Please Provide Compensation Through Divorce-Chapter 27

Shawn covered his mouth with his hand. Louis looked at me, concerned.

"Livia, are you alright? You didn't look well during the final match."

The final match... That was when Leto confessed to me.

Or should I call it a confession?

"I like you, you know that."

It was more of a declaration. Three things were clear from it.

First, that he liked me.

Second, that he knew I was aware of it.

Third, that he wouldn't pretend otherwise anymore.

There was no escape.

So I said, "I didn't hear you." More accurately, I meant, "I'll pretend I didn't hear it."

It was a bit harsh. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel bad. But it was better than giving him false hope.

"No, I was just surprised the match ended so quickly."

"Was it? Did I finish it too quickly? Hahaha!"

Shawn was full of himself. Just then, the captain of the guard approached us.

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

"Ah, Captain."

Shawn straightened up. The captain spoke to me in a formal tone.

"Your Majesty, there will be an initiation ceremony for the new vice-captain. May I take your brother?"

"Hey," "new vice-captain," "brother."

All referred to Shawn. The captain must be in a tricky spot. Shawn was both a mage, his subordinate, and the Empress's brother.

'Let's clarify the hierarchy a bit.'

"Feel free to take him. And he's no longer my brother but your subordinate."

"...Understood!"

The captain bowed respectfully. He then addressed Shawn.

"Shawn, if you understand, come on."

"Yes, Captain."

The captain left, and Shawn shrugged his shoulders.

"Ah! I'm so looking forward to the initiation ceremony."

"You brat, all you think about is drinking."

"You don't get it, Brother. It's a time for men to bond over drinks."

"Alright, go on then. But don't drink too much."

"Got it, Livia."

Shawn happily ran off to join the guards. They all looked less than thrilled.

"I'm not sure he'll manage well."

Louis seemed worried.

"He'll adapt better than in the mage guild."

"I hope so. But Livia, I've heard you're getting along well with His Majesty these days."

"We should get along. We are married."

We had been getting along well until half an hour ago. But I don't know about the future.

Leto must have been upset.

"Today, His Majesty will also attend the initiation. You should head back first."

"Alright. Will you join me?"

"Yes. It's been a while since I escorted you."

We left the training ground together. As I turned my head, I noticed Leto among the guards, and our eyes met.

'Was he watching me?'

He turned away, expressionless.

'So this is how it is.'

I looked down at my sleeve. I remembered the surprisingly delicate touch of his hands.

...I felt conflicted.

"It's complicated."

Leto muttered, his face flushed. He had drunk well past his limit.

The initiation was held at the royal banquet hall. It was late at night, but the guards' cups were continually refilled, as was Leto's.

"What's so complicated, Your Majesty?"

Shawn clung to Leto, drunk out of his mind.

Leto frowned and pushed Shawn's forehead with his finger.

"You're drunk."

"So are you, Your Majesty."

"...Yuton."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Yuton helped Shawn to his feet. Leto paused, his face twisting.

"Yuton, sit Shawn over there."

"Over there, in the corner?"

"Yes."

Yuton followed orders and moved Shawn to a corner table. Leto got up and went over to him. He patted Shawn's shoulder.

"Hey, Shawn. Get a grip."

"Ugh— Oh? Your Majesty!"

"If you know who I am, pull yourself together. I have something to ask you."

"Yes! Ask away!"

"Lower your voice."

Leto poured himself another drink and downed it in one go.

"About Livia."

"Li—via? My lovely sister?"

"Yes. Your lovely sister. Do you know if Livia has any plans... for the future?"

Shawn blinked, not understanding the question.

"...Never mind. I shouldn't expect much from you."

Leto rubbed his temples. He poured and drank another glass. Tonight, the alcohol went down easily.

"Your sister is complicated, you know."

He had shown enough of his feelings. It was hard to be more explicit.

She didn’t have to accept his feelings right away. After all, he had once tried to kill her.

But couldn’t she at least acknowledge them?

"I'm sorry. I couldn't hear anything because of the cheer."

Her response had been shocking. She had made even his confession seem like it hadn't happened.

'Even rejection would have been better. This is too much.'

His mind had gone blank. He didn’t even remember how he had finished the award ceremony. When he came to, he was sitting in the banquet hall.

'Why is she being so cruel? What kind of life does she want after our divorce?'

Just then, Shawn mumbled,

"Livia is a pitiful child."

"What?"

"Livia must think she’s not good enough for Your Majesty."

"...Explain."

"The Matrion family has always produced many mages. Brother Louis and I were born mages too. But Livia... she was ordinary. A lovely child, but ordinary."

The Livia Shawn was talking about was the Livia who had died. Leto's expression darkened.

"Since childhood, Livia asked our parents when she would become a mage. And at some point, she realized the truth and... was very disappointed. That gentle and kind girl..."

'A gentle and kind girl.'

Leto poured a drink for Shawn.

"Hey, Shawn."

"Yes..."

"You don’t really know your sister."

"What? That's impossible. Who knows Livia better than me?"

Shawn drained his cup. Leto sighed briefly and changed the subject.

"Anyway, the current Livia is an excellent Empress. It doesn't matter if she isn't a mage."

"Childhood scars don't fade easily!"

Shawn slammed the table. He was too drunk to act otherwise. Leto muttered,

"I'm drunk too. To tolerate listening to your drunkenness."

"Someone who has felt their own incompetence can't easily forget that feeling."

Leto’s eyebrow twitched. It applied to him as well.

'He speaks truth when he's drunk. I thought he was a fool.'

"So... before asking about her plans, shouldn't you help her gain the confidence to make them?"

Thud.

With that last grumble, Shawn collapsed onto the table and started snoring. Leto stared at the top of his head.

"...Incompetence."

Leto called Yuton and pointed to Shawn.

"Send him home to the Matrion estate."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Leto quietly stood up. As he was about to leave the banquet hall, Yuton hurried over.

"Your Majesty, where are you going?"

"...I can't take it anymore."

"Excuse me?"

"I need to get drunk."

"Excuse me?! What are you planning to do?"

Yuton tried to follow him. Leto turned and pointed a finger at him.

"Follow me, and I'll kill you."

"Done!"

I set the pen down. The desk was neatly stacked with approved documents.

'I'm proud. It's been a while since I finished my work so neatly.'

Yes, work is the best remedy when there's a lot on your mind. It passes the time and is productive.

"Whew... It's already night."

I looked out the window. The lights from the banquet hall were still bright.

'Leto must still be there.'

I couldn't forget the look on his face. Was he very angry?

Knock, knock.

The door creaked open. It could only be Lady Mare at this hour.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

"Ah, madam. I was just about to go to my bedroom."

A large hand suddenly appeared through the door crack.

"...!"

'What? That hand?'

The hand grabbed the door and slowly pushed it open. The person who appeared was none other than Leto.

His face was flushed with heat, his eyes slightly unfocused, his movements slow.

'...This is bad. He's drunk.'

"Your Majesty? Are you alright?"

I approached him. The smell of alcohol was strong. How much had he drunk?

He didn't seem to need support. He was standing upright, glaring at me resentfully.

"I need to call Sir Yuton."

As I tried to leave, he collapsed into my arms.

'Oh my God. He's so heavy. And hot.'

But I also felt sorry. I hadn't expected him to be so upset.

I gently patted his back.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm not drunk."

"Coming here at this hour means you're drunk."

"I said I'm not drunk."

"You're leaning on me heavily, yet you're not drunk?"

He finally let go of me. Some semblance of sanity remained.

"I just want one thing."

"What is it?"

He suddenly touched my lips. I flinched involuntarily.

"Either be cold."

Then he touched my hand. The one I had used to pat his back. He lifted it slightly.

"Or be kind."

"Are you angry?"

"...No."

He hugged me again. I couldn't bring myself to push him away. I had hurt him.

"I wish I were angry. But I'm not."

"......"

"I came to confront you. But seeing your face, I lost the will to."

"......"

"I'm definitely broken. Don't you think?"

I couldn't say anything. His sincerity and anguish were palpable. It was hard to ignore.

Thump— thump— thump— thump—

Again. My heart was pounding. Afraid he would notice, I took a step back. He let go of me without resistance.

I suddenly wondered.

If Leto weren't the male lead... would I accept him?

He spoke seriously.

"I have a question."

"Go ahead."

"Do you think you're not good enough for me?"

I was instantly alert.

Even drunk, Leto hit the mark. I didn't hesitate to answer.

"Yes."