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'What... is this?'
I wondered and was about to take the ring off to examine it, when.
"Madam, I'll be entering for a moment."
Just then, a new dish came out.
It was lobster and seafood dishes that I liked and missed very much.
While I was briefly distracted by the food, the sparkling ring had returned to its original appearance as if nothing had happened.
'...Is it just my imagination?'
I thought nothing of it and picked up the cutlery again.
But it wasn't just my imagination.
After returning to the mansion, I checked the jewelry I had.
"...Well, there's nothing that makes a lot of money."
Suddenly, I saw my reflection in the vanity mirror.
Radiant blonde hair and clear blue eyes, a beauty befitting the title of the heroine.
But instead of taking advantage of that appearance, I was dressed in a plain, almost shabby way...
'The frugal Duchess Farnese.'
A compliment that always followed me came to mind, and I chuckled. Only then did I regret living frugally.
'No one appreciates me saving Peidan's assets as if they were my own.'
In the end, what remains is not love or any such emotion, but the things I bought with my own money.
'The most expensive thing is...'
As I was looking through the few pieces of jewelry I had.
Suddenly, something started sparkling inside the jewelry box.
"This is...?"
Inside the jewelry box was a small diamond necklace.
The only memento I have of my mother.
It was something I barely managed to protect from the clutches of my stepmother, who was desperate to take it away.
'But suddenly, what kind of effect is this?'
I rubbed my eyes and looked again, but the necklace was still shining brilliantly.
As if answering that it was the most expensive piece of jewelry here!
'The wedding ring seemed to shine at the restaurant earlier.'
But now the wedding ring had returned to its original appearance.
'This, could it be...?'
Combining the situations so far, I came up with one hypothesis, I put my mother's memento in the jewelry box and closed the lid.
And then.
'What is the most expensive thing here?'
At the same time as I thought that, the wedding ring started shining again.
'I knew it...! My guess was right. This sparkle is telling me what the most expensive thing here is.'
A little while ago, at the restaurant, I thought about what was most valuable among the things I had.
'But there was no such setting in the original story?'
Something that wasn't visible even in my past life, why did it suddenly start to appear?
Startled by the sudden change, I suddenly remembered the situation just before I saw this sparkle.
"The original story? Screw it. This time, I'm going to live the life I really want."
The moment I recalled that determination, something flashed through my mind.
It was a strange thought that seemed like unfounded nonsense, but also like a small hope.
Maybe the moment I denied this novel and resolved to live a new life.
The possibility of going to a different destiny was opened.
Whether that's an opportunity given by God, or an illusion of mine who's gone mad from a repeated life, I don't know.
'If I really can see the value of things...'
This life is going to be very enjoyable?
A smooth arc was drawn on my lips as I clutched the sparkling ring.
After sorting out what would be worth money, a while passed.
My personal maid, Erin, came to my room.
"Pack my bags and put them in the carriage. I'm going to a hotel."
I said to Erin, lying sprawled on the soft bed.
"Sob, Madam..."
"I'm okay, Erin. Really. Hurry up and pack my bags."
Erin, who had followed me from my parents' house, looked like she wanted to say something, upset by my appearance.
I just wanted to lie down on the soft bed for a moment.
'I collapsed and died on the cold prison floor, so how tired must I be from wandering around as soon as I opened my eyes?'
I missed you more than anyone, my bed.
But just as Erin, unable to hide her upset at my appearance, was about to say something.
Peidan burst in without knocking.
"Letitia!"
...Haa.
Can't you just let me rest?
"Are you out of your mind?"
I replied without getting up when I saw Peidan approaching me.
"I don't know what's going on, but at least I'm more sane than you, who brings a mistress into the house where your wife lives."
Peidan sighed at my appearance, and then started a lame excuse.
"I just didn't want to deceive you. My heart has already left, and I'm deceiving you and my feelings―"
"Enough."
I gestured to Erin to pack her bags, then cut off Peidan's words.
It was enough in my past life to waste my precious time on this kind of person.
"Just say what you need to say briefly. I'm about to leave."
"Ha, really, are you crazy? The founding festival hasn't even passed yet, and you're saying you're going to leave the house?"
"I'm thinking of it. Is there any problem?"
Peidan's face twisted nicely at my brazen reaction.
"Are you asking because you don't know?"
Seeing his face, which looked like it was about to burst with frustration, I gave a triumphant smile.
Actually, I know.
Why that human is acting like that.
I had calculated all the reactions and did it.
"Are you thinking of spreading rumors that we're getting divorced all over town?"
"Why not?"
"Why! You know. An announcement of a new project is coming soon."
After the upcoming founding festival, the Farnese Dukedom was planning to recruit investors to work together on a big project.
If rumors of discord between the Duke and Duchess spread at that time, and even talk of dividing alimony came out.
'Investors who seek stability will likely pull out.'
Even though there was such an important thing, why did he recklessly bring up the divorce?
It's obvious.
'He was planning to cut down on alimony while I grabbed his trouser legs and begged. Like a miser.'
But what a pity.
'Unfortunately, Letitia who loved you is dead.'
I wasn't going to move as he wanted from now on.
"If rumors of our discord spread, and even news of our divorce spreads, do you think investors will invest willingly?"
"Well, wouldn't anyone with a brain not do it?"
When I shrugged my shoulders and replied, Peidan's face turned red and purple as if it would burst any moment.
But realizing that he was the one who was in need, he soon softened his expression and lowered his voice again.
"Hoo, Letitia. I know you're upset about this. I understand."
Oh, really.
Cheating bastard, now he's even talking nonsense about understanding me.
"But, Letitia. Adults should act according to the time and place. Don't you think?"
On top of that, even a lecturing tone.
I was worried that he might have come to his senses, but thankfully, he was as usual.
I let out a cold sneer and opened my mouth.
"I don't understand the situation right now."
"What is it?"
"You asked me for a divorce first, and I accepted that proposal. And I even congratulated the two of you. Very generously."
I even reenacted the act of clapping in case he didn't remember.
Peidan hardened his expression as if he remembered the scene properly, but I continued to speak without caring.
"I did everything you two wanted, but you're coming to me now and getting angry?"
"......"
"Then are you telling me to accept the divorce but stay in this house quietly?"
Peidan flinched when I hit the nail on the head.
"If you're an adult who knows this project is important."
I got up from the bed and strode towards Peidan.
"You should have said it according to the time and place. Not like a child who only cares about emotions. Don't you think?"
Returning the words he had said to me.
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