We Will Get Divorced: The Perfect Divorce Plan of the Sacrificial Daughter and the Cold-Blooded Soldier - Chapter 42

It was me.

I had been the one shouting.

I hadn’t even realized it. Only when pierced by the king’s gaze did I become aware.

No, not just the king. The four Vraogone members, the two Heisen representatives, and even the lined-up guards were all staring at me.

Sweat gushed from every pore of my body.

But there was no turning back now. Pierced by gazes from all directions like a honeycomb, I desperately bowed.

“My deepest apologies, Your Majesty Dimitris. I am Sierra Eirondale, wife of Julian. Allow me to explain the circumstances on my husband’s behalf. My husband has an absolutely compelling reason why he must demonstrate his loyalty to Your Majesty.”

“Speak.”

“It’s… w-well, because we are considering divorce!”

“Divorce, you say?”

I immediately knew I’d messed up with my very first words.

The air in the assembly room froze solid, and I could feel Dimitris’s tone changing. Of course, in the undesirable direction.

“I believe I told you that matchmakers are like parents. Are you trying to disgrace your parents?”

“M-my deepest apologies.”

“State your reason.”

I could hear everyone in the room swallowing. Or perhaps it was just my own sound. It was clear I had chosen my words poorly. It was still too early to mention ‘divorce.’ What should I do? I couldn’t possibly say it was for alimony in this situation.

“Do you have no reason to give?”

Dimitris’s eyes captured mine. The suspicious eyes of a king who had seen through countless lies, eyes that could see right through to the depths of one’s heart.

I intuitively knew deception wouldn’t work. I had no choice but to speak the truth. The truth within me. The true feelings I had been pretending not to notice for so long.

“Because there is someone I love.”

“Sierra.”

I heard Julian’s voice. But I couldn’t turn around. Without breaking eye contact with the king, I continued.

“That person taught me many things. The deliciousness of breakfast shared with someone, the beauty of stars in the night sky, the joy of having someone listen to me, the happiness of having someone worry about me, the warmth of being held tight…”

Yes, you taught me. With clumsy words, doing your very best.

“You taught me that I am not alone. That I don’t have to be anyone’s sacrifice.”

Sometimes getting angry, sometimes smiling, sometimes holding me tight.

“…Does the Immortal King know of your feelings?”

“My husband?”

My feelings? These feelings I’ve kept hidden all this time?

When I turned, blue eyes were gazing at me. Eyes like the blue sky after a storm, the eyes I love so much.

“He knows.”

There’s no way he hasn’t noticed. No way it hasn’t gotten through to him. These feelings that can’t be hidden.

“Of course, I am aware that this divorce would be an act of disgracing Your Majesty. Above all, I know it would be disregarding Your Majesty’s mercy in wanting to give Julian-sama rest. Therefore, at the very least, I have prepared a successor.”

“A successor?”

The wariness in Dimitris’s eyes faded just slightly. The emotion that replaced it was… interest?

“Yes, she is Julian-sama’s new bride. That person is here in this very…”

I couldn’t say any more. My lips refused to form the words no matter what. As I prayed for him to understand,

“That would be me—”

In a light tone that didn’t match the atmosphere, Linsha stood up.

“R-Linsha!?”

Simultaneously, Lord Heisen, who had maintained silence until now, let out a cry of astonishment.

What is this reaction? Don’t tell me, Linsha… without consulting her family at all?

“Linsha. Wh-wh-what is the meaning of…”

Ah, she didn’t. Lord Heisen’s complexion and tone made it clear he was hearing this for the first time, without needing confirmation.

This is the worst. No parent in this world would consent to their daughter’s sudden marriage.

The plan had failed.

Just as everyone was stiffening their expressions with that thought,

“Hey, what’s this, Lord Heisen! I didn’t know you could make such a high-pitched voice!”

The only one who burst into roaring laughter was the mischievous Dimitris.

Opening his mouth wide, clapping his hands, and laughing heartily,

“I see, I see! Of all people, Heisen becoming the Immortal King’s in-laws! Splendid! I approve!”

He gave his stamp of approval to both our divorce and Julian’s remarriage simultaneously.

“P-please wait, Your Majesty!”

“Immortal King! Complete your guard duties the day after tomorrow. Then, from the following day, you shall be Heisen’s son-in-law.”

“Such a thing! Your Majesty, I haven’t agreed to anything!”

“Congratulations! Let’s drink, Lord Heisen. Prepare a feast. None of that vegetarian food—prepare lots of meat!”

Lord Heisen’s flustered appearance must have been highly amusing. With a hearty laugh, Dimitris left the assembly room, followed by the bewildered Lord Heisen.

And then,

“…What is the meaning of this, Julian?”

Chrislan’s low voice echoed through the silent assembly room.

“Meaning what?”

“Don’t play dumb!”

Chrislan’s shout made the air in the room tremble.

But it was only the air that trembled. Julian didn’t move a muscle as he spoke.

“I simply wish to protect His Majesty’s safety and the people of Vraogone.”

“The people of… Vraogone, you say…”

The flames of hatred ignited in Chrislan’s eyes. His lips, trembling with anger, opened,

“…”

Then closed again without uttering anything.

What words had he held back? Even in his rage, Chrislan hadn’t forgotten the presence of the royal guards stationed around them. Instead, what Chrislan let slip was,

“Does Jeana know about this…”

It was a woman’s name I didn’t recognize.

Julian’s hostage. I intuitively became certain of it.

“She does not.”

“Do you intend to disregard your own mother?”

—Mother?

“Wait a moment. Then, husband, your hostage was your mother?”

When I inadvertently blurted that out,

“Hostage? That woman? What are you talking about, little girl?”

Nadine denied it using words, expression, tone—every means of expression at her disposal.

“Where would you find a hostage who lives in luxury and does whatever she pleases?”

“Well, she might actually have been a hostage to big brother. Or perhaps… a curse.”

Unusually dropping her faint smile, Arcadia spoke.

“For a woman like that concubine, our father’s favor was her only weapon to survive in our household. She’d use anything, even brainwashing her own son. I don’t know who helped him break free from it, though.”

“That’s enough, Arcadia.”

Julian stood up, cutting off his brother’s words.

Then he declared directly to Chrislan,

“I will protect His Majesty Dimitris. Not only during the Prayer Ceremony, but at any time, however many times it takes. I will protect him until there are no more traitors. I believe this is connected to protecting Vraogone.”

“…Julian.”

“Do not forget, Father. Even if I leave the battlefield, I am the ‘wall’ that protects Vraogone.”

I could hear the sound of teeth grinding. Chrislan clenched his teeth so hard it could be heard in the hallway,

“Don’t think this will end here. You will always be mine.”

Leaving behind a cheap parting line, he exited the room.

We did it. This time, for sure.

Someone let out a sigh of relief. My knees gave way, and I plopped down onto a chair with a thud. As if that sound was a signal,

“We won!”

Nadine triumphantly declared victory.