I’ll Be the Heroine’s Competent Divorce Partner - Chapter 148

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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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Chapter 148

 

* * *

 

The funeral was finally over.

 

As the guests scattered in all directions.

 

Marquis Bartsen headed toward his carriage with light steps.

 

Though he maintained a solemn expression on the outside, the moment he entered the carriage, the marquis’s expression changed completely in an instant.

 

“Hah, what expressions they had.”

 

A bright smile spread across the marquis’s face.

 

The stern faces of Joshua and Elodie from earlier still lingered in his mind.

 

He felt refreshed, as if he had downed a glass of cool carbonated water.

 

He had finally gotten back at those two who had been thorns in his side!

 

‘Though it’s a bit concerning that I couldn’t retrieve the painting…’

 

Well, it’s fine.

 

After all, very special conditions need to be met for the painting’s effect to activate.

 

‘Still, I should look for an opportunity to recover it.’

 

The marquis’s eyes gleamed ominously.

 

In any case, it seemed like he could sleep soundly tonight with his legs stretched out.

 

* * *

 

I entered the Laventess townhouse with weary steps.

 

“Welcome back, Princess… no, Marquis.”

 

The Laventess servants cautiously read my mood as they greeted me.

 

I gestured for the servants to leave and collapsed onto the sofa.

 

I was terribly exhausted.

 

“Haah.”

 

A long sigh escaped from between my lips.

 

I couldn’t even properly remember how I had seen off the mourners.

 

If Joshua hadn’t been there beside me, I surely wouldn’t have been able to endure until the end.

 

‘Come to think of it, I didn’t even check if Joshua got back safely.’

 

I should contact him again later.

 

But right now, it was hard to even move a finger…

 

Knock knock knock.

 

Just then, there was a knock.

 

At the same time, a quiet voice called from outside the door.

 

“Um, Marquis.”

 

“…What is it?”

 

I didn’t want to be irritated, but.

 

Since my nerves were already on edge, my tone naturally became sharper.

 

The maid’s voice instinctively shrank back.

 

“His Highness the Crown Prince has come to visit.”

 

What?

 

I quickly lifted my head up.

 

At the same time, careful words continued from beyond the closed door.

 

“Elodie, it’s me.”

 

“Joshua?”

 

I hastily got up.

 

“Please come in!”

 

The door opened silently.

 

Joshua, who entered the room, looked at me with a worried expression.

 

“You must be tired, so I’m not sure if I should have come for no reason.”

 

“….”

 

“It’s just that when I last saw you earlier, your expression didn’t look good. I was a bit worried….”

 

In that moment, I suddenly stood up from my seat.

 

When I immediately rushed to embrace Joshua, he stiffened in confusion.

 

“E-Elodie?!”

 

A flustered voice came from above my head.

 

I put even more strength into the arms that held him.

 

“I… want to tell you I’m fine.”

 

My voice crumbled uncontrollably due to the surging emotions.

 

Tears burst forth suddenly.

 

“But I’m not fine at all.”

 

“…Elodie.”

 

“I’m having such a hard time. It would be okay if they were only saying things about me….”

 

Marquis Bartsen’s skillful manipulation of public opinion.

 

The sympathy votes pouring out for the dead.

 

And.

 

“It seems like arrows keep flying toward Joshua too….”

 

That was it.

 

If I were the only one being attacked, it would have been okay.

 

But I couldn’t stand them connecting David’s death with Joshua.

 

Even though David was clearly the one who committed wrongdoing.

 

Simply because he uncovered that wrongdoing and punished it, they were driving the narrative that Joshua contributed to David’s death….

 

“Elodie.”

 

But then.

 

Joshua gently held my shoulders and separated me from his embrace.

 

The violet eyes that looked down at me quietly were calm without any wavering.

 

“This is not your fault.”

 

“…But.”

 

“It was I who decided to punish Duke Laventess for his wrongdoing. And I don’t regret that decision.”

 

My eyes shook violently.

 

A calm voice continued.

 

“Whether of high or low status, all should be equal before the Empire’s law. If one commits wrongdoing, they must pay the appropriate price.”

 

“….”

 

“So, Elodie.”

 

Large hands gently cupped my cheeks.

 

Wiping away my tears with his thumb, Joshua smiled softly.

 

“You don’t need to feel guilty toward someone who died without properly taking responsibility for their wrongdoing.”

 

“…Joshua.”

 

“Just because others point fingers at you doesn’t mean you need to think you did wrong. Also.”

 

His tone was calm, as if stating an obvious fact.

 

“You don’t need to feel sorry to me either.”

 

“I, I am.”

 

“I am proud of my actions. Rather, I think Duke Laventess should be the one feeling more ashamed. So.”

 

A whisper as gentle as spring light settled softly by my ear.

 

“Please don’t suffer because of me.”

 

“….”

 

“Because I’m perfectly fine.”

 

“…Sob.”

 

Tears crawled up from deep within my chest.

 

Tears streamed down my cheeks.

 

I grabbed Joshua’s collar tightly and burst into loud sobs.

 

And Joshua silently stayed by my side as I wept.

 

Until I had poured out all the anguish accumulated deep in my heart, continuously.

 

After quite some time had passed like that.

 

Finally stopping my tears, I sniffled and pulled away from his embrace.

 

‘Ah, this is driving me crazy.’

 

Until now I was too busy crying to think straight, but now that I’m done crying, I feel somewhat embarrassed….

 

Then he reaches out and gently touches the area around my eyes.

 

“Your eyes are red.”

 

At the same time, my face flushed bright red.

 

As if the redness around my eyes had spread to my entire face.

 

“Don’t look at me.”

 

I turned my head away sharply and grumbled.

 

“My face must be all swollen right now.”

 

I’m Joshua’s lover, after all.

 

I don’t want him to see me looking ugly.

 

Of course, it seems like it’s already ruined since I’ve shown him all sorts of unsightly behavior… Sigh.

 

Meanwhile, Joshua replied without batting an eye.

 

“Well, even that Elodie is cute.”

 

…This person really!

 

Don’t make my heart flutter so casually like that!

 

“That’s enough. You don’t need to say such sweet words…”

 

“I’m being sincere.”

 

Startled by that firm answer, I turned to look at Joshua.

 

Joshua looked back at me with a puzzled expression, as if wondering why I was so surprised.

 

And then.

 

“It doesn’t matter what you look like at all. Whether you just woke up, your face is swollen from crying, or you’re disheveled for any other reason.”

 

He concluded his words calmly.

 

“You’ll always be the prettiest and most lovable to me.”

 

“…”

 

W-wow.

 

How can he say such things without even blinking an eye?

 

Am I the only one whose heart is racing? Really?!

 

I could tell without looking in a mirror.

 

My face right now must be redder than a ripe tomato!!

 

“Ahem.”

 

I deliberately cleared my throat a couple of times.

 

Then, pretending I wasn’t embarrassed at all, I feigned innocence and spoke.

 

“A-anyway. Now that I’ve cried to my heart’s content, I should get to work, right?”

 

“…”

 

Joshua stared at me intently with a subtle gaze as I obviously tried to change the subject.

 

Then he smiled softly.

 

“What kind of work are you referring to?”

 

He graciously responded to my words.

 

Yes, thank you so much for not teasing me and just letting it slide…

 

“The cleanup.”

 

Until now, I’ve been too busy with funeral preparations to catch my breath, but now it’s time to handle the remaining tasks.

 

I’ll organize his belongings, and then….

 

“Come to think of it, what do you plan to do about the Duke Laventess title?”

 

Joshua asked me as if the thought had just occurred to him.

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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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