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Chapter 09
Inside the Bayern Ducal House office.
Ash stared down at a shattered glass vial carefully placed inside a small box, his gaze cold and unmoving.
“…So my uncle truly intends to cross a point of no return.”
He had expected that his uncle would eventually approach that woman.
After all, the count lacked both the influence and financial power to win decisively, so he would naturally try to secure a connection with the Chief Justice.
And yet he chose to use an aphrodisiac…
What Ash despised most of all was poison.
It was not publicly known, but it was poison that had sickened and killed his half-brother.
In his mind, an aphrodisiac was not much different from poison—it destroyed lives all the same.
Count Aslett had crossed a line using the very method Ash detested most, and he would eventually bear the consequences of that choice entirely on his own.
But one thing was unexpected.
That she—who he assumed would gladly side with Count Aslett—had instead coldly rejected his proposal without hesitation.
“I don’t care how far I’ve fallen… I have no intention of harming my husband with something as despicable as that kind of drug or framing him with false testimony.”
It had been an impressionable moment.
For a brief instant, he had almost thought she might be a woman of upright morals and integrity.
But a woman who refused false accusations while having entered a marriage through coercion—that was a contradiction.
“They’re playing a ridiculous little scheme.”
Ash responded with a cold sneer, causing Melanie to hesitate before speaking.
Given her master’s dislike of unnecessary commentary, she knew her evaluation might drop for speaking out… but still—
“With respect, it didn’t look like a staged act.”
Melanie was the person who had clashed with Nina the most over the past two years in this mansion.
Because of that, she was certain what she had witnessed earlier had not been an act.
The Madam’s anger had been genuine.
That cold gaze directed at Count Aslett, that stern voice.
No one capable of such convincing performance would have allowed their reputation to fall so far or made enemies in every direction.
So why had someone so composed and discerning acted so poorly until now?
Even when she assigned the punishment of the maids to her earlier, Melanie had sensed it—something about the Madam had changed.
“Perhaps there was no time to coordinate a plan, as you said. If they had conspired, they wouldn’t have spoken so openly in the mansion.”
“Then why…”
“Don’t you think it’s too blatant?”
“Pardon?”
Ash continued, watching Melanie—who seemed almost unconsciously inclined to defend Nina.
“Let’s assume Aslett is just a fool, as always. But doesn’t it strike you as suspicious that she is openly acting like an ally?”
“….”
“It was impressive, I’ll give her that.”
But even so, a woman who had previously seemed intent on devouring him now changing her attitude only felt suspicious.
If she could not win through force, she would mention divorce. And if that failed, she would deliberately oppose Count Aslett to earn his trust.
Even if her desire for divorce was genuine, there was no guarantee she held no resentment.
No… there is no guarantee. If anything, she has every reason to hold a grudge.
Ash lightly pressed his lower lip with his immaculate fingers.
“Where is she now?”
“She has remained in her room since meeting Count Aslett this morning.”
“Did she say anything else?”
“No.”
“Keep watching her for now.”
Whether all of this was merely an act,
or whether a true change of heart had occurred—
time would reveal everything.
With her fiery personality, she would not be able to hide her true intentions for long.
Two days later.
Nina, who had been holed up in her room all day waiting for her husband’s reaction, murmured with a thoughtful expression.
“Masha… my husband really does live in the same house as me, right?”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Then why is there absolutely no reaction? Don’t tell me he didn’t even hear that I met Count Aslett?”
She had expected some kind of response after that encounter with Count Aslett, but there was nothing. Not a single ripple.
I just want to finish this divorce quickly…
Biting her lip anxiously, Nina fidgeted.
Masha cautiously asked, “Shall I look into it?”
“…No.”
Nina shook her head.
No reaction meant either he had no intention of speaking yet—or that he was watching her.
If I start digging around behind his back now, he’ll just think I’m being suspicious again.
It would be better to confront him directly.
“Just tell him I’d like some time with him.”
Masha, still worried after the Duke had previously threatened to fire her, asked hesitantly, “He said he’d dismiss me if I came again… I won’t get fired, will I?”
“…That won’t happen. And even if it does, I’ll take responsibility.”
It was not as if she could avoid the matter anyway—this involved his nephew.
If he fired Masha over it, Nina would simply lie down in front of his office and stage a protest.
One more bit of humiliation wouldn’t change anything.
“Alright! I’ll go, Madam!”
Nina adjusted her appearance after Masha left.
“Phew…”
This was a rare opportunity. She had to conclude things properly this time.
Otherwise, she didn’t know when she would get another chance.
What kind of ridiculous situation is this… needing a reason just to talk to your husband who lives in the same house?
But she told herself it was her own fault.
It was frustrating to be in this situation twice, but realistically, no one else cared about her circumstances.
Stay strong.
She waited.
Soon, Masha returned with the message she had been waiting for.
“Madam, His Grace said to come to his office immediately.”
Not the greenhouse—but the office.
That meant he had no intention of prolonging the conversation.
No choice.
Even a cup of tea together was too much to hope for now.
Nina checked her reflection one last time.
Her nausea had passed, but after four days of misery, her face looked pale and slightly drained.
She considered adding makeup, but decided against it.
It might be better this way.
Maybe she could earn a little sympathy.
“I’m going.”
“Good luck, Madam!”
Leaving Masha’s energetic encouragement behind, Nina headed to the office.
The attendant, who had previously blocked her way, now opened the door without protest.
Creeeeak.
“Please go in.”
His curious expression was noticeable, but his manners were polite. Nina gave a short nod and stepped inside.
Her husband sat on the sofa reviewing documents—no tea, no courtesy drink, nothing.
Without even looking at her, as if she were an inconvenience, he spoke.
“You said you had something to discuss. What is it?”
…Right. Let’s finish this quickly and be done with it.
She sighed softly and sat across from him.
“You may have heard already, but the other day my uncle came to see me. Thanks to that, I finally understood why you were so angry.”
“……”
He raised his head, closing the document slightly and crossing his legs.
A haughty gesture—telling her to continue.
“He tried to propose that his eldest son become Ian’s new guardian, and asked me to submit a statement declaring you unfit as guardian. I refused, of course.”
His gaze lowered lazily.
“So what is your point?”
“…If your hesitation about divorce is because of my uncle, I can have my lawyer notarize a sworn statement. I will do everything I can to help you maintain your guardianship. I will never interfere with your objectives.”
There was only one way to obtain his agreement to divorce.
Help him achieve his goal.
I’ve changed. So please just agree. Living with me must feel like hell anyway, right?
She waited anxiously.
Then Ash let out a dry laugh.
“A sworn statement?”
…What?
Why is he reacting like that again?
As Nina’s mind raced, trying to figure out what she had missed, his lazy voice slipped into her ears.
