“Natasha.”
Mikhail called her during breakfast. It had become natural for Natasha to join them for meals now.
“The newly appointed head of the Monchamps trade guild is quite a cooperative individual. Thanks to him, our discussions have gone smoothly. The Volodja trade guild matter will likely be resolved soon as well.”
“He’s perfect for the next head of the guild, don’t you think? I put a lot of thought into selecting him.”
Natasha waved a knife in one hand like a conductor’s baton.
“He’s not too aggressive, not too suspicious, not too exclusive, while still maintaining a certain level of legitimacy. I considered making one of the lower engineers the figurehead, but that seemed too radical, so I decided against it.”
“You did well. His skills are just as expected.”
“Of course. Who do you think chose him?”
It was quite surprising that despite having shifted to working as a divorce lawyer some time ago, Natasha had easily outmaneuvered Noel, the dedicated lawyer of the Petrov duchy.
But it was not just surprising; it was something quite enticing.
“Have you thought about coming back? I could offer you a ‘partner lawyer’ position.”
Partner lawyer. The name made Natasha flinch slightly.
The ‘partner lawyer’ position, which treated the lawyer as part of the duchy rather than just a legal representative, was now an almost obsolete concept.
It was also the position Natasha had once desperately strived for.
‘Looking back now, it’s ridiculous. Why did I cling to that role?’
Natasha swallowed a bitter smile inside and responded nonchalantly.
“I’m not interested. I’m satisfied with my current life.”
“A divorce lawyer? Sure, that has its own rewards, but I still see you as a lawyer who thrives on numbers.”
“Divorce cases are also about numbers—alimony and asset division.”
Mikhail, who had no idea he would soon be the subject of such ‘number games,’ smiled slightly as if to say, “Is that all?”
He seemed unaware that what was trivial to him could bring someone else to tears.
“I’ll make sure your pay reflects the clean job you did.”
“There’s no need for that.”
Even as she said this, her face lit up with a bright smile.
“This way, I won’t feel embarrassed asking you for help in the future. Don’t refuse, just take it. I’ll send it through the butler later.”
If it was going through the butler, the amount must be substantial. The thought of this extra income had her beaming with joy.
“And… I want to apologize.”
Not just Natasha, but even Chloe paused their meal to look at Mikhail.
If Jerome and Denis had been there, they would likely have reacted the same way.
“Will the sun rise in the west tomorrow?”
“I’m not joking. When you first offered to help, I thought you were up to something again. That’s why I had Noel keep an eye on you… but you completed the task perfectly, putting my suspicions to shame.”
Mikhail’s expression had softened significantly compared to before.
Though he hadn’t voiced it, it seemed that he couldn’t completely sever the bond they’d shared since childhood.
Gradually, the resentment he felt towards Natasha was melting away as they shared meals and conversations.
“If you were sincere… that is, if your talk about wanting to go back to the way things were wasn’t just a ruse…”
Natasha felt a rare prick of conscience, like being stabbed by a needle.
It seemed that her eldest brother had been quite touched by her initial gesture of reconciliation.
“…Then I, too, would like to restore our relationship.”
Natasha barely managed to steady her trembling hands and feet, taking a sip of water while feigning calm.
Meanwhile, her mind raced as she wondered how best to respond.
‘I’ve gathered all the information I need. Should I continue to play along? It would be wise to do so until the divorce papers are filed, but can I handle the aftermath?’
She was worried that after the divorce was finalized, Mikhail might actually hire an assassin.
But it was too late to confess now, “Actually, it was all just an excuse, and yes, I was scheming. Sorry about that.”
Just as Natasha was about to come up with a plausible reply, the steward hurried in and whispered something in Mikhail’s ear. The steward’s glance briefly flicked towards Natasha before looking away as if nothing had happened.
Mikhail’s face hardened.
“…Understood.”
He replied in a deep, somber voice, and the steward respectfully withdrew.
Natasha had a feeling she knew what news the steward had delivered.
“Natasha.”
Mikhail called her name. Whether the deep emotion was regret or resentment, she couldn’t tell.
“Father has arrived at the estate.”
“The master of the house has returned.”
“…As I’ve said before…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll leave right away.”
Natasha stood up abruptly, leaving her unfinished breakfast behind.
“Wow. They say even a dog isn’t disturbed while eating.”
“Natasha!”
“I’m not saying he’s worse than a dog. It’s just a saying, you know.”
Mikhail’s face twisted into a scowl at her sarcasm.
“Weren’t you the one who said you wanted to get along like before?”
“It was such an emotional moment. Now it’s completely ruined.”
“Since we’re on the topic, if you really want things to return to the way they were, you should formally apologize to Father and ask for his forgiveness. Otherwise, it will always be a half-hearted peace!”
Natasha paused with her hand on the door handle.
“Apologize? Ask for forgiveness?”
She was exasperated.
Who was supposed to apologize and ask for forgiveness from whom?
“Isn’t it absurd even to you? Let’s be honest here. How was it my fault that they got divorced?”
Natasha struggled to keep the frustration rising within her in check.
“You know the reason better than anyone, don’t you?”
“I have no idea.”
“Don’t try to cover up the truth, Natasha.”
Mikhail continued in a decisive tone.
“I was there in court, witnessing the entire process. At that time, the case was clearly leaning in Father’s favor.”
The divorce trial between Duke Nikolai Petrov and his wife had dragged on for quite some time.
It was Natasha’s first divorce case, and proving anything was difficult when all the evidence and witnesses were within the Petrov household.
Just when the victory seemed to be slipping into Nikolai Petrov’s hands, everything changed.
“But after a brief recess, the situation completely shifted. Father suddenly agreed to a settlement and even accepted a large alimony without complaint. Why do you think that happened?”
“Who knows? What do you think?”
“It’s obvious. Didn’t you threaten Father using information you obtained while working as the Petrov family’s lawyer!”
“Hah.”
Natasha let out a bitter laugh.
“That’s not all. It’s hard to understand why your mother suddenly chose to get divorced. Didn’t you drive a wedge between them to clear your debts and get out of Petrov?”
“That’s what I thought. All this time.”
“Isn’t that the case? If not, then how did you persuade Father, and what was the reason Mother chose divorce?”
But Natasha kept her mouth shut.
“See? You can’t speak because you know you’re not innocent.”
“Did you spew that nonsense to Jerome too?”
“If he isn’t clueless, he might have a rough idea.”
It made sense now. Natasha had thought it was just a complaint about splitting up the duke and duchess, whom he considered like parents.
But there was another reason why Mikhail and Jerome had been hostile toward Natasha.
“Are you saying… I urged the divorce through unjust means? By driving a wedge between them?”
Saying it out loud made it seem even more absurd.
“Fine. Should we find out if it’s true?”
“What…?”
Rattle.
Screech.
Natasha flung open the door she had been holding onto.
The ornate accessories peeking through the crack had already hinted at who was beyond the door, so Natasha instantly knew who it was.
A man with luxurious blonde hair and green eyes. Even in middle age, he was strikingly handsome.
He stood there stiffly, and when Mikhail met his gaze, he couldn’t help but flinch in surprise.
“…Father.”
Nikolai Petrov.
Although he had handed over all his power to Mikhail, he was still the current Duke of Petrov and Madame Olga’s ex-husband.
And he was the very man who had taken in a lost child and raised her as his own.
“It’s been a while, Duke. Is this the first time since court?”
“…”
“As you heard, your son is saying some interesting things. May I ask your thoughts on the matter?”
“…”
Nikolai remained silent, staring down at Natasha with a rigid expression. But the emotion in his eyes was clear.
Guilt.
Tsk, Natasha clicked her tongue softly.
“Enough, Mikhail. Make sure the Monchamps trade deal is settled, and send the money. Yes, let’s consider it a brief outsourcing job.”
Natasha’s gaze stayed fixed on Nikolai.
Her piercing sky-blue eyes glinted as if they could devour him.
“It seems it’ll be hard for us to get close again.”
Her words were laced with thorns, and she brushed past Nikolai.
“Natasha…!”
Mikhail called out to her from behind, but she ignored him.
Without looking back, she left the Petrov estate.
Just as she had once been chased out, fleeing for her life.
***
“So.”
Noel spoke in a chilling voice, though his face was still smiling. It was fascinating how he managed it.
“You’re going to investigate the western trading companies?”
“Yes. Why?”
“What’s with you, between us?”
He smiled, his eyes curving slightly.
“What do you mean, ‘between us’?”
“Let’s not play coy when we know each other so well. Okay?”
His word choice was deliberately ambiguous.
But Natasha, well aware that Noel often played these vague games to gain an upper hand in conversations, was entirely unshaken.
“Don’t talk like that. It’s creepy.”
“Other people say it’s exciting.”
“Exciting, my foot.”
Natasha brushed her goosebump-covered arms.
“Can’t you see the goosebumps? If you say that again, I’ll make you drop and give me fifty.”
Knowing he would be her slave for a week, Noel clammed up like an oyster.
Because he knew well that Natasha didn’t issue idle warnings.
‘Hah. I thought she’d just give me a job and ask for money…’
But instead, Natasha had told him there was work to be done and now they were on a carriage, heading somewhere.
When he asked about the destination, it turned out to be ‘Mosqueche,’ a famous tourist city in the west!
Why were Natasha and Noel, just the two of them, going to a tourist city? The city was certainly packed with couples and families during this festival season.
“Oh, we’re here.”
Soon enough, the carriage reached its destination and stopped.
“This is where we’re staying tonight.”
They had been traveling since the morning, and it was now almost dusk. Noel’s eyes widened as he stepped out of the carriage.
Standing before him was a luxurious hotel, its exterior adorned to match the splendor of the tourist city of Mosqueche.
The luxury of the place was starting to improve his mood, given his status as a slave.
“What are you doing? Get your wallet out.”
Natasha boldly demanded his money.
“…I’m paying?”
“You’re my slave right now. Your money is my money. My money is my money. Got it?”
“…”
Of course.
But it didn’t end there.
“Can you tell me the name of the reservation?”
“‘Noel.'”
“Yes, one moment. …You’re booked for Room 802?”
“That’s right.”
Noel couldn’t help but speak again, faced with the seamless exchange.
“…Only one room?”
“Yes.”
Unbelievable.
Unlike Noel’s shocked expression, Natasha remained completely nonchalant.
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
If you want to support the translation and the translator, you can buy a coffee~
