Chapter 60……………………………………
The next morning, I headed to the city hall early. In front of the hall, I met Duke Cassius waiting for me, drawing the attention of the crowd.
He spoke with a slightly somber expression.
“Kayden went in safely. You don’t need to worry; I have no intention of forcibly holding him back in the future.”
“I see.”
“…I also wanted to apologize to Joshua. I told him I’d ask carefully after his condition improves.”
Joshua might never want to see the Duke again—or he might want a direct apology. The most important thing was respecting the victim’s wishes.
“How did it come to this? I feel like I’ve long forgotten what truly matters.”
“Ah, I understand. But please sign here.”
Honestly, I had zero interest in the Duke’s self-pitying reflection. He seemed eager to confess to someone, but I politely declined.
“…Done.”
As soon as the Duke signed the agreement on behalf of Leandro as head of the household, I handed the paper to the clerk.
“Here it is!”
“Ah… yes…”
The clerk, though slightly stunned, did their job.
“The divorce agreement between Leandro Cassius and Idel Cassius has been officially received.”
Yes! I clenched my fists in triumph.
How long I had waited to hear those words. This was the moment I had been waiting for.
“Then I will guide you through the subsequent procedures. Keep in mind, the divorce is only formally approved once all steps are complete.”
…Though not a full divorce yet.
‘Still, this is great!’
The subsequent procedures were just minor formalities, not difficult or unlikely tasks.
I felt so lighthearted that even the whispers of bystanders sounded like songbirds.
“A divorce agreement? Did they just say Cassius?”
“Yes, the Duke Cassius himself. And the young woman beside him is definitely Idel Cassius. Just like in the portraits in the newspapers!”
“That can’t be right. Isn’t the minor Duke Cassius’ divorce trial still ongoing?”
“Yes. They said a hearing would take place today too.”
“So they’re agreeing to divorce amicably?”
Yes. Even if a divorce trial is underway, there’s no law in the Empire preventing a mutual settlement mid-trial.
With the agreement submitted, the trial is temporarily suspended, and once the divorce is formally approved, it concludes entirely.
“Are you pleased with that?”
As we left the city hall, the Duke asked me.
“Of course! But your son doesn’t seem convinced, seeing as you came in his place.”
“He’s still stubborn. He insisted it couldn’t happen, so I brought him home on the way.”
What a terrifying household. But for once, it worked in my favor.
“Reiena even tried to convince me to reconsider. Both of them are strangely obsessed with you.”
The Duke seemed to notice that too. At first, I thought it was only because of the mines, but now it seemed there were other reasons.
“I’m glad you didn’t change your mind, even after hearing your beloved daughter’s advice.”
Perhaps sensing a subtle jab in my words, Duke Cassius replied defensively.
“I never thought it necessary to hold onto someone who didn’t want me.”
“I know. You never cared about me anyway.”
“Are you blaming me?”
“I’m stating facts. Even after I became Idel Cassius, you kept calling me Idel Wallace.”
“…That’s true. I had no interest in you. You were just the woman married to Leandro, that’s all.”
The Duke stopped abruptly in front of the city hall’s main gate.
“It’s a bit regrettable. Thanks to you, I found my wife’s letters and even felt the urge to apologize to Kayden. And now, the moment I finally wonder what kind of person you are marks the end of our relationship.”
“Do you regret it?”
“Seems like it.”
“In that case, treat the woman your son marries next well.”
That was all I had to say.
“No. If my son stays like that his whole life, don’t let him marry at all. Just keep him by your side forever. Don’t make another widow like me.”
“…I’ll keep that in mind. I’ve had enough of this commotion myself.”
With that, I parted ways with Duke Cassius.
“Take care, Idel Wallace.”
Until the very end, he called me by my old name, Idel Wallace. But this time, it sounded like a congratulatory remark on my divorce. Strange, perhaps, but it felt sincere.
‘Huh?’
I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand.
The Duke’s blue eyes, watching me board the carriage, seemed different from usual—just slightly clearer, somehow.
A few days later.
As expected, the public was abuzz with news of my divorce.
What seemed like a brutal mudslinging battle ended in an unexpected amicable settlement, defying everyone’s expectations.
Most of those interested in the case were dying of curiosity, wondering what kind of “critical issue with succession” the minor Duke Cassius actually had.
But our trial had been suspended, and I kept my mouth shut, leaving them no way to satisfy their curiosity. For those who intended to revel in others’ misfortune, it was the worst outcome imaginable.
‘I don’t care what happens to Leandro, but I absolutely won’t become your ridiculous spectacle any further.’
Of course, some genuinely sympathized and supported me, but most merely enjoyed watching us tear each other apart. Even the Emperor pushed the trial forward, entertained by the Cassius family’s embarrassment.
“Idel, there you are.”
I turned at the voice and saw Diana entering the garden.
Right. Formerly Anna, now Diana—the daughter of Ambassador Leok, who had regained her sense of self thanks to me.
I was currently staying at the Leok embassy after leaving Terence’s villa.
“Are you comfortable here?”
“Completely. They’ve actually treated me more than generously.”
“Idel doesn’t need a fortune to feel at home here. Consider this your house; stay as you like.”
Diana laughed lightly.
“Honestly, I’m still not used to the idea that this palace-like place is our home.”
On the day I submitted the divorce agreement, I visited the embassy to give thanks, and Diana suggested I stay here for a while.
After some thought, I accepted her kindness. I couldn’t remain indebted to Terence forever.
His villa had been a secret hideaway—a place to hide from the world and rest in peace.
But lately, the number of reporters following me had increased. Everyone was desperate for divorce news.
‘If I’d stayed, the secret villa might have been exposed too.’
I couldn’t repay Terence’s kindness with such a burden, so I decided to leave. A perfectly reasonable decision.
It should have felt good…
‘Then why do I feel so gloomy?’
I recalled the last time I saw Terence. When I said I’d have to leave the villa, he nodded calmly.
“That would be best. The Leok embassy has ironclad security, so you won’t be bothered by flies.”
And he was right. Plus, it would make clear to the world that I still had a cordial relationship with Ambassador Leok. A win-win.
Even without the Cassius connection, the press restrained themselves from sensational coverage.
Yet why do I feel so down? I couldn’t quite explain it, but I felt gloomy.
Terence didn’t seem at all sad about my leaving. In fact, he recommended it for my own good. That felt… a little disappointing.
I startled at my own thought.
‘What am I thinking? Disappointed? Get a grip!’
I slapped my own cheeks lightly.
“Why, why are you doing that!”
Diana, about to sit beside me on the bench, was startled and stopped me.
“Ha ha… I just felt a bit foolish.”
“Excuse me? How so?”
“Just… a little thing.”
I realized I had a surprisingly ungrateful streak.
Disappointed? Really? Terence was standing before a critical turning point in his life.
The Emperor was about to publicly announce another son’s existence, and Terence’s schedule had become busier than ever.
From what I heard, Terence was busy visiting a few nobles who were supposed to support him.
These nobles, the closest and most loyal to the Emperor, already knew the top-secret fact that Terence would soon be introduced publicly.
‘That’s why I hadn’t had a long conversation with him since the trial.’
I had also conveyed my decision to move to the embassy when he briefly stopped by the villa to pick something up.
Still, when my negotiations with Cassius went smoothly, or when I submitted the divorce agreement, Terence had been just as happy as anyone, celebrating with me.
Yet here I was, feeling disappointed at such a kind person. Nonsense.
I shook off the unworthy feeling and focused on talking with Diana.
“So, how about we hold the celebration here?”
The celebration Diana mentioned was for my divorce.
“I feel like I’m imposing too much.”
“Not at all! Compared to the favor I owe you, it’s nothing.”
“Well, if you insist that strongly, I’d be happy. Though I’m not sure when the temple will give us an official response.”
By now, the divorce process only awaited the temple’s approval. Fortunately, there were no children between Leandro and me, and I requested no property or alimony, so it progressed quickly.
‘Except for the part where Duke Cassius insisted I take something from him for some reason.’
The Emperor had reluctantly approved the divorce, and now we awaited the temple’s reply.
“Shouldn’t we roughly plan it? We’ll have an answer within a week anyway.”
True. Even if the formidable Duke Cassius changed his mind to push the divorce, who could possibly stop it?
But there was one person… someone daring to try.
