PVMC 16

Chapter 16

It takes roughly an hour by carriage to get from the Count’s estate to Odilon.
Even though both are on the same Main Street, the land is so vast that traveling still takes quite some time.

“Am I really okay like this?”
“Of course!”
Sophia, sitting across from me, nodded.
“You chose the least extravagant dress possible.”
“That may be, but…”
Her taste was notoriously picky. Especially Lady Odilon valued the dignity of the nobility.
If I went too flashy, it would look frivolous, but if I didn’t dress up enough, I might be criticized for being disrespectful.

‘Besides, our family’s financial situation isn’t great right now.’
Wearing jewelry on top of that would only make things worse.
Maintaining dignity in any situation is important, but excessive display inappropriate to the circumstances would only appear pathetic.

“But… are flowers really enough…?”
Sophia glanced at the bouquet beside her.
When visiting a noble household, an appropriate gift was essential.
Especially for a business-like visit, careful attention was paid to the choice of gifts.

“Where would we get the money for that? If I buy even a teacup, I won’t have soup for a week.”
Honestly, it didn’t really matter if there was no gift.
“Don’t worry. My presence will be the gift.”
What the Marchioness needed right now wasn’t expensive teacups or jewelry—it was quality information.

‘Preferably, information that could take down her husband.’
The marquis had been quietly preparing a slave business. To keep this hidden, he probably even blocked the information guild’s sources in advance.

“Looks like we’re almost there.”
In this situation, I was the only one holding the key to divorcing the marquis.

“As a matter of fact, they’ve been waiting for you, milady.”
Upon arriving at the marquis’s estate, the butler immediately guided me into the main building.
Sophia followed behind and, after handing the bouquet to another maid, discreetly stepped back.
Walking along the long corridor with the butler, I clasped my hands calmly.

‘I have met her once before.’
By the time I was possessed, the breakup with the Odilon family was already in discussion.
On the day it was decided, I had met Lady Odilon once to tidy up the relationship.
Recalling that meeting…

‘I can’t rely on pity.’
Like any noble, she valued her time like gold.
If I wasted time appealing emotionally, she would likely leave before the main discussion even started.

“Please wait a moment.”
The butler knocked on the drawing-room door. Knock-knock. After a few seconds, a small chime rang.
“You may enter.”
“Thank you.”
I thanked the butler and stepped over the threshold.

Inside the neat guest drawing-room, a woman sat cross-legged.
“You arrived sooner than I expected.”
Her calm tone showed no sign of wavering. I bent my knees slightly and straightened them, showing respect first.
“I came immediately after seeing your reply.”

The lady slightly furrowed her brows at my words.
“What do you mean by the letter?”
She must have been curious about my letter. Normally, she’d ask about my wellbeing first, but going straight to the point suggested I had succeeded in catching her interest.
Well, it was an urgent matter. I had no intention of exchanging pleasantries.

“It’s exactly as written, madam.”
“……”
“I know you want to end your marriage.”

At that, Lady Odilon raised one eyebrow.
“Who said such a thing?”
“Is there anyone in high society unaware that your relationship isn’t good?”

The Odilon marriage was originally a political union.
Furthermore, the marquis’s debauchery and the lady’s strictness were well-known in society.
No one believed these two opposites could get along.

“Go on.”
Perhaps seeing no reason to deny it, she naturally ceded the floor.

“Then I’ll get straight to the point.”
Lady Odilon looked me squarely in the eye. I deliberately lifted my chin to meet her gaze.
Confidence is crucial in negotiations like this.

“I will help you divorce the marquis.”
“……You?”
“Yes, I will help you.”

I expected her skeptical reaction.
When I ended the conversation firmly, Lady Odilon briefly displayed a subtle expression.
Then she asked again, full of doubt.
“How do you intend to do that?”

Everyone knew divorce wasn’t easy for a noble.
Even if someone wanted a divorce, they couldn’t attempt it without a proper excuse.
But the marchioness had a valid reason.

‘She stands to gain the most from the divorce.’
There might be some commotion, but her reputation was strong enough to withstand it.
Furthermore, her husband, the current marquis, was a dowry son-in-law.
Divorce would reduce him to the status of a count’s family.
In terms of rank, Lady Odilon would always have the upper hand.
She could simply pass the vacant title to her well-raised son.

I straightened my posture.
“Do you know what crime His Majesty punishes most severely?”

Lady Odilon furrowed her brows.
Is she trying to play games with me?
Her gaze betrayed slight irritation.

“The crime of treason, of course. Challenging the imperial authority.”
“Not that. There are a few others, right?”
“Milady.”
She interrupted calmly, but I had no intention of backing down.

“Think about it. What crime has His Majesty punished most severely recently?”

Lady Odilon closed her lips, tilting her gaze downward as if thinking, frowning.
I sipped my tea quietly, waiting.

Fortunately, the silence didn’t last long.
“Milady.”
“Yes, madam.”
“Are you saying my husband is running a slave business?”

I smiled instead of answering. That should be enough for her to understand my point.

“Hah…”
As expected, Lady Odilon let out a dry laugh.
Shortly after, she rang the bell on the table.

A maid came in promptly.
“You called, madam?”
“The tea’s cold.”
She gestured at the half-empty cup.
“And bring some refreshments for later.”

After giving orders to the maid, she turned to me.
“I suppose this conversation will be long.”

Meanwhile, Matthias, left alone in the room, crouched on the floor.
Tick-tock.
It had been an hour since Aria left. A deep emptiness already settled in.
Even though he deliberately came to her room, the emptiness wasn’t filled; instead, the feeling of frustration grew.

‘She said she’d be back soon.’

But tick-tock.
No matter how much the clock moved, Aria didn’t return. He checked the study, but it was empty there too.
Even the maid who usually appeared often wasn’t around. She clearly hadn’t returned yet.

‘She’s late.’
Blinking, Matthias felt the silence more acutely. Time passed quickly when they were together, but alone, it felt as though he were the only one left in the world.

‘When will she come?’
He wished she’d return soon.

Just then, when patiently waiting for his mistress to come back…
“……?”

Feeling a subtle presence, Matthias narrowed his eyes.
Creak—
Suddenly, the door opened.