I’ll Become the Heroine’s Capable Divorce Partner - Chapter 24

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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 24

In the distance, I could see the art gallery owned by Marquis Bartsen.

Among the low buildings weathered by time, the single gleaming structure looked incredibly out of place.

In truth, the gallery district wasn’t originally a place for trading expensive paintings.

Poor artists mainly frequented it, dealing primarily in inexpensive paintings that decorated ordinary homes.

The nobles also showed little interest in the gallery district.

‘The marquis said he hardly ever comes to this area, right?’

While he visits the high-end galleries in the capital center so often he’s worn down their thresholds.

That was also why Arthur’s painting had been buried for so long.

He hadn’t stationed professional staff at the gallery.

And the marquis himself, despite his artistic knowledge, rarely visited.

Yet the reason he bothered to open a gallery here was…

‘He just wanted to show off to the commoners.’

Something like showing how much effort he put into maintaining close relationships with commoners.

As I was thinking rather cynically,

“Miss.”

Isabel called out to me cautiously.

“May I ask why you need this painting?”

“Hmm…”

After pondering for a moment, I smiled brightly.

“Because I want to buy freedom.”

“Freedom?”

Isabel blinked her eyes blankly.

Hmm, I seemed to have given a rather cryptic answer.

But it wasn’t because I didn’t trust Isabel.

At least until I sold this painting and converted it to money, I didn’t want to tell Isabel about it.

‘What if I raise her hopes for nothing and things go wrong?’

Isabel was the female protagonist of this world, so she would eventually catch both rabbits of divorce and the dress shop business.

But I was just a minor villain, so I had to consider the possibility of failure.

And I…

‘I absolutely don’t want to see Isabel’s disappointed face.’

Whether she knew my feelings or not, Isabel didn’t pry further.

Instead, she smiled along with me.

“I hope you can definitely purchase that freedom.”

Her expression looked somehow very lonely.

I found myself boasting without realizing it.

“Of course. I’ll definitely buy enough for sister-in-law’s share too.”

Isabel looked a bit surprised upon hearing those words.

Then she crinkled her eyes with a bashful smile.

“Just hearing you say that makes me really grateful.”

“……”

For a moment, I bit my lower lip firmly.

Even now, Isabel had an expression that expected nothing.

And I hated seeing Isabel make that expression.

So.

‘Since it’s come to this, I really should seize freedom together with Isabel, right?’

I clenched my fist tightly.

Then, the next place I needed to go was…

* * *

“Wow, sister-in-law.”

I exclaimed praise that welled up from my heart.

“I can’t tell if you’re the flower or the flowers are you!”

“Stop it, what kind of nonsense is that.”

Isabel, her cheeks flushed pink, replied primly.

Wow, my favorite.

Look at her being shy!

“I’m being sincere though?”

When I answered with my eyes wide open, Isabel pretended to look at the flowers and avoided my gaze.

“Stop it, really.”

But she didn’t seem to dislike my compliments.

A faint smile had already spread across Isabel’s lips as she gazed at the flowers.

I chuckled and stuck close to Isabel’s side.

“Sometimes this kind of mood change is nice, isn’t it?”

“It is.”

Isabel nodded and carefully caressed the soft flower petals.

Isabel and I were currently in a certain flower shop in the capital’s center.

It was a place that had gained word-of-mouth reputation for having a great variety of flowers.

“Oh my, look at this flower. It’s so adorable.”

Isabel couldn’t take her eyes off the colorful flowers.

Right, seeing pretty things calms the mind.

Watching Isabel enjoy herself made me feel good too.

But I hadn’t visited this flower shop purely for mood improvement.

“Sister-in-law.”

I cautiously opened my mouth while reading the situation.

“I want to order a bouquet. I’ll be right back.”

“Alright. I’ll stay here and look around.”

Isabel was completely absorbed in the flowers and nodded casually.

I approached a nearby employee.

The employee turned to me alertly.

“Are you looking for any particular flowers?”

“Could I get some flower recommendations?”

“Of course. Do you have any preferred types or colors?”

The employee nodded and asked kindly.

I answered nonchalantly.

“First, I’d like flowers with large blooms. Like roses.”

A gleam appeared in the employee’s eyes.

The employee took out a memo from their pocket and answered respectfully.

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“Hmm… I’d like the bouquet’s overall color to be in blue tones, but with white as an accent.”

The employee nodded and busily moved their pen.

Watching this quietly, I concluded with a meaningful tone.

“Oh, and please deliver it to my residence.”

A request for flower recommendations.

Flowers with large blooms, roses, blue-toned bouquet, white, red ribbon.

And even having it delivered to my home.

All of these words were a kind of message.

So that means…….

‘She knows about the auction house and wants to participate.’

Settler Auction House.

A secretive trading place that appears in the original work.

Ah, but it’s not illegal or anything.

It’s just an auction house where all customers participate anonymously, with the advantage of being able to conceal their identities.

They also handle the appraisal of auction items.

Since they deposit the sale proceeds only after completing all the troublesome tax processing, it was the perfect place for me who needed to create secret funds.

‘……Though the commission fees are incredibly high instead.’p>

Ugh, my money.

I already feel like crying…….

For reference, as revealed in the original work, the owner of the auction house was quite an impressive person.

‘He was actually a sub male lead, I think?’

However, precisely because it’s such a convenient and discreet auction house, they select their customers.

The first hurdle was having the information network to access Settler Auction House.

‘I’ve solved that one.’

Yes, the conversation I just had with the employee.

And the second hurdle is…….

‘I have to pass the sub male lead’s screening.’

I don’t really know the screening criteria either.

But I do know one thing.

If you don’t receive an invitation, it means the auction house has refused to do business, right?

But I was confident.

‘They’ll probably accept me.’

The reason for Settler Auction House’s existence.

And considering the sub male lead’s real profession, even more so.

“Thank you for your order. We’ll make it beautifully and send it to you.”

Just then, the employee politely bowed.

Now, what kind of reply will come back?

* * *

A few days later.

“Princess, a bouquet has arrived.”

A maid entered the room carrying a heavy bouquet, waddling under its weight.

I, who had been arranging my hair in front of the dressing table, glanced back.

“Ah, just put it over there.”

“Yes, Princess.”

The maid who bowed her head withdrew from the room.

I put down the hairbrush I was holding and stood up.

There was an elegant bouquet centered around white roses and blue hydrangeas.

Above the bouquet tied with a stylish red ribbon, an invitation was tucked in.

<We are honored to welcome such a distinguished guest to our Settler Auction.

The address is 15-2 Franklin Street, and when entering, please speak to the staff…….>

‘Perfect.’

My eyes lit up.

Just wait and see.

The dress shop opening funds, and a satisfying deal with the sub male lead too.

I’m going to catch both rabbits!

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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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