We Will Get Divorced: The Perfect Divorce Plan of the Sacrificial Daughter and the Cold-Blooded Soldier - Chapter 7

“Madam, Lord Chrislan has arrived!”

Amy burst into the room with a panicked expression just as I had finished bathing, changed into my nightclothes, and was carefully selecting a novel for the evening from the bookshelf.

“Lord Chrislan? My father-in-law?”

“Yes, we must get you changed immediately. You need to greet him properly.”

Amy snatched the book from my hands and began frantically adjusting my appearance.

“I’m so sorry, Madam. For my first time helping you change, I’m being so careless.”

“Don’t worry about that. More importantly, why would Duke Vraogone come at this hour?”

“I don’t know, nobody was informed. It seems he came in secret.”

That’s ridiculous. Duke Vraogone making a surprise visit? Even though his son married into this family, this is still Eirondale territory.

“All done, you look absolutely beautiful. Now, please go ahead.”

Before I could even collect my thoughts, Amy ushered me out of the room. Carried by the momentum, I hurried to the entrance hall.

“Ah, you must be Sierra. It’s our first-time meeting.”

He was really here.

The head of House Vraogone, Duke Chrislan Vraogone.

Though I was seeing his face for the first time, I recognized him instantly due to the warrior’s aura emanating from his entire being. He had the hardened countenance of someone who’d survived countless battlefields, his body taut for his age, incomparable to some decadent duke’s potbelly. He was as tall as Julian, though the hair color didn’t seem to be inherited – he had rich black hair tied back in a single bundle.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m Sierra Eirondale. It’s an honor, Your Excellency.”

“Enough with the formalities, we’re family now. So, have you gotten used to the land? It’s a nice place, beautiful greenery. The air tastes good too. I’d almost want to settle down here myself.”

“Indeed. So, what brings you here today?”

“Nothing much, I suddenly wanted to see my son and new daughter-in-law. Though, now that I see you…”

Chrislan studied my face unabashedly. What was so interesting? I felt a strange power in his gaze.

“I see now, I must thank His Majesty Dimitris. He found Julian the finest bride.”

“Ah, thank you. By the way, has today’s visit been communicated to my father – Duke Eirondale?”

“Hmm? Who needs permission to see family?”

“So this is an incognito visit, then?”

I couldn’t quite bring myself to say “That’s an act of aggression.” Amy’s words from earlier about Vraogone carving up neighboring countries flashed through my mind as a warning.

“So, where’s Julian?”

“Please wait. It’s quite late already. For today, perhaps you should—”

“What’s going on here?”

The voice that came from behind me then was familiar yet unfamiliar.

“My Lord.”

“That’s enough. Stand down.”

When had he gotten there? Julian smoothly positioned himself between me and Chrislan. Almost as if to distance me from Chrislan.

“It’s been a while, Julian.”

“…It has been a long time, Father.”

“…”

“…”

What was with this awkward conversation?

Though they should be meeting after a long separation, father and son neither smiled at each other nor shook hands, yet their eyes remained locked. The Eirondale family had its issues, but it seemed the Vraogone family relationships weren’t straightforward either.

Julian and Chrislan faced each other for a moment as if crossing blades with their gazes.

“Standing around talking isn’t proper. Please come to the room.”

He stepped aside and gestured inward.

“Wait, my Lord.”

I had to stop this. Any further would constitute a serious political act. I tried to hurry after them, but—

“Lord Julian said to stand down.”

A knight blocked my path.

The knight with sharp eyes and a gallant bearing – he was the same one who had first spoken to me when I left the Eirondale mansion. Even after coming here, he never left Julian’s side. I didn’t recall receiving a proper introduction, but I knew Julian called him Zach.

“Let me through, Zach.”

“Please return to your room.”

Zach’s eyes grew even sharper. Still, this wasn’t a situation where I could obediently retreat.

However,

“…I understand.”

I ended up saying this because I caught sight of Amy’s tearful face.

Seeing the loyal maid’s eyes welling up with tears, I couldn’t bring myself to protest any further.