☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
I looked at Erich with a dazed expression.
No matter how much I thought about it, there was only one offer I had made to him recently.
<Let’s make a deal. I’ll help you divorce without any issues.>
It was about the divorce.
I clenched my fists without realizing it.
And no wonder…
<Cornelia, we are still married!>
Just a few days ago, he said he didn’t want a divorce from me.
<Please give me another chance.>
The image of Erich kneeling and pleading devoid of his usual arrogance was filled with desperation.
Moreover, just moments ago, his actions had shown the kind, affectionate husband I had longed for.
But—
‘Suddenly saying he wants to accept the proposal?’
His attitude had flipped as if turning a palm, and instead of feeling indignant, I was filled with doubt.
‘Is there some ulterior motive behind this?’
Suddenly, Demian’s face flashed in my mind, and I felt anxious.
What if he had noticed something and was planning to take the child away from me?
However, I masked my feelings and stared at Erich, asking, “Why did you suddenly change your mind? You said just a little while ago that you had no intention of divorcing me.”
It was then that I looked at Erich with skeptical eyes.
“Yes, in fact, I still don’t want a divorce.”
At his words, I furrowed my brow, ready to retort.
“However, seeing that your determination is firm, I changed my mind. I… don’t want to incur your hatred.”
The moment I heard that, my expression hardened.
‘He doesn’t want to incur my hatred?’
What did he mean by that? As I pondered this, he continued.
“I have neglected my duties as a husband, and all the responsibility lies with me. So, if you want a divorce, I’ll respect your wishes.”
Now I could understand his intentions.
‘Ah, just as I expected.’
Over the past few days, I have been thinking about his changed attitude.
Perhaps Erich really did have some feelings for me, no matter how small.
‘But that can’t be true. Erich doesn’t love me at all.’
If he had any feelings for me, he would never have accepted my proposal.
He would have continued to apologize and cling to me.
Just as I had clung to him, unable to let go before my regression.
Yet, Erich accepted that proposal.
On the surface, he spoke as if he cared for and respected me, but the reason he didn’t want to incur my hatred was simple.
‘He’s probably worried that I might hold a grudge and engage in a mudslinging fight that would tarnish the Duke’s family’s honor.’
In the end, his kindness toward me was likely out of guilt and a desire to placate me to restore his reputation.
‘Well, this is good. Finally, I’m getting the divorce I wanted from that man.’
Even as I thought this, I didn’t feel relieved or happy.
Instead, I felt an oddly dirty sensation, and my chest felt strangely tight.
As I searched for the cause, I soon guessed the reason.
‘Ah, right, Reinhardt.’
The problem is that Reinhardt currently wants to get divorced.
The moment the divorce happens, it will go according to his wishes.
Therefore, rather than getting divorced immediately, it would be safer to wait until the next emperor is decided before proceeding with the divorce.
However, I couldn’t bring myself to mention this fact to Erich.
Revealing my weaknesses to others is essentially digging my own grave.
‘If I suggest delaying the divorce by speaking the truth, Erich might think I’m a woman who can’t do anything on her own and underestimate me.’
Not wanting him to know my true feelings, I forced a smile and said, “Yes, you’ve thought well.”
At that moment, he spoke.
“However, I would like to discuss the ‘conditions’ you mentioned to me back then.”
Suddenly mentioning conditions felt a bit uncomfortable, but for now, conversation took priority.
‘If he’s not satisfied, he might change his mind.’
So, I opened my mouth.
“Alright. As I mentioned before, I plan to help restore your reputation and ensure that you don’t bear any stigma from our divorce.”
“Yes, I suppose you would.”
His indifferent response made me feel unnecessarily anxious.
So, I decided to bring up a condition that might catch his interest.
“First, about your mother…”
Before I could finish, his firm voice cut in.
“My mother has committed an unforgivable sin against you. Therefore, I will leave her fate entirely to your discretion.”
‘No, is it really okay to be so harsh on a mother he cares for?’
His attitude was almost cruel toward the Grand Madam, but still, it was convenient for me that he came out like that.
“Alright. Then I’ll be straightforward. I plan to get your mother out of prison and send her to a convent.”
“To a convent?”
I nodded at his question.
“I can support the Grand Madam’s claim that she used herbal medicine for menopausal treatment by testifying that I didn’t take the medicine. However, I can’t provide solid evidence like the ledger showing a large deposit to the coachman or letters colluding with Medelin. Therefore, the Grand Madam will still have charges against her for conspiring with Medelin.”
Unlike what I had said before, I was stating that I couldn’t completely clear the Grand Madam of her accusations.
However, Erich listened to me without raising any questions.
‘It seems what he said earlier wasn’t just empty words.’
I felt relieved that he didn’t seem to harbor any resentment, so I continued speaking.
“As you know, the current imperial law places importance on the intent behind the crime when determining the sentence for attempted murder.”
Typically, an attempted murder of a royal would result in a life sentence, or in severe cases with intent, the death penalty.
Therefore, we needed to prove that the Grand Madam didn’t have any intent to commit the crime.
“I plan to argue that the Grand Madam was mentally unstable as evidence of her lack of intent.”
If that claim were accepted, considering her noble status, she would likely avoid the death penalty.
At that moment, Erich, who had been silent, finally spoke.
“How do you plan to argue that my mother was mentally unstable?”
“That is…”
Just then, the carriage came to a stop.
“We have arrived.”
I heard the coachman’s voice from outside and said, “I’ll let you know soon. Go inside.”
At my words, Erich tried to open the carriage door.
At that moment, a question arose in my mind.
“By the way, I have one question—”
“Yes, go ahead.”
I nodded at his response as he closed the door and continued speaking.
“You mentioned wanting to discuss the conditions again. That means you have something to say about our deal, and I’d like to know what it is.”
The moment I said that and looked at Erich, I flinched.
He was smiling.
A smile that seemed genuinely joyful.
‘What’s going on? What is he planning…?’
At that moment, thoughts about my child came back to me.
‘Could it be… that he knows about Demian’s identity and is trying to take my child away from me…?’
I clenched my fist without realizing it.
Erich then spoke.
“I would like to decide the timing of the divorce.”
My face hardened at those words.
That was because I thought that if I left the timing up to him, he might drag it out.
“That’s difficult…”
However, before I could finish my sentence, he shook his head.
“I have no intention of breaking my promise. I just think it would be better not to get divorced until your safety is fully secured.”
I was dumbfounded by the unexpected words, then opened my mouth.
“Wait, even so, for you to decide that timing is…”
I was about to question whether he had some other motive, but—
“Then please let me know when you feel that the threat to you has disappeared. I will grant the divorce as you wish.”
At those words, I fell into thought for a moment.
No matter how I thought about it, the conditions he proposed were beneficial to me, if not advantageous.
‘At least if I’m protected by Erich, I should be safe.’
With the powerful backing of the Blant Duke family, there would be no one who could easily threaten me and my child.
‘But is this really okay?’
Currently, Reinhardt was targeting the Emperor and was trying to marry me for an easier path.
However, if I didn’t get divorced, Reinhardt would find a way to attack Erich.
Moreover, my relationship with the Grand Madam was awkward; realistically, it would be most convenient for him if we divorced right after the state council meeting.
Yet he insisted on the condition that I would feel “safe.”
‘This is, no matter how I think about it, a deal where Erich is losing too much…’
I hesitated, feeling as if I was taking on a significant debt.
“Cornelia, you don’t have to feel burdened. I’m just trying to fulfill the role of a husband that I haven’t been able to play before the divorce.”
His calm voice made me sigh.
‘Right, I can pay off the debt later.’
I nodded.
“Okay. Then I’ll follow your lead regarding the timing of the divorce.”
“Good. Let’s discuss the details of the contract once we go inside.”
The divorce contract was unfamiliar to me, but in any case, as he said, it was a valid agreement.
At that moment, Erich extended his hand toward me.
“Please take care of me.”
I could still see his gloved hand.
But perhaps because I now had the escape route of divorce?
“Likewise.”
I took his hand without hesitation.
