“Is there really a way to force a divorce regardless of Theodore’s wishes?”

Her tone sounded as if she were asking why he hadn’t told her earlier if such a method existed.

As she clung to his words and spoke almost pleadingly, the corner of Sian’s lips curved into a smooth smile.

Because no nobles applied for it, young nobles were unaware of this law. It was a method known only to Sian, who had thoroughly studied imperial law under the imperial family.

“Submit an application for marriage annulment to both the Noble Council and the Temple.”

“Marriage… annulment?”

Rachel’s eyes widened.

Marriage was a vow made under the names of the Goddess and the Emperor.

Like marriage itself, annulment required approval from both the Noble Council and the Temple. The procedures were strict, and the conditions were severe.

The reason nobles chose divorce rather than annulment, even though the law existed, was simple.

Honor and pride.

Marriage annulment meant one side had committed a serious wrongdoing. It was humiliating not only for the guilty family, but also for the family that had married into them.

Nobles, who hated stains on their honor, chose divorce instead of annulment, quietly covering up faults and scandals.

As a result, applications for annulment became rare, and its very existence faded into obscurity.

Theodore had already committed loud and public wrongdoing, so there was no need to debate whether the conditions for annulment were met.

Rachel had no birth family whose honor she needed to protect, and there was no reason to care about Theodore’s honor being tarnished.

It was a law made precisely for her.

Rachel looked dazed.

“Marriage… annulment. I’ve never even heard of it.”

“If you doubt it, you may go to the Council or the Temple and confirm the law yourself.”

“No, no. I believe you. You’re the one telling me, Your Grace.”

Rachel covered her cheeks with both hands.

Goodness, marriage annulment!

There could be nothing better. Rather than being divorced from a man like Theodore, it was far better to have never been married to a man like him at all. The situation might not change much, but emotionally, it felt different.

Sian smiled quietly.

“Once you finish your preparations, apply for the annulment review. There will be many documents and the process will be complicated, but it won’t be difficult for you.”

“I understand.”

“Once the documents are submitted, I will ensure the annulment is approved at the time you desire.”

Rachel met Sian’s gaze. His beautiful golden eyes glimmered softly.

It was a declaration. A temptation promising to grant Rachel what she wanted. Confidence that he could make it happen.

Sian de Karsignac.

Perhaps because their first meeting had been as client and guild informant, or because he constantly lowered himself, the overwhelming gap in status didn’t feel very real.

But Sian was a wise and valiant man of the imperial family, someone everyone wanted to elevate as the next emperor.

He was the Emperor’s younger brother who had willingly given up the throne to his ambitious older brother and left the palace, yet remained the Empire’s one and only Grand Duke standing at the pinnacle of countless nobles.

So Graham had been dating the daughter of such an incredible man.

And someday, this man would become her in-law.

Fear came before gratitude.

“…Thank you for the advice.”

“Do you dislike the advice?”

“No. I like it very much. It’s something I never thought of. I’m truly grateful.”

“You don’t look grateful. Your complexion is dark.”

“Um…”

She hesitated, wondering if it was alright to say, then spoke. Her counterpart was Sian.

“You offered to teach Graham swordsmanship, and you’ve shown excessive kindness in many ways. Honestly, it makes me a little afraid.”

Sian’s chest felt as if it had been struck by a blast of snow.

So she felt burdened. He had never considered that.

She was a smart woman—perhaps she suspected that his excessive kindness hid another motive.

“I didn’t expect you to think that way. I had no intention of frightening you. I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s not that. It’s my fault for misunderstanding your goodwill. You don’t need to apologize.”

What should he do? He truly had no ulterior motive.

He simply wanted to help Rachel. There was no clear reason. Even Sian couldn’t properly explain his own feelings and desires.

But he did know how to make Rachel accept his kindness more easily.

“I should have spoken about something else first.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll help you, so you help me as well.”

Just as he expected, light appeared in Rachel’s eyes.

She accepted transactions more easily than kindness. That realization made him both glad and a little sad.

“What should I help you with? I’ll do what I can.”

“There’s nothing you need to help with yet.”

“Yet?”

“Just promise that when I need you, you won’t refuse, and you will stand on my side and help me.”

It was a strange request, but Rachel nodded for now.

“I understand.”

It was more comfortable to owe a debt she could repay someday than to receive kindness with no price.

Still, she couldn’t imagine what she could possibly do to help Sian. As a Grand Duke and a guild informant, he surpassed her in connections, information, wealth, power, and force—everything.

‘Well, since he’s superior in every way, maybe there will be a moment when he needs the hand of someone lacking like me.’

With that conclusion, she ended her thoughts.

Rachel smiled softly, and Sian smiled as well.

“Then I’ll prepare the reward, assuming you will proceed with the annulment.”

“Thank you.”

“And one last thing.”

“Yes?”

“As you know, you must become happy. That will be the greatest and cruelest revenge against Count Elrosa.”

Be happy?

She had never thought about that. Rachel’s only goals were to separate from Theodore and to connect Graham with Dolorasa as in the original story.

Sian spoke as if it were a passing remark and casually changed the subject, but the word “happiness” lingered in Rachel’s mind for a long time.

Around the time Rachel left the Grand Duke de Karsignac’s estate and began preparing the annulment documents, papers arrived at Jane’s house.

Jane’s youthful face turned pale as she broke the seal on the luxurious paper and read.

[Notice

It has been confirmed that Kal, who worked as a butler for the Elrosa Count family, secretly embezzled the family’s assets.

The individual has confessed to all charges, and the Noble Council has confirmed that the evidence collected matches the confession.]

“W-What is this supposed to mean?”

Kal was a diligent and kind man. Even if he suffered loss himself, he would never harm others.

Moreover, Jane and Theodore loved each other, and Kal knew that well. There was no way such a man would steal from Theodore’s family.

It was true that Theodore had given Jane money and expensive gifts. Sometimes she asked for them, and sometimes Theodore sent them of his own accord. That was all.

Jane didn’t know that this money and these gifts came from embezzled assets.

She simply thought that since he was a count, he must have plenty of money, and accepted what he gave her.

“This is ridiculous.”

The shocking contents continued.

[…]

Kal is scheduled to be imprisoned in the Council prison for 150 years.

Until the end of the imprisonment period, visits and memorials will not be permitted.

The assets Kal embezzled from the Elrosa Count family will first be reclaimed by the Tax Administration Bureau.

After settling the unpaid taxes, the remaining amount will be sent to the Elrosa estate.

“How can the sentence be 150 years? My father is only forty! And they’re taking money he never even stole? Why? Why does he have to be punished so severely for a crime he didn’t commit?!”

What Jane had done with Theodore at the banquet was shameful, even by her own standards.

Theodore had said he was preparing an important banquet. He bragged that sneaking Jane into the hall would be easy.

She followed his instructions, wore a servant’s clothes, and slipped inside the banquet hall.

She pretended to work and then met Theodore at the place they had agreed on.

The music, the beautiful hall, the alcohol, her handsome lover—everything was perfect.

Love flared, boiled over, and Jane gave herself to Theodore.

She never dreamed they would be discovered.

It was embarrassing and humiliating. Even if it had been a proper relationship, it would have been shameful—but Theodore had a wife.

Jane hid away and cried for days. She was hurt that her boyfriend didn’t contact her, but her father comforted her, saying he must be in a difficult situation too.

She wished they could have stayed that way until her heart settled and things quieted down, but unfortunately, Kal had a job.

“I’ll be back soon. I’ll take care of urgent matters at the estate and then take a long leave. The master will understand. Doesn’t he care about you?”

She didn’t want to be alone, but there was no choice. Kal was someone who looked after the home of the person he loved.

But Kal, who said he would return soon, never came back. Days passed with no news. As she waited, thinking this wasn’t like him, this thunderbolt struck.

Pacing anxiously around the house, Jane finally prepared to go out and left.

She had to meet Theodore. She had to hear the whole story from him.

Jane hated the Elrosa Count’s estate. It was the home of the man she loved, but also the place where the wicked woman who blocked their love lived. It felt like a witch’s tower imprisoning a prince.

But even so, she had to go.

‘Something must have happened to Theo. He definitely can’t come to me because of that witch.’

She went to the Elrosa estate and requested a visit. If the witch was there, she would be turned away—but if Rachel happened to be absent, she might be able to meet Theodore.

Fortunately, her visit wasn’t rejected. Relieved, she clutched her chest and entered the estate.

Thinking she would finally see her lover again, her heart fluttered. The sorrow, frustration, and fear she had endured surged up all at once.

Creeeak—

But when the massive door opened, the one who appeared was the witch.

“Hello, Jane. We’re not exactly close, yet we meet quite often.”

At the sight of Rachel standing confidently with her arms crossed, Jane was struck with fear.

‘Wasn’t she supposed to be away? Where is Theodore? Where is Theodore?’

She looked around, but Theodore was nowhere to be seen.

She wanted to run.

No—if she wanted to save Theodore, she had to gather her courage.

“…Good afternoon, Madam. I’ve come to see Count Theodore Elrosa.”

Rachel smiled.

“Why are you looking for your boyfriend here?”

In that instant, Jane realized she had walked straight into the jaws of a tiger.