Please Provide Compensation Through Divorce-Chapter 14

“Am I really that bad?”

“…Excuse me?”

Yutten thought to himself, ‘Sometimes, you are really bad.’

His personality was polarizing, to say the least. When he got obsessed with something, he would charge ahead without thinking, often leaving Yutten to clean up the mess.

Today was no different. After the meeting, he had abruptly gone to the Grand Temple, leaving the ministers waiting for tea.

Yutten smiled and replied, “You’re not bad. You are a great and virtuous ruler.”

“Empty words.”

“If you heard the truth, it might hurt your feelings.”

“I don’t get hurt.”

Leto sat up and extended his hand. Yutten quickly handed him the wine. Leto drained the glass in one go.

He frowned, holding the empty glass.

“No, I think I did get hurt a little.”

“…By me? Surely not.”

“I thought I had shown my heart, but she told me to find another woman.”

Yutten was shocked.

“Your Majesty, are you considering taking a mistress? Haven’t you been getting along well with the Empress? Why do something you’ve never done before—!”

Whatever Yutten said, Leto was lost in his thoughts. He shook his head, unable to comprehend.

“She said she trusts me, but then tells me to find another woman. I can’t understand what she wants from me. At this point, it feels deliberate.”

“Your Majesty! This is a serious matter. It could cause scandalous rumors.”

“Quiet. Take this away.”

Leto handed him the empty glass. Yutten, dazed, took it and walked out of the bedroom.

‘This is bad. Just when I thought things were getting better between them…’

It was indeed puzzling. Leto had never shown interest in women before. His marriage to the Empress was purely political.

Yutten stared at the empty glass.

“Whoever she is, she’s quite something.”

He tilted his head, puzzled.

‘She managed to get the Emperor of all people to drink.’

Meanwhile, Leto lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The alcohol made his thoughts clear and intense.

‘I’ve fallen for her. That’s for sure.’

Since when? He didn’t know. It happened before he realized it.

Why? He could list reasons. Her beautiful, determined eyes, her bold personality, her brilliant intelligence.

‘Proof? The proof is crystal clear.’

One: when he thought she had a lover. Two: when she told him to find another woman.

‘Both times, my mood plummeted. There’s no way I’m not in love.’

The problem was, she was adamant about wanting a divorce. As if they had married just to get divorced.

Soon, a good woman will come into Your Majesty’s life.

Leto sat up abruptly.

“How can she say such a thing?”

He couldn’t understand. They were married, after all. How could she draw such a clear line?

He thought about it repeatedly. But no matter how much he denied it, there was only one answer.

“She doesn’t see me as a man.”

It was a shocking realization. He had never felt such a sense of deprivation in his life.

“Haa…”

Leto fell back onto the bed. The moonlight shone blue through the window. He blinked, staring at the moon.

Could he just ignore these feelings? This might be his last chance to keep his pride.

But…

‘If I could, I wouldn’t be feeling so miserable right now.’

He had no choice.

Leto unconsciously touched his forehead. The spot where Rivia’s fingertips had brushed.

The lines on your forehead.

The face and voice that had whispered so gently. Her soft, warm fingertips. He remembered them too vividly.

“…Damn it.”

A moment later, his face turned red. He sighed again and covered his face with his hands.

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His eyes shone through his fingers, filled with a stubborn resolve. He wouldn’t give up so easily.

“Rivia! Your brother is here!”

The voice echoed outside the office. There was no need to check. It was Sean.

I covered the document I was working on. As soon as I set the quill down, the door burst open.

“My dear sister! How have you been?”

I was used to his exuberance by now. I greeted him with a smile.

“You’re here? Where is Brother Louis?”

“He had business today. It’s just me.”

As expected, his attendants followed him in, carrying large gift boxes.

“I went to the black market and saw so many interesting things. I thought of you and did some shopping.”

“The black market? What did you buy?”

“Dresses made from animal hides, necklaces crafted from purified monster bones, things like that. Don’t take it too seriously. I bought them for fun.”

‘I’ll never wear these. They’ll just add to the clutter.’

But the black market… Maybe…

“I’ve heard they sell all kinds of things at the black market. Do they sell plants too?”

“Plants? They don’t handle those. Maybe meat from animals or monsters.”

“I see.”

“Are you looking for something? If you need something, I can get it for you.”

“It’s a bit difficult to buy. I need it for a remedy.”

I explained the situation. Sean listened intently.

“So, you’re making a remedy for skin diseases? The goddess told you about the plant you need.”

“Yes, something like that. Since you’re here, I was hoping you could find a place with many plants. Wizards often know about unusual things.”

Of course, Parham was also searching the manuals. But I couldn’t just sit and wait.

Then Sean seemed to remember something.

“What about that place?”

“Where?”

“The ‘Forest of the Mage.’ It’s a forest created by a legendary mage centuries ago. She believed the essence of plants enhanced magic power. So, she gathered all the plants in the empire into one forest.”

All the plants in the empire? That sounded exactly like what I was looking for.

“Where is it located?”

“Near the capital. But you can’t go there, Rivia.”

Sean cut me off firmly.

“Why not?”

“The ‘Forest of the Mage’ is a symbol of a mage’s spirit. It’s strictly preserved. Even mages need the guild’s permission to enter.”

“Can’t I go with you?”

“That might be possible. But I’d have to speak to the guild master personally. We’re not on the best terms, but Louis might persuade him.”

Why is Sean always in conflict with people? I didn’t even want to ask. He has a knack for picking fights wherever he goes.

“As royalty, they won’t reject you outright. But you’ll need something.”

“What is it?”

“The Emperor’s approval.”

“Why do I need the Emperor’s approval to go to the forest?”

“If something happens to a royal, it becomes a political issue. The guild keeps the approval as insurance.”

It was a matter of responsibility. The Emperor’s approval meant he would take responsibility.

“Then I’ll get His Majesty’s approval.”

“If he refuses, let me know. I’ll settle it.”

Sean thumped the table with his fist. Seeing that, I decided I should never tell Sean if I failed to get approval.

But lately, Sean seemed odd. He’s the guild’s vice-master. He shouldn’t have so much free time.

“Brother, have you been going to the guild lately?”

“Hahaha, no.”

I knew it.

“I told you, the master and I don’t get along.”

“Sigh… Why?”

I gave in and asked.

“He picks fights over trivial things. I let the newbies drink a bit during initiation, and he calls me an old codger. Wouldn’t that make you angry?”

He is an old codger. No wonder they fought.

Most mages are individualists. They love freedom and hate hierarchy. Even among guild members, they keep their distance.

“An initiation, really? You’re not knights.”

“It’s so heartless. How can you call them comrades if they just leave after work?”

“Really… You never change.”

Sean loves camaraderie and loyalty too much. Unusual for a mage.

It’s a pity. He would have made a better knight.

I need to find a place for Sean to belong. Maybe a mercenary group or something. We can’t let his magical talent go to waste.

The next afternoon.

I summoned Parham to my office. He was excited about the ‘Forest of the Mage’ but also expressed concern.

“Your Majesty, are you really planning to go there yourself?”

“That’s my intention.”

“Even if you go with your brother, I’m worried. A forest that large is bound to attract monsters. And I’m not sure the Emperor will permit it.”

“The Emperor will allow it. It’s for the empire’s benefit.”

“What? No, Your Majesty. He will worry about your safety first.”

I would have laughed this off before. But after my visit to the Grand Temple, my perspective changed.

Leto cares deeply for his people. You can see that with Parham. And it seems I’ve entered that circle too.

He wouldn’t have worried about me otherwise.

Parham smiled slightly.

“Well, His Majesty isn’t an easy type to understand. Especially with his perpetually angry expression.”

“He said he’d work on it.”

“…Excuse me?”

His eyes widened.

“Is it that surprising?”

“I’ve served him since he was the Crown Prince, but I’ve never heard him say he’d change anything.”

That stubborn man, indeed. I hid my smile by sipping tea. Parham asked cautiously.

“There’s a rumor in the palace. That you two went to the ‘Empress’s Garden.’ Is it true?”

“Oh, yes. It’s a wonderful place. See, I brought a rose from there.”

I pointed to the glass vase on the table. The rose was still fresh. Parham smiled warmly.

“You two must be getting along well.”

“We just took a walk.”

“The ‘Empress’s Garden’ is a special place. Even the Emperor rarely goes there unless it’s significant.”

“Oh.”

‘I knew it was special, but I didn’t realize to this extent. Why did he take me there?’

After a long discussion, Parham left just as night fell. I planned to skip dinner, but Lady Marais insisted. She said my health depended on it.

I was heading back to my office to finish some paperwork when Lady Marais stopped me.

“Your Majesty, it’s time for you to go to your bedroom.”

“What? I’ve eaten, but I still have work to do.”

Lady Marais smiled.

“Tonight is your conjugal night. You need to prepare.”