After the Wicked Wife Leaves

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Translated by: Sienna

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

 

‘Even if I try to bribe them with money, it’s a problem. They might end up threatening me later. Besides, if Erich investigates, it will all be exposed.’

 

In that case, there were two options: finding someone whose identity couldn’t be traced or finding someone trustworthy enough not to succumb to Erich’s persuasion…

 

Knock.

 

“It’s Sardin.”

 

The voice that accompanied the knock made me remember something I had forgotten.

 

‘Ah, I told Sardin to buy peaches earlier. But did he really buy them?’

 

When I rushed out earlier because of morning sickness, I was craving fresh peaches.

 

So, I sent him to buy some, but now that I thought about it, it wasn’t the season for peaches.

 

“Come in.”

 

With my permission, he entered the room. As expected, he came empty-handed.

 

“I’m sorry, Master. I couldn’t find the peaches you mentioned.”

 

With his head bowed and full of apologies, I shook my head.

 

“It’s okay. Peaches might not be available right now.”

 

Usually, I would have scolded Sardin for not being able to find peaches.

 

But at the moment, I was in a good mood thanks to the sweet peach sorbet.

 

“Thank you for your efforts.”

 

As if my words were different from what he expected, Sardin looked at me with blank eyes and hurriedly lowered his head.

 

“Next time, I will make sure not to disobey orders.”

 

While observing him, looking like a loyal hound, a sudden thought struck my mind.

 

“Sardin.”

 

“Yes, Master.”

 

I walked up to Sardin and said bluntly.

 

“From now on, you are to be the father of my child.”

 

This was the solution to the problem that had been bothering me all along.

 

Sardin stood dumbfounded for a moment, then blushed.

 

“I-I don’t quite understand the meaning of your words!”

 

Though he understood, he chose to respond in such a way, making it seem like he thought I was teasing him.

 

‘This is why one should maintain good behavior.’

 

Briefly blaming my past self for bullying and tormenting the easygoing Sardin, I reiterated for him to understand.

 

“Why are you acting like you don’t understand? I’m asking you to be the father of the child in my belly.”

 

His face quickly paled at my words, then hardened.

 

“Why would you say such a thing? His grace is in good health.”

 

Certainly, it must have sounded odd, suddenly ask him to become the father of the child.

 

Perhaps sensing that, Sardin cautiously asked,

 

“I know it’s presumptuous of me to ask, but…… did you perhaps say something inappropriate to your husband yesterday?”

 

I smirked, realizing what he meant.

 

Perhaps he thinks I told my husband this child is his.

 

I shook my head.

 

“No, I didn’t say anything like that.”

 

Although he didn’t readily accept the sudden appearance of the child, he was at least convinced that it was his own.

 

‘If only Erich had openly acknowledged it as an illegitimate child, we might have separated sooner.’

 

In that case, my child and I wouldn’t have been pursued by him.

 

However, Erich continuously deceived both me and my child.

 

And the result was the death of my child.

 

‘But I don’t need to reveal every detail to you.’

 

Even though Sardin saved me, having experienced betrayal, I couldn’t trust anyone.

 

‘Pretending to be pitiful and appealing to emotions only leads to being ignored or ridiculed.’

 

Recalling the experience of being ignored by maids when I was young, I clenched my fist.

 

‘So I must never appear weak.’

 

I smirked, one corner of my mouth twitching upward with all my emotions.

 

“It’s just, I’m sick of him.”

 

“Are you serious?”

 

Sardin’s eyes showed skepticism as he asked.

 

Yes, it was understandable. Even in the eyes of a lowly slave, Duchess Cornelia had been excessively attached to her husband.

 

‘But now I know. The sun I was chasing was just an illusion.’

 

The boy who initially extended a kind hand to me was never within reach, and the more I approached, the more my heart was wounded.

 

But foolishly, I believed Erich was my only salvation and that he would eventually remember our promise.

 

So, for a long time, I couldn’t let go of Erich and chased after his shadow.

 

However, before even getting close to the sun, the darkness overcame me and I lost everything. 

 

“Yes, I don’t love Erich Lennon Blant anymore.”

 

The words that came out of my mouth were so dry that they seemed excessive.

 

Even for myself, it was surprising.

 

And the reason I could come to my senses was simply that… there was a real sun inside my belly, not an illusion.

 

“That’s why I’m divorcing him, but…”

 

Although the marriage was of my own volition, divorcing him was not so easy.

 

“The Emperor won’t easily approve of my divorce and will make it difficult. The Duke also won’t readily agree to the divorce if he might suffer even a little. Then I will stay here and die.”

 

“…….”

 

“So I lied and told my husband that the child in my belly was the result of my affair with another man. A normal person would want a divorce in such a situation.”

 

I looked at Sardin and continued.

 

“And when I thought of someone to back up that lie, you came to mind. As my subordinate, I thought you might make my husband believe in my affair.”

 

“That’s absurd! I’m just a lowly slave; how could I dare…”

 

I approached Sardin and grabbed his chin.

 

“Yes, you are my slave. A loyal servant who will do anything I say without question. Being obedient shouldn’t be a problem for you, right?”

 

As if in shock, his trembling gray eyes and the stoic expression on his handsome face were visible.

 

It was understandable.  Even as a slave, he wouldn’t find it pleasant to be regarded as a sex slave.

 

“Of course, I won’t do that.”

 

Because I have a conscience, I never intended to use Sardin, who is my future benefactor, for such a purpose.

 

But I needed Sardin just as much.

 

“Sardin, I’m not just compelling you to follow orders out of mere loyalty.”

 

So, I mentioned conditions that Sardin might find interesting.

 

“If the divorce is successful, I’ll grant you freedom and help you establish a new status.”

 

In truth, I had thought of doing this someday.

 

Sardin was the one who saved me and my child’s lives before the regression, and considering all the care he had provided me with, I felt it was the least I could do for him.

 

However, desperate as I was, I mentioned what I was planning to give anyway, to the extent that I was coercing a slave.

 

“Of course, I’ll also give you substantial severance pay. So….”

 

I hadn’t finished speaking yet when Sardin stared at me with a resolute gaze.

 

“I will do it.”

 

I expected Sardin not to refuse, but I had no intention of forcing him even if he did refuse.

 

But his willingness to do it made me feel better.

 

“Good, now when I talk to my husband again…”

 

At that moment, Sardin added meaningfully.

 

“However, I will discuss the compensation later.”

 

I nodded and opened my mouth to speak.

 

“If it’s something I can do, I’ll do it.”

 

Having taken all the trouble to persuade Sardin, I couldn’t see Erich’s face for a few days.

 

‘Well, it’s not the first time he’s prioritized work over me.’

 

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

 

Tired of being stuck at home for days, I decided to go out for a change.

 

“I’ll do some shopping and maybe catch a performance.”

 

I dressed up and left the room in a good mood.

 

I noticed Landon, the butler, having a conversation with someone in the distance.

 

“Yes, once my master returns, I will convey the intentions of Marquis Arzen to him.”

 

Even though he must have seen me preparing to go out, he acted as if he hadn’t.

 

As if he wished the troublemaker would just get out of his sight.

 

And it was a familiar behavior I’d seen since I’d been betrothed to the duke.

 

‘The emperor’s daughter, who has a strained relationship with the Duke of Blant, someone like me, rejected even by the owner, cannot be acknowledged as a duchess.’

 

At first, not wanting to lose, I tried to keep them in line by scolding them when they made mistakes.

 

However, my mother-in-law’s stern admonishment came back to haunt me.

 

<No matter how much you may have been raised as imperial blood, you are now the hostess of a duchy! If you can’t control the servants and cause trouble, our family will have to consider divorce!>

 

I didn’t want to get divorced right after getting married. I wanted to stay as his wife.

 

Gradually, I found myself unable to voice my dissatisfaction, eventually becoming accustomed to being ignored.

 

‘Well, it’s not that big of a deal. It doesn’t just happen for a day or two.’

 

With that thought, I got into the carriage with Sardin.

 

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

 

Erich personally traveled to the information guilds to find information about a person named Demian.

 

However, he couldn’t find anyone named ‘Demian’ with connections to Cornelia within the capital.

 

Nevertheless, Erich couldn’t feel entirely reassured.

 

<It could be someone passing through the capital briefly.  Perhaps wandering bards or musicians.  Unlike armed mercenaries, such individuals often face less stringent inspections.>

 

Erich’s fists clenched as he recalled Heit’s report.

 

‘That can’t be true. A woman with such strong pride…’

 

A while later, upon returning home, Erich found himself furrowing his brow.

 

‘Why can’t I see that carriage?’

 

The exclusive carriage that Cornelia used, a white carriage with the Blant Duke’s emblem, was not present. 

 

 

 

𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝑲𝒐-𝒇𝒊