We Will Get Divorced: The Perfect Divorce Plan of the Sacrificial Daughter and the Cold-Blooded Soldier - Chapter 34

After counting a full hundred seconds, I stepped outside to find no one there.

Guided by moonlight, I walked alone through the night corridor.

What was that all about? I’d hoped to ease my brother’s tension even slightly before tomorrow’s negotiations, but instead I feel like I’ve created new friction.

I’m no good. I told Julian not to get angry, yet I ended up flying into a rage myself.

Today really is a terrible day. I should just go to sleep and end it. As I quickened my pace with that thought—

“—Sierra?”

A voice from behind stopped me in my tracks.

“My lord…”

Turning around, I found Julian standing there. It was my first time seeing him in sleepwear, the loose white garments floating in the darkness made him look like a sunbeam fairy who’d wandered into the night.

“What are you doing, Sierra? At this hour?”

“Nothing, I couldn’t sleep. I was just taking a walk.”

I lied without thinking. Though I felt guilty, since I’d entrusted the negotiations with Arcadia entirely to Julian, I couldn’t possibly tell him about what just happened in the waiting room.

“And you, my lord?”

“Ah, I couldn’t sleep either. Just getting some fresh air.”

As he said this, Julian gestured with his eyes toward the open corridor window.

“I see. We’re the same, then.”

“Yeah.”

We smiled at each other in our sleepwear. That simple exchange made me feel as if this terrible day had been redeemed.

“Well then, good night.”

I felt I could sleep peacefully now. Thinking this, I bid him farewell, but—

“Sierra.”

Julian’s voice stopped me again.

When I turned, his blue eyes immediately dropped, wandering uncertainly around his feet. Still, when he realized I was waiting, he raised his face as if steeling himself.

“Would you take this?”

With the resolve of someone challenging another to a duel, Julian held out something small hanging from a red string—

“…A bell?”

What I received was small enough to completely disappear in my palm when clenched, yet it had a solid feel to its craftsmanship.

“Arcadia is that kind of man. I don’t think he would, but I can’t say for certain he won’t sneak into your bedroom. There may be times when you can’t cry out immediately, so something that makes noise might give you some peace of mind.”

“My lord…”

“…Well, it’s probably just a small comfort.”

“Not at all! I’m happy. Very happy. Thank you.”

It seemed like it could serve as a substitute for the morning bells that nightmare demons hate.

“Is that so? Well, this is actually my first time personally giving someone a gift. I’m glad if it makes you happy.”

You’re giving something so important to me? When I looked up, Julian averted his eyes as if embarrassed.

“That’s all. I’m going back now. You should get to sleep soon too, Sierra.”

With those words, Julian turned his back. He moved briskly, as if having finally completed some great task. Perhaps I wasn’t the only one who’d lied about not being able to sleep.

Did you come all this way just to give me this bell? Of course, Julian wouldn’t use someone else to meet with me.

That fact made me happy, and that retreating back somehow seemed reluctant to leave…

—Riiin.

As if sensing my feelings, the bell I’d just received rang out. A clear sound with more substance than I’d imagined echoed through the corridor,

“……”

Julian turned around in surprise.

I hadn’t made it ring. It was just the wind coming through the still-open window.

Even so, Julian frowned awkwardly,

“If you can’t sleep, shall we talk for a bit?”

He said stiffly.

Probably, this was his first time inviting someone to chat too.