Chapter 9
Shite urged her for an answer with his eyes.
Amaryntis already had a rough idea of where the money was going.
But there were too many ears listening nearby, so she didn’t say it aloud.
Besides, she had no intention of revealing everything when she still didn’t know what Shite was really after.
“It’s your money. You’ll spend it however you want. I gave it to you for personal use in the first place. Why would I interfere?”
“Then I suppose you don’t know where the five billion Vern dowry ended up either.”
“That’s right.”
“Hmm…”
“Is that all you wanted to ask?”
“…A woman like you could have chosen a far better marriage candidate than Baron Hunniswald. Why did you choose me?”
It was such an absurd question that she almost laughed.
Because Prince Kildian sabotaged every other marriage prospect and forced me to choose among his subordinates!
Well, aside from that reason…
“Because you’re a man with no ambition, no drive, and no desire for power. For someone like me, who just wants to spend my inheritance and enjoy life, you’re perfect.”
Shite looked genuinely unable to understand.
So she kindly elaborated.
“If I’d married a high-ranking noble, I’d have to manage territories, handle family affairs, attend endless events, watch my manners around senior relatives, and then there’s politics on top of all that. Ugh. Just imagining it gives me a headache.”
She hated both politics and hard work.
She meant every word.
But it was also a warning directed at Shite.
Whatever reason he had for revealing his true nature, he shouldn’t expect her cooperation.
Don’t drag me into troublesome matters.
Got it?
She looked at him expectantly.
Shite wore a peculiar expression.
It was as though he were looking at a spoiled child.
Or perhaps the most hopeless layabout in the world.
Wait.
A hopeless layabout?
He’s looking at me like that?
“My lady.”
The voice that called to her was as warm as spring sunlight.
She had never heard that tone from him before.
Goosebumps immediately rose on her arms.
While she rubbed them, Shite smiled gently.
Then he suddenly said:
“My lady, I believe we should get a divorce.”
Complete nonsense.
“…A what?”
“A divorce.”
Was he joking?
Had he added another absurd detail to his amnesia act, like losing his sense of humor along with his memories?
Or was this simply a very unfunny joke?
Ignore it.
She turned her head as though she hadn’t heard him.
Shite stood up.
Bracing one hand on the dining table, he leaned toward her.
Close enough that she couldn’t ignore him.
And repeated himself.
“You’ll have to divorce me, my lady.”
That was the beginning.
* * *
Shite’s daily routine remained largely unchanged.
Which meant he still spent most of his time locked inside his room.
However, whenever he did leave, he invariably sought her out.
And once he found her, he stuck to her side like glue.
“Perfect timing. The palace offices should be open now. Shall we go get approval for our divorce together?”
“No.”
“Come now. Let’s get divorced.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Divorce…”
“No!”
She jumped to her feet and moved elsewhere.
But wherever she went, Shite followed.
To outside observers, their constant companionship apparently looked rather affectionate.
Before long, strange rumors began circulating.
“The two of them are together all the time these days.”
“I know, right? The lady used to wander around like someone possessed by a traveling spirit, but lately she never leaves the estate.”
“Do you think they’re dating?”
“They’re already married. What dating?”
“Oh, you silly thing. Among nobles, romance usually starts after marriage. Most of them marry for political reasons.”
“Oh my! Then those two are… Oh my, oh my!”
The maids smacked each other playfully and burst into laughter.
Meanwhile, Amaryntis sat there looking exhausted.
Listening to the ridiculous rumors made her head spin.
The reason she wasn’t leaving the estate was because she feared Shite would ambush her with divorce proceedings the moment she stepped outside.
The same reason she hadn’t gone traveling.
What if he filed for divorce while she was away?
With no children involved, the situation would obviously favor him.
Despite being obligated to produce an heir, they had never even shared a bed.
And legal disputes usually favored whoever actually appeared in court.
What if she went abroad or traveled somewhere far away as usual and got blindsided by a surprise divorce hearing?
Her inheritance would disappear like dust.
So where exactly was she supposed to go?
And dating?
Daaating?!
How was someone relentlessly chasing her around demanding a divorce remotely romantic?
That was harassment!
This was too unfair.
At this rate, she was going to expose Shite’s true nature once and for all.
Determined, she strode toward the maids.
Unaware of her presence, they continued gossiping.
“Honestly, I used to wonder why our lady married someone like him. But now that he’s cleaned himself up, isn’t the baron actually quite handsome?”
“Exactly! He doesn’t stutter anymore either, and he’s become so kind.”
“I just wish the lady would finally accept his feelings.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. A few days ago I personally witnessed something.”
“What? What did you see? Hurry and tell us!”
“Well…”
The maid lowered her voice.
“Oh my goodness! I heard that rumor too. So it’s true? What do we do? Have they already spent their first night together?!”
“Shh! Shh!”
The other maid hurriedly tried to silence her.
But Amaryntis had already heard.
Their first night?!
She stopped dead in her tracks.
At that exact moment, she sensed someone behind her.
A chin suddenly rested on her shoulder.
“Are you thinking about the divorce?”
“Eek!”
Clutching her chest, she quickly jumped away from Shite.
“Could you at least make some noise when you walk around?!”
She lowered her voice as much as possible so the maids wouldn’t hear.
Apparently they heard anyway.
“G-Good heavens, my lady!”
The maids finally noticed them.
Their faces turned pale.
They immediately retreated against the wall, lowered their heads, and exchanged nervous glances.
Naturally they were worried.
Most servants faced severe punishment—or dismissal—if they were caught gossiping about their masters’ private lives.
Amaryntis smiled reassuringly.
Then she turned and began walking away.
As she did, she grabbed Shite’s arm and dragged him along.
Though he followed obediently, he looked puzzled.
“Weren’t you about to say something to them?”
She had been.
She had intended to complain that Shite was tormenting her by constantly demanding a divorce.
But hearing the rumors had changed her mind.
Imagine if people learned that Shite wanted a divorce while rumors were already spreading that they’d spent the night together.
Everyone would immediately assume their wedding night had gone badly.
And then countless disgusting rumors would follow.
No matter how hard people tried to keep secrets, scandalous gossip always spread.
Once it started spreading, it would only be a matter of time before society’s gossips got hold of it.
And after that?
Everywhere she went, people would stare at her body and whisper behind her back like a pack of hyenas.
Ugh.
The mere thought made her shudder.
Besides—
“If we respond to every bit of servant gossip, we’ll just look petty.”
“So appearing a certain way is more important than correcting false information?”
“Sometimes.”
In truth, it was always that way.
Ever since she was born.
To her, perfection had always been more valuable than truth.
Shite looked at her as though he couldn’t understand her at all.
Not that she needed his understanding.
“So here’s my proposal. Let’s keep the divorce issue between ourselves and settle it privately.”
Shite didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he gazed at her silently.
Then a strangely bitter, almost ominous smile appeared on his face.
“If that is what you wish, my lady.”
He inclined his head slightly.
“Then I shall do as you ask.”
* * *
After Amaryntis suggested that they settle the divorce matter privately, Shite seemed to go completely insane.
“My lady, the sky is especially clear today. Such a beautiful shade of blue—almost the same color as your hair. Have you noticed?”
“Oh? You’re right.”
“Indeed.”
He nodded.
“And every time I look up at it, I find myself wanting a divorce.”
“…What?”
“Today, of all days, I sincerely hope you’ll grant me one.”
Like a man possessed, he followed her everywhere, inventing new ways to bring up divorce.
Even though he couldn’t actually get divorced himself because of Prince Kildian’s orders!
Why was he tormenting her like this?
Could it be that he wants something else?
Yet no matter how often she confronted him, argued with him, or tried to reason with him—even cornering him in his room—his answer never changed.
“You wish to put our heads together and think of a solution. It’s a thoughtful and adorable suggestion, my lady, and I appreciate it, but…”
“…”
“The only way to help me…”
He smiled politely.
“…is to divorce me.”
After being shown the door once again, she was left speechless.
Fine.
So he’s not going to talk easily.
That was all right.
Once people’s hearts opened, their mouths usually followed.
And Amaryntis knew a very fast and effective way to open someone’s heart.
