Chapter 2

“What did you say?”

“Let’s get a divorce.”

As he put the collected ring into his pocket, he answered Rianna, who was asking again.

The blowing wind felt unusually colder.

It couldn’t just be my mood, right?

Since I couldn’t find a suitable explanation, I just brushed it off as my mood.

From Rianna’s distorted expression, embarrassment was dripping.

Despite having fiery hair and eyes, her icy, expressionless face finally cracked.

“You’re not going to ask why, are you? That’s such a cliché question.”

Rianna, holding her breath, kept her mouth shut.

Her eyelids trembled slightly, as if I had hit the mark.

“We’re not exactly living a married life that you could call a marriage, are we?”

We have separate rooms, less conversation, and no consideration for each other.

“I think our feelings have cooled enough to let each other go.”

Honestly, I was confused at first too.

I couldn’t understand why the dead Rianna was still wearing her wedding ring.

Did she still have feelings for me?

Or did she only realize its value after we parted?

Many doubts arose.

But after spending the day, I realized that none of that mattered.

‘Whether I still have lingering feelings for Rianna, that’s not important at all.’

What’s more important is—

‘I don’t love you anymore.’

A refreshingly cool smile formed.

The knot that had been tied since my past life finally came undone.

Not only Rianna’s feelings mattered. My feelings were important too.

Because we are a couple.

“Isaac…?”

She took a step closer and whispered softly.

“You’ve had a hard time living with a lousy husband.”

I hoped she could shake off any lingering regrets or resentment.

That way, starting a new life wouldn’t be cumbersome.

‘This should be enough, right?’

Calling myself a lousy husband, isn’t that enough?

Rianna’s distorted expression gradually returned to normal.

She let out a short sigh, then spoke in a very businesslike manner.

“Father said it’s about time we have a child.”

“A child?”

I was momentarily stunned by the sudden topic.

It’s something I didn’t hear in my past life.

In my past life, I would have lost a leg to the chandelier and been in front of the doctor by now.

Anyway, Rianna continued.

“He didn’t have much faith in Loengreen, the eldest son, but it seems he’s decided to confirm him as the next successor at this year’s Sword Festival.”

Loengreen, the eldest son.

A man a year older than Rianna, who often tormented me.

And the reason Rianna and I have been married for four years without a child.

Because there was a possibility that she, the eldest daughter, would have to inherit the family instead of the unreliable eldest son.

‘Thinking that the second son could also pass it to the eldest daughter…’

It also meant Rianna’s competence and the incompetence of the Helmunth men.

“So, Father has finally made up his mind?”

“No matter how much he values ability, Loengreen is much better than me. If I were to become the family head, it would politically seal Loengreen’s incompetence.”

“So now we have to have a child?”

“If I were to be appointed as the family head while pregnant, there would be many limitations. But it seems he’s firmly decided on Loengreen now.”

“Ah.”

“So, we don’t have to use separate rooms anymore.”

Looking at Rianna, who was calmly explaining, I suddenly had a doubt.

“Were you nervous all day trying to say that?”

“I wasn’t nervous.”

Rianna, with an even more expressionless face, stared at me.

“Why wouldn’t I be nervous? Didn’t I tell you before? When you’re nervous, you look angry.”

“…”

At Isaac’s words, Rianna poked her cheek with her finger.

Her tightly closed lips silently affirmed that she had been nervous.

“Well, that’s good then.”

“Good?”

At my words, Rianna’s expressionless face wavered again.

“The timing is perfect. Meet another decent man. That’s how you should live.”

If a child had been born, divorce wouldn’t have been so easy.

“Divorce usually reflects poorly on the wife. But if the husband has issues, it’s not always the case.”

“…”

“Whether it’s kleptomania, a love for blood, or eccentric sexual preferences. Any reason would make people see you as the victim.”

“…”

“Besides, you’re the eldest daughter of Helmunth. A minor flaw wouldn’t be a problem at all.”

“Why?”

Rianna, who had kept her mouth shut until now, finally couldn’t hold back and spoke.

“Do you want to divorce that badly? What’s the reason?”

“I don’t want to stay in Helmunth anymore.”

There was no hesitation in my answer.

In fact, it felt like I had been waiting for this.

“…”

“Rianna. To others, Helmunth may seem like a beautiful rose, but in my hands, it’s just thorns.”

I’ve said all I needed to say.

Alois, the pervert, is spying on us from below the balcony, so I don’t want to stay here any longer.

“I’m a bit tired from drinking wine today. I’ll go to bed first. I’ll talk to your father separately.”

Stepping inside.

Looking at the messy Banquet Hall for today’s event, I let out a bitter laugh.

“The servants must be having a tough time.”

Sorry about that.

But this is the last time.

“Wait.”

Suddenly, Lianna grabs my wrist.

I stop walking, glance at her, and ask.

“Huh? Why?”

A conversation that ended with relief.

To end things on a good note, I gave her a gentle smile.

Contrary to my smile, Lianna’s expression showed rare signs of anxiety.

“Sorry, but divorce isn’t an option. Father won’t allow it.”

“He never liked the idea of a commoner son-in-law who can’t even handle swordsmanship properly. He might actually be pleased.”

“That’s too sudden. Father thinks we’re getting along fine.”

“Not a chance. The family head is sharp enough to notice.”

“…The social circle isn’t as simple as you think. Just because you get some dirt on you doesn’t mean I become clean.”

“Sigh.”

If I keep listening, she’ll go on all day with reasons, so I let out a sigh, and Lianna’s lips stop.

“Lianna.”

The smile in my eyes fades.

My gaze, now cold, pierces through Lianna.

“Your brothers call me a bug who can’t even handle swordsmanship. I’ve gotten used to being called out for sparring and beaten up.”

“…”

“To your sister, I’m just a convenient servant. I’ve taken care of all sorts of errands, big and small, even the secretive ones.”

“…”

“Your father doesn’t care at all about that. He never had any interest in me to begin with. A son-in-law who can’t wield a sword can’t be called Helmunth.”

“Isaac.”

“Lastly, the wife I thought would stand by me till the end… ultimately chose to stand by.”

“Isaac, that’s-.”

A sneer forms at the corner of my mouth.

The bitter laugh is mixed with a sense of humiliation.

“Trying to make excuses? Saying there were reasons? Lianna, do you know what you should have said here?”

“…”

“An apology.”

Lianna tightly closes her mouth.

An apology now would be like stepping on her own foot to put out a fire.

It’s already too late.

“Still don’t get it? Lianna, in this great Helmunth-”

There was no place for me.

I roughly shake off Lianna’s arm.

“And.”

A bitter smile forms as I touch my wrist.

The next words that come out are surprisingly cold, even to myself.

“Couples aren’t supposed to hold hands like that, it’s creepy.”

* * *

Lianna spends a long time on the Banquet Hall balcony.

“Sister?”

The voice of the third son, Alois, comes from behind.

Lianna deliberately tries not to turn her head.

Right now, she doesn’t know what expression she’s making.

But she doesn’t want anyone to see it.

“Ha, haha. Quite a few incidents today. Especially the chandelier falling suddenly, that was a bit shocking.”

True.

The chandelier that fell above Isaac.

If he hadn’t skillfully dodged it, there could have been a big accident.

“How are you going to go back now-.”

“Alois.”

“Yes, sister? Can I help you with something?”

Alois has always been fond of her.

Sorry, but that made Lianna feel oddly uncomfortable.

“Let me be alone.”

“Sister? Did something happen with brother-in-law today-.”

Lianna doesn’t answer.

Her silence warns him not to say more.

“I’ll go in first, sister.”

With a polite bow, Alois leaves.

Lianna spends some time alone, standing there.

And.

When she finally calms down, she can return to her room.

The room is much cleaner than usual.

A single rose in her cherished flowerpot is one of the things Lianna takes great care of to keep from wilting.

She throws the prepared scented candle and matches on the table into the trash.

Taking off the dress she carefully wore today.

A maid should have helped, but it’s already late, and she sent them away long ago.

No, actually, she told the maids not to come near her room today.

The full-length mirror beside her catches her eye.

Half-torn off, the dress reveals provocative black lingerie she usually wouldn’t even glance at.

“…”

Without a word, Lianna heads straight to the bed.

There are two pillows.

One for her.

The other.

Lonely, remains in its place, waiting for a master who won’t come.