"I'm definitely going to divorce you."
Rebecca's attitude was extremely relaxed. Her indifferent expression remained unchanged. She seemed like someone who didn't have any emotions left—not love, not obsession. For a moment, Cedric thought his prediction that she would refuse the divorce no matter what had been completely wrong.
"Ah, but there is one condition."
Of course. An irritated sigh escaped Cedric's lips.
"If you're about to say something absurd like you won't divorce unless I give up all the Grand Duke's assets, then stop. I'm sick of repeating the same conversation."
"Oh, that's fine. You can keep your title as Grand Duke of Twins. Just give me a mansion and living expenses as alimony. Will you do that much?"
She had a refreshing look on her face, as if she had absolutely no interest in his wealth. Cedric blinked slowly, hiding his confusion.
"...If that's all you really want."
"Yes, the alimony can be determined gradually. Let's start by discussing the terms of the divorce. If my conditions are accepted, I'll sign the divorce papers right away."
"What on earth is this great condition?"
Cedric was genuinely curious now. At his question, the corners of Rebecca's mouth—which had maintained an indifferent expression—curved upward slightly.
"Please keep our divorce a secret from everyone, including the household staff, for six months after we separate."
Cedric's dark eyebrows slowly furrowed.
"That's really your condition?"
"It's not 'just' anything. Someone's life is at stake, you know."
Rebecca muttered softly, like someone gripped by anxiety. However, Cedric didn't dwell on her words about a life being at stake. He didn't even have time to consider it. He was too preoccupied trying to guess Rebecca's true intentions behind such a strange condition.
Is this woman serious?
Habitual suspicion arose. First, he needed to verify whether Rebecca's words were genuine. As soon as a good idea occurred to him, Cedric's mouth slowly curved into a smile.
"If we're keeping the divorce secret for half a year, I suppose you'll have to stay in my castle during that time."
"That's right. Do you have a problem with that?"
"Not at all. I've been patient for five years—what's another six months if it means a divorce?"
That was sincere.
"But if we're divorced, it would be difficult to stay in the same mansion. So..."
Cedric's blue eyes gleamed as he blinked slowly.
"How would you feel about staying in the 'Mansion of Darkness' in the meantime?"
"The Mansion of Darkness... You mean the empty estate right next to this one?"
"Yes."
Cedric sneered leisurely. This would expose her little charade and reveal her dark intentions. Rebecca was someone who could barely stand being separated from Cedric for a single minute, let alone staying away from him for half a year in an isolated mansion.
Even with her outstanding acting skills, she won't be able to endure it!
This time, he would finally discover her true intentions. The moment he saw Rebecca's brow furrow slightly, he thought his prediction was correct.
"Is everything in order over there?"
"In order?"
"I heard it's been empty for a long time."
"Of course it's fine."
"Does the fireplace work properly?"
"It works."
"There aren't any rats or bats, right?"
Cedric answered sincerely—"Probably not"—but he was utterly confused by the direction of this conversation.
Rebecca nodded only after carefully asking her questions.
"And my meals will be prepared just as they are now? Good. Let's draft the divorce contract."
She had the same attitude as if she were signing a lease on a house. And that wasn't all.
She said she liked the arrangement and even smiled, the corners of her mouth lifting with satisfaction. Cedric was speechless for a moment.
"...Are you serious right now?"
The words he'd been holding back all this time slipped out without his meaning to. This woman—she won't go mad staying there alone? Cedric found himself almost worried for her. Yet Rebecca maintained an extremely resolute attitude.
"Of course. I think that would be more convenient, actually."
"Can we sign the divorce papers right now? It would be better to move my things first thing tomorrow morning, wouldn't it?"
Rebecca asked, pulling a fountain pen from a small drawer beneath her table. It was as if she were ready to leave for the Mansion of Darkness at a moment's notice.
Cedric stared at Rebecca blankly before finally coming to his senses. He needed time to prepare a separate confidentiality agreement.
"I'll prepare it along with the divorce papers. It would be better to sign everything at once."
"Oh, that's right. Of course."
Rebecca's face showed a flicker of regret as she toyed with her fountain pen. Cedric found her strangely unfamiliar.
"Let's sign together in the glass garden two days from now, at 3 p.m."
"All right."
Rebecca's obedient answer almost made Cedric burst into laughter. Typically, their conversations began with Rebecca's obsessive demands, followed by Cedric's rejection and dismissal, repeating endlessly in an exhausting cycle. At times like that, he'd felt like he was waging a hopeless battle against a sticky swamp that kept dragging him down by the ankles. Cedric had been so sick of that pattern. But this conversation was flowing so easily.
When something he'd expected to be difficult turned out to be easier than anticipated, he felt both deflated and anxious.
It can't end like this. I'm sure she's planning to corner me again...
It was at that moment, as Cedric lifted his teacup, lost in thought—
"Mmm... yawn."
Rebecca smiled slightly when Cedric's eyes met hers.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm getting sleepy after the bath. But, you know, Cedric..."
As expected, there was no way Rebecca would end the conversation so simply.
I should have left immediately instead of sitting here!
Cedric felt a pang of regret.
"Are you not going?"
Rebecca asked, blinking her red eyes innocently.
"I told you my conditions regarding your business. Thanks to you, we've reached a conclusion. We even set a date to sign the divorce. I think we've said everything that needs to be said."
She paused, then added:
"And normally, I would have been asleep by now."
It was as if she were displeased at having her evening routine interrupted. The first time Rebecca had ever made it clear she wanted him to leave. Not only that, but her eyes and tone made him feel like an uninvited guest.
Cedric tried to shake off his embarrassment and stood.
"You're right. Forgive the intrusion. I'll be going, then."
"All right. Goodbye, Cedric."
Rebecca also stood without hesitation and bid him farewell.
She'd always begged him not to go, and when Cedric inevitably left anyway, she'd been reduced to solitary rampages. But now, Rebecca was calmly walking behind him toward the bedroom door, as if to see him out.
Why are you suddenly doing something you've never done before?!
Everything was too refreshing—too unlike Rebecca. Unable to overcome the strangeness, Cedric turned his head again. Rebecca, who had been calmly bidding him farewell, suddenly lost her balance and began to sway.
"I'll see you on the appointed day, then... huh? Ah!"
She must have accidentally stepped on the hem of her long gown.
"Ugh?!"
In an instant, Rebecca was literally about to collapse to the floor.
"Rebecca!"
Cedric ran forward without even realizing it. Fortunately, her body soon landed safely in his arms.
"...Hah."
I finally let out a breath of relief. Then I felt an unfamiliar warmth against Cedric's firm abdomen. The realization of what was happening slowly began to dawn on me, and my body stiffened.
Cedric hadn't noticed me falling—or rather, he hadn't pushed me away. How many seconds had we been frozen like this, our bodies pressed against each other?
To make matters worse, the strap of my gown had fallen to the floor, and I could feel the fabric, which had been barely fastened, slowly beginning to slip open. It was obvious that if I moved even slightly, my bare skin would be exposed through the gown.
God, I'm going to die of embarrassment.
The cool yet sophisticated scent emanating from Cedric's body gradually seeped into my senses. I opened my eyes wider, trying to focus my increasingly hazy mind. But what came into view were the thick veins visible along the column of his neck.
...I'm going crazy. Seriously.
I'd tried to act aloof, intending to break free of that five-second standby mentality, but...
Cedric was an absolutely stunning man who made my heart race just by looking at him. And he was the person I'd always dreamed about while reading novels.
It was incredibly difficult to stay sane in this situation, pressed so intimately against such a man. Cedric's abs, which I could feel through the thin gown, were as hard as stone, and I could hear a heartbeat similar to my own from his chest, where my ear rested.
As I became aware of it, the breath at the tip of my nose grew hotter.
"Rebecca."
A low, dangerously charming voice rang out. I slowly raised my head, and my gaze met Cedric's blue eyes. Hair that gleamed as black as the night sky. Thick brows. Mysterious blue irises. A high nose bridge and a sharp jawline that looked like it had been sculpted. Even his lips, faintly tinged with red.
The fatally sexy man was looking down at me. I felt like my heart was going to explode. And my eyes kept drifting toward Cedric's lips, which was driving me insane. It was then—while I gazed up at his beautiful face as if mesmerized—
"So in the end, you planned to catch me off guard and seduce me again?"
Cedric, still looking down at me, spoke in a low, cutting tone.
How is it possible for this man to have such a handsome face, such a perfect body, AND such a good voice?
No matter how much this is a novel, this is against the law.
It was around this time that I began to gradually understand Rebecca's obsession with spending the night with Cedric.
"The method you chose to prevent the divorce is this kind of temptation. It's disappointing that there isn't even the slightest change."
I barely came to my senses when I heard his voice, bitter as a winter wind. Cedric had grown colder every time Rebecca clung to him. I couldn't let him misunderstand me like this.
"Don't misunderstand. I'm going to divorce you as planned."
Cedric's eyebrows arched high. He was silent for a while, as if he had a lot to think about. How much time passed?
The hand holding me began to tighten, little by little.
"I see... Now I understand your intentions. You're smarter than I thought."
Cedric continued to mutter incomprehensible words, twisting one corner of his mouth into a sneer.
"Yes, even if we divorce, that won't be erased."
"What on earth are you talking about?"
"You, who are aiming for it, know better than anyone what I mean."
"...?"
"If we were to spend the night together even now, even after the divorce, I would..."
Cedric spoke slowly and gently lifted my chin. The moment I made eye contact with his icy blue gaze, I felt my entire body freeze.
"...never be able to go a single day without you."