VDT CH 05

Chapter 5.

Her Scheme

The next day.

“Your recovery is better than expected, but you still need rest. The poison was strong. You may look fine now, but I fear lingering aftereffects,” the physician said after his examination.

“What I drank—it really was poison? Not just a sleeping drug?”

“Yes. It was a deadly poison known as Hellicious. It makes one appear to be in a deep sleep, but slowly leads to death. Unlike Elixina, which resembles death but allows one to wake after several days, this is far more dangerous.”

“I see… Then how long must I rest?”

“At least a month would be safest.”

“A month? That long?”

She wanted to divorce and take her settlement right away. A month felt far too long.

Diabella sighed.

“Yes, truly, the longer you rest, the better.”

“Haa, fine. Write down what you just said.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Put into writing: that I was poisoned, what the poison was, how long I need to rest. Include today’s date and sign it.”

“Ah, yes… though isn’t that a bit unnecessary—”

“It’s to prove it to someone who won’t believe otherwise.”

“…Yes, understood.”

The physician could guess whom she meant, but said nothing more. Since the Marchioness’ condition was undeniably true, he faithfully wrote the document.

“Here, as you asked.”

Diabella scanned it. It was sufficiently objective and clear.

“Write another identical one.”

“O-one more?”

“I’ll feel safer with two copies.”

There was no such thing as photocopying or scanning here. She swallowed the thought. After checking both documents were the same, she placed them side by side and had the physician sign across both pages at the seam—proof that neither could be forged separately.

He’s such a petty, dirty man, he’d probably accuse me of faking the papers otherwise.

Biting her lip, Diabella muttered inwardly. This was exactly why she couldn’t stand it anymore.

After the physician left, Diabella filled out the divorce papers herself. Then she summoned the butler and handed him both the divorce and the medical documents.

“……!”

The butler’s eyes widened. He hadn’t believed she’d actually write the divorce papers.

“I have done as promised. However, as you can see from the physician’s letter, my health is not yet restored. I cannot leave immediately. Tell the Marquis I will depart within a month, as the doctor recommends, so he needn’t worry. And I expect the settlement funds to be prepared as soon as possible, so I may make arrangements.”

“Yes, I will deliver your message.”

The butler bowed.

At first, Hajin—now Diabella—had spoken politely, as she would to elders in Korea. But the more respectfully she spoke, the more the servants seemed to tremble, afraid of her. So she’d begun to drop formalities, though it still felt awkward.

She would get used to it.

“And I have another favor to ask.”

“…Yes? W-what is it?”

The butler flinched. Though the mistress was gentler than before, he still feared her.

“Return the bell tax I collected to the people. Find those who were cast out, give them back their money, and help them resettle. Also, quietly look for land near their villages large enough for a building.”

“…Land?”

To ask for land within the Marquisate, even as she prepared to leave? The butler tilted his head but dared not question her. He bowed and withdrew.

Of course she had to return the unjust taxes.

It wasn’t about suddenly pretending to be virtuous. In truth, she rather liked the title of villainess.

In her past life, she could never live as she pleased. She had to endure, bow, and break herself just to pay tuition and survive.

But here, people trembled at her name. She could act however she liked, and no one dared scold her. With expectations already so low, even a little kindness shocked people. Why throw away such a useful title?

But evil should have limits.

She wouldn’t bow her head anymore—but she wouldn’t torment the weak for no reason either. That was her new resolve.

This was her new world now. She would live in it, so she needed not only fearsome notoriety, but also a decent reputation.

***

“Please forgive the Baron’s daughter’s mistake!”

“There’s no way an angel like Lady Miles would knowingly use poison!”

From early morning, a noisy commotion arose outside. Raymond frowned.

“What’s going on out there?”

“The townsfolk have come to plead for Lady Miles’ innocence,” the butler reported quickly.

“The commoners? Here, to the capital estate?”

“Yes… It seems Lady Miles secretly aided those poor folk who had been driven out because of the bell tax your wife imposed. Now that she is under suspicion for the poison, they’ve come to defend her.”

The butler glanced nervously at Raymond.

“Shall I have them removed at once?”

“No, let them be. We should hear what they say.”

But instead of granting them audience, Raymond moved silently to the window and listened from behind the curtain.

“Should I bring them inside?”

“Shh.”

He pressed a finger to his lips. The butler fell silent.

“Merciful Marquis, forgive the Baron’s daughter!”

“She is innocent!”

Voices pleaded again and again. But with no reply, they began to quiet down.

“Is the Marquis not here?”

“Let’s wait a little longer.”

Soon, hushed whispers drifted up.

“She really gave poison to the Marchioness?”

“They say so. But honestly, who cares? That wicked woman deserved it…”

“Shh! If the villainess hears you, we’ll die without a trace.”

Though whispered, the house was fitted with magic stones that amplified outside sounds to detect intruders. Every word came through clearly.

The butler flinched. Raymond glanced at him, then listened on.

“They say the Marquis is finally divorcing her. About time! With the bell tax repaid, we’re satisfied.”

“And they say it was Lady Miles who ordered the refunds too!”

“Really? See? She’s an angel.”

“But can she even command that?”

“She’ll be the next Marchioness. Of course she can.”

“What? She’s marrying the Marquis?”

“Of course! What a perfect pair. Once the villainess is gone and the angel takes her place, the whole Marquisate will rejoice.”

“I hope the angel replaces her soon.”

At this, Raymond narrowed his eyes and rubbed his chin. But the next words made his eyes widen.

“By the way, construction started on some empty farmland. Do you know what’s being built?”

“I heard… the villainess is building a house.”

“What? Not leaving after divorce, but building within the Marquisate?”

Raymond turned to the butler, scowling.

“…What’s this about? Did you know?”

“That is…”

The butler faltered. He had been secretly following Diabella’s orders.

“She’s at it again. Fine. I’ll see for myself.”

Biting his lip, Raymond seized his coat and stormed out.

***

After half a day’s ride, Raymond reached the Marquisate—and there, construction was in full swing. Even from afar, he could see massive frames rising.

At the center of the bustling site stood a woman with flowing wine-red hair.

“So, your health required bedrest, yet here you are, looking quite vigorous. For once, you appear in the Marquisate.”

“Oh my, you startled me! When did you arrive?”

Sneaking up behind her, his sudden voice made Diabella jump.

“Is this what the urgent need for your settlement was about?”

Raymond raised an eyebrow in displeasure.

“Well… it is part of my plan.”

“Part?”

He clicked his tongue. A project this large, and she called it only part? He couldn’t even guess what scheme she was brewing.

Even if he’d wanted to divorce her and cast her out, he’d felt uneasy about expelling a still-ill wife too harshly.

At first, hearing she was building within the Marquisate, he’d been appalled. But then thought—if she stayed in a small house nearby until ready to leave, perhaps it wasn’t so bad. Better that than refusing to leave at all.

That was, until he saw this scale.

This wasn’t a “small residence.” This was nearly a hotel.

Multiple massive buildings’ frames already rose, with a vast garden planned at the center. Behind them, more skeletal structures crowded the land.

Her greed knew no bounds.

Raymond squeezed his eyes shut against the dizziness. Divorce was supposed to end this—but she had gone too far.

“I might overlook a little. But this is excessive. Don’t you think so?”

Don’t get angry. Don’t get angry.

He forced his voice steady.

“…Excessive? In what way?”

Diabella looked genuinely puzzled.

“Haa…”

Raymond let out a deep sigh.

“…You said you’d divorce and leave. I was willing to accept a modest house for you to convalesce in. But this? It makes me doubt your sincerity. Do you truly mean to admit your faults and divorce?”

His cold eyes glared down at her.

But then—Diabella lifted her head, trembling with anger. The sight startled him. This scene… felt familiar.

“Hah!”

She shook her head with a scoff. Biting her lip, lifting her chin, she marched toward him.