Leave the Divorce to a Professional Lawyer

“Wow.”

Natasha let out an impressed remark, genuinely in awe.

“You look like a completely different person.”

“…Don’t tease me.”

“I’m not teasing. You truly look like a noblewoman now.”

It seems that the touch of a professional can really transform someone’s appearance.

Jeanette, who had been dressed plainly, had undergone a stunning transformation in her elegant attire.

“This just feels awkward…”

Though she was a noblewoman by birth, she kept fidgeting with her dress, clearly uncomfortable.

“It suits you well, Lady,” Robert complimented with a soft smile.

“And young master looks just like a doll.”

Lowell raised his chin arrogantly. What a cocky little boy.

But even Natasha had to admit it. Lowell, dressed neatly in a child-sized suit, looked like a perfectly crafted doll in children’s clothing.

His naturally soft and pale skin seemed even more radiant after care, and his piercing blue eyes held a haughty expression, making him appear every bit like an aristocratic young master.

“Not bad.”

Natasha reluctantly gave a compliment as well.

“When dressed like this, he really does look just like the Grand Duke when he was younger.”

“…”

At Sir Robert’s words, the atmosphere froze.

“Um… Sir Robert. I’ve been meaning to ask from the beginning, but the Grand Duke of Müller… he doesn’t seem to be asking the questions he should be.”

The questions he should ask? Natasha found the conversation difficult to follow.

“You don’t seem surprised at all. Was taking Lowell all arranged with his fiancée?”

“I’m not sure what you mean…”

Robert looked puzzled for a moment before he muttered, “Ah!” as if something had clicked.

“Ah, I see. You must not be aware since you’ve been in the Illyhad Empire. If you’re talking about Lady Charlotte Verben…”

Lady Verben?

My real name is… ‘Janet Verben.’ I’m the second daughter of the Marquis of Verben.

‘Wait, Janet said she was a daughter of the Marquis of Verben too?’

So does that mean the Grand Duke Ludwig’s original fiancée is another daughter of the Marquis of Verben?

‘A love triangle between sisters over one man. No wonder she might want to run away.’

It made sense that Jeanette wouldn’t want to return to the Kingdom of Hamond with Lowell. Having a child from a one-night stand with her sister’s fiancé? What greater disgrace could there be?

“Well…”

Robert glanced at Natasha, seemingly hesitant to say more.

“It’s not something I can openly discuss in front of the imperial citizen. I’ll explain later.”

“What? Did something happen with the Marquis of Verben?”

“Well, something did happen, but…”

Robert scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, and Jeanette grew more anxious, though he didn’t seem willing to reveal more.

“Let’s stop with the idle chatter,” Natasha intervened, feeling out of place as the only imperial citizen among them.

“It seems they’ve returned.”

“Oh, you’re quite perceptive.”

“Returned? Who?”

“Who else?”

Natasha opened the door.

“The Grand Duke of Müller.”

Standing at the threshold, about to open the door, was Ludwig, who frowned slightly as he looked at Natasha.

“What a warm welcome.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

After exchanging some sarcastic remarks, Ludwig’s gaze finally landed on Jeanette.

“…!”

Though he said nothing, it was clear that he was deeply shaken.

Natasha, observing the cracks forming in the previously cold and composed Ludwig, hummed quietly to herself.

‘Well, would you look at that?’

It made her wonder if the Grand Duke hadn’t just come to take the child.

‘If he wanted to take the child, Jeanette would naturally follow. This method certainly has a higher chance of success than just trying to take Jeanette alone.’

When she thought about it that way, it made a lot of sense.

Had Ludwig put so much effort into finding not just Lowell, whose paternity wasn’t even certain, but… Jeanette?

“The recognition claim is complete.”

Ludwig waved the recognition claim document in front of Natasha.

“The paternity test results should be out soon as well.”

“So quickly…”

“There are about 30 minutes left.”

The Grand Duke’s influence was unmistakable. Normally, even for nobility, a paternity test would take a day or two.

They had taken Lowell’s hair for the test while they were in the salon, and the process had been incredibly swift.

Thanks to magic tools, the results would come out quickly. The only problem was the long waitlist.

“Natasha, was it? As per your suggestion, I’ll be filing for the ‘Custody and Parental Rights Change’ request as soon as the paternity results are confirmed.”

Jeanette flinched at those words, surprised. She looked at Natasha with pleading eyes.

Natasha merely shrugged.

“I suggest you hire a legitimate lawyer.”

“Would you consider becoming my lawyer?”

“Unfortunately, I already have a prior engagement.”

Ludwig asked again, as if puzzled.

“Rumor has it you’ll defend anyone for the right price.”

“Have you even investigated me? You’ve used your time quite efficiently, I see.”

“There wasn’t much to investigate. Isn’t that how lawyers work? They’ll defend the worst of criminals if paid, using any means necessary to lessen their punishment.”

In the Illyhad Empire, lawyers were particularly notorious for their ruthlessness.

Unlike in other countries where laws were rarely enforced, Illyad maintained strict legal protocols.

Naturally, the public perception of lawyers, who often defended haughty nobles and criminals, was quite low.

“I’ll offer this much upfront. How about it?”

Ludwig raised two fingers. Two thousand gold? Twenty thousand gold? Natasha tried to estimate the amount in her head.

“When the trial is over, I’ll add this much more. And if the result pleases me, I’ll give you a bonus.”

The number of fingers shifted from two to three, then quickly to one. She wondered how much that all added up to.

‘Even if it’s in increments of a thousand gold, that’s six thousand gold. If it’s ten thousand gold… sixty thousand…’

It was an astronomical sum. She couldn’t help but wonder which it would be. Just then, she noticed Jeanette trembling slightly in her field of vision.

‘With Jeanette’s salary, she won’t be able to afford a decent lawyer.’

At best, she could probably hire someone marginally better than a public defender. If Natasha accepted the Duke’s offer, Janet would stand alone at the trial.

Ignorance is a crime.

At least, that’s how it worked in the face of the law. No one would wake you if you fell asleep on your rights.

If you didn’t hire a lawyer, you would be defenseless against the opposing side’s legal tactics.

‘Ugh, this is really heartbreaking.’

Whether it was six thousand or sixty thousand gold, she felt tears welling up at the thought of turning down such a fortune.

But even Natasha knew better than to lose her sense of judgment in this situation.

‘Right. If I take the Duke’s side here and Lowell becomes the heir, who knows what that clever kid might do to me?’

It wasn’t just that.

‘I could probably win a bigger sum than six thousand gold through the lawsuit.’

Natasha desperately tried to justify her decision. She convinced herself she was making the right choice.

“Don’t try to buy me with money.”

It was a line that didn’t suit her at all. But when else would she get the chance to pretend to be a lawyer who stood firm on principles, even in the face of money?

“This is unexpected.”

Ludwig withdrew gracefully. The large amount of money he had signaled with his fingers disappeared just as quickly.

‘You’re not going to ask again? Wow, how petty.’

Had he asked about a dozen more times, she might have caved in and pretended not to know better. The money still glimmered before her eyes, but Natasha tried to act as if it didn’t matter.

“I’ll keep my integrity rather than take that money.”

“Natasha…!”

Jeanette looked at her with a face full of emotion. Having lived on the first floor of the law office, she knew well how rare such a situation was.

Lowell, on the other hand, stood sullenly, as if wondering if something had gone wrong with her.

“If that’s what you came here for, I’m afraid you’ve wasted your time. I’ll see you in court.”

When Natasha responded firmly, Ludwig had no choice but to turn his back.

Just before leaving, he casually threw out a remark as he looked at Janet.

“That dress… suits you well.”

Before Jeanette could reply, the door clicked shut. Jeanette looked slightly bewildered.

“Would you like some tea?”

“No, I’m fine. I’ve heard the rumors.”

Jeanette politely declined. Ivan, who had been about to brew some tea, clicked his tongue in disappointment.

“I never imagined I’d visit here as a guest.”

“Indeed. That Duke Müller… It’s a shame I didn’t get to see him in person.”

After hearing the brief details, Ivan lamented about how he had waited outside the office door the entire time, though no one really paid attention to his plight.

“Lawyer, thank you for what you said earlier. As you know, I… don’t have the wealth to keep hiring lawyers for a long trial.”

Natasha nodded as if she had already expected that.

“I know you’re one of the best in this field. That must mean your fees are just as high. I’m sorry, but I can’t afford that. So, it’s better if you accept the Duke’s offer now.”

“What if there’s another way?”

“Excuse me?”

“What if I didn’t reject the Duke’s proposal for no reason? What if there’s a way for you to afford my fees and even make a profit?”

Jeanette’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Is that… possible?”

“Civil Code, Article 913. ‘The legal guardian has the right and duty to protect and educate the child.’ That’s the fundamental principle.”

Natasha pulled a pipe from her drawer and placed it in her mouth.

Huff.

The smoke from the herbal leaves scattered into the air, creating a dreamy atmosphere.

“Therefore, the legal parents are obligated to raise their children. If one parent fulfills that obligation alone, they can demand child support from the other.”

“Child support…”

“That’s not limited to the present or future. How old is Lowell now?”

“…Nine years old.”

“Nine years. So, Duke Müller has neglected his duty as a father, leaving Janet to raise Lowell alone for nine years.”

Through the rising smoke, Natasha’s blue eyes glimmered.

“I’ll collect those nine years of child support for you. In return, I’ll take a portion of it as my fee. How does that sound? A fair deal, isn’t it?”

Jeanette, having witnessed Natasha’s true legal prowess for the first time, was momentarily speechless.

“Is… is that really possible?”

“Of course. The Duke has considerable wealth, so the child support will be substantial.”

Jeanette still looked a bit bewildered. Well, it wasn’t surprising, considering Hamond Kingdom didn’t have such legal provisions.

“Well, in any case, my offer isn’t bad, is it?”

“It’s more than just ‘not bad.’ If that’s true…”

Natasha, assuring her that the details would be explained later, extended her hand.

“Will you hire me as your lawyer?”

Without hesitation, Jeanette grasped her hand.

“I’m counting on you, Lawyer.”

Tears glistened at the corner of her eyes.