Divorce Begins with Remarriage - Chapter 27

‘All sorts of rumors are circulating.’

Berenice chuckled softly.

She seemed to know who spread the rumors without even digging into it.

The servant who relayed the rumors to Berenice looked anxious.

“Miss, are you okay?”

“Where did you hear such rumors?”

“Right now, the maids and servants are gossiping about it. Of course, even the nobles. I overheard the young ladies gossiping when I went to look for your shoes.”

“Then I suppose almost everyone has heard about it at least once.”

Berenice widened her eyes.

Roberto already told her of those rumors. Since they had both been paying close attention to Livio’s whereabouts, they were quick to hear the rumors. It was natural for Berenice to decide on this marriage because of Livio.

Everything he did was truly disgusting.

And, overturning such a rumor all at once wasn’t a difficult task.

“I need to write a letter, Selphine.”

“Where are you sending it?”

“To Roberto. I think he’s picked out an invitation to attend.”

Berenice was well aware of most of the events Livio would attend. With a soft smile, she picked a card from the box where the invitations were neatly arranged.

“Here you go, Selphine.”

Selphine received the invitation with a serious face and nodded her head.

***

Roberto and Berenice appeared side by side in the public square.

Since they were currently the most prominent figures in the Raivan Empire and because it was rare for them to appear in public, it was natural for people’s attention to be drawn to them. And especially because there’s a messy scandal trailing behind them now.

When Berenice stepped down from the carriage, she stopped Roberto to straighten out his collar. Her touch added a finishing touch to the already flawless Roberto. Of course, that gesture was deliberate.

“What’s on your mind?”

In such a situation, Roberto might be suspected.

‘Cute.’

Berenice chuckled and tilted her head.

“I just seemed a little wrinkled. Roberto, do I look okay?”

“Hmm.”

Roberto scrutinized Berenice with a careful gaze. Then he gently brushed Berenice’s cheek with his fingertip.

“There’s some dust here.”

He showed it to Berenice with a smile.

Berenice found herself smiling unknowingly.

Sighs could be heard here and there.

Even at a glance, the two looked like a picture-perfect couple, and their staged appearance prompted sighs. Besides, anyone could see the pinkish aura flowing between them.

Berenice and Roberto entered the ballroom.

The people who gathered around Livio turned their gazes towards the two.

Berenice linked arms with Roberto, smiling brightly as they walked. But Berenice’s sharp gaze scanned past Livio.

Berenice was no longer naive enough to overlook Livio’s subtle moves.

She could easily turn the rumors around and pin them on Livio.

Berenice stumbled as she descended the stairs.

At the same time, she found herself subtly nudging Roberto’s arms.

“Berenice!”

Surprised, Roberto supported Berenice’s waist. Berenice lowered her head in concern within Roberto’s strong arms.

“I’m sorry, Roberto.”

She looked awkwardly at the shoe that had slipped off as intended. It was challenging to bend down and put it on alone while wearing such a flashy dress.

“I’m fine. You caught me, Roberto. But the shoe… What should we do? Should we call the servants?”

Roberto supported Berenice and straightened up.

“I’ll help you put it on. I should walk more slowly in the future. I tried to match your pace, but it seems I fell short. I could have caused a serious injury by being careless.”

Oh well.

Berenice’s guilt deepened. Should she confess honestly?

But as she pondered, she couldn’t help but find Roberto’s face, his lips slightly pursed…

‘How cute…’

Should we leave it at that? Berenice can handle such trivial matters. Besides, this kind of affection was more appealing to people than intentional tenderness.

Roberto knelt down to help Berenice put on her shoe.

“…Your feet are really small.”

“Is that so?”

“It seems smaller than my hand. Walking with such small feet, you might trip. Hmm… I should…”

“No, Roberto!”

Berenice stopped Roberto, who seemed ready to lift her up.

“Women’s foot sizes are mostly like this. I’m average.”

“That can’t be true.”

Roberto asserted.

Then he looked at Berenice’s feet with a serious expression. Berenice helped Roberto up, suppressing a smile.

“It’s okay, really. If I need it, I’ll just ask you to lift me, okay?”

“Then promise me. If you find it difficult to walk or anything else, you must tell me.”

“Yes, I promise. Really.”

After looking at Berenice’s smiling face, Roberto’s expression softened.

Berenice glanced beyond Roberto towards the ballroom.

People deliberately arrived at different times to see Berenice and Roberto together and put an end to the rumors. As expected, people looked at Berenice and Roberto with admiration

“Wow… Mom, I want to have a relationship like that.”

It was a situation where you could hear something like that.

Those who had previously criticized Roberto and Berenice due to false rumors have now turned their arrows towards Livio. Livio glanced between those gazes, still holding a wine glass.

“The difference between what you heard and what we saw today is very clear. And what is the truth?”

“As far as I can see, they have a good relationship. You made a fool of us.”

“We should be fostering friendship between Lady Dante and Duke Cyrilove, what a waste. Count Cornell, don’t live so pitifully.”

“I hope you won’t fool people anymore with these baseless rumors.”

The people surrounding Livio dispersed one by one. Berenice and Livio’s gazes met.

Berenice smiled as she watched Livio rant nervously.

It wasn’t so difficult to maintain this level of composure in front of a defeated opponent.

She could laugh repeatedly, and as much as she wanted.

Livio turned on his heels and left the scene.

Berenice and Roberto’s affection must have been poison to Livio.

But there was no room for reassurance. Because now she knew how dirty Livio could be. After being humiliated like this, he will surely attack Berenice and Roberto in some other way.

Roberto is now a target in Livio’s eyes because of Berenice. So, it’s a must.

‘I will protect you.’

To keep you just as you are now, the diligent and clean Roberto. Someone who doesn’t have to know anything.

There should be no more harm done to Roberto because of Berenice. Berenice, with renewed determination, followed Livio’s departing figure.

‘Damn Cornel!’

Muttering the words that had now become like a chant to herself.

***

Three days later.

An incident occurred that made Berenice completely forget about Livio.

It was that Roberto had decided to introduce his son to her.

The invitation Berenice received was for dinner at the Duke of Cyrilov’s house.

“Um. Is it too much?”

“No. Children are easily dazzled by things. This much is necessary to easily win their favor.”

Viscount Dante said firmly.

They were in the middle of checking the mountain of gifts piled up in the center of Berenice’s bedroom. They were too anxious, with just a couple of hours left until her departure. Selphine briefed them on each box, pointing out what was inside.

“This is a wooden horse most favored by noble sons. It has a lifelike appearance and also makes a good decoration. And this is a model sword that every young noble son must have. It’s the best one prepared by the Valencia Merchantry.”

Listening to the list of gifts being recited, it seemed indeed everything was necessary.

Roberto said it would be fine since they wouldn’t meet each other much, and that just a greeting would do, but how could that be?

Children’s hearts are fragile. And wounds one receives in childhood last a very long time. Berenice wanted to have a good relationship with Duke Cyrilov’s son as well.

“…What kind of child is he?”

Since he hadn’t yet appeared in social circles, there was no information about the child. Viscount Dante asked calmly, seeing Berenice unable to keep her hands still from nervousness.

“Do you want to get along with the child? But, it’s just a contract marriage, isn’t it? You don’t necessarily have to meet directly with the child.”

This was a slight worry from Viscount Dante.

He was worried that Berenice might get hurt because of the child. As a father, he could do nothing but worry.

“That might hurt the child in its own way. Father, I don’t want to cause even the slightest harm to Roberto. He has sacrificed too much for me. Even now.”

“Berenice……”