VDT CH O8

Chapter 8.

Love, My Foot

According to the marriage customs of the Luten Empire, the dowry brought by the bride was always matched with an equal sum from the groom’s side. Together, this formed the “departure sum,” the money a wife could take with her in the event of divorce or widowhood.

But in some cases, the wife could walk away with even more than that amount—for example, when compensation was added because the husband was at fault, or else…

“You mean the extra sum they give out of love for their wife, don’t you? Oh my goodness!”

The maid fixing her hair clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling.

Love?
Sahara port?
…What a load of horse crap.

Diabella scowled and turned to the butler.

“The Marquis said he wished to commend you for using your departure sum to build a school for the commoners, and so he is sending you extra funds. He also said that from now on, the construction costs for the school will be covered by him.”

Commend? Who are you to commend me?

That arrogant tone—
But…

‘I’ll just take the money.’

Snatching the envelope quickly from the butler’s hands, Diabella smirked.

Annoying as he was, why refuse free money?

Especially when she’d already spent a big portion of her departure sum to cover the school’s initial construction, and even promised to reimburse him for the cost of that heirloom necklace. The extra funds could patch up the hole nicely.

***

“Milady, today it’s a very small flowerpot!”

Another one?

Though the mansion already had its own indoor garden, the Marquis still insisted on sending flowers and plants every day.

Well, since he’d even sent extra funds, she’d let it slide… for now.

Diabella shrugged and opened the box. Inside was no pot at all, but a dark blue velvet case—and on top of it, an envelope.

What’s this?

She opened the envelope first. Inside was a document titled “Divorce Receipt.”

He really submitted it. Okay, divorce confirmed—let’s go!

Nodding with satisfaction, she picked up the velvet case. Opening the heavy lid, she flinched at the blinding sparkle that spilled out.

“Oh my! How beautiful!”

The maids rushed over, squealing with delight.

Carefully, Diabella lifted the necklace from its case.

A large ruby glittered in the center, surrounded by a halo of small diamonds—a grand, heavy piece.

She held it up to the sunlight streaming through the window. The flawless ruby gleamed brilliantly, reflecting in her crimson eyes.

“It suits you perfectly, my lady! Please try it on right away!”

“Yes, you must! You’ll look breathtaking!”

Overwhelmed by their pleading, she nodded. The maids squealed and fastened the necklace around her white neck.

“Oh heavens!”

“So, so beautiful!”

It wasn’t just empty flattery. Even Diabella thought the necklace amplified her beauty tenfold. The large ruby, paired with her wine-colored hair and red eyes, looked as if it had been made solely for her.

At that very moment—

“The Marquis has arrived!”

Startled, she had no time to remove the necklace. Trying in vain to cover it, Diabella froze as Raymond entered the room and stared, dumbstruck. After a long pause, he finally spoke.

“…It suits you.”

“All these flower baskets, pots, and now even a necklace… why are you sending all this?”

Diabella seized the chance to ask what she’d been too lazy to confront him about directly.

“You really did return the cost of the previous necklace.”

“Oh, that.”

The day she received the extra funds, she had the butler deliver payment for the necklace she’d once sold off in the original story. She’d only mentioned it to test Angeleca, but once the money came, the fact that it had been an heirloom weighed on her conscience.

“I said I would.”

“You didn’t have to. But this time… will you keep this necklace safe?”

Diabella nodded.

It fit her perfectly—hard to imagine finding another piece like it. Why not wear it?

A divorce gift? Do they have such customs here?

“Yes, I’ll do so. I also received the divorce receipt and the extra funds.”

She gave a polite dip of her head.

“….”

“…?”

The business seemed finished, yet Raymond lingered, hesitant, as though expecting more.

“Do you have other business?”

“No… I just wondered if you had anything else to say.”

Say what?

Nothing came to mind. She shook her head.

“No. If there’s nothing further, I’ll be going. I’ve got work to do.”

With that, Diabella excused herself and left first. The Marquis’ unplanned visit had already delayed her.

Raymond stood in silence, watching her retreating back.

…Beautiful.

He knew she was beautiful before. But after all her misdeeds, he’d grown so sick of her that even her face had seemed repulsive at times.

But even the word ‘beautiful’ doesn’t suffice.

She was, undeniably, the exact type of woman who stirred his heart.

When I sent flower baskets, I thought she’d rush in begging to cancel the divorce…

But no matter how many he sent, there was no reaction—until he caught her maid tossing them out.

So she hated wilting flowers?

He thought it was a cute complaint meant for him. So he sent potted plants instead. Still, nothing.

Then he sent extra money, feeling guilty about the school. After all, she’d started it, but it was his domain, and it was his duty to finish it—not something her departure sum should cover.

And yet again, she didn’t come to him. Instead, she quietly returned the necklace money through the butler.

What is going on?

As far as he knew, Diabella had never truly wanted divorce. She even staged that farce with the fake poison to avoid it—until she swallowed the real thing and nearly died.

He’d assumed she was just pretending to agree, hoping to earn his forgiveness.

Fed up with her endless schemes, he had simply pushed the divorce forward himself. The papers were filed.

But…

Somehow, the thought of finalizing it left him unsettled. Since her illness, she had seemed different—so much so that she haunted his mind.

Should I overlook it this time, and cancel the divorce?

The thought shocked even him, but it wouldn’t leave.

By law, there was still a one-month grace period after submitting divorce papers in the Luten Empire. If both parties requested a cancellation, the divorce became void.

One more chance. I’ll let it slide just once.

Who knew how long her good behavior would last—but at least for now, she intrigued him again. And, just as before their marriage, she was still the most beautiful woman in the Empire.

If she reverts, I’ll just refile the divorce then.

Yes. He’d already convinced himself. Surely, she would beg him to cancel. He was just giving her the opportunity.

So he’d sent the divorce receipt, along with a necklace as a gesture of reconciliation. She should have come running.

But instead…

The door shut behind her, leaving only the empty corridor.

She’d accepted the receipt without fuss, then walked away.

Could it be—was she truly serious about the divorce?

Impossible.

Yet unease gnawed at him.

“Belop.”

His shadow-like bodyguard appeared.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Follow my wife. Discreetly. Don’t let her notice. Ah, and stop by the boutique where I ordered that ruby necklace—commission matching ruby earrings. Quickly. No, wait—following her is more urgent. Have someone else place the order. You, go after her.”

“As you command.”

Watching his usually composed master panic, Belop bowed low and hurried out of the mansion.