Divorce Manual

Chapter 98

Anna, who is three years younger than Ergel, has a completely different personality than her. Unlike Ergel, who is blunt and calm rather than friendly and is even business-like, Anna is—

"You don't know how regretful I was unable to attend the wedding at the estate."

"..."

"I wanted to go to the estate, but at that time, the previous duchess was in the capital mansion, so I couldn't leave the mansion."

She is a friendly chatterbox.

Judging from the outward atmosphere alone, it seems that Anna, who seems warm-hearted, is more suited for Lapel while Ergel, who has a colder image, is more suited for the capital.

What kind of reversal is this?

"By the way, why are you so skinny?"

"Hmm?"

Am I skinny?

After Ergel became my maid, I ate well and have gained quite a bit of weight.

If you'd seen me during my Catherine days, you'd be surprised at the level of starvation I was going through.

Looking at Anna, whose words changed from friendly chatter to a friendly nag, I smile.

"I eat well, but I think it's because I don't gain weight."

Abella's constitution doesn't make her gain extra weight.

I eat a lot, but her body doesn't accept it.

I've only eaten half of the amount I usually ate back in my Eunjung days, and even if I want to eat more, I become too full and cannot do so.

After eating like that, I always get an upset stomach and throw up.

Then, Dr. Lejan would usually ask, 'Are you gluttonous?'

Hearing it makes me feel bad.

I need to go back and tease him.

"Then, you should eat something delicious and nutritious."

"Is that so?"

"What do you like these days? Do you have any other favorite food? I have heard something from my sister and Catherine, but if there is something you like, I will prepare it for you."

For a moment, it feels like Anna gritted on her molars a bit when she said, 'Catherine.'

I'm sure it was a mistake.

Such a wicked expression on that pretty face.

I don't think so.

Let's shake our head as if to shake off Anna's vicious expression that comes to mind for a moment,

"I am Leo. Her Grace likes meat!"

Leo, who raises his right hand, says bravely.

"That's what the chef at Lapel Castle made! Her Grace really enjoyed it so much that the cook was delighted!"

"Did he?"

I'd have loved it if the chef told me himself.

Surprised, I look at Leo.

It seems that Leo had read the chef's thoughts.

"......"

Leo, who glances at me while fiddling with both fingertips, bites his lip, not wanting to make a fuss.

I stroke his head, remembering that I've told him to be careful.

'It's okay. thanks.'

Only after hearing those words does Leo loosen his stiff expression and smiles.

"Like Leo said, I like meat."

I turn to Anna and say.

"Alright."

Anna nods her head with enthusiasm as she rolls up both sleeves, as if she wants to show off the power of the capital mansion today.

"I will prepare a very tasty dinner."

Then, she naturally shifts her gaze to Leo.

"You are Leo."

"Yes!"

"I heard about you from Ergel."

"Did Ellie Mami tell you about me?"

"Yes, of course. I was told that an angel came along."

Anna leans forward on her knees.

Leo, who smiles bashfully at her friendly words, quickly hides behind my skirt as if he's embarrassed.

"Can I arrange Leo's residence to be right next to your room?"

Anna stands up and asks.

"You just have to keep him close to Pope."

"Yes, I will. If you need anything else, please call on me anytime, Your Grace."

Anna nods and listens.

Knock, knock.

Then, I hear a noise.

I look at Leo, wondering who it is, but he shakes his head slightly as if it's the first time he has ever heard the voice.

If Leo doesn't know, and it's not Pope...

I look toward the door and ask.

"Who is it?"

"Your Grace, it's Falcon."

Speaking of Falcon—

"It seems that the escorts for Your Grace have arrived."

Anna claps her hands lightly and turns to me.

"Escorts?"

I have never heard of such a thing from Charles.

Escorts.

I tilt my head, wondering why I'd need such a thing.

"Come on in."

Then, as Anna says, I see four knights following behind Falcon.

"These are the knights who will be in charge of escorting Your Grace from today on."

"I didn't hear anything from His Grace."

After looking at their faces, I give my attention to the Falcon standing in front of them.

"His Excellency said that he can't always be by your side, so whenever you go out, you should always move with his escort."

"..."

Well, this place is different from Lapel.

Unlike when I was stuck at Lapel Castle, I will have a lot of work to do in the capital.

"Alright."

After I nod and slightly relax my shoulders, Falcon, who clears his throat with a cough, points to the knights in line, one by one.

"This is Sir Enker Roune. Next up is Sir Soliu Dunne. Next to him is Sir Harlen Bauer."

Each time their name is called, the knight comes forward one by one and bows their heads.

Without a second thought, let's move our gaze towards the last knight.

"Finally, Sir Philip Dane, Your Grace."

Along with Falcon's explanation, the man bows his head toward me and when he lifts his face, his yellow teeth catch my eye very clearly.

"Sir Dane! What is this? What is this?! I-I am the widow of the duke, how?!"

"Do you know what a widow means?"

"The one who has not died yet. That is the true meaning of a widow."

"Sir Dane."

He lowers his head, thinking that I'm calling out to him rather than just me taking in a dry breath.

"Yes, Your Grace."

Goosebumps appear all over my body just from meeting a man with his head bowed with a face that knows nothing.

It's him.

A thick beard with yellow teeth.

It just feels less messy than the image I had imagined while reading the novel.

This is the man, for sure.

It's obvious that this is the son of a bitch who was trying to bury Abella on the ground that she was a widow.

That was when he appeared.

No, he's indeed a ghost.

To be honest, when I read the book, I was like, 'Are you a knight? Are you trying to pull a scam?'

A man who suddenly appeared with Charles's body and killed Abella horribly.

But, he's a real knight of the duke.

He's also trusted enough that Charles assigns him to be my escort.

To be honest, if Charles didn't plan to kill me, he wouldn't have hired anyone to escort the duchess.

Then, when will Sir Dane become an apostate?

When Kyle becomes Crown Prince? Or can he still be believed?

No, can I trust Falcon who has brought him? What about the other knights?"

"..."

In the endless series of questions and doubts, I slowly look at Falcon, the other knights, and Sir Dane, who stands at the very end.

How much can I believe in them?

"......"

Anna—Can I trust Anna?

Let's take a breath in to calm the crazy thoughts that engulf my mind for a moment.

"Your Grace?"

Holding on to my skirt, Leo calls me in a very quiet voice, glancing up at me.

His purple eyes shake as if they're uneasy with the knights, and his expression becomes stiff.

Seeing him on the verge of crying at any moment, I take a deep breath and stroke his head.

'I'm sorry. It's okay, Leo.'

I let out a long sigh, continuing to stroke his head, as if to soothe his anxiety and my raging doubts.

"Nice to meet you, everyone."

With a fairly long gap between sighs and words, I straighten my shoulders and smile at them for the first time.

"I look forward to your kind cooperation."

.

.

"Have you decided on the crown prince?"

On the way home from the meeting... No, perhaps, after hearing Abella's inadvertent words, I can't get away from that thought.

"Can't you just do as you please?"

It's a thought I have been pushing off and disregarding this entire time.

Yes, I know it, but I have been thinking of just covering it up and putting it aside.

(T/N: he means the choice of who should be CP)

Abella uncovered my deeply buried emotions and brought them to the surface with just a few words.

"Since you're our duke..."

"......"

Our duke.

I turn my head, thinking about how much meaning there is to her words.

"It is the Diago's will that decides the emperor."

"So, do whatever you want."

I suddenly remember what Marissa, who had come to Lapel, had said a few days ago.

"Unless you want to die like our father."

.

.

.

.

T/N: Finally we're getting some movement. First, Abella's murderer appeared (Alex plays Trust No Bitch). I can see why Abella thought Charles is trying to off her since he placed her murderer to protect her...I'm curious as to where that's going to go.

Secondly, finally we're getting Charles's POV. I always like translating his thoughts because he's not as dumb as he looks haha

P.S. I won't be updating in November. on a break to deal with life responsibilities. See y'all in December. 

P.S.S. Don't use my wattpad wall to write update now. I won't update.