Leave the Divorce to a Professional Lawyer

According to Dorothy, the Duke of Richard always stopped by the glass garden whenever he returned from the Imperial Palace.

“So, the Duke will definitely pass by here today as well. Since Tasha probably doesn’t know how to deal with the Duke yet, I’ll clean the outer corridor today.”

Though she gave a plausible excuse, the sparkling look in her eyes revealed her true intentions.

‘Does she like the Duke? Or perhaps admire him?’

It didn’t matter either way.

Dorothy was planning to be sick today.

Natasha watched her retreating figure, then pulled out a small needle from the sleeve of her maid’s uniform.

It was the very needle she used to embroider every night. She probably didn’t know that the tip of the needle was coated with a drug.

“Ugh…”

Dorothy let out a small groan. Natasha, pretending to be worried, wore a distressed expression beside her.

“Are you okay?”

“…Watch your expression.”

At her warning, Natasha looked around and noticed a few passing maids glancing at her.

Natasha quickly hardened her expression.

“This won’t do. Sneak into your room. I won’t tell the head maid.”

“What? But the Duke will be…”

“Is that really the issue right now? You can just pretend you don’t know and pass by.”

After hesitating for a moment, Dorothy eventually nodded. The fever must have made her head throb.

“Don’t act like you know anything, got it?”

Dorothy repeatedly reminded her as she headed into her room.

“Just rest well today. You’ll feel better tomorrow, so don’t worry…”

Natasha smiled to herself, unseen by anyone.

A cold breeze brushed against her cheek. At night, a chilling air lingered, sending shivers down her spine.

Swish, swish.

The sound of leaves rustling in the wind echoed.

Natasha was guarding the brightly lit outer corridor.

Her role was to ensure that the corridor’s lights didn’t go out for the master who would pass through that night.

The light flickered precariously with each gust of wind.

Swish.

When the wind blew once more, Natasha noticed a hem of clothing caught in the corner of her vision, only then realizing his presence.

In a flash, she looked up to see a man silently walking down the corridor.

His bright blonde hair stood out even in the darkness. Unlike Natasha’s lemon-colored hair, his was so deep it looked as though it was made of molten gold.

You could easily believe someone if they said his hair was spun from gold thread.

His clear blue eyes were like a deep lake.

A lake so deep you couldn’t see the bottom. Just by looking at it, you could imagine yourself drowning in its depths.

‘Ah.’

For a moment, Natasha snapped back to her senses. Following Dorothy’s advice, she bowed her head and stepped aside.

She recognized him instantly. It was the Duke of Richard.

‘Claude Richard…’

The one and only legitimate heir of the Richard dukedom.

He didn’t spare Natasha a glance as he headed toward the garden.

Clack, clack.

With each step, the sword at his waist swayed in rhythm with his gait. Perhaps because he was within his own estate, or maybe because he was such a skilled knight, he didn’t have a single guard following him.

‘If someone were to assassinate him, this would be the perfect opportunity.’

Natasha foolishly thought.

She had heard countless rumors about his appearance, but seeing him in person proved they were no exaggeration.

‘No. I was actually hoping to catch a glimpse of whatever is hidden in the glass garden…’

Would the Duke truly not notice Natasha’s presence?

Though Natasha was trained in basic self-defense, she wasn’t on the level of a formal knight.

Unless one was a highly skilled assassin, every move would be detected.

‘Should I take the risk and just go in? Or should I knock out a gardener and take his clothes… No, causing a scene would do more harm than good.’

As Natasha’s worries spiraled, the perfect solution walked right into view.

“Oh… oh…!”

A flash of pink hair shimmered.

“Oh no… oh no…!”

Estelle, unable to call out Natasha’s name, stopped in her tracks, unable to hide her shocked expression.

Two maidservants and three maids followed behind her. Natasha calculated her options in an instant.

“As you requested, I will accompany you.”

“Huh?”

Estelle had a bewildered expression on her face.

Natasha gave her a knowing look, as if telling her to play along, and Estelle awkwardly responded.

“Uh… did I… say that?”

“Yes. You mentioned that I should show you around the garden, didn’t you? I’ve been waiting.”

Estelle still couldn’t hide her confusion, so the maid accompanying her chimed in.

“That’s what you said, right?”

“Oh? Oh, yeah, I think I did.”

“But since we’re not here to tour the garden today, it’s probably best to send them back.”

Not here to tour the garden? Natasha wondered what they were really here for.

“I must have forgotten, but let’s just go along for now. How about it?”

“What? But…”

“It’s an honor to accompany the Duchess.”

Natasha quickly expressed her gratitude, leaving the maid beside them with nothing more to say.

Estelle mouthed silently, “Am I doing this right?” Natasha subtly smiled and nodded in approval.

Thus, Natasha managed to enter the garden, pretending to be one of Estelle’s maids.

“Wow…”

Estelle quietly marveled as she stepped into the garden.

“So, they say it’s always blooming here. It really is…”

Though she had been the mistress of this mansion for three years, she acted as if she was seeing it for the first time.

‘No, it really does seem like her first time.’

Though she knew the garden had strict entry rules, she hadn’t expected it to be off-limits even to the Duchess.

“Look! Isn’t this a flower from the Eastern Continent? I heard it’s used in rare teas. So, they were growing it here.”

“Yes, I should check if we can serve it at the next tea time.”

“No, there’s no need for that.”

“Everything in this Duke’s estate belongs to you, Lady Estelle!”

‘Lady Estelle?’

The title sounded odd. Instead of ‘Duchess,’ it was ‘Lady Estelle.’

Moreover, the maid’s strangely familiar tone made it seem as though they were friends.

‘Ah. I get it.’

Natasha finally realized the peculiar sense of déjà vu she had been feeling.

‘It’s the expression.’

Estelle’s maids—no, to be precise, those near Estelle—glowed beautifully as if painted with colors.

Like a single flower blooming in the snow of winter. She shone brightly, standing out on her own.

‘Being here, it’s certain…’

Seeing Estelle smiling brightly after always having a stiff expression, Natasha felt her heart softly melt.

She truly was a lovely young lady.

‘Maybe this is why she was elevated from a madwoman to the Duchess.’

Anyone who witnessed Estelle, not just her maids, would have noticed.

Estelle was the only spring in the Duke Richard’s household.

A single ray of warm sunlight that came to this cold winter castle.

Perhaps even Dorothy changed her opinion of Estelle because of that.

‘More importantly, if I’d really been tasked with guiding the garden, it would’ve been a disaster.’

The garden was more elaborately arranged than she had expected, so any clumsiness would have been apparent.

Natasha sighed in relief internally as she followed closely behind Estelle.

“Um…”

“You can call me Tasha.”

“Okay. Tasha, you’re one of the maids managing this garden, right? Do you know where the glass garden is?”

Indeed, life never goes easy. Just as Natasha felt relieved, Estelle innocently dropped a bombshell.

Natasha, like a seasoned lawyer, maintained an impeccable expression.

“Of course. Please, follow me.”

From here, she had no choice but to engage her brain at full capacity.

Fortunately, just moments ago, the Duke had entered the garden, and he likely headed to the glass garden.

‘If I follow the Duke’s trail, I should reach the glass garden.’

Though the Duke moved silently like a knight, that didn’t mean he was weightless.

Luckily, the garden had been watered this morning, so the ground was slightly damp.

‘Found it!’

Natasha, spotting the faint footprint on the ground, kindly smiled and led Estelle inside.

“Please, follow me.”

The glass garden, built within the picturesque garden, was truly stunning enough to leave anyone in awe.

The atmosphere was so surreal that it made one doubt their own eyes.

:I can see why the Duke kept this hidden to enjoy alone.’

Anyone would want to keep such a place to themselves.

“Claude!”

When Estelle called out slightly louder, Claude turned his head to look at her.

The cold, ice-like expression on his face softened slightly.

‘Huh?’

While Natasha was momentarily doubting her own eyes, Estelle approached Claude and offered a small bow.

She lifted the hem of her dress lightly and gave a polite greeting.

“Thank you for inviting me. This glass greenhouse and the garden are both truly beautiful!”

“I’m glad you’re pleased.”

“But, why did you call me here today…?”

“Do I need a special reason to be with my wife?”

Claude’s eyes crinkled into a soft smile.

‘Is that so?’

Natasha unconsciously narrowed her eyes.

‘I wondered why the Duke Richard was causing such a fuss hiding the contract, but…?’

It was unmistakably the face of a man in love.

Whether Claude knew or not, he continued to chat warmly with Estelle.

“Lately, it seemed like you were avoiding me… was that just my imagination?”

“A-avoiding you? Never!”

“And sneaking into my room?”

“How did you…!”

“Were you searching for something you lost?”

Estelle stiffened at his peculiar tone.

‘So the Duke was the one who took the prenuptial contract after all.’

Judging by his admission, it seemed he had no intention of hiding it. What was especially frustrating was how he subtly referred to it as a “lost item” instead of the prenuptial contract.

“You’re being unfair. You chased after me when you liked me, but now that you’ve caught me, have you lost interest?”

“What? No, I don’t like you anymore, or rather, I never really liked you…”

As Estelle mumbled, Claude’s gaze grew slightly stern. However, as soon as Estelle lifted her head to look at him, his expression softened instantly.

Witnessing the entire exchange, Natasha felt as if she might cough up blood.

‘Having to watch a couple’s lovey-dovey moment. What an extreme job…’

But it seemed that Claude was the only one dreaming of a rosy future. When Claude teasingly taunted Estelle, she finally couldn’t hold back and fired back directly.

“Duke. Although the contract is gone, please keep your promise as we initially discussed.”

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

Claude’s eyes wavered slightly.

“Divorce me.”

Estelle finally declared her intent to divorce.