The Ex-Husband Demands Reunion (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 9
The vagrants began hastily scattering from their spots. Even those farther away did the same.
The alley emptied.
A voice shouting from afar could be heard.
“Run awaaay!”
“Uhhhhhhhh!”
A series of loud clatters echoed from the far end of the alley as wooden liquor bottles rolled noisily one after another.
“…….”
Safety was restored in an instant.
Though safety was a good thing, it wasn’t exactly pleasant watching them flee in terror as if they’d seen a demon.
“Are those ruffians avoiding me right now?”
It was a question born of self-consciousness. But Sir Mild’s reply was something else entirely.
“They should’ve groveled on the ground—running off like that is infuriating. Shall I catch those filthy wretches and teach them a lesson?”
He said it so matter-of-factly I was startled.
“No, what I’m curious about is whether they recognize me.”
“As residents of the domain, wouldn’t they naturally?”
“Does everyone know my face?”
“My Lady, you are the mistress of Morris territory—most people do.”
Then, at a five-way intersection, Sir Mild paused briefly, checked his map, and pointed in another direction.
“This way.”
We turned and walked for another five minutes or so.
“I’m hungry, Mama.”
A little girl, about seven years old, leaned weakly against the wall beside the road and whined to her mother sitting there.
“Mama, look—a princess in a red dress is passing by.”
The child pointed at me.
“Princess! I’m so hungry! Please, show mercy—even leftover bread would be fine!”
She started begging right away. Meanwhile, her mother slowly lifted her head.
“Princess? ……Huh!”
The mother gasped in shock, quickly catching her breath and immediately clamping a hand over her daughter’s mouth.
“Hey, hey! Shh! That’s the Countess of Morris!”
Her raspy, strained voice was heavy with the weariness of life.
“Huh? But I’m hungry……. Wait?”
The child, who had been staring blankly at me in confusion, suddenly looked utterly flustered.
Seeing her eyes well up with tears so quickly, she must have realized who I was.
Her mother, now pale as death, swiftly dropped to her knees.
“My Lady, we haven’t eaten anything since yesterday—the child didn’t recognize your highness. Please, forgive us.”
Her voice and body trembled violently.
The child also knelt down beside her mother.
“My Lady, I was wrong. Please forgive me.”
Tears mixed into the girl’s voice. From that, I understood.
Most people living in this domain knew Ellen’s face.
And right now, the child had made a mistake.
These two surely thought they’d just stepped on a landmine.
‘Just how cruelly must Ellen have behaved…’
I sighed inwardly at the sight.
Judging by how they trembled, they’d feel relieved if I simply passed by without saying a word.
Pretending not to see them would be a kindness.
But their gaunt wrists made me pause.
“…….”
‘Is the domain’s situation really this bad?’
If I hadn’t seen those bony arms, maybe I could have walked on—but I couldn’t just ignore it.
I took a silver coin from my pocket and placed it into the mother and daughter’s hands.
“Hurry and go before anyone sees you.”
The woman’s mouth fell open as she looked at the silver coin in her hand.
“Yes?”
“Go buy something to eat.”
“Oh my goodness, thank you! Thank you!”
Still trembling, she repeatedly bowed her head, wished divine blessings upon me, and left the alley.
After confirming they’d safely reached the main road and turning back, I saw Sir Mild looking flustered.
“What’s wrong?”
“……I’ve never seen you give anything to the poor before.”
It carried the unspoken thought: “The wicked mistress couldn’t possibly be this kind.”
‘Oops.’
Of course, I was gradually shifting back toward my original personality—but this time, the character break must have been too extreme.
Even Sir Mild, who was practically an extra, seemed utterly confused.
After a brief moment of thought, I quickly crossed my arms and tried hard to embody the right persona.
“Those filthy things were blocking my path. I just removed them the quickest way because I couldn’t stand the sight.”
Sir Mild’s eyes widened.
“By giving them a silver coin?”
“What else am I supposed to do? The only petty change I have is silver coins.”
I deliberately rolled my eyes.
“Hmm… Maybe I should’ve just told you to beat them senseless and chase them off.”
Sir Mild flinched in surprise and bowed his head to me.
“No, My Lady.”
Just like during tea time—he really wasn’t a villain. He’d only ever followed Ellen’s orders.
I straightened my posture and tensed my neck.
“Just lead the way.”
“I shall escort you.”
.
.
.
A green roof, very pale mint-colored walls, and doors and windows made of oak.
Though small, the recent paint job made its exterior somewhat presentable, and the inside was clean.
But compared to the count’s residence, it was terribly cramped, and the stale smell from long neglect lingered.
There was no proper place to store Ellen’s dresses.
‘Given their struggle to survive, they probably had no choice but to sell the dresses, however unwilling.’
Sir Mild couldn’t hide his bitter expression as he surveyed the house.
“Is this truly one of the residences prepared by the master?”
“That’s what it seems.”
“It’s unbelievable. The master always kept your finances unrestricted.”
“I’d never come here anyway, so it doesn’t matter. In the worst case…”
A hollow laugh escaped me.
“You take the first floor, I’ll take the second. One maid?”
“That’s unthinkable.”
“What’s so unthinkable? If Philip decides to give us this house, we’ll have to live here.”
Furrows formed on Sir Mild’s brow, and dissatisfaction crept into his voice.
“My Lady, you are the proud daughter of a ducal house. I can’t believe such a house is even on the list. I assumed the master would give you another residence.”
Even if it’s hard to believe, in the original story, this is reality.
“Well then… maybe it was added precisely for the worst-case scenario.”
“Even in the worst case, My Lady shouldn’t have to live like this.”
Sir Mild’s voice grew low and heavy.
“You truly intend to divorce the master?”
“You saw me send the papers. What? Do you dislike me divorcing?”
Sir Mild, unable to meet my eyes, flushed slightly.
“The homeland would disapprove of a divorce.”
“And you, Sir Mild?”
“It doesn’t matter to me. I’ll simply fulfill my duty.”
His loyal reply made me smile reassuringly.
“If it doesn’t matter, why do you look so horrified?”
“I dislike the idea of My Lady possibly living in this house.”
“Why?”
“That’s…”
Sir Mild couldn’t answer right away.
It must be an awkward answer.
After pondering a moment, I voiced a sudden thought.
“Ah—after the divorce, will your salary possibly be reduced, Sir Mild?”
Another question occurred to me simultaneously.
“Wait—what’s the situation with your employment anyway? Who pays your salary now?”
“My upkeep allowance currently comes from the budget the master provides to My Lady.”
“So if that budget is cut off, what happens to you?”
“Please don’t concern yourself with that.”
“Huh? How can I not worry?”
Sir Mild took a brief breath.
“Whether or not I receive a salary isn’t important. Regardless, I stand with My Lady. What worries me is the expected quality of life if you end up living here.”
“What? Are you afraid I’ll throw a hysterical fit and get all moody in a place like this?”
He soon let out a small sigh.
“I just don’t want My Lady to be unhappy.”
“Did I look happy back at the mansion?”
“……That’s…”
“No, right? So from now on, I should just focus on living well outside.”
“What? You’re leaving the mansion?”
Sir Mild looked utterly bewildered.
“We’re looking at houses because I intend to move out, aren’t we?”
“Yes?”
“If not, why would I be house-hunting?”
His expression turned dazed.
“Why that look?”
“Well… My Lady loved the master, didn’t you? So you never truly intended to divorce…”
I deliberately brushed my hands together right in front of him.
“Ugh, once divorce papers are filed, that’s it—no regrets.”
“……Yes?”
Sir Mild’s pupils visibly wavered.
“Didn’t you select ‘cancel’ on the documents before sending them?”
“What are you talking about? Why would I cancel? The divorce is final. …Let’s go.”
We exited the two-story house and got back into the carriage.
Sir Mild didn’t immediately climb onto the driver’s seat but stood there blankly.
He looked as if he’d just seen a ghost.
Apparently, my declaration that the divorce was final had shocked him—after all, it meant he might become unemployed.
“Don’t worry, Sir Mild.”
I looked up at the unusually clear blue sky today and smiled confidently.
“Even if I sell every one of my dresses, not a single coin will be cut from your salary. And we won’t live in a place like this.”
Despite my attempt to reassure him, Sir Mild’s expression didn’t change. He merely rubbed his left chest a few times.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just…”
He swallowed hard.
“For some reason, my heart feels strange today.”
“What?”
The knight who’s supposed to remain my loyal right hand even after divorce has a strange heart?
Was the reason he followed Ellen’s orders without regard for his life because he was terminally ill?
“If there’s something wrong with your heart, you need to go to the hospital right away!”
I exclaimed in alarm, urging him.
“Sir Mild! If you’re ill, don’t hide it—get early treatment! Let’s go to the hospital now!”
“…….”
I could see him trying hard to suppress a smile.
“Why are you smiling?”
A faint blush rose on his cheeks.
“I’m happy you’re worried about me. I’m perfectly healthy.”
“But you said your heart felt strange. Aren’t you in pain?”
“……It’s not pain.”
If it wasn’t pain, I had nothing more to say.
“Well then… that’s good.”
I pointed toward the town center.
“The house we live in from now on should be in the heart of the city.”
“Our… house, My Lady?”
“You said you weren’t thinking of retiring or changing jobs, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then since we’ll be living together, it’s our house.”
He snapped out of his daze and quickly hopped onto the driver’s seat.
“……I see.”
Only his broad back was visible, but his shoulders were relaxed and his tone carried clear joy.
Inwardly, I smiled contentedly. No matter that he’s a fictional character—he’s remarkably loyal.
Ellen really did pick a good subordinate.
‘Right—one knight, and I shouldn’t give him evil orders that might get him killed.’
“Then I’ll head for the busiest area.”
The carriage driven by Sir Mild headed toward the lively streets.
Thanks to the carriage’s steady pace, the breeze felt refreshing.
I blocked the gradually intensifying sunlight with my parasol and happily looked around.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted men wearing blue scarves passing by, and I recalled the warning I’d given the butler Domingo.
‘You’ll encounter bandits wearing blue masks. Either send a servant to order camellia oil or bring a guard.’
Carefully checking the date, I realized today was exactly when he’d planned to pick up the reserved camellia oil.
“Sir Mild, do you know where Madame Hades’ boutique is?”
“It’s a bit outside the city center.”
“Didn’t Domingo say he’d go there today?”
“The appointment should be around 4 p.m.”
“How do you know that?”
“The maids asked Domingo to fetch a few items from Madame Hades’ boutique.”
“Is he bringing a guard too?”
“I’m not sure about that.”
I had urged him to bring a guard, but just in case, I should stop by. While I’m there, I can also see what items people like.
“Then after lunch in town, we’ll look at a few houses and head there around 4.”
“Understood. What kind of lunch would you prefer?”
“If you know a place that does good fish dishes, recommend it.”
At the fork in the road, Sir Mild turned the horse’s head left.
“I shall escort you.”
The grilled red seabream course at the restaurant Sir Mild and I visited was quite good.
As I ate, I shed tears of quiet joy inwardly.
To think I’m eating an entire grilled seabream—one I normally couldn’t afford!
“Delicious.”
I’d meant to eat quietly, but the exclamation slipped out anyway.
“I’m glad it pleased you.”
But today, Sir Mild’s unusually gentle, cream-puff-like responsiveness to my words stood out.
“Sir Mild, did something good happen today?”
“Yes?”
“You kept smiling softly earlier and holding it back… You seem unusually cheerful today.”
His cheeks flushed slightly.
“Oh, what is it? Just tell me honestly.”
He hesitated, then gave a shy smile.
“When My Lady is happy, I am happy too.”
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.
_____
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Chapter Comments (3)
Inline Comments (27)
A gust of wind rustled black hair. And a pair of very startled purple eyes met m
A gust of wind rustled black hair. And a pair of very startled purple eyes met mine directly.
But Philip wasn’t foolish enough to believe that lie.
Unfortunately, Philip is foolish enough to believe that the truth is a lie.
Philip’s fists had already struck Alexandre’s face and abdomen in rapid successi
Ha! Instead of covering up Eileen’s actions, Philip added firewood to the fire. But the prince really deserves to be beaten. ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ – ˵ ) ✧
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This is a repeat of an earlier chapter, not actually chapter 91 – please fix
This is a repeated chapter.
Repeat chapter