Life After Divorce (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 9
No one spoke first, and with each tick… tock… a single second felt like a day, yet time flowed like water.
I had been quietly gazing into my teacup when I suddenly lifted my eyes and carefully examined Edmund under the bright lamplight.
Edmund Mipidian—the rightful heir of the Mipidian ducal house, cast down to a mere retainer by his uncle’s scheming.
Captain of the monster-hunting brigade, and soon to reclaim his rightful honor and become the Empire’s sole duke.
A resolute man who had spent nearly nine years in the far north, dispatched to Jedder Forest to exterminate monsters, and only now returned.
It was said that the fortune left by his grandfather grew steadily each year, faithfully swelling with every breath he took.
Even the tale that had made him a courageous and self-sacrificing hero among his own people—
the legend of how, at around fourteen, he had charged alone into the cave where a colossal monster dwelled and slain it single-handedly with just a spear—was still widely recounted to this day.
And his appearance—what of that?
Years of campaigning had left his silver hair unkempt, falling to his shoulders, and his untamed, feral eyes scattered an aura of danger and decadence.
So much so that certain women openly adored that very atmosphere.
As time went on and he gradually adapted to the imperial capital, growing more refined, sighs of regret could be heard from many corners.
Though, of course, some still swooned, insisting even that was charming.
“He really is undeniably handsome.”
His tall, well-trained physique and noble features overwhelmed anyone who stood before him.
Was it any wonder, then, that women threw themselves at him like moths to a flame, desperate just once to be held in those arms—
completely unaware of his less appealing qualities.
According to the original story, Edmund was briefly described as fiercely exclusive—a cold-hearted man with neither blood nor tears for anyone outside his inner circle.
Truly, he was a work of art—something to be admired only from a distance.
“Oh, what a waste of such a face, such a shame.”
“……!”
In that very moment, while idly watching his silver eyelashes lower, our eyes met unintentionally.
Startled, I quickly switched to social mode and offered a gentle smile.
“I’ve been in your debt, yet my greeting comes late. I am Etricia Bueil of House Bueil.”
Edmund set his teacup down gracefully and looked straight at me.
“I am Edmund Mipidian.”
I was relieved he accepted my greeting—it meant he at least respected me as Lady Lirien’s guest. Until Lirien reappeared, I’d have to stretch time using the small-talk skills I’d honed over years in my past life.
“It’s an honor to meet you—a craftsman of near-legendary renown.”
“That’s an overly grand reputation.”
“…….”
“…….”
The conversation ended.
“I worry I might have ruined what should have been a touching reunion between siblings.”
“We’ve maintained constant communication through message orbs, so there’s little to call a ‘reunion.’”
“…….”
“…….”
Indeed, it was over again. I bit my lip in the awkward silence.
‘……Why won’t this conversation keep going? It’s not like I was dragged here on some forced blind date.’
I tried initiating small talk several more times, but he remained as impenetrable as stone.
His attitude clearly signaled he had no intention of engaging in idle chatter, so I decided to remain silent—some people genuinely dislike forced conversation.
Just then, in that silence so deep one could hear breathing, Edmund impatiently loosened his cravat.
His rough movement revealed the collarbone peeking through his white shirt.
I quickly averted my eyes, but the image lingered—his bare skin faintly visible beneath the shirt, and that hollow, dewy clavicle that made my throat bob involuntarily.
‘So he hasn’t spent all these years just slaying monsters, has he?’
Edmund unbuttoned another button on his shirt and slowly exhaled before speaking. That sigh sounded strangely dangerous—and undeniably sexy.
“You seem to have grown quite close with my sister.”
I calmly met his gaze, feigning nonchalance despite the odd discomfort in his voice.
He must have been displeased—a mysterious woman, famed for being a reclusive countess, now seen with his beloved sister Lirien.
The fact that he’d hastened his return by five whole days after hearing the steward’s report alone proved how fiercely protective he was of his family.
I smiled as innocuously as possible.
“If it seems that way, please consider it a misunderstanding. It was solely due to Lady Lirien’s gracious nature that I felt at ease. I’d hate to appear shamelessly familiar.”
“My sister permitted it. Please don’t concern yourself, madam.”
“I appreciate that—”
I paused mid-sentence.
The faint smile at the corner of my mouth slowly faded.
‘……Madam?’
Of course, calling a noblewoman “madam” wasn’t technically wrong. But recently in the Empire, it had become an unwritten rule for men to address married women with their full name and house.
Otherwise, it sounded almost as if one were addressing one’s own wife.
“My thanks for rescuing my sister from that overexcited man, madam.”
Just like now.
‘Madam again…’
I felt unsettled by that word reappearing.
Then again, Edmund’s last exposure to etiquette had been nine years ago, and manners had always adapted to the times. Having lived far from noble society, he might simply be unaware.
‘It’s not a strict rule or anything…’
But perhaps it was because those words came from such a handsome man—
those two syllables, “madam,” which Devon had uttered countless times, now sounded strangely unfamiliar and tingling.
Apparently, looks really did carry weight. For a fleeting moment, I even understood why those noble ladies had thrown themselves into his arms, knowing full well he’d reject them.
“So, madam—”
“Excuse me, my lord?”
Unable to bear that word appearing yet again, I finally spoke up.
My ears had grown hot, and the warmth had already spread down to my neck.
Unlike me, Edmund appeared perfectly composed, nodding expressionlessly.
“Speak.”
“Might you consider revising that way you address me?”
One corner of Edmund’s eye twitched sharply.
“…Are you saying my form of address offends you? My etiquette shouldn’t be flawed.”
“Well, theoretically it’s correct—but it sounds as though I’m your ‘madam,’ and that makes it rather… uncomfortable to hear.”
As I added with an awkward smile, his eyes widened. Bewilderment clearly showed in his pupils, trembling with agitation.
An unbearable silence followed.
I slowly lowered my gaze, avoiding his eyes, and bit my lip—already regretting having spoken.
“…I see.”
Edmund blinked once, his usual impassivity returning, and spoke politely.
“I shall correct it as you’ve requested, Countess Bueil.”
“…Yes, that would be best.”
Fortunately, he readily accepted my suggestion.
As another awkward silence settled between us, Edmund was the one to break it first.
“I heard your mansion burned down, leaving you without a place to stay.”
“Yes, I’ve shamelessly imposed upon you.”
“Do you have somewhere else to stay?”
“I plan to rely on my uncle. I can’t ignore Lady Lirien’s kindness, so I’ll just have breakfast and leave the mansion right—”
“Stay here, in this mansion.”
“…Did you just say—?”
“I said you should stay in this mansion until you’ve arranged new lodgings after your divorce.”
For a moment, I thought I’d misheard. I never imagined things would unfold like this.
I’d expected him to give me a look that clearly said, “Finish your meal quickly and get out of my safe zone,” so I could nod politely and flee like a scurrying mouse.
‘But he’s asking me to stay in his mansion…?’
I felt my body temperature drop like my now-cold jasmine tea.
I swallowed dryly and spoke hastily.
“I can’t possibly trouble you further. After all, I’m a woman whose husband is waiting for me.”
“I heard from my sister that you’re preparing for divorce.”
My carefully maintained smile nearly crumbled. Just how much had Lirien told him while I was purifying myself?
“But divorce preparations will be troublesome. I can’t impose—I’ll have guests coming and going, and that would make your mansion chaotic—”
“To someone leading as idle a life as mine, even uninvited guests are welcome.”
…Where had that man forced into a blind date gone? He was now flowing like a serene mountain stream.
I had no idea why he was insisting on keeping me here, but one thing was clear—I needed to avoid this. His gaze, fixed squarely on me, blended the feral look of the predator I’d seen at dawn.
‘Then how about this?’
I lowered my brows, feigning distress.
“But if I—a woman whose husband is still alive—stay in the mansion of an unmarried count, it could stir up scandalous rumors.”
It would tarnish House Mipidian’s reputation in the public eye.
And that, in turn, would harm Lady Lirien—still an unmarried debutante and the family’s young mistress. It was precisely the scenario Edmund would dread most.
Contrary to my expectation that he’d agree, Edmund coldly lifted one corner of his mouth, as if amused by my excuse.
“You needn’t worry about that. Anyone who dares speak disrespectfully will be dealt with accordingly.”
Dealt with…? Dealt with how? As I harbored a chilling question, Edmund added,
“Besides, if Countess Bueil were to flee from here as though running away, wouldn’t it look as though I’d driven you out?”
His tone clearly carried a threat: “Do you really want to paint me as a brute?”
I bit my lip tightly.
‘What should I do?’
Truthfully, I had many excuses at hand—feigning illness, outright refusal—ways to evade the situation.
But before a warrior who’d returned alive from battlefields soaked in blood and gore, my schemes would be nothing but feeble flailing.
He was the kind of man who, once decided, saw things through to the end.
After all, hadn’t he, at such a young age, dared to bargain his very life with the Emperor to reclaim his title?
And now that he’d returned alive from Jedder Forest, he was destined to be named duke after the upcoming banquet—far beyond the reach of a mere countess like me.
Beneath those steadfast eyes, I sensed something ominous lurking, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask him point-blank why he was holding me here.
“Then… since you insist so strongly, my lord, I’ll shamelessly accept your kindness.”
In the end, instinct made me lower my tail. My conclusion: survive for now, flee under cover of night if necessary.
Edmund gave a casual nod. A faint trace of satisfaction barely touched the corner of his lips.
I watched him calmly sip his tea again, my thoughts hazy.
‘Whatever your reason for keeping me in your mansion…’
Hahaha.
‘I’m doomed…’
It felt as if I’d ducked into a tiger’s den to escape the rain—only to have my throat seized in its jaws.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
Chapter Comments (1)
Inline Comments (47)
And so, he’d discovered, to his dismay, that his naive sister had already given
Since you are the male lead, you will give her your heart too. Waiting for that. (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄)
Devon shot up from the bed, still clutching the shoulders of the bare woman besi
Finally the cheating husband appeared. And also in a position of cheating .
"Really? What about the retainer fee? Will it cover five meals a day?"
Weren’t there three meals a day?! Has the number of daily meals increased and I do not know. ♨(⋆‿⋆)♨ 🍴
YOUR COMMENT
2. Inline comments are now available. Tap the end of any line in a chapter to share your thoughts instantly.
Log in to comment.
oh man girl, using your self as bait never goes well! just kiss the man instead