If You Want a Perfect Divorce

“Episode 10”

Upon returning home, Diana was engulfed by intense fatigue. Not only had she not been going out often, but the physical exhaustion seemed even greater after losing the child.

Aware of her weakened stamina, Diana, after washing up, settled on the couch immediately.

“Are you uncomfortable, my lady?”

“I’m a bit tired.”

Ellen, massaging Diana’s body as she lay on the couch, spoke with a slightly strained voice.

“You went to that old temple, didn’t you, my lady? The temple whose name has faded. It’s beneath your status. Lady Hysteria would be greatly disappointed if she knew.”

Normally, Diana, the former Duchess and mother of Lixio, would have been fearful upon hearing that Lady Hysteria knew. She would have thought she had made a big mistake upon hearing that her status was diminished.

But strangely, this time was different. Diana felt as if she had made a mistake, crushing her pride, and she chuckled as she got up from her seat.

“Ellen.”

“Yes?”

“Should I listen to your words and reflect?”

“Of course.”

It had always been like this. Whenever Diana said this much, she would worry in a voice full of concern, ‘Will my mother dislike me?’ But this time was different. Hearing Ellen’s firm voice, Diana chuckled.

“It seems like you’re serving someone else rather than me.”

“Pardon?”

“You seem oblivious.”

Diana’s voice was cold and stern, almost to the point where one could mistake her for someone else.

“Why are you suddenly like this?”

“Suddenly? Ellen, reconsider who you’re serving. That’s enough for now. Leave.”

Exhausted, Diana dismissed Ellen. Ellen, who was puzzled by Diana’s unusual behavior, hesitated for a moment before leaving.

In the unusually quiet room, Diana felt a sense of peace. Although her body was still stiff from not receiving a massage, the tranquility in her mind felt precious enough that she didn’t even consider calling for someone.

There had always been someone following her. It was both for safety and because she was the Duchess, so it was only natural.

“It’s nicer being alone than I thought.”

She chuckled and quietly looked out the window. She watched the clouds passing by, losing track of time. But her peaceful time alone didn’t last long.

Knock, knock.

“Before, you used to always come running when I arrived.”

“We’re already in a broken relationship.”

With emotionless words, Diana made Lixio, who flinched, smile faintly.

“I see. Anyway, I heard you went out. Where did you go?”

As if trying to create a conversation, he cautiously spoke while observing Diana.

“You should already know once you’ve entered. I thought you knew since you entered.”

“…Right. I heard you went to the temple of Brianna.”

She knew her actions would be reported like this, but it still made her bitter.

“Yes, I did. Why did you come if you already knew?”

“I just wanted to talk like we used to. Like a normal family. Like an ordinary couple.”

“Now we don’t have to try anymore. Lixio. Even if we try to be like before, our relationship won’t be the same. We set a one-year deadline for divorce… How can we be ordinary?”

She tilted her head slightly, looking at him. Lixio’s red eyes shook oddly.

“Is that so.”

“…That expression. Why do you make that expression? Because of you, my previous lover came back, and I lost my child. Because of you, I suffered and witnessed the death of my child again and again. As a mother, I couldn’t even save my child and had to passively endure it. I wanted to say all these things, but Diana held back her emotions. Regardless of what she said, there would be no change between them. Venting her resentment would only hurt each other. It would only be an experiment to see who would inflict more pain on the other.

“I visited the temple of Brianna and prayed to the goddess. You may not have known, but I believe in Brianna. Isn’t that enough to satisfy your curiosity?”

“Diana.”

“If you were just asking for greetings, I could have told you more.”

Lixio lowered his head as if sensing the emptiness in her eyes.

“It’s enough… Anyway, Diana. Is there something you want?”

“Suddenly asking what I want? Well…”

As if trying to change the subject, he softened his expression.

“…Didn’t you say you wanted a divorce a year from now? You can’t go back to being Lord Anzreya.”

Finally understanding what he meant, Diana nodded.

She also visited the flood victims directly to provide relief supplies and spent time with children at the orphanage once a month. She did her best to uphold the name of a compassionate and affectionate Grand Duchess. And she tried her best to avoid any suspicion.

“Come to think of it, there’s something I remember.”

“What is it? A ball? Tea parties with noble ladies? Or charity events?”

“No. I want to visit the orphanage.”

At her unexpected words, Lixio’s eyebrows furrowed. As if trying to read her thoughts, he looked at Diana for a long time. Then, suddenly contemplating the essence of the orphanage, Lixio let out a deep sigh.

“If it’s because of the child who’s already passed away, you don’t have to do that. Taking care of those children won’t bring back the one who’s gone.”

“It’s not about that.”

“Even though you say that, you probably still haven’t forgotten. If you want, we can have a new child…”

“Lixio.”

Looking at him, who was becoming more like his past self, Diana shook her head firmly.

“I don’t want a child. I don’t want to have children. I just want to live.”

“…Then why go to a place like that if you want to live?”

“I need something to refresh myself right now. When I think about it, although I’ve participated in many events as the Grand Duchess, the only thing I truly enjoyed was the orphanage.”

A small smile appeared on her face, which had been dry and lifeless, like a withered tree or a flower with all its petals fallen off.

“…You enjoyed it.”

“Because I felt like I was helping someone.”

Looking at her, Lixio felt a pang in his chest. He wished she would get angry, or even lose her mind and yell. If she did, maybe he could think of another way, but Diana seemed unbearable to him now.

It seemed like she had detached herself from everything. Ironically, she seemed more unable to forget about losing the child, which made her appear more like himself.

“Well… if you want, then do it.”

“Thank you.”

“Is there anything else you need? If you want…”

“There is. Something I need.”

“What is it?”

Lixio, who had been feeling downcast about the mention of the orphanage, now looked hopeful. But…

“I want all my assets returned to their original state, under my name.”

“What?”

“Everything you’ve given me.”

“Diana, those were gifts I gave you.”

“The gifts… are too burdensome for me. All I’ll take with me when I leave this place is a divorce document. So take them all back.”

Diana’s words made Lixio, who had come to reconcile their relationship no matter what, tremble with his hand.

“You’re truly cruel.”

“Even if I’m cruel, there’s nothing I can do. Those were gifts given when I had a child. But that child no longer exists in this world. So those things aren’t mine.”

He wanted to say he hated her to the point of wanting to kill her. He wanted to say it was because he was angry. But Diana’s emotions remained as calm as a still lake. She simply spoke calmly, like someone delivering necessary words.

That only made it harder for Lixio to regain his composure.

“Do… I have to do that?”

“Yes.”

“If it’s because you resent me…”

“No. It’s the right thing to do. So take them. Lixio.”

Finally, Lixio bit his lip hard enough to draw blood. He couldn’t argue against her words.

“I see. Do as you wish.”

That was all he could say.

‘I’m a sinner.’

He knew well what he had done. So, other than affirming her words, he had nothing else to say.

“Thank you.”

And that single word shattered him. As he left her room, he held his hand behind his back the whole time. And as he was about to leave the room, a single white lily he had been holding fell to the ground with a soft thud.