Please Provide Compensation Through Divorce-Chapter 17

She smiled and turned to leave, then asked,

“Would you like to join me?”

“To the chapel?”

“Yes. It’s not good to be sitting and working all the time. If you’re not too busy, come with me.”

She had a point. Sitting for long periods isn't good for the body.

I had mixed feelings about the chapel but was also curious. What draws people to such faith?

I put down my pen and stood up.

“Alright, let’s go.”

The chapel was inside the Emperor's palace corridor.

A large round dome-shaped room that looked like a giant cave. Angels stood along the sides.

And at the far end was a huge statue of the Goddess. She had her arms open, looking down at the people.

Her smile was kind yet cold, and her eyes were calm. It was indeed overwhelming.

Some of the royal family were praying. I found a spot with Lady Marais.

“What are you going to pray for, Lady Marais?”

She smiled shyly.

“My daughter is making her debutante soon. I’m going to pray for her success.”

Lady Marais was so motherly—warm and kind.

She clasped her hands and closed her eyes. I quietly looked up at the statue.

I’ve never believed in religion. In this world, the only thing I could believe in was myself. Or rather, that's how I had to live.

‘But… a simple prayer couldn’t hurt.’

I clasped my hands and closed my eyes. It felt awkward, but I sincerely prayed to the Goddess.

‘…Please, let me leave the imperial palace safely.’

And then I heard it.

Save me…

‘Huh? Who's there?’

A woman’s voice echoed as if from within the cave.

I looked around. Everyone else was deep in their prayers.

Rivia.

She knew my name.

Rivia.

I focused all my attention on where the voice came from. It was…

The statue of the Goddess.

Save me…

“Your Majesty?”

“…Ah.”

I snapped out of it. Lady Marais was looking at me with concern.

“Are you alright? You seemed to zone out.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Are we done praying?”

“Yes. Shall we go?”

We quietly got up and left the chapel. I glanced back several times. But the statue remained silent.

‘…Was it just a hallucination?’

“Your Majesty.”

Someone familiar approached us in the corridor.

“Chief Priest Dante.”

“I greet Your Majesty, the Empress.”

Dante bowed. I nodded and was about to pass him. I didn’t want to get involved with him.

He spoke, almost as if to stop me.

“You heard it, didn’t you?”

“Pardon?”

“The voice.”

I had to stop.

I signaled Lady Marais to leave us. She retreated quietly. Now there was no one around.

“You heard the voice too?”

“I always hear it.”

Dante was known for his high divine power. If he heard the voice, then…

Was it really the Goddess?

I was surprised but didn’t show it. It wouldn’t be fitting for the resurrected Empress to be rattled by such things.

“How did you know I heard the voice?”

“On my way to the Grand Temple, I heard the voice and rushed here, and there you were.”

That was quite a leap. There were plenty of people here.

“That alone wouldn't have confirmed it.”

Dante seemed slightly taken aback but then smiled quietly.

“You are perceptive.”

“…”

“I can sense the Goddess. I hear her voice and smell her unique scent. It’s a natural talent.”

He hears the voice and senses the power.

If true, his divine power surpassed even the High Priest. There was a reason he became Chief Priest at such a young age.

“Did you sense something in me?”

“The same scent as the Goddess emanates from you, Your Majesty.”

“A scent?”

“Yes. It’s hard to explain.”

I stared at him. There was no way to prove this scent to me. Was he trying to deceive me?

I couldn’t blindly trust Dante. He was, after all, the High Priest’s man.

“Whatever the means, it’s clear you have a connection with the Goddess, Your Majesty.”

“I see. Thank you for the information, Chief Priest Dante.”

He understood and stepped aside. As I passed by him, he spoke again.

“But why did the Goddess ask you to save her?”

I was more curious than he was. With all my struggles to ensure my own survival, what was happening?

“How should I know?”

I left the corridor and climbed the stairs. I glanced back unintentionally. Dante was still standing there.

He nodded once, a small smile on his face.

My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. An unexpected complication had arisen. Both the Goddess and Dante.

A few days passed.

Today was the day we were to go to the ‘Forest of the Mage.’

I was enduring a rough morning. Lady Marais and the maids had brought out various dresses. Hats, gloves, shoes, and accessories too.

A tight corset, a green velvet dress that accentuated my waist, high heels. Once I was fully dressed, the maids fussed over me.

“You look stunning!”

“Oh my… His Majesty will be so pleased!”

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‘…No, he’ll probably scowl as soon as he sees me. This outfit completely misses the purpose of today.’

I took off the hat and said to Lady Marais,

“This outfit is too flashy, Lady Marais. I need something more comfortable.”

“Flashy? This is basic for a date with His Majesty. Shall we try a different color?”

I hesitated.

‘Date?’

Did people see us as having such a romantic relationship?

“It’s not that.”

“Oh? It’s not a date? We didn’t know…”

Lady Marais was flustered. The maids looked equally disappointed. How much were they looking forward to today’s outing?

The maids were visibly downcast. Really… I couldn’t help it.

“Haa… Fine. Yes, it’s a date.”

I’m weak against such types. How could I pop their bubble-like excitement? It felt like I’d be hurting them.

“Of course! We knew it!”

“It was worth preparing. You look beautiful.”

The maids regained their smiles. Lady Marais seemed relieved too. Fine, they looked happy. But I still needed to change my clothes.

“We’ll be walking a lot, so please bring me something comfortable, Lady Marais.”

“Ah, I see. How about this? It’s warm today.”

Lady Marais took out something from the wardrobe. It was a light blue chiffon dress. At least it wasn’t cumbersome.

“Is this the most comfortable?”

“Yes, among the dresses.”

“Alright, I’ll wear that.”

I changed into the dress and picked new shoes. Low-heeled leather shoes were quite comfortable.

I finished preparing and left the Emperor's palace. The carriage was already waiting.

“Rivia!”

Sean pushed past the attendants and approached. He was showing up at the palace quite frequently now that he was unemployed.

“Are you here to see me off?”

“Yes. I can’t help but worry about you going there without a mage.”

“I’m going with His Majesty.”

“That’s why I’m worried.”

He sounded just like Leto.

“Here, take this.”

Sean handed me something. Two small purple stones.

“These are magic stones that repel monsters. If you encounter any, they won’t attack easily with these.”

“Thank you, brother. Is one for His Majesty?”

Sean sighed deeply.

“I can’t stand him, but… yes. I have to protect you.”

“Thank you. I’ll be careful.”

I hugged him lightly. Regardless, a brother is a brother.

“Rivia.”

Leto called my name as he approached. He was wearing a neat black jacket and a shirt.

“You’re here?”

“I’ve been here. It’s time to go.”

“Alright. Ah, this. Brother Sean gave me this.”

I handed one of the magic stones to Leto. He took it and muttered.

“It doesn’t seem very useful.”

He said it loudly enough for Sean to hear. Sean glared at him, Leto’s lips curled slightly. He seemed to enjoy provoking Sean.

“Let’s go, Empress.”

He offered his hand. I took it and climbed into the carriage. Leto ordered the captain of the guards outside the window.

“Let’s move.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Let’s go!”

The coachman lightly snapped the reins. The carriage started moving slowly.

“Have a safe trip, Your Majesty.”

“Enjoy your time!”

Lady Marais and the maids waved and smiled. I waved back. It felt like a leisure trip, though we were going for work.

He rested his elbow on the window frame, his chin in his hand. And crossed his legs, as usual. He had such an unapproachable demeanor.

He looked somewhat thinner. I heard he had been working tirelessly, taking time out for today.

“You must have a lot of work. You didn’t have to come along.”

“The Empire won’t collapse because the Emperor misses a day’s work, Rivia.”

He grumbled even when I showed concern. I couldn’t figure him out.

Leto stared at me for a while. Or rather, at my outfit.

‘Did I dress too casually? He might have preferred something more practical.’

“Who picked your outfit?”

‘He doesn’t like my clothes.’

“It was the best I could do. Knowing it’s not a leisure trip, please overlook it.”

“It suits you well.”

“…”

“I meant to say that.”

So it was a compliment. His serious tone made me slightly embarrassed.

“Thank you. You look good too, Your Majesty.”

One of his eyebrows slightly lifted. He leaned closer to me, his face playful again.

“Really? How so?”

“Pardon?”

“Specifically. How does it suit me?”

Was he fishing for more compliments? I could give him that. It was true.

“You’re handsome.”

“…What?”

Leto froze. Did he not know he was handsome? That seemed unlikely.

“You’re handsome, so everything suits you. Always have. Today, you chose a good color. Did Sir Yutten pick it? The blue shirt matches your eyes. And you have a tall, good build—”

“Stop.”

“Anything you wear—”

“Alright! I get it, stop.”

Leto suddenly blushed. He opened the window wide. The wind blew his hair in all directions.

He looked out the window and muttered.

“This is insane.”