It Feels Like I’m About to be Divorced, But my Husband is My Favorite

Episode 76

As soon as I left the living room, I headed straight for the children’s room, as requested by Euclid.

The tension seemed to have worn them out; Dior and Marianne, who looked a bit tired, ran toward me as soon as they saw me.

“Aunt, you were right about everything!”

“Uncle said we’re an important part of the family. He said nothing’s going to change.”

Their eyes sparkled as if eagerly waiting for my response.

Momentarily taken aback, I gently patted their heads.

“You did so well. Both of you were so brave to speak up.”

It must have been the right thing to say because their faces lit up with satisfaction and joy.

‘They really don’t seem afraid of me.’

And they truly seemed to like me.

That thought felt both strange and oddly touching, making it hard for me to adjust.

Especially with Delano absent, someone like Anne should find such a scene unfamiliar and perplexing, yet she acted as if this was completely natural, which only added to the oddity.

‘It doesn’t make sense for a notorious villainess like me to be receiving this kind of affection from children. Anne isn’t exactly normal either.’

As I shook my head internally, someone equally unusual appeared.

“Madam, someone has urgently arrived from the Biers Merchant Guild. And…”

Hearing Gressel’s follow-up, I nodded.

Euclid may have taken over handling Count Biers, but there were still tasks I needed to address, and it seemed the time had come.

However…

‘Euclid asked me to stay with the children.’

Even if he hadn’t, I couldn’t just leave Marianne and Dior, who were visibly tense and unsure of what was happening.

Above all, they were sharp kids. Rather than hiding things from them, it was probably better to show them everything and reassure them.

I hoped Euclid would understand my reasoning as I asked the children, “How about we go see something interesting?”

The children blinked for a moment before nodding enthusiastically and grabbing my hands, having completely let their guard down.

With the children on either side of me and Anne and Gressel following behind, I headed toward none other than the front gate of the Rudion Ducal estate.

“The Imperial Palace? Please wait a moment, madam. I should first inform the Duke…”

Perhaps by perfect timing, a servant of the household and a representative dispatched from the Imperial Palace were in the middle of a tense conversation at the gate.

I had already been briefed by Anne earlier in the morning, so I knew they would arrive around this time.

“Oh, madam!”

The household servant, upon spotting me, looked visibly relieved.

Considering someone had suddenly arrived from the capital, and from the Imperial Palace no less, it was understandable that he’d be unsettled. My appearance must have seemed like a godsend.

‘But what’s with this guy…?’

The man from the Imperial Palace, who had briefly stiffened, was now looking at me with sparkling eyes.

“Greetings, Lady Duke! Oh, no, I mean, Duchess!”

It seemed he had a keen sense for workplace politics.

Noticing my displeasure at being addressed as “Lady Duke,” he immediately corrected himself. Dropping the overconfident and arrogant attitude he had shown toward the servant earlier, he now spoke very politely.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Canis Huen, from the Treasury Department of the Imperial Palace…”

“Didn’t you come here for an urgent matter? Is this really the time for introductions?”

My cold tone made him flinch, and he offered an awkward smile. Yet, he persisted.

“My direct superior, Viscount Sionel Basilian, asked me to deliver a message to you. Due to prior commitments, he couldn’t visit the duchy himself, but he entrusted me with the matter, assuring that there’s no need for concern.”

“I wasn’t particularly worried.”

That was true. I didn’t understand why Sionel felt the need to visit here in the first place.

Still, Canis seemed touched, as though he believed my indifferent response meant I trusted him and Sionel.

With enthusiasm that proved his dedication as a civil servant, he continued with a flattering tone, “Thanks to your direct report, we are conducting a thorough and swift investigation into the merchant guild. Though confidential, I can tell you we’ve already secured meaningful evidence…”

“That’s good, but shouldn’t you be hurrying up?”

The perpetrator was inside the estate right now.

Though there was no way he could escape, I felt uneasy hearing Canis disclose classified information so freely in front of so many people, so I cut him off.

‘What kind of mess is this empire in?’

No wonder Rudion Duchy has been neglected and oppressed like this.

“Open the gates.”

Suppressing my displeasure, I instructed the guards at the main gate.

“Madam?”

“It’s fine. Whether you’re aware of the situation or not, they’ve come to arrest Count Biers, who is currently visiting the estate.”

Reassuring the startled servant and the other employees behind him, I watched the gates begin to open.

Just in case, I warned Canis, “Don’t make a scene inside the estate. Move quietly. The Duke isn’t aware of your arrival yet, so explain everything respectfully when you meet him.”

Though I issued orders as if I were his superior, Canis replied with a loud and enthusiastic voice, “Understood! Thank you for your cooperation!”

I nodded vaguely and stepped aside.

Watching the royal knights march in with precision, I was suddenly reminded of Alexis, who had worn the same uniform.

Some knights must have stayed in the capital to protect the emperor, while others accompanied the crown prince to the battlefield.

‘He could’ve stayed in the capital.’

I understood that following the crown prince, the future emperor, was a wise move, but did a second son of the Basilian Ducal family really need to earn military accolades?

He could’ve lived a carefree life, yet he chose the battlefield. The thought soured my mood.

Then, I felt the presence of the two children beside me, unusually quiet and tense.

Sensing their anxiety, I tightened my grip on their hands.

They must’ve understood most of what was happening from my conversation, so their unease was natural.

“Aunt, is Count Biers… Grandfather, going to be arrested?”

Marianne cautiously asked.

I hesitated at her use of “Grandfather,” but that was the official title, so it wasn’t wrong.

Hiding my complicated emotions, I nodded.

“Yes, he committed wrongdoings and must face the consequences.”

The children, the servant, and the other employees all looked shaken by my blunt words.

Perhaps to them, I truly seemed like the ruthless villainess of my reputation, heartless enough to say such things about their grandfather.

But I believed it was best for the children and Euclid if I drew a clear line here.

Playing the villainess for their sake wasn’t a challenge at all.

Resolving myself, I spoke coldly, “Marianne, Dior. You belong to the Rudion Ducal family, not the Biers household. Do you understand?”

“…Yes!”

Exchanging glances, Marianne and Dior nodded firmly, as if they’d believe anything I said, even if I claimed the impossible.

That unwavering trust might have been overwhelming, but instead, I felt a stronger sense of responsibility.

“Good. Just so you know, what you’re worried about won’t happen. I’ll make sure to protect you.”