I Thought a Villainess' Divorce Would Be Easy

“How about this level?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Can we get away with this?”

 

‘Hey, I’m not here to take the knight’s test, so are you going to keep testing me on physical strength?’

 

While she was just licking my lips, unable to speak out loud, the hand held by Richard was slowly dragged away. Anthea’s hand, which was dragged helplessly, headed towards Richard’s face.

 

‘Are you sure you’re trying to do that on the back of your hand? Are you in the mood now?

 

“There’s no way the Duke would be like this?”

 

She hurriedly pulled his wrist, chasing away the question mark in her head, but it didn’t budge. She couldn’t understand why this damn peacock kept taking a different route from the original, but she tried to avoid any contact. Richard was rather surprised by Anthea’s whining behavior and let go of her hand. A red handprint was left on Anthea’s very white and thin wrist.

 

“Is it only going to be like this?”

 

Richard looked down at his hands for a long time as if he truly couldn’t believe it, then shook his head.

 

“That won’t work.”

 

Why what what? What’s not working? If you say you can’t do something like kissing the back of the hand because it makes you skinny, then you’re welcome. Contrary to Anthea’s wishes, Richard was serious.

 

“I think if I let my guard down, my wife will break.”

 

Was he predicting a murder now? She felt like she should worry about her life, not just the first night. After saying that, Richard held one of the pillars of the bed headboard with his hand. Even though he didn’t seem to be putting any effort into it, Richard’s hand fell and her wooden pole was deeply dented in the shape of her finger. Even the marks on his knuckles were clear, as if she had squeezed and released clay with her hands. Were the trees in this neighborhood really soft? She couldn’t believe the situation didn’t seem real.

 

Anthea, unable to contain her curiosity, stretched out her hand and gently rubbed the tree where Richard’s handprint was. The vivid feel of the wood at her fingertips was extremely hard. She tried pressing it hard or lightly tracing it with her fingernail, but not even a single fingerprint was left, let alone a scratch, on the wood.

 

‘It may have been compressed by the Duke.’

 

She tried pressing the other pillar as hard as she could, but it was no use. Rather, she only confirmed its unwavering sturdiness.

 

‘It’s really hard? You’re saying this is just a guy thing that’s as light as her fist?’

 

Anthea wasn’t acting, she was genuinely scared. Could it be that the fact that it was painful in the original work includes this? Alarms were going off like crazy in her head.

 

‘Let’s spread the distance first.’

 

In her astonishment, Anthea slowly pulled her hand away and carefully crawled into the bed. She tried to remain calm, but her hands fumbled on the blanket in vain and her knees kept buckling. Her weak body was strained all day long and she was scared, so she did not listen.

 

Bright blue eyes watched Anthea’s every action. Anthea, who had widened the distance to the extent that he could not reach when he stretched out his arms, only then made eye contact with Richard. When their eyes met, she looked away as if wondering when they had never seen each other before. The bright blue eyes that met her for a moment reminded her of sundae again. Before Anthea knew it, the tip of her nose became cold.

 

‘Ah, I could cry now.’

 

Since she was in no position to continue crying, she was being swayed by Richard. Now, it wasn’t a bad idea to show the Duke her tears and her fear in order to avoid the first night. Anthea thought that now was that opportunity, and looked into the Duke’s eyes to increase her feelings for Sundae. Richard, who was looking down as if he was trying not to meet her eyes, slowly made eye contact with Anthea’s persistent gaze.

 

Bright blue and pretty eyes. They say it looks fierce and scary, but in Anthea’s eyes, it’s just pretty. Moreover, Richard’s eyes were clearly blurry now, but they were shaking. Was he scared? The Duke? When she thought of that question, the tears that normally would have flowed in less than 10 seconds stopped flowing. She had to shed tears right now to persuade the Duke by pretending to be pitiful. Anthea, who was nervous, blinked her eyes to make the tears flow a little faster, but as she looked into the eyes of Richard, who looked even more anxious, she did not get her way. At some point, Richard’s eyes, which had been shaking, took on a different color.

 

“This time, you don’t cry when we make eye contact.”

 

The tone was relaxed, as if relieved, not reprimanding. The atmosphere was so gentle that she could barely suppress the tears that were about to come out. She felt like she could persuade them with words without having to ruin the mood by crying. When Anthea, who was conflicted about her, did not avoid her gaze until the end, Richard sighed as if he was somehow relieved.

 

“As expected, you don’t cry.”

 

“Wool… Should I?”

 

Anthea, pretending to be weak, pretending to be surprised, and not knowing anything, tilted her head slightly and asked back.

 

“That’s not your choice.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“It will definitely make you cry.”

 

It should have been perceived as a threat, but Richard’s drowsy voice conveyed a different meaning. Where on earth did the blunt Duke go, and was there a wolf who was gently flirting with her? Come to think of it, she thought they said that the husky’s ancestor was a wolf. Even as information that was not immediately important flashed through her mind, Anthea was making eye contact with Richard.

 

“As expected, I’m glad to see you don’t cry.”

 

Richard’s face was obviously stiff and his expression was dull. However, Richard’s voice, which said he was happy, felt warm despite its calmness. However, there were words included that were dangerous to just ignore. Should she cry to change the dangerous atmosphere? He said he was happy because she didn’t cry, but seeing her cry could make him feel guilty. Anthea, who was hesitating whether to persuade him with words since she was not in a bad mood, rolled her eyes when Richard’s gaze turned towards the window.

 

The large windows clearly illuminated the outside even in cold weather. She was always amazed at how big the moon looked.

 

“The moon is waning.”

 

Was he trying to say something romantic? Sensing Richard’s efforts, Anthea was slightly caught off guard. So she climbed onto the bed, and she found Richard too late, and she forgot to breathe as his vivid body was suddenly draped over her. The pitch-black gown had already fallen to the floor, so there was nothing to cover Richard’s body. Anthea, who had unintentionally put everything in her eyes, sincerely apologized to her original counterpart, Anthea.

 

It was the kind of thing she doubted anyone could have. She knew what they were going to do with that, but she didn’t want to know. She had a lot of respect for Anthea from the original, who survived even just one night.

 

“Ma’am.”

 

As soon as Richard’s hand touched the delicate ribbon of Anthea robe, her tears poured down without any effort. When he suddenly saw Anthea shedding tears, Richard froze. She didn’t miss the opportunity and hid under the blanket. Even though Richard hesitated at Anthea’s actions, he said what he had to say.

 

“The moon is waning, so let’s spend our first night together.”

 

That wasn’t a romantic statement. When it was revealed that he had come to do his duty, Anthea cried out, desperately holding on to the blanket.

 

“I can’t do it, Duke.”

 

“This is our duty as a couple.”

 

Feeling that she was finally seeing the blunt Duke’s true face, Anthea raised her voice without hesitation.

 

“Can the Duke fit a pumpkin up his nostril!”

 

As the words that seemed to shatter any romantic atmosphere came out, Richard was unable to react in any way. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Anthea sobbed under the blanket for a long time, pouring out her tears as she had planned. No matter how much time passed, she didn’t get any response from Richard, so she carefully pushed her face out of the blanket. Before she knew it, Richard, who had put his gown back on, was watching her with an indifferent face.

 

“Well… Duke. I’m scared.”

 

Although he looked blunt, Richard’s blue eyes were shaking. As expected, Richard was weak to honest appeals. Anthea did not even think about touching her messed up hair and appealed as she had originally decided.

 

“Please wait a minute. I need to prepare both physically and mentally.”

 

There was no response of any kind from Richard. Still, looking at her slightly downcast eyes, it seemed like she could use a little push to see how downcast she looked. Anthea blinked her eyes and let out her well-filled tears.

 

“Please, please. One year… No, even half a year is fine. Please give me time.”

 

“…It’s a tradition to spend the first night together as a married couple.”

 

This wall-man! She wanted to shout, but fortunately, Richard’s voice as he spoke about tradition was quiet. Wanting to push further, Anthea made up her mind and got out of the blanket. She took off the thick gown she was wearing, revealing a thin slip. At this, Richard’s pupils shook as if there had been an earthquake. In the eyes of the Duke, who was full of muscle and health, Anthea, who looked as if her limbs were about to break, was not even a handful. She made this difference clear and persuaded him.

 

“I’m really embarrassed, but my body is not good enough to hold you, Duke.”

 

“…It’s small.”

 

Where? She didn’t need to ask. She simply nodded her head and pleaded with her tears.

 

“Yes, I am small and weak. So please give me time. Please, Duke.”

 

She won’t grow much if he gave her time.  Anthea curled her body over the bed, making a sad, crying face as she had practiced. She was trying to win his sympathy by curling up her body to look smaller and more ungainly. How much time had passed, a thick robe was placed over her head. She hesitated and when she raised her head, Richard was no longer in sight.

 

“Saturday… We got through.”

 

The first night passed safely. After today, Richard would go on a mission for a month. First of all, she was absolutely relieved for a month. In the meantime, if she builds up her reputation as a villainess, Richard would also hate her, just like in the original work.

 

Anthea, relieved, let out a little cheer and rolled over on her bed.

 

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Translator Note: