divorce chapter 18

Everyone murmured their agreement, each suggesting potential soulmates within their sphere of influence for Lennard. Lady Schneider was the ideal candidate. Finding a young noblewoman from a family with a suitable title, but without ambitions in central politics, was proving difficult. As Edwin watched the nobles and church officials vying for the chance to provide Lennard with a soulmate, an idea struck him. “Let’s address the pressing matter first. Aren’t we here today to discuss Lennard’s deployment to the East?”

The Emperor’s lips curled into a smirk. “Ed, Lennard needs a soulmate before we can send him anywhere.”

“Don’t worry about that.” Edwin’s words sharpened the gazes of both the Emperor and Yulia. He and Lennard had their backs against the wall. If things didn’t work out with Estelle, he was prepared to send Benedict to handle the situation in the East.

“I’ll make sure it’s taken care of.” Edwin deliberately projected an air of confidence, a relaxed smile playing on his lips.

***

It was an ordinary day. Estelle was reviewing documents in her office when Nina announced her mother’s arrival. “Miss, the Countess is here.”

“Mother?” Unannounced visits always boded ill, especially when they involved her mother, who vehemently disapproved of her business ventures, coming directly to her office.

“Welcome, Mother.” Estelle greeted her with a polite nod. Her mother scanned the office, her gaze sharp, searching for flaws. Finding nothing to criticize, she remained silent.

“Please, have a seat.”

“Very well.” Her mother, lips pursed, sat on the sofa. Its superior quality compared to the one at home surprised her.

“What brings you here today?”

“Well, I have something to tell you, and something to give you.” Her mother attempted to compose her expression, but her gaze remained fixed on the wall behind Estelle’s desk where a plaque commemorating the successful wedding of the Crown Princess hung.

Feigning ignorance, Estelle opened the envelope her mother handed her. “A mandatory conscription notice?”

“Yes. You no longer have the Duke to exempt you from your duties.”

“Oh…” Estelle had completely forgotten. All adult Awakened and their soulmates were obligated to serve on the battlefield once a year. In the original story, Lennard and the other male leads had helped Sierra close all the gates at once, ending the war with the monsters. However, with Lennard rejecting Sierra, the original storyline had shattered, resulting in unforeseen consequences. I didn’t intend to change things this much. Sighing, Estelle stared at the conscription notice. “There’s no helping it. I’ll have to go.”

“See? Marrying him would have solved everything.” Her mother seemed unconcerned with the potential threat to Estelle’s life. Her eyes darted around the room, taking in every detail.

“Your office is quite impressive, I must say.”

“Feel free to visit anytime.” Estelle offered the empty platitude, managing her mother’s presence with practiced patience. With her expectations of her family long gone, this was the best she could do. Every conversation since her business had taken off had been an exercise in endurance, her stomach churning each time they casually asked for money. Refusing them only brought her pain, as she was still under her father’s care. But her last shred of patience finally snapped at her mother’s next words.

“It’s so nice, perhaps your brother could work here with you? Or better yet, since you’ll be marrying soon and having children, you could just hand the business over to him entirely.”

“What?”

“Don’t you see, Reynolds is always at home with nothing to do. Working in such a fine office would surely…” The rest of her mother’s words faded into background noise. How could she suggest such a thing? Estelle had poured her blood, sweat, and tears into building this business. How could her mother so casually suggest handing it over to her brother?

“The sun is setting, Countess. Perhaps you should be heading back.” Nina, sensing Estelle’s distress, quickly interjected.

“Oh dear, you’re right. I must be going.” Her mother gathered her belongings in a flurry. She firmly believed that a woman shouldn’t be out alone after sunset. The problem was, she tried to force her beliefs on me. When Estelle had started her business and her hours grew later, her mother had reacted with tears, anger, and even slaps. Estelle had won that battle, but their relationship had never recovered. The only time they had been close was when Estelle hadn’t remembered her past life.

“Anyway, think about what I said. Your brother is quite good with people, isn’t he?” Her mother didn’t miss the opportunity for one last jab as she left the office. Suppressing the urge to scream, Estelle forced a smile and saw her mother out.