Leave the Divorce to a Professional Lawyer

“Is it that Petrov from the West?”

“Yes, that Petrov.”

In the empire, aside from the central region directly governed by the emperor, the other regions were ruled by ducal families representing each area.

Richard in the East, Petrov in the West, Dorothea in the South, and Winchester in the North.

The vast empire was so culturally and ethnically diverse that each region had its own distinct atmosphere, almost like separate countries.

While the East was a city of romance, brimming with grain and wealth, the West was a far harsher and more barren place.

The commercial districts were well-developed, and the roads were constantly maintained, making it a hub of distribution.

Estelle’s Blended Merchant Guild had tried so hard to establish trade with that West!

“So that’s why you’re so skilled in commercial law…”

I had wondered how a divorce attorney could be so well-versed in commercial law, and now I understood the backstory.

‘But why did she quit? If she was the exclusive attorney for the Petrov ducal family, she must have made a lot of money, which she loves so much.’

Of course, she’s still famous as a divorce attorney, but can her current income really surpass the salary she received from the ducal family?

Being an exclusive attorney for a ducal family is a dream job for any lawyer, second only to becoming a judge.

“You’re probably wondering why I left such a great job, right?”

“Uh…!”

“Seems like everyone thinks the same way. But, well, you tend to show your thoughts on your face more than others.”

Natasha puffed out smoke and then extinguished her pipe.

“It’s not a pleasant story. Anyway, quitting wasn’t an easy decision.”

“That’s impressive…”

“Anyway, I’ve won lawsuits against the Petrov ducal family’s legal team before, so don’t worry too much.”

“What?!”

Estelle’s eyes widened.

Natasha, half-asleep, was lazily running her fingers through her still-damp hair.

“You were part of the Petrov ducal family, right?”

“I was.”

“And you even went up against them in court?”

“Did you really come here knowing nothing? I assumed you came here fully informed.”

“I saw it in a weekly magazine…”

Now Natasha looked genuinely baffled.

So, what was the point of specifically seeking her out instead of relying on the Blanche Count family’s legal team?

In any case, Natasha dutifully provided her services to her client.

“You know the former Duchess of Petrov, Madam Olga?”

“Yes, I know. She was the first duchess to get a divorce… Wait, don’t tell me…!”

“I was Madam Olga’s lawyer back then.”

Leaning slightly back in her chair, Natasha gave a subtle smile, as if recalling a pleasant memory.

“In return for winning that case, I paid off all my debts and gained my freedom.”

“Debts…?”

Estelle stared blankly at her, clearly having no idea what Natasha was talking about.

‘She said she lost her memory; did she forget about this too?’

Being a lawyer is a specialized profession. It’s a path often chosen by second sons or illegitimate children of noble families who can’t inherit the family estate.

However, most of them would return to their families after graduating from law school, and to fill the shortage of legal professionals, noble families started introducing certain systems.

One of those systems was the training of commoners.

“The Petrov ducal family selects talented children from among orphans, educates them, and raises them as family lawyers.”

It was a very efficient method. There were plenty of commoners and orphans, and some of them were quite smart.

“The cost of this education remains as a sort of debt. Until that debt is cleared, they’re permanently tied to the family.”

Law school tuition was prohibitively expensive for ordinary commoners.

So, law students were either of noble birth or commoners sponsored by nobles-there was no middle ground.

“Well, they rarely actually demand payment unless someone decides to quit. The number of people who leave after paying off their debt is probably very small.”

Natasha was one of those rare, eccentric lawyers.

“Is that… even allowed? To handle a duchess’s divorce case… as their own family lawyer?”

“Of course not.”

What sane lawyer would do such a thing? If they failed, they might even end up in prison.

“But in the end, I won, and the Petrov family couldn’t lay a finger on me. So, that’s the end of the story!”

Natasha ended the tale with a deliberately cheerful voice.

Estelle swallowed down a few burning questions.

“Anyway, I managed to get the trial started based on the prenuptial agreement. The ducal family should have received the summons by now. Didn’t they say anything?”

“They did… The maid who helped me is currently locked in the underground prison…!”

Estelle spoke while clutching the hem of her dress tightly, but Natasha was more surprised that Gideon was still by Estelle’s side.

When bodyguards were taken away as a form of retaliation, most noble ladies struggled even to leave their estates and find a lawyer on their own.

“We need to finish the trial as quickly as possible. Only then can we rescue Marie.”

“Although maids and servants are considered part of the property to be divided, ending the trial quickly won’t be easy.”

Natasha informed her that divorce trials typically took two to three months. If the division of assets dragged on, it could take years.

“Of course, since it’s a ducal family matter, the court will try to expedite the process, so it could take less time. But the Richard ducal family’s legal team won’t be an easy opponent; they’ll try to contest everything.”

The existence of the prenuptial agreement was clear, but its content-stipulating a divorce in three years-wasn’t in line with standard societal norms, making it potentially void.

“Let me ask you one last time. If you want to stop, say so now.”

Although it wasn’t impossible to switch to a settlement during the trial, trials often leave deep emotional scars.

Fighting against someone you once loved can drive you into a corner.

“Are you sure you want to get a divorce?”

Estelle remained silent for a moment.

Claude’s face flashed through her mind, but she had come too far to turn back.

This was a matter separate from her love for him.

‘Before the heroine appears. It’s best to stop here.’

Yes. In response to Natasha’s question, Estelle made her final decision.

“Yes. Proceed with the lawsuit.”

Bam!

“Natasha, did you stay up all night again? Why is the light still on… Huh?”

Ivan, who had just arrived at work, stopped in his tracks when he saw Estelle and Gideon.

“Ha… Hello.”

Estelle smiled awkwardly, embarrassed for showing up so suddenly without even knocking.

“Ah… You said the lawsuit has been filed?”

“Yes. I’m sorry. This was the only place that came to mind.”

“It’s alright. This happens from time to time. Ivan, let James know when he comes in.”

Grumbling, Ivan headed back outside to check on James’s arrival.

“Am I not the only one who comes here like this?”

“If a lawsuit has been filed, staying in the same house with the person you’re divorcing isn’t exactly a pleasant experience. It’s awkward, it can make you angry, and sometimes it can even expose you to the risk of violence.”

The best option was to return to one’s family, but that wasn’t always possible.

Some had parents who couldn’t accept their divorced child, or they were from a completely different area and needed to stay here to attend the trial.

For reasons like these, they had their own circumstances.

“We also offer a referral service for people in this situation. Mr. James will provide you with a place to stay during the trial. You might not have cash on hand, so all payments can be made afterward.”

Natasha added that they could also hire a couple of maids, though the arrangement would be simple.

“If you wish, we can provide you with accommodation during the trial. I recommend you leave that house. Seeing each other often can weaken your resolve.”

It was advice that seemed to see right through Estelle’s heart.

“…Thank you. I’ll do that.”

“Oh, and it might be good to hire a bodyguard… but if the Duke hasn’t mentioned anything, it probably won’t be a big issue.”

Natasha bit back the words, “Although it might make promotion within the Duke’s household more difficult.”

Gideon must have known that too, but he had his reasons for continuing to stay by her side. It was the path he had chosen.

Estelle, however, seemed unaware of this.

“Case number B-180024. The trial will now begin.”

Bang, bang, bang!

The solemn-faced judge announced the opening of the court.

Natasha and Estelle sat on one side, with Claude and his lawyer seated opposite them.

It was the first time Estelle had faced Claude since packing her things and leaving.

Claude’s gaze toward Estelle was intensely heated.

“First, the lawyer for Duke Richard’s side.”

At the judge’s call, the lawyer stood up and began to present his case.

“Your Honor, as you know, marriage is not just about forming a family. It is the union of two souls and a sacred vow of eternity before the god Balda. It is regrettable that a prenuptial contract, a somewhat… worldly method, was used in this marriage, but the fact remains that they became husband and wife and promised to be one.”

“That is correct.”

“Moreover, the clause about ‘divorce after three years’ does not align with societal norms, and according to Article 103 of the Civil Code, ‘Any legal act with content that violates good morals and public order shall be null and void.’ This means that such anti-social legal acts that undermine the sanctity of marriage are considered null and void.”

It was clear they had put considerable effort into their preparation, as they had mobilized an entire legal team.

However, this was within the scope Natasha had anticipated.

As long as they had the notarized contract in hand, the best the other side could do was argue that the clause was against societal norms and therefore invalid.

“Furthermore, our Duke… doesn’t wish to divorce.”

“Hmm.”

“We sincerely ask that you deeply consider his personal wish to protect his precious family, even if the marriage began on the wrong foot.”

The judge seemed quite moved by the speech, nodding his head.

“Next… the Duchess’s side. Please proceed.”

Pop!

It was almost as if a spotlight had suddenly focused on Natasha.

All eyes were on her.

Finally, the curtain had risen.