divorce chapter 8

I smiled slightly at my mother, who had followed me to my room to continue her nagging. There was only one way to stop this. “Here, this is a sapphire from that region. I thought of you.” 

I handed her the sapphire ring I had prepared. Her expression changed instantly, and she playfully swatted my shoulder. 

“Oh, you shouldn’t have!” 

“I thought of you when I saw it.” 

Truthfully, I didn’t feel a strong connection to the Schneider family. Part of it was distancing myself after realizing I was in this novel, but it was also the nature of aristocratic families in this world. A world where sacrificing for the family was expected. If I hadn’t started my business, I’d probably be married by now, waiting for news of Lennard. After Mother left, Nina and I started unpacking. 

“Oh, Miss, did you hear the news?” 

“What news?” Nina, always quick to pick up gossip, had something new for me. “About Duke Verhagen. He still hasn’t taken a consort.” What was that about?

***

Lennard watched the Emperor, standing before him, spitting as he lectured. “What are you planning to do? At this rate, we won’t be able to close the gates due to the lack of manpower!” After losing his consort, Lennard had retreated from the front lines. Lennard himself had said he was fine, but the general consensus was that it was too dangerous to leave him be, considering he was a living bomb. 

Moreover, it was the Emperor himself who had ordered Lennard to step away from the front lines. And now he was saying this? It was ludicrous. 

“I’ve completed my quota for the year.” 

Besides, he’d been the one to volunteer for the front lines; it wasn’t an obligation. “So you’re saying you’ll just leave those gates as they are?” 

“Whether you send more soldiers or hire Awakened mercenaries, that’s the Imperial family’s concern. I’m rather busy, so if you’ll excuse me.” 

He’d endured an hour of nonsensical complaints; he’d done his part. The Emperor could only watch, speechless, as Lennard turned and left. 

“Damn it!” 

He must be looking down on him because he wasn’t Awakened. Gritting his teeth, he called for the Chamberlain. 

“Is there still no news from the Guild?” 

“That club values anonymity, and they don’t keep an entry log, so it’s taking some time.” 

“We must find her before the Duke does.” 

If he could secure the consort the Duke was searching for, that arrogant man would finally bow his head. The Emperor, imagining Lennard’s humbled form, waved the Chamberlain away. 

“You’re dismissed.” The Chamberlain’s face fell as he left the room. He didn’t think it was possible. But if he was ordered to search, he had to at least pretend. 

“How are we supposed to find someone with no name and a vague description?” He muttered to himself, quickening his pace. 

“What are you looking for?” 

“Y-Your Grace.” The Duke’s gaze was chilling as he looked down. The Chamberlain involuntarily flinched. The current Duke Verhagen was notorious, unlike his predecessor. Rumors circulated about the high-ranking nobleman, whispering that he was bloodthirsty because he spent his time on the battlefield instead of in social circles. Some even claimed he remained without a consort because he bathed in monster blood. 

The Chamberlain had dismissed these as bizarre rumors born of jealousy and prejudice against Awakened who fought on the front lines. But today, he decided to reconsider. He’d met countless Awakened, but none exuded the raw, predatory aura that Lennard did. 

“I’ll ask again. What are you looking for?” A chill emanated from him. The Chamberlain trembled, taking a step back. 

“Your Grace.” Lennard turned at the sound of a woman’s voice. A dazzling blonde woman, elegant in her movements, approached with flushed cheeks. Relieved, the Chamberlain bowed to them both and quickly excused himself. Lennard remained, unable to ignore a member of the Imperial family. 

“Your Highness.” 

“Oh, it’s been a while since you’ve been to the palace.” 

“Yes.” The Princess was breathtakingly beautiful, but Lennard felt nothing. ‘Where could she be?’ She’d vanished without a trace while he was out making arrangements for her clothes. Months had passed since he began searching. He frequented the club daily, searching high and low, but found nothing. He’d even collected portraits from every noble family, remembering her mentioning she was from the capital. But she was nowhere to be found. 

Perhaps she was a wealthy commoner.

The thought struck him suddenly, and a sense of urgency filled him. “Your Grace?” The Princess tilted her head, puzzled by the sudden change in his expression. “If you’ll excuse me, Your Highness. Something urgent has come up.” This time, if he found her, he wouldn’t let her go. Lennard hurried away, his fists clenched. He didn’t notice the other gaze that followed him, watching him intently.