Divorce Begins with Remarriage - Chapter 7

He hesitated for a moment and added,

“I’m not sure how this will sound to you, but I’ve heard the story of Count Cornell and the lady. Count Cornel caused a scandal, got divorced, and is now harassing the lady.”

“Ah…”

“I thought it was remarkable how you endured the suffering.”

Roberto’s words brought tears to Berenice’s eyes.

Ever since she decided to divorce, and after the divorce, aside from Bilter, no one supported Berenice. Even the noble ladies in high society who were in a similar position urged Berenice to forgive Livio.

If Livio had no other disqualifying factors and only had an affair.

Only an affair.

As Livio said, it’s so common for husbands to cheat on their wives that it’s almost become a culture, and so people force Berenice to forgive him as if it’s a matter of course.

Sometimes Berenice was confused.

Was she really in the wrong?

But Roberto was helping Berenice as if it were only natural.

Berenice briefly bit her lip and then smiled softly.

“If the Duke would only do that, I think I can… muster the courage. Not even the guards will be able to ignore Duke Cyrilov’s words.”

“Then apply some ointment first.”

Contrary to his appearance, he was really affectionate. Unlike anyone else.

Roberto went so far as to make room for Berenice in his carriage. Berenice’s carriage was following Roberto’s.

Perhaps it was because Livio, who might hold a grudge, might try something that Roberto suggested they go with the guards. Berenice accepted his proposal, thinking about how violent Livio had been towards her today.

‘Today feels so long.’

Berenice just wanted to help a childhood friend who was in distress. It was an unnecessary act of excessive kindness. Berenice blinked helplessly. No matter how many times she thought about it, she felt annoyed and angry at the two of them.

‘What connection did Serena have with Cornell?’

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t figure it out. Livio tended to look down on provincial nobles. Could Livio have any connection with Serena?

Leaning slightly in the carriage, lost in thought, Berenice let out a faint sigh.

‘Was Serena also one of Cornel’s mistresses?’

She had only glanced at the files and didn’t dwell on it because it disgusted her, but perhaps Serena’s name was in there. Serena admired the capital nobles, so even if she had a husband, she was someone who would have an affair. It seemed like Livio would do anyone who was wearing a dress. Perhaps they were a good match.

Serena was really the worst. Why would she want to do such a thing with Berenice’s husband, considering she had once been her friend? It was so despicable that she didn’t hesitate to do anything for her own benefit.

Berenice pressed her temples.

It had been an occasional pain ever since she’d learned of Livio’s affair. She almost always had a headache whenever she met Livio, especially after deciding to divorce him.

Roberto stopped his hand that was flipping through the documents. He glanced at her, seemingly worried, and politely asked,

“Is something bothering you?”

“No, I’m fine. I already took a painkiller at the restaurant.”

“You don’t look good.”

“What happened today wasn’t so pleasant; that’s probably why. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule for me. I appreciate it.”

Berenice smiled and thanked Roberto again. Roberto alternated between the documents and Berenice before closing the file.

“I’m not busy, my lady.”

Then he spoke as softly as water flows.

“I thought it might be uncomfortable for you to ride in the carriage with someone you’ve met for the first time, so I thought it might be easier to put your mind at ease if I focused on something else. Were you uncomfortable?”

Berenice, who had been absentminded for a moment, nodded her head.

Did he pretend to look at the documents on purpose because he was worried that I might be uncomfortable? She had never received such kindness, even from Livio. Berenice’s lips trembled.

Livio, whom she thought knew her well, had been so rude and dismissive of her, while Roberto, whom she hardly knew, was kind. If Livio had been even half as reasonable as Roberto, wouldn’t their relationship have been so bad?

Berenice spoke, her voice faintly hoarse.

“Thank you for your consideration, Lord Cyrilov.”

“I’ll say it again….”

“You’re just doing what you should rightfully do. But still, I’m really grateful, Lord Cyrilov.”

You’re the only one doing what you should rightfully do.

Cyrilov smiled at Berenice’s words.

***

As promised, Roberto took Berenice into the guardhouse. The guards, who had been cursing her ex-husband upon hearing that ‘her ex-husband had confined and assaulted her at the restaurant,’ were taken aback when they found out that her ex-husband was Count Livio Cornel.

While filling out the documents, he hesitated several times and glanced at Berenice.

It was an unwritten rule in the guardhouse to avoid getting involved in cases involving nobles. And the divorce between Livio Cornel and Berenice Dante was a well-known case, even among the guards.

Avoiding it is the best solution.

The security guard, who was receiving the complaint, awkwardly smiled and said to Berenice.

“Wouldn’t it be better for both of you to come to an amicable agreement, as you are no longer husband and wife?”

As if the matter had already been settled, he quickly filed the documents. Berenice, who had been watching silently, spoke in a cold voice.

“I have no intention of doing that, that’s why we came all this way to file a complaint. So please, just finish what you were doing.”

“But confinement in a restaurant. Isn’t that a public place? It seems like you are being overly sensitive.”

“It was a restaurant with private rooms, so the conditions for confinement were met.”

“But…”

Damn it, another ‘but’!

Berenice glared at the security guard.

“You called Count Cornell to the restaurant, didn’t you? That’s what it looks like.”

Is that even plausible?

Berenice called for Serena, not Livio. It was also an offense to lure Berenice by forging someone else’s letter. And yet, they let it slide like that?

“The punishment won’t be too severe. So, both of you…”

“Hey, security guard.”

Roberto, who had been listening to their conversation next to Berenice, frowned and stepped forward. The security guard flinched and looked up. A man with a large build and stern eyes was looking at the security guard.

“Eek.”

The security guard instinctively flinched. He thought that if he could convince only Berenice, it would be over, but apparently not. The man sat down next to Berenice as if he couldn’t bear to listen anymore.

“I will testify.”

“Who are you to interrupt in front of us?”

The security guard said irritably. He had already been spending a strange day tangled in this case, so why was this man interrupting?

“Perhaps both of you committed adultery? So Count Cornell got angry and confined Lady Dante, that would make more sense.”

Berenice coldly retorted to the security guard’s sarcastic remark.

“You gossip about things that didn’t even happen very well, security guard. There will be a day when you must compensate for this.”

The security guard flinched as he glanced at her. Livio was not the only noble; Berenice, the victim, was also noble. As a security guard of common origins, he would not be able to escape responsibility if she were to demand retribution for the insult.

And Roberto also spoke up.

“I am Roberto, the duke who governs the Cyrilov territory. It seems like you don’t believe in Lady Dante’s words, so I will vouch for her. I can no longer trust you, so call the chief of security immediately.”

Cyrilov! Even though Cyrilovs was currently declining, it was not a family that Count Cornell could easily offend. Are such prominent families involved in this case?

The security guard pursed his lips like a fish and looked back and forth between Berenice and Roberto. Then he stood up and bowed his head.

“I apologize! I think I have hurt your feelings with baseless speculation. I will apologize.”

He had initially tried to avoid processing this case because he thought it was just a petty fight between a divorced couple. After all, they were nobles, so they would come to an agreement for the sake of their dignity. So why should he bother burdening himself by calling the nobles in for questioning?

But fundamentally, as a mere security guard, he had no right to arbitrarily dismiss a case involving nobles. The security guard now realized this fact. If, by any chance, his superiors found out about this matter, he could lose his job.

‘And if the chief finds out that the duke is involved in this case…’

Cold sweat started to trickle down the security guard’s back. The brief time of silence maintained by Roberto and Berenice felt like hell.

“I will believe you one last time.”