After the Wicked Wife Leaves

Translated by: Alina

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Prologue. The Wicked Wife, Cornelia

 

A black-haired woman with a stern expression paused at the door of the office.

 

“I have come to see the Duke.”

 

At her words, Landon, Duke Blant’s butler, inwardly sighed.

 

‘Here we go again?’

 

The woman’s name was Cornelia Odile Blant.

 

Despite being the mistress of this mansion with an illustrious lineage and possessing a demure beauty, there was not a single person in this ducal estate who liked her.

 

Contrary to her noble appearance, she had a very bad temper. She often bullied her maids and other noblewomen who came as guests, and she often followed her husband around.

 

As if that wasn’t enough, she dressed up and indulged in extravagance as if she didn’t care about the duke’s financial condition.

 

‘Today, as always, so extravagant…’

 

Landon’s eyes widened in surprise as he took in the duchess’s attire.

 

‘Why is she dressed so modestly today?’

 

The Duchess’s attire, as he had seen before, was always excessively flashy.

 

Even indoors, she wore expensive dresses puffed up with layers of panniers and adorned herself with jewelry and flowers.

 

At one point, many people mocked the Duchess’s attire, calling her a “crow adorned with all kinds of feathers.”

 

But now the Duchess was wearing a simple silk dress for indoor wear with almost no decoration. Furthermore, the lavish accessories she usually wore were replaced by just a single wedding ring.

 

It was uncharacteristically modest.

 

‘What on earth has gotten into her?’

 

Landon asked, puzzled by the Duchess’s sudden change.

 

“Butler, why aren’t you announcing me to the Duke? Have you lost your hearing?”

 

The sarcasm brought Landon back to his senses.

 

‘That’s right, there’s no way that wicked woman could come to her senses.’

 

“I apologize, but a guest will be arriving shortly.”

 

“A guest? Who?”

 

“That’s…”

 

At that moment, someone called out the Duchess’s name in a cheerful voice.

 

“Oh, Cornelia!”

 

The Duchess gasped as she realized who had suddenly called her name.

 

“It’s you, Madeline.”

 

Madeline Arzen was the illegitimate daughter of the Empress’s younger brother, Marquis Arzen, and also Cornelia’s maternal cousin.

 

“Erich’s guest.”

 

Cornelia’s maternal aunt, Marchioness Arzen, Madeline’s mother, was a close friend who frequently socialized with Cornelia’s esteemed mother-in-law. 

 

It was said that her mother-in-law was so fond of Madeline that she made a fuss in social circles and would make her her daughter-in-law.

 

That’s why the former duchess often visited this gentle and kind young lady more frequently than her daughter-in-law, Cornelia.

 

Today was no different.

 

“Yes, I came today because Madam Blant invited me, and-“

 

“You probably came to see Erich. As usual.”

 

Madeline flinched at Cornelia’s abrupt interruption of her words, then giggled innocently.

 

“Oh, Cori, were you jealous that I went to see Erich first?”

 

“Why would I be jealous? We’re not even that close.”

 

“We’re cousins; how can you say that? Huh?”

 

Madeline walked up to Cornelia, as she always did, and tried to pull her into a casual embrace.

 

But at that moment,

 

Zap!

 

Cornelia swatted her hand away with a fierce touch.

 

“Don’t touch me so casually.”

 

Madeline’s face looked bewildered at first, then tears welled up in her eyes as she held Cornelia’s hand.

 

“What’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?”

 

“Let go.”

 

She tried to pull her hand away, but she held onto it so tightly that it wasn’t easy.

 

As Cornelia furrowed her brow, a low, commanding voice broke the silence.

 

“It’s so noisy outside my office.”

 

The man walking gracefully with long legs had a fierce presence, like an angry beast.

 

However, his dignified and noble appearance made even his anger seem refined.

 

Ignoring the two women, the man called for Landon.

 

“Landon, I thought I told you not to create any disturbances.”

 

Cornelia smiled bitterly.

 

Although it seemed like he was speaking to the butler, ultimately he was questioning her.

 

Did she cause trouble again today?

 

“Is what I said funny?”

 

When her eyes met the man’s, Cornelia involuntarily felt her legs weaken, but she forced herself to straighten up.

 

“Cornelia!”

 

The man who had called her name so fiercely started to move toward her, but someone put a hand on his arm, stopping him.

 

“Erich, don’t be angry! Cori didn’t do anything wrong; she was surprised because I hugged her suddenly…….”

 

Seeing Medeline’s tearful appearance, Erich’s stern expression softened.

 

In no time, he transformed from his fierce and crumpled appearance into the usual graceful and kind gentleman.

 

“That’s not it. Madeline, it might be better if you go into the parlor for now…”

 

At that moment, Cornelia staggered to her feet and opened her mouth.

 

“Sorry. I’m not feeling well…”

 

“Not feeling well? Where does it hurt?”

 

Then Cornelia looked at Erich and said,

 

“I’m pregnant.”

 

At the word pregnant, Madeline froze in place.

 

Her face had turned white. As if she had heard something she shouldn’t have.

 

“Pregnant?”

 

Then Erich called out to Madeline.

 

“Madeline, I’d like you to leave for the day.”

 

“No, we’re supposed to talk about something important today.”

 

“In that case, I’ll visit the Marquis of Arzen soon. So…”

 

Just then, someone interrupted their conversation.

 

“Sounds important; get into it, okay?”

 

Seeing Cornelia’s annoyed expression as she spoke with crossed arms, Erich furrowed his brows uncomfortably.

 

“No, our conversation comes first.”

 

“Since when do you put me first? I’m fine, you two talk. It’s always been like that, right?”

 

With that, Cornelia went into her room.

 

When Erich’s face contorted into a grimace, Madeline tactlessly spoke up.

 

“Cory said she’s fine, so…”

 

Erich, who had always been polite to noble ladies, seemed fed up with her oblivious behavior as his voice turned stern.

 

“Anna, see the guest off. Now.”

 

Though he was speaking to the maid who had escorted Madeline to the office, it was clearly an order of dismissal.

 

Madeline’s eyes narrowed.

 

“Okay, I’ll go.”

 

With that, she turned and walked back down the stairs.

 

Though the guest was gone, Landon remained tense.

 

The Duke was a generous man, but he was also a perfectionist. He was sure he would not appreciate this situation spiraling out of control.

 

Sure enough…

 

“I will tell Lady Argen that she must strictly prevent Anna from speaking. Especially so that it does not reach mother’s ears.”

 

Landon bowed his head at the hardness of the Duke’s voice.

 

“Yes, Your Grace.”

 

Erich walked straight into Cornelia’s room and frowned as he saw Cornelia sitting comfortably with a relaxed expression.

 

Seeing her husband’s demeanor so different from when he dealt with others, Cornelia also furrowed her brow.

 

‘If he’s going to do that, he should just go see Madeline.’

 

“Why are you here?”

 

Erich grimaced at the blunt question and sat down in front of her.

 

“Did you really have to bring that up in Lady Arzen’s presence?”

 

Cornelia pursed her lips but refrained from speaking.

 

‘Why? Are you uncomfortable because you sent the woman you love away because of me?’

 

Even if she said that, it made her feel dirty because she knew the truth about herself.

 

‘Come on, we’re here to talk about something important.’

 

However, he once again touched on Cornelia’s nerves.

 

“Cornelia, if you were trying to get my attention with lies…”

 

Of course, Cornelia had often lied to get his attention. She knew he would come to see her if she was sick or injured.

 

But there was a reason she couldn’t lie about her pregnancy.

 

“Do you think lying is possible? You should have shown some concern for me before.”

 

He was a man with such an inscrutable expression that one could never know what he was thinking.

 

If she had to use a metaphor, he looked like someone who had been in an unexpected accident.

 

“I must have slept with you…”

 

“Yes, it was only one night, when you drank too much on the anniversary of your father’s death. Exactly six weeks ago.”

 

As Cornelia continued to gaze at his inscrutable and handsome face, she couldn’t help but smirk.

 

“Judging by your reaction, it seems you didn’t want a child from me.”

 

At her words, his brow furrowed.

 

“Why would you assume that? I only…”

 

Before he could finish his sentence, Cornelia placed something on the table. It was the wedding ring she received from him.

 

“I’ll give it back.”

 

When he glared at her instead of answering, she said calmly.

 

“I’ll give you a fair settlement for alimony, so let’s get a divorce.”

 

His stoic face slowly contorted.

 

“Do you realize what you’re saying right now?”

 

Originally, this marriage was forced upon them by the royal family.

 

It was no wonder he was angry that she was so boldly demanding a divorce.

 

Still, Cornelia was not intimidated; instead, she glared back at him.

 

“Yes, I know.”

 

Her violet eyes were filled with scorn and hatred.

 

‘I know too well, Erich, that you will try to kill me and my child in the future.’

 

 

𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝑲𝒐-𝒇𝒊