We Will Get Divorced: The Perfect Divorce Plan of the Sacrificial Daughter and the Cold-Blooded Soldier - Chapter 23

“Thank you. Then, I shall challenge you in my husband’s place.”

“What?”

“If I win, as your reward, I’d like you to attend a tea party with me and my husband.”

“…Oh?”

“Sierra!”

Suddenly, murmurs spread across the deck. Nadine looked down at me with a mocking gaze.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, of course. You cannot refuse this time. The Eirondale family is the oldest ducal house in the Vishka Kingdom—it would be impolite for an ‘inferior’ elder sister to decline.”

“You little brat…”

The murmurs turned into shudders. Nadine, who never hid her emotions, quickly withdrew her smile and pierced me with a gaze like a thunderbolt.

“Fine. What a charming bride you are—I’ll do it!”

“Wait, Sister! Sierra, are you out of your mind?”

“Of course. Please do not forget the reward, dear sister.”

“Naturally. Sound the gong! Launch the fireworks!”

In response to Nadine’s command, the gong was struck, and fireworks shot up from the stern. High-pitched whistles and drumbeats followed, and cheers erupted. The arena instantly returned to its peak excitement.

“What are you thinking? Do you know who you’re up against?”

Julian raised his voice to be heard over the noise.

“Yes, I know. I admit it might seem reckless even to me… but isn’t this an opportunity? ‘Treasure lies in the most dangerous place’—that’s the teaching of the Azizi Trading Company.”

“Sierra…”

“Please let me go. It’s a ladies’ tea party, after all. I must let my sister hear all about my husband’s shortcomings.”

I intended it as a lighthearted joke, but—

“Do you want to divorce me that badly?”

Julian’s face was twisted in a pain I had never seen before.

“Are you willing to risk your life just to leave me, Sierra?”

“My lord…”

Seeing that expression made me feel like crying for some reason.

“No,” I answered in a voice only Julian could hear.

“Money is important, of course. But I’m not fighting just for a divorce.”

“Then why?”

“Because you were insulted.”

“Me…?”

“I’m sorry. I’m a little angry. To speak of you as a ‘concubine’s child’ like that—as if it were something you could control. I can’t forgive it. I’m sorry. Even though she’s your sister, I’m sorry.”

“Sierra…”

Julian’s eyes trembled as if they might shatter. For the first time, I saw a powerful emotion deep within them.

“That’s enough.”

He took my hand.

His large palm enveloped my sword-holding hand completely, and it trembled slightly.

“It’s enough. My pride isn’t so fragile as to be wounded by such words. So, please stop.”

“My lord.”

Why was Julian trembling too? Why was he stopping me to this extent? I’m just an insignificant woman. I’m supposed to be a temporary wife.

‘I cannot love you. So, don’t love me either.’

That’s what he said, wasn’t it?

“Thank you, my lord. But it’s all right.”

I pushed back against the urge to drown in my emotions and gently pressed Julian’s hand away.

“Sierra…”

“I haven’t challenged her without a plan. May I borrow your ear?”

Rising on my toes, I brought my lips close to Julian’s ear. After hearing my whisper, he said,

“…Understood. But if I judge it’s too dangerous, I’m stopping it immediately. Got it?”

After biting his lip in frustration for a moment, he hid his emotions behind his usual blue eyes and spoke.

“Julian, are you done with your farewell kiss? If we don’t start soon, there’ll be a riot!”

Nadine, fully prepared, had already taken her place at the center of the stage. As she riled up the audience, cheers exploded like cannon fire.

There was no turning back now. Resolving to leave all hesitation behind, I released Julian’s hand and stepped forward with my wooden sword.

“Get her!”

Instantly, a storm of jeers swept through the arena. It was a torrent of insults so visceral they felt almost tangible, carrying weight and pain.

Cutting through the noise,

“Don’t push yourself, Sierra!”

Julian’s voice reached my ears.

Whether against a hundred or a thousand, Julian’s voice resonated powerfully in my ears. The hand he had held just moments ago burned with heat. Thank you, my lord. With this, I can fight.

“Now then, both of you, step forward—”

Following the somewhat demoralizing direction of the female referee, I faced Nadine. Lowering my chin and straightening my posture, I fixed my gaze directly ahead—only for it to land squarely on the empress’s ample chest.

The height difference was hopeless. The words ‘adult and child’ came to mind instantly.

“Are you sure about this? It might be better to apologize now rather than push yourself.”

It seemed the same thought had occurred to the referee.

“Are you scared, little brat? If you cry and beg for mercy, I might just let you off.”

Nadine flashed a fearless smile. It was terrifying yet beautiful, like lightning splitting a cloudy sky—a smile that held my gaze captive.

Cry and beg for mercy, huh? Even without being told, I felt like crying.

“Both of you, try not to get hurt. Begin.”

The referee’s signal.

Without a moment’s hesitation, a merciless wooden sword sliced through the air. The full-swing tip was inches from splitting my skull when—

—Thud.

A dull sound rang out as it was blocked by another wooden sword.

The audience gasped.

Damn, the surprise attack failed.

Nadine’s wooden sword had narrowly intercepted my strike.

“…Little brat, were you only pretending to be afraid?”