SHBVH 04

Chapter 04

Sunflower

Ramein Calypse, the young lady of the Duke Calypse family. Possessing a beauty that could make anyone fall in love at first sight, she had received countless confessions from noble young men even before her marriage to Cedric. With a coquettish charm and gaze that seemed as though she would give everything, Ramein treated them sweetly. And then—

‘You seem to be mistaken. I have never given you my heart.’

Just as their earnest feelings for her were about to explode, she cut them off cleanly.
A promiscuous noble lady who toyed with men.
A duke’s daughter with a pride that pierced the sky.
These were the labels that followed Ramein. Among noble young men, rumors spread that one must be careful of her, and whenever noble ladies gathered, they were busy criticizing her.

Ramein knew all of this, yet she lived even more freely—almost as if to show it off deliberately.

Then one day, she was informed of her marriage to Cedric Roger, the second son of Duke Roger.

At the time, wars between kingdoms for territorial control were fierce. The ‘Martin Kingdom’ defeated the ‘Lator Kingdom’ and took control over it. Ramein’s father, Count Calypse, had played a tremendous role in that victory.

Heter Calypse, once a war hero of the Lator Kingdom, had betrayed it and joined hands with the Martin Kingdom. Now a hero of Martin, Count Calypse was granted the title of Duke.

However, with the great change of two kingdoms becoming one, side effects were inevitable. The proud nobles of Martin could not hide their hostility toward Duke Calypse. Their reasoning was simple: a cunning man who betrayed once could betray again.

The king, however, could not easily cast aside Calypse, who had brought him victory. He knew it would provoke backlash. So instead, he chose another method.

Ramein Calypse, daughter of Duke Calypse.
Cedric Roger, son of Duke Roger.
Their marriage.

Duke Roger was a man who had greatly contributed to the economic development of the Martin Kingdom with his exceptional diplomatic skills and business acumen. He was also respected by the nobles for his admirable character. The king judged that no one would easily try to bring down the Calypse family once they were connected to the Roger family.

Thus, the two were used as political tools to silence dissent.

A noble lady from a former enemy kingdom who once pointed swords at his side—Cedric did not like her, but he could not defy the king’s command.

‘There will be no such thing as love between you and me. But in front of others, we must appear to be a harmonious couple.’

To the words of her husband, whose blue eyes held not a trace of emotion—

‘Stop thinking I’m a foolish woman who expects love. I’m only using you.’

His wife replied with even colder eyes.

Using him—for what? To protect her father’s honor and wealth?

‘Just as the rumors say—a foolish woman who only likes money and men.’

Cedric thought it was actually for the best. He could live quietly like this, and once the nobles’ opposition toward Duke Calypse died down, they could simply divorce.

However, life after that did not remain as quiet as he had expected.

In the original story, after marrying Cedric, Ramein caused trouble as if she had made up her mind to do so.

I know. I know very well that Ramein deserves all the criticism she gets. But—

‘That doesn’t mean I have to live like that from now on.’

Even if this body was Ramein’s, there was no reason her future life had to be the same. No—she refused to live like that.

“Ramein. What do you mean by that?”

For a man who had just been told of divorce, his voice was surprisingly calm.

“Just what it sounds like. Let’s get divorced.”

After staring at her for a long moment as if time had stopped, one corner of his lips slightly lifted. Even now, he was still handsome. But—

‘Handsome is one thing. Even if I die, I can’t live like this again.’

As she recalled her painfully miserable life before possession, anger surged within her. Just how miserable had she been?

‘In my next life, I will never—never live in misery again. Got it? You damn world!!’

Perhaps she had thought that right before dying.

Before Cedric entered the room, she had resolved again and again never to live a sorrowful life again. She decided to abandon the role of a villainess who desperately clung to a man who didn’t even like her.

That was why she chose divorce.

“Cedric. It’s what you wanted too, isn’t it?”

Cedric gave no reply.

“Isn’t it?”

When she urged him, the faint smile on his lips disappeared.

“Are you saying you intend to defy the king’s order?”

He presented the exact reason for maintaining this marriage.

“That statement itself is wrong. We already obeyed the king’s order—we got married.”

Ramein gently lifted her chin.

“As far as I know, the king didn’t order us to live happily ever after.”

Her eyes, raised firmly, were filled with determination. Cedric, who had been watching her quietly, nodded.

“Your words do have some merit.”

“Then let’s divorce.”

“However, I would prefer that you not speak of divorce so lightly.”

Watching her husband’s firm expression, she spoke slowly.

“Why?”

“I am a man who has sworn loyalty under the sun. As one who stands beneath that light, I must fulfill my duty.”

Ah… what a sunflower-like bastard. In the end, it just meant he didn’t want to trouble the king.

‘Yeah. Well. That’s a lot more convincing than saying you love me.’

She hadn’t expected him to accept the divorce immediately. Showing her resolve was enough for now. And—

“It wasn’t you who brought up divorce first, Cedric. It was me.”

All she had to do was plant in him the will to divorce her.

“The fault for the divorce lies with me, so you’ll have no reason to feel ashamed before the king.”

“Of course. However…”

Cedric trailed off, his gaze deepening.

“There’s something I need to confirm with you. We’ll discuss it after that.”

“What do you mean, confirm?”

Cedric’s lips curved lazily into a symmetrical smile. Just as she found that strangely unsettling—

“Ramein, you should take some time to think about what that might be.”

“…Excuse me?”

…What is this, a divorce mediation period? Like, “See you in four weeks”? With that kind of tone, he slowly swallowed a breath.

“As I said earlier, let’s have breakfast together tomorrow.”

“……”

“Then, rest well.”

With a light voice, Cedric left the room before she could stop him.

The next morning.

The day became busy the moment she opened her eyes.

“How about this dress? Or this one?”

They were just going to eat breakfast, yet Jane had practically overturned the entire wardrobe.

“Just… I’ll wear that one.”

Looking indifferent, Ramein reached out toward the least flashy beige dress.

“I think this one would be better.”

…Who am I talking to?

Jane smiled brightly, holding up a beautiful dress that seemed to be filled with the color of Cedric’s blue eyes.

“Madam, your skin is so fair. The Count said last time that this color suits you best!”

“…Cedric?”

He said something like that?

“Of course! When the Duchess of Roger gifted this dress, he said it right beside her!”

Ah, that time? Ramein crooked one side of her lips.

A few days after their wedding in the original story, the Duchess of Roger had called a tailor to gift Ramein a dress. Of course, her beloved Elina was also there. What Jane said did come from Cedric’s mouth, but—

‘Elina. I’d believe it if you told me a beautiful swan was standing before me.’

He had said even sweeter, almost cringeworthy words to Elina.

“Fine. I’ll wear that.”

What did it matter what a woman who wanted a divorce wore? He wouldn’t even look at her anyway.

As soon as Ramein gave her answer, Jane approached with the dress.

Wearing the blue dress, her reflection in the mirror was dazzlingly beautiful.

Staring at herself for a moment, Ramein quickly composed her expression.

“Jane. Let’s go.”

It was time to meet her husband.

On the way to the dining hall, she turned her gaze to the world outside the window where sunlight poured in brilliantly.

‘It’s really beautiful.’

Admiring the garden decorated like a European palace, she walked slowly—

“Madam. Good morning.”

Passing attendants stopped and greeted her.

Facing unfamiliar faces, Ramein forced a calm smile and carefully observed their expressions. As one servant after another greeted her—

‘They’re not as wary as I thought?’

Of course, she was the duke’s daughter-in-law, not someone to be treated lightly. But she had expected at least a little caution toward the infamous Ramein. Yet—

“Madam looks so beautiful today. No one can take their eyes off you.”

Like Jane, who was happily chattering beside her, their gazes were kind.

‘How strange.’

Puzzled by the unexpected situation, Ramein soon arrived at the dining hall.

The doors opened—

“Ramein. I’ve been waiting.”

Seated at a grand marble table in the center, Cedric spoke in a voice that wasn’t particularly warm, but not unpleasant either.

It was all just an act for appearances anyway.

“I hurried, but you arrived first.”

Deciding to play along, she replied gently and walked toward the seat opposite him, glancing at Jane as she moved aside.

“Bring the food.”

As soon as Ramein sat down, Cedric’s voice rang out, and the servants began moving busily.

At the moment, Duke and Duchess Roger, Killian, and Elina had left the estate at the invitation of a neighboring lord.

As dishes were being placed one by one on the table where only the two of them sat—

Crash! Bang! Clatter!!

A loud noise suddenly erupted from the kitchen connected to the dining hall.

“Ahhh!!”

“W–wait! Rodel!!”

The screams and shouts of the servants followed.

Startled, Ramein’s shoulders jerked, her eyes widening uncontrollably.

“What’s going on?”

Unlike her, Cedric calmly rose from his seat.

The source of the commotion was a large-built attendant named Rodel.

“Rodel suddenly collapsed!”

Through the wide-open kitchen doors, a man could be seen lying on the floor, his entire body convulsing violently.

“Count! I’m sorry! Madam! I’m sorry!”

A servant apologized repeatedly in panic.

Ramein’s face twisted instantly.

‘This is not the time to apologize!’

She jumped to her feet and rushed toward the large man writhing on the floor.