“I need to speak privately with my wife. Everyone else, please leave. Do not speak rashly of what you saw and heard today.”
“Rubidov, don’t listen to that woman!”
“Mother.”
The Duke’s voice, cutting off the Grand Duchess, was icy. For someone who had always sided with his pitiful mother no matter what, this was rare.
“You should leave as well, Mother. We’ll talk later.”
In that moment, he was no longer her son—he was the head of House Pandeon. At the cold fury in his voice, the Grand Duchess clutched her forehead as if dizzy.
Marquis Delos helped her out, and even Hessis Rivne, wearing a worried expression, left and closed the door behind him.
Now, only the shaken Rubidov Pandeon and Caria remained in the wide chamber.
“Madam, is what’s written here completely true?”
“You read it and then ask?”
“So you’ve been out all this time trying to find this evidence?”
The Duke looked at her with an indescribably complex expression. Caria’s face, however, showed little emotion. Instead of answering, she spoke in an exaggerated tone.
“A bit disappointing. I thought the ever-diligent Duke, always working tirelessly for his domain, would be pleased to find a rat stealing from the family vault. But why do you look like that?”
“Are you telling me to accuse my own mother?!”
Startled, the Duke snapped at her, unable to hold back his anger. Caria scoffed in disbelief.
The real culprit is elsewhere, and yet he takes it out on her? She wasn’t here to help him calm down.
“What if you don’t?”
“What?”
“If you won’t do it, then I will inform His Majesty the Emperor. And what do you think the Imperial family will believe? That House Pandeon has been secretly buying titles and lands to increase its influence?”
If so, the Grand Duchess would likely face prison at the very least…
As she drew out her words with a playful smile, as if to provoke him, Rubidov stared in disbelief.
Perhaps he thought it was an outrageous threat. But Caria was entirely serious.
“Even after this betrayal, do you still pity your mother?”
“What child in this world can turn their back on their parents?!”
“Well, there is one way.”
Just as Rubidov found himself cornered, unable to act, Caria spoke again in a voice as sweet as sugar.
“I’m only involved in this because I’m the lady of House Pandeon. But what if we’re no longer related? Then it’s none of my business, right?”
“What exactly are you saying?”
“I didn’t think it was that hard to understand. You really are slow sometimes.”
Or maybe you just don’t want to understand.
Caria knew Rubidov wasn’t stupid. So if he had ignored her past suffering, it was either deliberate or he simply didn’t care. Either way, it didn’t matter to her.
‘Either way, I have no intention of forgiving you.’
Leaning forward from her chair, she reached for Rubidov’s cheek. He flinched briefly but didn’t avoid her touch.
Her cold hand brushed against his cheek, but even the heat from his anger-flushed skin couldn’t warm her frozen fingers.
His skin felt rough—he’d clearly been busy. He didn’t seem much changed from when she first met him, but the fatigue had dulled the handsomeness she once remembered.
She had once loved—and hated—this man so much that she had nearly resolved to die.
Now, more than touching his cheek, she wanted to strangle his neck. Maybe the warmth of his neck could thaw her cold hands.
“Duke.”
“Yes.”
“Honey.”
“…Yes.”
He responded a beat late to the word he’d never heard from her before. Caria smiled brightly at him and gently traced his face with her fingers.
“Intelligent sapphire-colored eyes.”
“Madam…”
“And clear, sky-blue hair like a summer’s day.”
“Let’s not do this—”
“My dear. My husband.”
“…Yes.”
“Let’s get divorced.”
She smiled so radiantly, it looked like she couldn’t be happier. Rubidov, for a moment, didn’t even comprehend what she’d said. Or perhaps he simply didn’t want to.
Wasn’t this the moment for forgiveness? For teasing her way to reconciliation, and finally understanding his position? Divorce? That couldn’t be. Surely he misheard.
“Wh-what do you mean…? Why, all of a sudden… Is this a joke?”
“Duke, are you aware that Ellie still works in this house?”
“Ellie? Who’s Ellie?”
Ellie? What does that have to do with anything?
Rubidov knew they hadn’t been close as husband and wife.
But marriage was a sacred vow. Once made, it was a bond that must not be broken. He’d often found it stifling, but had never once considered divorce. So why now?
“That’s it.”
“What is?”
“That’s the reason I want a divorce. That.”
And it had never occurred to him that she might be considering divorce.
Rubidov desperately wished she would take her words back and say it was just to get his attention.
But Caria’s eyes were too cold for that. When had they become that way?
‘Duke, welcome back. Did you have a good trip? You don’t look well—are you sick?’
She hadn’t always been like this. Her gaze used to be warm—joyful—even affectionate.
So who was this woman before him now, wearing her face but looking at him more coldly than a stranger?
“I’ll be going now. Think it over. We’ll live separately starting today. Leave my things for now—I’ll contact you once I find a place. Goodbye.”
There was no sorrow or pain in her departing figure—only relief. Rubidov couldn’t think to stop her; he just wished she’d turn around once.
They needed to talk. He needed to know why she had gone to such extremes…
But Caria vanished without hesitation and left his house for good.
At that moment, Rubidov was so overwhelmed by the feeling of having lost something vital—like a part of his own body—that he no longer even remembered his mother’s betrayal.
—
3. I’m Getting a Divorce
“She never leaves the house, so there’s no way to find anything out.”
Ever since the day he saw the noticeably changed Caria, Alcard couldn’t stop thinking about her. She had changed too much.
Surely no one changes like that without a reason. But even after much effort, no one seemed to know anything.
She was never a social butterfly—rarely attended parties or gatherings—and had no close friends. He didn’t even know where to begin asking about her.
“Even when I ask Father what she said, he keeps his mouth shut. And asking Duke Pandeon…”
As captain of the Imperial Knights, Alcard frequently attended major briefings and meetings at the palace. Because of that, he often ran into Duke Pandeon.
He had always thought the young duke seemed burdened with responsibility and hoped, now that they were family, they could become closer.
One day, after a meeting, he approached him.
‘Sir Luterbert, please observe proper decorum. You are here not as the lady’s brother, but as Captain of the Imperial Knights.’
At first, Alcard assumed it was just his rigid personality. Or perhaps he was still adjusting—after all, it was a political marriage. Of course things would be awkward with his wife’s family.
So Alcard, trying to save face, politely suggested again:
‘Apologies. The meeting was over, so I thought it was alright. If the palace setting is uncomfortable, would you join me for a meal elsewhere?’
‘I’m afraid I have a full schedule today. If you have business with me, please send a formal letter to the ducal estate. I’ll consider it. Though I’m often away, so it may be difficult.’
What he got in return was a blunt rejection, with not even the courtesy to hide his annoyance.
Alcard was naturally offended. What, did he think Alcard was some lovesick fool? It was insulting and unpleasant.
Yes, the marriage was arranged. Yes, he knew Rubidov had been pushed into it due to the Archduke’s proposal and his domain’s needs.
But still—Rubidov gained something from it too, didn’t he? Since th
ey were family now, wouldn’t it be better to get along and help each other out?
What made him think he was too good for that?
