“Are you saying that there is a way to force a divorce through, against Theodore’s will? Is there such a thing?”
Her tone sounded as if she was asking, ‘If you knew of a way, why didn’t you tell me earlier?’
The corner of Cian’s mouth drew a smooth arc at the pleading tone.
It was a law unknown to young nobles because no one had ever applied for it in their time. Only Cian, who had been meticulously trained in imperial law by the Huang family, knew of it.
“File an application for annulment of your marriage with the Noble Council and the Temple.”
“An application for an annulment of marriage…?”
Rachel’s eyes widened.
Marriage was a promise made in the name of the goddess and the emperor.
An annulment, like a marriage, had to be granted by both the Noble Council and the Temple. The process could be lengthy and the conditions were strict.
The reason why nobles chose divorce rather than an annulment of marriage was simple.
It was a matter of honor and dignity.
An annulment meant that one party had done something terribly wrong, and it was humiliating for the offending family and for the other family that married into it.
Nobles who did not like to have their reputation tarnished covered up their mistakes and problems and chose divorce rather than annulment.
As a result, the number of applications for annulments has naturally decreased, and knowledge of its existence had now faded.
Since Theodore had already made such big mistakes, there was no need to question the conditions for an annulment of their marriage.
Rachel had no family to take care of, and she had no need to be careful about damaging Theodore’s reputation.
It was just a law for her.
Rachel was dumbfounded.
“I’ve never heard of a marriage… being annulled.”
“If you don’t believe me, you can go to the Council or the Temple and check the validity of this law.”
“No, no. I believe you. His Highness the Grand Duke said it himself.”
Rachel cupped her cheeks in her hands.
‘Oh, my God, an annulment!’
There was nothing better than that. An annulment would erase all traces of their marriage. It was better to have never married a man like Theodore than to have been divorced by a man like Theodore, not that the end result would be much different, but that’s how she felt.
Cian smiled quietly.
“As soon as you’re ready, file for the annulment. There’s a lot of paperwork to prepare and the process is complicated, but it shouldn’t be difficult for you.”
“All right.”
“Once the paperwork is received, we’ll process your application for annulment at your convenience.”
Rachel locked eyes with Cian. Her beautiful golden eyes sparkled.
It was a declaration. It was a chance to fight for what she wanted. She was confident that she could do it.
Cian Dicarsignac.
Perhaps it was because their first meeting had been as a client and a Guild informant, or perhaps it was the fact that he’d humbled himself throughout their encounters, but their stark difference in status was hard to feel.
However, Cian was a wise and courageous member of the imperial family, the man whom everyone had wanted to appoint as the next emperor.
He was the emperor’s sibling who’d voluntarily left the palace after giving up the throne to his greedy older brother, and was the only grand duke of the empire, who stood at the top of all the numerous nobles.
Graham would date the daughter of this great man.
This person will become their in-law in the future.
Before she could even feel gratitude, fear arose…
“…Thank you for the advice.”
“Don’t you like my idea?”
“No, I like it a lot. It’s also something I hadn’t thought about. Thank you so much.”
“You don’t look grateful. Your complexion is dark.”
“Umm…”
She hesitated, wondering if she should even speak, then opened her mouth. This was Cian she was facing.
“You’re doing me a favor by offering to teach Graham swordsmanship, and also helped me in more ways than one, frankly, I’m a little afraid.”
Cian’s heart felt cold as if it had been covered in snow.
She felt burdened. He hadn’t even considered the possibility.
She was a smart woman, after all, and she might be wondering if there’s an ulterior motive behind Cian’s actions.
“I never thought you would think that way. I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m sorry.”
“No, no. It was my fault for misinterpreting your good intentions. There’s no need for you to apologize.”
Is that so? There really was no other meaning to his actions.
He just wanted to help Rachel. There was no rhyme or reason. Cian himself couldn’t even properly explain his feelings.
But he knew how to make it easier for Rachel to accept his favor.
“I should have talked to you about something else first.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m going to help you, and you’re going to help me.”
As expected, Rachel’s eyes lit up.
She was someone who accepted deals more readily than favors, and he was both pleased and saddened by that fact.
“What can I do for you? I’ll help you in any way I can.”
“You don’t need to help me with anything just yet.”
“Not yet?”
“However, you must not refuse me when I do need something, you must stand by my side and help me.”
It was a strange thing to say, but Rachel nodded anyway.
“All right.”
It was better to be able to repay a debt someday than to receive favors without giving anything in return.
However, she had no idea what she could do to help Cian. As the Grand Duke and the guild’s informant, he was far superior to Rachel in all aspects, including personal connections, information, wealth, power, and strength.
‘Well, since he’s better in every way, there will be fewer moments when he’ll need my help.’
She concluded, dropping the thought.
Rachel smiled brightly, and Cian also smiled back at her.
“Then, my understanding is that you will be applying for an annulment of your marriage and will prepare the proper materials.”
“Thank you.”
“And one last thing.”
“Please speak.”
“You must also be happy. That will be the greatest and cruelest revenge for Count Elrosa.”
Be happy?
It was something she’d never thought about. Rachel’s goal was to leave Theodore and introduce Graham to Dolorosa, as in the original.
Cian casually changed the subject, as if it were a passing remark, but the word ‘happy’ lingered in Rachel’s mind.
* * *
When Rachel left the Grand Duke’s residence in Dicarsignac and was preparing the documents to apply for the annulment, the documents of Carl’s conviction arrived at Jane’s house.
Jane’s youthful face turned pale as she tore open the seal stamped on luxurious paper and read the writing on the letter.
[Notice
It was determined that Carl, who worked as a butler for the Elrosa family, secretly embezzled the family’s wealth.
The party concerned confessed to all charges, and we have confirmed that the confession was consistent with evidence collected by the Noble Council.]
“What does this mean?”
Carl was a sincere and good person. Even if he were to suffer harm, he would not harm others.
Moreover, Jane and Theodore loved each other, and Carl knew this as well. There was no way such a person would have embezzled Theodore’s wealth.
It was true that Theodore gave Jane money and expensive luxury items. Sometimes it was because she wanted them, and other times Theodore sent them on his own, that was all there was to it.
Jane didn’t know that the money and gifts were property Theodore had stolen from the family wealth.
She’d just happily taken whatever he’d given, thinking he must be rich since he was a Count.
“This is all nonsense.”
More shocking content followed.
[… Carl is scheduled to be imprisoned for 150 years.
He will not be allowed visitors or mourning until the end of his incarceration.
The property of Count Elrosa’s family stolen by Carl will first be reclaimed by the Tax Administration.
We will settle the overdue taxes and send the difference to the Elrosa Mansion.]
“How is it possible to be incarcerated for 150 years? Dad is 40 already! And they’re even going to collect money that was never stolen? Why? Why! Why do I have to be punished so severely for a crime I didn’t commit?”
What Jane did with Theodore in the banquet hall was shameful. Even Jane felt embarrassed when she thought about it.
Theodore said he was preparing an important banquet. He boasted that it was no problem to sneak Jane into the banquet hall.
As instructed, she put on the employee’s clothing and hid in the banquet hall.
She pretended to work and then met Theodore at their agreed upon location.
The music, the beautiful banquet hall, the drinks, the handsome boyfriend, everything was perfect.
Their love surged and boiled over, Jane gave herself over to Theodore.
She’d never dreamed that people would see her like that.
She was both embarrassed and ashamed. Even if it were a normal relationship, it would have been embarrassing, but Theodore already had a wife.
Jane hid away and cried for days afterword. She was sad that her boyfriend didn’t contact her, but her father comforted her, saying that he must be in trouble as well.
She wished he could’ve stayed until she felt better, until things had calmed down, but unfortunately, Carl had a job.
‘I’ll be home soon. I’m going to take care of some urgent business at the manor and then take an extended vacation. I’m sure my master will understand, he loves you.’
She hated being left alone, but had no other choice. Carl was the caretaker of her home.
However, Carl, who had said he would be back soon, did not return. There was no news from him for several days. While she was waiting, thinking, ‘He’s not the type of person to do this,’ this news struck her.
Pacing uneasily around the house, Jane finally got ready to go out and left the house.
She had to see Theodore. She had to meet him and hear the whole story.
Jane hated the Elrosa mansion. It was the home of her beloved Theodore, but it was also the home of the vicious woman who stood in the way of her and him being together. It looked like a witch’s tower that imprisoned a prince.
But she felt she had to go, even if she didn’t want to.
‘Something must have happened to Theo. It’s clear that the witch is keeping him from coming to me.’
She went to Elrosa Mansion and requested an audience. If the witch was home, she would be denied the visit, but she might be able to meet Theodore if she were away from the residence.
Fortunately, she was not turned away. She entered the mansion, filled with relief.
She was excited at the thought of meeting her lover after such a long time. Contradicting feelings of excitement, disappointment, and fear welled up.
Squeak-
However, the huge door open and the witch stood there.
“Hello, Jane. We shouldn’t be seeing each other, but we meet often.”
Jane was startled by the sight of Rachel proudly crossing her arms.
‘Wasn’t she supposed to be out at the moment? What about Theodore? Where is Theodore?’
She looked around, but Theodore was nowhere to be seen.
She wanted to run away.
She couldn’t. She had to be brave if she wanted to see him.
“…Hello, ma’am. I’m here to see Count Theodore Elrosa.”
Rachel smiled.
“Why are you looking for your boyfriend here?”
At that moment, Jane realized. She’d walked right into the jaws of a tiger.
