How To Divorce A Male Protagonist

“Episode 8”

Although she had attended this event to put an end to her libertine lifestyle and fulfill her plan to retire discreetly, she couldn’t help but feel guilty for raising Evan’s expectations even higher.

‘But Evan Hilchen, I won’t let myself get entangled in incidents just because I’m by your side, the protagonist.’

Now, her only wish was to spend a few years secluded in the monastery, enjoying the life of luxury that would come after various major events had passed.

Fortunately, Yuliana was wealthy, young, and ambitious enough to cherish her own life to the fullest, even without getting involved in the scandals.

‘Even if I don’t get involved in the current scandal, I don’t have the strength or stamina to fight with you, the female lead, in a family feud.’

Originally, she had the stamina of a wimp. She would pant heavily with just a little exertion, collapsing like a wilted leaf in summer.

To distance herself from Evan, who kept approaching her, Yuliana spoke haughtily.

Although it didn’t seem appropriate to say such things while affectionately dancing in the eyes of others, she had to speak her mind.

“I appreciate you saving me from my followers. But surely you know that’s all there is to it, right?”

“What do you mean?”

Evan pretended not to know, despite knowing. Then, he led her through the dazzling light emitted by the chandelier. Squinting against the glare, Yuliana emphasized each word as she spoke.

“Hmph. Why pretend not to know? You know I didn’t really want to dance with you, Evan. I just want to end the game now. Don’t misunderstand.”

“Hmm…”

The grip on Yuliana’s waist tightened slightly.

But that was it. Evan just raised the corners of his mouth, looking interested. Yuliana, looking up at his face as if it were dazzling, whispered with heat.

“Don’t, don’t smile like that! I’ll think you’re mocking me.”

“Why did you suddenly get tired of the game? You used to enjoy being with the crowd that followed you and having fun together. Is it just because you changed your mind?”

“I won’t understand your heart if you don’t teach me.”

Yuliana spoke confidently, then furrowed her brows and swiftly turned her head.

Her dark red hair cascaded down to her waist in loose waves, partially obscuring her face as she turned her head to the side.

As Evan held her hand and embraced her waist, he stepped slightly out of rhythm, causing Yuliana’s steps to slow down. At that moment, she jerked her head and turned it slightly, shooting him a questioning glance as if to ask, ‘Why are we dancing slowly all of a sudden?’

In response, he withdrew his left hand from her waist and gently tucked Yuliana’s hair behind her ear.

It was a kind gesture, one that made it hard to believe he could bring ruin to her life.

“!”

Startled, Yuliana instinctively hunched her shoulders inward. Looking directly at Yuliana Oben’s fully revealed face, Evan muttered under his breath.

“So, you finally acknowledge my presence.”

“W-What…?”

Yuliana stuttered, her face turning red as she struggled to find her words. Despite her reaction, Evan confidently grasped her waist again and whispered into her ear once more.

“You misunderstood.”

Without looking at her face, Evan continued speaking.

“Even if you manage to handle all the followers flocking to you, I’ll still be here. As you know, I’m one of your followers too.”

“…I don’t know.”

With their bodies close together, Yuliana blushed deeply, unable to maintain eye contact. Smiling brightly despite her response, Evan said:

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t know.”

As he held her waist a little tighter, Evan laughed behind his smile.

Regardless of whether this was all a ruse on her part or a blatant temptation, he couldn’t help but fall for it.

As he had declared, he was the one who loved her first. So even if he continued to dance endlessly in step with her whims, the fault lay not with Yuliana Oben. Holding her waist a little tighter, Evan spoke behind his laughter.

“I understand. You don’t have to know.”

After dancing, Yuliana subtly avoided Evan’s company.

Having displayed their closeness in a somewhat public setting, she had achieved her goal of appearances. Therefore, she had no intention of sticking close to her husband any longer.

Ignoring Evan’s seemingly clingy gaze, Yuliana briskly made her way to the terrace.

Perhaps because she had boldly moved from one spot to another without hesitation, there were nobles gathered near the terrace.

‘Of all times…’

Yuliana awkwardly unfolded her fan and used it to partially cover her face.

In the past, she might have ignored and avoided them, but this time, she couldn’t. She had to be the changed “Yuliana Oben” to anyone who looked at her.

So, with a forced smile, Yuliana approached them and greeted them.

“Countess Elkelley, it’s a pleasure.”

Yuliana greeted Countess Elkelley, the organizer of the ball, around whom the noblewomen and their daughters were gathered.

They all glanced at Yuliana with audible disdain.

Yuliana was well aware of Countess Elkelley’s invitation, despite her lack of interest in the quiet party culture.

However, no one could have expected Yuliana to attend the ball for real, especially with her indifferent husband.

Yuliana forced a smile as she met Countess Elkelley’s scrutinizing gaze.

‘Please respond quickly. I need to escape to another location…’

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before Countess Elkelley replied.

“Nice to see you, Countess. It’s been a while. I remember seeing you at the royal ball last time. You had a different partner then, if I recall correctly.”

“Oh my, are you bringing up the past?”

Yuliana briskly fanned herself. She hadn’t expected the Countess to suddenly bring up old matters, but it was typical of the disdainful Countess.

“It’s not the past. Wasn’t it about three months ago? Everyone knew back then that the Countess’s favor was less.”

Countess Elkelley’s tone was icy. The other nobles surrounding her stifled their laughter. Even the debutantes, who had just entered society, blushed and giggled.

Before debuting in society, it wouldn’t have been difficult to hear about Yuliana O’Ban’s numerous rumors. Yuliana sighed deeply inwardly.

‘She’s quite the educator of society.’

Countess Elkelley poured considerable interest into her children’s education and was unforgiving in her scrutiny. She was a parent who prioritized raising her children as proper nobles.

The reason she had recently been upset was because of her son, who was following in Yuliana O’Ban’s footsteps.

“Well, even I wouldn’t like it if my son were to follow a married woman around, showering her with gifts and attention every time.”

Yuliana still met Countess Elkelley’s cold gaze without flinching.

“I’ve been neglecting my prayers to the gods lately. That’s why I’ve been coming to church more often.”

“It’s important to pray to the gods regularly. But it’s fortunate that you’ve come now. You’ve managed to deter some impure intentions of those who followed the Countess.”

‘Hmm, didn’t expect it to come to this.’

Yuliana grimaced as she heard the laughter of those surrounding her.

In the end, she had to steel herself and confront the situation.

“When you say impure intentions, are you referring to your son, Lord Rick Eysic?”

“W-what do you mean?”

As expected, Countess Elkelley was taken aback.

Yuliana swallowed the lump in her throat as she looked at the bewildered Countess. She deliberately tried to sound nonchalant.

“As you know, Countess, there were a few individuals who followed me around. But that doesn’t mean I remember them all. I must have been quite popular. Anyway, I shouldn’t have come here. How heartbreaking it must have been for my husband. To have a son who follows you around for unclear reasons, Countess.”

“Wh-what! Lady Yuliana, you’re being excessive with your words.”

“If you knew what kind of person I am, why did you address me? If you thought I wouldn’t speak out against excessive words, you were mistaken.”

Yuliana opened her eyes wide.

It was true that she had intended to correct her behavior after realizing her past life, but that didn’t mean she would tolerate insults, especially not from someone who openly looked down on her.

Countess Elkelley’s eyes began to tremble. Those who were watching their confrontation started to slowly leave their vicinity.

It was like a mud pit. Countess Elkelley looked around at the cowardly individuals who were starting to flee before the mud started flying.

“W-where is everyone going?”

“My lord asked me to correct his behavior before the atmosphere of the ball deteriorates further. I’ve recently been trying to tidy up those around us.”

As Yuliana sensed the upper hand, she squared her shoulders, feeling empowered. While doing so, her gaze, sharp as a hawk’s, scrutinized each noble who was fleeing.

In response, Countess Elkelley straightened her posture as if to show she wouldn’t back down. Then, she raised her voice inappropriately.

“If you hadn’t seduced my son, I wouldn’t have to go this far. Why did you come to the ball?”

“That’s quite an amusing statement.”

Yuliana gritted her teeth. She couldn’t understand it at all. Who was the one who sent the invitation first?

“Then why did you send me an invitation? Unless you’re trying to make a fool out of me—”

“Who sent it? Who would want to send it?”

As soon as she finished speaking, Countess Elkelley realized she had slipped up and promptly closed her mouth.

Yuliana frowned.

Wait a minute, sent it unwillingly? Then who did?

“Could it be…”

Yuliana’s lips twisted in realization.

At that, Countess Elkelley lowered her voice, aware of the people’s stares.

“It’s not a good thing to escalate further.”

“If it wasn’t Countess Elkelley who sent the invitation, then…”

“I apologize for my excessive words. I’ll take my leave now. Enjoy the party.”

Countess Elkelley turned her gaze towards the departing crowd.

Yuliana watched as Countess Elkelley’s retreating figure, as if she were about to flee, and lightly tapped her chin with the folded fan.

“There’s only one person here who could have stolen Countess’s handwriting and sent it to me.”

Yuliana wrinkled her brow as she recalled the fervent gaze of the young boy who hadn’t left her side even after dancing with her husband.

“Then there are more people than I thought who I didn’t remember. Even if they’re not recorded… I just remember enjoying myself, partying, and having fun before I realized my past life. Were there really so many people fooled by my antics?”

Yuliana organized her thoughts.

No matter how much she thought about it, her life before realizing her past was filled with carefree days of enjoyment.

The number of those who flocked to her, admiring her different from the conservative noble society, was difficult for her to estimate, and Yuliana enjoyed their attention, hosting extravagant parties and increasing her followers.

The more she did, the more extras she couldn’t remember increased. Countess Elkelley’s youngest son was just someone passing by, yet he went beyond the bounds by stealing his mother’s handwriting to send formal invitations.

Then, how would these extras disrupt Yuliana O’Brien’s peaceful life in the future… The more she thought about it, the more her heart raced.

Having finished her thoughts, Yuliana folded her fan with a snap. Then, she met the gaze of Countess Elkelley’s son, whether it was Rick or Nick, the blurry-faced lad, who didn’t avert his eyes despite the lack of a friendly gaze.

Meanwhile, there were many eyes watching Yuliana standing on the terrace with a furrowed brow. They pretended not to look but stole glances at her covertly.

The curtains fluttered in the breeze beyond the terrace. And though Yuliana didn’t know it, the figure visible beyond the curtain was so beautiful that one might think an angel had descended.

Her beauty was both a blessing and a cause for infamy.

Evan, watching the countess alone on the terrace, approached her. Without hesitation, he wet the curtains. Despite respecting his wife by not chasing after her after she hurriedly left following the dance, she was once again chasing after someone else with her eyes.

Evan didn’t like that at all. Gazing at Yuliana with a stern face, he spoke to her with a complicated expression.

“Is that kid next in line?”

“What are you talking about?”

Yuliana replied coyly, but eventually yielded to Evan’s persistent gaze.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I told you. I’m going to end the game now.”

“Does that mean you’ll stop playing with me too?”

Evan chuckled.

“Who’s playing with whom?”

Yuliana felt a bit unjustly treated.

No. Even before realizing her past life, she had never bowed down or yielded to anyone, no matter how much they scorned her publicly.

If anyone asked who played with whom, it was definitely Evan’s side. Even though she ran wild and openly disregarded him, he silently accepted everything, which was infuriating.

He behaved as if her insults didn’t affect him at all.

So Yuliana became even more bitter towards Evan and became someone who spat out bad words.

And such a relationship ultimately wore out even the one who spat them out. Yuliana spoke without realizing it, her lips curling slightly.

“Who’s playing with whom? Don’t you know you’ve been tormenting me secretly all along?”

“Me?”

Yuliana inwardly sighed deeply as Evan opened his eyes as if he genuinely didn’t know.

‘Last time, I wanted to obtain the imperial seed at the auction, and I ended up getting it for a ridiculously low price. I thought it was because of my reputation, but do you know how humiliating it was to realize that you had orchestrated it all?’

If this were a dating simulation game, Evan Hilchen would be completely off track in his approach to Yuliana Oben.

Yuliana, perhaps due to her vanity, was extremely reluctant to accept help from others in matters she confidently asserted she could handle herself. Evan Hilchen would probably never realize how his attempts to win her favor had backfired.

Yuliana continued, her arms crossed.

“I won’t say more. That’s all in the past. Anyway, regardless of any misunderstandings, I have no intention of playing with that kid. And anyone who tries to imitate their mother’s handwriting to invite me is just…”

“Hmm. I did find Lady Elkelley’s behavior a bit odd.”

“Of course, the countess would be delighted to have a hero of the empire visit. She just dislikes me, that’s all.”

Yuliana shrugged her shoulders and then, before Evan could catch her, she left the terrace, saying:

“At least your offer to end our ‘game’ wasn’t a lie. So, don’t go anywhere. When the next song starts, I’ll dance with you.”

“Are you asking me to dance with you again? This is making me too excited.”

The words that came out between them somehow felt ominous.

Yuliana was startled by the feeling that she had glimpsed his true nature but managed to speak confidently despite her racing heart.

“…Exciting, huh? That’s good to hear.”

Yuliana hastened her steps.

A drop of alcohol was desperately needed to soothe her parched throat.

“Just having a short conversation is so difficult…”

Yuliana thought to herself as she gulped down her drink.

She kept forgetting that this place wasn’t her world; she wasn’t the protagonist here.

“Oh my, it’s my lady’s arm.”

It was at that moment, as she furrowed her brow and let out a sigh.

“Yuliana.”

“Eek!”

She almost dropped the cocktail glass she was holding.