We Will Get Divorced: The Perfect Divorce Plan of the Sacrificial Daughter and the Cold-Blooded Soldier - Chapter 41

“Excuse me.”

The cathedral’s assembly room was smaller in construction than I had imagined.

This was likely due to the teachings of the Heisen faith, which emphasized simplicity. The already cramped assembly room felt even more oppressive under the weight of the numerous people gathered there.

Surrounded by guards holding unsheathed spears was a round table where four men were seated.

In the lowest seat near the door was Arcadia, the General Commander of the Military Police. The elderly man occupying the chairman’s seat was probably Heisen VIII, who served as both the lord of Heisen and the archbishop. And the nobleman positioned beside him—

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty.”

Dimitris III, King of the Vishka Kingdom.

Though rumors of his deep suspicion often led people to imagine him as elderly, in reality, he appeared to be only in his thirties. That left one more person—the one occupying the seat next to Dimitris.

“You’re late, Nadine.”

The unmistakable Chrislan Vraogone. He scolded Nadine for her tardiness and immediately deepened the furrow in his brow.

“Julian, why are you here?!”

“It’s been a while, Father. And it’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty Dimitris. I am Julian Eirondale, the eldest son of the Vraogone family, though I now bear the Eirondale surname.”

“How insolent! Who called for you? Step back!”

“Now, now, don’t bark like that, Chris. It’s fine.”

Dimitris restrained Chrislan, who had instantly flared with anger, as if pulling on a hunting dog’s leash. His voice was large and resonant. With his muscular build and sharp gaze, his appearance seemed more fitting for a general than a king.

“So, you’re the Immortal King. I’ve been wanting to meet you. How goes it? Married life treating you well? Missing the battlefield?”

“No, I’ve already forgotten the battlefield. Right now, I’m thoroughly enjoying the rest you’ve granted me, Your Majesty.”

“Is that so? Glad to hear my efforts weren’t in vain. So, what brings you here today? Surely you didn’t barge into my meeting just to say that.”

“Yes, today I’ve come with a request.”

“Julian!”

“Very well. As your matchmaker, I’m practically your parent. Speak.”

“Such an honor. Then, I would like to request to join the security detail for this year’s Harvest Festival.”

“…Enough of this.”

Finally, Chrislan stood up.

Though he kept his voice restrained, his anger was clearly intensifying. His dark, unfathomable eyes regarded the son before him as a complete enemy.

“You’ve grown far too arrogant. Guards, throw this fool out.”

“Please wait, Father. I support Julian’s proposal.”

“I agree, too~”

“You two…”

Perhaps it was utterly unexpected that the siblings would take Julian’s side. Chrislan stared at the three of them as if he’d seen a ghost in broad daylight.

“What’s the meaning of this, Immortal King?”

Ignoring the frozen Chrislan, Dimitris posed the question.

“Guarding the King is the highest honor for any subject. Had I not married into the Eirondale family, I believe I, too, would have been worthy of that honor. The thought left me so restless I rushed here like this. I beg of you, Your Majesty Dimitris. Please, allow me to join the security detail, even in the most minor role.”

“Impossible. The security arrangements are already finalized. Changes cannot be made now.”

Without waiting for Dimitris’s reply, Chrislan shot it down.

“Is it truly impossible?”

“Enough. The security arrangements weren’t decided just yesterday. Not a single soldier can be moved.”

Chrislan rejected it outright once more, but Julian smiled as if things had gone exactly as he’d hoped.

“Is that so? Then, the already decided arrangements can remain as they are. As for me… well, looking at the deployment chart, I’ll take up guard duty at the Sacred Spring, which seems to be the most thinly guarded area. After all, even without soldiers, I alone should be sufficient.”

“Julian, you bastard…”

It seemed Chrislan had finally grasped everything.

Why Julian had come.

What Julian knew.

“Oh, isn’t that fine? With our brother, who’s worth a thousand soldiers, we can rest easy even if he’s alone, right? Sis?”

“Indeed, I’ve been concerned about the security there as well. If needed, I can lend him some of my soldiers.”

Nadine and Arcadia’s intentions.

“You two…”

And the position he himself had now been cornered into.

“Is that acceptable, Father?”

Julian pressed his words upon Chrislan, who couldn’t hide his fluster. Without ever raising his voice or intensifying his tone, he simply infused his words with a sharp, polished will.

“Julian…”

Chrislan couldn’t refuse. There was no way he could refuse. Before a deeply suspicious king, there was no reason to reject reinforcing a security detail that had been pointed out as weak. Glaring at Julian with eyes burning in anger,

“Fine… then.”

He had no choice but to slowly, very slowly, sink back into his chair.

—We won.

As the Vraogone siblings exchanged such glances,

“I don’t get it.”

The one who shattered the atmosphere with a single statement was Dimitris himself.

“Indeed, I too had been concerned about the weak security at the Sacred Spring. However, that’s been the case every year. The Sacred Spring is a divine sanctuary where only royalty may enter. Immortal King, why do you offer to guard it?”

“That is—”

“Let me rephrase the question. Do you know of something that necessitates reinforcing the Sacred Spring’s security? For example… someone’s duplicity, perhaps.”

—Duplicity.

That word, coming from the mouth of the suspicious king, sent a shiver through everyone present. In the dead-silent assembly room, the sound of guards tightening their grips on their spears echoed.

“Answer me, Immortal King. Why did you offer to guard it at the last moment? Do you know something?”

“That’s not—”

“Your Majesty—”

Julian and Nadine’s words overlapped, canceling each other out. Immediately after, the irritated siblings’ gazes clashed.

“That’s not it, Your Majesty.”

It was Julian who continued speaking.

“I merely wish to demonstrate my loyalty to you, Your Majesty.”

“Then why must you demonstrate it now, of all times? What reason compels you to prove your loyalty by barging into my meeting? Do you have ulterior motives?”

“That is—”

“That’s not—”

This time, Julian and Arcadia’s words collided. Once again, uneasy glances crossed between the siblings. This is bad.

‘First, there’s a possibility the three of us will start arguing.’

Julian’s grim premonition flashed through his mind. The next instant,

“There is a reason!”

The one who raised her voice louder than anyone, drowning out the others—who was it?

“…”

“…”

“…”

It was me.

I was the one who had shouted.