Divorce Begins with Remarriage - Chapter 38

“Uh, oops.”

“Be careful, Berenice.”

And Roberto was well aware of Berenice’s unusual reaction. Berenice looked visibly flustered. She seemed unsure of what to do.

Roberto’s gaze softened.

Initially, he had no intention of making Berenice uncomfortable in the bedroom. He was just curious about whether Berenice was okay before bed and if she had any discomfort that day. They didn’t have to sleep in the same room…

Roberto forced a smile.

Although the excitement and fluttering feelings from earlier still lingered, it was time for Roberto to step back now.

“I should go to my study now.”

“Huh?”

Berenice detached herself from Roberto and widened her eyes. While pondering over his words, Roberto took a step back first. Berenice bit her lip.

‘This isn’t right.’

She couldn’t always chase Roberto out to a different room. Even though she didn’t know what to say, Berenice felt that Roberto wasn’t leaving this room right now. She wasn’t sure if he really had work to do in the study all night.

No matter how much she thought about it, Roberto going to the study at this hour meant he was trying to avoid disturbing Berenice in this space. Just by not being able to look directly into Berenice’s eyes right now, it was obvious.

Roberto was not someone who could lie. Yet here he was, lying for Berenice’s sake.

Besides, if he curled up in that large figure in the study and slept, he definitely wouldn’t be able to clear his mind properly…

“If it’s because of me, you don’t have to go.”

Berenice mumbled.

“We can’t sleep separately every time. After all, we got married because of love, and that’s what everyone knows.”

Roberto took a deep breath and lowered his gaze. Berenice’s flushed neck caught his eye. Berenice also realized how much courage she mustered to say these words.

Roberto pursed his lips, not knowing what to say.

It felt like Berenice’s fingertips, at the end of Roberto’s sleeve, were trembling away. Everything about Roberto seemed to be hanging on to Berenice’s small finger that was intertwined with his sleeve.

Holding his breath, Roberto tightly closed his eyes.

Each time he sensed Berenice’s scent lingering around his lungs, a subtle excitement stirred Roberto up. The pounding in his chest was intensifying.

Of course, even after speaking out loud, Berenice was just as unsure about what to do.

There were just excuses.

At this moment, both of them had an excuse to be together.

“Perhaps, if by any chance Count Cornell heard rumors that we are not getting along, it would be a huge headache. You remember our wedding day, right…?”

Upon hearing the name Count Cornel, Roberto also snapped back to reality.

That’s right.

Between the two of them, there was a persistent tick that lingered. Someone who was still holding a grudge against Berenice even now.

Their investigation into the person who tore the dress on the wedding day had already been concluded. As expected, it was an act by someone hired by Count Cornell.

But they simply covered up the incident, thinking it was what Livio wanted.

Roberto and Berenice had newly established a rule to prevent Livio from interfering between them any further.

And as Berenice had said, if Roberto continued to spend his nights elsewhere this time, rumors would spread, and if that happened…

“I see.”

Roberto complied.

“Count Cornell still seems unable to let go of his grudge. It was the same yesterday as well…”

“That’s right! Cornell is a persistent person.”

Berenice’s breath seemed to ease with Roberto’s agreement. So, Berenice unknowingly nodded with a bright smile, without even realizing how adorable she looked.

She quickly let go of the sleeve she was holding.

“W-why did we end up getting married. It’s important to nail down on Cornell so he won’t have any more interest in us. So, Roberto, you must not leave from here.”

In reality, she had completely forgotten about Livio.

It was just an excuse that came to mind to keep Roberto. What does Livio have to do with anything now? This is the Cyrilov Duchy where Livio’s influence cannot reach.

But it seemed like a fairly reasonable excuse.

Since Roberto was solemnly agreeing with Berenice’s opinion, her purpose of keeping Roberto in this room to prevent him from avoiding her at night had been achieved.

What was more important, what Roberto should be held in this room for.

Berenice did not realize that the purpose and meaning had already changed.

She added in a relieved voice,

“And just because we sleep in the same bed doesn’t mean you can be rude to me.”

It was a statement full of trust.

From Roberto’s perspective, it was a slightly annoying remark.

‘Is she trusting me too much?’

Even though Roberto respected Berenice…

Roberto looked down at his own hand. He slowly exhaled as he grasped the sleeve that Berenice’s fingertips had touched earlier. Berenice was a woman who made Roberto’s heart race.

‘I’m a man too.’

Should he say those words or not, Roberto was endlessly pondering.

Berenice smiled brightly again.

“So let’s sleep together.”

Berenice had no idea how tempting that sounded to Roberto.

He couldn’t bring himself to look at her face like that and say such childish words.

Roberto held back the words he wanted to say and nodded firmly.

“Yes. In the same bed.”

He wished she would understand what that meant, but Berenice didn’t seem to catch on at all.

“Yes. In the same bed.”

It was rather a relieved expression.

It seemed like all of Berenice’s worries were now placed on Roberto’s shoulders. Berenice didn’t have a single thought, but she felt a bit upset seeing Roberto alone contemplating things.

‘We have a contractual relationship. Berenice is normal.’

No matter how much he scolded himself, his wounded heart didn’t turn around.

Of course, Roberto was not a fool to reveal such feelings and make her uncomfortable. He simply lifted the bed covers with a gentlemanly attitude and lay down stiffly without moving an inch, spending the dawn in discomfort.

***

The news that Roberto and Berenice naturally spent the night together spread among the servants first. In general, servants’ mornings start much earlier than those of their masters.

The fact that Roberto’s study or makeshift bedroom was empty was reported to the servants, and they prepared things like the morning drink and daily newspapers to be brought to the ‘marital bedroom.’

Naturally, this rumor spread to others as well.

“The person who never lets anyone into his bed…”

“Has he ever slept in the same bed with young master Terenzio?”

“They slept. But only young master Terenzio.”

“But to willingly sleep in the same room… It seems like the Madam has a tight grip on him.”

The maids gathered in the laundry room and chattered about how special Berenice was to Roberto, comparing him to the past.

Are they the only ones?

“It seems another little lady will be born soon.”

“Haha, that’s right. Young master Terenzio wished for a sibling so much. It seems like his prayers are finally being answered.”

“Oh my, you’re speaking too soon!”

Even in the kitchen, where meal preparations had begun, discussions about Berenice and Roberto’s plans for children were taking place.

Of course, they were not the only ones.

Rumors about Roberto and Berenice quickly spread among the knights of the Cyrilov Duchy, who overheard the story from the servant drawing water in the laundry room.

“It seems the baby will resemble the Madam, right?”

“Well, of course. The Duke is handsome, but he’s stern. But think about the Madam.”

“That’s right, it would be nice if it’s a daughter… It would be so wonderful if she resembled the Madam.”

“Why do you prefer that?”

“Well! Just having her around, watching over her, would be enough! Do you think a daughter like that would take after my face!”

“Oh, that’s a valid point!”

The knights laughed heartily, starting to raise expectations for the future baby.

Of course, unbeknownst to the parties involved. Rumors were always known to spread faster among others, excluding those directly involved.