An Ode to Divorce - Chapter 9

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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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#9

Without realizing it, my body stiffened, but my fingers and voice moved smoothly and gracefully as if they felt no tension at all.

I gathered my concentration. This wasn’t the time to be having useless thoughts.

‘Gert doesn’t look to be in a very good mood, so I should finish this as quickly as possible.’

Just then, Eurich, who seemed unable to bear his thirst, grimaced and tilted his wine glass once more. The wine that had been filling the glass was now completely empty.

‘Perfect.’

All conditions were met, and now I just had to wait.

My lips, singing the song, finally curved into a subtle smile.

***

The song was gradually building toward its climax.

The waves erase the lover’s cry

The waves erase the lover too

All that remains is only

Following the dazzling movement of my fingers, a sound like waves crashing against cliffs and shattering into pieces echoed throughout.

When the other audience members, sensing the song’s end, held their breath and waited for the finale while swallowing disappointed sighs.

That which accepts everything…

“Shut up! Alkides, Alkides, Alkides! What’s so special about that bloodline that it’s so damn annoying!”

Before the song could end, a sharp scream tore through the Banquet Hall.

It had been such a magnificent performance too.

The people who were forcibly thrown back to reality without a chance to savor the lingering melody cast sharp glances toward the person who had caused the disturbance, suppressing their anger.

At the end of those gazes was Eurich, screaming with a face pale as death.

***

Like pleasant intoxication turning into a hangover, the atmosphere that had started cheerfully had somehow transformed into thin-ice tension.

The first to break that chilling silence was none other than Eurich’s father, Stello.

“What nonsense are you spouting? You’re very drunk. Go to your room early!”

Stello, who had turned pale, hurriedly glanced at Gert while trying to drag Eurich away.

But Eurich, swept up in the aftermath of the performance, couldn’t quite come to his senses.

Rather, it seemed his real father’s restraint was getting mixed up with his fantasy father’s scolding.

“With such pathetic inadequacy, you think you can covet Gert’s position? Don’t make me laugh!”

Unable to contain his anger, Eurich shook off Stello’s arm. Eurich glared at Stello with bloodshot, bulging eyes and shouted.

“What am I lacking! I’m the legitimate heir to Lübenhartz. Just because I wasn’t born an Alkides, I’m pushed aside by that bastard?”

Stello, who hadn’t expected his son to go this far, was dumbfounded before his face contorted.

‘Stupid fool!’

To openly criticize Gert in his presence.

But he hadn’t crossed the line yet.

Gert wasn’t particularly sensitive about his origins.

Since his taboos lay elsewhere, this much could be explained away as just a stupid fool being drunk.

Stello hurriedly reached out to cover Eurich’s mouth.

But the current Eurich was completely entranced by the song.

Eurich slapped away Stello’s hand and raised his voice even louder.

“The others are all the same! Just because someone’s an Alkides, they worship even the one who killed his own father as the Lübenhartz Duchy. That bastard brought along his commoner wife, and they’re all laughing and chatting in the Banquet Hall to curry favor with her… Uncle in hell would be so pleased to know, wouldn’t he?”

“Eurich!”

The Banquet Hall fell silent as if cold water had been poured over it after Eurich finally uttered the forbidden words.

A quiet incomparable to before.

Those in the Banquet Hall held back even swallowing their saliva as they watched Gert’s reaction.

But Eurich, who had dropped a bomb in the Banquet Hall, still hadn’t grasped the situation.

“Eventually you’ll die consumed by madness! When that happens, don’t worry about your wife. I, the next Lübenhartz Duchy, will take her as my mistress and cherish her greatly…”

How long did he ramble on like that?

Eurich, who had been intoxicated by his own emotions, gradually regained his reason due to the murderous intent piercing his skin.

His father’s shouting that had been ringing in Eurich’s head, the hazy lyre sounds, and Orphea’s song that clung damply to his ears had all disappeared at some point.

And all that remained was Gert’s pure rage that seemed ready to tear him apart at any moment.

Only then did Eurich realize what he had done, and his face turned deathly pale.

“…Ge, Gert.”

***

‘Wow… Eurich is screwed, isn’t he?’

I had hoped Eurich would reveal his true feelings, but I hadn’t expected him to self-destruct to that extent…

Everyone knew that before Gert came of age, he had killed his own father and been cursed by the gods.

They all just kept quiet about it because they feared Gert’s anger.

Of course, there were no witnesses or evidence that Gert had killed his father.

But the circumstances suggested it.

Those born with the power of demigods, the ‘Alkides,’ had divine blessing. Specifically, the ‘Protection of Killing’ where divine punishment befalls whoever kills an Alkides.

Gert’s father was also an Alkides and possessed this protection.

After Gert’s father died and Gert was cursed by the gods, it was natural to assume that Gert had killed his own father.

In any case, Gert was the next Lübenhartz Duchy and had become a hero no one could match.

So the suspicion that Gert had killed his father faded away, and no one mentioned it.

That patricidal sin had been dragged out in front of everyone by Eurich for the first time in over ten years!

Eurich also seemed to realize he had made a serious slip of the tongue, as his face turned blue like a drowned corpse.

Eurich stammered excuses to Gert.

“It’s a misunderstanding. I think I was… affected by something. There’s no way I would harbor such thoughts about you.”

“Affected by something?”

Gert asked back, raising only his left eyebrow. Perhaps feeling this was like being given a chance to make excuses, Eurich frantically nodded and shouted.

“Yes, the song! I was affected by the song! By Orphea’s song!”

As soon as Eurich pointed his finger at me, everyone’s gaze turned toward me again.

‘How quick-witted of him.’

But I couldn’t admit it right away. I put on an innocent expression as if I knew nothing and asked.

“Me?”

“Yes! You must have enchanted me with your song and manipulated me into saying things I didn’t mean! You witch!”

I had fully expected Eurich to brand me as a witch. He had blamed Gert’s death on me in the same way before my regression.

So I had prepared for this early on.

“Everyone heard the same song, and the other people are fine.”

People nodded in agreement with my words. Everyone had been entranced and focused on my song, but Eurich was the only one who had caused a disturbance.

“Besides, what would I gain from manipulating you?”

“If, if I fall from grace, this Household will ultimately have no heir! After Gert dies, you’re trying to get your hands on this Household…”

“What are you talking about.”

I laughed exaggeratedly and shook my head.

“I just asked Gert for a divorce earlier. Did you forget? What would a divorced me have to do with Lübenhartz’s succession?”

“The Duchess has a point too.”

“That’s right. You clearly said you wanted a divorce in front of everyone earlier.”

Other people murmured and took my side.

Realizing that directly attacking me was pointless, Eurich immediately changed his target.

“Gert, I’ve been a good brother to you all this time. You don’t really believe that I hate you, do you?”

Gert continued to stare at Eurich with an unreadable expression.

But compared to earlier when he was radiating murderous intent, his aura was much more subdued now.

Gert’s attitude seemed to give Eurich hope, as excitement began to rise on Eurich’s face.

Eurich pointed his finger at me and accused.

“The one who’s really suspicious is Orphea! Just look at this situation. Sure, I ended up in an awkward position, but in the end, it’s you, Gert, whose reputation has hit rock bottom!”

Gert continued to remain silent, letting Eurich ramble on.

At first, Eurich had been watching Gert’s reactions, but gradually thinking that Gert was agreeing with him, his voice grew louder and his tone became more confident.

“Think about it carefully—not only did she ask for a divorce in front of everyone, but she made me criticize you through my own mouth… She must definitely hold a grudge against you!”

‘Amazing, just amazing.’

My jaw dropped. I was impressed by how he had managed to find such a plausible way to attack me in such a short time.

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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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