A New Life After Divorce - Chapter 119

“Could you introduce me to the lawyer the Count has appointed? My husband, well…”

“Wasn’t it burdensome to inherit a title as a woman? I have a younger brother, but my father insisted on grooming him as the heir despite his obvious flaws as a person…”

“Saying that inheriting the title after a divorce disrupts order…! Their closed-minded thinking is a hindrance to societal progress.”

“Oh, I heard you recently donated all the profits from the Lebron store to a nonprofit organization helping civilian victims. That’s incredible. Your generosity is an inspiration to everyone, Count.”

Since they were familiar with my situation, they let their guard down and spoke freely.

Shortly after, realizing their lapse, they belatedly introduced themselves.

They all seemed familiar. The Baroness of Luper, Lady Haidia of Viscount House, and Lady Arote of the Count’s family… All of them had sent letters of support and encouragement throughout my divorce.

‘I never even replied, using busyness as an excuse…’

A warmth spread in my chest.

There were people who approved of my decisions, who looked at our gathering with warmth and support.

“Thank you all for your encouragement.”

They exchanged glances before shrugging and laughing elegantly.

One of the ladies seemed particularly hesitant, stealing glances at me. I decided to speak first.

“Do you have something to say?”

“Uh, I was just wondering where the Duke bought his ring… Actually, I have a fiancé myself…”

“Oh, I was curious about that too.”

“Me too.”

It was the perfect chance to advertise.

I seized the opportunity and smiled brightly.

“Actually, this ring is a new product that will soon be released at the Lebron store. For those who have supported me, I’ll offer a special discount…”

Throughout breakfast, Lilien seemed different.

With Edmund already having left for his duties as Duke, it was just the two of us at the table.

She fidgeted at every little noise, as if she had hidden something in her room.

Even just now, when a maid accidentally bumped a chair, she nearly jumped out of her seat.

I gazed at her through half-lidded eyes.

“Are you nervous about receiving a communication from him?”

“N-No…!”

Lilien initially raised her voice to deny it but quickly covered her flushed cheeks with her hair.

“Yes, yes…”

I slightly parted my lips in surprise.

‘I was just testing her…’

But Lilien had already fully realized her own feelings.

‘Jake, you always acted so clueless around me, yet now you’re as sly as a fox.’

I ground my teeth in frustration at Jake. Did I make a mistake by giving him advice and setting up meetings?

“Have you been meeting him often while I was busy?”

“Just for tea or a walk in the park. He also told me stories about your childhood.”

“Hmm, I see.”

People usually call that dating.

Lilien waved her hands in protest against my knowing look.

“Don’t misunderstand! It’s not what you think.”

“Really?”

“Really! He’s not… like that…”

He’s not?

“Then what about you, Lilien?”

Her eyes widened. Then, lowering her head, she smiled shyly.

Seeing her blooming like a flower before it fully opens, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Lilien glanced at me hesitantly, fidgeting with her hands.

“Um, about Edmund…”

“I won’t tell him. Don’t worry.”

It was only a matter of time before those two ended up together.

Thinking of losing Lilien’s exclusive affection stung a little, but if she was happy, I was happy. I hoped Jake’s love would fill the lonely void she had endured.

“Hehe…”

Lilien giggled, feeling cheerful, and placed a waffle on my plate.

She had woken up early to make them as a gift for Jake later that afternoon.

I raised an eyebrow, staring at the waffle.

She always made them for me, but now, they were for Jake.

It was a good thing… but I still found Jake annoying.

Lilien leaned in anxiously.

“H-How is it?”

I chewed the crispy waffle instead of answering.

“As delicious as always.”

“I’m glad.”

She smiled brightly, but as she glanced at the newspaper beside me, her face stiffened.

The smile slowly faded from her lips.

“This is…”

I set the waffle down and dusted off my hands.

“You’ve seen it now.”

I spread out the newspaper for her to see more clearly.

The article read:

After joint research by the temple and the mage tower, it was officially announced that the recent monster outbreak in Buell Territory was caused by purification stones.

A mage tower researcher presented a thesis stating that the monsters self-unsealed due to unknown interactions with the purification stones, stirring up the monster research community.

The researcher also suggested that the infamous tragedy in the Mipedian Duchy nine years ago was similarly caused by purification stones.

As Lilien read the article to the end, her gaze lifted from the paper to me.

Her eyes wavered with confusion.

“So, the incident that day… was because of purification stones?”

“Yes.”

“T-Then we can’t just sit here! Edmund…! We need to tell him—”

“He already knows.”

“He… does?”

Shocked, she clutched her chest, her eyes brimming with tears—an expression of both grief and rage.

I still remembered Lilien breaking down in self-loathing, convinced that her own helplessness had driven her younger brother to his doom.

For years, she had blamed herself, afraid he resented her.

For years, she had been left in the dark about what had caused her parents’ deaths, forced to bury her questions deep inside.

“Lilien…”

The thought made my heart ache, so I reached out and held her trembling hand on the table.

‘Don’t worry. We will find the ones responsible for your parents’ deaths. I’ll make sure of it.’

I made this vow in my heart, unable to say it aloud due to my promise with Edmund.

I would clear their injustice. Just as they had helped me, I would return the favor.

At that moment, Rail entered the dining room.

“…!”

Lilien quickly wiped her tears and turned away.

Noticing her distress, Rail’s expression darkened as he handed me a letter.

“Count, this letter is from the temple.”

The envelope bore the temple’s intricate seal. I checked the sender’s name below it.

Grand Temple, Lova.

‘So, it has come.’

I opened the letter on the spot.

It was an invitation from Lova, requesting my visit to the temple soon.

‘I’m afraid to find out what he wants.’

My thoughts raced.

Surely, they wouldn’t force me to use my abilities until I was completely drained of life.

I let out a wry smile, then relaxed.

If I died, their plans for temple revival would be ruined. That wasn’t their goal.

Sighing deeply, I decided,

‘I’ll find out when I get there.’

I handed the letter to Rail, asking him to send me a reply that he would visit soon.

“Huh?”

At that moment, I saw the Lebron ring on his hand as my eyes passed over it.

“When did you start wearing the ring?”

“Starting today. It was hard to get. There was a long waiting list.”

“Right?”

I smiled proudly and shrugged my shoulders.

I had worked very hard to promote the Lebron ring by attending the Marchioness Wickley’s gatherings and parties.

As a result, it sold like crazy.

We even had to pause sales because there was no stock left.

At the same time, overseas distribution was moving quickly. It was in case the monsters migrated abroad.

Once the news spread to distant countries that the monster had unlocked itself from the purification stone, they would buy the rings too.

Just as I smiled with satisfaction, Lilien blinked wide-eyed as she looked at the grandfather clock.

“But Miss Etricia, didn’t you say you were going to the Marchioness Wickely’s riding club today?”

Oh no! I looked at the clock and quickly stood up.

I told Lilien I’d see her in the evening and hurried up the stairs.

In a room where cigarette pipes and liquor bottles rolled on the floor, a man and woman were tangled together on the sofa.

Lunox was lying down, looking at the ceiling, his long hair hanging off the edge of the sofa. The woman on top of him woke up and kissed him.

Lunox frowned slightly but accepted her kiss.

After the short kiss, he sat up and brushed his hair back irritably.

He was already sick of the rural village he had decided to stay in a little while ago.

The peaceful countryside, with no entertainment, was unbearably boring.

The voluptuous woman sitting close to Lunox hugged his waist. Lunox looked coldly at her in his arms.

Even this woman, who was once exciting, was now just another thing that annoyed him.

She was the only daughter of the village chief, and unlike the wary villagers, she welcomed him.

She had been so enchanted by Lunox that she gave him everything. It was as if she would even pull out her last coin and put it in his pocket.

“I brought you a gift. Guess what I got you.”

“…”

“Hmm? Try to guess.”

She turned his face to meet her eyes. When their eyes met, Lunox gave a fake smile.

“If it’s from you, I’m happy with anything.”

“Really?!”

“Of course.”

Lunox gave her a faint, fake smile.

Even though it was clearly forced, the woman clapped her hands happily and went to get the gift.

Meanwhile, voices of villagers passing by the mansion window could be heard. Lunox’s eyes turned empty and cold, like glass.

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