I’ll Become the Heroine’s Capable Divorce Partner - Chapter 30

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

Chapter 30

After sobbing like that for quite a while.

Isabel carefully pulled away from my embrace.

Now that she had regained some composure, she seemed embarrassed about crying like a child.

“I-I’m sorry.”

Isabel’s face turned completely red as she quietly averted her gaze.

I answered as cheerfully as possible.

“It’s fine, I don’t mind at all.”

Then Isabel squeezed her eyes shut and muttered like a groan.

“Actually, I’m the one who minds…”

Trailing off, Isabel glanced at me sideways.

She still looked thoroughly embarrassed.

But even so, she spoke clearly with a serious expression.

“I will never forget this kindness. Never.”

“Really, if you keep talking like that, it makes me feel burdened.”

I deliberately replied playfully.

Then Isabel smiled slightly for the first time.

“That won’t do. It would be terrible to make my benefactor feel burdened too.”

“Right? So just accept it happily and smile for me.”

When I joked again, Isabel’s smile deepened a little more.

“I’ll try.”

“Good. Oh right, about the auction…”

Starting with those words.

We shared various stories.

What happened at the auction, what Isabel was thinking when she designed the dress.

All sorts of topics came up randomly.

Even so, it was very comfortable.

How should I put it, this seemed like the first time we’d had such an open conversation.

‘I’m happy.’

While we were chattering away like that.

Isabel quietly fidgeted with the ring in her hand.

“…Somehow I feel sorry toward Mother.”

“To Countess Delany?”

“Yes. She told me not to worry about things like dowries and just live happily.”

Isabel’s expression as she muttered this didn’t look happy at all.

I couldn’t take my eyes off Isabel.

And then.

“Ah, that was a slip of the tongue. Please forget it.”

Isabel, realizing her mistake belatedly, smiled awkwardly.

At the same time, I opened my mouth.

“Sister-in-law. If you think my question crosses the line, you don’t have to answer.”

“…Miss?”

“Do you perhaps want a divorce?”

At that direct question, her deep green eyes shook violently.

Like a summer forest caught in a storm.

But one cannot just watch storm damage forever.

Somehow, one must cope with and face that damage.

That’s why.

“If so, I want to help you.”

At those words, Isabel stared at me silently for a long time.

And then.

“Why do you try to be so kind to me?”

A heavy question fell.

I took a small deep breath.

My instinct was telling me.

Now, here…

‘I must be honest.’

So I answered resolutely.

“Because I too want freedom.”

Freedom.

At that word, Isabel’s eyes sank deeply.

I continued calmly.

“Sister-in-law, you know too. My Elder Brother sees me as a kind of commodity.”

“Miss, that’s…”

“A commodity to sell off in the marriage market for a big profit.”

For a moment, Isabel bit down on her lower lip.

In truth, she wouldn’t be unaware of this either.

After all, the reason Isabel became the Duchess of Laventess was also the result of David purchasing a commodity in the marriage market.

Dazzlingly beautiful and from an honorable family, but.

Now with declining fortunes, she had to quietly endure whatever rudeness David committed…

A commodity perfectly suited to David’s taste.

“I…”

I wanted to speak as calmly as possible.

But my voice kept trembling.

“I don’t want to be sold off like that. Absolutely not.”

“…”

At those words, Isabel had a thoughtful expression for a moment.

And then.

“I understand your feelings, Miss.”

Isabel nodded and her eyes sharpened.

“However, what does that have to do with helping me?”

The answer to that question was already decided.

I answered without hesitation.

“I want to help you escape from Laventess.”

For a moment, Isabel’s eyes widened slightly.

“…Escape from Laventess?”

“Yes. If I only wanted a comfortable life, I could just take my jewels and dispose of them cheaply. I could take that money and hide away in some countryside. But.”

I took a big breath.

Then I looked straight into Isabel’s eyes.

“I haven’t done anything wrong, so why should I have to run away?”

“Miss.”

“I don’t want to live anxiously, constantly worrying about when Elder Brother might catch me. I want to be confident wherever I am. So I…”

Speaking rapidly, I gripped my dress tightly to hide my trembling fingertips.

Then I voiced the words I had buried deep in my heart for so long.

“I’m trying to help Sister-in-law get divorced.”

“…”

Isabel did not answer that question.

She simply stared at me intently, as if determined to somehow gauge my true feelings.

“If Sister-in-law were to file for divorce and win the case… many other women might find the courage as well.”

Isabel seemed to understand the meaning of my words immediately.

I could tell by the way her deep green eyes darkened.

I added with emphasis.

“Women who have been crushed by selfish individuals but couldn’t bring themselves to escape that situation.”

At that moment.

Isabel, who had been listening intently to my story, suddenly threw out a question.

“Then, does that include you as well, Miss?”

“……”

It felt like being stabbed right through the heart.

I honestly admitted it.

“Yes. That’s also why I support Sister-in-law’s dress shop business.”

“……”

“If Sister-in-law succeeds in the dress shop business. And if I contribute even a small part to your success by investing in that business……”

My lips wouldn’t move any further.

I dropped my head and avoided Isabel’s gaze.

Then I muttered quietly.

“I too could live freely even after abandoning the Laventess name.”

Silence flowed.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

‘Actually… I know.’

Even though I was moving in the direction of helping Isabel.

My intentions were not pure at all.

Wasn’t I selfishly leaning on Isabel to achieve my personal goals?

“I said something too selfish, didn’t I? I’m sorry for not being able to help Sister-in-law purely. But……”

“No.”

……What?

Startled, I quickly raised my head.

Isabel quietly met my gaze.

Then she asked me back.

“Well, is it really necessary to be absolutely pure when doing good deeds?”

For a moment, I was speechless.

Isabel simply had a gentle expression.

She wasn’t angry, nor did she despise or feel disappointed by my pettiness.

She just continued speaking softly.

“I understand that you had your own reasons for treating me kindly. But still, I was greatly comforted by that kindness.”

“……Sister-in-law.”

“Rather, I’m truly grateful that you trusted me. I also sincerely want to help you.”

A lonely smile appeared on Isabel’s pretty face.

“However, I’m not as remarkable a person as you think I am. So I’m afraid I might disappoint you.”

“No, Sister-in-law is indeed a remarkable person.”

The words burst out reflexively.

Though I had been unable to look directly at Isabel until now, this moment was different.

While gazing straight into her faintly trembling green eyes.

I concluded my words clearly.

“Much more than Sister-in-law thinks.”

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