An Ode to Divorce - Chapter 36

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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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#36

Orphea’s face was exceptionally pale. So pale it was almost indistinguishable from her white lily petal-like hair color.

Though Gert was ignorant about art, he could tell that Orphea caressing the strings with her delicate finger movements looked like a divine work of art.

‘That’s probably why those twins keep bothering Orphea so much.’

It was certainly unusual for guys who weren’t particularly obsessed with women to hover around with such patience.

But they would never be able to approach Orphea.

Because Gert himself wouldn’t allow it.

‘Someone like Orphea deserves a better man. Someone outstanding enough to match Orphea, with good character, someone who could protect her.’

Until now, Gert had been protecting her from the side, but as his madness was worsening, he couldn’t protect Orphea forever.

Orphea knew she was talented, but she didn’t really understand the value of that ability.

That’s why she was constantly overworked in the expedition, receiving song requests from other expedition members.

Gert found that irritating.

At first it was just instinctive displeasure, but after realizing Orphea’s skill, he felt as if he himself was being insulted.

And rightfully so, since Orphea was the only hero Gert acknowledged within the expedition.

Gert thought Orphea needed to be respected more. Like how others treated Gert himself.

Not being treated like some entertainer.

So Gert began secretly interfering when others tried to drag Orphea away.

He would scold those who called for Orphea, saying they were doing pointless things, or tell them to be quiet because the noise was maddening.

Gert thought Orphea would appreciate his consideration. But Orphea actually tried to dissuade him.

“You don’t need to go that far. This is also my way of making a place for myself in the expedition. A bard like me who can’t hunt or defeat enemies can only do things like singing.”

“…What if seeing you like that irritates me?”

“If it’s because it’s noisy, I’ll be as quiet as possible. Do you perhaps have a favorite song, Your Highness? Then I could…”

“No.”

Facing Orphea’s awkward smile, Gert’s insides boiled with an unidentifiable displeasure. Gert glared at the foolish bard who didn’t appreciate his consideration and declared as if spitting out the words.

“I will never, ever be the first to request a song from you.”

Orphea seemed to have forgotten now, but Gert had never once forgotten that declaration since that day.

‘To think I would end up asking her for a song.’

Was it because of the headache that kept stabbing his head? Or because of the fever that weighed down his entire body?

The moment Orphea asked if he needed anything, despite his past resolution, he desperately wanted only her song.

‘And I had no idea Orphea was misunderstanding like that.’

That Gert himself disliked her songs! It was unimaginable.

If today’s events hadn’t happened, Orphea would have continued misunderstanding Gert.

Thinking about it, his attitude of never asking for a song might have been somewhat extreme.

‘Certainly… listening to Orphea’s song like this feels good. Is this the first time I’m properly listening in three years?’

A few months ago, during Orphea’s birthday banquet, the song was cut off in the middle because Eurich interfered.

But now was different. Since only Gert was monopolizing this song, he could enjoy it to the end.

Sleep now, sleep now, in the embrace of the Deep Forest

Fireflies circle around you

Forest spirits bestow the blessing of rest

Gentle mist, wash away the pain

Between Orphea’s whispering voice, her long, slender fingers gently swept across the lyre’s strings.

Gert recalled when those cold, smooth fingertips had touched his forehead. That cool, pleasant feeling…

Was it because of the fever? As soon as he recalled that sensation, his throat burned and he felt an urgent desire to bury his face in those hands.

‘Here I am having random thoughts while listening to a song.’

Gert let out a hollow laugh.

‘Since my head doesn’t hurt, I have the luxury to think strange thoughts…’

Gert was startled as he thought that far. Certainly until he stepped into Orphea’s bedroom, he had been barely enduring brain-splitting pain.

At some point, the pain had completely evaporated, and what filled that space was only endless, gentle peace.

‘That’s impossible.’

Gert’s eyes widened in shock. A curse from God that nothing could suppress. To think the pain he thought he’d carry his whole life could disappear so instantly!

Sleep now, sleep now, in peaceful dreams

Listening to the whispering sound of waves

Lying on dreamlike sand

Rest in the embrace of starlight

But as if mocking his doubts, the longer Orphea’s song continued, the more languid Gert’s body became. With the pain gone, Gert could vividly feel the sensation of the soft bed for the first time.

‘…Come to think of it, I’ve had a similar experience before.’

It was just a few months ago, the moment he first heard Orphea’s performance in three years at the banquet hall.

His madness had been quite severe, to the point where he should have gone hunting immediately, but at some point the pain had disappeared.

Even when madness surged, sometimes a greater stimulus would overwhelm it. Paralyzing sadness, or anger…

So at the time, he thought it was because of Orphea’s sudden divorce proposal and his anger toward Eurich.

But with the same thing repeating, he could no longer ignore it.

Sleep now, sleep now, in my song

Orphea’s voice wrapped around Gert like invisible thread.

The more the melody repeated, the heavier Gert’s eyelids became.

Through his drowsily closing eyelids, he could see Orphea continuing her performance with focused concentration until the very end.

‘If Orphea’s song really does suppress my madness.’

Sleep now, sleep now, in my song

‘If that’s the case…’

Orphea’s figure, whispering with lowered eyelashes, gradually became blurry, but her voice penetrated Gert’s ears even more clearly.

How long had it been since he couldn’t sleep deeply, tossing and turning in pain?

It would be comfortable to just fall asleep like this, but Gert struggled to listen to Orphea’s song until the very end.

And the moment Orphea’s voice subsided and her fingers plucked the lyre’s strings one last time.

Gert willingly accepted the approaching drowsiness and fell into the peace Orphea had offered him.

***

While I was singing the lullaby, Gert had fallen fast asleep at some point. My songs usually don’t work well on demigods like Gert. He must have been really tired.

Still, after putting him to sleep, Gert’s complexion seemed much better.

‘His fever seems to have gone down too.’

I checked Gert’s forehead temperature once more as he slept soundly in my bed and nodded with satisfaction.

When I quietly closed the bedroom door and came out, Berta quickly followed.

“What about His Grace?”

“I think he needs to sleep in my room for now. I’ll probably have to sleep in another room… Could you prepare a guest bedroom?”

“I’ve already prepared it. And Lord Hilias is waiting in the drawing room.”

“As expected of you, Berta.”

With Berta having arranged everything, there was nothing else for me to do. I headed to the drawing room where Hilias was waiting.

When I told him about Gert’s condition, Hilias looked somewhat shocked.

“Lord Gert’s condition was that bad… I’m unqualified as an aide…”

“I only knew because I touched him. If I’d just looked from the outside, I wouldn’t have known at all.”

I had only exaggerated just a little bit, but Hilias became far more dejected than warranted. I hurriedly tried to comfort Hilias.

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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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