You Promised To Divorce Me - Chapter 36

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Chapter 36

I succeeded in escaping safely from my family but had not yet received the consent of my father, Viscount Brienne, to marry Lennox.

Whether or not he had read my concerns, Lennox relievedly said,

“We are officially married from the moment the Emperor’s seal is affirmed. Our relationship has already been established since we signed on an ancient magical contract.”

“I know, but I’ve skipped the stage of getting consent from the head of my family and immediately got approval from the Crown Prince.”

Of course, there would be no particular problem because of the Emperor’s seal. However, marriage without the consent of the head of the family was eventually treated as a half-marriage in aristocratic society.

“I would like our marriage to have a perfect completion. I don’t want to get caught up in unnecessary gossip.”

I wanted to complete this marriage neatly, even though it was contractual with a fixed deadline. The plan to divorce in the future remained unchanged, but as long as the marriage was maintained, we promised to enjoy our rights and fulfill our obligations as legitimate spouses. In order to do so, it was necessary to make sure that the first step was taken. Even if it was a little troublesome, it was right for each other’s future.

“I shall contact the house of Brienne, if you wish. There’s no harm in perfecting our marriage registration.”

“It won’t be easy to get an agreement. The house is under a spell.”

“The spell has already failed to achieve its purpose. There is no reason for a sorcerer to maintain the spell any longer.”

“Do you mean the magic has worn out?”

“If I’m correct, maintaining the spell is also quite laborious.”

“That’s a relief.”

It felt like the twisted thread was slowly loosening. If we solved it one by one, wouldn’t the end come one day?

“Lennox.” I called him by his name, which was still awkward to say aloud.

“Hm?”

“Just trying to say it.”

“For practice?”

“Yes.”

His eyes bent into a soft curve. The smile on his sculptured face was breathtakingly beautiful.

“That’s nice to hear. Please practice more often.”

“We’ll see, Your Grace.”

“See, here we go again. Do I have to do something to ask you to call my name?”

“If necessary. Who’s the disappointed one now?”

“I’m going to have to work harder from now on. Since my wife doesn’t trust me, and I want my name to be properly called by her, who has a lot of secrets.”

The attack was well planned. He pointed out Ash’s hidden identity.

I, who was guilty of deceiving my husband, protested timidly, “…Are you going to be this cheap?”

“Don’t do anything if you want to get something. Isn’t that the basis of a strategy?”

I meant that I would gladly use my guilt. I couldn’t help but say a word to that calmness.

“Your Grace, you know you’re very mean, right?”

“Very well.” He was much more brazen than I expected. “I am selfish, arrogant, and self-righteous. You saw it clearly.”

“You say it yourself…”

“Then, shall I say that I’m considerate, affectionate, and kind?”

“No, on second thought, I think you’re well aware. I don’t think you need to correct it.”

Accepting it quickly, Lennox’s beautiful face was filled with a relaxed smile. The smile was so dizzying that it made my heart race. The more I watched it, the more I felt like I was possessed by it.

“Olivia, I feel sick.”

“Pardon?”

Lennox reached out to me. Of course, the back of his hand where Ash pecked him was clean without a trace of injury.

“…It’s alright, is it not?”

“Not that,” said Lennox, tilting his head. “I think I’m losing my mind.”

“Already? You looked cheery a while ago.”

It had been less than a day. Besides, I didn’t feel like I used much energy today.

“I know. Perhaps it’s because your precious, lovely bird pecked me.”

“…”

I had no talent to beat a man who was taking full advantage of that event.

“I’m willing to forgive him as soon as I receive your energy.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes, it is. As soon as it’s over, I’ll take him out of the cage right away.”

It was a tempting offer when I thought of Ash whining that he didn’t like the stuffy cages. Nevertheless, when I felt that I couldn’t trust him, he spoke to me.

“Do I have to swear?”

Somehow, he looked impatient. He seemed to be nervous.

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“All right. Let’s do that.” I decided to accept his proposal and held out my pinky finger.

“What? A finger?”

“It’s a custom in a faraway country, and it’s used to make a promise. You just have to hold out your pinky and swear in your heart that you won’t break your promise.”

Lennox stared at my finger without a word.

“I can give you energy through my fingers as a bonus.”

When I waited still, I became embarrassed and tried to take my hand back.

“I promise.” Lennox extended his little finger to me. His white and shapely finger touched me for a while and soon began to slip slowly, gently sweeping the soft skin between my ring and small fingers.

The sensation of being touched by someone was very unfamiliar. I watched as his long, straight finger encroached on my motionless finger. It was the moment when the roots of the two fingers touched each other. Lennox’s finger wrapped around mine like a snake wrapping its prey.

“…!” I managed to swallow a scream. It wasn’t because I was scared or I hated it. It was just because it…

‘…surprised me.’

It was nothing special, but I felt like I was sitting on fire.

“A promise, is this how you do it?”

“Oh, right. Let’s get started.” I nodded hastily.

It was a simple task to give Lennox the energy of my Epure, but I couldn’t concentrate well. Was it because of the senses transmitted from my finger? Or because of his unwavering gaze?

“Take your time.” My heart pounded as he spoke in his low voice and stared at me with a much deeper gaze.

‘Focus, Olivia.’

Fortunately, I felt the energy flowing through my fingers not long after. At the same time, he let out a low exclamation.

“Haa…”

Lennox’s voice became murky as if he were suppressing something inside him. Somehow, he looked like a person with a terrible thirst. It looked dangerous, but strangely fascinating, at which I stopped breathing. Lennox’s fingers greedily absorbed my energy, as if it were not enough. My heart thumped violently at his strangely savage appearance.

I bowed my head to hide my red face and looked at my hand. After a long absorption of energy, it stopped with a regretful look on his face.

“Is it… done?”

I tried to get rid of it quickly. But he didn’t relax his fingers.

“Lennox?”

Instead, he entwined them like vines and held my finger firmly. As if it was just the beginning. I looked at him in a panic, but he remained firm.

“Lennox, it’s finished.”

Then his strength loosened, and I quickly pulled out my finger. I stood up with a hunch that I shouldn’t be here anymore.

“Then I’ll get going.”

“I don’t think you’ve had enough tea yet.” Lennox pointed at my cup with his chin. The tea, which had not even been half-finished, rippled in the cup.

“It’s alright. Ash will be waiting, too,” I excused myself. It was true that Ash would have been waiting for me to come back and free him. Lennox raised his mouth at an angle.

“Doesn’t your pet bird need more time to reflect?”

“That’s mean.”

At my grumbling, he smiled faintly and stood up.

“I’ll take you to your room.”

Knowing Lennox’s stubbornness, I tried to answer that I could go well by myself.

“It’s just in front of the door.”

“Of course,” he replied softly, bending his eyes and reaching out his hand. I paused for a moment because of what happened a while ago, but soon I carefully lowered my fingers on the palm of his hand. Then his big hand clasped mine, as if it had been readily waiting.

All I had to do was hold his hand. The feeling was astonishingly clear. It was natural that I was nervous to walk beside him in the hallway.

“Can’t I be jealous?”

I didn’t know why I remembered that. I shook my head, trying to shake off my thoughts.

“We’re married, aren’t we?”

No. I can’t think about that, either.

I glanced sideways at the man about one head taller than me. The late afternoon sun had produced a distinct shade of his beautiful features. Deep eyes like bright red jewels, a high nose bridge, and thick lips. Even the smooth skin and sharp jawline. He was truly a terribly perfect man—without a flaw in his appearance.

I thought I could believe that he was a heavenly being, not a human being. I couldn’t believe he was my husband. It was true that our relationship was only temporary and based on a contract, but the fact that I married Lennox had somehow disappeared from my mind.

“…”

Did he feel my gaze?

When his head tilted at an angle, I quickly looked forward. I concentrated on walking as if nothing had happened. The clacking sounds of my shoes grew a little louder.

The mansion of Viscount Brienne was enveloped in curious silence. Even though it was still midday, the door to the mansion was locked shut. The windows were tightly closed and thick curtains were drawn in each room.

Inside the mansion, where no one could enter, there was deep gray smoke piled up to knee level. Richard walked through the deserted place and entered the only room with an open door.

“Lady Carinne.”

The woman with long red hair raised her head.

“Was that everything?”

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