The Duke and Duchess' Divorce Circumstances

So handsome! Ramiel was breathtakingly handsome. How could a person be so perfect in every detail?

 

The sunlight streaming through the window behind him made Ramiel’s hair sparkle. He looked like a masterpiece meticulously crafted by an artisan, transcending human beauty.

 

Ray’s heart pounded.

‘I need to imprint this in my memory over the next year.’

Without a photo, she had to capture as much as possible in her memory to look back on during tough times.

“Speak up if you have something to say,” Ramiel said, turning a page in his book, seemingly aware of Ray’s gaze.

“You’re really handsome, Ramiel.”

It was perhaps the first time he had heard someone directly compliment his looks, making him look up from his book to gaze at Ray.

“Out of all the people I’ve seen in my life, including other dimensions, Ramiel is by far the best.”

 

Ramiel looked bewildered by the sudden praise.

 

“Other dimensions?”

 

“Yes. Even in my world, Rael wins by a landslide.”

 

It was a very firm answer. Since she was an odd person, praising his beauty was nothing out of place.

“Am I supposed to thank you for that?”

“No, I should be thanking you. After all, this incredibly handsome man is my husband.”

Ray beamed, looking extremely pleased.

“But it’s not forever, is it?”

“Of course, but for the next year, you’re mine.”

A thrilling 365-day marriage experience with an incredibly handsome man. And at the end, a hefty allowance. There was nothing to lose in this deal. While being labeled a divorcee in Laviden was a significant downside, for Ray, who had no intention of remarrying, it was a golden opportunity.

“Of course, I’m also yours,” Ray quickly added, noticing Ramiel’s expression slightly crumpled.

At that moment, a somewhat aggressive knock sounded on the library door. The intensity of the knock made it clear who was outside.

“Come in, Kreha,” Ramiel permitted.

The door burst open, revealing a red-haired man.

“Master, should we cut down that tree at the end of the training ground… Oh, ma’am, you’re here too?”

Ray had been planning to seek out Kreha, so she was glad he came to her.

“Kreha, are you very busy these days? Could you train me for a few days?”

“Training? For you, ma’am?”

Kreha’s eyes were filled with questions like ‘Why?’, ‘Are you serious?’, and ‘What for?’

“I want to train to not be nervous in front of the Crown Prince.”

Upon hearing the reason, Kreha’s expression twisted as if he had heard something absurd.

Ramiel, curious about his response, leaned back in his chair and quietly watched.

“…Just hold on tightly to your husband’s arm.”

That was Kreha’s response after a few seconds of thought. Trying to build confidence to face the Crown Prince by holding her husband’s arm? Ridiculous.

“If that’s all you can offer, I’ll start addressing you formally in front of Wilpoff.”

Ray’s threat made Kreha’s complexion darken a bit.

When Ray first came to the Ruivan estate, she naturally addressed Kreha formally, which led to a severe reprimand from Wilpoff for insubordination.

Kreha’s complexion worsened slightly at Ray’s threat.

 

Not long after Ray entered the Ruivan mansion, Kreha, who had naturally accepted her formal address, was caught by Wilpoff and severely scolded.

Back then, Kreha spent several days locked in the study, receiving etiquette lessons so intense that he preferred the grueling training sessions with Ramiel.

“Are you serious, ma’am?”

“Why would I joke with you? I’m serious.”

“I thought you could even visit a cemetery at night.”

“Living people are scarier!”

“That’s true. Living things are indeed scarier.”

Seeing a man, who seemed like a wild dog suited to the label ‘crazy,’ being led around by a petite woman made Ramiel stifle a laugh.

Kreha pondered deeply. The original reason for his visit was long forgotten.

“It’s a method used during subjugation missions…”

“Yes!”

Mentioning subjugation missions?

Ramiel almost laughed at the absurdity. Anyone listening would think they were preparing for a monster hunt, not a visit to the royal court.

“Look at the person in front of you and think, ‘This is just a small fry.’”

“Hmm?”

If Wilpoff had heard that, he might have grabbed his neck and fainted. Using such crude language in front of the lady of the house was unthinkable in the Ruivan estate.

Yet Ray, who wasn’t a typical lady, tilted her head curiously at the coarse word.

“Oh! Oh, please, ma’am, erase what I just said from your memory. What I mean is, regardless of who’s in front of you, just think of them as nothing.”

Kreha hastily tried to correct his slip.

“Hmm, that might be tough. How can I see the Crown Prince as a small fry? He’s too significant.”

“Of course, it’s not easy… Huh? Ma’am? Ma’am!”

Seeing Kreha floundering like a fish out of water in front of the unconventional Ray, Ramiel quietly stood up to inform the knights about removing the tree in the training ground.

 

* * *

“What’s this?”

Ray asked, taking the invitation Wilpoff handed her.

“It’s an invitation to a tea party from the Marchioness of Magsner.”

“Marchioness of Magsner?”

The name sounded familiar. Though she wasn’t sure exactly who, the subtly pleasant scent emanating from the invitation suggested the person had a charming sense.

Wilpoff thought to himself that he should add lessons on the current noble families to Ray’s education.

“It’s from the mother of Lady Caitlin. Although it’s in the Marchioness’ name, I believe her daughter will be hosting it.”

Lady Caitlin, who brought fame to the Magsner family.

While Ramiel was renowned as a groom, Caitlin was the top choice for a bride.

Caitlin, who was friendly and built relationships without erecting barriers, was sought after by everyone. Not only men but also many women wanted to be especially close to her.

Wilpoff assumed that Caitlin, aware of the newly inducted Duchess of Ruivan’s potential vulnerability in noble society, had thoughtfully invited her to gently introduce her to the social circle.

Ray cut the sealing wax with a knife and read the contents. As Wilpoff guessed, it was an invitation to a small tea party hosted by Lady Caitlin.

“I didn’t expect to receive something like this.”

Ray thought she was considered a public enemy among the noble ladies. Despite that, an invitation like this signified the undeniable social status that came with her new title.

“You’ll receive many more in the future. I’ll sort through them appropriately, so don’t worry.”

Technically, Ramiel had not yet officially received the title of Duke. Nonetheless, he held an undisputed position as a duke in noble society, and as his wife, Ray’s status also rose.

‘I’ve really become a noble.’

It felt strangely new.

“Before going to the royal court, spending some time with other noble ladies to ease your nerves might be a good idea.”

When it came time to go to the royal court to receive the title, familiar faces would help reduce the tension.

“Hmm, that’s a good idea. Since it’s a small gathering, it should be less daunting, right?”

“Of course.”

“But how did they know I’m the Duchess?”

It made sense for the Crown Prince to know from the marriage vows submitted to the royal court, but other people were unlikely to know. They hadn’t officially announced their engagement yet.

‘Is my mother spreading the news everywhere?’

Given her mother’s desperate desire for social climbing, she might be bragging about her daughter becoming the Duchess of Ruivan.

‘But my mother doesn’t have the influence to spread it in noble society.’

Ray tilted her head, puzzled. Wilpoff cautiously offered an explanation.

“You two visited the villa, didn’t you?”

“Yes, why?”

“Considering what kind of place the villa is… I’ll skip the explanation as I believe you’re aware.”

“Yes.”

“Given the nature of the villa, it’s common for people to travel there discreetly. However, you traveled in an unmistakable carriage of Ruivan’s, which is quite conspicuous. So, rumors were bound to spread.”

Ramiel chose to make their engagement known in one go rather than informing people individually, a choice typical of someone who avoided tiring social interactions.

“Wilpoff, if you give me tea party lessons, I’ll learn Kreha’s curses and ruin the party.”

“Then I… Huh?”

Blocking Wilpoff’s preemptive education with a threat, Ray smiled satisfactorily.

With a face that said, ‘Try me,’ Wilpoff had no choice but to surrender.

 

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Translator Note:

Still looking for an editor…