We Will Get Divorced: The Perfect Divorce Plan of the Sacrificial Daughter and the Cold-Blooded Soldier - Chapter 40

To reiterate, the Annual Harvest Festival is a traditional Vishka Kingdom ritual held once a year to pray for bountiful harvests of the five grains.

The venue is the sacred territory of Heisen, home to the headquarters of the state religion, the Hazen faith.

The three-day festival begins with the ceremonial dance of the Holy Maiden on the first day, features a great bonfire on the second day, and concludes on the third day with the king entering the sacred spring alone to offer prayers.

Held annually during the meteor shower season, it’s said that if meteors fall during the festival, the year will bring abundant harvests.

“The Holy Maiden!” “The Holy Maiden has arrived!”

When the Holy Maiden appeared in the grand plaza before the cathedral after sunset, cheers erupted simultaneously from the gathered spectators.

The stubborn, unceasing murmur was instantly replaced by silence the moment the bowed Holy Maiden raised her face.

Hazen prayers are expressed through dance.

In movements so refined they transcended skill, the Holy Maiden captivated the audience as if she had become a god herself, finally exploding the venue into applause. Unending clapping and cheers followed, with many shedding tears.

“Incredible… just incredible.”

I was one of them.

Surrounded by thunderous applause in the VIP seats, I couldn’t hold back my overflowing tears. It was a strange sensation, as if something emotional from the depths of my heart had been directly scooped up by hand.

“Need this, Sierra?”

Julian gently offered me a handkerchief.

“Thank you.”

We’re just like a real married couple, aren’t we? Though slightly embarrassing, Arcadia, still recovering from his wounds, was avoiding crowds in the waiting room, and Zach was stationed there as both guard and lookout. There was no one here to scold us for playing house. The fresh handkerchief carried Julian’s scent beneath the perfume, which was comforting.

“I’ve never seen such an amazing dance before.”

“Probably because the dancer is exceptional. Is this your first time attending the Harvest Festival?”

“No, I came every year when my mother was alive. But since becoming vice-minister, I’ve been too busy with official duties.”

“Same here. I haven’t attended at all since I started going to the battlefield.”

“Thank you for the handkerchief. I’m sorry—I’m not here for sightseeing. I’ll pull myself together.” As if drilling into myself the sixth teaching of the Azizi Trading Company—’Don’t cry before winning’—I slapped both cheeks with my palms.”

“Make sure you don’t leave marks again.”

Julian laughed as he said this.

Looking at his face made me feel like crying again for some reason. So, I hurriedly changed the subject.

“Speaking of which, I don’t see Lady Nadine. Has she arrived safely in Heisen?”

“I haven’t seen her either, but she should be here. There’s no way Nadine would miss Linsha’s dance.”

“…Linsha?”

It took me a few moments to realize he was referring to the Holy Maiden. Just as I was about to ask if he knew her,

“Hey there, little lady!”

A loud voice boomed, loud enough to make everyone in the VIP seats turn around.

“Seems she’s here already.”

Julian sighed exasperatedly and turned toward the source of the voice.

“Over here, over here!”

Sure enough, Empress Nadine was waving her hand vigorously.

With her height and beauty standing a head above those around her, Nadine was conspicuous just by waving, and with this loud voice added, she was as bold and impressive as ever.

The surrounding crowd seemed to share the same sentiment, quickly backing away from Nadine as if to avoid being mistaken for her friends.

Thanks to that, I could clearly see the woman in ceremonial dress standing smiling beside her—the dancer Julian had called Linsha.

“Long time no see, little lady!”

Nadine’s volume didn’t drop at all even as I approached.

“Yes, thanks to you. And you, sister, are you well?”

“Of course. You haven’t changed either, Sierra. Julian hasn’t laid a hand on you, has he?”

What kind of question is that to ask so loudly?

“Sister, please refrain from vulgar questions.”

“Quiet, you temporary husband. Don’t act like you’re in charge.”

When Julian tried to admonish her, she swiftly responded with an exaggerated click of her tongue. It seemed Julian’s idea to request a chaperone was correct after all.

“Anyway, I’m relieved to see you’re well, sister. I assume your feelings haven’t changed either?”

“Foolish question. If you and Sierra divorce, I’ll do anything. You’re prepared for that, right?”

Saying this, Nadine used her raised thumb to point directly behind her at the cathedral.

“The final security briefing is right after this. Father and His Majesty will attend as scheduled. The lord, Lord Heisen, should be here too. Don’t lose your nerve.”

“Of course.” “Yes.”

It’s finally time. Julian and I nodded simultaneously.

“Wow, this is so exciting!”

Beside us, the woman in ceremonial dress added a comment devoid of tension.

“W-Wait, Sister Lin, are you coming with us too?”

Julian’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Yes, Nadine insisted. Oh, Nadine? Didn’t you tell Julian?”

“Ah, right. I’m telling you now.”

You didn’t tell him, sister. What you told was—

—Sister Lin.

The Holy Maiden whom Julian had called that.

Honestly, more than the sudden appearance of the Holy Maiden joining the decisive battle, the name Julian had blurted out stuck with me.

So, they do know each other.

Who is she? She’s so beautiful. Translucent white skin, golden hair like gathered stars from the night sky, eyes like embedded jewels. It was as if all the features every woman, including me, would wish to possess even one of were collected in her alone.

She was too beautiful to feel jealous of. Noticing my gaze, Linsha smiled at me.

“Finally, we can speak, Lady Sierra.”

“Huh? Have we met before?”

During my time as vice-minister, I never forgot a face I’d met once. I shouldn’t have forgotten such a beauty.

“I am Linsha Heisen, second daughter of the Duke of Heisen. You probably can’t tell in this outfit—Winner, Nadine!”

Linsha raised her right hand high in a playful gesture. That gesture instantly revived my memory.

“Could it be, from that picnic?”

Yes, that woman who served as referee at the sword arena. I thought there was something different about her aura, but to think she was a duke’s daughter, and the Holy Maiden at that.

“Right, this is your first time talking, isn’t it? Linsha left before the banquet.”

Nadine draped herself over Linsha’s slender shoulders.

“Yes, I don’t like a drunk Nadine, so I left early. But I regret it. Since that day, Nadine only talks about you, Lady Sierra.”

“That’s not true.” “Yes, it is~”

Pouting mischievously, Linsha laughed. Apparently, the two were very close. Which means, her younger brother Julian too…?

Timidly glancing beside me, Julian was awkwardly avoiding looking at them. Rare. For some reason, that expression of Julian’s strangely unsettled my heart.

“Well, that’s why Linsha is coming too. No complaints, Julian?”

“Yes… With Sister Lin, the Holy Maiden of Heisen, supporting us, it’s reassuring, but…”

“Support? No, I called Linsha as your new marriage prospect.”

“Marriage prospect!?”

My voice and Julian’s overlapped perfectly.

“Right, you’ll need one, won’t you?”

With a face that seemed to say “You should be grateful,” Nadine simultaneously patted both my and Linsha’s shoulders.

“W-Wait, sister. It’s troubling to be told something so sudden out of nowhere.”

“Why? Are you dissatisfied with Linsha? She’s already agreed.”

“Is that true?” “Yes.”

Linsha nodded her slender chin as if it were nothing.

“As you know, the Holy Maiden of the Hazen faith is not permitted to touch men. However, as the lord’s daughter, marriage is an obligation. Originally, I became the Holy Maiden with the promise until marriage, so I was prepared to resign eventually. But Julian wishes for a white marriage after divorcing you, Lady Sierra. If we can marry without even a finger touching, I don’t need to resign as Holy Maiden. Moreover, if the partner is the younger brother of my close friend things can proceed quickly.”

“Even if you say that…”

Receiving Linsha’s smile, Julian showed his agitation. His blue eyes, filled with confusion, moved between Linsha and Nadine before finally settling on me.

“Isn’t it fine?”

“Sierra…”

“Actually, I was concerned too. If we appeal to His Majesty for divorce, we probably won’t be permitted unless we have the next marriage partner prepared. This offer is like a godsend.”

“…Are you serious?” “Of course.”

What other reply could I have given?

Because it was decided from the start. From the beginning, we were temporary spouses. That was the contract we’ve been striving under all along.

“Understood.”

Julian nodded. Yes, this is how it should be for us.

“Decided then. Let’s go. Arcadia has already gone to the assembly room—time to march out.”

Nadine clapped her hands sharply and strode out ahead. Linsha quickly followed beside her.

“Let’s go, Sierra.” “Yes, my husband.”

Julian and I followed after.

—My husband.

For some reason, saying that word myself made me feel like crying a little.