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Chapter 2
Kalix looked as though he couldn’t quite believe what he’d just heard.
Or perhaps he looked like someone who had heard something he never should have.
One thing, however, was certain.
He was in an extremely foul mood.
Even when he simply sat still, he radiated an icy aura. Now he was staring at Iena in complete silence, lips tightly pressed together.
She found it deeply unpleasant.
Still, she decided to be patient.
There was nothing to gain from turning Kalix into an enemy.
After all…
Wasn’t a mutual divorce always the best kind?
No matter the era, once a divorce became contested, it inevitably turned into an ugly battle.
…
Wait.
Could an emperor and empress even get a mutual divorce?
“Did I hear you correctly?”
Kalix asked coldly.
“Yes.”
Iena answered with a bright smile.
“…”
A deep crease formed between Kalix’s brows.
He was confused.
He had never loved Iena.
In fact, he had never once regarded her as a woman.
But that had nothing to do with her value.
Iena’s political value was immense.
The Haiga family had supplied private troops throughout every war—including this most recent campaign.
More importantly, if his relationship with Iena fell apart, so would his alliance with House Haiga.
And despite everything, there were still nobles loyal to Luon.
Kalix knew better than anyone that they were simply waiting for the right opportunity.
If the Haiga family abandoned him now…
In the worst-case scenario, those remaining factions might seize the chance to rebel.
No matter how he looked at it, Iena’s request for divorce was disastrous.
Then I have to stop her.
No matter what.
After thinking quietly for a moment, Kalix finally spoke.
“…Why?”
“Why?”
“You must have a reason for saying something like that.”
The reason was incredibly simple.
Because if I don’t get out of this palace soon, I’m going to die in your place!
And not just die.
I’ll have my head chopped off!
Of course, saying that aloud would only make her sound insane.
Iena swallowed the words.
“Well… it’s not like I have a specific reason…”
“Then I can’t grant your request.”
“I mean… it’s not that I have absolutely no reason either…”
“…What?”
Kalix’s sharp gaze bore into her.
“Do you think an imperial marriage is some kind of joke?”
His voice grew harsher.
“Do you think the position of Empress is something you can simply throw away like garbage?”
He glared at her fiercely.
And he waited.
He expected her large eyes to fill with tears.
Expected her to apologize for speaking carelessly.
Expected her to beg.
That was the Iena he knew.
A timid, obedient woman who panicked the moment he raised his voice.
…
But today wasn’t that day.
“When did I ever say it was a joke?”
Instead of crying, Iena narrowed her eyes defiantly.
“No, wait.”
She pointed a finger at him.
“Do you even have the right to say that to me?”
“What?”
“You’re the one treating this marriage like a joke.”
Thinking about the original Iena Haiga suddenly filled her with irritation.
That poor woman…
She barely even appeared in the novel.
She existed for only two pages.
Only to die.
“You married me and then left me alone.”
“…What?”
“You didn’t even love me. You only married me to strengthen your political position.”
She crossed her arms.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t know that?”
“Fine.”
“I accepted that.”
“But if you were going to make me Empress, shouldn’t you at least have treated me like one?”
“Treated you?”
Kalix frowned.
“What treatment are you talking about?”
“You ignored me.”
“So everyone else in the palace ignored me too.”
“You were obsessed with war and spent every day outside the palace.”
“Tell me.”
“When have you ever treated me like your Empress?”
It sounded as though she had rehearsed the speech beforehand.
Honestly…
Kalix couldn’t refute a single word.
Everything she said was true.
He had gone straight to the battlefield immediately after the wedding.
He had gladly accepted everything the Haiga family offered while giving almost nothing in return.
Everyone knew Iena was an Empress in name only.
Even Kalix admitted that much.
Still…
He couldn’t believe the situation.
She was actually shouting back at him.
Even glaring at him.
“I fulfilled every duty expected of me.”
“I supported you faithfully.”
“My family supported you.”
“You’ve borrowed House Haiga’s private army over and over without paying a single coin.”
Kalix’s expression darkened.
“Now that I think about it…”
She scoffed.
“You’re basically a thief.”
“If you were going to use them like that, you could’ve at least paid for it.”
She shook her head in disbelief.
Normally, Iena would have been terrified.
But this wasn’t the original Iena.
To her, Kalix wasn’t a fearsome tyrant.
Nor was he an emotionally distant husband.
He was simply…
An obstacle.
The number one obstacle preventing her escape from the palace.
“Anyway!”
She raised her voice.
“I’m exhausted!”
“…Exhausted?”
Kalix frowned.
“What exactly have you done to be exhausted?”
“Would you stop nitpicking every word I say?”
“N-Nitpicking?”
“Don’t worry about what happens afterward.”
“I’ll explain everything to my father.”
“The Haiga family will continue supporting you.”
“As long as we divorce peacefully.”
“…”
Silence fell once again.
Does this guy seriously process conversations this slowly?
Iena stared at him impatiently.
“…Does Lord Edward know you feel this way?”
“No.”
She hadn’t even met her father yet.
Naturally, he had no idea what she was planning.
“He doesn’t.”
“Not yet.”
“I see…”
Kalix rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“In any case, this really isn’t a bad proposal for you.”
“It’ll be better for both of us if we separate now.”
No matter what happened…
Kalix would eventually meet Odelia.
That ending was fixed.
They would fall in love, have children, and live happily ever after.
The only problem…
Iena would die before any of that happened.
So whether she divorced or was deposed, leaving the palace was the best outcome for everyone.
Especially for herself.
“I’ll make this clear.”
Kalix finally spoke.
“I have no intention of divorcing you.”
“…What?”
“And I have even less intention of deposing you.”
“Why?!”
Iena nearly exploded.
Why, you bastard?!
“We didn’t marry for love!”
“So why are you so attached to me?”
Kalix let out a cold laugh.
“You’re saying something rather embarrassing.”
“We’re not lovestruck teenagers.”
“No, listen!”
She pointed at him excitedly.
“There’s someone who’s going to make you say those embarrassing things someday!”
“I mean… there will be!”
“A woman who’s incredibly lovable, kind, and beautiful…”
“Unfortunately.”
Kalix cut her off.
“That’s not what I need.”
“It will be!”
“You’ll meet someone so wonderful that you’ll—”
“What I need is usefulness.”
“Not childish games of love.”
The one saying that sounds like the teenager.
If the author had been standing in front of her, Iena would have grabbed them by the collar.
Why did you make the male lead such an insufferable edgelord?
“No, seriously!”
“This is for your own good too!”
“No.”
Kalix slowly approached her, emphasizing every word.
“The path that’s best for me…”
He stopped directly in front of her.
“…is having you remain by my side.”
…Okay.
He actually is a little more handsome up close.
Even now, that ridiculous thought crossed her mind.
Sadly…
His face wasn’t enough to change her mind.
Good looks meant nothing if she was destined to lose her head.
“The best path for me is divorce.”
“I won’t be leaving the palace for a while.”
Kalix said calmly.
“I promise.”
“Then I’d really appreciate it if you let me leave the palace.”
“That won’t happen either.”
“I promise you that as well.”
“That’s one promise you really didn’t need to make.”
“You’ll receive every courtesy you deserve.”
“I’ll make sure you lack for nothing.”
“The treatment I want is to be kicked out of the palace.”
“And finally…”
Kalix paused.
“Finally you’ll agree to divorce?”
“…Sleeping alone.”
“What?”
“I didn’t realize you’d been holding that grudge.”
He spoke matter-of-factly.
“I’ll correct that as well.”
“…Huh?”
“What do you mean?”
“Starting tomorrow night…”
Kalix answered without changing expression.
“…I’ll spend every night in the Empress’s Palace.”
…What?
Iena’s face went completely blank.
“I think that’s enough discussion for today.”
“I’m exhausted.”
Having said everything he intended to say, Kalix turned and walked away without hesitation.
…This isn’t how this was supposed to go.
Still sitting on the bed, Iena stared after him with her mouth hanging open.
“Oh.”
Kalix stopped at the door and glanced back.
“One more thing.”
“What?”
“I’ll send the imperial physician first thing tomorrow morning.”
“You should get examined.”
“…Examined?”
“Why?”
“Because…”
Kalix answered coolly.
“I’m fairly certain you’re not in your right mind.”
You arrogant jerk!
Iena glared at him furiously.
…
Wait.
What if I actually pretended to be crazy?
Maybe then he’d throw me out of the palace.
That’s… actually not a bad idea.
“Of course…”
Kalix added before she could get too excited.
“Even if you truly have lost your mind…”
“…you’re still not leaving this palace.”
“So don’t entertain the idea.”
Her brilliant strategy was crushed before she could even try it.
“Good night.”
Bang.
The door closed.
Iena was left alone.
“…Damn it.”
She muttered the curse under her breath.
She was doomed.
Those three words seemed to float above her head.
She hadn’t expected convincing Kalix to be easy.
After all, he relied heavily on House Haiga’s support.
Still…
She hadn’t expected him to reject the idea so fiercely.
“Ah… damn…”
She really hadn’t wanted to resort to that plan.
But what choice did she have?
She had absolutely no intention of staying in the palace only to have her head cut off.
Taking a deep breath, Iena clenched both fists.
Now there was only one option left.
She would…
Run away.
In other words—
She was going to climb over the palace wall and escape.
