As I recalled those times, anger rose fiercely within me, but I narrowed my eyes slightly and smiled artificially.

“You think that kind of vulgar nonsense is a compliment? You think anything that sounds good is a compliment? Your compliments are violence.”

“What?”

Devon stirred in his chair with a suddenly fierce demeanor. Sensing that this could lead to a long argument, I immediately spoke up.

“Stop talking nonsense and just listen. I came here to give you a gift.”

“A gift?”

“Yes, a gift.”

I smiled brightly as I took out evidence of his infidelity from my bosom and spread it out on the table. Then I poured the drink the bartender had given me right over Devon’s head.

“Ugh!”

Devon, now soaked in alcohol, jumped up in surprise. The ice that had been on his head fell and slid under another guest’s table.

The commotion instantly drew everyone’s attention. I kept my head down and glanced around from the corner of my eye. This place, known as a dating sanctuary for nobles, was also a hotbed for scandals.

“What do you think you’re doing!”

Devon, completely drenched, shook his head and shirt, glaring at me fiercely.

“I told you, I came to give you a gift.”

“What?”

I whispered softly to Devon and then slowly stood up, brushing off the droplets that had splashed on my dress.

Smack-! Then I suddenly slapped Devon’s cheek. Caught off guard, Devon staggered, looking dumbfounded. He seemed unable to believe that I had hit him.

I realized that slapping someone’s cheek unexpectedly hurts the person doing the slapping too. I shook my wrist, feeling a tingling pain in my palm. Devon straightened his head and glared at me with blazing eyes.

“What are you doing…!”

Smack-! But before he could finish his sentence, I struck him again with the opposite hand. The impact felt better this time, and I rotated my wrist with satisfaction.

Devon, not expecting to be hit twice, staggered and clutched his cheek. Judging by the dazed look he gave me, he didn’t seem to comprehend the situation he was in.

I kindly explained the situation to Devon in a lowered voice.

“That was repayment for the favor from before, the gift is separate. Isn’t it abundant?”

Anyone watching would think it was your birthday. Devon only regained his senses when our eyes met.

“W-What do you think you’re doing, you ill-mannered woman…!”

“That’s what I want to ask. How could you do this to me?”

I straightened my back and threw the evidence of his infidelity right in Devon’s face.

As some of the pictures fluttered down and slid across the marble floor to the center, I noticed guests discreetly glancing over.

“I endured Lady Dien’s contempt and verbal abuse while only looking at you. I withstood all kinds of humiliation because of you. Your… there…”

I paused briefly and glanced awkwardly at the area below Devon’s waistband. As people’s gazes followed my line of sight, Devon hastily covered that area with his hands and stepped back.

“Even though there were flaws, I endured… But all this time, you’ve been busy using it with someone other than me. How could you do this? Sob sob.”

I buried my face in my hands as if I had been waiting for this moment.

‘Sad thoughts, sad thoughts…’

I opened my dry eyes wide, but Devon’s ridiculous appearance was so satisfying that I couldn’t bring myself to cry.

Devon, his face burning, only looked around nervously before finally grasping the situation and pointing at me accusingly.

“You cunning…!”

Then, as if he had made eye contact with the nearby bartender, he flinched noticeably. I glanced back slightly to see the bartender glaring at him with narrowed eyes, as if looking at trash that couldn’t even be disposed of.

“W-What are you looking at! Mind your own business!”

As the flustered Devon burst out with vulgar language, people around started criticizing him, saying that one action reveals everything.

Hoo, the bartender sighed patiently and handed me a handkerchief, looking at me with pity.

“Madam, stay strong.”

“Sniff, thank you…”

I lowered my eyes mournfully and accepted the handkerchief, unfolding it with a flourish. Then, sniffling, I pressed my dry eyes against the handkerchief and took a deep breath as if composing myself.

Devon, after hesitating for a moment, deliberately raised his voice for all to hear.

“Y-You’re in no position to criticize me! The entire capital is buzzing with stories about you! There’s no one here who doesn’t know where you spend your nights!”

“Oh, Devon!”

I covered my quivering mouth as if deeply hurt.

“Are you still misunderstanding? I told you that Count Mifidian’s sister took pity on my situation and is letting me stay with her. How could you…”

Ah. I let out a wet sigh and buried my face in my hands again. I heard the bartender muttering something about people only seeing what they want to see.

Unable to turn the tide of public opinion, Devon flared his nostrils, breathing heavily in anger. Judging by the vicious look he was giving me, it seemed like he might lash out at any moment, but he only flinched. He knew that if he acted violently here, there would be no going back.

‘Well, there was no going back from the moment he picked a fight with me anyway.’

I gazed through my fingers at the bar’s walkway, lined with luxurious lighting and marble floors.

‘I’ve garnered enough sympathy, it should be about time for the entrance.’

Just then, a twig-thin man appeared at the bar, his face contorted with anger. As he looked around the interior, his eyes flashed when he saw me.

“Etricia…!”

“Ah, Father-in-law, how did you…”

I pretended to be surprised, dropping the handkerchief and gasping.

It was my father-in-law, Baron Dien. A corrupt nobleman who had retired in splendor after receiving the Emperor’s disapproval for his lobbying and bribery. He had been assigned to manage a small provincial territory and hadn’t returned to the capital for the past four years.

He had avoided facing me except for the wedding ceremony, wary of the Emperor’s attention. Ironically, this allowed Antra and Devon to act more freely.

“Ah, Father…”

Devon backed away with a pale face, his hand sweeping across the bar. Crash-! A glass caught by his hand fell and shattered.

For reference, as the eldest son, he had received thorough early education and regarded his father as an entity he could not defy. Even though he had refused to inherit the barony and became a count as a son-in-law, it would not be easy to break the deeply ingrained mold of his youth.

“Devon! You rascal! Is it true that you committed infidelity! Where could one find such an intelligent and thoughtful child…”

At last, Baron Dien approached with angry steps, roaring like a lion. A menacing aura seemed to emanate from him.

“Devon, you…!”

Baron Dien was about to bellow but flinched when he saw me. He smiled awkwardly and removed his fedora, holding it to his chest. His tone became extremely polite, as if apologetic.

“Oh, it’s been a long time. I didn’t expect to meet under such disgraceful circumstances.”

“How did you come here?”

“Your lawyer informed me through a communication orb, so I came by portal.”

Of course. I had asked Rain Burton to do so before I came here.

I deliberately let out a whimpering sigh.

“Father-in-law, if you heard from the lawyer, there’s no need for explanation. I intend to divorce this man.”

“What?! That, that must not happen!”

“I’m truly ashamed it has come to this.”

I could see Baron Dien’s mouth drying up rapidly, fearing that this might somehow reach the Emperor’s ears.

I smiled faintly and brushed my hair behind my ear, trying to appear delicate and fragile.

“Don’t worry, I’ll explain everything well to His Majesty the Emperor. Well then…”

Before passing by Baron Dien for the last time, I lowered my head to the rigid Devon. A very small voice whispered, audible only to him.

“This is my real gift. Have a deep conversation with your father after so long.”

Then, looking at Devon’s blazing eyes, I smiled brightly and turned away.

Finally, I picked up the fallen handkerchief, politely returned it to the bartender, then shook out my ruffled sleeves to tidy them and leisurely headed towards the entrance.

Crash-!

“Oh, it’s a misunderstanding! Please listen to me, Father! It’s that woman’s scheme!”

“That woman?! You scoundrel, you’re wrong from the very way you address your wife!”

Soon, the interior became chaotic with the father and son’s shouting. Occasionally, Devon’s screams calling my name could be heard.

‘Hah, that’s what you get for messing with me.’

Since the job was finished quickly, I should buy some dessert as an apology to Lilien for canceling our plans.

I headed towards the dessert shop with light, graceful steps, Rail following behind me before I knew it.

After completing his duties, Rail visited Edmond’s office carrying a tray with green grape tarts.

“By tomorrow, there will be extra editions circulating. We’ve prepared rebuttal articles too, so they won’t be able to run their mouths anymore and will stay quiet.”

As he finished his report standing in front of the desk, Edmond pressed the bridge of his nose as if weary.

“Good job. You may go.”

Sensing a lingering presence in front of the desk, Edmond raised a sharp gaze over his hand.

“What else?”

“Aren’t you going to ask anything more?”

“What should I ask?”

“Well…”

At the subtly irritated tone, Rail scratched his cheek and avoided eye contact.

What should he ask, he says. For example, whether there was anything suspicious about the Countess, something like that? Wasn’t he upset earlier when he wanted to accompany her, worried about her saying she would resolve the incident, but was refused?

Rail was puzzled. Though they had been apart for a long time, his master was still cold and calm. He was someone who always maintained composure even in the ever-changing forest, earning the respect and admiration of the knights.

‘But why would such a person, over something like this…’

As Rail tilted his head and discreetly shifted his gaze, he met Edmond’s sharp stare.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

Faced with the fierce look, Rail smiled awkwardly and shook his head.

“No, sir. I’ll take my leave now.”