I’ll Become the Heroine’s Capable Divorce Partner - Chapter 16
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 16
* * *
The method to boost Isabel’s confidence was quite simple.
“These doll clothes… are worth 10 silver?”
Her deep green eyes widened as she looked down at the silver coins in her hands.
That’s right.
The most effective way to raise Isabel’s self-esteem.
It was financial therapy.
After days of persuasion, I finally succeeded in dragging our self-deprecating heroine to the shopping district!
‘Come on, who would buy something like this?’
When we first went out, Isabel’s face was full of doubt.
So we had to argue for quite a while in front of the general store…
‘My goodness, you made these yourself?!’
The store owner was startled and looked down at the doll clothes.
Then his eyes sparkled as he looked at Isabel.
‘Please sell all of them to us!’
And so Isabel sold all seven sets of doll clothes.
She earned a whopping 70 silver.
“Oh my, Sister-in-law is just too kind.”
I pouted and grumbled at Isabel, who still couldn’t take her eyes off the silver coins.
“You could have gotten more.”
I was being sincere.
Our heroine was so surprised that she sold them for exactly the amount the store owner offered.
‘Sigh, we could have gotten at least 10 more silver.’
Just as I couldn’t hide my disappointed expression.
“Miss.”
Suddenly Isabel’s face became resolute as she called out to me.
Startled, I turned to look at Isabel.
“Yes?”
Why, what’s wrong?
Did I complain too much?
Isabel gazed at me quietly and trailed off.
“I…”
Couldn’t she just say it quickly?
Hesitating like that makes me even more anxious!
Just as my anxiety was reaching its peak.
“Would you like to have some tea before we go?”
“…Tea?”
I blinked blankly with a bewildered expression.
Did I mishear just now?
“I’ve been indebted to you in many ways lately.”
Isabel took a deep breath and quickly finished her sentence.
“I’ll pay.”
I gazed at Isabel quietly.
Though she appeared calm on the surface, I could see it.
Her hands gripping the hem of her dress tightly, unable to overcome her nervousness.
Even her ear tips that had turned bright red.
‘Isabel… gathered her courage too.’
Even though Elodie before my possession had been so cruel to Isabel.
Isabel was trying to set aside her prejudices.
To see ‘me’ as a person properly.
How can someone be so angelic?
‘Why did Elodie treat such a kind person so badly…’
My heart felt warm for a moment.
I smiled brightly.
“Great!”
* * *
A little later.
We visited a certain cafe famous for its delicious desserts.
Though there were many customers, we were immediately guided to a window seat on the second floor with a great view.
Oh, how was that possible?
‘Well, David is very concerned about Elodie’s market value.’
To maintain her value in the marriage market, Elodie had to maintain the image of being a beloved daughter of the family.
So the Duke’s House paid advance fees to several shops and reserved designated seats.
‘Kind of like season tickets to a baseball stadium in my previous life?’
These small luxuries were the driving force that allowed the Laventess women, led by Elodie, to act superior in high society.
I heard Marisa uses them quite often too.
However, Isabel had never once used these reserved seats until now.
And in the original story, it was described that she never even sat in the reserved seats until the end.
…Even though she was the rightful mistress of Laventess.
Somehow it left a bitter taste.
But what made me happy separately was.
‘My goodness, I never thought I’d have an intimate tea time with our heroine!’
Looking at Isabel sitting across from me, I couldn’t hide my inner satisfaction.
Meanwhile, Isabel seemed quite burdened by my sparkling gaze.
She glanced at me sideways, then asked with an awkward expression.
“Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?”
“No!”
I smiled with my eyes.
“I’m just happy to be out like this with Sister-in-law.”
“……”
Isabel was momentarily speechless.
Hmm, was I too honest?
But I meant it.
“I really want to get along well with Sister-in-law from now on.”
When I added those words, Isabel looked at me with a strange expression.
How should I interpret that look?
That complex gaze mixed with faint suspicion, anticipation, and joy…
“I’ll help you with your order, Princess.”
A staff member who approached at just the right moment spoke politely.
Coming to my senses with a start, I hastily fixed my gaze on the menu.
“Um, Sister-in-law. What would you like to have?”
“Anything is fine with me.”
Isabel answered reflexively.
Meanwhile, my expression darkened slightly at that response.
‘She could just be honest about what she wants.’
Actually, there was a reason I had specifically visited this cafe today.
While this cafe had delicious snacks in general, what it was most famous for were the éclairs.
And Isabel loved éclairs most among all desserts.
Of course, no one at the Duke’s House had ever been curious about her preferences, so she had never mentioned it even once until now…
“For dessert, we’ll have a chocolate éclair and a vanilla éclair, please.”
Isabel’s eyes widened slightly for a moment.
I pretended not to know anything and asked Isabel.
“What would you like for drinks?”
“Oh, anything is…”
Isabel, who was about to reflexively answer “anything” again, suddenly bit her lower lip thoughtfully.
Then she carefully opened her mouth.
“…I’ll have milk tea, please.”
“Sounds good. Then one milk tea and one café latte.”
The staff member bowed politely and left.
At the same time, Isabel asked me.
“Did you know?”
“Know what?”
“That I like éclairs.”
I gazed at Isabel quietly, then gave her a bright smile.
“Of course. I said I wanted to get along well with you, didn’t I?”
“……”
At those words, Isabel stared at me with an indescribable look in her eyes.
Then she seemed to avert her gaze slightly.
“Thank you.”
A very small word of gratitude reached my ears.
Her pale cheeks had turned as red as a ripe apple.
‘Is Isabel opening her heart to me a little?’
Feeling somehow ticklish inside, I clenched my hands that were resting on my knees.
Sweet desserts.
Fragrant tea and coffee.
Glass windows clearly reflecting the city scenery.
Soft chairs and tables too.
It was the perfect setting for women to enjoy a pleasant time together.
“Honestly, I never thought the doll clothes would sell.”
“Come on, they were so pretty. Anyone with eyes would obviously buy them.”
I playfully lifted my chin.
“I told you they would definitely sell, didn’t I?”
When I showed off triumphantly, Isabel burst into giggles.
Despite pretending otherwise, Isabel seemed quite encouraged by the fact that the doll clothes she made had sold for a high price.
‘What a relief.’
I smiled inwardly for just a moment.
Then my eyes flashed like a hawk’s.
‘Now’s the time.’
At this point when the atmosphere had completely relaxed.
I had to propose the dress shop to Isabel once more!
Gauging the mood, I casually threw out a question.
“You know, Sister-in-law, are you really not interested in the dress shop business?”
“…A dress shop?”
“Yes. The doll clothes you made actually sold for a high price, didn’t they?”
“Oh come on, what could I possibly…”
Isabel tried to laugh it off this time too.
But I didn’t back down either.
“Of course I know doll clothes and human clothes are different. But still, I…”
I trailed off for a moment and looked straight at Isabel.
Toward those beautiful green eyes that trembled faintly, I drove the point home firmly.
“I truly believe you have real talent, Sister-in-law.”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————