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Chapter – 08
“What do you mean?”
“It’s a story that hasn’t been told to the public at all. People probably think we’re a very loving couple. Completely without problems. But the reality is not like that.”
“Ah.”
“I don’t really want to reveal this fact if possible. I would only speak of it when I’m pushed to the very end with no other options left—but even then, I don’t want my children to find out.”
“Your children… don’t they know anything?”
The Marchioness of Azbek slowly shook her head.
“I only want one thing. If my children are hurt during the divorce process, I will not proceed with it. The Marquis knows this, which is why he continues to hold out.”
“Ah… then is there any other fault-based reason for divorce?”
“No. To everyone else, he plays the role of a perfect husband. If not for… uncontrollable urges, he might actually be a decent husband.”
“Hm.”
Because Ize’s case had been resolved so easily, I had been full of confidence—but now my energy was starting to drain.
“Is it difficult after all?”
“No. I’ll try my best. If you have anything else to say, or any other details, please tell me anytime. And may I come by and listen for a while? I feel like talking might help you remember other incidents.”
“Alright.”
That was the best I could do.
‘Right. Something will come up. No one is completely clean.’
But the Azbek Marquis was exactly that—someone who didn’t seem to have a single speck of dust to shake off.
Even though I visited almost daily and spoke with her, there was no progress.
“Is there any chance of abuse from your mother-in-law… something like that?”
“She disliked me for not being able to bear children and hit me while saying I should raise the children my husband brought home as if they were my own… but even that… would require revealing the children’s real origins.”
“Ah.”
“I’m sorry. At this point… I’m starting to think divorce might be impossible.”
“No. There must be a way.”
I sighed softly while drinking the tea she had prepared for me.
“Raviel.”
“Yes.”
“That’s just how life is. It’s long—so long that it takes a very long time for emotions to fully mature. The resentment and anger in my heart… when they were still vivid, I tried to lash out, to hate him, even to resent the innocent children… but in the end, it was all meaningless. And now I even wonder if this feeling itself has become meaningless.”
“Ah…”
“In the end, emotions that age and settle become resignation. And I think I’ve reached that state.”
“Still, try a bit more. Since you’ve already decided, it would be a shame to give up now.”
It was at that moment—
“Now, what do we have here? I never expected my dear wife, who has recently been making such a fuss about divorce, to be here.”
A man who seemed to know exactly where we were appeared, sneering as he spoke.
“…You.”
“My lady. I thought you’d come to your senses if I just left you alone for a while… but why don’t you stop this nonsense? Do you really think you can divorce me? And a female divorce lawyer too? How very… grand.”
His appearance alone was unpleasant. A thin body, dark brown hair. Nothing particularly remarkable—but the overall impression was deeply unlikeable.
“Stop it. Don’t be rude to my guest.”
“That’s my business. Now move aside, my lady.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have a guest to receive here today.”
“There are so many gardens in this estate—why do you have to meet them here? What a petty man.”
“If you don’t like it, then you should become the Marquis yourself.”
The Marchioness of Azbek had said her husband was a perfect man, but to me he looked like a snake-tongued rat. In other words, the ultimate unpleasant type. My expression naturally hardened.
“And compared to some ‘divorce attorney’ woman, the guest I’ve brought is far more important.”
At that moment, the man who had come with the Marquis stepped forward.
“Marquis. You seem rather foolish lately, perhaps because you think you might be getting divorced.”
“…Your Majesty. How can you speak to me like that?”
“I don’t like being brought here as if I’m just for show. Did you want to flaunt that I stand behind you? Truly, if one lacks intelligence, at least have some sense—but it seems the Marquis has neither.”
The one casually delivering refreshing insults was someone I had seen before.
“…Huh? You…?”
“Y-you! Instead of pretending to be some grand ‘divorce attorney,’ at least try being intelligent. What are you doing speaking to His Majesty like that?”
I had unconsciously pointed at him, but quickly pulled my hand back at the Marquis’s words.
“Do you know me?”
Only after I had acted so rudely did the Emperor raise an eyebrow.
‘Did I mistake him?’
There was no way I could forget a face like that. But there was a difference from before—the infuriating man I had met before had red hair and red eyes, while this Emperor had black hair and golden eyes.
Yet the facial features and build… somehow felt exactly the same.
But the man looked at me as if I were a complete stranger.
‘Maybe I’m wrong… but something feels off.’
I couldn’t press further, so I quickly bowed my head.
“I apologize, Your Majesty… I’ve been unwell and have lived in isolation my whole life, so this is my first time seeing Your Majesty’s face. I failed to recognize you.”
I forced a smile while bowing deeply. The Marquis snickered beside me as if enjoying my discomfort. How could a Marquis behave so disgracefully?
Just then—
“That’s understandable.”
The Emperor nodded as if it was nothing.
Perhaps sensing my discomfort, the Marchioness gently pulled me closer, almost protectively.
“Since Your Majesty has arrived, we should take our leave. I apologize for not greeting you properly.”
“No need. That’s fine.”
“Thank you. Then we will excuse ourselves.”
“Yes, go on.”
The Emperor spoke in an unnaturally gentle tone, as if deliberately so.
Why an Emperor—someone who should always be in the palace—was here at all, I couldn’t understand. Still, the Marchioness urged me forward.
I bowed once more to the Emperor and tried to leave.
But—
“My memory isn’t that bad. I thought ‘divorce attorney’ was just talk—but you seem to have a brain after all.”
The Emperor called out to me.
“…Yes?”
“I like you. Raviel.”
Had I ever told him my name?
My mind stalled. I stopped walking and turned back.
“You… like me?”
“Yes. I hope you remember what I told you back then. Now, go on.”
As if he had nothing more to say, he gestured dismissively and took the seat we had just left.
‘It really is him.’
That annoying man. The hair and eye color were different, but it was definitely him.
Then suddenly—
“Go on and struggle a little more. So that I can hear news about you again… so that I can come find you myself. Try your best.”
The words he had once said flashed through my mind, and my expression stiffened.
“Raviel. Are you alright?”
The Marchioness leaned in slightly, worried about me.
“I’m fine.”
I forced a smile and stayed close to her side.
‘Why is the Emperor interested in me?’
Rumors said the current Emperor had a rather unstable temperament. When I first saw him, I thought nothing of it—just an annoying coincidence I’d have to deal with later. But realizing that man was the Emperor made my heart sink.
I just wanted to leave quickly.
But behind us, the Marquis spoke loudly as if intending for us to hear.
“Your Majesty. Have you met this so-called divorce attorney woman before?”
