All I Wanted Was the Alimony - Chapter 17

***

It was a morning with exceptionally fine weather.

Paello, reading a book while drinking coffee in the third-floor study of the townhouse, turned his gaze to the window as the sunlight shone even brighter.

The scenery of the lush green forest and the blue sea stretched along the coastline was nothing short of refreshing.

Perhaps it was the warmth absent in the north, but the mountains and fields were filled with blooming flowers of every kind.

Thanks to that, Paello felt as though he were on a vacation.

Moved by the beauty gifted by nature, he put down his book and approached the window.

The view became even clearer. On the lake in the plains, small boats, gazebos of various sizes, tents for the event, and the imperial flag could be seen.

The boat ride had begun.

Just then, the old butler Sebastian knocked and entered, bowing respectfully.

On the tray in his hand were two letters.

“Your Grace, an urgent letter has arrived from the imperial family. It bears the seals of His Majesty the Emperor and Her Highness the Princess.”

“What does it say?”

Sebastian swallowed dryly. He had clearly stated who had sent the letter.

Yet Paello, as if it were nothing, ordered him to open and read it.

Instead of observing the proper etiquette by facing the palace and opening it himself.

Of course, unless an imperial envoy came directly with an edict, there was no rule requiring such behavior.

Still, Sebastian felt that was what ought to be done.

Regardless, he lacked the courage to correct his master’s decision, so he silently picked up a knife and carefully opened the letter.

“Her Highness the Princess has heard of Your Grace’s arrival. She says a place has been prepared and hopes you will attend the boat ride.”

At the same time, Sebastian harbored some expectations. In his view, the princess had a strong interest in Paello.

Otherwise, there would be no reason to send a separate message when he had already received an invitation.

It would be good if Paello accepted the invitation and strengthened their relationship.

Better than remaining married to that demonic half-breed who lifted a marble table like a sheet of paper to throw out the owner of Colte’s Boutique.

Even if the Grand Duchess was very beautiful, Sebastian honestly considered demons to be monsters, not humans. Half-blood or not made no difference.

Besides, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess hadn’t married for love.

In that case, it would be better for him to cross a forbidden line with the princess and divorce the Grand Duchess.

“I see. And the other letter?”

Paello’s dry reply left Sebastian secretly disappointed. He realized his hopes wouldn’t come true.

‘Well, if he were planning to attend the boat ride, he would have already responded.’

It was a pity, but since it wasn’t an imperial order, there was no need to worry.

He proceeded even more carefully to open the emperor’s letter.

Elegant handwriting on fine paper.

It was in the emperor’s own hand, and his heart swelled with emotion.

‘To think I’m the first to see this.’

Sebastian glanced at Paello’s expression as he looked out the window. He was looking out as if none of this mattered.

Receiving such a letter and not even raising an eyebrow—truly irreverent.

And that’s exactly why Sebastian thought his master was so admirable.

‘Ah, if only our Grand Duke were Emperor instead.’

Instead of being used as a political tool in a marriage with a demonic monster who lifts marble tables like paper.

Just then, Paello turned his head and looked at Sebastian. Only when their eyes met did Sebastian realize he had been lost in thought.

“Ahem!”

Sebastian quickly cleared his throat.

“A place has been prepared for the hunting competition. They hope you will show the valor of the Ronatere territory.”

“I see.”

That was it. Unsure if that meant he would attend or not, Sebastian cautiously asked again, “Shall I send a reply confirming your attendance?”

“Not particularly.”

Paello turned his gaze back to the window. Then, as if he had seen something, his eyes widened.

It was such a rare expression of surprise that Sebastian, startled, covered his mouth with his hand.

Paello always had a blank expression. To see such a look on his face—

Something serious must have happened outside.

“Y-Your Grace. W-What is happening outside?”

At the same time, Sebastian approached the window. Instead of answering, Paello spoke out through the window.

“Where are you headed, madam?”

Lucienne, who had just stepped out of the front door and was crossing the small garden, turned to look at Paello.

She was wearing a beige dress that reached just below her calves. It looked very practical for movement.

In fact, the pitch and tone of Paello’s voice were as flat as usual, and at this distance, an average person might not have heard him.

Though the townhouse was much smaller than the grand ducal castle, there was still some distance between Paello and Lucienne.

But with Lucienne’s exceptional hearing, she heard it perfectly.

She reflexively turned back and then bit her lip upon realizing what she had done.

‘Damn it, I should’ve pretended not to hear him.’

But now that she had turned and made eye contact, there was no helping it.

“I’m going to check out the boat ride.”

“The boat ride?”

“Yes, since Your Grace isn’t going.”

Once she said it, she thought it might actually work in her favor.

‘Wait.’

Now that she thought about it, attending all the events except the final one would be behavior Paello would dislike.

He had said he only planned to attend the final birthday celebration briefly, just to gauge the atmosphere of the imperial family.

‘So that means I’m being the kind of wife who deliberately does what her husband hates? Lucky me.’

Feeling quite pleased, Lucienne smiled and shrugged. “I’m just curious.”

“I… see.”

As expected, Paello looked displeased.

‘It worked!’

Lucienne, feeling even lighter at heart, waved at Paello. “Then I’ll be off.”

Paello, looking a bit dazed, raised one hand in return.

As he watched Lucienne sway happily away, he stared at his raised hand for quite a while.

Seeing this, Sebastian grew flustered and wiped his sweat with a handkerchief.

“What’s the matter, Your Grace?”

“Nothing. It’s just… she’s never acted like that before.”

“Pardon?”

Paello didn’t answer. He silently watched Lucienne’s receding figure and recalled what he’d heard the day before.

***

Just as Paello had returned from visiting his usual information guild and sat down at his desk in the study, a maid came in.

She reported what had happened at the townhouse earlier that day.

The Empress Dowager had sent the owner of Colte’s Boutique. Clothes had been prepared for the events, and the instruction was to choose anything that suited the Grand Duchess’s taste.

It was a gift from the imperial family to welcome Paello, who had accepted the invitation.

To some, it would be an incredible honor, but Paello felt uncomfortable the moment he heard it.

Mary Colte, the owner of Colte’s Boutique, had confidently stated that the clothes she had brought would fit Paello perfectly.

Dresses could be adjusted in size depending on the occasion, so he let that slide.

But his own formalwear had to be tailored. Ready-made clothing for the average man would not fit him at all.

When Lucienne pressed her on that point, Mary had fumbled, saying it was a misunderstanding. But the maid said Mary clearly seemed to know Paello’s measurements.

‘There must be another mole.’

At the same time, Paello recalled Lucienne’s tendencies he had observed so far.

Lucienne, as he had seen, loved beautiful dresses and was not one to restrain her spending.

A woman like that wouldn’t reject the empire’s most beloved boutique, especially when the Empress Dowager had imposed no limits.

Once you receive something, you get entangled.

So even if it meant incurring offense, it was best to refuse. But there was no way Lucienne would turn down such an opportunity. She couldn’t. He would have to refuse the gift of his own formalwear and instead pay for the dresses Lucienne picked separately.

After reviewing the matter, Paello pulled out a blank check.

“How many outfits did my wife choose?”

It was a question to estimate the scale of expenditure. After confirming the number, he would send a reasonable check to Colte’s Boutique.