After the Wicked Wife Leaves

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Translated by: Alina

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

‘Yes, if it weren’t for my greed, I wouldn’t be living like this.’

 

Before, I lived without caring about other people’s opinions, even if I was called a crow.

However, from the moment I coveted Erich, my freedom disappeared, and I slowly spiraled into a downfall, sinking into my own pit.

And the ridiculous end of this greed was ultimately the death of the most precious being to me.

 

“If only I hadn’t been blinded by such worthless emotions… Demian wouldn’t have died.”

 

I grabbed the iron poker and swung it towards the grandfather clock, which was ticking incessantly.

Clang!

I looked at the now-stopped clock and then turned away.

 

‘So, it’s time to end this. The time I lived as the wicked Cornelia.’

 

I placed the wedding ring I intended to return to him on the dressing table. Then, after packing valuables in a bag, I left the room.

 

Sardin, who was waiting outside the door, took the bag and asked, “Have you finished everything?”

“Yes.”

 

Seeing Sardin’s faint smile, I couldn’t help but smile as well.

 

‘Yes, it must have been frustrating for you as well.’

 

I lowered my gaze and then looked straight ahead.

 

“You won’t get caught up in this, will you? Sardin?”

In response, he looked at me with determined eyes and replied, “No.”

With a smile, I said, “Well then, let’s go.”

 

It was when I descended the stairs with Sardin following behind me.

In the lobby, there were townspeople, including Landon, lined up.

 

After a while, Landon bowed and greeted me, “Madam, have a safe trip!”

 

Unlike before, even with their collective bows towards me, I remained unfazed.

It was time to put a period on it.

Therefore, instead of telling Landon that I would be back, I bid my final farewell.

 

“Thank you for your hard work.”

 

Upon my words, Landon initially looked puzzled but then looked at me worriedly.

 

“Please take care of yourself.”

“Yeah, I will.”

 

Determined, I left the mansion but encountered an unexpected obstacle.

 

“Madam, please allow us to accompany you on this outing.”

“Surely you don’t mean all of you?”

“That’s correct.”

 

The knights, led by Captain Chester, who blocked our way in front of the mansion gates displayed a firm attitude.

And there were about fifteen of them.

 

‘Why did he leave so many knights behind?’

 

Knights were originally cavalrymen who belonged to each noble family and received land grants. Now, they symbolized the status of a commander capable of leading battles.

These knights received high salaries, so it was common for noble families to deploy many soldiers and have fewer than ten knights within their ranks.

However, the official knights affiliated with Blant Duchy totaled 70, including squires and beginners, reaching close to 170 in number.

Even if the total number of imperial knights safeguarding the emperor and the capital were added up, it would barely reach 200, indicating the significant size of Duke Blant’s knight order.

And this was partly due to the special position of the Blant Duchy.

 

‘With the main territory positioned at the border as a check on the empire, it was an unavoidable choice even if the maintenance costs were exorbitant.’

 

As a result, the Blant Duchy enjoyed military power comparable to that of the Imperial House.

In the end, it was said that the Imperial family allowed the Duchy of Blant to grow to this extent.

 

‘The emperor must be quite troubled… Ah, now is not the time for me to calculate the size of this bustling knight order.’

 

I refocused on my purpose and observed the knights in front of me.

 

‘Having so many accompany me on a simple outing is clearly a waste of manpower.’

 

Near the border in the north, at the Duke of Blant’s main territory, there were approximately 50 stationed knights, with around 100 squires.

However, having 15 knights remaining at this peaceful Capital Mansion…

 

‘Perhaps it’s to protect those at the Capital Mansion in case of unforeseen events or to ensure I don’t cause any accidents.’

 

Unconsciously, I clenched my fist.

With such a large number of personnel following along, it was evident that my plans would be disrupted if they all truly followed through.

 

‘No matter how much I am the lady of the house, I have no grounds to stop their escort.’

 

If any unexpected incidents occurred in the absence of the owner and affected me or the Grand Madam, Erich would surely be furious. Therefore, it was natural for the knights to step forward to provide protection.

 

‘However, it wouldn’t be feasible for all these individuals to act as an escort. How should I handle this situation?’

 

At that moment, the Grand Madam raised her voice.

 

“Isn’t that child feeling uncomfortable? Why don’t you move aside quickly?”

 

I almost burst into laughter.

Of course, it wasn’t because she was unexpectedly on my side but because her true intentions were so obvious.

Right now, the Grand Madam was not so much taking my side as she was trying to clear the knights away using me as an excuse.

 

‘She probably wants to trap me, but it would be difficult with the knights around.’

 

In other words, she wanted to get rid of the knights with the same mindset as mine, but the naive knights, who were as stubborn as their master, did not even listen to the Grand Madam’s words.

 

“That can’t be possible. We have received orders from the Duke to take responsibility for the safety of the family members living in this mansion.”

 

At those words, I looked at the knights.

As a result, those who had made mistakes, including Knight Captain Chester, avoided eye contact with me.

 

‘It’s true that they are making me uncomfortable. However, if I use this to my advantage…’

 

I spoke up quickly.

 

“No, Madam. It’s not uncomfortable at all. It’s only natural for them to escort you as the esteemed Grand Madam of the house, the family’s eldest member.”

 

Unexpectedly, the Grand Madam seemed flustered or taken aback by my words.

 

“But didn’t you have conflicts with the knights before? Wouldn’t it be uncomfortable for you if all the knights were mobilized?”

“Thank you for your concern. But I’m not uncomfortable at all. They are simply escorting you out of their sincere commitment to ensuring your safety, Madam.”

“So what are you trying to say?”

 

Already displeased with me for disagreeing with her, the Grand Madam didn’t show it openly, but her eyes revealed her annoyance.

Taking a breath like a careful daughter-in-law, I spoke up.

 

“However, if too many knights are mobilized, the mansion’s security may become lax. It might be better to mobilize only a small number.”

 

Then the grand Madam glared at the knights and said.

 

“Yes, your point makes sense. But won’t all the knights insist on accompanying us now?”

 

I immediately approached the knights, specifically Captain Chester.

 

“Captain Chester, the Grand Madam is going out, but we still need people to guard the mansion. So, I’d appreciate it if you could minimize the escort.”

“But, Madam, what if we encounter a large number of bandits…”

“With your skills, wouldn’t five of you be sufficient?”

 

Unable to refute my argument, Captain Chester pursed his lips.

He then nodded eventually. “Understood. I will have only five of us escorting, including myself.”

At his response, I turned to the Grand Madam and said, “There will be enough personnel left at the mansion, so this number should suffice.”

With a somewhat displeased look, the Grand Madam looked at the knights and nodded slowly.

 

“Fine, I understand.”

 

As the Grand Madam was about to board the carriage, I moved to join her.

However, she stopped me and said, “It might be uncomfortable for you to share the carriage with me. You should ride in your own carriage.”

She spoke mischievously in suggesting such a thing about my carriage as if considering a pregnant daughter-in-law. I smiled warmly and replied, “Yes, understood, Grand Madam.”

Three knights, including Chester, approached me as I headed towards my carriage.

 

“Madam, we will escort you with utmost care.”

 

One of the two knights didn’t matter, but it would be somewhat awkward if Captain Chester stuck with me.

Chester was quite skilled, and I was concerned that he might become an obstacle.

 

“I’m fine. Please escort the Grand Madam. She might be displeased if she realizes she has fewer escort knights than me.”

 

I thought Chester would understand. As the most skilled, it made sense for him to accompany the lady.

However…

 

“Wilson, go and escort the Grand Madam.”

 

He sent his subordinate away and followed me.

I sighed and narrowed my eyes.

 

‘Well, it doesn’t matter. If such a small variable can ruin my plan, then it shouldn’t have been made in the first place.’

 

ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

 

Silently, Chester followed Cornelia’s carriage and soon let out a sigh.

 

“What on earth is the Duchess thinking?”

 

Initially, Chester naturally thought that the Duchess would refuse the escort.

 

‘So, I tried to apologize for my mistake and get permission for the escort…’

 

However, unexpectedly, the Duchess sided with the knights in front of the angry Grand Madam.

 

‘Is that what they mean by having a broad mind?’

 

In reality, it should have been their responsibility to persuade the Grand Madam.

 

‘But even as she was leaving, the Duchess protected us.’

 

Reflecting on his past mistakes and vowing not to repeat them, Chester felt embarrassed at showing his incompetence to the Duchess once again.

Chester clenched his fist and looked at Cornelia’s carriage with determined eyes.

 

‘I will definitely protect you from now on, Madam.’

𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝑲𝒐-𝒇𝒊