All I Wanted Was the Alimony - Chapter 28

Verdi narrowed her eyes, as if she couldn’t believe what she had just heard.

“What did you say?”

“I said no.”

“Even though the Grand Duke would surely win the hunt with this sword?”

“I know. But I don’t like another woman giving something important to my husband.”

“What?”

“It kind of gives the impression that something special might develop between you, doesn’t it?”

Verdi narrowed one eye. “Don’t tell me… are you jealous?”

Lucienne could see it clearly.

Verdi was hoping Lucienne would deny it.

If Lucienne denied being jealous, Verdi would have an excuse to hand the sword over to Paello.

Hmph, if you’re going to get involved, do it after I get divorced.

“Yes, I’m jealous. I get very jealous. So why not give it to the Knight Commander instead?”

Lucienne deliberately admitted it with more firmness.

“My husband is so strong that he can win with just a wooden stick or this switch,” she added, turning to Paello with her lips curled up. “Isn’t that right, Your Grace?”

Lucienne waited. She expected him to be dumbfounded by his wife getting in the way and to slightly furrow his brow.

He would regret having asked her permission in the first place.

He likely asked because if Lucienne accepted with gratitude, it would make things look good when he took the sword.

“I see. Very well, madam.”

With those words, Paello’s eyes gently curved. A bright smile appeared on his lips, and he spoke politely to the princess.

“I shall follow my wife’s wishes…”

Paello lightly shook the wooden stick in his hand. “I will hunt with this wooden stick. I’m honored by your offer, but I must ask for your generous understanding, Your Highness.”

Verdi’s face turned even redder. “Ha, the Grand Duchess is so frustrating. Instead of opening the path for her husband and blessing him, she stands in the way.”

But when Verdi saw Paello’s expression, she couldn’t say anything more. Meanwhile, only questions filled Lucienne’s mind.

‘Wait, Your Grace? Didn’t you hear what the princess said? I just blocked your path. Shouldn’t you be upset? It would be normal to get angry. You should think you married the wrong woman!’

Contrary to Lucienne’s thoughts, Paello didn’t look even the slightest bit frustrated. In fact, he seemed relieved.

“As my wife said, the Knight Commander also seems like a good candidate to win.”

“Ha, well… fine. Just don’t regret it.”

In the end, Verdi, unable to hide her irritation, turned away.

Pooooooooo—

Soon, the sound of a horn signaled the start of the hunting competition.

“Hyah!”

“Hup!”

Some participants with decent weapons led hunting dogs and urged their horses into the forest.

Following them were Emilion and Verdi, now dressed in hunting attire.

Having been rejected by Paello, it seemed Verdi had no choice but to give the sword to Emilion.

Since the sword wasn’t hers to begin with, winning was important to Verdi too.

Those who had received weapons from family, lovers, or friends also entered the forest.

Negotiations unfolded among those with awkward weapons. Since many weren’t familiar with the weapons they had, they appeared to be joining forces for the hunt.

The remaining noble ladies sat in small groups, chatting while watching the participants disappear into the woods. Their conversations reached Lucienne’s ears clearly once again.

“Oh my, I was worried about choosing weapons by roulette, but it’s nice to see families cooperating like this.”

“If someone stands as a representative, whether they’re from the Emperor’s faction or the noble faction, they have a chance to claim the hero’s divine sword.”

‘Looks like there are some political factions at play.’

“In this light, Her Highness really is wise. She’s even increased female participation.”

“Truly, everyone is so confident and admirable.”

“Exactly, I’m excited to see who will win.”

“Honestly, the winner will probably be Her Highness or Sir Emilion. They have the best weapons. And Sir Emilion is a swordmaster, so he can cut down anything.”

“Hoho. But you know, Young Lord Vyle said he would catch a fox for me. He even scouted out a den. Even if he doesn’t win, he wants to completely win his fiancée’s heart.”

“Oh my, isn’t that just romantic?”

“Oh dear, actually my husband…”

The chat soon shifted to boasting about husbands and lovers.

“Then I’ll be off, madam. Please rest.”

Paello, who spoke calmly, walked into the forest with Joad.

Left alone, Lucienne turned her gaze to the suddenly quiet atmosphere.

The women who had been watching Lucienne quickly resumed their conversation.

Soon, a middle-aged woman who had been attending to the Empress Dowager approached.

“Grand Duchess, shall I guide you to your seat?”

When she turned around, the Empress Dowager was gazing at Lucienne with sparkling eyes.

If she agreed, Lucienne’s seat would surely be right next to the Empress Dowager.

The moment she sat down, Lucienne would be expected to answer all the Empress Dowager’s questions about Paello.

What Paello did for a living, what he liked, what he disliked, and so on.

‘I don’t even know that myself.’

She had to avoid it. Lucienne raised the switch and replied, “I’m thinking of catching a rabbit for the Empress Dowager.”

“Pardon? You’ll hunt with that?”

“I’m a bit strong. I think I can manage to catch a rabbit. I’ll be going now.”

“I– I see. In that case, wouldn’t it be better to change clothes?”

“It’s fine. I only plan to take a short walk nearby.”

That way, if a gray bear appeared, she could put on a ridiculous strongman show in place of the male lead and earn the ladies’ disapproval. A shift in public opinion would definitely help with the divorce.

Smiling brightly and swallowing her last words, Lucienne headed into the forest.

As the middle-aged woman watching Lucienne’s retreating back returned, the Empress Dowager spoke first.

“Marchioness of Dellas. The Grand Duchess Ronatere went into the forest carrying only a switch.”

“Yes, she said she would catch a rabbit for Your Majesty.”

The Empress Dowager let out a quiet sigh, unable to hide her disappointment. There was so much she wanted to ask Lucienne.

How Paello usually lived, what he liked, what he disliked, whether he had any peculiar habits, and so on.

“More than that, I wish she would sit and have a cup of tea with me and tell me about the Grand Duke.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

Lucienne ventured as deep into the forest as possible. The deeper she went, the more the murmuring voices of people faded, and occasionally, the barking of hunting dogs could be heard.

While looking around, Lucienne spotted a rabbit grazing a short distance away.

Lucienne silenced her steps and carefully approached the rabbit. She intended to pounce quickly and catch it alive.

She was about five steps away.

Sshk!

A dagger flew from somewhere and embedded itself in the ground next to the rabbit. Apparently, they had aimed for the same target.

“Squeak!”

Startled, the rabbit leaped and escaped into the bushes.

“Ah.”

As Lucienne straightened up, a man’s voice was heard.

“Oh no, we missed it.”

When she turned around, a middle-aged man with a thick mustache appeared with a hunting dog.

“Ah, I see now. You’re a noblewoman of mixed demon blood.”

Looking around and pulling the dagger from the ground, he noticed that Lucienne was alone and curled his lips into a mocking smirk.

“Why don’t you go gossip at your seat instead of interfering with my hunt? Do the other ladies exclude you because you’re a demon?”

Just then, another man’s voice came from behind.

“Where are you?”

At that, the mocking man shouted loudly, “Yes, master! I’m coming now!”

Apparently, he wasn’t even a noble.

“Unbelievable. Hey.”

Lucienne called out to him just as he was about to turn around with his hunting dog.

“Come here for a moment.”

When Lucienne beckoned with a finger, the mustached man shrugged.

He had a look that said, ‘What are you going to do?’ so Lucienne abruptly stepped forward and raised her hand.

“You dare to be rude knowing who I am? Are you ready to pay the price?”

“Oh, and what will you do? Slap me as punishment?”

He laughed as if it were no big deal and turned his cheek toward her.

“Sure, I’ll take a slap. But I wonder if the Grand Duke would like a wife who hits people? Wouldn’t it be better to just run back crying and tattling instead?”