C6
In Leandro's hands, the divorce agreement, with one person's signature left blank, was torn to pieces.
"These documents are a mess."
He shrugged.
"There's nothing we can do, so let's go somewhere and talk calmly..."
"You're fine. I prepared another one just in case."
I pulled out an identical piece of paper from the document bag I was holding.
Leandro frowned, took it, and tore it up again.
"I have one more."
Rip.
"In fact, I brought three."
Rip.
"That's a lie; it was four."
Rip.
"Oh, here's another one."
Rip.
After a moment, he took all my envelopes and tossed them.
"Even if you prepare thousands of documents, I have no intention of divorcing."
His blue eyes burned silently.
"My wife must not leave me."
What is he saying now?
I clicked my tongue in anger and then tilted my head.
"Then I can't help it."
"That's right. Let's resolve it through conversation. If we open our hearts to each other and give in a little..."
"We're going to court."
"...What?"
"If I can't divorce you peacefully, is there anything else I can do? I definitely plan to divorce."
He made a strange expression as if he had heard something he couldn't hear.
"Do you really think you can defeat Cassius and me in court?"
I cleared my throat and shouted as loudly as I could.
"Of course! I will get a divorce! Leandro Cassius!"
It wasn't just about expressing a strong will.
"Cassius?"
A murmur was heard.
As I looked around, I saw people coming and going from City Hall for various matters, watching us closely.
We caused a scene over the divorce agreement in front of City Hall, one of the busiest places in the city, and even shouted.
It's impossible for them not to have noticed.
"Is it a Cassius...?"
Among them were nobles, and some recognized Leandro.
It's only a matter of time before rumors spread about the discord between Duke Cassius and his wife.
"Curse it."
Leandro covered his face with his hands, as if he had finally realized what was happening. I felt he couldn't even think about it because he was so agitated.
I curved the corners of my mouth.
This is the primary goal of sending him the divorce agreement and summoning him to City Hall today.
To make many onlookers realize that young Duke Cassius was on the verge of divorce.
If, by chance, Leandro agreed to divorce me, I would be lucky, and if he refused, I could make a scene and draw as much attention as possible.
This will make it difficult for him to continue burying this matter in silence.
Not even the great Cassius can control his family. Rumors will probably spread quickly.
"I have nothing to lose by fighting in the mud."
The following words were recited kindly near the man's ear.
"Unlike someone who has a younger sister who wants to marry His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
It was a declaration of war.
"Let's see who gets tired first."
An unemployed woman who has given up on being a lady has plenty of time.
I turned around to leave.
"I'll see you in court next time."
"...Do we really have to do that?"
"Yes. It has to be that way. Goodbye."
"Wait a moment, wife!"
I turned around, ignoring Leandro, and left the front yard of City Hall.
If you had any conscience, you would throw away the papers you tore up.
The people who had seen the commotion looked at me askance. However, maybe because they were overwhelmed by my momentum or the serious atmosphere, they slowly cleared a path for me.
My step through the crowd was very firm, but my heart wasn't.
"After all, there's no other option but a trial..."
Unfortunately, the future is bleak.
I told Leandro that he had an advantage in showing off, but the reality was quite the opposite.
Certainly, I have nothing to lose with such a divorce commotion.
In other words...
"Besides that, I'm at an overwhelming disadvantage!"
Even if Leandro cooperated, divorce was difficult and complicated.
Submitting an agreement to City Hall is just the first step of that long and arduous path.
Beyond the responsible official's extensive speech, preaching the importance of family, unnecessary bureaucratic procedures that consume a lot of time await.
Are you happy it ends there?
It's hard to get permission from the temple to double that amount.
Every couple swears eternity in front of a priest when they marry, so they require God's permission or something.
Furthermore, divorce among nobles is plagued with other issues like property division, the return of the dowry, and the succession of titles to the children.
Interference from the imperial family, concerned about power shifts among influential families, is an advantage.
I will be judged here too!
My shoulders are very heavy. Also, it's not clear whether I can win the trial.
I remembered the consultation I had with the divorce lawyer I visited yesterday.
"Has your husband had an affair?"
"No."
"Then, have there been any abuses?"
"No."
"What about verbal abuse like foul language?"
"No."
"Or a history of gambling?"
"As far as I know, none."
"Is there an illegitimate child born before the marriage?"
"There is nothing like that."
"Has he not paid alimony for more than a few months?"
"He gave around 5,000 gold every month without delay. My allowance was 3,000 gold."
"...The allowance is higher than my annual salary. I'm doing quite well."
This type of questions and answers were repeated. Even now, I can't forget it.
"Do you really have to divorce?" The lawyer's eyes seemed to say. "A couple is supposed to endure so much."
I protested silently.
"I felt burdened by that allowance, so I saved it without spending a single cent!"
... Although I don't want to admit it, Leandro was a very good husband on the surface.
The way he overly dotes on Liena is seen by others as nothing more than a close sibling relationship.
"There's only one thing that could be grounds for divorce."
Since it's a sensitive matter, it would have been a bit uncomfortable to reveal it to the lawyer at this time. Once I'm sure the person is trustworthy, we'll formally designate her and consult with her.
"Ha."
... In fact, I secretly hoped that Leandro would get so angry with me that he would divorce me. That's why in the conversation we just had, there was a slight touch of sarcasm at the end of each word. I thought there might be a small chance he never wanted to see my face again since he was insulted by being called an idiot with his high pride.
"As expected, things are not going so well."
I murmured as I walked down the crowded street.
I could guess why Leandro refused to divorce.
He still hasn't achieved the "gain" he was seeking by marrying me. They will try to keep their marriage until he reaches the goal. Cassius would have a strong defense team, and there was a high chance that they would pressure the relevant people. On the other hand, I had no backing or money. No matter how legitimate my reasons for divorce are, I'm not naive enough to believe that the trial will only result in that logical reasoning. Cassius has the power to make the impossible possible. Naturally, the probability of a successful divorce in the current situation was quite low. However, assuming I am a common "Ethel Wallace."
"But I'm a transmigrator."
I understand secrets that aren't revealed at this moment, and I know how the future will play out. Now was the time to put my previously made plan into action.
"Wife!"
At that moment, someone turned me around. Of course, it was Leandro. By reflex, I took a few steps back from him and asked.
"...Were you following me?"
"It's awkward to put it that way. I just came to have a conversation in a quiet place."
"In the world, they call it stalking."
He was pointing to the moment I would enter a deserted alley. I guess he felt embarrassed to keep talking in front of City Hall.
"A trial is stupid."
The man who had lived his whole life above others declared arrogantly.
"It may be a small loss to Cassius's reputation, but ultimately, it will be my victory."
"We can't prematurely judge who will win."
Then Leandro tried to logically convince me why divorce was impossible, but I didn't even listen to him.
When I was about to continue on my way, he finally changed his strategy.
"We used to have fun, didn't we?"
It seems like they're trying to appeal to emotions.
"I never had fun."
"When we were dating?!"
Dating? Are you talking about the few times we formally met and had tea together to pass the time before we got married?
That was definitely the time when our relationship was at its best. Leandro treated me with respect, and I didn't know the true colors of him and the Cassius family.
He said, scratching his cheek.
"I'm not good at expressing it, but I still like my wife the same way. It turned out that way, but..."
It was a very unpleasant comment.
"Are you telling me to believe that? You didn't like me."
"No! I married you because I liked you, and I still like you, so I don't want to divorce."
"What is love in an arranged marriage?"
Leandro calmly responded to my sarcasm.
"I'm sorry to say this, wife, but there are many families like Wallace. But you are the only woman I have considered as a wife."
That plausible deception reminded me of a fact I had briefly forgotten.
Now that I think about it, Leandro doesn't know that I know the internal story of this marriage. So, he probably thinks that lie will work on me.
"There's a reason you chose Wallace."
Because I didn't even bother to show it. It wasn't necessary.
"The abandoned mines in Andala."
The man's expression clearly hardened.
"Because Liena wants to own the abandoned mine owned by Wallace. That's why you married me."