Chapter 3

The next day, Raven and Liliana met Kreuten’s legal advisor, who had arrived soaked with morning dew.

A strange light flickered in Liliana’s pale blue eyes.

Raven didn’t ignore her wishes!

He was the only one who listened to Liliana, while everyone else turned away. Raven sat arrogantly and upright, staring at the lawyer.

“My wife wishes to divorce.”

“Ah…”

The lawyer looked flustered, glancing between Liliana and Raven at the abrupt declaration.

“I-I see.”

“It’s true. I want to divorce Duke Kreuten.”

Afraid the lawyer might leave, Liliana spoke quickly. She was terrified that missing this chance would mean living in h*ll forever. Only by severing ties with Kreuten would the devils stop their torment.

“So she says.”

Raven looked at Liliana and sighed. She felt truly sorry for divorcing him without him knowing the reason. And she pitied Raven, who had lived without knowing his family’s true nature. But Liliana had no obligation to rescue Raven from this place.

She was barely able to take care of herself.

“Divorce among high nobility is not easy. As you both know, a three-month mediation period is required. Only after that, if you still wish to divorce, will the sacred marriage vow be broken.”

“T-that long?”

Liliana let out a sharp cry.

“Three months isn’t long, Duchess. It will pass quickly. What’s longer is what comes after the three-month mediation period—property division, grounds for divorce, and child custody. Since you have no children, that clause doesn’t apply. Anyway, all these matters must be settled. Expect about a year.”

Liliana bit her lip. She had no idea divorce was so difficult. Maybe that’s why the previous wives took their own lives.

Now she understood why the previous wives hadn’t chosen divorce but instead drove themselves to extremes. She felt conflicted, thinking maybe it would be easier to make the same choice as them.

Besides, they had been born and raised in good families. Liliana’s situation was completely different. She had been raised in Everset specifically to be sold into this marriage. Emotional ab*se and petty violence had been present since childhood.

So, one year for Liliana was nothing compared to what the previous wives had endured. Exposed to such cruelty, even a year was unbearable. Now Liliana herself was thinking of death.

‘No, Lily, get a hold of yourself.’

Liliana had never truly lived her own life. This was her chance to reclaim it, and she couldn’t let it slip away. One year. So what. She would endure it.

Liliana nodded.

“I understand.”

The lawyer looked at Raven. Raven gave a small nod.

“Do as my wife wishes.”

“Very well. Then, by filling out these documents, you will enter the divorce mediation process.”

With trembling hands, Liliana filled out the papers. She wanted to complete them quickly and let those three months pass. Raven also signed the documents as Liliana wished. Liliana caught her breath.

“Is it done now?”

“Yes, Duchess. I’ll see you again in three months.”

The lawyer spoke briefly and tidied up his papers. Liliana turned to Raven.  

“Th-then, from now on, are we no longer husband and wife?”  

“Lily.”  

Raven pressed his aching forehead.  

“For another year, you’ll still be registered under my family, and until then, you’ll remain my wife.”  

“…I see.”  

So she would have to live in this mansion for a year, seeing those devils.  

“Understood.”  

Liliana replied in a drooping voice. Still, since Raven had returned and wouldn’t be leaving for a while, their violence would quiet down. They didn’t want Raven to see the terrible things they did.  

On the surface, they wore the mask of angels.  

Just as the devils said, even if Liliana revealed what she had gone through, Raven would not believe her. Everyone, including the servants, was on their side except Liliana. Liliana let out a bitter laugh. Even now, the two years she had endured felt like a nightmare. 

“Let’s get up now. Lily, are you feeling okay?”  

“…Yes. Fortunately, they said the wound isn’t deep.”  

‘Thank goodness.’

Raven mulled over what Liliana had said. Did that mean she didn’t truly want to die? If so, then what she did must mean she desperately wanted a divorce.  

He had brought in the lawyer to comfort Liliana, but Raven didn’t truly wish for a divorce. He intended to find out what had happened to Liliana during those three months.  

“…How about a cup of tea? There’s still time before breakfast.”  

Liliana glanced around.  

For the next three months, it would be best to stick close to Raven. Otherwise, who knew what those devils might do to her.  

“S-sure.”  

Liliana nodded.  

Raven offered his hand to Liliana like a gentleman. Her skin, cool and smooth as marble, touched his hand. Liliana’s hand was much smaller than his. Raven looked at his wife’s hand, which he hadn’t held in a long time, with a strange expression.  

A familiar ache throbbed in his lower abdomen.  

During the two years stained by blood and madness, he hadn’t once thought of satisfying his desires. Standing at the border of life and death, whenever l*st surged, he would think of Liliana. He remembered the cream-like skin from their wedding night, and the moist, secret warmth that clung to him.  

Raven’s eyes reddened with longing.  

Liliana’s scent wafted over Raven. 

‘D*mn.’

He frowned his handsome brow.  

He almost laughed at himself for being so easily aroused like a beast. But he had thought of nothing but being with Liliana ever since his return, so perhaps it was only natural.  

He was still lost in the dreams of an unfinished honeymoon.  

“Raven?”  

Liliana called out to him, seeing he wasn’t moving. Raven caught sight of himself reflected in her pale blue eyes, and felt a bit self-mocking. His face was filled with obvious desire—how vulgar. On the battlefield, there was no rank or dignity. After rolling around in such places for so long, it seemed he’d forgotten his own grace.  

Raven gave a faint smile.  

“What’s wrong?”  

“It’s nothing. I’m fine.”  

Raven held Liliana’s hand and slowly began to walk. Whatever the reason, Liliana clinging to him as they walked continued to stir him. 

***

“Hoo… Raven will probably be at the mansion for at least three years. What should we do?”  

The Grand Madam muttered irritably. She regretted not having gotten rid of Liliana from the mansion before Raven returned.  

“It’s fine, Mother. Just because Raven is here, doesn’t mean he would stay by Liliana’s side all the time.”  

“What if Liliana starts running her sly mouth?”  

“He won’t believe her. Everyone’s on our side, and Liliana is alone.”  

Rachel raised her lips in a sly smile. The Grand Madam thought for a moment, then nodded. Rachel was right. There was no way their secrets would be discovered now, after all this time. It was only annoying that Liliana had endured more than expected.  

The Grand Madam let out a long sigh.  

“Rachel. That woman must not get pregnant. You did use the medicine, right?”  

“I made sure to give her the medicine every day, so there’s no way she’ll get pregnant, Mother. Don’t worry.”  

Rachel soothed the Grand Madam gently, patting her wrinkled hand.  

“We’ve held out well so far.”  

“Yes… You’re right, Rachel. We can’t show weakness now. Not for Damon’s sake!”  

Thinking of her youngest son, who was probably studying hard at boarding school, the Grand Madam smiled. Damon was preparing to return from there. All the Grand Madam and Rachel needed to do was pave the way for Damon.  

“Call that woman here quietly. People tend to forget if you leave them alone.”  

“You’re right, Mother. We should act while Raven is away.”  

“Hoo. As long as we don’t get caught. We’ll have to look for things that leave no trace.”  

The Grand Madam’s cold eyes flashed. A smile crept onto her lips as she imagined dirty, vile, and cruel deeds. They say the face reflects the heart. The Grand Madam and Rachel looked just like demons.  

Desperately trying to drive Liliana to death—those demons!  

“I’d better go to the kitchen now. Since Raven has returned to the mansion after so long, I should take care of breakfast.”  

“Mother, I’ll help.”  

Rachel linked arms with the Grand Madam, smiling sweetly. Yesterday, Raven had returned late at night, so they hadn’t even seen his face.  

But now, they would be living in the mansion with Raven present. It was time to thoroughly manage their masks.  

***

“Mother, Rachel. I’m back.”  

Raven hugged and released the Grand Madam.  

“Welcome home! Are you hurt anywhere? You seem thin.”  

“I’m fine. And have you been well? It must have been tough managing the family.”  

“No, Raven. I just did what I had to do. How could I not do at least that much for you? You’ve worked hard.”  

The Grand Madam stroked Raven’s cheek with a sympathetic look.  

Only Liliana was excluded from this kind, affectionate family. She shrank back like a frightened animal, her eyes darting around.  

Liliana knew well the demons lurking beneath their masks!