“If I were to tell His Majesty the Emperor that you harbored treasonous thoughts, how do you think he would react?”

“……”

His gaze sharpened piercingly. I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug into my palms. My body started to tremble. But I can’t back down. Nor can I show signs of being flustered.

“Do you think His Majesty would believe it?”

“He might want to believe it.”

Rashid fell silent. He must be thinking that the Emperor would have reason to do so.

The next moment, he quickly approached and grabbed my chin. It felt like my bones would crumble if he applied even a little more force.

“Are you threatening me?”

His voice was filled with contempt and anger. He was asking how dare you, you who are nothing more than a wife sold in a political scheme, threaten me.

“Yes.”

I answered briefly. Because it was the truth.

“I am threatening you, Rashid Penvernon.”

He smiled coldly.

For a moment, a chill ran down my spine, but I continued resolutely.

“There’s a way that won’t harm you.”

“Is that so?”

“Please hear me out.”

After glaring at me intensely for a moment, Rashid released his hand. Even though I hadn’t been choked, I let out a gasp.

Leaning against the table, he gestured with his chin as if to say, go ahead and speak.

“…I think it will work if I become ‘someone who absolutely cannot be kept as a duchess no matter how hard I try.'”

Unlike Rashid, I have a clear reason why I must divorce. I can’t tell him that, but our separation is absolutely necessary. When the time comes, he’ll understand my choice too.

“If I become a problematic wife, it would be difficult for His Majesty the Emperor to insist on keeping me as a duchess. If the person His Majesty introduced causes trouble, wouldn’t it rather damage His Majesty’s dignity to insist on keeping her as your wife?”

Rashid looked incredulous. I pretended not to notice his expression.

“Do you want a divorce that badly?”

“For now, I guess?”

“Why?”

“…I told you before. Even though it’s a political marriage, there’s virtually no benefit for you, and there’s no particular need for it to be me.”

“There’s also no particular need for it not to be you.”

“It’s too burdensome for me. Please try to understand.”

Rashid’s eyelids slowly closed and opened. What could he be thinking? I quietly waited for his words. Somehow, time seemed to pass slowly. The scent of him that I had smelled earlier seemed to still linger on the tip of my nose, so I lightly brushed my philtrum.

“…It would be difficult to convince His Majesty and others under normal circumstances.”

“I’ll take care of that. Then, when that situation arises, we’ll divorce.”

“I suppose it can’t be helped. If that’s what you want, and if a valid reason arises, we’ll do so.”

Finally, he agreed to my proposal. I seized this momentum to make an important request.

“Ah, but to create that reason, I’ll need to spend money… A little… Maybe more than a little…”

I felt incredibly self-conscious.

“Do as you please.”

Oh my. Even though I felt a bit embarrassed making the request, Rashid responded much more coolly than I expected. Does he know how much I’ll spend?

“Whatever I spend and whatever I gain from it, I won’t keep it personally but will attribute it to the duchy… probably. And I think we’ll need a written agreement…”

“A written agreement?”

One of Rashid’s eyebrows twisted.

“We need a written agreement stating that you’ll sign the divorce papers when favorable external circumstances are created. That way, we can prepare for any unforeseen situations.”

“Do you mean to say that I might go back on my word?”

“Not necessarily…”

It’s not that I think you’ll break your promise, but you never know.

“Something unexpected might happen later. Please think of it as a safety measure.”

In the end, Rashid signed the written agreement I had prepared. I also included a clause stating that until the divorce, I could use part of the Penvernon family’s assets at my discretion. It was for contingencies.

With this, an agreement was reached. Rashid might not cooperate, but he won’t interfere either. If I can create the right situation, everything else will fall into place.

“By the way.”

His voice interrupted my growing hope.

“Alisa, who was that man to you earlier?”

…What is he talking about?

“Pardon?”

“Is that knight your hidden lover?”

What on earth is he saying… He really comes up with the strangest misunderstandings.

Well, it’s true that Alisa liked Swain, but I’m not that Alisa, and at this point, it’s all in the past.

‘Still…’

Suddenly, I started to ponder.

Should I answer ‘yes’ to this question to expedite the divorce, or should I simply tell the truth and say no?

What should I do? I stared at Rashid for a moment with my mouth shut.

“Well, is that really important? Once we’re divorced, it won’t be any of your concern anyway.”

I responded ambiguously. Somehow, I didn’t want to reveal the truth, but I couldn’t bring myself to dishonor an innocent guard with false accusations of an affair.

Swain just kindly saw me off with good intentions. I can’t involve him in unnecessary trouble. Besides, if rumors spread about me saying such things, I’d be embarrassed too.

Rashid’s expression immediately hardened at my lukewarm response. He seemed angry.

Was he always this expressive of his feelings? I thought he was a cold person who never revealed his inner thoughts to anyone. Wasn’t it that no matter what expression he made, it never seemed genuine, and no matter what he said, it was impossible to tell if it was truth or lie, as if his words lacked soul?

“Rashid.”

He smiled at my call. What is he thinking? That enchanting smile somehow felt eerie, sending chills down my spine.

“Why wouldn’t it concern me if you’re having an affair with that knight?”

His voice was chilling.

“Then I guess we’ll have to reconsider the talk about divorce.”

“No!”

I cried out in surprise. And then, surprised at my own outburst, I quickly covered my mouth.

“My goodness, wife.”

He approached me slowly with a frightening face.

“Are you really asking for a divorce because of that man?”

The sound of his footsteps seemed as terrifying as those of the grim reaper. Is his pride hurt? I suppose it would be unpleasant for a duke of the empire to think he’s been bested by a mere guard.

But this is a complete misunderstanding.

“No, it’s not.”

I shook my head and took small steps backward.

He didn’t seem to believe me. I could tell just by looking at his hardened face.

But I swear to God, it’s really not true! This is too unfair.

“Then you wouldn’t mind if something happened to that knight?”

“Nothing should happen to him either!”

What on earth are you trying to do?! Surely you won’t draw your sword just because your pride is hurt?

I became terrified at the thought that Rashid might kill him. Even a well-trained guard is nothing but a candle in the wind before a flame swordsman who can use fire sword techniques.

Rashid is known to have the ability to create fire along the path of his sword swing. How could an ordinary knight stand against such a monster?

Thud, my back hit the wall. There’s nowhere left to run. I looked at him with clenched fists. My mouth went dry.

“Alisa.”

Rashid extended one arm against the wall, cornering me.

My heart is pounding. The thumping sound echoed in my ears.

“Don’t lie, answer honestly. What’s your relationship with that man?”

“I’m telling you, we have no relationship!”

“For there to be no relationship, your demand for divorce seems too sudden.”

I bit my lip tightly and avoided his gaze. I could feel his golden eyes persistently following me, demanding the truth, but I couldn’t help it.

Yes, I wish I could just be completely honest about everything.

But at this point, I can’t just say I want a divorce because I’m not your ‘real wife’.

I pushed his shoulders hard. But Rashid didn’t budge.

“…What nonsense are you talking about? It’s absolutely not true, so come to your senses!”

As I kept pushing him several more times without giving in, Rashid raised both hands, yielding.

“From the beginning, you and I were too mismatched for a couple. It was His Majesty the Emperor’s excessive ambition. My desire for divorce is to move in a better direction for everyone.”

“Doesn’t it seem like a better direction to stay as we are?”

“…I trust my judgment.”

For reasons I can’t tell you.

“I see.”

Rashid took another step back. I’m not sure how he understood it, but it seems he’s accepted it, which is fortunate. I gently pressed my wrist where he had grabbed me. I could feel my pulse racing.

“You’re saying it’s absolutely not true, right?”

Rashid asked again as if seeking confirmation. Is that so important? That pride, really….

“Answer me.”

“…Yes. Absolutely not.”

Seemingly satisfied, he lightly touched my cheek.

I gave a bitter smile and gently removed Rashid’s hand.

* * *