“Your acting has greatly improved.”

“Yes?”

I had been laying out the words I had organized in my head for a peaceful divorce, but I shut my mouth at Diart’s teasing. Diart’s eyes turned cold as he casually tossed the divorce papers onto the table.

“I don’t know what kind of scheme you have in mind, but I’m getting tired of dealing with you.”

“I don’t have any schemes…”

In fact, there is.

“Just ten days ago, the woman who was causing a commotion, saying she’d die if I didn’t meet her, suddenly wants a divorce? Do you expect me to believe that?”

“Well, I… did say that.”

Oh, my neck. I desperately held back the desire to grab him by the collar like the chaebol chairmen in dramas.

Roeni, you fool! You’re seriously considering dying over a man? Men may be abundant in this world, but you only have one life, don’t you know that?

Of course, considering her personality, she probably wouldn’t have actually died. But I, who wanted to live more than anyone else, was filled with anger towards Roeni, who regarded her life lightly.

“And two days ago, you even tried to sneak into my room while I was sleeping, trying to jump on me.”

“……”

Why did I possess Roeni at that moment when she was trying to pounce on Diart? It felt as if I myself had intruded into his room with impure intentions, and embarrassment washed over me.

Nevertheless, at that moment, his pectoral muscles that my palm touched were quite firm…

Without realizing it, my gaze shifted to Diart’s chest. His chest, clad tightly in an equestrian coat, was still tantalizing today. Diart, who followed my gaze and lowered his gaze along with his, furrowed his brows.

“What are you looking at?”

“Ah.”

Ahem. Finally coming to my senses, I pretended not to notice and raised the teacup.

“I have no other intentions. As I mentioned, I’ve reflected a lot on my actions. You don’t need to worry; there won’t be any more such incidents in the future.”

I could feel his scrutinizing gaze scanning my face.

‘Suspicious bastard.’

Based on the information I had gathered in advance from the city hall, I spoke to gain his trust.

“I will leave those documents with you. You must know that once divorce papers are submitted, it requires the mutual agreement of both spouses to withdraw them. Even if I have ulterior motives or change my mind later and want to cancel the divorce, if you don’t agree, it won’t be cancelled.”

I sipped my lukewarm tea while speaking.

“I also plan to contact my father. According to the Empire’s law, for nobility to divorce, the consent of immediate family members is required.”

I didn’t understand why the consent of parents was necessary when adults were divorcing, but if that’s how the law worked here, there was nothing I could do. I shrugged my shoulders.

“Please include your father, the Duke.”

“Are you serious?”

After speaking to this extent, it seemed that Diart believed in my sincerity. I put down the teacup and quickly nodded.

“Yes.”

Diart, who had been silently observing me, raised his eyebrows ever so slightly and crossed his arms.

“I’m not sure what change of heart you’ve had, but it’s pleasant to hear.”

“I’ve grown up.”

I glanced at Diart’s reactions and brought up the real topic.

“Oh, and about our relationship.”

Diart had a facial expression that seemed to say, ‘What kind of relationship do we have? What can we call our relationship?’

In short, he had a face that looked like he’d been caught in an unlucky situation, but his handsome appearance had saved him from being completely miserable. If he had an unattractive face, he might have really struggled to manage his expressions.

“We’ve made a lot of wishes over the years, but we’ve been friends since we were kids, right? It’s been over twenty years, which isn’t ordinary. Now that I’ve come to my senses, how about we get along like we used to?”

Of course, I didn’t know if we had ever been close, but I smiled as kindly as possible. However, despite my efforts, there was no significant change in Diart’s expression. It seemed like he had no intention of continuing our connection.

“It’s good to stay friends even after a divorce. There might be things we can help each other with.”

Diart’s lips remained sealed in a straight line, but it was clear that he was thinking, ‘You think you can help me?’

I reached out my hand while maintaining a hopeful smile.

“Let’s forget the past and start fresh from now on. As a symbol of that, should we shake hands?”

Diart looked down at my hand without saying a word.

‘Grab it! Grab it! Grab it!’

I mentally shouted as I stared intently at Diart’s hand, which was clenched in a fist. When Diart slowly released his grip, my dry throat swallowed hard.

I was curious about what this ‘strange energy’ was, and I desperately hoped that he would hold my hand.

But Diart ignored my hand and picked up the documents underneath. Then, he stood up and said without turning back.

“I understand your wishes, so let me submit these documents.”

“Yes?”

Without looking back, he walked away briskly. I watched his awkward figure with a bewildered expression and suddenly shouted.

“Oh, this! Take the cake with you!”

I’ve been carrying it around, trying my best to make a good impression on you, I carried this cake preciously!

“Are there any sleeping pills in it?”

Diart, who had stopped walking, turned and said.

“I told you before, I don’t take drugs, so don’t waste your time.”

…Roeni, have you ever tried to give him drugs?

I sighed inwardly. Diart and Roeni had a way of making each other feel cornered.

“I didn’t put anything strange, so don’t worry.”

“Why should I believe that?”

Diart, cutting off the conversation with a cold voice, left the room.

“Damn, that bastard!”

If you don’t take drugs anyway, why are you so suspicious? Just eat it! I boldly untied the ribbon of the box.

“Oh, it looks so delicious. You’ll regret not eating this…!”

I closed my mouth as I looked at the cake, which was as ruined as my expectations. The pink cream, probably meant to resemble a rose, was haphazardly distorted on the white whipped cream and looked pitiful.

It was undoubtedly because of that bastard that it was ruined when I was surprised. Filled with deep anger, I slammed the table with my fist.

“Eek.”

Lily, who happened to be entering the room, muttered quietly. Startled by my fierce momentum, she quickly approached.

“Ma’am, is something wrong?”

“No!”

I snatched the glass of water from Lily’s tray and drank it all in one go. As the cold water flowed down my throat, my anger subsided a bit.

I looked down at the cake I had placed on the empty glass. The crumpled shape of the cake resembled my marriage with Diart.

‘Yeah, you can’t fix a broken cake.’

After all, I am not the real Roeni. I’ll stick around until the curse is lifted, and once everything is resolved, I’ll leave without looking back. Right now, that’s all I’m thinking about, Kim… No, Roeni Wheaton!

‘Friendship, my as$!’

I gulped down the mouthful of cake crumbs.

* * *

Returning to his home office, Diart placed the divorce papers on the desk. He had not expected Roeni Wheaton to be the first to suggest a divorce. Unable to believe it, he checked the documents again, wondering if they were forged, but the city’s seal was unmistakably genuine.

“What’s going on?”

It was suspicious that the woman who had tormented him for over twenty years suddenly changed her attitude. Moreover, her face expressing divorce seemed sincere, but her deep violet eyes clearly concealed something.

“Something’s not right.”

She wants to divorce me?

Diart found it hard to believe her words, even though he had grown tired of Roeni’s actions. But these past few days, Roeni seemed like a different person, someone he did not know.

He had sensed a change since two days ago. It was not surprising to find her sneaking into the bedroom while he was asleep.

But it was the look in her eyes as she gazed down at hhimer. It was like she was looking at a stranger. Moreover, her messy hair covered in leaves and her disheveled appearance, was far from her usual image of perfection.

‘Yes. I sincerely wish for the Duke to meet a woman whom you truly love and be happy.’

The Duke… When did she start calling me that?

‘Diart, let’s go together, Diart! Diart!’

Diart, who was resting his chin on the back of his hand, raised his head.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Whether she understood or regained her senses, he didn’t know. It was a good thing either way. Diart took out a pen from the pen case and quickly signed the divorce papers.

Although he didn’t know how she was maneuvering that tiny brain of hers, as she said, once the divorce papers were submitted, they couldn’t be withdrawn without mutual agreement. Later, no matter what methods Roeni used, Diart had no intention of conceding.

When he shook the bell, Gordon soon entered the study.

“You called, my lord.”

Diart handed the divorce papers to Gordon, who bowed.

“This is…”

“Submit it to the court tomorrow.”

“Did Madam sign it herself?”

“Yes.”

Gordon couldn’t believe that the Madam had willingly signed the divorce papers, but as an adept butler, he quickly hid his expression and nodded.

“Yes, I will handle it as you instructed.”

After Gordon left, Diart pulled out the piled-up documents. As he read the papers carefully, his eyebrows furrowed slightly, feeling somewhat uneasy.