“It’s not that dangerous, as long as you don’t cross him.”
I matched her tone and changed the subject.
“Just to confirm, you do want to divorce, right?”
“…Yes, I do. I want to end this.”
Tears welled up in the Countess’s eyes and streamed down her cheeks.
“But my husband won’t let me go. The moment we’re legally separated, his title reverts to me…”
That was it.
Countess Valentine had experienced the love of the century. Born a noble lady, she married a common man for love.
She even gave him the title of Count, choosing to remain as the Countess herself.
‘So, the current Count Valentine is originally a commoner.’
However, after becoming a noble, Count Valentine didn’t appreciate the favor. He indulged in drinking, gambling, and women.
Not only did he use the family gold mine as he pleased, but he also granted favors to strangers who asked, even against the family’s interests.
He was just as much of a scoundrel as Duval.
“I understand. That’s why we have to make sure divorce is the only option.”
“How?”
“We’ll catch him in the act of infidelity.”
The empire had implemented several measures to address the rampant adultery.
And I planned to use one of those measures—presenting evidence that a spouse or fiancé had slept with someone else, allowing for a one-sided divorce or annulment without trial—to help Countess Valentine.
Unlike Duval, Count Valentine was quite the libertine.
Realizing my intention, the Countess murmured darkly.
“But how…”
“That’s what the guild is for.”
At that moment, we heard footsteps approaching.
I stopped speaking and glanced in that direction. Recognizing the familiar faces, I frowned slightly.
Similarly, the Countess stiffened in fear upon recognizing the approaching people.
“Here you are, my lady.”
With a hypocritical tone, Count Valentine approached.
His voice and expression were so gentle that anyone unaware of the situation would think he truly loved his wife.
Beside him were Duval, frowning, and his sister, Layla Essite, Count Valentine’s mistress.
Unfortunately, Tirielle was not there. It seemed she had run off in the wrong direction. It would have been quite a scene if they had met.
“We’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
With a friendly smile, Count Valentine extended his hand. The Countess stepped back hesitantly but didn’t resist.
I sighed inwardly and naturally stepped between them.
“Nice to see you again, Count.”
“…Lady Labyrinth.”
The Count’s face stiffened slightly as he saw me.
I grabbed the Countess’s wrist, who was trembling behind me. I planned to leave with her now that the troublemakers had appeared.
“Well, we’re busy, so we’ll be going.”
The countess flinched but didn’t shake off my hand.
However, before we could take a step, the Count blocked our way.
I silently asked what the matter was, and he responded coldly.
“I need to speak with my wife.”
“I also have unfinished business with her.”
“Can’t you do it here?”
“No, it’s a ladies’ secret, so it’s not possible.”
Seeing that I had no intention of backing down, the Count’s face twisted.
After exchanging a few more words, he seemed to decide that dealing with me was difficult and turned his attention to the countess.
“Tell me, my lady, who is more important right now, me or Lady Labyrinth?”
The Countess, terrified, trembled.
I stepped forward to completely shield her from the Count and sarcastically retorted.
“What are you doing right now? Trying to force her to choose sides?”
“Apologies, my lady, but it’s an urgent matter.”
“So is mine. If you hadn’t interrupted, it would have been over by now. What is this?”
My sharply cold response made the count hesitate. He seemed taken aback by my attitude, which contradicted my reputation for being mild-mannered.
Seizing the opportunity, I led the Countess away. She hesitated for a moment, then, with her eyes tightly shut, followed me stiffly.
As we passed Duval, he intervened.
“Excuse me, my lady. Could you spare a moment?”
Duval, who had been watching our confrontation with displeasure, stepped in.
Before the Countess could get involved, I intervened.
“You said you didn’t know who your husband’s mistress was, right?”
“…?”
“It’s Layla Essite. And it was Duval who introduced her.”
“…?”
The Countess’s hand trembled.
Although it was a scam by the Essite siblings, who targeted the Count’s wealth, there was no need to reveal that much.
I urged the Countess to leave quickly. Duval was approaching her only to exploit her business acumen.
“Siella!”
Duval, displeased that his plans were disrupted, called out angrily.
I ignored him and continued walking.
Duval then yelled from behind.
“You’ll regret it. You’ll be shocked when you see what I’m planning. Begging for forgiveness won’t change a thing!”
Remembering how Rader said Duval was very pleased with the fake reports, I thought.
“Do you understand? I will never, no matter what happens, accept it!”
His voice echoed throughout the exhibition hall.
Yes, you bark. I’m going to go. I diligently moved and shook my head.
‘Looks like I should raise Rader’s price.’
Seeing how firmly Duval believed in those fake reports, raising the price seemed reasonable.
I decided to dry up Duval’s financial resources completely.
*** *** *** *** ***
“What is this, Count? You said there wouldn’t be any problems!”
Back at the exhibition hall after Siella and Countess Valentine had left.
Layla, Duval’s sister and Count Valentine’s mistress, shouted sharply.
They had planned to use Countess Valentine’s business acumen to assist with a new venture Essite was developing.
But Siella’s unexpected appearance had thwarted their plan. She had even revealed that Duval had introduced Layla.
Although it was unclear how Siella knew, the truth was out, and Countess Valentine was unlikely to help Essite now.
Unaware of their scheme, Count Valentine, who was completely infatuated with Layla, broke into a cold sweat.
“Well, my Lady, the thing is…”
“And you, brother. She’s your fiancée. How could you not keep her under control?”
“Is that my fault?”
Already irritated by Siella, Duval raised his voice.
Furious, Layla retorted.
“I heard she’s infatuated with some temple guy. What if she calls off the engagement?”
“I have no intention of breaking off the engagement. Besides, I have other plans, so don’t worry.”
Duval thought of Rader, the master of the Sielle Romance Manipulation Guild. The price was exorbitant, but he was worth every penny.
At that moment.
“Young Master Essite-!”
A familiar voice pierced the air.
Startled, Duval turned around. He was speechless.
“There you are! Let’s talk! Do you really still love Siella?”
Tirielle, her face streaked with tears and snot, charged at him like an enraged rhinoceros.
She was so fierce that Duval instinctively shrank back. He involuntarily took a step back.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something urgent, he turned and started walking quickly, then broke into a run around the corner.
“Young Master! Wait a moment! Young Master Essite! It’s me, Tirielle!”
Tap, tap, tap. Her urgent footsteps echoed through the exhibition hall, replacing Duval’s absent voice.
Tirielle called out desperately.
“Young Master! Young Masteeeer-!”
Her lost, sorrowful cry echoed. Mistakenly thinking Duval hadn’t seen her, she ran after him.
After the storm passed, silence returned.
“……”
“……”
Layla and Count Valentine stared blankly in the direction they had disappeared.
Layla, regaining her composure first, spoke.
“What will you do now?”
“What…”
“About your wife. She needs to help with the business, doesn’t she?”
“…Do we really need her?”
“How many times do I have to tell you?”
Layla snapped at the foolish question.
Aria Valentine’s business acumen was unparalleled.
A family closely associated with Essite was running a café.
Although they had opened in a prime location, business wasn’t as good as expected. They were considering closing until they received advice from Aria. Applying her advice transformed the café into one of the most famous in the capital.
Layla spoke harshly.
“I pushed this through because I trusted you. If this fails, it’s all your fault. Understand?”
“What should I do?”
Fearful that she might suggest breaking up, the count asked urgently. Layla, arms crossed, snorted.
“Get your wife to help with the business.”
“How…”
“Do I have to tell you everything? Hmm… Doesn’t she have a man? If she does, you could use that against her.”
At Layla’s words, Count Valentine recalled the reports from the watchers he had assigned to his wife.
‘She’s been staying in her room without motivation…’
Afraid of getting caught in rumors, he had prevented her from going out after drinking and abusing her. She had no opportunity to meet anyone.
‘I should have loosened the reins.’
Regretting his choices, he remembered a phrase he’d heard while gambling.
There’s no such thing as ‘nothing.’ If it doesn’t exist, make it.
“I think there might be. Or, I’ll make it happen.”
With a sinister glint in his eye, Count Valentine seemed to have made up his mind. Layla recognized the look as one of malicious intent.
However, confident it wouldn’t affect her, she didn’t bother to stop him.
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