Please Provide Compensation Through Divorce-Chapter 25

They hugged each other and sobbed. The nobles around them shed tears, moved by the scene.

Leto muttered,

"They're putting on a show."

"You said you were envious of them as a child."

"No matter how envious, I never wanted to be in that position."

Luminos sniffled and came over to us.

"Sniff... it's been a while, Your Majesty."

"Yes, Luminos. You're late."

"A new dragon was born in the western borderlands, so I had to go there. I heard the news as soon as I returned and came immediately. I couldn't have come any sooner."

"Who said anything? Greet the Empress first."

Luminos snorted angrily. The relationship between the royal family and the mages guild had historically been strained, not because of personal relationships, but because of history.

"Your Highness, Guild Master Luminos greets you."

"Yes. It's been a while, Master."

Luminos had frequently visited the Matrion family as a child, being friends with Shawn and Louis. So he was acquainted with Livia too.

"You've had a long journey."

"No. I regret not hearing my master's final words."

Leto spoke,

"He left a message for the master too."

"Really? What did he say?"

"He said to stop fighting so much."

Luminos furrowed his brows.

"...Don't lie."

"Believe what you want. I've conveyed the message."

Leto extended his hand to me.

"We seem to have met everyone. Let's head back, Empress. The coffin will be sealed tomorrow morning."

"Alright."

I took his hand and stood up. Even standing, Luminos' size was truly enormous. Leto spoke to Luminos.

"And Master, visit the palace soon."

"...What for?"

"Didn't you hear? Stop fighting so much."

That 'fighting' referred to the guild and the palace. A good thing, really. We need to maintain a good relationship with the guild.

On the way to the Emperor's palace, I asked Leto,

"Why did you call the master to the palace?"

"That's... a secret."

"You have many secrets today. You're hiding two things from me."

Honestly, I was curious. Especially about the will Quinas left. It seemed he said something important.

I tugged at Leto's sleeve.

"Please tell me."

He looked surprised, alternating his gaze between me and his sleeve.

"Aren't you grateful to me?"

"...I haven't even said thank you yet?"

Judging by his expression, he genuinely hadn't realized. I didn't do it for the recognition, but still.

"You haven't."

"That makes me a real jerk."

He didn't bother denying it.

He seemed to have a good idea and said to me,

"If you stop by my room for a moment, I can tell you everything. The thank you and the will."

"Do you really need to go to your room for that?"

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"Yes. That's how it is."

Leto playfully tugged my sleeve. My hand, which hadn't let go yet, followed.

I gave in and followed him to his room. It was my first time in his bedroom.

The room was neat and clean. It even had the fresh scent I often associated with him. He must have used essential oils regularly.

Leto stood me in front of the mirror, holding my shoulders as if to keep me still.

"Wait here for a moment."

He went to the console. He seemed to take something out, hiding it behind him.

"Even if I asked you to close your eyes, you wouldn't listen, would you?"

"No. What is this about?"

"Well, I can't help it. I wanted to give it to you in style."

He put something around my neck. It was the emerald necklace I had declined in my letter.

"It suits you perfectly."

In the mirror, he smiled with satisfaction.

"This... I sent a letter saying I couldn't accept it."

"With that expression, it doesn't seem convincing."

I couldn't deny it. My face in the mirror was telling me how much I liked the necklace.

He held my shoulders and spoke calmly.

"Accept it. You eased Professor Quinas' pain. Think of it as a reward."

"......"

"Thank you."

Leto lowered his head. His hair brushed against my cheek. Then he kissed the necklace chain, which was actually my neck.

I was startled and stepped back.

"What... what are you doing!"

"What? I can't kiss my own necklace?"

He was shamelessly blunt. I covered my neck with my hand. It was warm.

"Yes. Now that it's mine, don't do that."

"I'm honored that you accepted it."

"Yes. Then, I should be going."

I needed to escape. If I stayed any longer, I would get caught up in his games.

"You still need to hear the will. You were curious about Professor Quinas' message."

I stopped.

"...Alright. Tell me."

"He said not to be consumed by hatred."

He must have meant the High Priest. In the original story, Leto didn't hear those words. That's why he became so desolate.

"I agree. I hope you won't be."

He gave a faint smile. I left the room.

Thump— thump— thump—

My heart was pounding uncontrollably. It had been like this since Leto kissed my neck.

I touched my neck again. It felt as if his lips were still there.

I looked back at his door.

'...He did something unnecessary. Making me feel strange.'

In a small hut near the capital, Elisana was eating thin soup.

With five gold coins, she could have bought a bigger house. But Elisana didn't want to draw attention.

A mage who increased her power through impure means. Among mages, she was already a criminal.

Fortunately, no one in the guild knew her face. Thanks to the robe she always wore.

Although she had shown her face at the Temple recently.

'Damn... it was a mistake.'

Knock, knock.

At the sound of the knock, Elisana quickly put on her robe.

Knock, knock, knock.

She stood by the door, ready to attack if someone broke in.

"Who is it?"

"We're from the Temple."

"......"

"We have a new commission."

Elisana gritted her teeth. The High Priest had tried to kill her. And now a new commission?

"If I intended to harm you, I wouldn't have come myself. Open the door."

"You're that priest from last time?"

The young, indifferent blonde priest. But there was something special about his aura.

"Thanks for remembering me."

"Are you alone?"

"I'm with the High Priest."

'The High Priest came here?'

It was unlikely he came to kill her himself. Elisana hesitated but opened the door.

"May we come in?"

Dante walked in without waiting for an answer. The High Priest followed. Elisana didn't lower her guard.

"What a humble abode."

Dante looked around and commented. Elisana asked,

"What's your purpose?"

"Don't be insolent, girl."

The High Priest approached menacingly. Dante sighed.

"His Holiness is not in a good mood these days. Be careful."

Indeed, the High Priest's expression was very dark. Since Quinas' death, the nobles had changed. They were fascinated by Livia's painkiller and praised her.

If this continued, Livia would make all kinds of medicines. The Temple's prestige would plummet.

That's why the Temple urgently sought Elisana.

"I'm giving you a chance to change your life."

Elisana looked skeptical.

"Show your face, Elisana."

"No."

"Dante."

"Yes."

Elisana thought Dante would threaten her. She was about to cast a spell when he took something from his coat.

He pulled out a portrait.

"This is..."

"It's the portrait of the late Empress Ianna, the current Emperor's mother."

"......"

"She has the same red hair and violet eyes as you."

Empress Ianna was a beautiful woman with a look of kindness. She exuded both elegance and loveliness.

"I know why you always wear a robe. Such a distinctive appearance makes you a target. Unless you were born into a noble family like Empress Ianna."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"You can become like her."

Dante glanced at the High Priest. The High Priest spoke with gleaming eyes.

"The man and woman you saw in the 'Forest of Mages' are the Emperor and Empress."

"......"

"Approach the Emperor. You can do it."

Dante glanced at the High Priest.

'So this is the plan. No wonder he suddenly ordered me to find Elisana's whereabouts.'

"Approach that man...?"

"Not that man, the Emperor. The most powerful man in the empire. Someone like you can't dream of this opportunity again."

The High Priest said firmly.

"Empress Ianna is the Emperor's greatest wound. He won't ignore you. Just catching his interest will be a success. The rest depends on you."

"......"

"You could become his concubine, his mistress... or even Empress."

"......"

"Knowing your personality, you'd aim for Empress."

Dante raised an eyebrow.

He could guess the High Priest's plan. To drive a wedge between the Emperor and Empress. If successful, it would be harder for the Empress to make medicines. Even better if she were deposed.

'Using beauty as a weapon. This is insane. What fool would undertake such a dangerous task?'

But Dante was pleasantly surprised. Elisana removed her robe.

Dante flinched. She was even more beautiful up close.

A petite and fragile figure. Fine, delicate features. A somewhat decadent and languid aura.

A smile spread across the High Priest's face.

"Excellent. No wonder you hid your face."

"...What should I do first?"

Dante was puzzled.

'She didn't even ask for payment. It's as if she was waiting for this opportunity.'

"I know a viscount couple who are moving to the capital from a distant province. Join them as their adopted daughter."

"Yes."

Elisana answered without hesitation.

"You'll need a new name. Elisana won't do."

"Yes."

"Let's see... how about Meril, after the saintess?"

Meril. She smiled faintly.

"A name doesn't matter to me."

At that moment, Dante saw it. A gleam of something in her violet eyes.

It was definitely ambition.