Divorce Begins with Remarriage - Chapter 13

Berenice summarized her proposal to Roberto as follows:

[1. The duke’s estate would have regular visits from the Valencia Merchantry, who would deliver goods at a relatively low price.

2. I can serve as a shield for those aiming for the position of Duchess.

3. I will support the Duke’s son’s succession as the Duchess.]

As Roberto skimmed through the documents Berenice had prepared, he furrowed his brow.

Instead of promising the aforementioned conditions, Berenice demanded that Roberto accompany her to official events and be married on paper.

They would become a harmonious show-window couple.

However, Roberto didn’t feel that the conditions were as favorable as they seemed.

It was a bit bothersome, and he didn’t really need a wife.

He had been doing fine without one.

As Berenice observed Roberto’s expression, her hopes sank.

‘Aren’t those good conditions? Why?’

Berenice’s heart grew restless.

This was almost Berenice’s last chance.

Berenice spoke with a trembling voice.

“…I believe I can be a good mother to your child. Duke Cyrilov, I am not interested in any of the Duke’s possessions. What I have now is enough.”

What else should I say?

Berenice swallowed her saliva, losing her composure.

“Um, and…”

Roberto’s eyebrows twitched.

He was concerned about Berenice’s agitated state. Wasn’t she already humiliated because of her previous husband?

Besides, unlike the other women who approached Roberto, she proposed to become a good mother to his child.

“…Please help me.”

Roberto’s sense of justice rose.

“Please, help me.”

Her thin, trembling voice was low.

The corners of Berenice’s eyes moistened.

“Save me.”

Only then did he see.

Berenice’s clasped hands were trembling.

Thin, shaking shoulders and a pale, tired face.

Berenice was overwhelmed with fear.

As Roberto lifted his head, his sense of justice began to manifest its power.

“What… do you want?”

“I need a shield. I don’t have the power to stop Livio Cornell’s atrocities. But Cyrilov does.”

Sometimes honesty becomes the most powerful weapon.

That was still true now.

Berenice’s words moved Roberto’s heart.

“…Can I be of help?”

Berenice nodded at Roberto’s words.

“Can you keep the promises you made?”

“Of course.”

Berenice replied quickly.

Roberto sighed. He glanced at Berenice again after going through the documents several times.

Her fading eyes, which looked like life was leaving them, faintly sparkled.

Yes, Roberto.

‘In fact, you needed a mistress, right? It seems quite difficult to do it alone.’

Roberto persuaded himself.

‘Besides, it’s true that a child also needs a mother. It will probably be inconvenient for me to be alone.’

That would also be another reason.

Just like Berenice said.

After much contemplation, Roberto finally opened his mouth.

“Alright. I will carefully consider Lady Dante’s proposal.”

“Really?”

At this moment, Berenice looked like a child.

Roberto unintentionally formed a faint smile.

“But there’s one condition.”

“Hmm?”

“I would like to add the condition that if one side demands a divorce, we will cleanly separate.”

“Yes! Let’s do that.”

Berenice nodded with a bright smile.

‘Ah.’

This is not right. It exposed everything too much.

Berenice took a deep breath and composed her face and emotions.

There were still many things left to do and decisions to make.

She had to say all the words she had prepared. Berenice took a deep breath, organizing her thoughts.

Berenice, who had closed her eyes for a moment, placed both hands neatly on the table.

“…So, do I have to prepare the contract?”

“Yes. We’ll need a new contract. There are some additional things to include.”

“Alright.”

Roberto rummaged through the drawer and pulled out a pen.

An empty piece of paper was also there.

Berenice received Roberto’s pen.

His name was engraved on the pen.

“Your name is engraved on it?”

“Ah…”

Upon Berenice’s words, Roberto’s face softened.

“Terenzio gave it to me as a gift. It was my birthday last year.”

“Terenzio…”

“Yes. He’s my son.”

“I see. He seems considerate and kind.”

With Berenice’s praise, Roberto’s face relaxed even more.

“Yes, that’s right. He’s a child I’m proud of no matter where he goes.”

“Then, could I borrow this precious pen for a moment…”

Without realizing it, Berenice, who had become relaxed both mentally and physically, began writing the contract.

“Instead of it being known as a contractual marriage, it would be better to package it as a romantic marriage, don’t you think? Duke Cyrilov, what do you think?”

“I also think that it would be better for us to achieve our goal that way.”

“Then wouldn’t our marriage need legitimacy? I’m just saying. It seems like we need to act like we get along well.”

Berenice spoke calmly.

“How about having regular dates before the wedding? And we can gradually decide on the wedding date.”

“…Yes.”

“Is there anything else you want? I know I will gain more from this marriage. So, I will meet any request you have.”

“I will also gain a lot from this marriage. So I don’t want anything more.”

It was just as Berenice had seen.

People who are righteous and honest.

They don’t ask for more than they deserve, and they don’t turn away people who ask for help.

Roberto was treating Berenice like a gentleman, despite her shameless request and without even knowing her very well.

Berenice closed the pen and whispered softly.

“Thank you.”

Her voice was so low, that it was hard to tell if those words reached Roberto.

Roberto’s face, as he received the pen, was not too grim.

Roberto also signed at the end of the paper.

Side by side with Berenice’s name.

“Let’s split the contract one page at a time… Well, it seems like we’re done now. Then, should I see you on our next date?”

Roberto gathered the documents and inserted them between the files before raising his head.

Then he spoke in that deep, low voice of his.

“Aren’t we supposed to be getting to know each other anyway?”

“Yes.”

Berenice nodded her head.

She didn’t know if it was the right word to use, but it is true that they need to get close.

Very much so.

Now that we will live together in one house.

Instead of trying to get up, Berenice sat down on the chair.

“Well then. How about having a meal together?”

He learned that it’s impolite to send a guest home empty-handed during mealtime.

Roberto’s upright gaze turned towards Berenice.

Berenice met his gaze and asked.

“For legitimacy… right?”

“Ah. That could be possible.”

Roberto nodded thoughtfully.

Berenice softly chuckled, setting down the precious bag she had been carefully holding.

“Yes. Since we must get to know each other, as Duke Cyrilov suggested.”

The tense atmosphere between the two softened.

“We’ll have a good relationship from now on.”

“Please take care of me too.”

Berenice extended her hand.

Unlike their previous encounter at the banquet hall, Roberto firmly grasped her hand without any hesitation.

***

Berenice had to face Viscount Dante fearfully as soon as she returned home.

After waiting anxiously, Viscount Dante told Berenice to sit down.

Based on the story Selphine explained, she had no idea what Berenice was planning.

Berenice hadn’t slept peacefully for a single day since divorcing Livio.

Livio was obsessively attached to Berenice like a madman, and from Viscount Dante’s point of view, there was nothing he could do to stop it.

This society was bound by the feudal system.

No matter how much Viscount Dante tried and did everything he could for Berenice, it could all be overturned by the position of a count.”

Even now, he was anxiously waiting for Berenice while pacing around.

“What have you been up to?”

“Why do you look so… Is something wrong? Your expression doesn’t look good.”

“Well… No, Selphine was saying something strange… about some marriage or proposal. Tell me in detail. I’m about to lose my mind.”

“Oh, actually, I was going to tell you about that.”

Berenice took out a contract from her bag.

She felt the need to be honest and reassure Viscount Dante, even if she didn’t need to do that with anyone else.

Of course, hiding it could be an option, but she had caused her father great disappointment by not telling him about Livio Cornell.

Besides, she married Livio Cornell for love, but it failed.

Moreover, even if she married Roberto because she liked him, there was a possibility that she would be going on the same path as she did with Livio.

Rather than that, Berenice wanted to let her father know that she had prepared at least a minimal safety measure for her marriage with Roberto.

Berenice reached out for the contract, trembling.