After the Wicked Wife Leaves

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Translated by: Alina

Edited by: Vcubed

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The knights stiffened their faces upon hearing the duchess’s response.

 

“We did nothing wrong?”

 

They felt genuinely perplexed.

 

They knew well that they had been disloyal to her in the past.

 

Of course, they had their reasons for such behavior.

 

The emperor’s daughter, who restrained and manipulated their lord, Duke Blant, and the flawed princess of the imperial family, Raven Princess. It was disappointing and infuriating to see such a woman as the perfect wife of their lord.

 

So, all the knights of Duke Blant had drawn a line with the duchess and hadn’t even properly guarded her.

 

Expecting her to be furious and vent her anger, they believed she would nitpick their mistakes one by one.

 

Yet, they were prepared to endure it.

 

For whatever reason, the duchess had been their benefactor, protecting them from the crown prince.

 

Even though they hadn’t supported her properly.

 

So, they were ready to accept her scolding.

 

But now, to hear that they had done nothing wrong, the knights couldn’t figure out how to react.

 

The first to react was Chester, the leader of the duchess’s guards.

 

“Why would you say that? We’re not so thick-skinned as to accept that without question.”

 

He spoke sincerely, bowing his head deeply.

 

“Don’t mock us, rather, give us a clear scolding.”

 

Upon hearing this, Cornelia smiled faintly.

 

“Truly, you did nothing wrong. You only remained loyal to your master. I just wasn’t your mistress.”

 

Realizing the meaning behind her words, Chester and the knights’ faces lit up.

 

She was speaking, bypassing their failure to recognize her as their mistress.

 

“We cannot make excuses for our actions. But if you give us another chance…!”

 

Before Chester could finish, Cornelia interrupted with a puzzled expression.

 

“Why the sudden change? Weren’t you willing to guard me?”

 

The knights couldn’t meet her gaze.

 

While they usually found her gaze intimidating, now they were simply ashamed to look her in the eye.

 

Cornelia gazed at them for a while before speaking.

 

“If you’re worried about facing the consequences from the duke, tell him I ordered you to act recklessly. I won’t deny it.”

 

Before they could deny it, Cornelia spoke with a cold gaze.

 

“Now, go and protect your lord. Don’t waste your time on me.”

 

With that, Cornelia turned and left.

 

The knights, feeling guilty, couldn’t bring themselves to stop her.

 

Their guilt was overwhelming, leaving them unable to look her in the eye.

 

And shortly after, their dazed state was interrupted by a stern voice.

 

“Where did she go, and why are you all standing here like this?”

 

With a stern face, Erich’s presence made the knights close their mouths unknowingly.

 

Erich grabbed Chester by the collar.

 

“Answer me. Where did she go?”

 

Chester, who knew his master would never lose his composure, hesitated.

 

But Erich’s usually calm blue eyes were now fierce, almost irrational.

 

“She went towards the imperial palace…”

 

Before Chester could finish, Erich released his grip and headed straight for the imperial palace.

 

“Of all places to go!”

 

Erich clenched his fist, veins bulging.

 

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After separating from the Duke Blant’s knights, I headed alone towards the imperial palace.

 

I could feel the gazes of the people recognizing me, but I ignored them.

 

“It’s fortunate I didn’t bring Sardine along today.”

 

Sardine was usually calm and quiet, but he would never tolerate disrespectful behavior towards me.

 

If Sardine had been with me in the same situation earlier, he would have surely picked a fight with the knights.

 

“Moreover, it would have caused trouble with Fritz.”

 

Once, Sardine had pushed Fritz, who was bothering me, and ended up getting whipped.

 

It was a good decision to leave him behind.

 

“Now, I’m heading to the imperial palace. What should I say to the emperor?”

 

Suddenly, the words the emperor said to me earlier came to mind.

 

“Be careful on your way back.”

 

A wry laugh escaped me.

 

‘Would he find this pathetic?’

 

In the moment I clenched my fist in despair.

 

“Cornelia?”

 

At the sound of my name, I turned my head.

 

A handsome man with radiant platinum hair and golden eyes stared at me with surprise.

 

He was a nobleman with the right to succeed the throne, highly regarded as the next prime minister.

 

But as I saw him, a harsh tone slipped out of my mouth.

 

“I don’t think we’re on a first-name basis, Duke Reinhardt Adolf Tarant.”

 

Despite my sarcastic remark, he flashed a charming smile.

 

“Haha, I knew I wasn’t mistaken.”

 

Though his tone and expression seemed welcoming, I didn’t find him welcoming at all.

 

My father praised him highly, while my mother despised and restrained him.

 

But what irked me the most was that shining platinum hair, something even I, a member of the imperial family, didn’t possess.

 

“Glad to see you too, how have you been…?”

 

“And what’s the matter?”

 

Interrupting his greeting with my usual cold tone, he still smiled and asked.

 

“Your Highness, what brings you to the imperial palace?”

 

Even the reflexive furrow of my brows at his title was brief.

 

‘Well, it doesn’t matter. My days as the Duchess of Blant won’t last long anyway.’

 

I replied briefly.

 

“To see His Majesty. That’s all.”

 

With that, he spoke up again.

 

“I heard you met His Majesty earlier, why go see him again?”

 

I narrowed my eyes.

 

As always, he was annoyingly persistent in talking to me whenever he saw me.

 

And I really disliked that about him.

 

“You wouldn’t understand…”

 

Just as I was about to respond as usual, I shook my head.

 

‘If I ask the emperor, he might arrange for a carriage for me.’

 

Honestly, while I had gained a lot, I didn’t want to see the emperor again.

 

‘No, maybe I should change my attitude.’

 

People tend to underestimate what seems familiar.

 

I might end up reconsidering after asking for a carriage.

 

Moreover, I had just presented a confident image to the emperor. So, I didn’t want to show this pitiful side.

 

‘Well, I’d rather see Reinhardt than the emperor. At least he has a good personality.’

 

Although I despised him, I had to admit that Reinhardt’s character was commendable.

 

Even while other nobles were avoiding me, he consistently greeted me with enthusiasm.

 

‘Of course, even that seemed too carefree to me. And sometimes his gaze was strange.’

 

After a moment of such thoughts, I spoke up.

 

“Are you on your way back?”

 

“Yes, why do you ask?”

 

His face, which seemed to be probing, annoyed me.

 

‘Should I just go to the emperor?’

 

At that moment, Reinhardt chuckled.

 

“If you stare at my face like that, I can’t help but misunderstand.”

 

“Misunderstand? What misunderstanding?”

 

“That Your Highness likes my face.”

 

‘Is he crazy?’

 

Not wanting such an unpleasant misunderstanding, I quickly said.

 

“That’s impossible. What I meant was, bring me to the duke’s mansion.”

 

At my response, surprise flickered in his eyes.

 

Of course, it was natural. It would be strange if there weren’t any carriages available for a duchess.

 

“Your Highness, perhaps…”

 

I glanced at his mouth, which was about to open again, and added,

 

“Don’t ask for reasons.”

 

He looked at me with thoughtful eyes for a moment before nodding with a smile.

 

“I’d be happy to offer first. It’s been a while since we’ve had a chance to talk, Your Highness.”

 

He then instructed his attendant to summon the carriage.

 

“The carriage has arrived.”

 

Finally, I thought as a sense of relief washed over me.

 

“I’ll make sure to repay this debt.”

 

Somehow, Reinhardt chuckled at my words.

 

“A debt, you’re still so calculating.”

 

‘What does he expect? I’ve always been a calculated person.’

 

I muttered to myself as I tried to get into the carriage.

 

At that moment, Reinhardt stood beside the entrance and extended his hand.

 

“Your Highness, allow me to assist you.”

 

Instinctively, I moved to take his hand.

 

But at that moment, someone else grabbed my hand.

 

“What are you doing here?”

 

Erich glared at me with a cold stare.

 

I looked at the hand holding mine.

 

It was still gloved.

 

Suddenly, a smirk crossed my face.

 

‘I’ve never held your bare hand even once. And the reason is probably…’

 

The mocking voice of disdain from the one I despised echoed in my mind.

 

“I don’t consider that woman my wife. It’s just for appearances.”

 

As I remembered his words, a pang of pain shot through my chest.

 

But ignoring that pain, I stared at him.

 

“Duke Blant.”

 

It wasn’t my usual icy tone, but it wasn’t my voice.

 

Instead of the usual smiling face, Reinhardt stared at Erich expressionlessly.

 

“Release her hand while I’m speaking nicely.”

 

𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝑲𝒐-𝒇𝒊