An Ode to Divorce - Chapter 29

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#29

In the past, he would have thought that Gert was in love with Orphea.

No matter how much Hilias was called Gert’s loyal hound and devoted to him, he was still objective enough to distinguish right from wrong.

Gert’s personality was certainly not good, and he detested things like prophecies, curses, and fate.

The fact that such a Gert accepted Orphea’s proposal for a contract marriage under the pretext of a prophecy that could break a curse, rather than getting angry at her, was itself proof that he thought of Orphea as special.

So Hilias had believed without doubt that Gert was planning to have a contract marriage first to keep Orphea by his side, then gradually win her over.

But to think he would accept her divorce proposal so readily!

‘Still, I can’t definitively say that Lord Gert doesn’t like Lady Orphea, considering how he wants to escort her to social gatherings.’

That was on a completely different level from giving her a manor after the divorce, assigning Berta, Lübenhartz’s most capable worker, to Orphea, and taking responsibility for all aspects of her life.

‘It’s not just about being generous, but making Lord Gert do something he doesn’t want to do.’

And Gert volunteered for it himself.

Would Gert show such consideration to anyone else?

It wouldn’t make sense unless it was someone he loved.

But then it goes back to square one. If he loves Orphea, why did he accept the divorce proposal in the first place?

Hilias couldn’t figure out what Gert’s true feelings were or what he wanted to do with Orphea.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Hilias carefully spoke up.

“…If you want to take care of Lady Orphea to that extent, why didn’t you refuse when she proposed divorce? At first, you clearly didn’t approve of it either.”

“I opposed it at first because she often acts impulsively and regrets it later, so I tried to stop her first… But if she wants a divorce that badly, I should grant it. Nothing would change even if we divorced anyway.”

Gert answered indifferently. Since Gert had no reason to deliberately lie to Hilias, it must be his true feelings.

‘He divorced her because Lady Orphea asked for it? Does that mean he likes Lady Orphea that much, or that he doesn’t care either way?’

“B-but if you divorce, other men might court Lady Orphea. Are you okay with that?”

“Being married doesn’t stop her from being courted either. It doesn’t particularly matter. If there’s a man who suits Orphea… well, it wouldn’t be bad for her to try dating.”

Hilias watched Gert’s face intently to see if even a trace of jealousy would cross it. But Gert remained calm.

‘Ah… I guess he really doesn’t like Lady Orphea.’

Normally, if someone likes another person, they couldn’t accept so calmly the idea of that person dating someone else.

‘Well, treating someone specially doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a romantic relationship. Maybe Lord Gert cherishes Lady Orphea like a younger sister.’

But when he thought about it that way, it reminded him of how Gert treated Princess Lairinne, who was actually in a younger sister position to him.

He insisted that Princess Lairinne, who was 12 years younger, should act mature since she was an adult, while he couldn’t help but worry about everything from A to Z for Orphea, who was only 6 years younger, as if she were a newborn baby. There was no double standard like this double standard.

‘…Isn’t that a bit excessive for a younger sister?’

Just as Hilias’s already complicated mind was getting even more tangled, Gert’s eyes flashed fiercely as he muttered.

“But I can’t let Orphea be looked down upon. Just because we’re divorced doesn’t mean there’s no one behind her, and I can’t have all sorts of guys bothering her…”

Gert furrowed his brow as if troubled and stroked his firm jaw with his thumb.

“Anyway, if I escort her around, everyone will be mindful of me and won’t treat Orphea carelessly.”

It was more like Gert organizing his own thoughts rather than a statement directed at Hilias.

‘I think that might cause other misunderstandings…’

Hilias wanted to object to Gert’s words, but he didn’t voice them to avoid shortening his lifespan.

‘Lord Gert would probably say that any weak and feeble fool who wouldn’t court Lady Orphea because of such misunderstandings isn’t needed.’

Hilias could figure out everything about how to manage territories, how to handle spies, and what schemes political enemies were plotting.

But Gert’s feelings toward Orphea were utterly incomprehensible to him.

‘Is it because I’m young? Will I understand Lord Gert’s heart when I get older?’

While Hilias was tilting his head in confusion for a long time, Gert had reached his own conclusion and felt relieved.

‘Hmm, Orphea will be quite pleased when I suggest a list of social gatherings.’

“Gert, are you really taking me there too? You’re the only one! You’re the best!”

A satisfied smile spread across Gert’s lips as he imagined Orphea jumping up and down with joy. As if the smile on his lips couldn’t contain all his contentment, Gert soon let out a quiet laugh.

“Heh heh…”

Unable to understand why Gert was laughing so menacingly or what part of their conversation was amusing, Hilias quietly shook his head without letting Gert notice.

‘…I really don’t understand…’

***

Chapter 03. Interfering with fate is not an easy task

The next day, Linos came to visit.

Linos, visiting my manor for the first time, couldn’t seem to close his mouth.

“Wow, a manor of this size in this location would be worth at least a decent small city.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“No, I’m not. Really, just selling this house alone would be enough to buy a baron’s title, right? The interior decorations were all already done?”

“That’s right.”

“I thought so. The fireplace is marble too, and the mantelpiece decoration is solid malachite. You can tell they spent money lavishly on these little details.”

While Tamar had found fault with everything, seeing Linos unable to contain his admiration made me wonder if it was really the same space.

Only after thoroughly examining every corner of the drawing room did Linos belatedly come to his senses. Remembering the purpose of his visit, Linos raised the corners of his eyes sharply and confronted me about what happened at yesterday’s banquet.

“Ha, I was just admiring everything without realizing it. You know, after you and Gert left like that yesterday, do you know how flustered I was?”

Finding it absurd, I raised one eyebrow.

“That’s what I should be saying. Do you know how flustered I was when you suddenly disappeared?”

“T-that’s because I didn’t know Gert would appear so suddenly! I need time to prepare myself mentally too!”

Perhaps Linos himself was embarrassed, as despite his shouting attitude, his ear tips were bright red.

I don’t know why he’s interrogating me when he’s the one who committed the crime. I leaned back against the sofa and clicked my tongue.

“You knew I was attending the banquet to meet Gert anyway. And you still need mental preparation?”

“What I expected was to spot Gert from a distance and appropriately get out of his sight. I didn’t know that guy would stick his face right in front of me like that. I thought my heart was going to drop.”

Linos placed his hand near his heart as if it was still pounding.

I stared intently at Linos.

I had suspected that Linos was subtly avoiding Gert. Linos’s attitude had been that obvious.

Except for the wedding, he hadn’t even come near Lübenhartz, making all sorts of excuses.

Come to think of it, it was strange that he had passed the expedition position to me in the first place.

The person originally designated as the expedition’s bard was Linos, who was recognized as the top bard in social circles at the time. But Linos said he got seasick and passed that position to me.

“Seasick my foot. You just didn’t want to suffer being away from social circles for a year, so you dumped it on me, right?”

“Don’t take it if you don’t want it. There are plenty of others who want to go. I’m offering it to you first because you’re like a little sister to me.”

“Hehe. You’re the only one I have, big brother.”

“You only call me big brother at times like this.”

‘…Was he just trying to avoid Gert back then too?’

Looking at Linos’s current reaction, it was a quite plausible guess.

“Did something happen between you and Gert?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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