how to divorce the male lead - chapter 27

Unlike the unsettling glint in her eyes, Yuliana awkwardly smiled as she looked at Evan with a calm demeanor.

After realizing her past life a couple of months ago, it seemed that Yuliana was beginning to develop genuine affection for Evan Hillen, who showered her with endless love. Despite this realization, Yuliana made a resolution to herself, putting a stop to her feelings.

'Get a grip! Haven't you forgotten about enjoying the life of a privileged extra away from the original script?! After experiencing a modest monastery life, I can spend my inheritance recklessly until I die without exhausting it.' 

As Yuliana tried to gather her thoughts hastily, Evan interrupted her.

"Yuliana, did I ever tell you why I became a duke?"

They were still far from reaching the duke's estate. Yuliana, gazing at the winter trees casting a romantic scene in the darkness, spoke absentmindedly.

"Well, um... I don't remember very well. I've only heard that you took over after your brother passed away."

"Do you remember my brother?"

Evan asked tenderly.

When Evan referred to his brother, his blue eyes froze unexpectedly.

Despite the coldness and the glint of disgust, Yuliana tactfully avoided his gaze.

"Um, I do remember. He was my fiancé when we were young..."

'...What was his name again?'

In the past, Yuliana had no affection for her betrothed. She only saw it as a marriage of convenience between families and thought that as long as he wasn't beneath her, it wouldn't harm her reputation.

Perhaps the feeling was mutual. Thanks to that, they would make small talk in the parlor, and when even that became dull, Yuliana would roam around other people's houses with her knights in tow. Since they did it every time, it was inevitable that Evan had seen the young Yuliana.

After hesitating for a moment, she finally spoke honestly.

"To be honest, I don't remember well."

"Good. It's fortunate that you don't remember that trash."

Yuliana was taken aback.

Swallowing saliva abruptly felt choking. After composing herself with a somewhat frivolous thought, she continued speaking.

"Looks like we weren't very close, huh?"

Evan said, meeting Yuliana's gaze.

"He was an opportunist. Disregarding my mother, whom I can't even remember, and then me. What's infuriating is that I accepted it when I was young. Hard to believe, but I was somewhat of a fool back then. I was."

"Haha."

It was a nonchalant tone, as if joking, which made Yuliana laugh. Reflecting on the past, he raised the corner of his mouth with a smirk.

"You should have seen him whining about not wanting to go on the expedition."

"Kelton didn't want to go, it seems?"

"My father did his best to stop him. No, he even tried to send me instead of Kelton."

"Thank goodness you didn't go."

Yuliana said sincerely.

Seeing her face, Evan mustered a faint smile.

"It wasn't hard to play on his vanity. The knights around him would protect him if the duke's heir went to war, but all it took was some flattery about what use savages would be in battle. And unbelievably, my brother believed those naive words. Those who receive endless protection are like that. They mistakenly believe they'll be protected in any situation."

Mocking his deceased brother, Evan smiled with a grin. Yuliana remained silent, unsure of what to say to him.

As she blinked, Evan continued speaking.

"I always felt like a weirdo since I was young. In fact, one of the reasons my brother disliked me was because I was 'strange.' I didn't laugh much, didn't get angry easily. When a kid bullies another kid, there's usually a fitting response, but I never had such moments."

Evan's eyes, recalling the past, remained dark and deep.

Listening quietly to his words, Yuliana couldn't help but imagine his pain.

Yet, even in that moment, Evan spoke calmly, with unwavering composure.

"Thinking about it, it was simply compliance with my position, yet he found it so repulsive. Isn't it strange? The abuser, instead of showing the desired reaction, blames the victim for not responding as expected."

"... "

Yuliana made every effort to steer the conversation in a direction that seemed natural.

Evan, for the first time, appeared relaxed as he shared his story. Yet, oddly out of place, the usual flawless facade was shattered, making him seem vulnerable. Leaning against the windowsill, facing her, he appeared younger, perhaps due to delving into childhood memories.

"Evan, I..."

"Do you remember how often you used to visit our house?"

"...I remember."

Yuliana chuckled awkwardly. Whether her smile was genuine or fake remained uncertain as Evan smiled back, his expression revealing his inner thoughts.

"I know you don't remember me."

"Was I someone you specifically remembered?"

Yuliana smirked.

Before becoming aware of her past life, she lived freely. A party-goer, a libertine, one who played with people's hearts.

Contrary to various rumors about Yuliana O'Bann, she was actually a reserved person.

Outwardly cheerful, she seemed to understand people and entice them, but in reality, she kept her own heart closed. Yuliana, now able to objectively reflect on her past after becoming aware of her previous life, made a complex expression.

Gazing at her expression, Evan, who had been observing her slightly quivering lips with a greedy gaze, spoke slowly.

"Normally, I wouldn't have bothered to stroke my brother's vanity and inferiority complex. It's quite tiresome, isn't it? It's hard enough to cater to the whims of a foolish person."

"Evan."

"But I managed to do that tiresome task. I whispered to him that he would be honored, that he would be seen as brave, enduring the incessant babbling of those who insulted him, saying he was worse than a bastard after just a few months of hardship. I whispered into his ear over and over again. Oh, how he wished for his death."

"Wait—. Why is the conversation going this way? I mean, about not attending the fencing competition? Is that right?"

Desperately, Yuliana interjected to draw out an answer from Evan.

Finally, Evan, who had been gazing beyond the window at the silhouette of the estate illuminated in the darkness, responded belatedly.

"It may seem like a visible maneuver, but if you don't comply, it'll lower the prestige of the entire noble family. As you know, avoiding visible maneuvers and running away only paints the family as an easy target for everyone. In this kind of game."

"Then do you have a way to win without causing harm?"

Silence—

After the slight vibration of the carriage wall passed, they finally arrived at the duke's estate.

Yuliana nervously glanced at the estate shrouded in darkness. Smiling charmingly at her, Evan said, "There's a proper way."

"...You know, I really can't understand your cryptic ways."

Yuliana muttered as they reached the entrance of the duke's estate. Then, before Evan could escort her down, she grabbed his hand.

Before she could even be shocked by her own unexpectedly affectionate response, Evan Hillen smiled, his eyes glinting seductively, as if tempting her.

"Where else do you find someone who reveals everything to you like I do?"

"What exactly are you revealing?"

Yuliana pulled her hand away rather harshly.

Despite the lingering smell of blood at the arena, Evan acted as if the match against the emperor was nothing special.

Whether Yuliana heard him or not as she confidently forged ahead, Evan continued.

"If you admit you're worried about me, maybe our relationship might improve."

"W-who's worried?"

"You?"

"Snap out of it!"

Yuliana grumbled.

Afterwards, without looking back, she disappeared into the duke's estate. Still, a while later, she could hear Evan's laughter from behind, and she felt a little embarrassed.