We Will Get Divorced: The Perfect Divorce Plan of the Sacrificial Daughter and the Cold-Blooded Soldier - Chapter 43

The next day, the second day of the Harvest Festival.

Amidst a large crowd of spectators, Lord Heisen solemnly carried in the sacred flame. On the stage where the Saint had performed her dance last night, a tall wooden framework had been piled high. The white wood, thoroughly soaked in oil, swallowed the thrown sacred flame whole before immediately bursting into bright red flames.

The great bonfire.

Applause and cheers erupted simultaneously from the audience.

“Amazing! It’s like a huge fire!”

“What kind of childish impression is that?”

When I spoke my thoughts aloud, everyone present laughed at me.

The third-floor balcony of the inn that Nadine had rented entirely was a premium seat so close that sparks from the bonfire directly in front of us seemed like they might fly over.

Apparently, she had reserved it a year in advance just to watch Linsha’s dance.

“Alright, victory celebration! Drink up!”

Nadine, already feeling the effects of alcohol, raised a wine bottle high. Even Linsha, who claimed to dislike drunkards, made no move to stop Nadine today. Julian, Zach, and I—everyone was relaxing and enjoying the second day of the festival in their own way.

Except for one person.

“Who cares about a bonfire. Aren’t the shooting stars falling? The shooting stars?”

Only Arcadia was looking up at the night sky with apparent boredom.

“If it’s clear but no shooting stars fall, what’s the point? I wanted to see the ‘Bonding Meteors’ with just my sister and me.”

“What’s that, Arcadia? There’s no way I’d allow you and that girl to watch the ‘Bonding Meteors’ together.”

“Huh? Why would I need your permission?”

“Both of you, it’s the Harvest Festival. Please stop fighting.”

These siblings are such a hassle, always clashing whenever they get the chance.

“That’s right, Nadine. If you’re going to fight, I’m leaving.”

Though it’s much better now that Linsha stops them too.

“By the way, you mentioned ‘Bonding Meteors’ just now. In Vraogone, do you call the ‘Prayer Rain’ by that name?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

When I said that intending to change the subject, Linsha immediately caught on and took over.

“The meteor shower during the Harvest Festival is called various names in different regions, each believed to bring specific blessings. Here in Heisen, it’s called ‘God’s Tears’ and is believed to bring physical and mental health. In Vraogone, it’s for matchmaking, right? Hey, Nadine. Are you listening? Nadine!”

“Hmm? Ah, yeah. It’s said that if a man and woman watch the shooting stars together, they’ll be happily united afterward. Hence, ‘Bonding Meteors.'”

“Eh, is that so?”

Shifting my gaze from Nadine’s thoroughly flushed face to Julian,

“…Well, that’s the common belief.”

My husband nodded somewhat awkwardly. He must be remembering my words from some time ago.

‘It would be nice if we could watch them together.’

Even though I hadn’t known, I’d said something quite bold.

“What’s with you two? You’re kind of fidgeting, aren’t you?”

At times like these, Arcadia has an annoyingly sharp intuition. Both husband and wife silently endured the Chief Military Police’s gaze.

“But you know. If we can’t see them by this time, the shooting stars probably won’t fall today. Instead, I’ll drink and dance!”

“No, Nadine. You’ve had too much already. Why not walk a bit to sober up? Let’s go see the food stalls.”

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

Taking Linsha’s suggestion, Nadine staggered out of the balcony.

“You come too.”

Grabbing Arcadia by the scruff like dragging a sack.

“Eh, me too? Why?”

“Just come.”

“Lady Nadine, please be careful. Lord Arcadia is still injured.”

Zach hurriedly chased after them. The noisy balcony was suddenly left with just Julian and me.

Perhaps they were being considerate of us.

“Are you cold, Sierra?”

“No, my lord.”

We both stood up almost simultaneously and lined up at the railing. The distance between us remained one tile’s width. The sky over Heisen, warmed by the bonfire, had fewer stars than the one seen from Harrop, but the night sky we gazed up at together was still beautiful.

The lively sound of a flute could be heard from afar.

After enjoying the somewhat nostalgic melody for a while,

“…Do you think Lord Chrislan has given up?”

I asked Julian.

“He’s not the kind of father to abandon his ambitions so easily. But since he heard those words of distrust from His Majesty’s own mouth, he shouldn’t be able to make any major moves for a while.”

“I see. Lord Heisen didn’t seem to know anything about the marriage proposal, but do you think he’ll accept you properly?”

“It should be fine. After being told that by the king, he shouldn’t be able to refuse. The promise of a white marriage should also be a reassuring factor.”

“…I see.”

We fell silent again, both looking up at the sky.

The flute music stopped.

The sudden silence seemed to urge me toward a decision.

It’s time I said it.

This is something I have to bring up.

I had already resolved myself. Even so, it took a little time to force the words past my throat.

“My lord, may I consider the request fulfilled?”

“…Yes.”

After a long, long silence, Julian answered.

The temporary marriage between the sacrificial maiden and the Undying King had now ended.