An Ode to Divorce - Chapter 74

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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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#74

 

‘Could it be… is there something wrong with my performance?’

 

Tamar’s reaction had been strangely unsettling from earlier.

 

‘But what exactly is the problem? Did I play too aggressively? Or maybe she didn’t like the melody?’

 

The confidence I’d had just moments ago about my perfect arrangement came crashing down.

 

My original purpose of trying to calm Tamar’s anger had long since disappeared. Anxiety about whether Tamar might be disappointed took its place.

 

I asked cautiously, my heart racing.

 

“Um, Tamar. Is there some kind of problem?”

 

“Later, when I’m more certain, I’ll let you know.”

 

So there really is… something wrong!

 

Seeing Tamar hesitate with her answer, I unconsciously squeezed my eyes shut.

 

But I couldn’t turn away just because it was painful. I swallowed my shame and asked.

 

“Well… I’m not trying to rush you, but couldn’t you just tell me roughly what the problem is? I don’t need a detailed critique. Like if the melody doesn’t match the theme, or maybe…”

 

“Huh?”

 

Only then did Tamar look startled and wave her hands.

 

“Oh, sorry for making you misunderstand! I wasn’t talking about a problem with the performance. The song was wonderful as always… I was just concerned about something else.”

 

“Geez, what the… You scared me!”

 

Hearing it wasn’t about the song, my heart that had plummeted came racing back up like a pulley.

 

Having worried so much in that brief moment, I couldn’t support my exhausted body and collapsed onto the sofa, leaning my head against the backrest.

 

“As long as it’s not about the song, that’s fine.”

 

Letting out a sigh of relief, I stared at Tamar and grumbled.

 

“Getting recognition from Gert is important, but you’re my music’s biggest supporter. If you reject it, I lose all motivation. Do you know how shocked I was thinking you were disappointed in me?”

 

“Sorry, sorry.”

 

Tamar’s serious expression from before vanished like a lie as she instantly changed her demeanor to comfort me. Since I was just startled and not actually upset, my mood quickly improved.

 

But I couldn’t let this opportunity slip away! I quickly linked arms with Tamar and gave her a sweet smile.

 

“Then you won’t be angry about me not telling you about the golden-horned deer incident, right?”

 

“You really…”

 

Tamar looked at me and let out a deep sigh.

 

“Would I really be angry? I’m just worried about you.”

 

“I know that too. I know, but…”

 

Even when you know, there are times when it’s still scary!

 

Just like Gert before, Tamar had no awareness of how frightening she could seem when angry.

 

If Gert’s scariness was like he might snap me in half, Tamar’s was like she’d slip truth serum into my drink and make me spill all my secrets…

 

“Fine. I won’t get angry, so tell me honestly. This deer incident is related to Eurich, isn’t it?”

 

“How could it not be… Though there’s no evidence, I’m almost certain.”

 

I clicked my tongue. If only I had evidence, I could confidently put Eurich on trial and interrogate him. Without it, I had no justification.

 

Perhaps because she knew that before my regression, I nearly died because of Eurich, Tamar’s face darkened.

 

“Is he seeking revenge because you exposed his true nature?”

 

“Probably. He’s the type who obsesses more over what he can’t have than what he does have. Since I took Lübenhartz away from him, he must be grinding his teeth in fury.”

 

“Certainly, someone like that wouldn’t give up easily after one failure.”

 

Just hearing about my pre-regression experiences seemed sufficient for Tamar to understand Eurich, as she reached a similar conclusion to mine.

 

Tamar’s green eyes grew heavy with contemplation. She gripped my hand tightly and earnestly urged me.

 

“Since he didn’t achieve his goal this time, Eurich will definitely target you again… You must be careful, extra careful. If you need my help, tell me anytime. Potions or whatever… I can provide any support you need.”

 

“Thank you for worrying about me, Tamar. I actually have something in mind.”

 

Making potions couldn’t be easy work, but her always willing offers made me feel much less burdened.

 

Even though I said I had a plan, Tamar still seemed unable to feel at ease, falling into deep, silent contemplation for a long while. After mulling it over, Tamar suddenly made a suggestion.

 

“Or would you rather go to Okrolandi?”

 

“Okrolandi?”

 

At this unexpected suggestion, my eyes widened. Though Tamar herself seemed uncertain at first, she quickly gained confidence, and her tone became increasingly definitive as she tried to persuade me.

 

“Yes. Eurich wouldn’t come all the way there to try to kill you. Plus, there I could protect you perfectly. There’s no law saying you must take the examination here.”

 

“That’s true, but…”

 

Going to Okrolandi with Tamar didn’t seem like a bad idea.

 

But the problem was still Gert. What if Gert departed for the Underworld while I was away?

 

‘I can’t just dismiss him dying somewhere I can’t see as unrelated to my heroic poetry.’

 

This year, I felt I needed to stay by Gert’s side and confirm he wouldn’t descend to the Underworld to feel at peace.

 

“They said the gates of the Underworld won’t open for 12 years after closing this time, so I want to get through this year first. If Gert isn’t in my sight, I’ll be too anxious to focus on my work.”

 

Since I’d end up dead again if I didn’t gain divine recognition, I had to do my absolute best.

 

Tamar, knowing my circumstances, quickly understood and nodded.

 

“Alright, if you need to create work worthy of Mnemiir’s recognition, it can’t be helped… Then what about just telling Gert to get rid of Eurich?”

 

“Tell Gert? About Eurich?”

 

“I still find that bastard detestable. But we should use what we can use.”

 

Tamar clicked her tongue and added.

 

“Besides, it seems like Gert also finds something fishy about this golden-horned baby deer kidnapping.”

 

“Well, Gert is a hero among heroes, so it’s natural he’d be concerned about a divine beast being kidnapped and the city thrown into chaos.”

 

“It’s more than that.”

 

Tamar chuckled.

 

“According to what I heard from Zyla, Gert keeps pressing Artume Temple about whether there’s any progress. Asking if they have any suspects for who the real culprit might be.”

 

“Really? To that extent?”

 

I had no idea since after he came to check that I was safe, he never showed any curiosity about that incident in front of me.

 

Thinking about it, the capital city was where Gert was staying, even if not as much as Lübenhartz territory. With such an incident occurring where he was residing, Gert might well feel his reputation was damaged.

 

“So if we casually drop Eurich’s name through Zyla, wouldn’t Gert handle it himself? Even without evidence… well, someone like him would have various means.”

 

“…”

 

It was truly a tempting option.

 

I thought for a moment, then shook my head.

 

“It would be fine if Gert just got rid of Eurich and that was the end of it, but I’m worried he might clash with the Royal Family. Princess Lairinne asked the Followers of Artume to keep it secret because she was concerned about that very thing.”

 

“Even in this situation, you’re worried about the Royal Family and Princess Lairinne?”

 

“I do owe Princess Lairinne some help… But it’s not just that. I’m concerned about Gert becoming enemies with the Royal Palace because of me.”

 

More precisely, I was worried about the Current Queen.

 

The Current Queen, Princess Lairinne’s mother, was the younger sister of Gert’s stepmother.

 

‘Gert’s stepmother…’

 

After Gert’s father died, she devoted herself to the Temple of Hecate and never came out, so I’d never had occasion to meet her, but even so, I could sense certain things.

 

‘Even if she’s devoted herself to a deity, he’s still her son, so not even coming to his wedding is a bit much.’

 

As I could see from Tamar, who was a priestess of Hecate, the Temple of Hecate didn’t particularly cut off relations with the outside world. In other words, it was the stepmother’s own choice.

 

Yet Gert still sent her things once a year and checked if she needed anything.

 

Though Gert didn’t go himself, the fact that he didn’t just send things and leave it at that, but received regular reports from Hilias, showed he cared about his stepmother.

 

Why did Gert care so much about his stepmother?

 

‘Is it guilt from feeling he drove his stepmother to the temple because he killed his father?’

 

In any case, his stepmother was a very sensitive subject for Gert.

 

So I worried that if Gert clashed with the Royal Palace in the process of dealing with Eurich because of me, it might affect his relationship with his stepmother, who was the Current Queen’s older sister.

 

Hearing my explanation, Tamar seemed incredulous as she leaned toward me and smacked my thigh with her palm.

 

“Your life is on the line and you’re worried about Gert?”

 

“Ow, that hurts! It hurts!”

 

I hastily moved my thigh away. Then Tamar quickly followed and smacked my back.

 

“Ugh! Ugh! You fool who’s only good at singing!”

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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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