The Duke and Duchess' Divorce Circumstances

“…Who did you say she was?”

 

Taylor, who was still sane, asked on behalf of the dazed Wilpoff. However, their owner only slightly furrowed his eyebrows with an expression that asked, ‘What are you asking after hearing this?’

 

“I see.”

 

Wilpoff, who came to his senses in two seconds, answered and left the room, with Taylor hurriedly following him.

 

‘Ray Alexis!’

 

In the two short days when Taylor and Wilpoff were both gone, the owner came with a crazy man looking for a marriage partner. No matter how much it was meant to be blindfolded, or even if it was only pretended for a short period of time, this was not the case. He needed a suitable partner who wouldn’t stand out too much, and there was no need to meet the witch of Ravidon!

 

Somehow, he wondered why that woman suddenly came to Ruivan Manor.

 

“Did you know?”

 

There was even a hint of sadness in Wilpoff’s voice as he asked somberly.

 

“That can’t be right.”

 

Perhaps he was even more shocked than Taylor. Wilpoff’s family, who had been Ruivan’s butler for generations, had a high level of pride in the family they protected. These were people who considered it an honor to have contributed to the continued status of Ruivan as a prestigious family. For them, it was a shocking event that the entire family of Marquis Ruivan had died. In addition, they thought that the fact that a bastard had taken over everything was tantamount to ruining their honor and their entire lives. It was Walter Draretta, the former butler, who stuck to the Marquis and acted like a tongue in his mouth. He was the one who brought Ramiel’s mother in and had the Marquis use her as a plaything. To find and bring back what Marquis Ruivan wanted. Walter thought it was to protect Ruivan. However, he had no idea that he would be so captivated by that pretty plaything that he would forget his family and the reputation of those around him, and would keep her in a separate building in the house and even take her as his concubine. It was the mistake of a lifetime. Since the hat in the outbuilding was a reminder of his mistakes, he naturally could not treat them kindly. 

 

Walter, who lived in Ruivan’s mansion, had four children, and among them, Wilpoff was an eccentric one. He was secretly giving away hats from a separate building that everyone else was reluctant to wear. At first, he thought they were doing it to impress Marquis Ruivan, who was infatuated with them, but when he found out that they were even helping him by secretly giving him his pocket money, the sky was about to turn blue.

 

No matter how much his family has done their best as Ruivan’s butler, that was only when the opponent was ‘Ruivan’. There was no need to take care of the bugs in the outbuilding that would one day be thrown away because they were not Ruivan. Due to a separate matter, Walter did not treat Wilpoff as his son. He was simply seen as a troublesome and needlessly affectionate person who tarnished the family’s honor. However, he had no idea that Ruivan, whom he thought would forever be a contender, would disappear so vainly in the subjugation war.

 

‘How can Ruivan, led by a bastard, be called the true Ruivan!’

 

Walter thought this way. He had to. Otherwise, he might be beheaded by the only remaining heir of Ruivan. This was because he knew very well how he had treated Ramiel so far. So, before he was fired under the pretext of the family’s honor, he quit his job and left Ruivan with his family before his bastard returned from the subjugation war. He leaves behind a third child, Willpoff, who was a special child. The ultimate goal of the remaining members of the Draretta family in Ruivan was to see Ramiel stand tall. They wanted to show those who ran away that Ruivan was still alive and well and that the beautiful head of the family was holding on well. But what was this all of a sudden?

 

‘Go to Leanello! The witch of Ravidon!’

 

It was a very shabby family that had nothing but money, let alone a title. He couldn’t even believe that the woman who had become infamous for being rude these days was her master’s mate.

 

‘I’m sure there was a list that Taylor and I carefully created, but where did it go and why did Ray Alexis suddenly appear?’

 

He was away from the mansion for two days. In just that short period of time, something unbelievable happened. It had been over a year since he had cut ties with his family. So, he was a bit worried about whether to go to the funeral or not, but he went because he thought it was the right thing to do since they were family and the mother who gave birth to him.

 

‘I didn’t see anything good there anyway.’

 

If he had known it would be like this, he would never have gone. No matter how much he thought he would break up with Ray Alexis in the future, this really wasn’t the case.

 

“…If Ramiel has decided, it cannot be changed.”

 

After dozens of deep sighs, clenched fists, and frowned eyebrows, Taylor agreed with Wilpoff’s empty words.

 

“I can’t change it. I don’t know what possessed me.”

 

Was he actually shocked by the last suicide incident, knowingly or unknowingly? So he found someone he would never fall for.

 

“Since Ramiel can’t change his mind, I guess all we have to do is have the other person change his mind.”

 

Wilpoff spoke in a light tone.

 

“Huh? What?”

 

“I am against this combination.”

 

“I couldn’t even imagine a combination like this, but Ramiel is so strong…”

 

“Engagement is not marriage. You can break off an engagement as much as you want. It’s not okay to break off an engagement with Ramiel.”

 

Wilpoff’s eyes shone with determination. From her childhood, everyone around Ramiel was her enemy except her mother. Even those who approached with kindness had different intentions. Taylor knew very well that everyone pointed fingers at Ramiel, calling him a bastard, until he swallowed everything in Ruivan and made a grand entrance to the public.

 

“Wear this.”

 

On the day Ramiel first appeared in the social world, Taylor put away the black uniform he had originally wanted to wear and presented a pure white uniform.

 

“And always smile brightly. Smile no matter what the other person says. Even if you are angry, you must hold back and respond with a relaxed smile.”

 

The capital’s social scene was all about smiling on the outside and cutting behind the scenes. The weapon in that silent war was the mouth. No one actually loses their life in a social war, but if you made a mistake, it could lead to the death of your social reputation. It went without saying that Ruivan’s bastard son, who had just appeared in the world, was at a disadvantage from the start. So, he had to use his best strengths to captivate people’s hearts so that he wouldn’t fall apart from the start.

 

His best advantage was his appearance as beautiful as an angel. Even though the contents were quite different from what it looked like, the attractive packaging was a big advantage. Although Ramiel was reluctant, he listened to Taylor, and as a result, he returned with the nickname ‘Ravidon’s Angel.’ A nobleman with a gorgeous appearance, formal speech, and a gentle smile who takes care of everyone regardless of their status and rather humbles himself. His first appearance was still talked about as ‘the descent of a pure white angel.’ It was a moment that completely shattered the prejudices of those who expected him to be rude, rough, and an idiot who knew nothing about aristocratic society because he had come from a subjugation war.

 

People forgot that he was a ‘bastard’ and a ‘disgrace to Ruivan’. Of course, there were some who were not forgotten, but they were quietly buried in social circles as a result of not conforming to public opinion and speaking poorly. In just one year, Ruivan’s angel took over the social world. Taylor, who was watching this from right next to him, felt joy. He’s probably not that different from Willpoff. He also hoped that Ramiel would stand tall without any flaws.

 

“She will come in three days. We must also thoroughly prepare to welcome guests.”

 

Taylor responded to Willpoff’s words by nodding his head.

 

* * *

 

The road to Leanello was truly a festive atmosphere. Even when they opened the train to the capital after much trouble, it was not to this extent. Ray, who was treated as an insane high treason criminal for sneaking out of the mansion, became a rare lover after lying that she actually did it because she wanted to meet Ramiel.

 

“I guess that’s why I tried to make such an extreme choice at that time. There is someone I love so much, but my parents didn’t know about it and pushed the engagement to the Wright family.”

 

“No matter how secret it is, why don’t you give me a little hint. You were hiding it like you were suffering from something because you were in a relationship.”

 

The eldest daughter, who was criticized as ruining the family, saying, “I can’t live because of him,” “the source of all ills for the Leanello couple,” and “a troublemaker who couldn’t get married,” was quickly given epithets such as a hero who established the family, a goddess of temptation, etc. She eventually came to the conclusion that the reason she used her mouth like a witch was because she trusted Ramiel. No, not that. She wasn’t that bad of a supporting character.

 

“…If we break up, I shouldn’t tell the house.”

 

After the contract ended, Ray decided to quickly leave the capital and announce the breakup to her family through a letter.

 

‘I would like to announce that I am divorced. Out of regret, I cannot bear to see my parents and want to quietly leave the capital and live alone. Please don’t look for me.’

 

Was this enough? Lytham did not have a separate idea of filial piety, nor did it had any etiquette that required them to respect their elders. In addition, the bond between parents and children was not very strong in Ravidon. Ravidon’s nobles were the main social ruling class, and for such nobles, children were like means of blood to carry on the family’s wealth and honor. It was a bit difficult to expect the typical affection between parents and children among the powerful families in the capital. The Leanello family also did not have a close relationship between parents and children. So, she didn’t feel too sorry or guilty about writing a letter and then disappearing. She would send her greetings through letters, and when her parents’ anger subsides, it would be okay for them to come visit again.

 

‘In just one year, I will be free.’

 

The first step toward that freedom was approaching. It was a time when Ray was immersed in sweet dreams of the future with an overflowing heart.

 

“Hey. Sister, sister. It’s a real Ruivan carriage…”

 

Her younger sister Fianna, who was waiting for the carriage with her in front of the mansion, let out an exclamation. Oscar and Eina also expressed a little admiration. Now the whole family was on their way to see off Ray Alexis, who had elevated the family. The carriage sent by Ramiel was not extremely large, but anyone could see that it was rich. The paper was of the highest quality. In addition to the colorful patterns carved on the carriage, the small statues studded here and there made the carriage stand out even more. Now that she thought about it, she heard that those pieces were carefully carved and made by skilled craftsmen who had to wait several months even if they paid a lot of money.

 

‘I heard that the previous head of the Ruivan family liked flashy things.’

 

The roses and lizards that symbolized the family were made of rubies and emeralds and were embedded in the corners of the carriage.

 

‘Is that window frame real gold?’

 

“Oh?”

 

Kreha approached Ray, who was looking closely at the carriage’s decorations.

 

“How com… How did Sir Krehar come here?”

 

“Something came up with Ramiel, so he couldn’t come in person, so he sent me instead. The master asked me to tell you that he is sorry.”

 

‘Oh my, what is this? It feels awkward to say it so casually. I think he spoke in a tone like that of a back-alley gangster.’ 

 

Her once colorful face had become sober, as if he had received healing magic.

 

“This is Lord Kreha, the leader of the Knights of Ruivan.”

 

When Ray introduced Kreha to the family who were staring at them, the atmosphere instantly heated up. She could feel their excitement at the fact that the ‘Knight Commander’ had come to pick up their eldest daughter. Ray quickly said bye to her family seemed to be talking to Kreha by asking him various questions.

 

“I’m going. Fianna, bye.”

 

“Goodbye, my daughter.”

 

“Ray, I’ll see you at the wedding.”

 

“Goodbye, sister!”

 

It was customary for a Lytham bride to go live at her groom’s home at least a month before the wedding to familiarize herself with the life of the family she was marrying into. In this way, she learned the family’s customs, and when she acquired the appearance of a hostess to a certain extent, she announced her engagement to others and held a wedding ceremony. From the moment she entered the groom’s family, the bride completely became a member of that family and was treated as a hostess. As the carriage left the Leanello mansion and appeared as a dot, Ray opened the window and looked out. Kreha, who was riding a horse, approached the carriage.

 

“Who said I was a knight commander?”

 

“It’s Ramiel. I thought you were a coachman, but you are an important person.”

 

He laughed when he heard that she thought he was a coachman. Yes, this was the superficial guy.

 

“When I asked the maids, they said she couldn’t sleep before she left home for her wedding.”

 

“Why would someone who knows everything be like this? I guess I couldn’t sleep?”

 

‘I really like this way of speaking and spirit’. 

 

He was really looking forward to seeing Ray, who would verbally beat down the butlers and administrators who were anxious to get rid of him whenever they saw him. Kreha giggled and continued.

 

“I really like it there. I hope you’re doing well at Ruivan.”

 

She was offended because she rudely referred to him as ‘that one’ without even thinking about it, but Ray didn’t seem to mind. Rather, her eyes widened as if she had heard something unexpected from him.

 

“Hmm. Well, it’s better than hating it. Hey, I have a question.”

 

Now that she was leaving home and heading to Reuivan Manor, she was likely to become curious. Since Ramiel was also away, Kreha planned to answer anything Ray asked about his master or family.

 

“What is it?”

 

Ray asked, pointing her finger at the window frame.

 

“Is this real gold?”

 

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