I Thought It Was a Common Transmigration

“Besides, Edith Rigelhoff thinks of the Ludwig family as her purse. She said that even if she divorces Killian, she will receive a large mansion and a large amount of money as alimony, so she has nothing to regret.”

 

“What?”

 

“This is what Miss Edith herself said at the last Konkuk Festival. There are many people other than me who have heard this, so you may want to look into it.”

 

If you cut out all the details and only heard the content, it sounded as if Edith was spreading such rumors all over the place. Duke Ludwig had been feeling sorry for Edith recently, but hearing such words at a time when he was already having a hard time with Count Rigelhof made him feel betrayed and clenched his molars. However, he did not reveal his feelings hastily.

 

“…That’s not wrong. It clearly says so in the contract signed at the time of marriage.”

 

Count Sinclair came out again.

 

“How long will you tolerate her being so cunning and arrogant like her father? The Rigelhof family has already left. And I can provide the Duke with a reliable iron ore distribution network. You probably know what this means, right?”

 

After all, it was a marriage concluded for the sake of iron ore distribution rights and an alliance, but since those two conditions have already lost their meaning, isn’t it natural that the marriage should be broken up?

 

“Hmm…”

 

Even then, when Duke Ludwig spared his words, Layla opened her mouth with a sad look on her face.

 

“Lise… Is it because? In the past, I was mean to Lise…”

 

Those words pinpointed Duke Ludwig’s hesitation, and the Duke looked at Layla.

 

“At that time, I was too young and immature. I was jealous because Lise was pretty… But that’s not the case now. After all, Lise is my younger sister.”

 

Layla pretended to reflect on her past with a pitiful expression, but Duke Ludwig made no reaction to it either. This was because Duke Ludwig also knew that Layla Sinclair was the source of the malicious rumors about Lise that had been constantly circulating until recently.

 

‘But it is also true that we need an iron ore distribution network. Soon, we will have to place another large-scale order for weapons such as swords and spears…’

 

Of course, the empire’s iron ore was not controlled by just two families, but the closest distribution channels were the Counts Rigelhof and Count Sinclair. As he was thinking about that, he became concerned about Killian’s attitude recently.

 

‘Still, it seems like he’s trying to be affectionate with Edith… Should I tell him to let go of his affection even now?’

 

As the Duke, who did not know the details of what was happening in the mansion, did not know exactly about Killian’s feelings. But he believed that Killian did not love Edith. Compared to Killian when he was in love with Lise, the current Killian was closer to being blunt towards Edith.

 

“Hmm. It is too early to talk about this. It’s not like Count Rigelhof has completely betrayed me, and I can’t control Killian’s marriage as I please. But I understood well what the Count wanted to say.”

 

Although Count Sinclair was a little disappointed, he decided to step down at this point.

 

“Of course, I didn’t ask you to decide on Killian’s marriage right now. Rather, I just stopped by to tell you that the Duke should not worry too much, since we have clearly obtained the right to distribute iron ore.”

 

“Thank you. Thanks to this, I think we will be able to respond to the Langston anti-aircraft wave without being impatient.”

 

“Ha ha ha! I’m glad it helped.”

 

They ended the conversation in a friendly atmosphere.

 

* * *

 

When he heard that the Count Sinclair family was coming, Cliff deliberately took Lise out and Killian and she stayed in the drawing room with the Duchess.

 

“They’ll probably come out here after their private time is over and talk for a bit before heading back.”

 

The Duchess also seemed displeased with the Count Sinclair’s visit. Well, she couldn’t have been happy about it since this was a family that had harassed Lise, whom she thought of as a daughter, and was currently constantly harassing her by creating malicious rumors. It was the same with Killian.

 

“I don’t know how thick the faces of shameless people are. I wish I could at least take off the skin and check it.”

 

Although his tone was harsh, she got goosebumps because she knew that he was someone who could really do that if he put his mind to it.

 

‘If you think about it, cutting off Edith’s head in one fell swoop was quite a merciful action in the original work. He didn’t torture me.’

 

When she thought about it, it was like that. Perhaps Killian in the original story also felt some sympathy for Edith… Maybe he just didn’t have time because he had to kill all the Rigelhofs.

 

While she was pondering the thought of zero productivity, Duke Ludwig and Sinclair came into the living room. The Duchess, who had been looking dissatisfied just now, greeted them with a bright and benevolent smile as if she had never done so before.

 

“It’s been a long story. I hope you haven’t had much tea. I prepared a lot of tea food.”

 

At the glance of the Duchess, the waiting maids set tea and refreshments on the table. The sunset-colored Susaek black tea gave off fragrant steam, and the freshly baked scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam were also delicious. But Layla, who sat across from her, seemed to be more busy looking at Killian than at the delicious refreshments. Of course, she understood that feeling. Even if it were her, she would just look at Killian the whole time she was here and then go back. Even blinking was a waste of time.

 

The atmosphere at tea time was not bad. Killian kept an expressionless face the whole time, but the Duke and Duchess were more socially developed people than him, so they led the conversation while maintaining their dignity. But she felt like she was missing out on this conversation. She didn’t know if they did it on purpose or if it was unavoidable, but the topics of conversation were all things from the past that she didn’t know about. She didn’t think there would be any help if she intervened anyway, so she just quietly smiled and drank her tea, and she happened to make eye contact with Layla. Contrary to what she thought, that she would glance at her, Layla smiled brightly and spoke to her.

 

“Miss Edith, I’m sorry… I want to wash my hands.”

 

She guessed she was in a hurry to go to the bathroom. She could have just called the maid and asked her to take her there, but it seemed like she had something to say to Edith, so she got up.

 

“Come over here.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Layla followed after her with a very different expression than when she was on international duty. And as soon as they entered the hallway leading to the bathroom, she burst out laughing as if she was being told to listen.

 

“Are you really living a life of losing your personality within the duchy?”

 

Well, should she start a fight or wait?

 

“I was thinking about it from last time, but I think it would be better for Miss Layla to reflect on herself before speaking to others.”

 

“Ha…! What are you talking about?”

 

“‘Miss Edith, I’m sorry, but I need to wash my hands.’”

 

She copied Layla’s shy expression and repeated what she said. Layla’s face quickly turned red and blue, but she managed to straighten her nose.

 

“We’ll see how long you can continue with such an arrogant attitude. Oh! Did you hear that our family secured the distribution rights for iron ore in the North?”

 

“Well. I’m not interested.”

 

“It seems like he has no interest in what’s going on in the world. Do you know that the reason you were able to marry Killian was because of the Rigelhof family’s iron ore distribution rights?”

 

She was very excited. How could she had held back for so long because she wanted to show off to her?

 

“Our family will have the rights to distribute iron ore in the North starting next year. It means that until then is the expiration date for you to keep your position.”

 

“You’re talking about an expiration date…”

 

Layla also raised her eyes and responded to her crooked tone.

 

“That’s right. The Ludwig family had no choice but to take you in as their daughter-in-law because of the alliance and the iron ore distribution rights, but the alliance has already been broken, so what good is the Rigelhof family’s iron ore distribution rights? However, our family, an ally of the Ludwig family, obtained the rights to distribute iron ore. You really don’t know what this means?”

 

She let out a long sigh.

 

“What is Killian’s opinion?”

 

“Phew! Oh my goodness, Miss Edith. How could you say something like that? You pushed for marriage with Killian, ignoring his wishes!”

 

“So, are you going to try it this time?”

 

She felt like she could understand Killian a little more as he was when she first married him. How disgusting it must have been for her to be traded off as his own wife in this way. Moreover, it was prerequisite for him to give up her love for Lise… 

 

“The bathroom is over there. You’re not stupid enough to get lost on the way back to the living room, are you?”

 

She half-heartedly pointed to the end of the hallway. Perhaps because she didn’t like her grumpy attitude, Layla glared at her with the venomous look in her eyes from her international days and scolded her.

 

“Do you think Killian won’t be happy to divorce you?”

 

“Maybe so. But that doesn’t mean he will accept marriage with you.”

 

“You don’t know that.”

 

“No. I know it. Don’t look down on Killian Ludwig.”

 

Don’t make fun of the time she went through to change his mind!

 

“Then, you need to rest.”

 

Without even looking in Layla’s direction, she waved her hand and walked toward the living room. Even without looking back, she could see Layla rushing around in front of her eyes. But her heart wasn’t that refreshed after turning away from her.

 

‘This is how it turns out in the end…’

 

A sigh came out of her mouth. On the one hand, it was a bit unfair.

 

‘No matter what, the Count Sinclair family is Lise’s main enemy, so is it okay for it to be twisted like this?’

 

In the original work, Duke Ludwig cruelly tramples Count Sinclair, who belatedly realizes the value of Lise and clings to her while talking about her parental authority.

 

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Translator Note: