“Haah…”
I sighed as I ate breakfast alone.
A message had arrived via courier demanding that I visit the main estate at my father-in-law’s request.
Calling me out so early in the morning—how inconsiderate!
Still, I could guess what this was about.
◇◇◇◇
“You’re going to divorce Kernes. I’m having him marry Diana.”
As expected, that’s what this was about.
“Utrecht is still a child. Now that Frank is gone, Kernes is the only one who can inherit the earldom. The next countess should be someone of Diana’s rank as a member of an earl’s family, not someone like you from a viscount’s family,” he declared.
I wasn’t surprised, but his audacity left me stunned.
Your son just passed away, and instead of worrying about the grieving family, all you care about is the succession?
“I only allowed Kernes to marry you because he was the second son. I’d never have let a son of mine marry a viscount’s daughter, let alone a woman past her prime!”
My mother-in-law sat quietly in her seat, her gaze vacant. Was she unwell? I worried for her.
“Of course, we’ll pay you alimony since this is our fault. So you’ll divorce Kernes,” he said, placing a divorce agreement on the table.
His words were neither a negotiation nor a request—they were an ultimatum.
“Have you spoken to Lord Kernes about this?” I asked calmly.
“Kernes spends more time with Diana than with you these days. Do I really need to ask him?” he retorted smugly.
I took a deep breath and turned to my mother-in-law.
“Mother, would you mind moving your seat over here for a moment?” I asked her with a warm smile.
“W-What? Oh, alright…” She looked startled but complied, moving to the spot I indicated.
“What are you doing?” my father-in-law demanded, suspicious of my actions.
Without a word, I signed the divorce agreement. Then, I slipped off my wedding ring, crumpled the document with the ring inside, and hurled it at his face.
“Wha—what are you doing!?” he shouted in shock.
I followed up by pouring ink onto his modestly graying crown.
“Wha—!!” he sputtered, frozen in disbelief.
“Oh my, your half-gray hair has turned completely black. You look a bit younger now—though it doesn’t do much for the volume,” I said, feigning concern.
“You insolent—!!” he roared, trembling with rage.
Ignoring him, I offered my final words.
“Thank you for everything during our short time together. Please make sure to pay the alimony promptly, since this situation is entirely your fault!” I said cheerfully, stepping back to avoid any splattered ink.
“Don’t ever show your face here again!!” he bellowed, spitting ink-stained saliva onto the table.
Ah, I pitied whoever would have to clean this room.
“Oh, we’re of the same mind. I’m absolutely delighted at the thought of never having to see your arrogant, bloated face or that slovenly body of yours ever again! Spending even a second more on you would be a waste of my time. Good day, sir! And goodbye forever!!”
BANG!
As I left the room, I gave the door a forceful kick with my foot.
…Crack…
Oh my, a crack appeared right in the center of the door and at the hinges.
Crash!
Hmm? It sounded like something broke inside the room. Probably something quite expensive, considering the furnishings. Such a waste.
Then again, I’m hardly in a position to talk after damaging the door. Ho ho ho.
“I really wanted to settle this peacefully,” I muttered with a sigh, quickly walking away from the scene.
I had fully intended to sign the divorce papers without protest, as I was already planning to request a divorce myself. But my father-in-law’s condescending tone had been so infuriating that I couldn’t help but act out a little.
“Well, at least now I’m free, and Lord Kernes can finally be with the one he loves. Good for him.”
Diana and Utrecht might be a little disoriented for a while, but they’ve already lived together as family, so I’m sure they’ll manage.
Now then… my father and mother might faint when I return home.
“I’d better start packing as soon as I get back to the estate,” I said to myself.
I suppose I should write Lord Kernes a farewell letter, just to be polite.
—And so, our relationship came to an end in less than two months.—
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