The Magical Holy Woman Seraphina - Chapter 42

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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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The Holy Mage Seraphina
Chapter 42
“Stacking strawberry tarts like mountains and eating them all? And what’s this now—peach yogurt granola bread?”
I’m losing my mind.
If they’re going to serve food like this, shouldn’t they have told the guests to wear elastic-waisted trousers instead of dresses?
I tried one on a whim, and it was incredible. The chewy white bread, thick Greek yogurt spread inside, a whole peach nestled within, and the granola with its satisfying crunch—a perfect harmony.
“How does he know exactly what I like to eat?”
And apparently, they even give out gifts as people leave the ball.
An Imperial Attendant managing the stack of mementos on the table noticed me lingering and offered a picture-perfect smile.
“These are gifts from the Crown Prince for all the ladies in attendance today. Quill Pens handcrafted by an artisan who has supplied writing instruments to the Imperial Household for thirty years.”
“Oh!”
Actually, I’ve been meaning to buy a new one for days—my last one broke.
It snapped while I was keeping the ledger, and Arden happened to be standing right in front of me.
I remember seeing the ink smudged on the back of my hand, then desperately wiping it on my dress, and catching Arden’s look of absolute disgust.
“Do remember to take your gift before you leave—it’s only for the ladies.”
“And the men don’t receive one?”
A gentleman standing beside me examining the quill pens asked. The Attendant’s expression turned ice-cold as he replied,
“Men can bite their fingers and use the blood.”
……
“So said the Crown Prince.”
“Quite right indeed.”
The gentleman nodded and walked away.
I turned to the Attendant, who was smiling at me again. “I heard there’s a separate room where one can play cards. Do you know which way to go?”
“Yes, ma’am. Exit through the third door of the Banquet Hall, go straight ahead, turn right, pass through the Powder Room, walk two blocks, turn right again, then left, pass a staircase, turn left, then right, then right once more, and you’ll reach the corner.”
……
Do you need an escort?”
Yes!
“No, thank you. That won’t be necessary.”
I smiled awkwardly and declined the help—after all, I’m technically on a reconnaissance mission right now.
I went out through the third door as instructed.
Then.
“Left hand, right hand, left hand, right hand…?”
I wandered uncertainly, trying to retrace the directions.
The corridor outside the Banquet Hall wasn’t entirely empty.
Small groups of people gathered in corners, speaking quietly, or slipped out onto the Terrace and drew the curtains closed.
I crossed the corridor carefully, trying not to look too obvious, where dozens of suits of armor stood at attention facing a portrait of the late Emperor.
The moment I pushed through the door, the crowd vanished entirely.
“Is this the right way…?”
I tilted my head in confusion, just about to turn the corner when—
“We should get divorced.”
Eek!
Just like that?!
I quickly stepped backward.
I hid myself behind a conveniently-placed dolphin statue and peered across at the pair.
A man who looked to be in his mid-thirties stood with his eyes wide and full of confusion, facing a silver-haired woman.
The man wore a deep navy suit; the woman wore a lime-green dress.
As someone with wardrobe experience, I could venture a guess:
‘His outfit costs ten times hers.’
The man’s clothes were hidden by the dark color, but the design was elaborate; the woman’s dress was plain. No petticoats to puff out the skirt, no lace or frills, nothing ornate.
The color didn’t quite match her hair either, and something about the whole look suggested she’d grabbed whatever was left over after everyone else had chosen.
Though they clearly hadn’t coordinated before arriving at the ball, giving them that clashing appearance.
‘They must be married.’
After all, you need to be married before you can get divorced.
But what are you two doing discussing divorce at an Imperial Palace ball…?
Or is this actually the normal place for this sort of conversation, and I just didn’t know?
‘If I just walked past and said “Excuse me, carry on with your divorce, I’ll just be going”…well, that wouldn’t work.’
I pressed myself tighter against the dolphin statue.
The husband let out a hollow laugh, running a hand through his hair. “What did you just say?”

“I meant what I said. We’re getting a divorce.”
“Ha.”
“I’m not going to claim you’re an unfaithful spouse, and I’m not asking for a division of assets. Just let me take back the savings I brought into this marriage when I came as a bride. Then….”
“Come to your senses.”
‘What? The husband just cut off his wife mid-sentence.’
I hate when people interrupt me.
I folded my arms and looked the man over.
‘Hmm.’
Good build, tall, quite handsome, actually.
But.
‘His legs are a bit short.’
What a shame.
‘Not terribly so, but that’s surprisingly fatal.’
Even as I sighed, the couple’s conversation continued.
“Is it because of Count Chase?”
“No. He has nothing to do with this.”
“Of course not. After all, the Count you rely on so much is dancing with another lady in the hall right now — one who’s never been married, mind you, and considerably younger than he is.”
The husband delivered this with a sting of mockery.
“If you haven’t made eyes at Count Chase, then what is this? Or are you imagining that once you divorce me, he’ll finally look your way?”
“He has nothing to do with it.”
“Nonsense.”
“…….”
“Think about this rationally. The reason Count Chase is being civil to you now is precisely because you’re married — he can relax and maintain his courtesy. The moment you divorce me, his courtesy ends with you. After all, a newly divorced woman hunting for another husband would be a burden.”
“…….”
“Let’s be honest. You were already upset with me, and when a young, handsome Imperial knight started paying attention to you, you let yourself fantasize — didn’t you? ‘Perhaps he has feelings for me.'”
“…….”
“Please, wake up. Even if you leave me and stand alone, no man of sense will ever approach a divorced woman like you with genuine affection.”
He tapped his own head with one finger, as though suggesting she try the same.
She’d spoken one sentence; he’d delivered a hundred.
‘Why is he like this.’
Listen to him. “A divorced woman like you,” he says.
If they divorce, doesn’t she become a divorced woman? He becomes a divorced man.
‘This is exactly why women ask for divorce!’
“If you drop this now, I’ll forget everything you’ve said in the last few moments. Your foolish delusion about Count Chase will remain my secret alone.”
“…….”
“Very well. I’m leaving. Not only did you interrupt an important conversation I was having with Plum, but now I’m late for a poker engagement.”
He turned on his heel, ending the conversation unilaterally.
He’d just brushed a speck from his sleeve and begun to step away — in the opposite direction from where the dolphin statue and I stood — when.
“What if I don’t divorce?”
The woman spoke, her fists clenched so tightly her trembling was visible.
“What did you just say?”
“What if I don’t divorce. You want me to keep living like this?”
“What do you mean—”
“What do you mean! Your mother, obsessed with finding fault at every turn, your sister, always adding some spiteful barb each time, your younger brother, who doesn’t even know my name and squeals like a pig demanding this and that, your governess, who’s always there to sniff disapprovingly and say ‘we don’t do things that way in this household’ whenever I open my mouth! You’re asking me to endure all of them? To keep living like this?”
That’s what you’re asking, isn’t it!
Her cry echoed sharply through the high-ceilinged corridor.
“Keep your voice down—!”
He spun back in alarm and grabbed her forearm, but she wrenched free violently.
“I’m asking for the divorce because of you, not Count Chase!”
Not because of my fantasy about Count Chase or any feelings for him — not because of him! It’s you — you, who I can’t endure for a single moment more!
“You don’t even care how I live at home. You’re too busy gallivanting around with that Plum woman or whoever she is!”
Divorce me, and then marry that wonderful Plum if you wish, since you compare her to me every time anyway. Do whatever you want!
She finished speaking and thrust a paper she’d been holding straight at his chest.
Divorce Documents.
The husband, who’d been silent, slowly peeled the papers away from his shirt.
And what was his reaction to being struck by the documents?
—To be continued—

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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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