I tried to hide my embarrassment and quickly withdrew my hand from Cedric's face.
You ask me to take my hands off in such a subtle way. It just makes people feel strange.
As a subtle heat crept into my ears, I bit my lip. It felt like the warmth of his lips still lingered against my palm. I secretly hid my hands behind my back and turned my head, pretending to look at the glass garden. I exhaled slowly several times.
After finally calming down, I glanced up at Cedric again. He was still just looking down at me.
What... is there something you want to say?
As soon as that thought occurred to me, I shook my head. It was clear that the only thing Cedric wanted to say to me now was something harsh. It was obvious—even without looking—that he was someone who hated being touched by me more than death itself.
I couldn't stand it. Let's escape quickly before Cedric gets angry.
"Oh my! We're almost at the glass garden."
I made a show of surprise and quickly walked ahead.
"Let's go now. It'll be better for both of us if we take care of this as quickly as possible."
I increased the distance between us. Fortunately, I didn't hear Cedric's voice criticizing me. All I could hear were his footsteps slowly following behind me, taking his time.
Various trees and flowers bloomed here and there throughout the garden, and in the center, a small ivory-colored fountain spouted water. I sat down first at the table prepared next to the fountain and waited. Soon, Cedric sat across from me.
"You've prepared the documents, right?"
In response to my question, Cedric untied the strap on the leather document bag he was carrying and took out some papers.
"These are the divorce papers. And this is the confidentiality agreement for the six months following the divorce."
Cedric said as he spread the prepared documents on the table. I started by looking at the confidentiality agreement. There was even a clause stating that I would not reveal the fact of the divorce for six months and that I would stay in the Mansion of Darkness under conditions similar to those of the Grand Duchess during that time.
The contract was well organized.
"I like it."
"Then let's review the terms of the divorce."
I carefully examined the divorce agreement Cedric handed me.
"I plan to find you a house of your choice, within the amount specified in the documents."
The amount offered to purchase the mansion was considerable. How many zeros were there?
At this rate, I thought it would be more than enough to purchase the mansion I wanted.
"Great. It would be nice to have a mansion near the beach."
"Let's proceed with that."
How much were the living expenses set at?
Of course, since I was a prideful ex-wife, he wouldn't give generously.
I expected Cedric to give me at least half of the budget I was currently receiving.
Actually, even if I get that much, it's a very generous amount for living alone.
I turned over the documents with a trembling heart. And that was when I confirmed the allocated amount.
"This... is this real?"
I couldn't believe my eyes. However, no matter how much I rubbed my eyes and checked again, the amount remained the same.
"What do you mean?"
Cedric asked back indifferently. He looked as if he had no idea why I was surprised.
"The budget allocated to the Grand Duchess... you're going to give it to me in full?"
The Twins Grand Duchy—masters of the North. The Grand Duchess had an enormous living expense budget that was difficult for an ordinary person to imagine.
But you're going to pay that amount every year to your divorced ex-wife?
I couldn't believe it, so I counted the amount written on the document again and again. Cedric, watching me like that, asked quietly.
"You don't like the terms?"
"Of course not! It's just... I didn't know you would give me this much."
Cedric raised one eyebrow high. He looked genuinely surprised.
"You keep showing unexpected sides of yourself."
He let out a shallow breath as he spoke.
"Even though you always spent two or three times over budget, I was able to cover it without any problems."
"There's simply no longer any reason to cover your excess spending. I have both the will and the assets to pay this much."
Since ancient times, the Twins family—which had lost its status as royalty in the human world—had been hiding its existence along with other mixed-blood demons. However, the Twins family was originally a historic lineage that had existed since ancient times. In a way, it was natural that the family fortune was vast.
Moreover, as they returned to the human world with the founding of the Western Empire, the Twins family had gained even greater power and inexhaustible wealth.
Even so, it's not a small amount of money to pay annual alimony to a divorced ex-wife...!
When I thought of that, I felt a pang of guilt toward Cedric. I wondered just how much Rebecca had put him through to make him do something like this.
He must want the divorce finalized quickly and without any problems.
It was understandable, considering that even after divorcing Rebecca, he'd probably be nervous about marriage for a long time.
I like the terms of the divorce, so let's do this as soon as possible.
I quickly turned back to the first page of the document. Cedric slowly opened his mouth as he looked at the Emperor's seal and the Holy See's seal stamped above.
"I obtained permission in advance, so there will be no problem keeping our secret for six months."
Cedric had already signed his name. Realizing what that meant, I nodded and picked up the fountain pen.
"Now all that's needed is my signature to finalize the divorce."
"That's right."
He stared at my hand holding the fountain pen. He seemed to think he couldn't let his guard down until he got my signature on the divorce papers.
There's absolutely no need for that, but...
I slowly placed the tip of the pen on the empty signature line.
Cedric looked at Rebecca's hand holding the fountain pen and remembered when it had rested against his lips.
"Are you going to let me go now?"
Why had he asked such a question?
As he'd walked behind Rebecca to the glass garden, Cedric's mind had been filled with a gray fog.
Now that I'm about to get divorced, I must be feeling some unnecessary sentimentality.
No matter how boring one's life, there were always some regrets in the face of an ending. Although this marked the end of a hellish marriage, he could probably feel this shallow sentiment.
Moreover, his feelings had grown somewhat complicated as he'd belatedly realized that Rebecca might have truly loved him. If Rebecca's feelings had been sincere...
Then by being constantly wary of her, he'd helped create the situation they were in now. However, there was still something unclear about her that made it difficult for him to believe in Rebecca's sincerity.
If Rebecca didn't want to manipulate me, why did she follow me all the way to Mount Manakin that night?
As the sinister smile of Rebecca's father—the Duke of Bold—appeared in his mind, his jaw tightened little by little. At the same time, Cedric used the force of reason to push away the unnecessary sentiments he felt on the verge of divorce.
This divorce must happen.
It was then that Cedric regained control of his emotions.
Scratch, scratch.
A low sound rang out. By the time he raised his head again, Rebecca had already completed her signature.
Five years of marriage like a nightmare. Everything ended so easily that all the suffering felt meaningless.
Only twice, with Rebecca's signature.
"Now you can be as happy as you want without worrying about what I think."
Rebecca put down the fountain pen on the table and raised the corners of her mouth slightly. Cedric was actually confused by this turn of events. It was difficult to even clearly understand what he was feeling. This was definitely a moment when he should feel joy. Yet all he felt now was an emptiness he couldn't comprehend.
"Cedric, don't look so serious."
Following a faint laugh, a white and slender hand was suddenly extended toward Cedric.
"A divorce contract is still a contract. Since it ended well, let's shake hands one last time."
Cedric was shocked again. She was the one who had cried and clung to him every day, saying she couldn't live even a single moment apart from him. Now that the divorce had been finalized, it was too unfamiliar to see Rebecca calmly offering a handshake.
"...All right."
Rebecca's hand, which he slowly grasped, felt different than before—a warmth he couldn't quite place. It was at that moment, as Cedric looked down at her small hand—
"You've worked so hard all this time, because of me."
A low voice rang softly through the air. Hearing that unfamiliar yet comfortable sound, Cedric slowly raised his head and looked at Rebecca.
"I don't want you to suffer for a long time because of this failed marriage and the trauma it left."
"..."
"Of course, it's shameless for me to say this, but... forget about your painful married life."
"And next time, I hope you meet a woman you truly love and live happily ever after."
She continued speaking softly.
"I'm serious."
Soon, a gentle smile like a lotus flower spread across Rebecca's lips. It was a peaceful smile she'd shown him for the first time in ages. It was a moment when he stared at her, as if seeing a vision.
"Then... take care, Cedric."
With those soft words, Rebecca let go of his hand.
At that moment, all that remained with Cedric—in place of her departing touch—
was only an unexpected sense of emptiness.
On the way back after signing the divorce.
My mind was a field of flowers.
A seaside mansion isn't enough—the living expenses are enormous too...!
The corners of my mouth naturally rose at the thought of the luxurious and free life I'd enjoy in the future. And the more I thought about it, the more determined I became to avoid Rebecca's death in the original story.
Wouldn't it be such a waste to die without even being able to use all that alimony?
Good. Now that I've cleared one death flag by divorcing Cedric.
All that remained now was to change the minds of the mixed-blood demons.
But just in case, it would be better to take a mixed-blood demon with me for protection after the six months are up.
Of course, Mina would come with me.
Oh, I'll just ask Mina to bring a few more of her friends.
From what I'd experienced while living together, Mina was exceptionally capable among the mixed-blood demons. Not only did she have the strength to lift anything with ease, but she also possessed the ability to create all kinds of poisons and antidotes.
Luckily, she'd become one of my close allies, so if I worked hard to build trust going forward, victory was assured. Others said that if you were possessed by a villainess, your life would be difficult. But could I really be this comfortable?
Ha, truly.
I hummed, admiring my own plan. It was just as I was entering the hallway.
"Your Highness, why are you only arriving now?"
Mina spotted me at the end of the hallway and came running toward me in a huff.
"Oh, my dear Mina! Haha, I was having so much fun on my walk that I didn't notice the time passing."
I figured I'd just tell her to get ready to move to the Mansion of Darkness. It was a moment when I was having such carefree thoughts.
For some reason, Mina's face began to harden little by little.
"Your Highness... have you really forgotten who is visiting today?"