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Chapter 04
The guard stationed outside the office stood rigidly, as if he had no intention of reporting anything to the duke.
“I’m sorry, but His Grace is currently handling important duties and has strictly ordered that he not be disturbed.”
After several rounds of arguing, it became clear he wouldn’t even send a message in—meaning there was no way to break into the office unless one resorted to physical force.
“Madam, let’s just come back later……”
“It’s fine. I should be able to endure this much.”
Nina turned around to Masha, who was fidgeting anxiously behind her, and forced a smile.
She hadn’t failed to anticipate this situation.
If she had been able to see her husband’s expensive face so easily, the former her wouldn’t have gone around stalking him like a loan shark in the first place.
“Then I’ll wait here.”
“Do as you please.”
The servant replied curtly, lifting his chin in disdain.
“H-How rude……!”
Masha clenched her fists, ready to lunge forward at the disrespectful attitude that was completely unbefitting toward a duchess.
Nina swallowed a bitter smile and quietly stopped her.
“Masha.”
“But, Madam, that’s just—!”
“Enough. I don’t want to cause a scene before an important conversation.”
“……”
Masha bit her lip in frustration.
She understood her little chihuahua of a maid—who would fight the world for her—very well.
But today’s matter was divorce.
Even the smallest disturbance couldn’t be allowed.
“Masha, after I finish speaking with the Duke, I’d like to rest. Please prepare a bath for me.”
“Madam……”
“Go on.”
Masha clearly wanted to stay by her side, but Nina didn’t want to show her most pathetic state to the only person who still stood by her.
Under Nina’s firm gaze, Masha reluctantly withdrew.
“……”
Left alone facing the servant, Nina straightened her back and waited for the door to open.
They probably think I’ve come to complain about my husband who’s been out for days.
That I’ll lose my temper, cause a scene, and leave.
After all, that pattern had repeated for two years.
It was a reasonable assumption.
Nina tried to stay composed, but in truth, she was suffering.
The servant’s mocking gaze and the stares of passing servants in the hallway pricked at her skin.
Most of them had probably seen her drunken episodes or at least heard the rumors.
She wanted to die of embarrassment, but she kept repeating to herself that it was fine.
I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine…
Once she divorced and time passed, people would forget her existence.
So she shouldn’t care if they laughed or pointed fingers.
Nina swallowed dryly and stood like a statue, forcing herself to endure.
Ten minutes passed.
Twenty.
Thirty.
With every passing moment, cold sweat soaked her back.
Her body was still far from recovered. Bruises hadn’t fully healed, and standing for so long made her back and knees ache, her body even feeling faintly feverish.
Then—
Creeeak.
The tightly shut office door finally opened.
Her (ex)husband—no, her current husband.
A man nearly 190 cm tall, with black hair slicked back, a sharp brow, a straight nose, and deep gray eyes.
Like a sculpted actor from a foreign classic film, he frowned the moment he saw her.
As if to say: You’re still here?
“By now, divorce papers should already have been delivered to your family estate.”
“H-Husband, what are you suddenly talking about…?”
“If you want to respond within the deadline, you’d better leave now.”
“What are you even saying?! Divorce?! If my grandfather hears about this—!”
“That won’t be an issue. I personally removed him from power a few days ago.”
“No… that’s impossible… no…”
“Did you really think I intended to spend my entire life with you?”
That day, when he declared the divorce, he had looked at her just like that—like she was something insignificant.
It felt as though she had been thrown back into that moment from the past—or rather, the future she now knew.
She stood frozen, staring blankly.
He clicked his tongue and walked past her, as if looking at a bug.
Only then did Nina snap back to reality and grab his arm in panic.
“H-Honey, wait—!”
Smack!
“Ah!”
He struck her hand away firmly.
His expression twisted in disgust, as though she were something filthy.
…It stung a little, but she understood.
Of course he would hate it.
Her very existence must be repulsive to him.
But she couldn’t let him leave yet.
There was something she needed to say—something urgent.
She quickly stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
“Wait, please. Just… talk to me for a moment.”
He tilted his head slightly.
“Speak.”
A man so tall she had to crane her neck just to meet his gaze looked down at her as if even that small effort was beneath him.
She should’ve been angry—but instead, she was simply grateful he was willing to talk at all.
He’s even more intimidating up close…
Her heart pounded as she forced a trembling smile.
Just meeting his icy gaze made her breath hitch.
How had she ever had the courage to stalk a man like this?
She must have been insane.
“…I have something important to say. Please spare me a moment.”
He checked his pocket watch.
“Make it quick. Only the essentials.”
“I can’t say it here. Please… can we go into your office?”
He let out a scoff.
“Didn’t I already make myself clear back then?”
“Pardon?”
“If you’re planning to strip and throw yourself at me in the office, I’ll decline. Your body didn’t react even then, so I doubt it would now.”
Whoosh.
Her face burned instantly at the reminder of her past humiliation.
“T-That’s not it! I really do have something important to say! Once I’m done, I won’t bother you again, so please just give me a moment!”
“……”
“Please.”
Ash stared at her unmoving figure.
A request…?
From his shameless, common-sense-lacking wife.
A voice stripped of its usual venom. Eyes trembling with desperation.
Even her clothing looked unusually simple today.
Seeing her so different, he decided—fine. He would hear what nonsense she had come to say.
“Five minutes.”
“Thank you.”
The infamous Duchess of Bayern looked genuinely brightened at being granted only five minutes.
Has she hit her head somewhere?
Ash returned to his office and sat on the sofa, watching her with suspicion.
“State your business.”
Nina fidgeted with her fingertips before speaking carefully.
“First… I want to apologize for everything I’ve done to you. I’m sorry. I did a lot of things I never should have done.”
“……”
Ash’s eyes narrowed slightly.
What is she scheming now?
“You think I came here to listen to apologies?”
He glanced at his watch as if she were wasting his time.
Nina took a deep breath.
Right. What mattered to him wasn’t her apology.
It was the end of this hellish marriage.
Divorce.
If she said it, he would probably welcome it, relieved.
A man who already detested her even ten days ago.
She clenched her cold hands.
“We’re getting a divorce.”
Nina waited for his response.
She had expected relief. Satisfaction. A smile.
Instead—
Silence.
Even colder than before.
“…Pardon?”
He let out a sharp, dry laugh.
“Did you just say divorce?”
