An Ode to Divorce - Chapter 43

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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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#43

 

Seeing how she still believed my words so firmly even in this situation, it was worth all those years of pretending to be a good person in front of Lairinne.

 

Inciting a princess who had grown up sheltered like a bird in a cage with just a few words was no trouble at all.

 

Since I had provoked her this much, the princess would somehow sink her teeth into Orphea and not let go. And in the midst of that, there would be an opening…

 

That was exactly what Eurich was aiming for.

 

Hiding all these inner thoughts, Eurich patted Lairinne’s shoulder and whispered.

 

“Princess, may I ask you for just one favor?”

 

***

 

When I returned to the auction house after changing my dress, the sun had already grown dim. The auction seemed to be in full swing, as the bidders’ eyes gleamed with fervor as they raised their paddles as soon as the auctioneer called out prices.

 

As soon as I quickly sat down next to Gert, he asked.

 

“Was there any trouble?”

 

“What trouble could there be from just changing clothes?”

 

Though I answered nonchalantly, I felt somewhat guilty inside since something had indeed happened.

 

But I didn’t want to mention that the princess had come looking for me, thereby revealing to Gert that ‘the princess cares about you this much.’

 

“…Is that so?”

 

Gert nodded without pressing further. I let out a small sigh of relief and checked the catalog to see how many items had been sold in the meantime.

 

‘…Did it take longer than I thought for me to go and come back?’

 

Most of the items that had been put up for auction had already been sold. The same was true for the monster lion hide that Gert had put up.

 

“By the way, how much did the lion hide sell for?”

 

“5,000 gold.”

 

“Really? That’s enough to buy a small territory!”

 

I jumped up in disbelief at the amount. But Gert answered matter-of-factly as if it were natural.

 

“Not bad. Since it was a charity auction hosted by the princess, I think I got about 1,500 gold more than usual.”

 

To think there was someone who would pay that price for that fierce and grimy hide. The tastes of nobles were truly incomprehensible.

 

No wonder Lübenhartz had so much money. It was already a wealthy household, and with Gert bringing back things like this every time he went hunting, they couldn’t help but be rich.

 

“Were you that curious about how much the lion hide sold for? Nothing else you’re curious about?”

 

“What else would there be?”

 

“Like what happened to that jewelry set from earlier.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Having said that, Gert suddenly handed me some kind of box.

 

Thinking ‘no way,’ I took the box and opened it.

 

The jewelry I had seen in the catalog earlier was sparkling in the light. Despite the blinding brilliance, I opened my eyes wide and asked.

 

“What’s this? Did you win the bid?”

 

“Mm.”

 

Gert nodded as if it were nothing. Then he took out the earrings from the box with somewhat rough hands and held them up to my ear.

 

“I like them, but I don’t know about your taste. I thought it wouldn’t be bad to try something like this once.”

 

The moment his fingertips touched my earlobe, my ear instantly grew hot.

 

Fortunately, Gert didn’t seem to notice my agitation and only smiled with satisfaction.

 

“If you like them too, next time I’ll have something made to suit you directly. After all, this was worn by someone else.”

 

Soon Gert’s hand fell away, leaving only my burning hot ear. I fidgeted with my ear unnecessarily and added.

 

“They say jewelry that was worn by others is the most precious. It has to contain history to have value.”

 

Even if it was jewelry worn by someone else, if it was the princess’s jewelry, it was more than valuable enough.

 

But that’s exactly why it was burdensome.

 

Giving jewelry as a gift was usually done in marriage or romantic relationships.

 

In the past, since I was his wife at least in name, it was natural for Gert to give such gifts, but receiving such a gift now was definitely excessive.

 

Just as I was thinking I should refuse after all and was about to push the box back to Gert.

 

Gert frowned and replied.

 

“Then you can create history for the new jewelry.”

 

“…What’s that supposed to mean?”

 

“Something like jewelry worn by Orphea der Vogelbaide, the bard recognized by Mnemiir.”

 

Seeing Gert make such an exaggerated statement with complete seriousness, all the thoughts I had been having just moments before felt pointless.

 

‘Come to think of it, he did say it was money that would eventually need to be spent.’

 

It seemed like I was trying to read too much meaning into a gift that Gert had given without much thought.

 

‘Maybe I was a bit bothered by what the princess said earlier about Gert and me being nothing to each other.’

 

I chuckled.

 

“Then I really need to work hard on my heroic poetry.”

 

While we were laughing and having such trivial conversation, the auction soon ended with the last item.

 

Now began the other purpose for today’s gathering – socializing time. Participants who had bid in the auction showed off their items, while those who had missed out expressed their regrets to the successful bidders.

 

“Let’s get going.”

 

Having accomplished his purpose for coming to today’s auction, Gert stood up as if he couldn’t find a reason to stay longer.

 

Normally he would have at least asked if I wanted to stay longer, but today’s Gert was decisive.

 

I also didn’t particularly want to kill time with people I barely knew, so I quickly stood up to follow Gert.

 

Still, I thought I should at least say goodbye to the twins before leaving, so I looked around.

 

“Huh?”

 

“What are you looking for?”

 

“I don’t see the twins or Count Tindal.”

 

Come to think of it, I didn’t see them when I returned to the auction house earlier either.

 

“…They probably left early. Don’t worry about it.”

 

“But I need to return the dress to Count Tindal.”

 

Thinking about returning the dress to Helena gave me a headache. I wondered whether I could just send it back through someone else in a situation like this, or if I needed to go in person.

 

Hearing my concern, Gert let out a hollow laugh.

 

“Ha, I wonder if they have the courage to ask you to return the dress.”

 

“Huh? What did you say?”

 

“…”

 

“What did you say?”

 

Just then, music began to play and attention was momentarily drawn in that direction.

 

Having failed to properly hear the latter part of Gert’s words, I asked him to repeat it several times. But Gert only remained silent with his mouth firmly shut.

 

‘Suspicious.’

 

I narrowed my eyes. No matter how I looked at it, Gert had definitely done something while I was away.

 

“Anyway, let’s go.”

 

As if to change the subject, Gert half-embraced me and headed toward the carriage. To others it would look very intimate, but in reality it was closer to being carried than embraced. It felt like my toes were almost floating in the air.

 

Since it wasn’t the first or second time Gert had carried me off like this according to his whims, I just gave up and let myself be carried by Gert.

 

***

 

Hilias, who had been waiting with the carriage ready early, greeted us.

 

“Are you finished? Oh, Lady Orphea, your dress has changed.”

 

“Yeah. Something happened in the middle.”

 

“Oh my, but it’s fortunate that you were able to find a spare dress. From next time, I’ll make sure to prepare spare dresses for Lady Orphea as well.”

 

“No, no. Don’t go to the trouble. It’s fine. There won’t be another incident like today.”

 

“Make sure to prepare them.”

 

Just as I was trying to dissuade Hilias, Gert, who had kept his mouth shut until now, suddenly spoke up. Then, without giving me a chance to argue, he herded me into the carriage like a sheepdog herding sheep.

 

Soon the carriage door closed and the carriage began moving with a rattle.

 

The valuable gift was one thing, but I needed to get to the bottom of things.

 

I crossed my arms and glared at Gert, who sat across from me, with eyes full of dissatisfaction.

 

“You won’t answer my questions, but you’re nitpicking at what I say?”

 

“….”

 

“So, are you really not going to tell me what you did while I was gone?”

 

“…Ugh.”

 

Unable to withstand my persistent interrogation any longer, Gert clicked his tongue as if he couldn’t take it anymore. After letting out a deep sigh, Gert raised both hands in defeat and answered.

 

“Fine. I chased those bastards away. I told them whether they planned to just sit there shamelessly on their asses until you came back.”

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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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