I Thought a Villainess' Divorce Would Be Easy

Richard, whose only joy in life was killing magical beasts, discovered the feeling of love after meeting a pretty, energetic and healthy woman. Even if being pretty was the default, she was a lively and healthy heroine.

 

Anthea was embarrassed by the current kiss because she knew that she would fall in love with Bianca, who was completely different from Anthea in appearance and personality. However, she was confused because the kiss, as if she was rubbing her lips, felt obvious affection. What was more embarrassing for her was that although Richard’s persistent kissing was embarrassing, she did not hate it. He even bit her lip lightly and his hand pulling her waist was so strong that she almost let out a gasp.

 

‘It’s so different from the original.’

 

The original Anthea’s painful first worries preceded her. Above all, it seemed like it would be very dangerous if this time of focusing solely on each other’s lips became prolonged.

 

No matter how much Anthea looked at the duke with eyes of understanding, as if she were a pet, it was not affection. Nevertheless, her intimate contact made Anthea’s otherwise calm heart pump. If it was like this, she was in trouble. She kept her distance from each other, and the plan to hand it over to her heroine was completely ruined. Above all, if she got swept away by the atmosphere like this…

 

Anthea’s gaze wavered here and there. A window with thin curtains came in at the end of her limited field of vision. The moment she noticed the presence of a round moon outside her window, she naturally remembered Richard’s words about where she should spend her first night. Richard’s solid body, already tightly touching, told her everything vividly. No matter how hard she tried to pretend not to notice, Anthea felt like she was breaking into a cold sweat as she remembered herself shoving pumpkin into her nostrils. She really wanted to ask, if she could meet the original Anthea, how she got through her first night with the duke.

 

She couldn’t be like this.

 

Even if she wanted to speak, her lips stuck together and would not separate. Anthea used her most effective technique in this situation.

 

Shed tears for 1 second. If necessary, she could stop the tears from flowing and pull them out of her dry eyes. Anthea cried hard, ready to drain even a liter until Richard noticed her. 

Richard, who did not notice this, pulled Anthea more and more strongly, chasing the soft yet greedy sense of her essence, clinging to her. It seemed as if her resistance was weak, and as soon as Anthea’s lips fell, they stuck back together, touching the bridge of her nose or cheek. Then, Richard noticed that the cheeks touching him were wet.

 

“Ma’am?”

 

Finally, Richard’s lips parted. Anthea did not miss this opportunity and cried, even shaking her shoulders.

 

“I’m scared, Duke.”

 

She was scared to death that she might get caught up in the atmosphere and allow it, really. 

It felt like a crunching sound was heard from Richard’s spine as he hugged her back.

 

The crisis of chastity was a crisis, but the crisis of life was also felt keenly. It would have been unfair if Richard, who worked hard to control his grip every chance he got, had known Anthea’s feelings like this.

 

“You said you would wait… Whaa… You promised… Ugh…”

 

It was just a kiss. Richard, who was trying to make excuses like that, was not sure if she would have ended with just a kiss if she hadn’t stopped now.

 

“Are you going to keep your promise?”

 

“…The duke’s promise is not light, so don’t cry.”

 

At Richard’s slow answer, Anthea smiled brightly with her tear-soaked face. At the same time, Richard felt sorry for her body, which was shaking slightly as if she was scared, but he also wanted to lock her in his arms again, which was difficult for her.

 

They were a married couple, but why did she feel so scared just by kissing her? Although he was frustrated, Richard saw that she was scared right now, and as he stood in front of the frail, trembling woman, he became confused. Even as Richard spoke of his promise with his own words, he could not take his eyes off Anthea’s lips, which were swollen red from stimulation.

 

“I guess I went a little too far.”

 

When she lightly pressed her fingertips to her softness, which she had indulged in as if it were her own just moments ago, she remembered it clearly. Rather than feeling sorry for Anthea who was crying, she felt like she was a woman who was even suited to tears, which made her want to cry more. Richard’s blue eyes seemed to darken as he touched Anthea’s lips every time.

 

Anthea smiled brighter and wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, as she had an instinctive feeling that if she cried any more now, she would be in danger.

 

“It hurts a little, but I’m glad that the Duke said he would keep his promise.”

 

‘Conscience. Please take care of your conscience.’

 

Anthea cast her eyes full of trust towards Richard, who did not trust her at all. Nevertheless, Richard’s blue eyes, with a dark tinge to them somehow, still remained. She may be in crisis. Anthea wasn’t that curious, but she quickly brought up the topic that came to her mind.

 

“Duke, why were you so angry earlier?”

 

“Earlier?”

 

Today, every time Richard saw Nathan and Anthea together, she felt sick to her stomach. She might as well have called it anger.

 

“Even though it was the Duke’s first time seeing Brother Nathan, he was angry as if he had seen something.”

 

Anthea mentioned that at the entrance to the Duke’s mansion, she saw Richard with Nathan and she made insulting remarks towards the two. At this, Richard’s dark eyes wavered.

 

“That’s because I had preconceived notions. I apologize, I didn’t have to say that.”

 

If he misunderstood, it was fine as was. Although she didn’t really need an apology, Anthea continued to ask questions to change the mood.

 

“Duke, why do you have such prejudice?”

 

“I received a letter from the head maid.”

 

“Ah…”

 

It was like that too. The maid, Rosa, sent her powerful blow to the duke while Anthea continued her clumsy efforts. She seemed to think that her choice of words was extreme for Richard, who had no special feelings for Anthea. As expected, Rosa played her role well. Anthea nodded with a calm expression on her face, as if her curiosity had been answered.

 

Richard actually felt puzzled by Anthea.

 

“It was a terrible letter, as if it was trying to slander my wife. It was definitely my fault for being swayed by it. It is true that you and young Count are overly close, but the contents of the letter were exaggerated and distorted with extreme malice.”

 

“A new bride who attracts men while her husband is away?”

 

Hearing it in Anthea’s innocent voice made Richard feel the words he had put into his mouth were even more terrible.

 

“That was my mistake. I apologize.”

 

“It’s okay. You don’t have to apologize too many times.”

 

Anthea smiled brightly, keeping the distance between him and her by one pillow. Richard couldn’t understand Anthea, who was so bright.

 

“Doesn’t my wife blame the head maid?”

 

“Why? Rosa did what she had to do. She has protected the dukedom and will continue to do so.”

 

“But that doesn’t mean I should be held responsible for sending a letter that recklessly criticized her wife.”

 

“Then shall I flog you? Or should we just put her in jail for a week or so?”

 

Anthea remembered Nathan’s advice and quickly gave an answer. Richard was a little impressed by this. The Duchess, who seemed foolish, showed determination like a hostess. He would have cut off her wrists if it were him, but Anthea’s judgment seemed more appropriate to her than to lose one of her talents like that.

 

Before Richard nodded his head, Anthea quickly shook her head.

 

“If that happens, Rosa will be stuck for a while, and it will be very difficult for the head butler to lead this large mansion alone. I still don’t know how many rooms there are in the mansion.”

 

She was not ashamed of her ignorance and was natural in seeking help from her subordinates. In Anthea’s innocent smile, the image of a wise hostess was visible. In fact, Anthea had no intention of taking responsibility at all. She plays, eats, rolls around, and accumulates evil deeds. Then, when the real heroine appeared, she was planning to crush it and then get away with it, so she didn’t want to waste her energy on something useless. As a result, Anthea was not particularly offended or uncomfortable by Rosa’s malice toward her. 

So she smiled to mean that she was really okay, which caused Richard to misunderstand her.

 

She was a very slender-looking woman, but her heart was already enough to be the duke’s mistress. Richard withheld judgment when he tried to hold the chief maid personally responsible for writing potentially distorted information in a letter to her master.

 

‘I guess it’s okay to leave it to my wife to decide.’

 

Richard impulsively hugged Anthea, who was smiling brightly, as he was both loving and proud of her.

 

“Ah!”

 

Anthea, who was hugged by him, hit her face against his rock-hard chest, which was painful. Even the small sound that escaped her as if she was surprised was dangerous to Richard now. If things continued like this, he would want Anthea again, so Richard straightened his body. Anthea, seeing her vivid body exposed from the blanket, turned her head and began counting the number of magic stones embedded in the wall. Meanwhile, Richard had put on proper clothes instead of the gown he had left behind.

 

Anthea, who seemed to have finished putting on her clothes, turned around and couldn’t hide her joy as she saw Richard, who was about to go out at any moment.

 

“Are you going to subdue demonic beasts?”

 

Richard, who mentioned the magical beast and wondered where such a bright noblewoman could be, saw something resembling a brief smile on her blunt face. However, her continued thoughts erased even the slightest emotion on Richard’s face.

 

“As long as Count Leslie is staying, you can’t leave.”

 

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Translator Note: