Chapter 03
“How can it be that I don’t have a single client?”
In this world, there was no such thing as a proper law office.
Usually, lawyers posted their profiles on a client board placed in one corner of a mercenary office and waited for work.
And for two whole months, no one had hired me.
It wasn’t that there were no visitors at all.
Because basic information was required, I had no choice but to state that I was a woman—and that attracted all kinds of crazy people who called themselves “clients.”
“Miss, instead of wasting time here, why don’t you marry me? You’ve got a pretty face.”
A man claiming to be the owner of some unknown building proposed the moment he saw my face.
“Smart women are useless.”
People who set up meetings no one asked for, only to say nonsense like that.
“How dare you call yourself a divorce lawyer! Is divorce something to brag about?! Huh?!”
People who picked fights for no reason at all.
“…This won’t work.”
Instead of waiting again for clients who would never come, I decided to go look for clients myself.
The money I had brought when I ran away was already running low.
This job wasn’t one where you earned money the moment you took a case, so I had expected to go hungry at first.
Still, I hadn’t expected things to be this bad, and sighs kept slipping out of my mouth.
Then—
A woman hesitantly opened the door to the mercenary office.
As if she didn’t want anyone to know she was here—or for some other reason—she kept looking around nervously, pulling a shawl tightly around her exposed neck and arms.
I realized it instantly.
She looks just like my mother.
I could tell by instinct.
That woman was being beaten.
So I quietly moved closer to her.
“How can I help you?”
As most people did, she went to the counter. After hesitating, she finally spoke.
I listened carefully, pretending to be just a passerby.
“Um… can I also hire mercenaries for personal protection?”
“Of course. May I ask why you need protection? The price depends on the level of danger.”
“…Do I have to explain the reason?”
“You don’t have to, but sometimes people say it’s nothing serious and then request something dangerous. Also, if we know the situation, we can prepare better. It’s best if you tell us.”
“I… I’m looking for someone who can protect me. Without a reason.”
The clerk looked at her with a troubled expression.
“I understand. Your name, please.”
“Iz—Iz Radic.”
“And how much can you pay?”
“Up to two gold coins…”
“Two coins… Recently, monster subjugation requests have increased, and those pay well, so mercenaries tend to avoid other jobs. Still, we’ll see what we can do. Please sit over there while we check.”
The moment he heard her name, the clerk’s expression stiffened slightly. After guiding her to the waiting area, he turned away and frowned.
We had grown friendly after drinking tea together during these slow days.
As soon as Iz moved away, he let out a deep sigh.
“This doesn’t sound like something minor.”
I quickly spoke to him.
“Why? Khan, do you know her?”
“Ah, Ms. Rabiel. Not personally… but she’s famous. Iz Radic—she’s from the well-known Stoke Barony. She married for love, but her husband beats her. He married her expecting money, but when she came with nothing, he changed completely. I hear he even forces her to work. Excessively.”
“Ah…”
“She’d be better off divorcing. It’s painful to watch.”
Just as I thought.
And judging by how she tried to hide her body, it probably wasn’t just forced labor.
“I’ll talk to her.”
“You will?”
“Yes. Please wait a bit. Put the mercenary request on hold for now.”
“Understood. It’s not a case where people would be easy to find anyway.”
After asking Khan, I walked over to Iz.
She didn’t look very old—maybe five or six years older than Rabiel.
But hardship had clearly worn her down. Her hands and face were full of worry.
“Hello.”
“…Ah, did you come because a mercenary was found?”
“No. I just wanted to talk. May I ask… do you want a divorce?”
“W-what are you saying?!”
I handed her the paper I always carried—my profile.
It only had my name and the words Divorce Lawyer on it.
“I’m serious. As you can see, I’m a divorce lawyer. And I want to help people be happy.”
“Happiness… can divorce really bring happiness?”
Her response was negative, but her eyes were already scanning the paper.
“Yes. Forcing yourself to stay in a marriage is the beginning of unhappiness. And I truly wish for your happiness.”
“It’s… okay. Divorce. I’m… happy right now.”
She said that, but her eyes were desperate.
Begging to be saved.
“Are you sure?”
“……”
“To me, you look like someone who wants to run away. I know it’s rude to say this to a stranger, but it shows. The world where divorce is a disgrace has already passed.”
“No. It is a disgrace. If my family finds out… they’ll be disappointed. I can’t go back. I married for love and now I want a divorce… ah—please forget what I just said.”
She shook her head and stood up quickly.
“I should go. It doesn’t look like mercenaries will be found anyway.”
“Why do you need mercenaries? Is it to protect yourself from a violent husband?”
“That’s rude. Stop interfering.”
Iz looked at me coldly.
But in her, I saw my mother.
And Countess Herbia.
And myself—helpless, only able to watch.
I still clearly remember what I thought back then.
I want someone to hold my hand. I want to escape. But I can’t. This life is like shackles.
“I’m sorry. You just reminded me of my mother… and myself.”
Her uncomfortable expression changed.
“What do you mean…?”
“My mother always covered her neck and arms with a shawl too. To hide the bruises. That’s why I overstepped.”
I gave her a small, awkward bow.
Asking a stranger to expose her pain was crossing a line.
Iz stayed silent for a long moment.
Then she finally spoke.
“If I divorce… can I really become happy?”
“At least you won’t have to worry about being beaten. And living on your own won’t be harder than this.”
“Ah…”
The fact that she had come here at all—wanting protection even from mercenaries—meant she still had hope.
“You can come find me anytime. You can pay the fee later, when your situation improves. And if I take your case, I’ll make sure you receive all the compensation you’re owed. You can use that to cover the costs.”
Still, she couldn’t decide easily.
“I’ll think about it. I can’t take this paper with me. If my husband finds out… it won’t end well.”
“I understand.”
Iz left the mercenary office.
I watched her back for a while, then turned to Khan.
“Khan. Where can I meet Baron Stoke?”
“May I ask why?”
“Just… something I want to confirm.”
“I’ve heard he’s been visiting the temple often lately. It’s not fully reliable information, but worth checking.”
“Khan, you’re well-informed.”
“When you work here, you hear many things.”
“I’ll treat you to the finest tea when I get back.”
“Thank you. I look forward to it.”
He gave a satisfied smile and a thumbs-up.
I headed straight to the temple.
I hadn’t expected to meet him there today—but I did.
A man with blue hair, the same shade as Iz’s, sat quietly, bowing his head in earnest prayer.
I sat beside him and watched him for a long time.
Only after quite a while did he open his eyes and look at the goddess’s statue before him.
That was when I spoke.
“Who are you praying for?”
His gaze snapped toward me.
Sky-colored eyes.
But seeing a stranger, hostility quickly filled them.
“Do you know me?”
“No. I just saw you for the first time. But you are the well-known Baron Stoke, aren’t you?”
Perhaps displeased that I knew who he was, his youthful face twisted.
“…Do you have something to say to me?”
“No. I was just curious.”
“Curious?”
“What someone like Baron Stoke prays to the gods for.”
