Chapter 16
The trip from the Count’s mansion to the Odilon estate took about an hour by carriage.
Even though both were located in the First District, the capital was so vast that traveling between the two still took a while.
“Do I really look okay?”
“Of course, my lady!”
Sitting across from me, Sofia nodded eagerly.
“You chose the least flashy dress you own.”
“Well, that’s true, but still…”
Lady Odilon was known for her strict sense of refinement — the kind of noblewoman who placed heavy importance on dignity and propriety.
If I showed up dressed too extravagantly, she’d think me shallow. But if I came too plain, she’d accuse me of lacking respect for her status.
‘And with our household’s financial troubles right now…’
If I went covered in jewels while everyone knew our family was crumbling, what would people think?
A true noble should never lose their grace, no matter the situation — but flaunting unnecessary luxury when you were nearly broke would only make you look pathetic.
“Are you sure it’s okay to just bring flowers, though?”
Sofia glanced nervously at the bouquet beside her.
It was tradition to bring an appropriate gift when visiting another noble’s home — especially for a meeting like this, where the discussion would be more business than social.
“Do we look like we have money for fancy gifts? If I buy even one teacup, I’ll be eating soup for a week.”
Besides, the gift itself wasn’t what mattered.
“Don’t worry. My presence will be the real gift.”
What Lady Odilon needed right now wasn’t some expensive trinket.
It was information.
‘Preferably the kind that could bring down her husband.’
The Marquess had kept his slave-trading operations extremely secret. He’d likely silenced every informant in the guild to cover his tracks.
“Looks like we’re almost there.”
And in a situation like that, the only person who held the key to exposing him… was me.
“The lady has been expecting you.”
The moment we arrived, the butler greeted us and led us through the grand entryway into the main building.
Sofia, following close behind, handed the bouquet to one of the servants, then quietly stepped back to wait outside.
As I walked down the long corridor behind the butler, I clasped my hands neatly in front of me.
‘I did meet her once before…’
When I first possessed this body, the engagement between House Renesti and House Odilon was already falling apart.
On the day the annulment was decided, I had met Lady Odilon once — just to formally close that chapter.
Remembering that encounter, I knew exactly what not to do this time.
‘Sympathy won’t work on her.’
Like most nobles, Lady Odilon valued time as if it were gold.
If I tried to appeal to her emotions or dragged out the conversation, she’d walk out before I even got to the point.
“Please wait here for a moment.”
The butler knocked on the door of the drawing room — knock, knock — and a faint chime answered from inside.
“You may enter.”
“Thank you.”
I nodded politely to the butler and stepped across the threshold.
Inside the pristine sitting room, a composed woman sat with her legs crossed.
“You arrived sooner than I expected.”
Her tone was calm, her gaze steady. I dipped into a graceful curtsy.
“I came as soon as I received your reply.”
Her brows furrowed slightly.
“That letter — what exactly did you mean by it?”
So she had been curious.
Normally, someone would start with small talk, but she’d gone straight to the point — which meant I’d succeeded in piquing her interest.
Good. That would make things faster.
“The letter meant exactly what it said, my lady.”
“…”
“I know you wish to end your marriage with the Marquess.”
Her eyebrow arched sharply.
“And who told you that?”
“Is there anyone in high society who doesn’t know your marriage is strained?”
Theirs was a well-known political union — the result of an arrangement between noble houses.
But the Marquess’s indulgent vices and the Marchioness’s rigid nature were infamous.
Everyone in the social circle knew they were complete opposites — a storm waiting to happen.
“Go on,” she said coolly.
Apparently, she wasn’t going to deny it.
“Then I’ll be blunt.”
Her eyes met mine directly. I lifted my chin slightly, meeting her gaze with the same calm confidence.
Confidence — that was the key to any negotiation.
“I can help you get a divorce.”
“…You?”
“Yes. Me.”
She clearly didn’t believe me, but I was prepared for that reaction.
As my unwavering tone settled between us, a flicker of curiosity crossed her face — quickly followed by suspicion.
“And how exactly would you do that?”
Everyone knew noble divorces were nearly impossible.
Even if a couple hated each other, without undeniable proof or a valid cause, separation was out of the question.
But Lady Odilon’s case was different.
She had a legitimate reason.
‘And she’d benefit from it more than anyone else.’
There would be gossip at first, but her reputation was far too solid to crumble from a single scandal.
Besides, her husband was a son-in-law noble — he’d married into her family.
So if they divorced, he’d lose the marquisate title and drop back down to his original rank as a count.
By status alone, Lady Odilon would remain above him forever.
And when that happened, she could simply pass the title to her well-raised son.
I straightened my posture and said calmly,
“Do you know what crime His Majesty considers most unforgivable?”
Her brows drew together slightly.
That look in her eyes said, Are you playing games with me?
Her voice was clipped when she replied,
“Of course — treason. It’s rebellion against the throne.”
“That’s one of them, yes. But there are others, aren’t there?”
“Lady Renesti,” she interrupted in a firm, warning tone.
But I didn’t back down.
“Think carefully, my lady. What crime has the Emperor been punishing most severely lately?”
Her lips pressed together.
As if thinking back, her gaze dropped toward the table, her brows knitting together.
I waited quietly, sipping my tea.
After a brief silence, she looked up.
“You mean to tell me… my husband is running a slave market, don’t you?”
I smiled faintly instead of answering. That was all the confirmation she needed.
“Ha…”
Lady Odilon let out a low, humorless laugh.
Then, without another word, she rang the bell on the table.
A maid appeared almost instantly.
“You called, madam?”
“The tea’s gone cold.”
She gestured toward her half-empty cup.
“And bring some refreshments as well.”
As the maid hurried out, Lady Odilon turned her sharp eyes back to me.
“It seems this conversation will take a while.”
Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Matthias sat crouched on the floor.
Tick-tock, tick-tock.
It had already been an hour since Aria left, and an unbearable emptiness filled the room.
He’d even gone to her room to ease the feeling, but instead of comfort, the stillness only made him more restless.
‘She said she’d be back soon.’
Tick-tock.
No matter how many times the clock’s hand moved, Aria didn’t return. He’d checked her study too — empty.
Even Sofia, who was always nearby, was gone. That could only mean she was still out.
‘She’s been gone too long.’
Matthias blinked slowly.
When she was with him, time passed quickly. But alone, every minute felt endless — the silence heavy and cold.
‘When will she come back?’
He just wanted her to return soon.
He sat there quietly waiting — until suddenly,
“…?”
He sensed something — a faint movement.
Creaaak—
The door opened.
