Divorce Begins with Remarriage - Chapter 23

Leaving behind the people who had been milling around, hoping to speak with Roberto and Berenice, they went to find Marquis Michelov.

True to being the protagonist, he was surrounded by people at the center of the banquet hall.

The people willingly made room for Roberto and Berenice.

“Roberto?”

“Uncle. I have something important to tell you.”

“Oh, is that so? Let’s make some space then. Miss Berenice.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Would you mind looking after my daughter and wife?”

“Gladly.”

Thanks to Marquis Michelov specifically pointing out Berenice, she became the main focus of the gathering. People were curious about how Berenice had formed a connection with Marquis Michelov. Besides, since the Marquis mentioned his beloved daughter and wife, it seemed they were quite close.

And so, Berenice naturally blended into their circle.

Berenice smiled faintly as she saw Roberto and Marquis Michelov moving to a secluded place.

She could now use what she had prepared just in case.

It was a good thing to have on hand, especially now, when Irish was looking at her curiously.

“Marchioness.”

“Miss Berenice?”

“I heard that Miss Irish is celebrating her coming of age, so I prepared a small gift. Would it be alright for me to give it to her?”

Since Irish was still young, it was proper to ask the Marchioness for permission.

The Marchioness gladly nodded at Berenice’s words.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of gift it is.”

“It’s nothing much… Miss Irish, have you heard of Stove’s Dress Shop?”

“Of course!”

Irish stepped forward excitedly.

Wasn’t it considered the best dress salon in the empire?

The dresses were expensive, and it was hard to make a reservation, so even noble ladies found it difficult to wear clothes from Stove’s Dress Shop.

Berenice smiled lightly upon seeing Irish’s positive reaction.

“Since the Valencia Merchantry supplies fabric to Stove’s Dress Shop, they send us reservation tickets every year. I prepared one as a gift for you, though it might be modest…”

“Not at all!”

“Ahem.”

The Marchioness coughed warningly at Irish’s impetuous behavior. But everyone’s envious and jealous gaze was directed towards Irish and the Marchioness.

Berenice nailed the situation right there.

“Since Miss Irish is still young, she might need the Marchioness’ discernment. I’ve also prepared a reservation ticket for you, Marchioness. If I’ve been presumptuous…”

“How could that be?”

The Marchioness blushed like a young girl and shook her head.

A reservation ticket for Stove’s Dress Shop!

The reservation ticket issued by Stove’s Dress Shop for VIPs was literally a free pass. Just having it allowed one to get any dress and shoes they wanted, regardless of the cost.

It was a gift that lacked neither monetary nor honorific value.

Of course, it also satisfied the nobles’ vanity.

The Marchioness warmly grabbed both of Berenice’s hands.

“Roberto has brought us a good person.”

Berenice blushed faintly.

With just one well-chosen gift, she had raised Roberto’s prestige.

No one gathered here could gossip about the Marchioness being materialistic. After all, Stove’s Dress Shop was used by the royal family. Just being able to wear their clothes was considered a great honor.

A single dress from there could set trends and dominate social circles, not only in the empire but also abroad.

People forgot all about Berenice’s divorce.

Instead, they started thinking about how powerful the Valencia Merchantry was and what they could gain from Berenice.

“Sister.”

“Yes?”

Berenice widened her eyes at Irish’s intimate address.

“Can I call you sister? If you’re close with Duke Roberto, then you’re close with me too. Duke Roberto and I grew up like siblings.”

There were even talks that if Irish had been older, Roberto would have married her.

That’s how close the Marquis of Michelov family and the Duke of Cyrilov’s family were.

Though she didn’t know if that relationship continued after the previous Duke Cyrilov passed away.

Berenice looked at the Marchioness, asking for permission.

The Marchioness, holding the envelope with the reservation ticket inside, naturally nodded as if it were obvious.

“Please take care of me, Irish.”

Viscount Dante had said something to Berenice.

A timely gift not only shows goodwill but also wins people over.

And it seems Berenice had just given such a gift.

Berenice, who had been the subject of gossip, became the main focus of the Michelov’s party and even added luster to Roberto, whom she came with. The ladies who saw the reservation ticket pass from Berenice’s hand to the Marchioness couldn’t stop talking about how great Roberto’s judgment of people was.

As this warm atmosphere continued, Roberto and Marquis Michelov returned.

Judging by Marquis Michelov’s dark expression, it was clear that he didn’t bring good news.

Fortunately, Irish was there.

“Dad!”

“Irish?”

“Look at this! This is the coming-of-age gift Sister Berenice gave me! It’s a reservation ticket for Stove’s Dress Shop! I’ve never received anything like this before!”

Watching Irish, who had forgotten this was a formal occasion and was excitedly fluttering the reservation ticket in her hand, the Marquis burst into laughter.

He had been worried about the tomboyish Irish and asked Berenice for a favor…

The Marquis’ gaze turned towards Berenice.

Berenice, perhaps embarrassed by the focused attention, bowed her head.

‘A good person.’

Even more than I thought.

It seemed that his worries about Roberto could be somewhat alleviated.

Her social skills seemed good, and she appeared accustomed to winning people’s hearts. Seeing how she effortlessly took this tomboy to cloud nine proved it.

Having someone like her by his side would likely soften people’s hearts towards Roberto, who tends to be blunt to the point of offending others.

And above all,

“Dad, I’m really happy today! I’ve decided to go with Mom. When should we go?”

As long as his daughter was happy, everything was fine.

Despite a bit of a messy disturbance.

Berenice, with her hands clasped behind her back, pulled on Roberto’s hand.

“What happened?”

“Ah. Count Cornell has been expelled from here. Along with the guest he came with.”

Berenice sneakily turned her head to check the banquet hall. Just as Roberto said, she saw Cornell and his partner being dragged out by knights.

Berenice clicked her tongue.

His partner was the strange woman who had approached Roberto earlier.

‘I feel ashamed for suspecting Roberto.’

Given that the situation was clearly caused by Livio, Berenice felt sorry for Roberto. She squeezed the tip of Roberto’s hand with all her heart.

“Hmm?”

Berenice shook her head slightly.

“But Berenice.”

“Yes?”

“Isn’t the gift you gave to Irish a bit too much? Even someone as ignorant as I am knows about Stove’s Dress Shop. I’ve heard that reservation ticket holds astronomical value. Did I inadvertently burden you when I asked you to come with me?”

His earnest and kind eyes asked Berenice.

With a face full of apology.

‘No. Why should you be sorry? It’s nothing like that.’

Compared to the comfort and gifts she received from Roberto, as well as the many conveniences he provided,

It really was nothing.

To be honest, Berenice could make a reservation at Stove’s Dress Shop whenever she wanted. Although they said they supplied fabric on a small scale, Stove’s Dress Shop would have to close its business immediately without Valencia Merchantry.

Because Valencia Merchantry procured expensive fabrics and materials needed for dress and shoe manufacturing using its connections.

For Berenice, a minor gift had a significant impact on others.

“It’s okay. I wanted to give it. Besides, coming-of-age happens once in a lifetime. It’s highly likely that Cornell did what he did because of me.”

“That’s…”

“I hope it’s a gift that can make you forget all about such things.”

Berenice smiled gently.

Exactly so.

One couldn’t let a once-in-a-lifetime coming-of-age day be marred by someone like Livio. The fact that Marquis Michelov quietly sent him away without publicizing it must have been for his daughter’s sake.

They needed a gift that could make them forget about such dirty affairs.

For both Irish and the Marchioness.

“Fortunately, that’s what happened. I didn’t know this would happen, but I hope that my gift will erase all traces of Livio.”

“Berenice…”

Roberto’s eyes deepened solemnly.

“Thank you.”

I should be the one thanking you.

It was when Berenice was about to shake her head.

“You are like a benefactor to me. You’ve helped me defend the House of Cyrilov, and you’ve given me advice when I’ve needed it. For that, I am even more grateful to you, Berenice.”

Ironically, it was Roberto and Marquis Michelov who had suffered damage because of Livio.

But to be thanked.

“Why are you saying what I should be saying first…”

Berenice whispered in a voice that had lost its strength.

“Then you can say anything else first. I will give way.”

Berenice burst into laughter at Roberto’s words, seeming as though she was granting her a favor.

Because she could feel he was sincere.

“Alright. I’ll take the initiative this time.”

Berenice grabbed Roberto’s wrist and pulled him towards her. With her lips pressed to the back of Roberto’s hand, which he had willingly offered, Berenice spoke clearly enough for others to hear.

“Would you like to dance with me, Roberto?”

The people who had been sneakily listening to their quiet conversation gasped.

Marquis Michelov, who had been watching the situation, clapped his hands briefly.

“It seems a well-matched pair is about to dance. Musicians?”

At Marquis Michelov’s call, the musicians nodded their heads.

In an instant, the atmosphere of the banquet hall made a turn.

A romantic and sweet melody filled the hall. The crowd that had filled the floor stepped back, and Berenice and Roberto stepped forward, holding hands.

Berenice placed her hand on Roberto’s shoulder, suppressing her anxious heart.

‘He must give it up after the wedding. How could someone as proud as Livio continue like this?’

It must end today.

The trouble Roberto faces because of Berenice.

The dance began.

With a happy smile, Berenice entrusted her body to the rhythm. Together with Roberto.