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Chapter – 06
“Why didn’t you mention this first, counsel? That there are witnesses and evidence proving violence?”
“I wanted the divorce to end quickly. What I want to prolong is the alimony discussion. Your Honor. Please carefully examine those documents and confirm that Ize’s married life was troubled from the very beginning—and that it was entirely due to the defendant, her husband. The responsibility for this divorce lies entirely with the defendant.”
“No, this is all a misunderstanding. I didn’t hit her. She just—she just fell on her own and got hurt. How could I possibly hit someone so fragile…?”
But the judge’s eyes quickly scanned the documents I had submitted.
“The medical report states here that the injuries are due to violence.”
“She’s just an unstable woman. That’s why she must’ve gotten beaten up somewhere else. I would never hit her!”
At that moment, Baron Stork, who had been sitting in the gallery, abruptly stood up.
“You—you damn bastard!”
A man who rarely ever raised his voice finally spoke in court, of all places. His thunderous shout made Daven Raydick shrink back like a frightened puppy.
“Order. Order.”
Only after the judge struck the gavel did Baron Stork sit back down. Even so, he glared at Daven as if he could tear him apart on the spot. Meanwhile, the judge, after finishing his review of the documents, shook his head.
“At this point, it is clear that there was continuous abuse.”
“Violence can never be justified, under any circumstances. The imperial laws may have changed long ago, but there are still those who cling to outdated notions of family and control others under its name. Your Honor, with your wise judgment, please uphold the law of the Empire. Please ensure such suffering never happens again—be a beacon of hope for them.”
The first trial was always the most important. A precedent had to be established for the next cases to become easier.
That was why I pressed the judge so firmly.
Until now, people in the Empire rarely went so far as to hold a court trial for divorce. Even though divorce was no longer considered shameful in this era, many still held old-fashioned views.
So rather than endure a public trial like this, many couples simply remained legally married while living apart.
“This is the beginning,” I thought.
If I set a precedent, my name would spread as well. Of course, my father would definitely come looking for me—but even so, the name of divorce attorney Raviel had to rise higher and higher.
“If I take the fee and hire mercenaries through Kahn, even Father won’t be able to drag me away immediately…”
While thinking that, I looked up at the judge.
“Hope, you say. Very well. It is the law of the Empire that violence within families shall not be tolerated. I hereby order Daven Raydick to pay 80% of his total assets as alimony to his former wife, Ize Stork.”
“…What? What do you mean? Why am I paying that much? I don’t have money—none at all!”
I stepped forward again and handed another document to the judge.
‘In this world, unlike the one I came from, alimony is handled like property division—paid as a percentage of assets. There is no upper or lower limit. As a divorce attorney, there’s plenty for me to extract here.’
“These are properties registered under Daven Raydick’s name. I believe it would be best to include them in the ruling, so I prepared them in advance.”
“This new attorney is quite efficient. If only she were a man, she would have gone far. What a pity.”
I wanted to question whether gender had anything to do with this, but I quickly steadied myself.
‘Right now, I need to secure the maximum alimony.’
My fee was something I had told Ize to pay separately, but Baron Stork had also promised me 50% of what she received. He said it was only natural gratitude for bringing his daughter back.
So I was more serious than ever about calculating alimony.
“J-just a moment, Your Honor. This is absurd.”
“Instead of whining like a child that it’s absurd, submit your own evidence like Ize Stork did.”
“Ah… I didn’t expect things to turn out like this… And I don’t have money, so how could I possibly hire a lawyer? Lawyers are nothing but people trying to make money off others…!”
“I am also a former lawyer,” the judge said coldly. “Daven Raydick.”
Realizing his mistake, Daven collapsed into despair as the judge gathered the documents.
“Then I will now deliver the verdict.”
“Wait, just a moment…!”
But his words were no longer permitted. The judge warned that any further disturbance would result in his removal, and he shut his mouth.
At last, the sentence was declared.
The responsibility for the divorce was placed on Daven Raydick, and he was ordered to pay 80% of his total assets to Ize Stork. After the ruling was delivered, Daven stared blankly at the ceiling, utterly dazed.
I smiled brightly at him.
“This is why you need a divorce attorney.”
“…So… so I have to give it? You said I’d get money after divorce… You said that, didn’t you? Then why wasn’t that part mentioned?”
“That was only a hypothetical situation I presented. I never said you would receive anything.”
“What… what?!”
“You’ve only ever held a sword your whole life, so maybe your ears have developed muscle too. Or maybe it’s just your body fat now. You don’t even understand words properly.”
As I stood up with Ize, he tried to rush at us like an enraged bull. But the Stork family knights quickly moved in and restrained him.
“I stayed silent because my daughter chose this path, but never again… If you ever bring harm to my daughter or those around her again, Daven…”
“Damn it… damn it! Ize, I’ll take revenge. You took everything from me, so I’ll make sure you lose everything too!”
I had worried she might be hurt by this, but Ize was smiling instead.
“Alright. I’ll be waiting, Daven.”
“Wha—what…!”
“Lawyer Raviel, Father, let’s go.”
And that was it. Ize, more confident than ever, walked ahead, and we left Daven behind.
His shouting still echoed through the courtroom, but no one paid attention anymore.
Outside the courthouse, Baron Stork and Ize’s older brother bowed deeply to me.
“Thank you for helping our daughter divorce him—and for taking that lunatic’s assets as well.”
I shook my head.
“Baron Stork. Young Lord.”
“Yes.”
“Just one request. Please don’t speak ill of Daven Raydick too much because of this.”
“Why is that?”
“He was once the man Ize loved. The man she chose. If you keep insulting him, it might end up turning into criticism of the Ize who chose him back then. Leave the past in the past. Look forward.”
Hah. That sounded so good I almost impressed myself.
The two of them paused, then nodded.
“We were being too short-sighted. Understood.”
The Baron then held Ize’s hand tightly.
“What does the past matter? You’re back now.”
“Father…”
“I will blame nothing. People make mistakes in life. And I’m sorry. For ignoring you all this time because I resented your choices.”
“It’s okay. I’m the one who should be sorry…”
I felt a strange pang of envy.
If my mother had somewhere to return to, maybe she wouldn’t have lived her entire life unable to divorce.
While I was lost in that complicated feeling, Ize looked directly at me.
“Lawyer Raviel.”
“Yes.”
“Thank you. I will never forget this kindness.”
“It was your own decision, Ize.”
If Raviel had such a family, she would probably be happier than anyone right now. But her father was only searching for her to drag her back and kill her.
“Anyway, I’ll send the fee to your account through the mercenary office.”
“You shouldn’t come see me anymore. I’m a divorce lawyer.”
“Is that so…”
She looked a little disappointed, but I bowed my head.
“Thank you for entrusting me with your case.”
The timid Ize from before was gone. Now, as if she had shed the shackles of love, she smiled more brightly than ever and turned away.
Thus, the first case was over.
But not everything had ended.
The next day, Ize came back immediately.
