how to divorce the male lead - chapter 12
Returning to her room, Yuliana placed the bouquet on the table and buried her face in her hands while glancing at the brilliant golden flowers like the sun.
"...I don't want to become a worse person. This damned male lead."
Even though she knew that soon a true female protagonist would appear and he would be irresistibly drawn to her, she couldn't accept his advances. She hoped he would grow more tired of her. She wanted a clean break before things progressed any further, distancing herself from all the events that were about to unfold.
Being cold to him.
It used to be so easy, but now it was becoming increasingly difficult. Maybe it was because this was the first time she had ever looked directly into the heart of someone who approached her so honestly.
Yuliana, who had always faced people with the intention of leaving, was now feeling confused for the first time.
"...But there's nothing I can do."
Yuliana rustled inside her coat and pulled out a piece of paper. It was mostly filled with self-praise and was practically useless for pinpointing anyone specific. However, for now, she carried it around as a means to soothe her own mind.
"It's in the midst of this unspecified multitude."
Those damn kids.
Yuliana's eyes sparkled with anger.
Even though she held evidence that could implicate her in the Duke Hiltzen assassination attempt, she couldn't imagine which one of these scoundrels would dare to pull off such a stunt.
She had been openly discarding the gifts they sent her, but it was also important to deal with these people who could mix their words at any moment.
Yuliana clenched her fist tightly in frustration. Then, she reluctantly took her gaze away from the bouquet and lightly tapped her fingers on the notebook.
"How can I publicly cut ties with these people..."
At that moment, she noticed an invitation card piled on one side of the table. She checked it as if something had come to her mind.
It was an invitation sent to the Duke and Duchess, with the thought that they wouldn't come together anyway. Yuliana stared at it blankly.
It was a good way to deal with a past relationships that was attracted to me like a fly.
By showing up publicly with her husband, she could demonstrate that she had regained her senses.
Afterward, if they divorced, it would still cause a stir, but well, in the face of a life-threatening crisis, what did it matter?
"Hmm..."
She held the invitation to her chin, deep in thought. Her contemplation was evident on her twisted lips.
However, if she did this, Evan would be utterly disappointed. He was perceptive enough to realize that Yuliana had used him if she went through with this plan.
"Ugh..."
Yuliana closed her eyes tightly.
To quell the surging confusion, she recalled a scene from the novel she had seen in her previous life. The vivid memory of that scene still remained.
It was her standing in the court in front of the judge's bench.
And then Evan, who would make unfavorable testimony against Yuliana Oben.
Why?
She knew nothing but the future, and even though he had not betrayed her yet, Yuliana couldn't help but think of his cold demeanor, which pained her.
"Don't be impatient. You haven't been hurt yet."
She hesitated as she was about to throw away the golden bouquet Yuliana had given her. When the subtle fragrance filled the room, it seemed to affect her, having slept poorly for a few days due to the scent that was said to help with insomnia and relaxation.
However, it couldn't help alleviate her fundamental concerns. So she had to stop thinking about it.
She had no reason to feel sorry for him, but she kept feeling sorry for him. Because the impending betrayal was clearer to her than the love he gave, Yuliana didn't want to be associated with him.
It was at the moment when she was about to throw the bouquet into the trash.
Knock, knock.
The sound of a knock on the door made her release her grip on the bouquet.
"Come in."
Soon, the servants cautiously opened the door. Through the crack, the familiar scent of flowers wafted in. Yuliana smiled wryly.
"He's just this kind of person."
Was it to help with her insomnia? Perhaps it was Evan's command, but the bouquets were nestled in the arms of the servants. Yuliana, feeling ignorant about even the names of the flowers, asked quietly.
"What's the name of this flower?"
The servants, who were carefully decorating the flowers with the permission of the Duchess, gathered their voices and replied.
"They're called 'Gifts of the Gods.' They are precious flowers grown with the permission of the temple, said to have received the grace of the Sun God Ereonora. Recently, there was a commotion to obtain them from Count Heinrich's estate, but permission was denied, and it was quite a blow to their pride," the servants replied with a hint of pride, subtly boasting about Duke Hillchen's prestige.
With her eyes closed, Yuliana sat down on the sofa, feeling the slow spread of the floral fragrance. She spoke slowly.
"Would you kindly convey my message to the Duke?"
"Yes, Duchess. Please tell me."
The hands of the servants, who had been busy decorating flowers near the window by the bed, stopped moving. Yuliana suppressed her slightly protruding conscience and forced a smile.
"It seems that Lady Elkelley, the Countess, is hosting a ball. I'd like to request him to accompany me."
The servants were visibly surprised by her words and struggled to regain their composure. Ignoring their reactions, Yuliana hugged the bouquet she had almost discarded. This time, she embraced it more tightly, giving it the affection she hadn't shown before.
---
"Oh my, is that the Duchess here?"
"Lady Elkelley, the Countess, must be in a bad mood."
"That's right. She wouldn't attend such a quiet ball."
"What's going on?"
"I heard she's been visiting the temple frequently lately."
"Could she have brought her lovers with her?"
Someone giggled and hid their mouth behind a fan. Words delved into the crowd, circulating here and there.
"I heard she has so many lovers she can't even remember them all. The number of one-night stands she's had, I can't believe it. Last time, when she met the Marquis, she pretended not to know the Duchess, but it turns out she really didn't."
"It's a shame for the empire."
"Indeed. I worry that she might tarnish even Duke Hillchen's honor."
"Does the Duke still care about his wife? Honestly, a man so brave on the battlefield, why does he tolerate his wife's infidelity?"
"It might be because of Lord Oben."
"Indeed, many nobles have spoiled their children's education, but who doesn't know that Lord Oben knows nothing but running mines? I think they went about raising their daughter the wrong way. If it were me..."
Among the noblewomen, the recently debuted young ladies of high society, and young noble gentlemen who were assisting the ladies, conversations buzzed and rustled. Naturally, Yuliana was receiving both criticism and the occasional admiration, curiosity, and gossip. However, she found these judgments somewhat strange in the context of this quiet ball.
Yuliana opened her fan with a rustle, hiding her face.
'You guys, I can hear you.'
Next to the Duke, who was surrounded by people in the manner of an imperial hero, there was a small crowd gathering.
Not knowing how to get along in such a setting, Yuliana decided to distance herself from Evan for the time being.
It would take some time for the Duke to leave the crowd that surrounded him. Yuliana tried to cool off her head a bit by being alone.
"Oh dear, my head..."
"Yuliana."