Please Provide Compensation Through Divorce-Chapter 15

“Rose scent would be nice.”

“Certainly, I’ll prepare it for you.”

Soon after, the maid poured a generous amount of rose-scented oil into the tub. The warm, soft bubbles mixed with the rose scent. It felt like my body was melting.

Still, it couldn’t compare to the scent of the rose garden.

How did it go back then?

We were talking about divorce… and then imagined my future.

A teahouse by the seaside and herbal research.

It was a fanciful daydream, but it was pleasant. If I could live like that, I would have no other wishes.

Until Leto asked me this:

Would you be alone there?

The likelihood of being alone was high, of course. What man would want to be with a divorced Empress?

That part was a bit lonely… but I’m used to being alone.

I fiddled with the bubbles in the tub for a long time.

I could feel it. Leto had become much kinder to me. He was trying to look at me warmly, whether out of camaraderie or something else.

But I mustn’t forget. In the end, I will leave the palace alone. I shouldn’t get used to his kindness.

“You need to finish your bath now.”

Lady Marais, who had been standing by, spoke. I finished my bath and stepped out.

The next step in the preparation was dressing up. A delicate, sheer nightgown, some hair ornaments, light jewelry. One by one, they were placed on my body.

In the dim room, the maids lit candles. They brought in some flowers and quietly left.

‘So, I just wait here?’

I sat idly, looking at myself in the mirror.

‘I do look pretty. Their efforts paid off.’

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Rivia was a neat and elegant beauty. Dressed up like this, she exuded a languid atmosphere.

In contrast, Meril’s charm was entirely different. She was glamorous, mysterious, and above all, ‘noble.’ Even in the original story, when she appeared at the ball, Leto couldn’t take his eyes off her.

I chuckled. All this effort was for nothing.

I took off the jewelry and ornaments one by one. I felt lighter. I blew out all the candles. The bedroom was engulfed in darkness.

I lay down on the bed and tried to sleep. Somehow, an empty feeling welled up inside me. I wanted to shake it off.

I woke up to the sound of movement. A figure sat on the edge of the bed.

“Falling asleep on a conjugal night. You’re the worst wife.”

‘This is strange. Why is Leto here?’

I reached out, thinking it was a dream. My hand brushed through his silver hair, always so striking.

“…It’s soft.”

“Is it?”

He took my hand and guided it to his cheek, then to his lips.

“…!”

I woke up fully, pulling my hand back and sitting up.

“Please, don’t joke around.”

“Who touched whom first?”

From his tone, it was clear this was no dream. It was indeed Leto.

He wore a comfortable shirt, his hair naturally tousled. He looked like he was ready for bed.

“What brings you here?”

“Well, what do you think? On a conjugal night, of all nights.”

I was so startled, I slowly edged back. He chuckled and leaned towards me.

“Why are you retreating? Afraid I’ll devour you?”

He said that, but why did he look like he would?

Stay calm.

“I know you’re a gentleman, but appearing suddenly is a bit overwhelming.”

“Do I look like a gentleman to you?”

No. That’s the problem. He seemed different tonight.

He approached slowly, with a hint of urgency and annoyance in his expression.

“There’s something you need to know. I’m not as good as you think.”

Close.

“So, I’m curious.”

“…About what?”

“It’s the conjugal night.”

He took my hand.

“The night is deep.”

With his other hand, he gently pressed my shoulder back onto the bed.

“If I said I don’t mind this situation.”

He placed his hand beside my face, leaning over me.

“How would you respond?”

I stared at him wide-eyed. What was happening?

He didn’t actually do anything. He just stared at me intensely.

“You look troubled.”

“You’ve put me in a difficult position.”

“Are you going to wager something again?”

“What?”

“You’re good at that. Every time you’re in trouble, you make me an offer I can’t refuse.”

True. I had tried to prove my usefulness in various ways. I had to.

Was he testing me? To see how useful I still was? This method seemed a bit mean.

“I have nothing to wager.”

“Then what will you do? I have no reason to back off.”

He spoke as if intrigued.

“First, I will clearly state my refusal.”

“State it?”

“If that doesn’t work, I’ll have to run.”

He laughed, finding it absurd.

“Are you serious? Do you think you can?”

“Yes, I’m serious. I’ll try. What else can I do?”

His expression turned annoyed again but only briefly. He removed his hand that had been pinning me.

“You can’t run.”

He lay down next to me. I turned to face him. He stared blankly at the ceiling and muttered.

“Running isn’t an option.”

“If you do this again, I will really run.”

He slowly turned to face me. We ended up lying face to face.

“A joke?”

“You’re testing me. To see if I’m still useful. Isn’t that what this is about?”

He stared at me for a moment, then smiled. His large hand brushed my hair back.

“Yes. A joke. I was too harsh.”

He took a strand of my hair and kissed it. I decided to let it go. His apology seemed sincere.

“By the way, I had something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

I brought up the ‘Forest of the Mage.’ I explained I needed his approval to enter.

“I’m surprised. Sean managed to find something useful.”

Leto sneered at Sean. They really didn’t get along.

“If you approve, I’ll go with Brother Sean.”

“No. It’s too dangerous. I’ll send someone else.”

I was taken aback. He rejected it so outright?

“I know what the plant looks like. How can I send someone else?”

“You can draw a picture and send it with them. Didn’t we just talk about this? I won’t compromise on your safety. Why should I trust Sean with you?”

“He may have an odd personality, but he’s strong. You know that.”

He frowned.

“You’re taking his side.”

“It’s not taking sides. Don’t be childish.”

“Then remember this. Your husband is this childish.”

First he called me his wife, now his husband. Every time he said such things, it startled me. Though I didn’t show it.

I couldn’t figure out what he wanted. It seemed like a simple prank, yet also like he expected something from me.

His fingers brushed my cheek. The soft touch lifted my chin slightly.

“Fine. Go ahead.”

“Really?”

“But there’s a condition.”

A condition?

“Not with Sean. With me.”

“With Your Majesty?”

“Yes. You and I. Together.”

“It’s a place for mages. How can we go?”

“We’ll make it possible.”

I had no words. If Leto said so, it would happen.

“Your Majesty.”

“What?”

“Do you distrust Brother Sean that much?”

He looked like he was about to argue but then closed his mouth. He gazed at me with narrowed eyes.

Just as I was wondering why, he suddenly embraced me.

“Wh-what are you doing?”

“…Because it’s annoying.”

His voice buzzed in my ear. His low breath too.

Our heartbeats mingled. Fast, indistinguishable. He buried his face in my neck and inhaled deeply.

“Rose scent.”

“……”

“I like the rose scent.”

It was nearly dawn.

Leto woke up feeling something piercing his chest. Looking down, he saw Rivia clinging to him.

‘…This is awkward.’

It took him a moment to grasp the situation.

“You said you’d clearly state your refusal.”

He brushed her hair back. She was sleeping soundly like a child. A natural smile spread across Leto’s face.

Last night. He had finished interrogating Baron Orang late into the night. It had been tough because Baron hadn’t opened his mouth. But Leto could sense he would confess soon enough.

He hadn’t sought out Rivia because it was the conjugal night. He hadn’t thought it possible.

He just wanted an excuse to see her. That was the extent of his expectation.

But he hadn’t expected to find her asleep. He knew, but seeing it confirmed she didn’t see him as a man.

It made him obstinate. How could she sleep so peacefully? When he was so anxious.

He did something he had never done with a woman before.

He didn’t expect her to give in. He was prepared for rejection. He acted as if he was pushing, but he was begging.

Please, take me seriously.

But she said she’d run away. And she meant it.

In that moment, he sobered up completely.

That kind of fear was rare. What if Rivia really disappeared? Could he go back to the way things were?

Impossible. It was far too late.

Leto kissed Rivia’s forehead lightly. He gently held her.

“Mm…”

She snuggled closer to him. It seemed to be her habit.

“Haa…”

Leto closed his eyes tightly and let go of her. His hand kept wanting to reach out.

He carefully placed a pillow under her head. He walked to the window and looked outside. The morning sun was rising.

He drew the curtains to keep the light out.

‘She said she drinks coffee in the morning. Should I get some ready?’

With maids coming in and out, it might wake her. He decided to get it himself and straightened his clothes.

Then, he heard a commotion outside. It sounded like Yutten’s voice.

Leto opened the door and stepped out. As expected, Yutten was there, looking flustered.

Leto’s face twisted into a scowl. It was dawn after the conjugal night.

“…You must be insane.”

Yutten bowed deeply.

“I’ve committed a grave sin.”

“Shh. Do you want to wake someone?”

Leto put a finger to his lips.

“What’s the matter?”

He asked seriously. There could only be one reason for such a disturbance.

Something even crazier had happened.

Yutten whispered urgently.

“Your Majesty. Baron Orang was murdered in his cell.”