An Ode to Divorce - Chapter 40

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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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#40

 

Clearly when we first appeared in the garden, I could see her figure in the distance, but at some point she had disappeared.

 

‘Normally she would have come over at least once to greet Gert.’

 

I only thought it strange for a moment.

 

The twins and the count’s daughter approached us.

 

Only then could I get a good look at Helena.

 

‘Can she even see in front of her?’

 

Thick bangs covered half of Helena’s face. Helena gave us a small greeting and immediately hid behind the twins. She seemed very shy.

 

‘She looks much weaker than the twins.’

 

I had thought she would have a bold personality like a lion, since Count Tindal had pushed aside the twins to make her the heir of the household.

 

‘More like a lamb than a lion…’

 

“It’s been a while. I heard you’ve been going in and out of some strange gatherings.”

 

“News travels fast.”

 

What old story were they talking about? The twins giggled as if my response was amusing.

 

“That’s what happens when you go around social circles with someone like Gert. You end up going to such boring places. We’ll take you somewhere more fun.”

 

“If it’s a gathering where I have to strip naked and embrace complete strangers, I’ll pass.”

 

“Just how do you see us?”

 

“So, you’ve never attended such gatherings?”

 

“Of course we have.”

 

Their shameless response was amusing.

 

I chuckled and let it pass, but Gert beside me frowned as if he didn’t want to associate with the twins and pulled me toward him.

 

“Don’t even talk to such filthy things.”

 

“You’re the one being clingy and disgusting, ordering around your ex-wife like this and that. Are you Orphea’s father?”

 

Gert and the twins were about to raise their voices again.

 

‘I feel like they’re escalating to fights faster and faster…’

 

“Don’t, don’t fight…”

 

Helena stamped her feet with a clearly flustered expression, trying somehow to stop her brothers. Of course, the twins didn’t even pretend to listen.

 

“This, this is the Royal Palace! You can’t cause trouble!”

 

“When did we cause trouble? We’re speaking quietly.”

 

“Right, right. Besides, Gert was the one who started the argument.”

 

“Your concept of starting arguments seems to be wrongly embedded in your heads. That’s possible though. It’s not just a day or two that you’ve been acting stupidly without being able to tell heaven from earth.”

 

“What?”

 

Castor, the twin who got angry more easily, reached out to grab Gert’s collar.

 

At that moment, Helena intervened to somehow stop her brother.

 

“Ah…!”

 

But Helena lost her balance and staggered. She managed to support herself by grabbing the table next to her, but the wine glass on the table tumbled down.

 

Where to?

 

Onto my dress.

 

“What, what do I do! I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!”

 

“…No, it’s fine.”

 

My ivory dress was ruined with red wine.

 

Since I had attended at the king’s command, even if his partner disappeared, Gert had no choice but to remain in the banquet hall. So I too had to somehow maintain my position.

 

‘But I can’t stay like this.’

 

Usually noble ladies or young ladies kept at least one spare dress in their carriages for such occasions.

 

But since I had snuck into Gert’s carriage today, I had no spare or anything else.

 

‘Should I quickly ask Hilias to get me a dress?’

 

While I was pondering, fortunately Helena offered welcome words.

 

“I, I have a spare dress. I’ll lend it to you.”

 

“Then I’d be grateful. I won’t refuse Count Tindal’s help.”

 

I sighed in relief and patted my chest.

 

Since I didn’t look too upset, one of the twins who had been watching nervously slipped in.

 

“Grateful? This kid made the mistake. Of course she should lend it to you.”

 

“If we’re tracing the cause of fault, wouldn’t it lie with you, Pollux? Your sister wouldn’t have had to intervene if you hadn’t done something worth stopping in the first place.”

 

“…”

 

When I raised my eyebrows and pointed this out, Pollux, who had just tried to sacrifice his sister, shut his mouth tight.

 

Having dealt with Pollux, I looked at Gert. Gert was glaring at the wine splattered on my skirt with a serious expression, as if it were bloodstains.

 

“…Gert?”

 

I called Gert carefully. Gert offered an apology with a deep sigh.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s not something for you to be sorry about, it’s fine!”

 

Helena was the one who spilled the wine, so I didn’t understand why Gert was apologizing. I hurriedly tried to dissuade Gert, but his expression remained serious. Gert slowly shook his head.

 

“Even though I was by your side, the fact that such a situation happened to you, my partner, is definitely my fault.”

 

Did he think it was his responsibility since he brought me? Anyway, he seemed to want to shoulder every responsibility in the world.

 

I waved my hands dismissively.

 

“It’s just a matter of changing clothes. Count Tindal said she’d lend me clothes too. It’s already resolved, so don’t worry. I’ll go change quickly and come back.”

 

Perhaps feeling a bit better at my words, Gert nodded with a much improved expression.

 

“…There’s no need to hurry.”

 

“Okay, okay. But don’t fight again while I’m gone. Got it?”

 

I earnestly entreated them and left the garden with Helena.

 

I didn’t forget to look around as I left the garden. Even though quite some time had passed, the princess was still nowhere to be seen. While this fact was somewhat reassuring, I couldn’t be completely at ease. I quickened my pace.

 

***

 

Thanks to Helena’s guidance, I was able to reach the VIP waiting room safely without getting lost. Receiving Helena’s spare dress, I offered my thanks.

 

“I’ll wear the dress well.”

 

“What, what are you saying? It was my mistake. I’ll, I’ll wait outside. Let’s go back together.”

 

“No. You don’t need to be so considerate. The auction will start soon anyway, so go back first. Now that I’ve learned the way once, I can return by myself.”

 

I was also concerned about making her wait for me blankly outside while I changed clothes.

 

Seeing that I really didn’t mind, Helena slowly nodded and left the waiting room.

 

After sending Helena away, I quickly changed clothes with the help of a maid in the waiting room.

 

Helena’s dress wasn’t personally to my taste, but still, it was better than nothing.

 

‘It’s fortunate that Helena is tall.’

 

Otherwise, the hem might have ended awkwardly at my ankles. It was a great relief that I didn’t look ridiculous.

 

Since I was worried about when the princess might approach while leaving Gert alone, I hurried to get ready. My appearance as I prepared as if my bottom was on fire was reflected in a mirror on one side of the waiting room.

 

‘Others would say I’m being jealous despite being an ex-wife.’

 

I chuckled. If it was about suspecting a husband, it wasn’t much different.

 

As I finished preparing hurriedly and was about to leave the waiting room, someone opened the door to my room first.

 

It was someone I hadn’t expected at all. I barely hid my bewilderment and offered a greeting.

 

“…I greet Princess Lairinne.”

 

The princess seemed to know exactly that I would be here, showing no sign of surprise and remaining composed.

 

‘She wasn’t visible in the banquet hall, but how did she know I left my seat? Did she assign someone to watch me? Otherwise, there’s no way she could find me so precisely… Wait.’

 

The words about there being a friendship between Count Tindal and Princess Lairinne suddenly came to mind.

 

Only then did I realize the whole truth behind all these events. Helena spilling wine on my skirt wasn’t an accident.

 

‘Maybe even stopping the twins from the beginning… No, even coming toward me with the twins in front might have all been intentional.’

 

She must have been acting on Princess Lairinne’s orders.

 

I was completely fooled by her lamb-like appearance!

 

A truly weak person couldn’t have set up such a scheme so calmly.

 

Now I clearly understood why Helena could become the heir.

 

‘Compared to her…’

 

The princess was certainly consistent inside and out.

 

She would smile brightly when looking at Gert, but couldn’t hide her expressions at all when looking at me.

 

Even now it was the same. Though she stood confidently before me, her expression couldn’t contain the contempt and dislike she felt toward me.

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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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