An Ode to Divorce - Chapter 80

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

#80

When I closed my mouth, a flustered expression crossed Lairinne’s face.

She must have realized that she needed to make a decision. But just as she hesitated, unable to readily open her mouth, Helena, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, subtly spoke up.

“I-if Eurich really has j-joined hands with His M-Majesty, we c-can’t just let this slide, Lairinne.”

Before meeting Lairinne, I had subtly hinted to Helena about what I was going to discuss.

Helena must have also been wary of Eurich, because as soon as she heard my words, she nodded enthusiastically, saying it was a good idea. Thanks to that, this meeting had been arranged.

“F-for the sake of Duke Lüvenhertz too, the r-royal family shouldn’t p-participate in Eurich’s revenge plot. A-after all, it’s thanks to Duke Lüvenhertz g-going out to hunt monsters that P-Petalien is peaceful…”

While Lairinne’s conflict dragged on, Helena’s support was truly timely. Persuaded by her close friend Helena, Lairinne seemed to finally make up her mind, and her eyes changed completely.

Lairinne’s blue eyes shone with determination as she spoke to me clearly, as if keeping me in check.

“…I’m only cooperating because I’m worried about my brother, not for your sake. I’d like to make that clear.”

“I also came to find Your Highness because I’m worried about Gert, so we’re quite similar.”

I chuckled and replied to Lairinne, who looked like a cat with its fur standing on end.

Regardless of agreeing to cooperate with me, her eyes were still sharp as she looked at me, apparently still not liking me. As if her previous stubborn refusal to acknowledge the cooperation between the king and Eurich had been a lie, Lairinne spoke candidly.

“Your speculation is correct – Father and Eurich have joined hands. Now that I’ve given you a definitive answer, can I hear how you plan to find evidence of their alliance?”

“Of course.”

Having gotten the answer I wanted, there was no need to hold back any longer. I smiled broadly and gestured toward Lairinne and Helena. Then I leaned close to their ears as they reluctantly turned their heads toward me, whispering my method to them.

“My plan is…”

***

“A-a-are you insane?”

“That’s dangerous! Are you in your right mind?”

As they listened to my story, Lairinne and Helena’s faces gradually turned to horror, and soon they were jumping up and down.

Helena, who had no particular feelings toward me, was one thing, but even Lairinne, who disliked me, was showing such a reaction. Was it that bad? I tilted my head in confusion.

‘Well, I suppose to the princess’s ears, it might have sounded too reckless and thoughtless.’

But it’s not like I’m the type to take risks carelessly. I’m only doing this because it’s doable. I calmly tried to persuade them.

“The method I mentioned might sound dangerous at first glance, but I have a plan for everything.”

“If what you just said counts as a plan, I’d like to inform you that most people would call that reckless impulse, not a plan. You could die if things go even slightly wrong!”

‘…Hmm. Lairinne’s reaction is more intense than I expected.’

Initially, I thought I just needed to get confirmation from Lairinne about the cooperation between the king and Eurich, but seeing her react so vehemently with veins bulging in her neck, it seemed I could ask for a bit more.

“Of course, I know the situation won’t be entirely easy. I’m not planning to handle it all by myself. I need Your Highness’s help.”

“My help?”

“Yes, I won’t be asking for anything too difficult.”

I smiled with my eyes curved. Of course, the princess might resist, but based on several experiences, it seemed like if I acted weak and pitiful a few times, she would listen to my request.

But instead of asking what kind of favor she would need to do, Lairinne threw an unexpected question at me.

“Honestly, wouldn’t it be better to just reveal the truth to Brother Gert rather than going to all these lengths, even persuading someone like me who doesn’t particularly like you?”

“That would put Gert in a difficult position. I was sincere when I said I don’t want Gert to clash with the royal family. Besides… this is something I can handle myself.”

I replied indifferently. I had definitely hinted at this point early on, but seeing her ask again, she clearly hadn’t believed me.

The princess still looked at me quietly, as if she couldn’t believe I would give such an answer.

Then she asked an even more unexpected question than before.

“Do you like Brother Gert?”

“Gert?”

It was hard to understand why Lairinne kept asking such random questions, but the princess’s expression as she asked was extremely serious.

As a princess who liked Gert, she might want to take this opportunity to assess a potential rival.

I briefly pondered how to answer. But whether I liked Gert or not didn’t seem like it would particularly discourage the princess’s feelings toward Gert.

‘If I say I don’t particularly like Gert, she might think Gert is available and become more aggressive, while if I say I really like Gert, she might develop a competitive desire from the thought of taking someone else’s man…’

The former is what ordinary people would generally think, while the latter was the case with the twins and Linos. Something about other men’s women being more attractive.

I decided to just be honest.

“Well, I’ve never really thought about it… If I had to choose between liking or disliking, it would be closer to liking. That’s why we got married, after all.”

Now that I had said it, I felt embarrassed.

But that answer didn’t seem to please the princess, as she raised her eyebrows and continued her interrogation.

“Then why on earth did you divorce? You could have just stayed married.”

‘…Is that important?’

As a princess, regardless of the reason, she should have been happier that I divorced.

I recalled the superficial reason I had given for divorcing Gert.

‘It was that life in Lübenhartz was uncomfortable.’

But unlike Linos, Lairinne didn’t seem like she would easily accept such an explanation. She might even think I was finding fault with Gert.

“You might not believe this…”

After considering how to answer, I cautiously began.

“Sometimes there are circumstances where you have no choice but to divorce, even if you care for someone.”

The method I chose was to ‘speak vaguely and wistfully, as if there were some hidden deep meaning.’

This way, even a princess wouldn’t probe deeper!

Upon hearing my story, Lairinne’s eyes widened as if struck by lightning, like someone who had realized something. Then she stammered out her speculation, almost like talking to herself.

“You, could it be… Did you realize Eurich’s true nature early on and endure all this sacrifice to separate him from Brother Gert?”

“…?”

“Yes. Even the incomprehensible reason for divorce makes sense if it was all for his sake… If you had tried to drive out Eurich while still married to Brother Gert, it would have been more focused on internal family power struggles and muddied the waters…”

Wait, why is the story suddenly going in that direction?

Moreover, Lairinne’s speculation was almost close to the truth, like a cow backing up and catching a mouse.

‘Though it seems somewhat strangely distorted…’

Since I hadn’t predicted this situation, I couldn’t say anything and just swallowed nervously while looking toward Helena. Even if Helena was more rational than Lairinne, she might correct Lairinne’s incomprehensible misunderstanding…

“C-certainly. You c-can’t reveal such circumstances to Duke Lüvenhertz. Considering his p-personality, when he learned that you w-went to such lengths for his sake, he might have i-interfered instead, saying he’d h-handle it himself.”

‘…Hmm. Helena’s support seems unlikely.’

Whether convinced by Lairinne’s nonsensical story, Helena was also nodding while mulling over speculation that seemed somehow both right and wrong at the same time.

“So?”

“Pardon?”

The princess, who had been talking to herself for a while, suddenly threw out a question. Not knowing what she meant by “so,” I just blinked, and Lairinne stared straight at me and demanded.

“Am I right or wrong?”

I felt a strange pressure from her flickering blue eyes. Somehow overwhelmed by her presence, I stammered in response.

“R-right, but…”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————