Divorce Begins with Remarriage - Chapter 46
Rumors that Roberto had nearly buried the count’s family for crossing Berenice had spread beyond the northeast to the capital. It was one of the rumors floating around about the newlyweds.
“Looks like the two of them are really close.”
“Lady Dante has always been straightforward. And so is the Duke of Cyrilov……”
“How are you still calling her Lady Dante?”
“Oh, right. The Duchess…… I’m really jealous. It must be because she’s from the Viscount of Dante family. Even her remarriage went so well……”
“Exactly. My daughter hasn’t even been married once yet……”
Livio overheard the conversations filled with envy and jealousy.
He felt like he was going to be sick.
Berenice is doing well!
Even knowing the rumors weren’t true, he couldn’t help but feel upset.
‘Do you think that man really loves you, Berenice? Just because he needs money, you’re completely taken in by his kindness! The only one who truly loves you is me!’
He didn’t believe in love.
Growing up between a libertine father and a mother suffering from it, he believed love was nothing more than a fanciful illusion. But after Berenice left, he realized.
That he had been harboring those fanciful feelings all along.
No matter how many other women he met, the fact that he always came back to Berenice meant it was love.
Unable to show his temper in front of others, Livio went out to the terrace. The glass in his hand shattered.
“Damn it!”
As he tried to cool his head in the cold wind, the image of Roberto smiling beside Berenice kept coming to mind.
‘You dare to provoke me? Mocking me!’
He should let Berenice know about that guy’s true nature!
Of course, Livio didn’t realize all of this was a work of fiction created by his distorted perspective. He felt like his head was about to explode.
Livio paced back and forth on the balcony, fuming.
While Roberto and Berenice were getting along, how much had Livio suffered? It was the same when Berenice and Roberto went to get their dresses tailored.
He even went to a different dressmaker in case Berenice felt troubled by emotional turmoil.
He also persuaded his mother, who coveted Berenice’s wealth.
All those efforts were his love for Berenice, but only Berenice didn’t know it.
He felt wronged.
Besides that, he had specifically hired a courtesan to reveal Roberto’s true nature to Berenice. Thinking about it still made him so angry that his heart felt like it would burst.
Livio was fuming when a man entered the balcony.
“You were here, Count Cornell.”
“Who?” Livio caught his breath and asked. It was rude for someone else to come onto the balcony without saying a word. The man offered an apology to Livio, who frowned.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been looking for you for a while…… I am Viscount Raoul Philidem.”
Raoul Philidem?
Livio had heard rumors about him too. A man rumored to be a lower noble involved in dirty dealings with people from the back alleys.
Livio looked at Raoul with contempt, but he didn’t care.
“Actually, I’ve heard about your unfortunate situation.”
“My unfortunate situation……?”
“Yes. The rumors about the Duchess and the Duke.”
Livio’s mood improved immediately after Raoul’s statement, who seemed to be taking his side. There was still someone rational in this world!
The world hadn’t gone mad yet.
Livio vented his grievances. About all the efforts he had made to win back Berenice and the days he had been ignored. And how he had been managing his image, but how unlucky and bad Roberto was.
“I feel wronged. I still haven’t forgotten Berenice, and I haven’t remarried yet. Now, it doesn’t matter if Berenice doesn’t look at me anymore. I just want to save her from the dirty Roberto.”
His words were eloquently put, but they were all sophistry and self-justification.
“Everything you said is correct.”
Raoul smiled broadly.
“I’m so fortunate to have someone understand my sincerity…… Thinking about all the heartache I’ve gone through feels like my heart is being torn out.”
Livio spoke, lost in his own emotions. Regardless of what Livio said, Raoul didn’t care. He just wanted to extort money from Livio. He had heard rumors that Livio was looking for people, and so he attended this social party with difficulty in making contact with him.
Raoul whispered secretly.
“So you still want to help the Duchess.”
“That’s right!”
“I know some friends who are perfect for such a job……”
Come to think of it, he heard that Raoul had connections with people from the back alleys.
They would be suitable for entrusting tasks related to Berenice. It seemed wrong to save Berenice by legitimate means anyway.
Livio showed clear interest.
“That’s a very interesting idea. I want to save Berenice as soon as possible.”
“I can introduce you to those friends as long as you pay a fair price, Count.”
Talking about money.
Spending money on this wouldn’t be such a waste. After getting Berenice back, all the money he spent would be restored by her. Berenice never hesitated to spend money on Livio.
And if Berenice knew how much Livio had worked hard for her, she might even give him a fortune.
Then, the money he spent now would merely be pocket change.
Livio nodded.
“Of course!”
Livio fell for Raoul’s sweet offer without a moment’s hesitation.
“If things go wrong, I only intended to help……”
“Yes. It’s my responsibility.”
Livio nodded. There’s no way it could go wrong. Berenice must still be unable to forget Livio and had been wanting to return!
She couldn’t possibly forget Livio when she was by the side of such a worthless man.
‘Berenice, just wait.’
I will go to you.
***
Berenice was discussing the matter concerning road construction with Roberto. Thanks to what Berenice had mentioned at the tea party yesterday, dozens of nobles had already shown interest.
Roberto and Berenice were sitting together, brainstorming which nobles could help with the project. Berenice asked Roberto to simply select some useful families and pass on the list and information, but Roberto insisted they discuss it together.
“This family won’t do.”
“Why?”
“Their son gambles. There’s a high chance he will embezzle the construction funds.”
“Ah. Then we must definitely exclude them. Gambling is truly a social evil.”
Berenice shook her head and crossed them off the list.
“What about this family?”
“We should exclude this one too. This man cheats on his wife and has squandered a fortune on his courtesan.”
“……This is even worse.”
Berenice filtered out that family as well. She perused the list with a focused expression. Consulting with Roberto seemed to speed up the process.
“Hmm. I don’t like this family. They lack capability…… And this family…… oh my, they have a history of keeping double books! Even if it’s just suspicious circumstances, it’s better to avoid such people. After all, the road construction will involve a large budget……”
Berenice was speaking fervently when she realized she was talking to herself and tilted her head. She looked up from the documents.
‘Ah……’
Roberto was looking at her.
With a face that seemed like honey would drip if you touched.1’eyes dripping with honey’ is a way of saying they are looking at someone with love
With a smile lingering on his neat lips.
***
Berenice coughed. She involuntarily turned shy under Roberto’s gaze. Even after turning her gaze back to the documents, she couldn’t forget the expression Roberto had while looking at her just moments ago.
As if he had been smeared with honey……
‘What is this……’
No matter how much she tried to concentrate on the documents, she couldn’t even see the letters. He kept looking at Berenice, and she wondered if he had something to say. In reality, Roberto probably knew more about the Cyrilov families than Berenice did.
She didn’t want to burden him with more work……
“Ahem, ahem.”
Berenice cleared her throat and casually mentioned,
“Could you recommend someone, Roberto? I think you know these people better than I do.”
Berenice tapped the pile of documents with her finger.
“Would it be alright if I help a little? I’m worried that my judgment might interfere with yours.”
“Not at all. I would like your help.”
After deliberately avoiding eye contact, Berenice glanced up, only to find Roberto turning his head to look at the documents.
Berenice finally let out a sigh of relief. Roberto’s habit of always looking people straight in the eye often puts Berenice in a difficult position.
Difficult.
Actually, it was more correct to say that it evoked an indescribable emotion rather than being merely difficult. Berenice covered her face with the documents and sneakily peeked at Roberto. But Roberto seemed completely unaware of the expression he had given Berenice and was just focused on the documents.
It was then that Berenice unknowingly puffed her cheeks in disappointment.
Translator
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
