An Ode to Divorce - Chapter 49

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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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#49

Could it be that Orphea didn’t know the value of her own dress?

‘That can’t be right.’

She probably knew that Duke Lüvenhertz would immediately prepare another dress for her.

The implication was clear.

“Duke Lü-Lüvenhertz continues to show in-interest in that woman.”

Helena recalled the attitude Gert had displayed.

“Is he planning to shamelessly stay here until Orphea returns?”

He hadn’t pointed out that Helena had deliberately ruined Orphea’s dress. But the moment she met his cold gaze directed at her, Helena realized that Gert knew everything.

Looking at Gert like that, it felt as if the talk of divorce was a lie.

What was certain was that openly antagonizing Orphea now would earn Gert’s wrath.

“…Do you ab-absolutely have to clash with that woman? I don’t re-recommend it politically.”

At Helena’s advice, Lairinne bit her lower lip. Seeing her blue eyes waver made Helena’s heart ache too.

But still, she had to give advice to her friend. Especially when her friend wasn’t viewing the situation objectively.

“Besides, even excluding the political burden… Judging by how my br-brothers treat Orphea, she must be quite an outstanding hero among the ex-expedition members. My brothers aren’t usually so fr-friendly to just anyone.”

It was generous to call it friendly – watching them persistently pursue her despite Orphea’s repeated rejections made one wonder if they had any pride at all.

To think those people who thought only they were superior would show such a humble attitude. They had never acted like this when courting any other woman, not even close to how they treated Orphea.

Since they were people who even challenged Gert, they wouldn’t have been mindful of Gert behind Orphea.

So was it because they truly loved Orphea?

If that were simply the case, Orphea would now be at Count Tindal’s secret villa, not at the manor Gert had given her as divorce settlement.

The twins respected Orphea. That respect undoubtedly came from Orphea’s abilities.

“If Orphea is an out-outstanding hero, then she’s not unworthy of Duke Lüvenhertz either. Remember when the ex-expedition launched? Back then we cheered, saying she was one of only two female expedition members along with Zaila, hoping she would have a sp-splendid performance.”

When they were 14 years old and heard that news, they later dreamed of becoming expedition members themselves and going out beyond that sea.

“Of course, when we heard the news that Orphea and Duke Lüvenhertz were getting married right after the expedition returned, you did cry a little. But you soon said you hoped the two of them would live ha-happily together.”

“I didn’t know back then.”

But upon hearing Helena’s words, Lairinne shot back with a sharp voice as if provoked instead.

“I didn’t know that despite participating as one of only two women in an expedition of 50, she used that as an excuse to force a marriage with Brother Gert.”

When she learned this fact belatedly, what consumed Lairinne was an enormous sense of betrayal.

“Not only that, but she even had an affair behind Gert’s back… That’s betrayal. I don’t know why Brother forgave that woman, but I can’t tolerate someone like her who seduces and uses people being next to Brother Gert.”

“Where did you he-hear such things? Those are all so-social circle gossip. According to what the social circles say, you and I would be in an ‘inappropriate friendship’ too. Aren’t you mis-misunderstanding something?”

Even at Helena’s words, Lairinne pressed her lips tightly shut and made an unconvinced expression. Helena sighed at Lairinne’s stubborn appearance.

Come to think of it, Lairinne had started disliking that woman after hearing strange rumors from somewhere.

Who on earth had planted these strange misunderstandings about Orphea in Lairinne’s mind?

Rather, since Lairinne was keeping her mouth shut like this, it was obvious who had been spouting nonsense. Lairinne’s social circle was narrow.

Someone who held a grudge against Gert and Orphea, and who had Lairinne’s trust.

‘…It can only be Eurich.’

If it really was Eurich who had driven a wedge between Lairinne and Orphea, speaking openly about it wouldn’t be a good approach.

Lairinne appeared to be a beloved princess on the surface, but in reality, she was isolated in the Royal Palace.

Her father’s love was shallow, and her mother was jealous even of that. Since there were rumors that the Current Queen had caused the Previous Queen’s death, her relationship with her half-brother was also distant.

She had come to like Gert after he rescued her from danger, but that didn’t mean Gert treated Lairinne specially.

The only one who had been kind to such a Lairinne was Eurich.

Since that Eurich had been expelled from the household because of Orphea and his relationship with Gert had soured, it was natural for Lairinne to develop prejudice against Orphea.

‘Eurich must have instigated it. That hypocritical bastard would be fully capable of such a thing.’

Helena had disliked Eurich from the moment she first saw him. It might be hatred of one’s own kind. Since Helena herself was two-faced, she might be quick to notice hypocritical people.

But as much as Lairinne felt sympathy for Eurich, it wasn’t easy to say that Eurich was deceiving her.

‘Maybe the best approach is to just keep watching from the side and prevent her from making the worst moves.’

It required a lot of attention in many ways, but what could she do? She was a friend, so it couldn’t be helped.

Lairinne was a precious friend who had been the only one to extend a hand to Helena when she was ostracized among her peers for stuttering in childhood.

Helena let out a small sigh while looking at Lairinne’s stubborn expression.

‘Ugh… Having a friend is like having an enemy.’

***

“Welcome!”

After Gert visited three days later as promised, I continued to make appointments.

Gert initially came dressed formally like when attending social gatherings, but as he gradually became more comfortable, he now visited in casual attire.

However, even though his clothing became casual, his mind didn’t seem to relax. Gert’s posture while waiting for me to prepare was as stiff as a soldier awaiting orders.

‘He said he wasn’t particularly interested in listening to music, and his inexperience really shows in moments like this.’

Gert’s appearance didn’t look like someone who came to appreciate music at all.

Still, such an attitude didn’t last long.

By the time I finished my performance, the tension had always largely disappeared from Gert’s shoulders as he leaned back against his chair.

Whenever I encountered Gert’s relaxed posture, a strange sense of achievement filled me and a smile unconsciously spread across my lips.

‘Good, right now something…!’

Suddenly, inspiration struck like lightning. Without even asking Gert if he had enjoyed it, I immediately pulled over the papers stacked beside me and frantically scribbled down the musical ideas and lyrics that came to mind.

At first, Gert seemed a bit surprised by my behavior, but after it was repeated several times and he got used to it, he now calmly brought me the paper I needed or cleaned up the scattered ink while I poured out my inspiration.

I hadn’t intended to have Gert attend to me like this.

It would have been better to work after seeing Gert off, but I couldn’t bear not writing down the melodies that immediately came to mind.

Only after pouring out musical ideas for a while and regaining my composure could I see Gert off.

Just as I had speculated that performing for Gert would accelerate my work, progress moved along smoothly each time Gert visited.

Thoroughly excited, I began calling Gert frequently. Three days wasn’t enough, so it became two days, then one day, and eventually I was making appointments for him to visit almost daily.

Gert cautiously asked if he was burdened by having to come this frequently.

“…Is it really okay for me to come this often? No matter how I think about it, it seems like I’d rather be interfering with your work.”

“No, no. It’s perfect right now.”

I firmly dismissed Gert’s concern, pretending not to understand his intention.

If it were up to me, I would want to just keep Gert sitting beside me, call him whenever I got stuck while working frantically to get inspiration, then go back to writing frantically.

‘Ah… What a shame.’

Why hadn’t I thought of performing for Gert earlier? If I had known that fact sooner, I could have made rapid progress while married to Gert.

‘If I gave him massages, fed him grapes, and treated him extremely well, wouldn’t he say he’d just sleep here tonight?’

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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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