Chapter – 23
Of course, donating to the temple had been a complete lie.
Taking money under the guise of a noble cause and then divorcing—well, what happened afterward was none of anyone’s business.
There was a risk of being found out before the divorce, of course, but Blake had promised he’d handle it all for a small fee.
Having a reliable informant really was something.
“I understand your wishes, Ma’am. I’ll tell the accountant separately, so if you need the money, you can get it through Herden.”
“Thank you.”
Having finished my business, I rose from my seat neatly.
Like with Kendo, I didn’t want to have a long conversation with him either.
‘…I guess I’ll have to drop by Herden’s place as well.’
At least I was lucky that, ever since Cideron left, I had built a fairly good relationship with Herden.
But before that.
My steps led not to Herden’s office but to my own room.
I slammed the door shut and glanced around, just to be sure no one was nearby.
Once I confirmed I was alone, I hurried to my desk.
I took a key from my pocket and unlocked a drawer. Inside was a violet communication stone.
With the now-familiar motions, I activated it using the magic in my eyes.
Fwoosh-
Just as I did, the stone began to sparkle—someone on the other end must have picked up the signal.
I carefully brought it to my ear.
A buzzing voice came through.
[Ma’am, what’s the matter?]
It was Blake on the other end.
Over the past seven years, I had maintained a smooth working relationship with him.
A skilled informant under Cassius, he was highly competent and extremely security-conscious.
For that reason, I had met him in person several times over the years.
I had been surprised at how young he was, but there were many talented young people in novels, weren’t there?
He was older than me anyway, so I didn’t think much of it.
One thing was strange, though.
Over the past seven years, I occasionally asked him about an informant named ‘Khan.’
But Blake’s answer was always consistent.
‘Just as Cideron arrived a year earlier than in the original story, perhaps this informant is the same?’
Well, I could worry about that later.
Anyway, he had been more helpful with my plans than I expected, and as a result, he had become like my own right hand.
‘Especially in a situation like this!’
I was truly grateful to have Blake.
Half-relieved, I spoke urgently.
“Blake! There’s a problem.”
[A problem?]
“My husband will be back within a month.”
I was panicking, but Blake’s voice remained calm.
[Huh? You just found out now?]
“…What?”
I heard his soft chuckle over the stone.
[I told you before. With the war ending soon, I asked if you were okay with that.]
Right. I had dismissed it back then, blindly trusting the original story.
[So… you didn’t have a plan?]
“…I didn’t know it would really end so soon. I thought he’d come back in about a year…”
[Hmm. And the divorce papers? I guess you haven’t prepared them either.]
“…Well, if I go to the temple, they should issue them within a month, right?”
[Apparently many nobles are getting divorces these days, so the temple has a backlog.]
What?!
I hadn’t heard that.
My face turned pale.
“Th-then… what should I do?”
Cideron wouldn’t come after me immediately, but you never know.
With him returning from the battlefield a year earlier than in the original story, the story’s reliability had already taken a hit.
As I frantically worked out a plan in my head, Blake let out a short sigh.
[I anticipated you’d react like this, Ma’am, so I already booked the divorce papers for you.]
Heavens!
“Blake, you’re my only hope!”
[I’ll only charge about three gold.]
Three gold was roughly three million won.
Bastard.
[If you don’t want to, fine.]
“No! I do want to… please.”
‘Naughty man.’
Blake was clever. He probably knew I wouldn’t refuse.
[Done. The appointment is the day after tomorrow, so don’t forget it.]
His cheerful tone made my stomach twist. My precious three gold…
‘Still, if I handle this right, it’ll all be over.’
“…Got it. By the way, what about the other favor I asked?”
Aside from being money-hungry and shallow, Blake was a perfect assistant—extremely competent.
I had bought a lot of information from him, but our relationship was more than just client and helper.
[The mine, right? Of course I got it.]
I had been planning a business with him for a long time.
A smile crept onto my face at his words.
Everything was perfect.
I’d gone to Herden and redirected most of the accumulated funds for maintaining appearances to myself, and I had successfully obtained the divorce papers from the temple.
With my seal already stamped, all that was left was to get Cideron’s seal, and our divorce would be complete.
I woke up and immediately checked the calendar.
“September 13th.”
The date I had previously reserved with Herden.
I had checked it hundreds of times; there was no mistake.
Too nervous to sleep properly, I spent the night half-awake, swallowing my saliva nervously.
‘Finally, the day has come.’
Today was… the day Cideron returned and the day I handed him the divorce papers.
‘Don’t panic. If I handle today well, my role will be done.’
Thinking that it had been seven years since we last met made my heart flutter.
I worried that even a small mistake might make him resent me, and my chest ached slightly.
“Ma’am, the master has just arrived.”
Startled by the butler’s voice from outside the door, I checked the time and was even more shocked. It was 8 a.m.
‘Seriously, shouldn’t I get a little time to prepare mentally?’
He was supposed to return a year later.
And yet he arrived a year early, and the timing was this fast?
‘Stay calm.’
I wiped my sweaty hands on my clothes and steadied my trembling heart.
The maids came in to help me get ready.
Even then, my eyes remained fixed on the drawer holding the divorce papers.
‘My seal is already stamped. I just need his, then submit it to the temple.’
Then it’s over. Done.
After finishing, I checked the mirror one last time.
Even now, I could confidently say I was beautiful.
Even Merry, who had hesitated to answer when I was young, now gave a thumbs-up as if it were natural.
And with my husband returning after seven years, the maids had paid extra attention, making my face glow even more than usual.
‘This much, and I can’t be called a pumpkin anymore.’
Satisfied, I recalled my plan, which I had reviewed dozens of times.
‘Goal: divorce. Divorce. Divorce!’
I held the divorce papers tightly so I wouldn’t lose them and headed to the parlor where Cideron was waiting.
By the time my trembling subsided slightly, I arrived at the parlor door.
‘I can do this!’
I quietly encouraged myself and knocked.
Knock knock.
No response, but I didn’t expect one.
Better to strike first. I opened the door immediately.
And at that moment, my eyes met Cideron’s, waiting there.
‘Seven years…’
I swallowed.
‘He’s almost unrecognizable.’
His jet-black hair and golden eyes shone like molten gold, making him instantly recognizable from a distance.
But everything else was clearly different.
His chubby cheeks had slimmed, his delicate features were now sharp and sleek.
His ordinary frame had grown larger and sturdier, perhaps from the war.
If his childhood self reminded one of a wild, untamed cat, now he looked like a majestic black panther.
Had I seen only his back, I would have mistaken him for someone else.
Yet I recognized him at once.
Those piercing yellow eyes staring straight at me were unforgettable.
“Long time no see.”
He smiled, showing his white teeth.
…Huh?
‘He’s really smiling, right?’
No, calm down.
Just because someone can’t feel emotions doesn’t mean they can’t show facial expressions. This had to be an act.
And… his voice had changed too.
His once-high, plain boyish tone had deepened into a low, mid-range voice.
As alien as his transformed appearance was.
I swallowed dryly, slowly letting go of the doorknob.
Then I awkwardly smiled, following him.
“L-Long time…”
As I continued, I hesitated for a moment.
‘Should I speak formally?’
My husband and I were only a year apart in age. We had spoken informally as children.
Speaking formally to a little one would feel awkward.
‘But he’s not a little kid anymore.’
I quietly added the polite ending.
“…ma’am.”
“Why the formal tone all of a sudden?”
‘This guy?’
I felt a flash of irritation but forced a broad smile.
“It’s not strange for a married couple to use polite speech.”
“Married… huh.”
He muttered to himself with a strange expression and chuckled.
“I prefer calling you by your name anyway.”
Ah, since we’re getting divorced, he probably meant we shouldn’t even say “married.”
A faint pang of disappointment ran through me.
But come to think of it, “married” really was an unsuitable word for us.
Names.
Perhaps because we hadn’t used them in a long time, saying them felt strangely unfamiliar.
“Cideron.”
“Not that.”
Huh?
“Cideron Parden Asitria.”
“…Are you doing this on purpose?”
He looked annoyed.
Why that reaction? There was no way I had forgotten his name.
Could it be…?
“Shion?”
When I reluctantly muttered it, his smile deepened, as if confirming it was correct.
