Divorce Begins with Remarriage - Chapter 22

“Count…”

“Useless bitch who can’t even do what she’s told properly.”

Annoyed, Livio rebuked the courtesan and pushed her aside. Holding an item he took out of his pocket, he gestured to a servant hiding behind him.

The servant swallowed a sigh and handed over a new glass of alcohol.

Livio sniffed the alcohol.

Fortunately, it was a strong scent, so it will be difficult to detect that something has been mixed into the drink. Livio looked around and then turned away.

No one paid him any attention, and both the servant and the courtesan were focused on Roberto and Berenice.

Because the two were conversing with Marquis Michelov at that moment.

Livio easily slipped something into the glass he was holding.

It was a drug Livio had specially prepared to expose Roberto’s hypocrisy.

Livio shook the glass a couple of times and then handed it to the courtesan.

“Give this to Roberto.”

“Excuse me?”

“If you don’t want to spit out all the money you’ve received, you better do it right this time.”

Livio growled in a low voice. The courtesan nodded with a pale face.

If she had been an experienced courtesan, she might not have succumbed to such threats, but she was new to Lorellian. Livio must have seemed like a very high-ranking person to her.

Livio gestured impatiently as the courtesan hesitantly moved.

***

“I am Berenice of the Dante family. Thank you for your invitation, Your Grace, Marquis and Marchioness.”

Berenice made a polite bow.

With her naturally graceful demeanor and elegant appearance, Berenice’s manners brought smiles to the lips of the Marquis and Marchioness.

After the passing of the previous Duke of Cyrilov, Roberto must have struggled so much

The efforts Roberto made to revive the dwindling House Cyrilov were beyond words.

Roberto, who had been so engrossed in his work that he had no interest in romance, brought someone along for the first time.

The Marquis and his wife couldn’t help but think that Berenice looked lovely in whatever she did.

Their daughter, who had been hiding behind the Marquis couple with wide eyes, whispered with bated breath.

“Isn’t she more beautiful than what I’ve heard?”

“You! Shh. It’s rude.”

“But, she really is pretty…”

Despite her mother’s attempt to quiet her, their daughter stopped talking only after locking eyes with Berenice.

“Um… I’m Irish of House Michelov. Pleased to meet you.”

“Happy birthday, Miss Irish.”

“Thank you.”

Irish blushed and bowed her head.

“This child is still young, and she lacks manners. If Irish has made you feel uncomfortable, I apologize on her behalf.”

“Not at all, Your Grace. There isn’t a woman who dislikes being called beautiful. And I am one of those women.”

Berenice smiled lightly.

Thanks to Berenice’s wit, the atmosphere became much softer.

Unlike Roberto, who remained stoic with his mouth firmly shut, Berenice knew how to smoothly engage in conversation. The Marquis couple, who had been worried about Roberto struggling on his own, felt relieved that he had someone like her by his side.

She was someone who could complement Roberto’s straightforward and honest shortcomings. Berenice was fully qualified to be the lady of Cyrilov.

After a satisfying conversation, the Marquis couple let Roberto and Berenice go.

“Let the young people enjoy themselves more. There are more than a couple of young ladies who would like to converse with you, Miss Berenice.”

“Thank you, Marchioness.”

Berenice made a polite bow and then left with Roberto.

Feeling slightly exhilarated that everything had gone smoothly despite her nervousness, she asked,

“Did I do okay?”

“You have never been lacking, Berenice. You don’t need to worry.”

He said it so seriously, as if it were true. Never lacking.

To Berenice, it sounded like she was perfect for Roberto. Her cheeks unknowingly warmed up, and she stroked them with her palm to hide it.

“Are you hurt…”

“Duke Cyrilov!”

Interrupted, Roberto lifted his head with an expressionless face.

It was the same woman who blocked their way before. The woman who pretended to know Roberto.

Berenice frowned.

‘Roberto doesn’t know this woman, but it seems like she knows Roberto.’

Indeed, there were many people like that, but it was the first time someone had approached them in such a manner as this woman did.

Berenice observed the atmosphere between Roberto and the woman. Roberto looked displeased, and the woman seemed nervous.

Then, Roberto opened his mouth with a cold voice.

“What is it?”

Even though she had been rude, Roberto still used formal speech.

Berenice focused her gaze on the woman.

“I, I wanted to offer you a drink.”

“I…”

“Just once! If you accept this, I won’t bother you anymore!”

The woman cried out desperately.

The glass in her hand shook, and the liquid inside swayed.

“Excuse me?”

“…I, I wanted to offer you a drink…”

The woman said in a fluster.

“Just one drink, please…”

“Roberto? Accept it.”

Berenice shook Roberto’s arm, which remained unmoved. Roberto turned his head away from the woman he had been looking at with a gaze that could freeze someone.

“Berenice?”

“She seems embarrassed. She’s still a young lady. Besides, she said she won’t bother us anymore…”

“But I cannot accept a drink from another woman while I’m with you, Berenice.”

“Hm. Then, should I accept it on your behalf?”

Roberto nodded as if that would be better. With that action, any trace of doubt within Berenice was completely erased.

Berenice could no longer suspect Roberto, who didn’t want to accept the glass to avoid arousing her suspicions. Berenice took the glass from the trembling hands of the woman.

“Is it okay now?”

“Yes, yes!”

The woman nodded vigorously.

Although it was Berenice who received it instead of Roberto, the woman managed to deliver it… She swallowed her saliva and stepped back with quick steps. The boldness she had when she first approached had completely vanished. Livio was scary, but Roberto was far scarier.

She feared that if she blocked him just one more time, she might truly lose her life.

“Roberto, do you want to drink it?”

Berenice offered the glass to Roberto.

“No… Just a moment.”

Frowning, Roberto grabbed Berenice’s hand, which was holding the glass.

Berenice’s gaze was fixed on her hand at his sudden behavior. His hand was large enough to cover hers completely.

He tilted the glass to smell it, showing caution.

Roberto’s breath tickled Berenice’s hand, and her shoulders tensed at the tickling sensation.

Warm and kind.

Even Roberto’s breath felt that way to Berenice. She called out his name, not knowing what to do.

“Uh, Ro, Roberto?”

“Please stay still for a moment, Berenice. Please.”

Hearing his words, Berenice stopped fidgeting with her hands.

Roberto’s eyes sharpened.

‘This is…’

It wasn’t a mistake. There was a subtle smell coming from the alcohol.

It seemed like they used the alcohol in an attempt to mask the strong smell, but it couldn’t escape Roberto’s nose.

Roberto chuckled.

He looked up to find the woman who brought the glass, but she had already disappeared into the crowd.

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“…It seems like some strange drug has been mixed into the alcohol.”

“My goodness…”

Berenice sniffed the glass, but she couldn’t smell anything. Roberto noticed this remarkably.

Anyway.

‘They drugged it, didn’t they?’

He could roughly guess who would commit such a petty and vile act. Who else would hold such a grudge against Roberto and Berenice?

Berenice sighed.

“Roberto is suffering because of me. It seems like Cornell’s doing.”

“Don’t think that. We are going to be a couple in the future, so we should face difficulties together.”

“I appreciate you saying that. But what should we do with this drink? Should we throw it away…”

Roberto’s eyes sparkled at Berenice’s words.

He thought of a better solution.

Given Roberto’s upright nature, he couldn’t stand idly by knowing that someone was tampering with drinks at Marquis Michelov’s party.

“I will take care of it.”

“How will you do that, Roberto?”

“I plan to have both of them removed from this party venue. I’ll speak to Marquis Michelov.”

“Ah…”

Berenice’s eyes widened.

“I guess I thought too lightly of this as a crime.”

If Marquis Michelov becomes aware, they won’t be able to get close to Marquis Michelov anymore. Since Marquis Michelov has wide connections in society, Cornell’s standing will be shaken.

It was Cornell’s downfall.

Berenice’s heart raced with anticipation.

It was truly miserable and petty of her to be thrilled over such an event, but the thought of getting revenge on Livio filled her with a sense of elation.

Berenice placed her hand on Roberto’s arm.

“Let’s hurry. We need to inform Marquis Michelov.”

Roberto nodded.