Chapter 20
‘Ah. She beat me to the divorce.’
Titania poked at the now unappetizing food on her plate with a fork.
‘I should’ve been the one to shout, “I want a divorce,” right then.’
Unfortunately, Ludmila had stolen the spotlight.
Titania pouted. There were still too many reasons why she couldn’t easily bring up the word “divorce.” Count and Countess Venezia still held out hope for the marriage, Fernandez’s personality was surprisingly decent for someone with a good body, and most of all, she wanted to finish her research. All of these were weighing on her.
With another pout, Titania stood up from the table.
“Where are you going?”
Victoria’s sharp voice rang out.
“Hmm. I was thinking I’d go to the restroom. Unless you had something to say?”
Victoria whipped her head to the side in irritation. Titania shrugged and stepped out of the mess. She had no intention of returning to that disaster zone.
As she walked lightly and gracefully like a butterfly, Sara hurried after her.
“Ahem. That was really satisfying, milady.”
Sara whispered.
“You have to speak your mind, after all. Did you see the color drain from the madam’s face?”
“That’s not exactly why I said it.”
“Of course not.”
Sara chuckled ominously. Titania shook her head. Sara was definitely becoming stranger. Who was she starting to resemble?
Meanwhile, silence fell over the dining hall after Titania’s departure. Fernandez was the first to speak, letting out a sigh.
“…You said you had something to discuss.”
“It’s about Princess Ludmila.”
Victoria’s voice was still tinged with emotion.
“She’s waited for you all this time. You can’t treat her this way.”
“I never asked her to wait. And I have a legitimate wife.”
“Ludmila is more suited for that position than Titania! Right now, Titania is nothing but a laughingstock among noblewomen. She locks herself away in that dusty study and doesn’t bother with social matters! Ludmila has been managing everything on her behalf!”
“Again, that’s not something I asked for. And Titania has fulfilled her duties as a duchess remarkably well. Do you know our estate’s grape yield has nearly doubled?”
Victoria took a deep breath.
“That’s not the duty of a duchess!”
“Then who should fulfill that duty when I’m away?”
“…Doesn’t the emperor always send someone to assist you? If Titania hadn’t meddled again this time…!”
“No. I don’t see it that way. Matters of the household should be handled within the household. And Titania has made the estate fertile. To say she hasn’t done her share is unfair. She simply focused on practical, meaningful work.”
“Fernandez, I know why you’re doing this. It’s out of loyalty to Titania. But there’s a certain order to things in this world. Ludmila is a more fitting woman to be duchess!”
Hopeless.
Fernandez stared at Victoria, whose face was stiff with obstinacy. After the late duke had died just a month after marriage, she had stayed behind to raise Fernandez.
They’d never had a warm mother-son relationship, but it was still true they were listed as family on the family register. She had done her part, and in return, Fernandez had treated her with respect and supported her.
Victoria had always used that as both her sword and shield.
“Mother. I believe the marriage discussions with Princess Ludmila ended five years ago. You were furious back then about what she did.”
“I was. But Fernandez… Ludmila has reflected deeply and sincerely apologized. She’s worked hard for our household this past year.”
Fernandez gave a cold chuckle.
Five years ago, the talk of marriage between Victoria and Fernandez had only happened because of the princess’s stubbornness. No one knew when she had first seen Fernandez, but Ludmila had insisted on marrying him, pressuring both King Ferun and Karfus.
In the end, unable to deny his only daughter, King Ferun proposed a union. But during the discussions, Ludmila had suddenly changed her mind. Fernandez had been treated like a toy she got bored of.
“I never received an apology, nor do I intend to forgive the princess.”
His voice was icy.
“Fernie, please reconsider—”
“Whatever promises you may have received from Princess Ludmila are irrelevant. But I will have her sent back. Without fail.”
Victoria’s face hardened.
A crack was forming between Victoria and Fernandez. And it was all because of Titania. If that woman hadn’t existed, Fernandez wouldn’t be embarrassing Victoria like this.
Victoria bit her lip.
What if Titania were to have a child?
Victoria would be cast aside. Her already fragile position would collapse completely. She lowered her head.
‘I have to find a way.’
Her resolve to get rid of Titania only deepened.
The day Fernandez left for war, he had made a rare request of Victoria—to look after Titania.
She hadn’t been able to forget the way Fernandez had looked that day.
Perhaps she had sensed the danger even then.
‘My instincts were right.’
Victoria clenched her fists.
Why was it that her premonitions were never wrong?
It felt like Fernandez was slipping away.
Ludmila sniffled. She couldn’t understand how they could treat her this coldly. She had never once failed to get what she wanted.
Fernandez was like a fine wine—tangy and sweet. And this was all Titania’s fault. If she hadn’t brought up the budget matters, that morning’s disaster wouldn’t have happened.
“When is she finally leaving?”
Ludmila pouted. Fernandez would surely fall for her charms if they just spent more time together. As she furiously yanked tissues out of the box, venting her frustration—
Knock knock.
Her maid peeked out the door and whispered excitedly,
“Your Highness! The Duke is here!”
“What? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?!”
Ludmila scrambled off the bed and quickly tidied her appearance. She took a deep breath and checked her reflection.
Still beautiful.
With a radiant smile, she rushed into the sunroom. Fernandez was waiting with perfect posture.
‘As I thought.’
He must’ve come to comfort her.
“I knew you would—”
“Princess Ludmila.”
Fernandez cut her off coldly. Ludmila shut her mouth and stared at him.
“I’m not here to talk. I came to inform you.”
“…”
“Return to your kingdom. Immediately.”
“No!”
Ludmila protested stubbornly. She had only just reunited with Fernandez. She couldn’t leave without even trying.
“I waited a whole year for you here!”
“Titania waited three years.”
“Ugh! But I’m a princess!”
She stomped her feet in frustration.
“I won’t go! Why are you only doing this to me? If I have to leave, so does Titania!”
“Don’t be absurd. Titania is my wife.”
“I’m not going anywhere!!”
She screamed. Fernandez sighed, looking at her petulant expression. He had investigated and found that when Ludmila arrived, she had brought only a single maid and some cash.
Just as she claimed, she had enjoyed all the luxuries Agafilia offered like they were hers.
Fernandez’s voice turned frosty.
“Fine. From this moment on, Agafilia will no longer provide anything for you.”
“What do you mean…?!”
“Exactly what I said. If you insist on staying against the host’s wishes, then so be it.”
Ludmila pouted.
“That kind of threat doesn’t scare me at all!”
Fernandez gave a cold smile.
“Very well. Do as you please.”
Dealing with her further was a waste of time. It would be faster to go directly to Karfus and request her expulsion. Fernandez left the room and immediately sought out Lysander and Madam Evita to issue discreet but urgent orders.
