Author: miturashidango

this chapter is brought to you by mio
as translator, proofreader and editor!

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The rays of the afternoon sun seeped over the massive mahogany walls.

Basked in light, the dragon that had been elaborately carved into the wall seemed to be able to come to life at any moment now.

Among the many drawing rooms in the Berhardt family’s mansion, the walls of the most luxurious drawing room of them all was adorned with ‘Dragon’, the legendary monster that had been defeated by the Order of Ecrestus’ first Holy Knight Commander.

The carving in the wall was also a symbol of pride for the Berhardt family, who had always led the Order of Ecrestus.

There, for the first time in a while, the Berhardt family gathered together and raised their teacups affectionately.

Thump, thump.

Long fingers that were so elegant it was hard to believe they belonged to someone who wielded a sword, tapped the table steadily. The teacup in front of that person had already become cold without ever having touched his lips once. 

At that time, an older woman who had her beautiful thick blonde hair in an elegant twist said quietly, “Your tea has already cooled, Leonon. Rita, could you get us another cup?”

“Yes, if you’ll excuse me.”

With a deft hand, the maid that had been standing by their side brought the cup that had been placed in front of him over to the tray. Only then did that person lift their head up. 

“Thank you.”

An awkward cough followed the end of his sentence. It was because he had finally noticed that all the eyes of his family were now on him.

“Are you waiting for something in particular?” Eliore, who was staring at her younger brother’s neck that had turned red without his knowledge, blinked her eyes mischievously.

“…No.”

“It’s almost time for the postman to come, so it must be the place where the letter’s coming from? You do that a lot these days, you know? Sticking out your neck as if you’re waiting for something, then sinking into depression again.”

Leonon’s older sister, Eliore, was second only to their mother in terms of tact and sensitivity. She quickly noticed his reaction, which wouldn’t have been easy for anyone else to pick up on.

“That’s never happened.”

However, Leonon shook his head resolutely. His formidable acting was also thanks to his experience of suffering from such an older sister since he was little.

Sure enough, seeing as her younger brother wasn’t moved at all, Eliore quickly became interested in something else instead.

“Oh right, I overheard this when I went to the boutique this morning. Apparently, the day before yesterday, Duke Periot’s marriage was finally declared invalid.”

At that moment, Leonon’s fingers twitched. 

“Apparently everyone was worried about how it would cause a huge problem since Duke Periot also stormed the place without having an appointment, but surprisingly, he headed back obediently without making too much of a fuss.”

“It’s definitely because he was in the imperial palace as well. No matter how powerful he is as a duke, he still wouldn’t have been able to act recklessly.”

When Viscount Xavier, who had a gentle look in his eyes, shook his head resolutely, Eliore took the back of her husband’s hand and kissed it cutely as if she depended on him.

Then, holding her husband’s hand tightly, she stuck out her tongue and continued to speak, “The fact that she fled and turned the wedding vows into ashes, how formidable. But just how in the world did she burn it?”

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. It was a natural reaction since the news had long made the normally calm high society noisy with gossip. No matter where you went, everyone had been buzzing about the Duke and Duchess of Chambers. 

“How distressing must it have been. I’m sure she searched for every possible way out,” Duchess Florette Berhardt quietly added, leisurely savouring the fresh tea that was added by the maid. “What a determined and courageous young lady.”

“…Mother,” Leonon opened his mouth quietly at the same time. 

“What’s the matter, Leonon?”

“Have you ever… thought about wanting to burn your marriage vows?”

The Duchess answered her son’s question immediately without a moment’s hesitation, “Of course I have.”

“Pfft.” 

His father, who rarely lost his composure, spat the tea from his mouth at that moment. However, Leonon was still serious and did not waver.

“What does it feel like?”

Handing her husband a napkin with a nonchalant face, the Duchess continued, “When you want to kill someone but can’t?”

“D-Darling…!”

The face of Duke Gale Berhardt, who was a symbol of bravery and was renowned throughout the whole continent but was also known for being clingy to his wife, finally turned pale. 

Nevertheless, Florette merely raised her cup gracefully, “It’s a hundred times better to burn your marriage vows than to become a murderer.”

“Wife, if you think I’ve done anything wrong… could you please at least let me know first?”

Eliore held her stomach and burst into laughter at the teary appearance of her father. 

It was the exact same situation as Viscount Xavier. Unlike their first meeting, where he had been so nervous he couldn’t even look into their eyes properly, he was now completely a part of the Berhardt family.

The Berhardt household had always been harmonious and full of affection for each other. Whenever the family had tea together, the atmosphere was always one that was filled with laughter and joy. 

At that time, a polite knock sounded from the other side of the door. 

Soon, the butler came in politely with a letter that had been placed on a silver tray. 

“A letter has arrived.”

Leonon sprang to his feet at those words. Due to his urgency, the table ended up rattling so violently that the tea was spilt.

“One is an invitation to an imperial banquet to commemorate the empire’s victory, while the other one is…”

He quickly snatched up the letter before the butler even finished his sentence. 

Then, a smile that was as tender and beautiful as a flower bloomed on his face upon confirming who the sender was. 

His family, who didn’t know what the reason for his appearance was, just stared blankly at the scene.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

“Where are you going?” Eliore asked urgently to Leonon, who had suddenly turned his back and was about to leave the drawing room. In her hand was the other letter he had not touched — the invitation to the imperial banquet.

“I’m going to send a reply.”

“What reply?”

There was no answer to her question. Meanwhile, Leonon had already disappeared in the meantime. 

“Just what is it?”

While Eliore was in the middle of grumbling, their father, who was staring at the receding back of his son, murmured to himself, “Just when will that brat find someone who will make him want to protect them with his own life?”

Although he had already retired, and Leonon, who was to succeed him, was filling the role of Holy Knight’s Commander splendidly, his father was still worried whenever he thought about his son.

“Don’t worry about those things too much. After all, you know you can’t force yourself to find those things,” Florette Berhardt replied with a subtle smile. “I’m sure a courageous young lady will appear someday.”

* * *

pls do not share this anywhere or u will always stub ur toe when u walk past a door frame !! this translation has been stolen from mioscorner.com, pls only read there i’m begging u :kneels:

“Good, this much is already very good.”

I smiled at the neatly decorated drawing room.

Not only had all the holes in the wall been repaired of course, but the drawing room now had furniture that was classy yet not extremely expensive, and we even managed to bring out a few sets of pretty dishware as well.

Ever since receiving a reply from Commander Leonon saying that he was grateful for the invitation and that he’d even be here tomorrow, the preparations were now all in place.

Now, the only thing left to worry about was…

「Total shares sold: 34,001 shares.」

“Please, tomorrow please…!”

Please let everything go smoothly tomorrow!

I closed the system window and prayed internally in my mind, then prayed again and again. It was because I was afraid that this area’s tyrant, the hype king, would commit some unexpected act again.

Like Winnard had said, it should be okay to not get a bonus cookie reward, but I shouldn’t let my guard down. 

“Miss, you should head out now. You’ll be running late at this rate.”

Joy came into the room with a shawl at that moment. 

Today was the day I had been invited to a small tea party. Most of the people attending today were regular customers that enjoyed visiting Leah’s store, or nobles who I had the pleasure being acquainted with a few times.

Most of them were from small families that had little to no connection to the centre of high society. Should I say that they were more like nobles who made a living off of the profits from running wineries or raising orchards?

Thus, I was able to accept the invitation without feeling burdened. Since they didn’t know my relation to Periot, nor did they even try to find out who I was either.

I climbed onto the carriage and hummed the whole way to the venue of the tea party. 

I had been stuck in the Dukedom without a single friend for two years, so it was hard for me to believe that I was finally able to go to a social gathering. 

Although it may be a menial daily routine to some, it was a great luxury for me. It was to the point where my shoulders started to tremble unconsciously from the anticipation. 

To think that there would be such a good day in my life. Yes! You’re now an insider, Lorella!

t/n: 인싸 refers to a social butterfly or a popular person. usually attached to people in a certain exclusive circle or who are privy to the latest trends, etc. opposite of a loner and someone who is not up to date with the latest trends

As they were all simple and honest people, I’m sure that we’ll be able to converse over some pleasant topics.

I believed that we definitely would.

Or at least I had certainly believed that to be the case before finding myself sitting in the private room of a salon that was today’s meeting place, sipping tea. 

“Apparently the competition behind the scenes to become Duke Periot’s second marriage partner is already extremely fierce! I heard that a young lady of a high ranking family as well as a princess from the neighbouring family have already sent letters to show their interest in marriage.”

“He’s handsome, young, and sexy. Moreover, he’s done a meritorious deed in the war so it’s understandable that he’d stand out. Although it’s unknown who will be his marriage partner in the end, it’ll still be something to envy.”

“I heard that the Duke likes to wear black leather gloves? Apparently when he sweeps his hair back, it’s super sexy… I really want to see it with my own two eyes, at least once.”

“His Majesty the Emperor said that he’d bestow him a great reward, so the North will only prosper from this moment forward… Just who in the world is the former Duchess for her to even file for a request to nullify the marriage?” 

The women sitting to my right continued to talk enthusiastically. I was the only one who couldn’t get into this hot topic. 

After a few words of greeting, all they had been interested in talking about so far was the handsome and sexy Duke of the North who had recently become single. 

Wait, excuse me. All of you should experience it for yourself first…

But I couldn’t say that. I couldn’t bear to talk and just quietly sipped my tea. 

Then, this time, the women to my left shook their heads. 

“I heard that the Duke is extremely cold. I heard even the servants who have worked in the mansion for a long time can’t speak rashly. Do you really think a man like that would know how to treat a girl well? No matter how good a man is at this or that, being sweet is still the best. Like a man like Commander Leonon.”

“Of course. Sweet, gentle, and perfect in both appearance and character! How good would it be if every man in the world were like Commander Leonon?”

“I completely agree with you. He would probably even pluck a star from the sky for the woman he loves. Oh, when will I ever get to go on a date with someone like that? I don’t know if it will be possible even in my next life.”

Urk.

This time, I was choked by the tea in my throat. 

After all, I couldn’t integrate myself into either group, so I ended up just tilting my teacup to the point of drinking all the tea on the table. 

Someone asked me a question in an interested voice, “What about you, Lorella?”

“P-Pardon?”

“If you had to choose between the two, who would you choose? Commander Leonon? Or Duke Periot?”

“Come to think of it, I haven’t heard Lorella’s opinion yet. It’s exactly four to four right now, so the side you choose will win, Lorella.”

“Oh come on, hurry up and tell us! Do you like sweet or sexy men?”

Everyone looked at me with eyes that seemed to be sparkling. 

“Well, um… I…”

But I couldn’t answer. No, to be more accurate, it was more like there was no way it could be either. 

It was when I was only smiling awkwardly, wondering if there was any way I could avoid the whole situation. 

The lady next to me let out a self-mocking sigh, “Haa, it’s my dream to get a request to dance from both a sweet and sexy man at the same time. But in order for that to happen, I’ll probably need to at least go to the banquet at the imperial palace this time.”

Although she seemed to have tried to change the subject since she became bored while waiting for my answer, she now felt like a saviour to me. 

“The imperial palace’s banquet?”

It was a golden opportunity to not return to the topic of Leonon and Periot, so I asked quickly in order not to miss the timing. 

“Yes, a grand banquet will be held to commemorate our victory in the war. I heard that it’s apparently the largest in the history of the entire Empire? Apparently not only will all the prominent nobles of the capital attend, but also a delegation from the allied nations will arrive as well.”

“Goodness, it must be extremely extravagant.”

“Speaking of that…” 

When I showed interest in what she was saying, she turned to me completely and lowered her voice secretly, “Did you hear that countless guards will be mobilised this time? Apparently it’s ten times more than usual.”

“I heard about that too. They’re going to guard the road from the city wall to the palace without a single gap, right?” A young lady, who was listening next to us, also responded and intervened in our conversation.

It was interesting news for me, who had originally thought that I just had to change the topic. Leaning a little more towards her, I said, “They must be particularly concerned about security since it’s such a large banquet. Since nothing unpleasant should happen.”

But speaking of it, it did seem a little strange. In that case, wouldn’t they normally need to increase the guards on the town square and the main street? Was there a need to guard the city wall or road?

As expected, the young lady who had brought up the topic, accurately spoke about my doubts and shook her head excitedly, “The security around the Imperial Palace is always secure and tight. That day as well, it’ll probably only be a little congested with a dozen carriages at best.”

“Then why are they even guarding the city walls?”

“Because of the Black Snake Guild.”

“What?”

“There are rumours that among the tributes that will be delivered on that day, is one that the Black Snake Guild has its eye on. It was originally the property of the Black Snake Guild, but I heard that they were completely deceived by a foreign country’s royal family and it was stolen.”

“Black Snake… Guild?”

“The Imperial Palace dismissed them as false rumours, but if they really didn’t care about the Black Snake Guild, then they wouldn’t have felt the need to increase their security like that.”

“Just what is the Black Snake Guild?”

I was dumbfounded by the name that I had heard for the first time. But on the contrary, there were eyes that were filled with astonishment everywhere, as if there could be no way I didn’t know about them.

“Goodness, how have you never heard of their name?”

“Oh, I… grew up in a foreign country, so…” 

Thanks to that, I scratched my nose awkwardly and tried to gloss over it naturally. 

“It’s known as the most dangerous guild in the empire. Its very nature is veiled in mystery and it rarely makes contact with people like us, so there’s no way for anyone to verify or check just how dangerous it is.”

“Apparently the head of the guild will do anything as long as it makes money. I heard even placing a hit to kill someone is no problem as well.”

“If anyone gets targeted by the guild leader, that very day is when their life ends. They say that the living hell they put people through is enough to make them beg for death.”

“I heard that even when the Imperial Palace placed a bounty on him, he escaped so smoothly it was as if they were only playing a game of tag. From what I’ve heard, he has a lot of followers, and the people who offer him helping hands aren’t just one or two either.”

Fearsome stories continued to rush in one after the other. Of course, it was also my first time hearing about them too. Since the North was such a remote place and no one had ever told me this sort of information either.

No, but how could a guild leader even have followers?

“Goodness, to think there was such a person in the world. Then I guess he’s some kind of dark lord, right?” While listening to their words diligently, I spoke with considerable strength in my voice, “It’s best not to get involved with such a person for the rest of your life. Isn’t that right?”

Above all, the best way to live life is for it to be simple and long. I also would have liked to live like that, if it weren’t for the shares I had to sell.

As I nodded to myself, I swallowed the resentment that seemed to be rising up inside me again, but then I suddenly sensed something strange. 

Up until just now, they had all been talking as if they were competing with each other, yet now they all shut their mouths, as if what happened earlier had been a lie. Not even one person showed even the slightest agreement with my words. 

“Everyone… what’s the matter with you all?”

For a moment, I couldn’t hide my curiosity.

“…It seems like I want to get involved with him.”

“Pardon?”

 At someone’s small voice, I replied, almost doubting my ears. 

“It’s said that if you catch a glimpse of him even once, you’ll end up squandering your own wealth trying to forcibly make a request that doesn’t exist.”

“I’ve also only heard rumours, but I heard that even his portraits are traded at an exorbitantly high price on the black market… There’s also a rumour that some young lady fell ill with lovesickness and ended up becoming bedridden.”

“If that’s true, I’d also like to get seriously involved, even if it’s just once.”

“Me too.”

“To be honest, I do too…”

The cheeks of the young girls, who were staring into space as if they were bewitched by something, seemed to have a strange flush to them.

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author’s note

between a sweet and sexy man, i prefer a sweet and sexy man.

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naver comments

laiw*****
everyone, leonon has a sweet personality and a very sexy body. so let’s give commander leonon to the female lead and we’ll take the rest for ourselves.

ace1****
i personally thought i preferred obsessed dukes of the north, but i actually think i prefer sexy men who used to be sweet men

i like how their high society gatherings are them discussing who the hottest guy is like twitter stans discussing whose bias is hotter LMAOGLSDKF

next few chapters are mainly focused on periot, leonon and then also explores the black snake guild as well (think imperial banquet arc lmAO)

this chapter is brought to you by mio
as translator, proofreader and editor!

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“I definitely sent them. …Almost every single day without fail.”

At a time when words I couldn’t believe were echoing in my head, the sound of a bell that could be only heard by me continuously rang out as if it couldn’t miss this opportunity to. 

Ding dong!

「‘Trying a taste of the obsessive maniac’ proudly buys 3000 shares.」

「Come on down here~ Just have one bite~ How is it~ It’s tasty right~?」

Ding dong!

「‘That bastard isn’t the male lead, right?’ also refuses to lose and buys 3000 shares.」

「What’s the good in coming and saying those things now? Stop being clingy and fuck off!」

However, the system window that constantly blinked at least for now with the names of friends that I hadn’t seen for a long time as well as the number of shares that were rising as if they were competing against each other didn’t enter my eyes at all. 

“What… are you talking about?”

“It’s just like I said. I sent them whenever I had time.”

Eyes that stared straight at me without wavering even once. Determined and without a hint of avoidance.

“Though I’ve never received a single reply.”

A memory from the past suddenly flashed through my mind. 

Emma, who had always been sensitive and anxious, was in a good mood whenever she received news of her son. Thanks to this, even the servants of the mansion looked forward to Periot’s letter.

Even though the letter wasn’t addressed to anyone in particular, and only contained a few lines about how he was doing recently, as if he had written it out of duty. 

‘That’s why whenever he occasionally asked about the welfare of those in the mansion, everyone was always deeply moved by it.’

Truthfully speaking, that’s why I was always even more upset and aggrieved.

Since I thought that even though we were bound together on paper, my husband still treated me like I was air.

After repeatedly gnawing at my lips, I asked cautiously, “So many letters… could someone have stolen it?”

“Who knows.” Periot’s face became expressionless again, as if he had never smiled in the first place. “What I’m saying is the truth. Though whether you believe it or not is entirely up to you.”

If what he said was the truth, then there was someone who not only stole the letters, but also blocked the servants from telling me about it too. 

I didn’t even have to think it over for very long. Because there was only one person who was capable of doing that. 

A person who thought I was like a thorn in their side. Emma Chambers.

Glancing at him, I quickly changed the subject by taking advantage of the time he took a sip of tea with an elegant gesture. 

“How are the people in the mansion doing?”

Feigning disinterest, I suddenly thought of the maid who was serving me and touched the rim of the luxurious teacup. She was the only one who I had gotten close to in the entire Duke’s residence.

“I think her name was Betty…”

With a slight wrinkle in his brow, Periot seemed to think for a moment before nodding slowly.

“There are no servants who have quit, so she should be doing well.”

He was so cold-hearted that he didn’t even have any interest in how the people around him were doing. I came to realise that fact again.

However, the main point of what I was trying to get at would start to be revealed now. Even with the beating around the bush that I did, there was no way he had no idea what it was about. I opened my mouth cautiously. 

“How is… Mrs. Emma?”

Periot’s jaw twitched for a moment before hardening once more. The furrows at his brow deepened as well.

Moments after, a voice so low it sounded gloomy finally rang out. 

“She is residing in the west of the mansion.”

“Huh…? Why?”

“Because of various issues that occurred during that time.” After a moment, he added in a softer whisper, “Your older brother is held there as well.”

There seemed to be something that lay west of the Duke’s residence. I had almost no reason to go there, so my memory of it was dim. 

The breeding grounds for the hunting dogs as well as a pond, a small annex locked with a big padlock, and…

A stone chamber where people who were no longer in this world now slept.

‘…No way, it can’t be. Come on. I-It can’t be true.’

But at that moment, as if to make matters worse, the surrounding area was suddenly plunged into darkness while the fat raindrops continued to tap noisily at the window drearily. 

“If you’re curious, why don’t you go and see for yourself?”

Boom! Clap!

As soon as he finished speaking, a flash of lightning flashed outside the window as a loud noise sounded. A neat row of teeth shone blindingly white between the lips of Periot, whose mouth was upturned at the corners.

Heok!

Thanks to that, I almost screamed without realising it and bit my lips shut.

“I-It’s alright. Not now… later!”

I waved my hand, trying to calm down my pounding heart. 

Yeah. It’s not a big deal. He just locked them up in a separate building!

…Wait, but could I even say that confinement wasn’t that big of a deal?

Amidst the confusion going on inside my head, I suddenly heard a knock from outside the drawing room. At Periot’s short answer, a person came in and bowed politely. 

It was the officer from before. 

“Apologies for interrupting your conversation. Since it’s getting dark, I thought I’d turn on the lamp.”

Periot’s head slowly turned toward the window, as if he had only then just noticed the loud sound of the rain.

“So it was raining…”

It was when he murmured that in a raspy voice.

Ding dong!

「‘Trying a taste of the obsessive maniac’ buys 1000 shares with a disbelieving heart.」

「If Periot uses a three fold umbrella when it’s raining, you’ll be getting the death penalty.」

 3단 우산: basically an automatic modern umbrella that we have. it’s called ‘three fold’ because the metal framing folds three times

Another reserve death penalty was haphazardly handed out.

No, excuse me, esteemed readers, there are no three fold umbrellas in this place…

However, the image of Periot holding up a three fold umbrella while looking up at the sky with his forehead furrowed was immediately pictured vividly in my mind.

The fact that it was him in that state, and not anyone else, I couldn’t help but think that image was extremely inconsistent with his character. 

“Pfft…”

The chilling and frightening atmosphere suddenly melted into thin air. I desperately clenched my teeth to hold back my laughter.

In the meantime, the officer, as well as the servants of the imperial palace who entered with him, proceeded to light all the lights in the drawing room. While our teacups were being refilled, the officer asked politely, “Duke, if it’s fine, would you like me to bring you a cigar?”

Ding dong!

「‘Trying a taste of the obsessive maniac is anxious this time as well and buys 1000 shares.」

「If Periot smokes, even outside, death penalty.」

“Mmph…pfft.”

Is there any way not to get the death penalty?

At the surprise attack, my lips and fists were tightly clenched as Periot raised his hand slightly in refusal. 

“No, it’s fine.” Then, he directed his gaze at me and asked, “Why are you laughing again?”

“…I didn’t laugh though.”

“You clearly laughed. Earlier on, and now as well.”

“You must’ve seen wrong.”

“You definitely laughed.”

Even though his words were like that, the one who was actually smiling was him, not me. 

A soft and natural smile had spread across his face at some point.

Because the appearance of him smiling was so strange, I found that my gaze kept drifting to him since it seemed too different to his usual self.

While avoiding Periot’s gaze multiple times, of course.

* * *

pls do not share this anywhere or u will always stub ur toe when u walk past a door frame !! this translation has been stolen from mioscorner.com, pls only read there i’m begging u :kneels:

Perhaps because he thought our conversation would go on for longer, the officer visited the room once again with fresh tea. My teacup was once again filled with a deep orange coloured tea with fragrant steam rising from it.

Lifting my cup, I glanced at the floating system window.

「Total shares sold: 34,001 shares.」

It had already exceeded 30,000 shares at some point. 

The last message that was posted was, ‘If Periot drinks honey because of the cold rain, death penalty’. The message came shortly after the officer had said that they’d bring us another tea.

Fortunately(?), Periot was not executed. Since all he had asked for was a strong red wine that was the colour of blood. 

As soon as the officer left, our conversation was cut short and awkwardness descended upon us once again.

‘I should’ve just said that I was going since I finished drinking already…’

Since I had already achieved my goal anyway.

Swallowing my regrets, I fiddled with the memo box on the table. 

I pretended to examine the crystal penholder, but then dropped the pen and watched it roll toward Periot’s feet. 

“Oh…”

While I was flustered, unable to do this or that, he silently picked it up and held it toward me. 

“Th-Thanks.”

Just as I was about to quickly take it and put it back, the second challenge came abruptly.

‘Wait, why isn’t it going in?’

There was no problem when I took it off though. Is this not how you’re meant to put it in?

I tried to put the penholder back into the slot by turning it the other way, but no matter what I did, it didn’t click in place. 

After suffering for a while, a large hand soon came into my view. 

Periot, who took the pen from me, tilted it slightly and pushed it forward in place. At that moment, the pen was fixed into its original position with a thud.

“There’s another thing that is exactly the same as that, you know?”

“Huh?”

“We have the exact same memo box as this one in the reception room of the first floor. Have you ever used it?” Periot still spoke lightly, with both corners of his lips upturned.

That reception room, which was attached to the rear garden and would be cramped if filled with several guests, was instead, extremely luxurious and had an antique feel to it, making it the perfect place to receive important guests.

Each table and every single chair were extremely costly pieces of furniture, with rows of priceless paintings on the walls and even beautiful sculptures that carried a long history with them.

Furthermore, when summer returned to the north, the beautiful rear garden that could be seen through the wide window gave the view and entrancing landscape that seemed like it was a picture.

Therefore, it was Emma Chambers’ pride and joy, a space that would fill her with arrogance. Occasionally, on days when guests with lofty backgrounds come to pay a visit, she would always entertain them with tea there.

Due to that fact, I wasn’t able to come and go freely from that place. The memories of being tormented for days on end after accidentally entering just once were still vivid in my mind. 

When I had no answer at all, Periot frowned slightly, as if finding it odd. No matter how much I agonised over it, I came to the conclusion that I had no choice but to tell him the truth.

“I’ve never used it.”

“What?”

“Because I couldn’t go in whenever I wanted to.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Periot’s eyes trembled greatly. For a moment, a heavy energy that made it as if I couldn’t breathe descended over us. 

The silence lasted quite a long time. 

Discreetly swallowing dryly, I berated myself for not having just kept quiet, but soon, a soft voice seeped through my ears. 

“…And?”

“Huh?”

“What other places have you been banned from?”

“So…”

Can I really say this?

To be honest, I did hesitate a little, but I found it too hard to lie in front of eyes that seemed to be set ablaze.

“The greenhouse in the rear garden… and…”

A place that was filled with beautiful flowers that were in full bloom all year round, something that was rare to find in the cold north.

Emma forbid me from going in, saying that I wasn’t allowed to go in recklessly and damage the flowers with the hem of my dress.

“And?”

“The east hallway on the second floor…”

Emma, who was excessively materialistic and vain, had several dressing rooms that were larger than most bedrooms. It was no exaggeration to say that all the rooms other than her own room which was also located in the east hallway were her dressing rooms as well. 

Thus, she didn’t even like me stepping into that hallway. Of course, even if I was given permission to go freely, I would still reject it in the end.

Since if something was found to be missing, it was obvious who would be blamed as the thief. 

Though of course, these were all things of the forgotten past and had nothing to do with me anymore.  

“Anything else?”

However, Periot, who had a hard glint in his eyes, continued to urge me for answers.

In the end, I had no choice but to go on speaking, as if I was tattling to him.

All the while keeping my dry lips moist with the gradually cooling black tea.

* * *

It was well past two hours when I finally got out of that drawing room.

My resolution to only stay for half an hour had been overshadowed.

“Duke.”

As we stepped out to be seen off by the officer, Periot’s men, who were waiting outside for him, strode up with something. It was a cloak for when it rained. 

I raised my head to look up at the sky. There was still heavy rain pouring down, as if there were a hole in the sky.

As for me, who had only been accompanied by one coachman, I had no choice but to get battered by the rain. It was also because the carriage couldn’t be placed right in front of the door of the attached building due to its structure. 

“Please wait a moment. I’ll bring you something that shields you from the rain.” The officer looked toward me before hurrying back inside. 

“We should head back.”

In the meantime, a subordinate handed the cloak to Periot before retreating as if to get out of the way. Despite the fact that he was also drenched, his deep sense of loyalty toward taking care of him was extremely obvious. 

I fell into shallow agony for a moment. 

Although this is our final meeting, we should still bid each other farewell, right?

When we were able to hold a calm conversation for the first time, he wasn’t as crazy as I expected, and our talk also flowed more smoothly than I expected…

‘Yeah, we should say goodbye. Since you also received his help with the incident with your bastard older brother too.’

Um… but the question was, what to say?

It was awful being together with you, so let’s not meet again? Or, I’ll live well, so you should too?

It was when I was agonising over the same thought over and over again. 

Periot, who had taken the cloak without a word, suddenly turned back around toward me. 

Then, he came toward me and abruptly wrapped both of his hands behind my back.

Before I could take a step back and avoid it, a heavy cloak fell on my shoulders.

“Why are you…”

It was the moment I looked up at him with my eyes wide open in amazement.

“Don’t think that this will be the last time.”

A clap of thunder reverberated in my ears.

“W-What did you say?”

“Didn’t you hear me say it clearly before? That I’d make it so that you’d come back to me out of your own free will.”

Despite his lips being curved in a thin line, his eyes were devoid of any smile.

His unwavering eyes were filled with nothing but me. Like a beast crouching in the dark awaiting its prey.

“…I’ll definitely make it so it’s like that.”

As if he were making a resolution to himself, a steely voice that spat out each syllable sounded in my ears.

“I’ll definitely see you soon, Lorella.”

For a moment, I stood there staring at the large hand that was tying the knot on the cloak. I couldn’t even find any words to say in response. 

You’re going to let me come back to you out of my own free will? How? And by what means? And you’ll even see me soon?

You’re not really going to do something like an actual obsessive maniac… are you?

When I came back to my senses, Periot had already turned around and strode out into the pouring rain. 

“W-What in the world do you mean?!” I shouted loudly at his distant back view, but an answer never returned. 

“Just what on earth are you going to do?!” I shouted again, stamping my feet in anxiety, but Periot never once looked back. 

* * *

The downpour was so severe that it was difficult for someone walking in the rain to even open their eyes against it. Periot was no different, and was quickly drenched from head to toe in moments.

A thin stream of water flowed down his dishevelled hair.

“D-Duke. Just where are you going?!”

As he walked past the carriage and continued onwards, the subordinate rushed to follow behind him. Yet, his footsteps never stopped. 

“Because I couldn’t go in whenever I wanted to.”

“The greenhouse in the rear garden… and…”

They were all the only tranquil and beautiful places in that desolate mansion. 

He didn’t know. That she had been left alone in the cold ducal residence without ever once enjoying any of it.

In any case, perhaps the more accurate way to put it was that he had never tried to get to know about it. 

“D-Duke…!”

Although there was another voice behind him calling for him at the top of their voice, Periot continued to move forward quickly.

With only the terrible downpour pounding at his shoulder painfully.

---

author’s note

tsk tsk

god periot is hitting all the boxes for obsessive ml trope rn IM LIVING also i’m loving periot’s self awareness i hope my man improves on himself for her! but ultimately, i hope our girl is happy and earns a lot of money bc MONEY IS LIFE

this chapter is brought to you by mio
as translator, proofreader and editor!

---

With one hand on the door frame, Periot came in and looked over the officer with a scathing gaze silently for a moment. Handsome features that couldn’t be hidden by his icy expression seemed to be highlighted even greater today.

However, I was so flustered that my eyes almost rolled back in shock.

D-Did he perhaps just hear me cursing him?

…It certainly seems like he heard everything?

No, that’s not the problem right now!

I looked over at the officer hurriedly.

‘You said he wouldn’t come today! You very clearly said he wasn’t going to come today though!’

As if he had noticed my silent protest, the officer shook his head violently with a pale face. Judging from his wild gestures, it seemed like he didn’t know about it either.

“Duke…!”

Perhaps because he didn’t wish for this to happen, the officer suddenly jumped between Periot and I, creating a barrier.

“S-Suddenly appearing without prior notice…”

“Can I not?” Turning slightly toward the officer, Periot spat out in a low voice.

“Well, t-that isn’t the case… but I’d appreciate it if you could make an appointment in advance when you decide to visit next time.”

In the end, the officer, who was overwhelmed by Periot’s intimidating momentum, lowered his head and squeezed those words out quietly.

I jutted out my lip in bewilderment.

No, excuse me?! If even you’re scared, then what should I do?!

Although I wanted to flee like my heart was screaming at me to, I still hadn’t signed the confirmation notice of me having received the confirmation of my annulment without any problems. 

If I knew this would happen, then I would’ve just hurriedly signed it and been on my way! That way I wouldn’t have had to run into this particular person…!

A deep sense of regret suddenly bubbled up from within me.

In the meantime, Periot had lightly pushed aside the officer and was coming closer toward me. Then, grabbing the back of the chair with both hands, he whispered quietly, “Go on, Lorella.”

Although I wasn’t really sure whether he wanted me to hurry up and go on with the signing or continue the backtalk I had been doing earlier…

But thanks to that, I began to come back to my senses.

Right, wasn’t this the Imperial Palace? The organisation that had the highest rank of authority in the entire empire.

In this place, my marriage was officially recognised as invalid. So there was no reason for me to be afraid at all.

Raising an eyebrow, I wrote my name down in one smooth stroke, as if forcefully bringing more attention to the document before me. 

“Then… it’s all been finalised now.”

The officer came over quickly with the documents I had handed over to him and politely opened the door for me. 

Seeing his urgent movements, although it seemed like he wanted to get this awkward and uncomfortable situation over with quickly, in the end, he still didn’t forget what his duty was.

“Duke, as of today, Lorella Mayred now has nothing to do with the Duke of Chambers household. That fact… please remember it well.”

At those words, Periot only jerked one side of his mouth up sharply. As if he had just heard a bad joke.

Then, he calmly crossed his arms and said to me, “Do you not even have time for one final cup of tea?”

“What…?”

“D-Duke.”

I almost doubted my ears for a second. The officer beside me also called out to him with a pale face.

“Isn’t it okay since there’s no law saying that you can only drink tea with people related to your household, and that it’s fine, even if you’re complete strangers?”

It was then.

Ding dong!

「‘Trying a taste of the obsessive maniac’ purchases 1,000 shares.」

「Adding hazelnut syrup to Periot Americano is worthy of the death penalty.」

And without fail, the message window appeared once again.

It isn’t the mood for that right now though!

However, when I saw that shiny system screen, my survival instinct immediately started to twitch. As if I was a gambler who had finally visited the racetrack after a long time, my body started to become restless.

Now that I think about it, wouldn’t this be a great opportunity to sell shares? 

To be honest, I had been neglecting selling shares a little since I had been so preoccupied recently with getting my life together. Besides, a cup of tea with him should be fine since we were in the Imperial Palace.

I nodded toward Periot.

“Alright. It’s not like we can’t.”

I could feel the officer’s shocked gaze on me, but I continued to smile indifferently. “But, only for half an hour though.”

Despite the fairly strict time restrictions, Periot shrugged his shoulders as if he understood. 

Alright. Let’s just sell and leave, nothing more or less than that.

Just for half an hour…!

* * *

pls do not share this anywhere or u will always stub ur toe when u walk past a door frame !! this translation has been stolen from mioscorner.com, pls only read there i’m begging u :kneels:

The officer led us to a separate drawing room inside. 

Although the study earlier was already extremely luxurious, this place was so grand it couldn’t even be compared to that of earlier. 

…It even seemed to have a romantic air to it somehow. 

A red sofa and a tea table adorned with white lace. With a vase on top of it that was filled to the brim with a bouquet of pink roses. 

No way… you didn’t think that there was any room for a reunion between us, did you?

Although it was a rather unpleasant misunderstanding, it wasn’t that important whether the officer thought so or not. Since all I had to do was sell shares right now. 

But speaking of that, what would be the best way for me to do that?

Although being resolved to do so was good, I was still worried because the situation was extremely different to the last.

I couldn’t just force out tears and snot and spit out a cringe comment like, ‘In any case, m-maybe it’s not that I dislike being by your side…’ like I had last time at the County. 

With documents that proved the invalidity of our marriage and a coldhearted signature, that sort of clumsy performance would be of no help to me today. 

Besides, there was also the possibility of Periot seeing through that. Although he was a bastard, he wasn’t an idiot either…

However, esteemed ancestors with messed up eating habits who ate obsessive maniacs may be watching this situation with intrigue, so I really couldn’t just leave after drinking tea either. 

I mulled over this for a while until I felt a strong gaze. When I lifted my eyes, which were only fixed on the teacup in front of me, I made eye contact with him.

A heavy silence descended between the two of us once again. 

‘But why did he suddenly ask to drink a cup of tea together for no rhyme or reason? What sort of wind blew in today?’

Although I had accepted his offer with a clear objective in mind, it was still a mystery as to why Periot had brought it up.

I couldn’t open my mouth easily and sat like a stone statue with my back straight only looking forward.

As a result of that, I had no choice but to observe the appearance of Periot, who sat opposite of me. 

The very first thing that caught my eye was his hand, which was leaning rather arrogantly against the sofa and holding the armrest. Scars littered the back of his hand, as if they were veins.

Although it often slipped my mind because of his pale and smooth skin, those scars made me realise that this was a person who had been fighting on the battlefield for the past two years. 

His hair, which seemed to have been slicked back more than usual, was not at all dishevelled. His black silk shirt matched his exceptionally pale skin wonderfully, and his black vest, which was tailored to fit him, further accentuated his solid chest and broad shoulders. 

On his jacket that was adorned with pearl buttons was exquisite embroidery that could only be noticed if you were looking closely. 

I hadn’t been aware since I had never paid attention to it. However, upon closer examination like this, he seemed to be the type to care quite a lot about his clothes on the inside. 

‘Are you going to go to the imperial palace later?’

Oh, wait, this is the imperial palace.

“…Lorella.”

That was when I heard my name.

Looking up, I discovered that he was looking right at me. 

Those bright black eyes seemed to contain the entire night sky bottled in them. It was when I was trying not to be distracted by those deep eyes that seemed to contain some unknown darkness in them.

“I was wondering if you’ve been well.”

A deep voice that was characteristic to him sounded.

“Ever since that day.”

I still couldn’t open my mouth. Since I hadn’t expected him to bring this up. 

“Judging by your complexion, I’m relieved to see that you’re doing better.”

I was about to say that it was thanks to the fact that he had stopped chasing after me, but I held it in. I didn’t want to be the one to trigger a fight first just because I had mentioned something useless.

“To think you had such a knack for business, I wasn’t aware of that at all.”

“What?”

But this time, an unexpected topic came up. I blinked my eyes quickly. 

How on earth did you know about that?

“…Haa.” A small sigh escaped from my mouth automatically.

I guess I had to take back the idea that I had thought of just now. Since it wasn’t that you didn’t chase me, but that you just didn’t get caught chasing me instead.

“It seemed to be going considerably well. It’s incredible.”

Regardless of whether he knew how I felt or not, Periot praised me with his usual flat tone which was devoid of any resentment.

“Well, it’s… nothing special.”

 Never thinking that I’d hear this sort of thing from him, I ended up bluffing due to the embarrassment.

“I would’ve helped you if you had told me. Feel free to tell me if you need any help later on as well.”

“Oh, that sort of thing won’t happen. Since it’s going quite well.”

After my curt reply, I raised an eyebrow and stared at him.

Although I couldn’t say it right away since I had missed the right timing, I was determined to draw the boundary clearly this time. 

“Like the officer said earlier, you and I are now people that have nothing to do with each other. So you can stop doing those sort of things now.”

“Those sort of things?”

“Sending people to keep tabs on me! Do you know just how unpleasant that feels for the victim of it all?”

Periot blinked slowly, then opened his mouth with a determined voice, “I have never done such a thing before.”

“Liar. Then how do you know about my business?”

“Because one of my subordinates is originally from Aurea.”

“What…?”

“His younger sister was apparently a regular of that place. I heard that they even went to the store together.”

Although our eyes made contact, he never avoided my gaze. There was no sign of lies in his expression, his tone, or his eyes.

“Oh. I-Is that so?”

Thanks to that, I ended up feeling extremely awkward. I was so mortified it felt as if my face were burning up from embarrassment. 

“Don’t tell me you suspected that I had been digging into what you’ve been doing?”

“I-It’s because your words confused me! If you say something like that without any additional explanation, wouldn’t anyone who heard that think in that direction like me?”

I ended up pushing the blame onto him out of shame. Even though it was nothing more than my stubborn persistence in being right, Periot thought for a moment without saying much and nodded lightly. 

“I do acknowledge that. Since I don’t have a talent in speaking well.”

“What?”

I burst out laughing for a moment without realising it. 

“Then are you considered to be perfect if we exclude that point?”

“Isn’t that the case?”

“What are you saying?”

I burst into another round of laughter. Much louder than the one earlier.

Seeing as he had responded without any change in his expression at all, he must’ve truly meant it then. 

That crazy groundless confidence, I guess that was a basic characteristic that was given to Northern Dukes.

No matter how I thought about it, it was so ridiculous that I couldn’t stop the laughter from leaking out. 

“Gosh, I should practise having that much self confidence for myself as well.”

Thus, I gave him a scolding in jest for no reason, but at that moment, I noticed that tips of Periot’s lips had hooked upwards smoothly. 

It was an extremely natural smile, one that I had never seen before until now. 

Unable to hide my shock, my lips fell open slightly. 

However, Periot went on regardless.

“You were also filled with many talents. Not only in business, but in other fields too.”

“What… are you talking about?”

“For example, a talent for making me into a crazy bastard.”

My god, what did he just say?

“You don’t seem to be aware of it yourself, but you’ve always been a crazy guy though?!”

“And you’re also good at cursing.”

“That was also how I’ve always been. It’s just that you never knew before. You know it’s already too late for you to blame it on a fraudulent marriage though, right?”

Perhaps it was because it was my first time facing his smile. I suddenly felt that all of this seemed to feel unreal.

To think that I sat face to face with Periot and had a conversation with him while smiling. Ever since he came back from the battlefield, we’ve raised our voices at each other every time we’ve met. 

I thought he was a crazy bastard, a madman, a psycho. There was a time when I screamed at him to fuck off, and when it was at its most severe, I truly detested him for being so disgusting. 

But talking normally from a calm position, I suddenly felt like this wasn’t the Periot that I knew. Although we still bickered over things, we were still able to communicate surprisingly well…

Perhaps this was all possible because we had nothing to do with each other anymore.

“That’s right, it was a fraudulent marriage.”

At that time, a voice as gentle as the wind passed softly through my ears.

“We hadn’t even spent a single day together in those two years.”

The smile around his mouth had also disappeared at some point. A quiet silence fell between Periot and I once again.

I wonder what the reason was. The silence, which had been so familiar before, came as a rather uncomfortable feeling today. 

“E-Even just exchanging letters, I wish we had even just done that at least.”

Scrambling to find words to say, I blurted out whatever came to mind. As soon as I said that, Periot’s gaze, which had lowered heavily, suddenly turned toward me. 

And those lips, which had been silent all along, opened slowly. 

“I went back to the mansion and pondered over your words.”

“What words…?”

“It was: someone who was on the battlefield for two years and didn’t even bother to send a letter back, and now you want to talk.”

“Oh, that…”

My words were interrupted by Periot, who spoke at the same time as I did.

“I definitely sent them.” 

He whispered quietly in a righteous voice, his upper body slightly leaning toward me.

“…Almost every single day without fail.”

---

author’s note

^_ㅠ

---

naver comments

jane*****
it’s the mother in law it’s 100% the mother in law’s doing. no wait a minute, if you come in like that with such a handsome af face my judgement will be affected oh whatever i’ll buy the damn shares

3es5****
..?but the point i’m angry about is the verbal abuse and imprisonment

NOOO WINNARD COME BACK QUICK BC IM ABT TO SWITCH SIDES AND BUY PERIOT SHARES don’t blame me im fickle like the wind ;-; i am a whore for the misunderstood obsessive ml trope and i eat it up every time despite it being SOOOOO toxic ghLSKJFFDSJDFS

this chapter is brought to you by mio
as translator, proofreader and editor!

---

“…Thank you, please come again.”

My hand that was holding the bill trembled like a leaf that was barely hanging off its branch in the midst of a strong typhoon. I almost let go of it several times because I didn’t have any strength in my hands.

It was also because the customers had ordered a total of six coffees.

It was a task that I never would’ve been able to complete myself if I hadn’t swapped with Leah in the middle.

After the customers left, we were plunged into confusion before we could even properly bask in the joy of receiving our first order.

Leah, who was organising the empty glasses in the now empty shop, tilted her head and asked, “Just what could be the reason? Do you have any guesses, Ms. Lorella?”

“Who knows…”

However, I didn’t have a specific answer.

When asked why we had sold so much and what made the coffee good, the customers had all left in a hurry without even telling us the reason. They had all just said that it was because it was good.

“Although I don’t know what the reason is, I hope everyone will come again.”

I nodded my head at her voice that somehow seemed excited.

Of course, my entire arm still ached to the point of numbness, but I didn’t care if my arm was going to fall off if it meant customers would continue to come back like this.

‘As long as it sells, not even 100 cups of dalgona coffee would be a problem!’

I repeated this mantra to myself, clenching my fist with determination. 

Then a few days later…

My wish actually came true.

* * *

pls do not share this anywhere or u will always stub ur toe when u walk past a door frame !! this translation has been stolen from mioscorner.com, pls only read there i’m begging u :kneels:

The first customer who had come visited the store again the next day. The customer of that customer also came back. Along with new customers, as if they had all made appointments with each other.

The orders were all the same. Dalgona coffee with plenty of condensed milk in ice-cold milk.

“Excuse me, have you finished making my order yet? I only asked for two.”

“I think I ordered first though, so when will it come out?”

And not long after, a bizarre sight of various madams queuing in front of the store soon appeared. Regardless whether it was raining or windy, it never changed.

…Wait, what’s going on here? Why is there such a sudden increase?

But that wasn’t the only strange incident.

“Goodness, I see you’re here as well.”

“Oh my, hello. Don’t tell me… you as well, madam?”

“…yes.”

Customers blushed simultaneously whenever they bumped into someone who they were acquainted with. Even if they made eye contact, wasn’t it just staring into their eyes? 

It was the same whenever I talked to them. When asked why they visited the store, they all avoided my gaze and said that they were just here to ‘drink coffee’, as if they had all agreed on it in advance.

‘Just what is it?’

This wasn’t the only place that sold coffee though.

My curiosity only grew larger.

But more importantly, I could never miss this opportunity.

I dispatched all the maids in the mansion. However, seeing as even that wasn’t enough, we recruited Leah’s acquaintances, and even the priestess that I had been acquainted with at the temple.

It was no exaggeration to say that I had brought together literally everyone that I knew.

Thanks to this, the kitchen was crammed full of people, yet no one said a word.

“Urrk.”

“Mmph…!”

Only desperate groans leaked out from time to time.

“Urgh…”

Having already stirred the whisk for a long time, a groan soon burst from between my lips. My mind wandered while my upper body slumped forward simultaneously. 

After being transmigrated into a strange world, the thing I yearned for most desperately wasn’t fast internet, my phone, a TV, or airconditioning. Instead, it was an electric whisk!

“Miss, are you alright?!”

Shocked, Joy, who was sitting opposite of me and had been rubbing her arm tearily, caught me. “Swap shifts with me, alright?”

“I can’t. I-I haven’t done forty whisks yet…”

“I’ll do it…!” Joy replied solemnly and snatched the whisk from my hand. Then, she closed her eyes tightly and began to stir like crazy.

“Ms. Lorella… there’s a customer outside right now…” Those words flowed out of the mouth of Leah, who was sitting next to me and still somewhat fresh, energetically whisking away. By now, the number of customers that had just come must have increased again, so someone should go out to man the front.

Half pitying myself and the other half agreeing with her words, I clumsily stood up.

And sure enough, once I went outside, there were twice as many customers as before.

“Excuse me, I’d like to order!”

“Could I also order two extra drinks?”

As soon as I appeared, there were shouts from all over the place. It almost seemed like hell.

…Save me.

Almost having audibly screamed, I clenched my lips tightly together.

I forced my numb arm to write down every customer’s order carefully. Then, just as I was steeling myself to return to the kitchen once again, I spotted a familiar face.

It was that same guest that had come on the very first day.

“Excuse me ma’am! Please wait!”

I emptied my coffee and turned around to grab her.

“Oh, hello.” As soon as she saw me, she covered her mouth and let out a sheepish laugh.

“Ma’am, I apologise, but since you’re the most frequent customer, I’m just going to ask you plainly.”

I got to the point with a solemn expression on my face.

“Why do you visit our store so frequently?”

That’s right. Even if my arms falls off when it falls off, I had to find out what the reason was today. Just why there was a sudden rush of people. And just why no one would tell me about the taste of the coffee!

“Is the reason you’re coming because there’s something special about the coffee? Or is there another reason?”

“Um, the thing is…”

Just like how the other guests had, she didn’t answer again this time, simply fidgeting with her fingers and blushing. Nevertheless, I couldn’t afford to back down today either.

“This is something we must know in order for us to keep the store open in the future. So please feel free to just speak frankly.”

At those words, the customer seemed to agonise over something for a moment before shifting her mouth closer to my ear. 

“The truth is… the constipation latte here is an extremely hot topic these days.”

“Oh, right. Pardon?!”

W-What latte?

“I know that’s not what it’s officially called, but everyone has been calling it that after someone called it that.”

Then she waved her hand as if it wasn’t her. 

“Back then, no matter what method I tried, all of it was useless, but after drinking just the constipation latte, the effect was immediate!”

“No, that cons-, that’s not its name…”

“To be honest, it’s also helped a lot of people other than me. That’s why I’ll continue to by again from time to time.”

Thanking me with a bright smile, the madam turned around and disappeared. I… couldn’t bear to chase after her, who was already far away at this point.

Even during that time, the customers kept streaming in. All of them shouted orders for one, two, three cups in front of me.

I see. So that’s why so many people had come and ordered as if they were competing against each other, and while they waited for the coffee, would gaze off into the distant sky with reddened faces…

Fufu, I see.

…Constipation latte.

My eye twitched at that very moment.

I’m a main character candidate too, yet it couldn’t have been anything else?! Why did it have to be XX latte?!

Never had any female lead in any world developed and sold something that helped lavatory situations. Besides, coffee was the ultimate king of elegance and sophistication!

How could I be the only one like this?

Why only me?!

Tears trickled from my eyes yet again.

* * *

Fortunately, my heartache didn’t last for very long.

The cure for it was no different.

It was money.

“Whether it’s a constipation latte or an enema latte, who cares?!”

Why would I care when I was making so much money…!

Oh, if you’re in the middle of eating, I truly apologise.

I bowed out of habit toward the system window that was floating in the air beside me.

Then, I looked back toward the ledger and smiled.

Thanks to XX latte, the increased number of customers began to show interest in other products besides the coffee. For example, products like the cheese balls and fatcarons. 

Because of this, our sales began to rise steadily in a steep curve. To the point where sometimes, other products would be sold out before the coffee. 

Whew, this time I actually feel a strong sense of patriotism.

Furthermore, despite the fact that we decided not to stir the coffee a hundred times, the latte still continued to sell well. The reason being that I now knew from experience that the effect didn’t come from the whipped foam itself. 

Of course, when I finally confessed the truth, a riot almost occurred in the kitchen, but…

Although my shares hadn’t increased and I had instead been attacked by hate comments, I was still extremely proud at the fact that I had achieved these results with my own two hands.

It was a relief that I hadn’t driven someone else’s store to ruin, and the fact that the initially penniless me, was making steady income, although it wasn’t much, also gave me strength.

As the business started to stabilise, not only was the financial situation less suffocating, but I also had more breathing room too.

Thanks to Leah hiring two efficient and friendly employees, I began to show my face at the shop whenever there was a problem or there was something to discuss.

“Fufu.”

Opening my eyes rather late this morning as well, I got out of bed feeling refreshed and opened my large closet.

The once empty space had been filled with luxurious dresses and shoes. 

All of it had been arranged as I couldn’t overcome Joy’s pestering.

The moment the profits came in, Joy called all the designers to the mansion, as if to nag me. She had said that it was the least I could do to break free from the stereotype of a single woman.

I also agreed to some extent, so I spent quite a bit of money on dresses and shoes at first.

And after that, I bought a small gift for Commander Leonon and sent it to him along with a letter thanking him for his help.

Even holding multiple banquets wouldn’t be enough to show my gratitude, but to do that, I would still need more time to prepare.

Rather than waiting until then, I still wanted to express my sincerity, no matter how small of a gesture it would be. I also thought it was more meaningful since it was bought using the money I had earned myself.

In any case, I was looking through the closet with a happy heart, wondering what dress I should wear today when I heard a knock at the door.

“Miss.”

“Mm, come in.”

Joy’s round face poked out from behind the door as soon as I answered. Despite the rainy day today, I couldn’t help but smile involuntarily when I saw her curly brown hair and exceedingly kind grey eyes.

“Did you sleep well, miss?”

“I did, how about you?”

“I did as well!” 

Joy ran toward the bed with a big smile on her face. However, the trembling of her shoulders seemed somewhat different than usual.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen in the morning already?”

“Miss, this arrived today!”

She presented something from behind her as she answered at the same time.

It was the most sophisticated looking envelope I had seen in my life. Although I couldn’t see which household’s seal was on it, I could still tell it was of some sort of importance.

“Where did it come from?”

I had only sent the present to Commander Leonon yesterday, so there was no way he had already sent me a reply…

It was when I muttered something along those lines and flipped it over.

“Heok…!”

My eyes widened to the point they almost popped out as my fists clenched unconsciously.

“Finally… it’s finally here!”

“Yes, miss!” Joy also nodded tearily.

It was a letter from the Imperial Palace.

It could only be the resolution they had come to about my request for my marriage to be annulled that I had sent the other day.

* * *

The day after the letter had arrived.

I was sitting by myself in an unfamiliar building.

Apparently this place, which was located right next to the entrance of the Imperial Palace, was where all the departments that dealt with various civil complaints and the mediation of disputes between the nobility were situated.

Naturally, since it was a building that was attached to the imperial palace, there was nothing that could said about its grandeur. In addition to the grand decorations, even the desk and chair that was in front of me gave off an imposing air.

I sipped at the steaming hot high quality black tea in front of me in an effort to control my pounding heart.

“Thank you for your patience, Ms. Lorella.”

At that moment, the door on the other side swung open, and a man in a crisp cloak appeared. It was the official of the Imperial Palace that I had been introduced to earlier.

“What was the result?”

I sprang up from my seat in a hurry. Despite the fact that I could already anticipate the result, I still couldn’t suppress my trembling heart. 

“Yes, as per my notification earlier, the marriage annulment has been granted. This will continue to be stand in effect unless the Chambers presents the exact same marriage certificate with both your thumbprints on it.”

Oh yeah! This day has finally come!

Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!

I bit my lip as hard as I could to prevent myself from cheering three times.

Seeing my appearance, the officer nodded, as if he could understand how I felt.

“I know how you must be feeling right now. Actually, that’s why I told you that you didn’t need to come here in person either… In addition to the first notice we sent you, we’ll also be sending you a notice on the final results by post as well.”

“It’s alright. It’s an important matter so of course I had to come here personally.”

Since I can’t possibly guess what that psycho would do in the meantime. 

“It’s been hard on you. The same result will be sent to Duke Chambers’ household as well.”

“But as you said earlier, you didn’t receive a single reply from them…”

“It’s probably an indication of their disagreement, but since there’s no validity behind that, you won’t need to worry about it.”

“Oh my, is that so…?”

I blinked my eyes as if I were surprised.

All the while secretly cursing them inwardly, ‘Just who do you think you are to disagree with the imperial court’s decision?!’

“My lady is free now. The Chambers household no longer holds any authority over you.”

Although I tried to keep my composure in my own way, I couldn’t hold it in when I heard that sentence.

“Thank you so much!”

As I became so ecstatic that my shoulders started to tremble, the officer responded with a smile, “You must be relieved.”

“It’s refreshing! From now on, I won’t even put the North in my thoughts anymore!”

The sorrow I had experienced disappeared, as if it had been washed away immediately. I wanted to exclaim to the world just how wonderful this feeling was.

“No! Rather than that, I wish there was only east, south, and west in this world…!”

It was when I raised my voice to the fullest extent, filled with that exact feeling.

“…I guess I should apologise about that.”

A low voice sounded from behind me.

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author’s note

god damn it

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naver comments

saeb****
sister… should i buy you an electric whisk…?

IM DYING our fl is so hilariously tragic imagine making money because your coffee helps with constipation hGSLKFJFSDJ