gathered through the guild over the past few months. In the magic crystal ball, Shuvil was shown gambling—evidence that would definitely hold up in court. Oh, and the moment he signed the divorce papers, I’d planned to report him to the imperial guards as well.

Would the rest of his life even be enough to pay all the fines?

Shuvil forced a smile, though his face had gone white.

“What… what is all this, Calypse?”

He said my name so sweetly. If I were the original Calypse, my heart might’ve wavered. But instead, a shiver ran down my spine.

“What do you think it is? It’s all the trash you’ve left behind in your life.”

I tapped the crystal ball, and Shuvil flinched.

“I don’t know what misunderstanding—”

Misunderstanding again? Seriously? That word again? I pulled out a second magic device. This time, it showed photos—courtesy of Lady Kiness. I’d told her I needed evidence for the divorce, and she kindly sent a lot. What a generous sister.

Shuvil and Lady Kiness were practically glued together in those photos—obvious, intimate poses. They looked like the perfect couple. The images were full of intense skinship and left nothing to the imagination. Shuvil, now ashen, exhaled deeply and closed his eyes tight.

“I get that you’re mad. I understand that you’re jealous, but… those photos are all a misunderstanding.”

Jealous?

How does someone with that little awareness manage to have an affair?

If delusion were a disease, Shuvil would be terminal.

“No misunderstandings. Want me to send them to Lady Kiness?”

Maybe it finally hit him. His face had lost all color—he looked like a ghost. With this much evidence—gambling, the affair—the moment it goes to court, I’ll be awarded the divorce, and the blame will fall entirely on him. He’ll be ruined socially too. The cards were now in my hand. A triumphant smile crept across my face.

“Even if you’re penniless and pathetic, the power of love will save you, right? Don’t worry.”

Fanning myself calmly, I was enjoying the show—until something unexpected happened. Shuvil… dropped to his knees.

He clasped his hands together and bowed so low, anyone watching would think he was truly pitiful. With desperate eyes, he grabbed my hand.

“Calypse, Lady Kiness was just a passing fling. All men go through a phase—”

So you were fine cheating, but now that I’m letting you go, you’re panicking? Wow. What a lunatic. I didn’t even hide the sneer. I shook off his hand and leaned in to whisper in his ear.

“Yes, a fleeting breeze. Enjoy your noble love to the fullest. I’ll be cheering for you.”

“……!”

Shuvil turned his head as if he couldn’t believe what he just heard—only to see the shadow of a carriage outside the window. His face turned deathly pale.

“Calypse, it was all my fault. I’ll cut things off with Lady Kiness.”

“Don’t joke like that, Shuvil. Get a grip.”

“I’ll do anything you want.”

“Anything?”

He nodded vigorously from the floor. I lifted his chin with my shoe and smirked.

“Then shut up and sign. That’s what I want—a divorce.”

Even without his signature, I had enough evidence to win in court. But a trial could take a year, and that would mess up my plans—like accepting Prince Macaron’s proposal and preparing for remarriage. I had prepared all this evidence just in case it did go to trial, but the best outcome was getting him to sign here and now.

I never truly loved Shuvil, nor was I really betrayed by him—but one thing was clear: because of him, Coral’s childhood had been full of pain. Part of me wanted to smash his face in with my heel. But I held back, clinging to my recent noble upbringing and grace.

Society loved scandal. If this went public, it would make waves. Among noblewomen and ladies of status, Shuvil would become the number one person to avoid. If we went to trial, things would only get worse for him. I leaned in and whispered clearly in his ear.

“If you don’t sign now, your face will be on the front page of the Empire News.”

Shuvil was quick to think when it mattered. Realizing he had no choice, he signed the papers with a pale face. A lesser person might have doused him with water or slapped him. But I had no intention of dirtying my hands for this trash. That’s why I invited Lady Kiness instead—who walked in at the perfect time.

“Live happily ever after.”

Birds of a feather. I refuse to let trash cling to me ever again.

“Here’s an early wedding gift.”

I placed the divorce papers on the table. Shuvil and Lady Kiness’s expressions flickered between joy and horror. As I walked out, the thrill of freedom filled my chest. But as I left the gallery, I felt a chill on the back of my neck. When I turned around, Shuvil’s intense gaze was locked onto me.

He stood there, unmoving, looking like a pitiful animal abandoned by its master.

There’s no reason to keep acting now. Don’t tell me he’s become obsessed with me?

Shaking off the uneasy feeling, I hurried home. This was a new beginning.

With the divorce settled as planned, a huge burden had been lifted. My days quickly became busier with work. The magical device I had painstakingly developed was finally ready to launch.

In the empire, demand for makeup was enormous—and so were the skills. Foundation shades were detailed, skincare was customized for oily or dry skin, and colorful eyeshadow palettes and lipsticks were plentiful. But all of it was a luxury for nobles, and even they needed professionals for special occasions.

When I was a makeup artist, it had always been my dream to create accessible makeup for everyone—to teach and share my expertise in the easiest and most convenient ways. And now, I didn’t even need to teach it in person.

If this project succeeds…!

A world where magic devices do the work instead of hands—that’s the goal. The final product: a makeup filter in the form of a magic device.

Using concept designs and calculated algorithms, I had developed filters that changed appearances in various styles. As the days went on, I kept adding filters. Soon, the age of applying makeup with your hands would be over. Watching my ideas come to life, one by one, was both emotional and exhilarating.

And today marked the birth of a new product: the Changer.

Let’s walk the golden path, baby.

A satisfied smile spread across my face. As always, Coral was sleeping peacefully beside me.

Just wait a little longer, Coral. Mommy’s going to pave a road of flowers for you.

I set a protective magic device by her side and quietly slipped out of the house.

In front of the Moon Night building.

I handed over a silver ticket, and the burly men at the entrance nodded. Inside the dim building, dazzling lights welcomed me. Once the lights went out, this place would become drenched in secret desires. But for now, it was calm.

The people waiting inside all had different goals—some looking for a partner for the night, others for someone to change their fate.

So what am I here for?

If I had to say… to fall in love—with money.

I’d been coming to Moon Night for about two months now. After the divorce from Shuvil, all I had left was an empty bank account—I couldn’t even buy Coral a single outfit. Between working on magic devices, I began working here too.

In that short time, I’d brought countless noblewomen’s faces to life with my hands. At first, it was just to buy Coral something decent to wear… but as expected from the world’s top makeup artist, my skills shone even here.

One satisfied customer led to another, and soon the word spread—I became the Queen of the Night.

Tonight, I was creating yet another new face. Meanwhile, the waiting noblewomen had gathered and were gossiping together.

The hot topic these days?

“Prince Macaron is handing out marriage proposals lately.”

“You mean the monster prince, right?”