Prologue
“Since when was someone’s downfall such a delight to others?”
On the continent of Tar, where five nations maintained relatively friendly borders, the capital of the Reshkan Empire—Laroche—was a city overflowing with daily gossip. Yet for over a week, the same topic dominated its scandal sheets:
<<Will Cayente Clue, the Earl Who Swallowed the Continent’s Textile Industry, Crumble Now?>>
<<Success Stained by Exploitation and Fraud; The Dark Truth Behind Earl Cayente Clue>>
<<The Unexpected Ally of the Rebelling Clue Textile Workers—Who Is It?>>
The buzz centered on Clue Textiles, a company that had recently expanded into trade after dominating the textile industry—until its practices were exposed.
“No wonder a man so young was unnaturally skilled in business. He wrung his workers dry—worse than the rumors.”
“Fourteen-hour shifts were the norm in those factories, I heard.”
“And the sheep farms! They tracked every lamb born, then docked the shepherds’ pay if one died. As if livestock don’t perish every day!”
For two weeks, each dawn brought fresh tales of Earl Clue’s cruelty, inhumane working conditions, starvation wages, price slashing based on arbitrary “quality checks,” and oppressive oversight of supply ranches.
People called these acts “villainy” rather than “crimes”—because while legally unactionable, they were morally reprehensible.
“How vile must a man be to drive even his wife to betray him?”
“Their marriage was always whispered about. Seemed happy, but clearly not.”
Whispers claimed Cayente had the means to save his wife’s family from ruin—but chose not to.
“Clue Textiles, pay your dues!”
“Pay! Pay!”
“Let the CEO face the workers!”
“Face them! Face them!”
Outside Clue Textiles’ three-story flagship store in Diela—the capital’s luxury shopping district—a furious crowd gathered. A scene unthinkable in an era when noble authority was absolute.
“Milady, we’ve arrived.”
A shabby hired carriage halted behind the protesters. The coachman lowered the step and opened the door, revealing Yulia Clue, the earl’s wife—the one who’d exposed it all.
“Watch your step. Let me assist you.”
“Thank you.”
“The lady is here!”
“Milady!”
The crowd surged toward her, grateful she’d risked her own standing to side with them.
This was why the scandal had captivated the empire:
<<Has Yulia Clue Become Her Husband’s Enemy?>>
<<The Earl and His Wife: Where Do They Stand Amid Divorce Rumors?>>
The nobility, long resentful of Cayente’s arrogance, reveled in his downfall. That his own wife had sparked it? Nothing could be more delicious.
“Thank you for coming, Milady!”
“Is the earl inside? Have you come to see him?”
“When will he negotiate with us?”
“We only ask for a raise—one gold per month!”
Amid their cheers, Yulia placed a hand on her barely visible belly and inhaled deeply.
Noah, give Mommy strength.
Five months pregnant, the child was her anchor—even if its father was now her enemy.
“Stop pestering her! How would she know if the earl will meet us or raise wages? She’s been away from the manor for two months.”
Yulia almost laughed. These people would abandon her if they knew her true motives. Yet she played the part of the worried wife, pushing through the crowd with a sorrowful expression.
Hold on. You must hold on, Yulia.
Each step toward the building felt heavier than the last. At the walnut door, she steadied herself, gripping the handle.
Today, she would end this.
Inside Clue Textiles
“Was this necessary, Milady?”
The moment she entered, the butler Henry spat the words she’d once asked Cayente:
“Why did it have to come to this?”
She’d received no answer then. Offering none now, Yulia climbed the creaking stairs to the third-floor office, ignoring the stares.
The chaos outside faded as she entered. The room was tomb-silent.
“You finally came.”
Cayente sat by the window, his ashen eyes betraying something like relief. His gaze dropped to her rounded belly, and the ghost of a smile touched his lips.
Yulia’s fingers tightened around the door handle.
She’d expected fury. Cayente never compromised—yet here he was, almost serene, as if atoning.
“Hello, my enemy. Have you been well?”
No longer his beloved wife, but his nemesis.
“It took longer than expected to get here.”
“So? Do you feel vindicated?”
“Is this enough for you?”
She should’ve been angrier. But staring at the man who’d been her savior, her heartbreak, and now her ruin, all she felt was exhaustion.
Tick. Tock.
The clock’s rhythm filled the silence. Sunlight streamed through the window, mocking the shadows between them.
Two months apart, and part of her still wanted to smile at the sight of him—even as his haggard face confirmed his suffering.
“Just sign the divorce papers.”
It was time.
“No.”
His refusal was instant.
“Even after I ruined everything? After what I did to your business?”
“I won’t divorce you.”
“Why?”
His answer was a blade to her ribs:
“Because I love you.”
Words that would’ve once brought her to tears now only brought pain.
Who could’ve imagined this? That after years apart, a marriage, a child—they’d end like this.
