Divorce Begins with Remarriage - Chapter 11
Compared to the past, women’s rights have certainly advanced, but Berenice alone could not defeat Cornell. Besides, Cornell was of higher status than Viscount Dante.
The fastest way to change your social status seemed to be through marriage.
There was no need for a real husband bound by love; she needed a husband only in name who would engage in a legitimate transaction with her.
Even with a higher social status, he couldn’t be too powerful or too greedy, as he must not stand in the way of Berenice taking over and running the family business.
She didn’t know if there was a man who could fulfill such demanding conditions, but there was no question that remarriage was the best method.
“Selphine.”
“Yes?”
“Where are all the invitations I’ve received?”
It seemed that it was time to reenter the social circles that she had been neglecting while studying business affairs.
To find a suitable date, she’d have to go somewhere where there are a lot of people.
But why, at this moment, does Roberto’s face, who had helped Berenice before, come to mind?
Berenice picked out the invitations, trying to clear her mind of her thoughts.
Soon, rumors began to spread in the social circle that Berenice had once again entered the marriage market.
Chapter 2. Let’s get married. Not for real, just on paper.
Roberto was busy taking care of his family, but he couldn’t ignore the social circles.
He didn’t have a wife to build connections and gather information for him, nor did he have a younger sister or mother.
In the end, Roberto had to take matters into his own hands.
He had to endure the suffocating workload from time to time.
Because Roberto had a family and a child to take care of.
He tidied up his exhausted face and neatened his cravat, concealing it beneath his mask.
As Roberto entered the brightly lit banquet hall, his eyes scanned the surroundings.
Even though he only slept for four hours a day, it wasn’t unbearable.
As Roberto entered the banquet hall, people flocked to him.
In fact, Roberto was a pretty good groom, except for the fact that he had a child.
So the attention that poured onto Roberto was tremendous.
Roberto slowly walked through the banquet hall, which was filled with blinding lights.
Count Eustace, who hosted the banquet, rushed towards Roberto.
Roberto extended his hand in hospitality.
“Count Eustace, you came all the way here… I didn’t expect you to come. It’s delightful to see you!”
Roberto smiled wryly as he greeted Count Eustace, who was full of flattery.
He seemed exhausted already.
Behind Count Eustace, Lady Eustace was naturally following. As Roberto, who was actively involved in most social parties, would have expected, this kind of thing happened countless times.
Roberto frowned slightly.
Nobody here noticed, though.
“This is my daughter, who just graduated from the academy! She has a solid education that will allow her to carry on the family name wherever she goes. Well, you might know, but this is Duke Roberto. He is the head of the Duchy of Cyrilov.”
“Nice to meet you, Duke Roberto. I am Canaria Eustace.”
“…I am Roberto Cyrilov.”
Instead of shaking the hand offered by Canaria, Roberto stared through it.
Even though he knew that her pale and delicate hand was trembling and filled with embarrassment.
Roberto was the type to leave no room for doubt when his expectations could not be met.
Because if he pretended to be kind, it was Roberto who would end up hurt, not the other person.
Thanks to this, rumors were going around that Roberto looked down on women and that he lacked manners.
Although it was the best consideration Roberto could offer.
“I’m sorry, Lady Canaria.”
“What?”
“I cannot fulfill any of your expectations, Lady Canaria. So I don’t think I can hold this hand.”
“What… I only meant it as a gesture of welcome.”
Canaria’s voice trembled.
Even her fingertips trembled visibly. Canaria withdrew her hand and took two steps back.
Cold sweat formed on Canaria’s pale face.
Count Eustace, noticing her cheeks turning unusually red, stood in front of his daughter.
“What are you doing right now?”
Count Eustace asked, whispering in a low voice, making sure no one else would hear.
In a situation where everyone’s attention was focused on them, he could no longer embarrass his daughter.
It was true that Roberto was a coveted man, and the news of his attendance had attracted the attention of all sorts of ladies in society.
He’s the most eligible groom in the empire.
Besides, if they caught Roberto, they would also get ahold of Cyrilov.
How about Roberto’s child?
That issue could be set aside for later. Cyrilov’s name.
So, this situation was by no means the spectacle Count Eustace had expected.
“The phrase I hate the most is ‘false hopes.’ I am only giving you the objective facts and my circumstances. If my son comes of age, I will pass on the inheritance according to the plan. Even if you marry me, there is nothing I can give you. I don’t want to inflict such damage on the lady, who must have many expectations and dreams.”
“Duke Roberto!”
Count Eustace’s face also turned red.
It seemed like he was a heartless person who would sell his daughter to get something.
“That’s not the case. I don’t mean that…. It’s good for young men and women, good … huh? You already know.”
“…I don’t have any desire for that. I have a lot of things I need to do, so I find it difficult to spend time on emotional matters. She will surely be hurt.”
Upon hearing Roberto’s words, Canaria, who had been trembling behind Count Eustace, ran away.
There was only one thing Roberto could add now.
“I’m sorry.”
Even though he hadn’t done anything wrong, it was still like that.
Roberto turned his body and disappeared into the crowd.
Among the people who were focusing their gaze on Roberto, perhaps unsurprisingly, Berenice was there.
Berenice, who had unwittingly moved closer to Roberto, sucked in the breath she’d been holding.
‘Wow.’
He had no hesitation, nor did he leave any visible gap, to the point where she wondered if he was really the man he had met then.
While the people were mulling over Roberto’s words and criticizing him, Berenice was admiring him.
Roberto explained his situation clearly and concisely.
What could be clearer than that?
The truth is, it is true that Count Eustace was trying to do business using his daughter, and they surely had their eyes on the glory of House Cyrilov.
If Canaria and Roberto were to get married.
What if Roberto cannot fulfill what Canaria wants?
Who will take responsibility afterward?
‘Will they divorce like I did?’
Berenice laughed wryly.
Roberto maintained courtesy towards Lady Canaria by completely blocking her. Negotiations are not only done at the negotiation table.
Roberto understood well in what form the social circle was rolling now.
To him, this place was no different from the negotiation table.
Could there be someone here who doesn’t understand the marriage conditions Roberto laid out?
No. There absolutely wouldn’t be anyone right now.
However.
There was someone who felt tempted by Roberto’s conditions, even though no one else did.
That person was Berenice.
Her.
Isn’t he the perfect match for Berenice?
Berenice had no intention of giving up her family business, and she needed a shield. She wasn’t entering into marriage based on affection and the future.
Even if a child were to be born between Berenice and Roberto, that child would inherit the Valencia Merchantry.
Eventually, Berenice would also need a successor.
Rather, it had come to the point where it was necessary for Roberto’s child not to cover the Valencia Merchantry. Just because one already possesses something doesn’t mean they lack greed.
‘Alright then…’
She had to think about why Roberto needed to marry.
It was said that Roberto was taking on all the responsibilities that should be fulfilled by the Duchess Cyrilov, as there was currently no mistress in their house.
That’s probably quite a burden.
Another difficulty Roberto faced was that he was excluded from much of the information that passed between the ladies.
Noble ladies work based on close friendship.
If one were to compile the stories exchanged in those circles, it would shake not just one city but even a small principality.
As the lady of House Cornell, Berenice attended several dozen of those meetings.
There were even times when Livio profited from the information she brought back.
So…
‘We can become good business partners.’
Berenice followed Roberto as he walked away.
Roberto was sturdy and slow, while Berenice was swift, so catching up with him was easy.
No one who had heard the exchange between Roberto and Count Eustace thought of stopping him.
Only Berenice.
Berenice smiled cheerfully, deliberately making eye contact with Roberto.
“It’s been a while, Duke Cyrilov.”
“…Lady Dante?”
“You remembered me. Yes, back then we couldn’t even properly greet each other…”
Since the incident that day had already spread throughout the social circle, she didn’t hesitate to mention it.
“No, did everything go well then? They handled things poorly.”
“I still haven’t received any contact from the security guard. I’m guessing he’s getting just a fine, at most?”
“That’s not fair.”
“It is unfair. And I’m also part of that unfair world.”
Berenice spoke lightly.
Translator
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