Episode 16. I Want a Divorce
Rose smiled and nodded.
“Yes. Divorce.”
“May I ask why you want a divorce?”
“Well...”
At the Grand Duke's words, Rose trailed off and answered.
“That guy, no matter who you look at, he’s not a good guy, right?”
“...”
The Grand Duke blinked in bewilderment at Rose's answer. It was a strange surprise to hear such words coming from Rose's mouth. From the outset, Eric was not a desirable man. Wherever he went, rumors of affairs arose. Stories of young ladies pulling each other's hair and fighting over his hand were famous in high society.
“May I ask why you want a divorce?”
“Well...”
At the Grand Duke's words, Rose trailed off and answered.
“That guy, no matter who you look at, he’s not a good guy, right?”
“...”
The Grand Duke blinked in bewilderment at Rose's answer. It was a strange surprise to hear such words coming from Rose's mouth. From the outset, Eric was not a desirable man. Wherever he went, rumors of affairs arose. Stories of young ladies pulling each other's hair and fighting over his hand were famous in high society.
Furthermore, Rose's parents, the Count and Countess Serviat, had tried to dissuade her even before the wedding. However, blinded by love, Rose pushed ahead with the marriage despite the protests of those around her.
“You really realize it quickly.”
The Grand Duke sighed, as if relieved that she had finally realized something, and looked at Rose with a faint smile.
“I’m going to change now. I won’t live like I used to.”
Although her voice was soft, her eyes held a strong will to change her fate.
'Perhaps if I hadn't been possessed... the heroine would have lived an unhappy life under Eric's thumb.'
One day, Eric would love her...while harboring a vain hope. Rose thought of Eric, who had never shown love to the female protagonist in his life. The sight of Eric, his back turned, somehow mirrored Lee Do-hyun's back. He was the one she believed was hers, but never was. As she lost herself in the thought of Lee Do-hyun, which came to her mind without her realizing it,
“You really realize it quickly.”
The Grand Duke sighed, as if relieved that she had finally realized something, and looked at Rose with a faint smile.
“I’m going to change now. I won’t live like I used to.”
Although her voice was soft, her eyes held a strong will to change her fate.
'Perhaps if I hadn't been possessed... the heroine would have lived an unhappy life under Eric's thumb.'
One day, Eric would love her...while harboring a vain hope. Rose thought of Eric, who had never shown love to the female protagonist in his life. The sight of Eric, his back turned, somehow mirrored Lee Do-hyun's back. He was the one she believed was hers, but never was. As she lost herself in the thought of Lee Do-hyun, which came to her mind without her realizing it,
"Good idea. Now your parents will have less to worry about."
The voice of the Grand Duke of Artaeum was heard. Rose came to her senses when the topic of her parents, a relationship she had thought had long since been severed, came up and asked him again.
“By any chance... Your Highness, are you in contact with my parents?”
“I’m just asking how they’re doing.”
“Oh, I see. How are my parents doing? Are they doing well...?”
Has she truly matured? The Grand Duke found Rose's demeanor, a sight her parents had never paid attention to, quite refreshing. Not only had she cut ties with her parents and chosen a man, but she hadn't even contacted them. For three years. As time passed without a trace, Count Serviat and his wife's hearts burned black. Rose, their only daughter, whom they had raised with great care, was chasing after the unruly Eric, the son of the Wence family, the one who had ruined their family.
The voice of the Grand Duke of Artaeum was heard. Rose came to her senses when the topic of her parents, a relationship she had thought had long since been severed, came up and asked him again.
“By any chance... Your Highness, are you in contact with my parents?”
“I’m just asking how they’re doing.”
“Oh, I see. How are my parents doing? Are they doing well...?”
Has she truly matured? The Grand Duke found Rose's demeanor, a sight her parents had never paid attention to, quite refreshing. Not only had she cut ties with her parents and chosen a man, but she hadn't even contacted them. For three years. As time passed without a trace, Count Serviat and his wife's hearts burned black. Rose, their only daughter, whom they had raised with great care, was chasing after the unruly Eric, the son of the Wence family, the one who had ruined their family.
Rose wasn't asking because she longed for them or missed them. They weren't her real parents. Rose had only one reason for asking: to see if they could be the support she needed to stand on her own two feet. That was the sole reason.
'I thought you didn't care about my parents.'
The Grand Duke, seeing her inquire about his parents' well-being, wondered if he had misunderstood her all along. Perhaps, like others, he had been misunderstanding her, and perhaps he had been framing Rose within her own framework. Grand Duke Artaeum spoke in a calm tone.
“You are doing the same as before.”
It was a word that sounded vague.
‘...I guess that means you’re doing well?’
In fact, Rose had no idea how Count Serviat and his wife were doing, as that part wasn't described separately in the book.
“They must be very worried about you. They must be very happy to hear this news.”
'Thank goodness. Even if I went there, they wouldn't treat me coldly.'
Rose, who had been worried that Count Serviat and his wife would abandon her, breathed a sigh of relief. After the divorce, Rose, who had nowhere else to turn, had finally found a refuge. Rose smiled and spoke to the Grand Duke.
“Could you please tell them that I will come see them soon?”
“Yes.”
Grand Duke Artaeum nodded at Rose, who was the first to extend her hand, and then continued speaking.
“When are you planning to get a divorce?”
“As soon as possible.”
Rose responded to the Grand Duke's words with a swift, almost thoughtless response. Her fists clenched, Rose's eyes gleamed brighter than ever as she stared at the Grand Duke of Artaeum. Had the Grand Duke ever seen Rose like this? It was a first, she swore. Seeing Rose's burning resolve.
He almost burst out laughing at the sight of Rose gazing at him with those sparkling eyes. From her disheveled hair to her eyes, Rose's face seemed to overlap with his pet dog's.
'I know it's rude to say this to you, but you really are just like Finn.'
Grand Duke Artaeum tried to hide the twitching corners of his lips and took a deep breath. Then, feigning indifference, he continued speaking.
"The procedure isn't that complicated. It's about revoking a love vowed before God, so divorce proceedings also have to be held before the High Priest... but it's been simplified these days."
“Simplification?”
“Just stamp the document with two people’s seals and submit it.”
Rose smiled in relief at the much easier procedure than she had expected.
'It's fortunate that there are no ridiculous settings like women not being able to file for divorce first.'
This dilapidated novel was a fictional world created by the author's worldview, so she couldn't let her guard down. As Rose smiled in relief, the Grand Duke's voice reached her ear.
“I don’t think there’s anything I can really help you with.”
He brushed his hair back and crouched down. He then locked eyes with Rose, who was still seated, and rested his chin on one arm. Even though the dark red blood had hardened and clung to his hair, the sight of the Grand Duke covered in blood evoked a dreamlike feeling, like viewing a work of art. The splotches of blood here and there accentuated his pristine white skin.
‘It’s normal to be afraid of people like this...’
Strangely, it didn't feel as fierce as before. Of course, that didn't mean he wasn't afraid of the Grand Duke. The Grand Duke completely misunderstood Rose's gaze. Not only did she blush at the sight of him, but she had abandoned her husband's faction and stood by him. And just a moment ago, she had even said this.
'The Grand Duke is a kind and good person.'
He glanced away, as if embarrassed, unable to even meet her own eyes. However, the Grand Duke's memory was distorted. While Rose had called him "kind," he had never said he was a "good person." Furthermore, contrary to his memory, Rose had not blushed and been embarrassed the entire time. It was true that Rose had glanced at him, but she wasn't in love with him or anything. Her face flushed with the tension of facing him, nothing more, nothing less.
'I thought you didn't care about my parents.'
The Grand Duke, seeing her inquire about his parents' well-being, wondered if he had misunderstood her all along. Perhaps, like others, he had been misunderstanding her, and perhaps he had been framing Rose within her own framework. Grand Duke Artaeum spoke in a calm tone.
“You are doing the same as before.”
It was a word that sounded vague.
‘...I guess that means you’re doing well?’
In fact, Rose had no idea how Count Serviat and his wife were doing, as that part wasn't described separately in the book.
“They must be very worried about you. They must be very happy to hear this news.”
'Thank goodness. Even if I went there, they wouldn't treat me coldly.'
Rose, who had been worried that Count Serviat and his wife would abandon her, breathed a sigh of relief. After the divorce, Rose, who had nowhere else to turn, had finally found a refuge. Rose smiled and spoke to the Grand Duke.
“Could you please tell them that I will come see them soon?”
“Yes.”
Grand Duke Artaeum nodded at Rose, who was the first to extend her hand, and then continued speaking.
“When are you planning to get a divorce?”
“As soon as possible.”
Rose responded to the Grand Duke's words with a swift, almost thoughtless response. Her fists clenched, Rose's eyes gleamed brighter than ever as she stared at the Grand Duke of Artaeum. Had the Grand Duke ever seen Rose like this? It was a first, she swore. Seeing Rose's burning resolve.
He almost burst out laughing at the sight of Rose gazing at him with those sparkling eyes. From her disheveled hair to her eyes, Rose's face seemed to overlap with his pet dog's.
'I know it's rude to say this to you, but you really are just like Finn.'
Grand Duke Artaeum tried to hide the twitching corners of his lips and took a deep breath. Then, feigning indifference, he continued speaking.
"The procedure isn't that complicated. It's about revoking a love vowed before God, so divorce proceedings also have to be held before the High Priest... but it's been simplified these days."
“Simplification?”
“Just stamp the document with two people’s seals and submit it.”
Rose smiled in relief at the much easier procedure than she had expected.
'It's fortunate that there are no ridiculous settings like women not being able to file for divorce first.'
This dilapidated novel was a fictional world created by the author's worldview, so she couldn't let her guard down. As Rose smiled in relief, the Grand Duke's voice reached her ear.
“I don’t think there’s anything I can really help you with.”
He brushed his hair back and crouched down. He then locked eyes with Rose, who was still seated, and rested his chin on one arm. Even though the dark red blood had hardened and clung to his hair, the sight of the Grand Duke covered in blood evoked a dreamlike feeling, like viewing a work of art. The splotches of blood here and there accentuated his pristine white skin.
‘It’s normal to be afraid of people like this...’
Strangely, it didn't feel as fierce as before. Of course, that didn't mean he wasn't afraid of the Grand Duke. The Grand Duke completely misunderstood Rose's gaze. Not only did she blush at the sight of him, but she had abandoned her husband's faction and stood by him. And just a moment ago, she had even said this.
'The Grand Duke is a kind and good person.'
He glanced away, as if embarrassed, unable to even meet her own eyes. However, the Grand Duke's memory was distorted. While Rose had called him "kind," he had never said he was a "good person." Furthermore, contrary to his memory, Rose had not blushed and been embarrassed the entire time. It was true that Rose had glanced at him, but she wasn't in love with him or anything. Her face flushed with the tension of facing him, nothing more, nothing less.
Furthermore, Rose had sided with the Grand Duke because she couldn't ignore the execution plan. There was no way the Grand Duke of Artaeum could have known this. Had Rose not intervened, the Grand Duke would have been accused of murdering Marquis Blade. Had that happened, the Grand Duke would have died, and Rose would have likely been unable to sleep at night, consumed by the guilt of having stood by. But the Grand Duke was thinking in a completely different direction.
'Maybe I was the decisive reason behind your decision to divorce.'
The Grand Duke, still keeping his gaze fixed on Rose, slowly rose to his feet. Rose followed the Grand Duke, rising unsteadily from her seat.
“It really bothers me that I can only give you this much help in return for saving my life.”
“No, it was very helpful.”
Rose waved her hand at the Grand Duke of Artaeum and spoke. The divorce proceedings were relatively simple, but the Grand Duke's response was certainly helpful.
“No, I’m not okay.”
The Grand Duke raised the corners of his mouth at Rose, his eyes half-open, as he spoke in a firm voice.
“I will give you whatever you want.”
“Anything...?”
“Yes. So tell me what you want.”
The Grand Duke, unable to open his mouth, urged Rose, who was hesitating, on. Rose's eyes wavered at the Grand Duke's words. She was unsure whether she could truly say what she wanted.
‘I don’t think it would be good to look bad for no reason...’
It wasn't a good thing for the trust she'd worked so hard to earn to be shattered so easily with a single word, so Rose was cautious. She glanced at the Grand Duke. The Grand Duke's expression, reflected in her eyes, was more forgiving than ever. As she gazed at his expression, an ambition stirred deep within Rose's heart. It was a desire she'd planned but never achieved, a desire she'd kept buried deep within.
'I've lost, so I'll at least say something.'
Rose, finally determined, opened her lips with a trembling voice. The Grand Duke, who had been waiting for Rose to open her mouth, leaned forward slightly. He was eager to hear what she would say.
“Then... could you lend me some money?”
'Maybe I was the decisive reason behind your decision to divorce.'
The Grand Duke, still keeping his gaze fixed on Rose, slowly rose to his feet. Rose followed the Grand Duke, rising unsteadily from her seat.
“It really bothers me that I can only give you this much help in return for saving my life.”
“No, it was very helpful.”
Rose waved her hand at the Grand Duke of Artaeum and spoke. The divorce proceedings were relatively simple, but the Grand Duke's response was certainly helpful.
“No, I’m not okay.”
The Grand Duke raised the corners of his mouth at Rose, his eyes half-open, as he spoke in a firm voice.
“I will give you whatever you want.”
“Anything...?”
“Yes. So tell me what you want.”
The Grand Duke, unable to open his mouth, urged Rose, who was hesitating, on. Rose's eyes wavered at the Grand Duke's words. She was unsure whether she could truly say what she wanted.
‘I don’t think it would be good to look bad for no reason...’
It wasn't a good thing for the trust she'd worked so hard to earn to be shattered so easily with a single word, so Rose was cautious. She glanced at the Grand Duke. The Grand Duke's expression, reflected in her eyes, was more forgiving than ever. As she gazed at his expression, an ambition stirred deep within Rose's heart. It was a desire she'd planned but never achieved, a desire she'd kept buried deep within.
'I've lost, so I'll at least say something.'
Rose, finally determined, opened her lips with a trembling voice. The Grand Duke, who had been waiting for Rose to open her mouth, leaned forward slightly. He was eager to hear what she would say.
“Then... could you lend me some money?”
Money? Did you just say 'money'?
“...”
The Grand Duke, though he had clearly heard Rose's words, couldn't believe his ears. He had never expected the words "Please lend me money" to come from Rose's lips. Born into royalty and living a comfortable life, he had always assumed other nobles were no different from him. For her, the daughter of the Count Serviat family, to ask for a loan was a shocking prospect, even by his own standards. Rose, seeing the Grand Duke's bewildered expression, groaned.
'As expected... Was it too much to suddenly ask for money?'
How shameless to ask for money in return for saving your life.
'Sigh... I shouldn't have just asked.'
If only she could, she wished she could recall everything they'd just said. An awkward silence filled the space between them. Rose blushed in the silence, so quiet that not even a single insect chirped.
'Your Highness, those words were just empty words, but you must have taken them too seriously.'
She wanted to take out insurance because she might not receive alimony if she divorced Eric. While the Count of Wence's family was currently financially sound, that didn't guarantee they would pay Rose's alimony. If the Count of Wence's family's atrocities were any indication, they might even try to strip Rose's family of its entire fortune.
“...”
The Grand Duke, though he had clearly heard Rose's words, couldn't believe his ears. He had never expected the words "Please lend me money" to come from Rose's lips. Born into royalty and living a comfortable life, he had always assumed other nobles were no different from him. For her, the daughter of the Count Serviat family, to ask for a loan was a shocking prospect, even by his own standards. Rose, seeing the Grand Duke's bewildered expression, groaned.
'As expected... Was it too much to suddenly ask for money?'
How shameless to ask for money in return for saving your life.
'Sigh... I shouldn't have just asked.'
If only she could, she wished she could recall everything they'd just said. An awkward silence filled the space between them. Rose blushed in the silence, so quiet that not even a single insect chirped.
'Your Highness, those words were just empty words, but you must have taken them too seriously.'
She wanted to take out insurance because she might not receive alimony if she divorced Eric. While the Count of Wence's family was currently financially sound, that didn't guarantee they would pay Rose's alimony. If the Count of Wence's family's atrocities were any indication, they might even try to strip Rose's family of its entire fortune.
Rose felt like she wanted to sew her own mouth shut for saying such a pointless thing. The Grand Duke of Artaeum was the only connection she'd made at the banquet today, and she felt like her connection with him might be lost for nothing.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness. I spoke out of turn."
Rose hurriedly lowered her head toward the Grand Duke, worried that she might appear vulgar.
“Please pretend you didn’t hear what I just said.”
She closed her eyes tightly, cursing herself for shamelessly asking to borrow money. Then,
“...How much do you want?”
The voice of the Grand Duke, unexpectedly, was heard.
"Yes?"
Rose slowly raised her head and looked at Grand Duke Artaeum. She didn't forget to ask again, as if to confirm that she hadn't misheard.
“Money, you say? How much do you want?”
The Grand Duke, who had been looking at her with a puzzled expression, was nowhere to be found. He looked at Rose with his usual dry expression. Ah, maybe not like usual. The Grand Duke's eyes still held a hint of bewilderment. After clearing his throat a couple of times, Grand Duke Artaeum spoke to Rose again.
“I’ll lend you some. Any amount.”
Rose's face lit up with hope at the unexpected ardor of the Grand Duke. In this morass of a dilapidated novel, with nowhere to lean on and no one to trust, the Grand Duke of Artaeum reached out to Rose. It felt as if she had gained an unexpectedly powerful ally.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness. I spoke out of turn."
Rose hurriedly lowered her head toward the Grand Duke, worried that she might appear vulgar.
“Please pretend you didn’t hear what I just said.”
She closed her eyes tightly, cursing herself for shamelessly asking to borrow money. Then,
“...How much do you want?”
The voice of the Grand Duke, unexpectedly, was heard.
"Yes?"
Rose slowly raised her head and looked at Grand Duke Artaeum. She didn't forget to ask again, as if to confirm that she hadn't misheard.
“Money, you say? How much do you want?”
The Grand Duke, who had been looking at her with a puzzled expression, was nowhere to be found. He looked at Rose with his usual dry expression. Ah, maybe not like usual. The Grand Duke's eyes still held a hint of bewilderment. After clearing his throat a couple of times, Grand Duke Artaeum spoke to Rose again.
“I’ll lend you some. Any amount.”
Rose's face lit up with hope at the unexpected ardor of the Grand Duke. In this morass of a dilapidated novel, with nowhere to lean on and no one to trust, the Grand Duke of Artaeum reached out to Rose. It felt as if she had gained an unexpectedly powerful ally.
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