Chapter 10
Win-Win
‘Attention I’ve never received before? And don’t be flustered?’
What on earth is he plotting? She stared intently into his blue eyes that hid his true thoughts. Then, without realizing it, she let out a sigh inwardly.
‘Still… I have to admit, he’s really handsome.’
Even when she tried not to be conscious of it—no, even when she deliberately avoided it—his self-radiating looks kept catching her eye. Just looking at him made her feel smaller for no reason.
‘But whatever. Is he the only good-looking one? I’m pretty too.’
Lamein straightened the shoulders that had been about to shrink and gently lifted her chin.
“Cedric. What do you mean by that?”
She asked, slightly raising the end of her tone.
“I mean it exactly as it sounds.”
“……”
“There are many eyes watching, so I’m thinking we should put on a more convincing act.”
Just how seriously was he planning to do this? Her husband’s eyes gleamed to a frightening degree. He looked like a man who would do anything for his ambitions.
‘Looks like he changed his mind about kicking me out?’
Lamein lifted her eyelids firmly. Unlike the original story, after her declaration of divorce, Cedric seemed to have given up on the idea of driving her out. Instead, he had presented another option.
In other words—a win-win.
‘If his sense of purpose is that clear, I should be thankful.’
Lamein barely restrained the corners of her lips from twitching.
“So, I would like you to follow my will as well…”
His gaze seemed to ask, You will, right? Lamein slowly nodded. A satisfied smile spread across her husband’s face. After waiting a moment for him to enjoy that smile, she slowly spoke.
“Then you must keep your promise.”
“……”
“When you receive the Duke title, let’s divorce cleanly.”
“If that is what you wish, then so be it.”
He answered lightly, as if there was no question about it. Just like him moments ago, Lamein smiled with satisfaction and continued.
“And promise me one more thing.”
“A promise?” His well-shaped eyebrows rose slightly, as if asking.
“There’s one more condition.”
“What condition?”
“I’ll do my best according to your wishes. But…”
Her lips paused like a comma, and Cedric’s gaze sank deeply onto them.
“Make sure to give me a generous alimony.”
“…Alimony?”
“Yes. Alimony.”
Lamein raised her eyelids, thick with lashes.
‘If you need a title, then I need money.’
After all, she had already said goodbye in her heart to that rich father who would have supported her.
“I’ll postpone the divorce on that condition.”
She spoke as if no negotiation was possible, putting a firm period on her words. At her decisive tone, his eyes flickered slightly before he slowly opened his mouth.
“How much alimony do you want?”
Yes. That’s how you should respond. Suppressing the corners of her lips that wanted to curl up, Lamein opened her mouth wide.
“1 million Seri!”
At her bold shout, a faint crack appeared on the previously calm man’s face for the first time.
“1 million Seri?”
“Yes. Exactly 1 million Seri.”
1 million Seri was equivalent to 10 billion in her country’s currency. If she was going to receive alimony from a Duke, shouldn’t it be at least this much?
A brief silence fell between them. Tap, tap, tap. His fingers struck the armrest again. It seemed he had begun to think.
‘Don’t think useless thoughts. Just think about the title you’ll get. For that, 1 million Seri is cheap.’
With unwavering eyes, she prayed inwardly. Tap, tap, tap.
‘What is it? Why is he thinking so long?’
Is he stingy with money? Did I ask for too much? As she held her breath and watched his expressionless face—
“I must have misunderstood you all this time, Lamein.”
A light smile, soft as fluff, settled on his face.
“Misunderstood me? What do you mean?”
“I thought you were someone who lived without thinking. But it seems you know how to use your head quite well.”
What is this guy…? Is he mocking me? Instead of answering whether he’d pay or not, he was subtly taking a jab at her. Lamein looked at him with displeasure, but Cedric only wore an extremely satisfied smile.
“People with clear goals always do their best to achieve what they want.”
At that moment, she realized Cedric was thinking the same as her.
“Very well. I will give you 1 million Seri as alimony.”
Seeing how readily he agreed, Lamein smiled in satisfaction.
“Good. Then shall we write a contract now?”
“A contract?”
Watching Cedric tilt his chin slightly, Lamein widened her eyes.
“Cedric. You’re not planning to promise all this just with words, are you?”
“Do we really need to write a contract?”
“This is a world where a perfectly fine man who signed a marriage vow treats his wife like she’s invisible. What should I trust if not a contract?”
You think only you can take jabs? I can too. Ahem. Cedric’s face crumpled as if he’d been hit directly.
“I won’t move without a contract, no matter what.”
“Understood. Let’s write one.”
That’s more like it. Cedric stood up, brought back paper and a pen, and sat down to write the contract.
The contents were simple and clear:
They would do their best at all times to appear as a loving couple.
They would not divorce until he received the Duke title.
Once he obtained the title, they would divorce.
And Cedric would pay Lamein 1 million Seri as alimony.
“Is this enough?”
“Yes. It’s perfect.”
She answered in an equally businesslike tone.
“Then let’s sign.”
“Alright.”
After signing two copies, each took one.
“Then I’ll head back to my room now.”
The moment she held the contract, Lamein stood up lightly as if she had no more business here.
“Go ahead.”
Seeing that Cedric had no intention of getting up, she shot him a look that said I’m going first, then walked away.
Back in her room, Lamein collapsed onto the bed. She spread out the contract in her hand and began reading it carefully.
“1 million Seri… What should I do with that money? With that amount, I could buy land and even build a building, right?”
Thinking about money she hadn’t even received yet, she began happily imagining.
“Should I rent it out? Or maybe open a shop?”
As she tossed and turned, her gaze landed on the dresser in front of the window.
“Huh? Were there flowers there before?”
A large vase filled with beautifully colored flowers stood on the dresser. Just as she slowly sat up—
Knock knock.
At the sudden sound, she quickly folded the contract and shoved it under the blanket.
“Madam. You’ve returned.”
Jane entered the room.
“Yeah, I just got back. Jane, what are those flowers?”
“I was just about to tell you. While you were in the reception room, Rodel stopped by.”
“Rodel?”
“Yes. It seems to be a thank-you gift for what happened at the restaurant today.”
Lamein walked over to the vase. The pleasant fragrance of the flowers drifted to her nose. A smile, as pretty as the flowers, bloomed on her face.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve received flowers as a gift.”
She gently stroked a thin petal with her fingertips.
Back when she lived as a rural doctor, there was a grandmother raising her grandson alone whom she had treated for a long time. The grandmother had endured pain alone because she couldn’t afford medical fees.
‘Doctor… I’m ashamed to come like this, but I’m worried my Jinwoo will be left alone when I pass. Could you please treat this poor old woman?’
She could still vividly remember those desperate eyes that looked at her like she was the last ray of hope.
‘Thank you for letting me live with my grandma.’
The child would pick wildflowers with his small hands every day and bring them to her. There was always a flower in the sunny clinic window—flowers that resembled the child’s bright smile, the most beautiful in the world to her.
“Thank you… for bringing flowers too.”
Imagining Rodel plucking flowers one by one with his large build, she smiled softly.
“Jane, go rest. I’ll call you if I need anything.”
“Yes, Madam.”
After Jane left, she stood by the window for a while, admiring the flowers.
“Ah… I’m tired.”
It was only natural after everything that had happened since morning. As she walked back to the bed, her gaze fell on the study door beside the wardrobe. Remembering the book she had carelessly thrown on the desk earlier, she headed into the study.
The book and the picture with a child’s portrait were still there.
—My beloved Lily.
Reading the words again, Lamein opened the book and placed the picture inside. As she returned it to the shelf, she suddenly stopped.
“……”
She stared at her fingertips holding the corner of the book, then let go.
“Wasn’t it this finger?”
Tilting her head, she spread her palm wide and examined her fingers, then checked the other hand as well.
The cut from the book was gone.
“It was quite deep. It even bled…”
No matter how much she looked, she couldn’t find the wound.
“That’s really strange.”
After searching for a while, she gave up and turned around.
Thud.
At that moment, a handkerchief on the desk fell to the floor. It still had dried bloodstains clearly visible.
“I should get some sleep.”
But without noticing it, Lamein left the study.
Time passed, and the sunlight that had poured over the grand mansion surrounded by greenery turned into moonlight.
In a secluded place deep past the rear garden, Cedric stood waiting for someone.
Whooosh.
A cold wind brushed past, and a dark shadow stretched across the ground.
“I greet you, Count.”
A knight in a black cloak appeared and bowed respectfully.
“Silvia. You’re late.”
“My apologies. It took longer than expected.”
As their hushed voices exchanged quietly in the darkness—
Rustle.
At a faint sound, both of them sharpened their gaze and scanned their surroundings. A squirrel climbed down a tree and ran across fallen leaves.
The space became so still that even breathing could be heard.
“Begin.”
Under the dim moonlight, a strange glint flashed in Cedric’s eyes.
