My Contract Husband Demands a Divorce - Chapter 38

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Dazzling sunlight poured over my face.
I sat up in bed, stretching morning stiffness from my limbs.
Though the previous day’s commotion had cut my sleep short, I felt completely refreshed, likely because the heavy anxiety over the divorce had vanished.
Since I hadn’t been able to go out at all after injuring my leg, I wondered if I should catch an opera for the first time in a long while, or perhaps visit an exhibition. Inviting close acquaintances for a picnic by the lake sounded lovely as well.
Humming to myself, I summoned the maids to help me dress when a knock came at the door.
It was Scheit.
Reflexively, my body tensed as I braced for another bizarre demand for divorce.
But the tension lasted only a fleeting moment.
‘Right, there’s no reason for him to ask for a divorce anymore.’
The anxiety melted away, replaced by a comfortable smile.
Watching Scheit step into the room through the mirror, I greeted him in a voice far softer and more welcoming than usual.
“What brings you here so early in the morning?”
“No particular reason. I simply came because I missed you, my lady.”
Not a shred of sincerity lingered on his slick face.
He was undoubtedly playing a part for the benefit of the maids assisting with my vanity.
I tugged the corners of my lips higher into a grin.
Just yesterday, I had told Prince Kildian that Scheit and I were deeply in love.
Since one of Prince Kildian’s spies was bound to be lurking within the mansion, we naturally had to project the image of devoted lovers.
“I was just thinking of you as well. It seems our hearts are aligned.”
Scheit’s lips twitched.
It was the sort of smile that came from barely suppressing a sudden burst of laughter.
Hearing the words “I missed you” slip from the mouth of someone who usually growled at him must have been genuinely comical.
I understood his reaction, but it still riled me up a bit.
Almost out of habit, irritation flared within me. I mastered the rising heat in my chest with a deep breath and forced my smile even wider.
The atmosphere between us felt warm and harmonious.
Noticing that I wasn’t pushing Scheit away for once, Sindy glanced back and forth between the two of us.
Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Her expression practically screamed that she was dying to know what grand romance had unfolded between us overnight.
In reality, our interaction was far closer to a business negotiation or a criminal conspiracy.
With a subtle nod from me, the maids who had been styling my hair withdrew.
Sindy finished the final brushstrokes and, sporting a knowing smirk, began backing away toward the door.
“Well then, have a wonderful time together, and please call for me if you need anything.”
Sindy scurried out of the room alongside the other maids.
The moment the door clicked shut, the sound of their giggles and whispered gossip drifted further down the hall.
This would certainly spark another round of rumors.
I checked my gown, hair, and makeup in the mirror one last time.
As expected, not a single flaw could be found today.
Satisfied, I turned around to face Scheit directly.
“So, what is the real reason you came to see me this morning?”
Instead of answering, Scheit swept his gaze over my attire.
“Are you going out?”
“I am. I thought I would finally get some fresh air.”
“Splendid. Let us go together.”
“Do you even know where I am going?”
Scheit offered another teasing smile.
“Are you not heading to the Palace?”
“No, I am not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“I told you, I am not.”
“You are.”
What on earth was this conversation?
While I stared at him in utter disbelief, Scheit took my hand and rested it firmly against his forearm.
The grin on his face deepened.
It was glaringly obvious that he found my bewildered reaction highly entertaining.
Since he could no longer torment me with threats of divorce, he seemed determined to tease me like this instead.
When I let out a hollow laugh, he played along with easy nonchalance.
“This works out perfectly. I happen to have a carriage prepared already.”
I thought he was merely joking, but did he truly intend to go? To the Palace?
“Wait, why are we going to the Palace?”
“I have business there.”
“Then you can go alone.”
“Would Princess Isoldra not find it jarring if a mere lackey of Kildian, whom she has never met, suddenly paid her a visit? Besides, an invitation arrived for you.”
Scheit pulled an invitation from his coat pocket and held it up.
It was the invitation to Princess Isoldra’s tea party—one I had declined multiple times while cloistered away recovering from my leg injury.
‘We aren’t just going to the Palace, we are going to see Princess Isoldra?!’
He must have reviewed the contents of Kildian’s directives yesterday. Knowing that there was an explicit order to assassinate Princess Isoldra, his decision to go anyway meant…
“Don’t tell me…”
Had the suspicion and distrust in Prince Kildian’s eyes and actions weighed heavily on his mind?
Was he planning to murder Princess Isoldra to secure Kildian’s absolute trust, only to betray the prince once his guard was down?
Ffilled with suspicion, I began to slip my hand away from his arm, but he caught it and placed it right back on his forearm.
“It is nothing of the sort.”
“I haven’t even said anything yet.”
“Your face said it all.”
“If that isn’t it, then why do you want to meet Princess Isoldra?”
“I simply wish to check on her condition.”
A faint trace of worry and affection bled into his tone.
…Wait. Affection?
“Could it be that you admire Princess Isoldra—”
Before the sentence could even leave my mouth, Scheit’s face contorted in sheer disgust.
“What a horrific thing to suggest.”
His expression mirrored that of someone encountering an abomination that should not exist in this world.
Like a fresh cream cake topped with whole sardines, perhaps.
For a man who usually acted like a sly snake to display such raw, unfiltered revulsion was telling.
‘This makes him even more suspicious.’
While I narrowed my eyes at him, Scheit led me past the entrance and opened the carriage door.
He nodded toward the interior, guiding my hand to urge me inside.
I refused to step into the carriage.
Nothing good had ever come from going anywhere with Scheit.
Though our current circumstances had shifted, the fact that our host was Princess Isoldra posed a serious problem.
Even if the soul inside him belonged to someone else, his physical shell remained that of Kildian’s henchman.
Bringing him along could easily invite unwanted misunderstandings.
“I will go and check on things myself. You stay here at the house.”
“Let us go together. I believe I will only find peace of mind if I see her with my own eyes.”
Of course he wouldn’t listen.
“Then I refuse to go.”
Scheit smiled pleasantly. Yet, the glint in his eyes seemed to ask if I truly intended to be this uncooperative.
Naturally, no matter how he looked at me, I had no intention of bringing him along.
“If I bring you, it will look as though I have aligned myself with Kildian.”
“We are merely traveling together, surely it will not be perceived to that extreme.”
Despite his words, his stubborn resolve softened slightly.
He must have realized it too.
What it would signify to bring a political rival’s subordinate to a tea party hosted personally by Princess Isoldra.
“Make a decision. Either you go alone, or I go alone.”
“If I go by myself, I will likely be thrown out before I can even catch a glimpse of her. A high-ranking host always appears at the very end, after all.”
“Then the answer has already been decided, hasn’t it?”
Seeing that he still appeared hesitant, I offered a further explanation.
“For your information, I never missed a single medical lecture at the Imperial Comprehensive University. In terms of academic knowledge, I am likely better suited for this than you. And besides, why would I ever lie about Princess Isoldra’s state of health?”
He let out a heavy sigh.
“It is not that I doubt your word, but would it not be safer for two people to move together rather than one? You were nearly trampled by a horse not long ago.”
“You needn’t worry about that. Sindy!”
When I raised my voice toward the mansion, Sindy’s face popped out from behind a second-floor window.
“Yes, milady! Did you call for me?!”
“We need to go to the Palace, so get ready and come down!”
Sindy tilted her head in confusion as she looked at Scheit, but quickly shouted back.
“Understood!”
Watching Sindy vanish back inside the window, Scheit voiced his lingering concern.
“Is it truly wise to go with only a single maid?”
“Of course. And just so we are clear, do not even think about following me secretly. Understood? The annex was burned to the ground like that, so someone needs to remain at the mansion.”
Scheit stared at me intently with a subtle, wry smile. He looked completely dumbfounded.
Admittedly, it was a rather shameless remark coming from the very person who had allowed the annex to burn down completely.
Ignoring his gaze, I continued speaking.
“And deliver a message to the Butler. Tell him to grant a reward of ten million Bern and seven days of paid leave to everyone who rushed in to suppress the fire yesterday.”
“How unexpected.”
“What is?”
“Seeing how naturally you sent only the servants to fight the blaze, I did not anticipate that you would think to compensate them separately.”
“I am well aware that human life is precious. It is simply that my own life happens to be the most precious to me.”
Over Scheit’s shoulder, I spotted Sindy emerging from the house.
As I placed my foot back onto the carriage step, Scheit naturally extended his hand to guide me.
This time, I accepted his escort without objection and climbed inside.
Sindy hurried over and climbed into the carriage after me. Right before we departed, a sudden thought struck me, and I slid the window open.
“Oh, right! When you deliver the command regarding the rewards, make absolutely certain to mention that it comes from me. Understood? You mustn’t steal my opportunity to elevate my public standing.”
Scheit shook his head and let out a low, soft chuckle.

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