When I Asked My Husband for a Divorce, He Said He’d Be Bringing Home a Young Woman, So I Left - 11

The letter requesting a divorce from Ixel was remarkably brief.

I sent it by the fastest courier money could buy.

It stated that due to my illness, I could no longer bear children, and thus, I wished for a divorce.

That I would handle all the necessary procedures, so I asked only for a power of attorney.

That I was grateful for the fifteen years since our engagement, during which he had given me a place to belong.

And that I offered my heartfelt thanks for his continued service to the kingdom, along with my wishes for the future happiness of Ixel and the lands of Ecklund.

I wrote no parting words.

Nor did I mention my remaining lifespan. The only thing that mattered was the fact that I could no longer bear Ixel’s children.

In the end, I didn’t even fill a single sheet of paper, but writing at length would only have invited bitterness, so this was fine.

As I waited with bated breath for Ixell’s reply—whether it would be the power of attorney arriving swiftly or some legal complication delaying things—a letter arrived first from an acquaintance in the royal capital.

The news was that Ixel had petitioned to renounce his title as Duel, and in recognition of his years of service, His Majesty the King had begun arranging an unprecedented reward. This wasn’t mere rumor but reliable information from the royal castle.

She wrote, “I admire you for supporting Ixel, the pride of our nation, all this time. Finally, your newlywed life can begin. I’m happy for you as if it were my own.” But she was the epitome of a noblewoman—her words were never to be taken at face value.

“Even as a Duel, you endured supporting a husband who loved another woman. I could never do that. But your persistence paid off—your husband is finally renouncing his title, isn’t he? And it seems His Majesty is preparing an extraordinary reward! Truly befitting the son-in-law of the king’s foster brother. If this turns out well, don’t forget to share the spoils with me!”

Her letter was a display of self-importance—boasting about obtaining major news before anyone else.

A self-satisfied condescension toward others.

Envy and sycophancy toward power.

A greed for easy profit.

It was so blatant that it was almost refreshing. There was something endearing about her saying it all directly to me, and her transparency made her easy to deal with. That was precisely why she was an acquaintance and not a friend.

Besides, her husband was a civil official close to His Majesty, known for the unparalleled accuracy and speed of his information. Of course, the king wouldn’t keep an incompetent fool who blabbed official matters to his wife in such a position—so the timing and content of any leaks were surely carefully managed.

Given the source, there was an eighty percent chance this was true. Ixel would undoubtedly renounce his title and return home.

Because I had asked for a divorce?

To come back to me?

Why now, of all times…?

My heart pounded loudly.

But then, the long-awaited letter from Ixel arrived—containing only instructions for the steward.

Just as he had ignored my wish for him to return and have children with me, once again, I was disregarded. My foolishly raised hopes were mercilessly crushed.

I really never learn…

“I will return with one guest—a twenty-year-old woman. Prepare the finest room in the estate and ensure she lacks for nothing during her stay.”

Ixel’s handwriting was uncharacteristically rushed.

Ah.

So, Ixel had finally realized his feelings for Charlotte.

And once he had, he must have been unable to sit still.

Right now, Charlotte was still not a Duel. If Ixel renounced his title and married her now, they could still have children together.

Perhaps His Majesty’s reward was a smooth path to marriage with the unharmed Charlotte.

The biggest obstacles were undoubtedly me—his current wife—and my father, who had been entrusted (or rather, dumped with) the task of rebuilding Eklund’s lands by the king. True to his merchant nature, my father never broke a promise once made.

But if the king commanded him, he wouldn’t dare refuse.

Ixel must have asked His Majesty for an “unprecedented reward”—official approval of his affair (with Charlotte).

What didn’t make sense, though, were his instructions to the steward. Did he intend to bring Charlotte to the estate, flaunt their relationship, and then personally deliver the divorce to my face?

But if I were to vacate the room, I’d have to leave first. And if he had just sent the power of attorney, things would have progressed already. Ixel’s orders were baffling.

Had he become so lovesick that flowers were blooming in his head?

A divorce.

Renouncing his title as Duel and bringing home his beloved (Charlotte).

It felt like he was so giddy he could think of nothing else.

I couldn’t imagine Ixel with his head in the clouds—but of course not. The only Ixel I knew was the one who had cherished me.

And I had never wanted to know this version of him.