Chapter 77: CH 77

Author: Byuon

Cesare’s eyes narrowed in confusion.

Daphne, who had recently visited Cesare, came to mind. She had come with Gabriel.

What kind of eyes did Daphne have that day?

Cesare pressed his lips that touched her.

I endured living here thinking only about Daphne. Thinking that one day I will be able to stand by Daphne again.

If he lost Daphne, what is left for Cesare?

Cesare had nothing.

Burstoad?

It is nothing more than a title naturally inherited to Cesare.

It is just a family that is a duty and a responsibility.

After the Burstoad is removed, there is nothing left for Cesare.

Cesare was left alone with only Burstoad blood.

His parents passed away long ago, and the elders of the family, who could be called family, betrayed him.

A terrible, fundamental loneliness enveloped Cesare.

“Daphne….”

It hurt as if my heart was being ripped apart.

The divorce papers crumpled in his hands.

Daphne also abandoned Cesare.

Like his family, Daphne abandoned Cesare as a useless devoted partner.

A tear flowed down Cesare’s white cheeks exposed in the dark.

Fortunately, no one saw those tears.

Abandonment is no excuse for withdrawal.

Cesare twisted his lips up.

I will join hands with Gabriel and make the elders who abandoned Cesare kneel.

And Daphne, who betrayed Cesare… Daphne is…

No, no.

Cesare exhaled slowly, as if vomiting out pieces of a torn heart.

“And…”

Cesare murmured in a low voice.

The important thing right now is to get Daphne with me before it gets away.

before she goes any further.

Daphne couldn’t have betrayed him, he thought to himself.

There must be a reason why she sent a divorce letter.

If Daphne isn’t there, everything is useless…

Cesare tore the divorce papers to pieces and scattered them on the floor.

****

Joseph came to visit Cesare.

“As time goes by, more and more people are skeptical of the Crown Prince’s testimony. In fact, Robert, who had been mentioned as a new duke candidate, went missing while gambling, and they had doubts about punishing the duke because they believed only the words of an innkeeper named Amy. Things were moving too quickly, which also increased their suspicions. There are rumors that the Crown Prince, who held hands with Friedrich, may have framed the Duke.”

Cesare looked at Joseph, his face darkened by a black cloud.

It was melancholy to the extent that Joseph was startled.

Joseph saw pieces of paper scattered around Cesare’s back.

“What happened to you?” he asked

“Daphne filed for divorce while I was here waiting like a fool.”

“Yes?”

Joseph made a confused face.

People doubted Daphne’s fidelity, saying that Daphne had fallen in love with the Crown Prince.

But didn’t Shannet clearly say it wasn’t?

Looking back, it seemed that Shannet and Daphne were being held captive.

“Daphne had been here a while ago.”

“What did she say?”

“I don’t know. I think she came to say goodbye to me for the last time. She couldn’t bear to see me imprisoned, helpless and incompetent.”

Cesare groaned.

“Duke!”

Joseph exclaimed in astonishment.

Until now, Cesare was a person with a lot of pride.

He also believed that Daphne and the elder nobles would never betray him.

Born and raised as the Duke of Burstoad, Cesare had a habit of taking everything for granted.

That arrogance was completely broken through this time.

“Of course, it may not be. Do you know what the guard who brought me these divorce papers said?”

Cesare laughed bitterly.

“He said I would be released soon. The Crown Prince went directly to the Emperor to complain. Why don’t we just release the Duke of Burstoad? That would be enough for him to repent of his sins, and not to forget the achievements of Burstoad.”

Cesare told Joseph a story that would startle him.

“It could be that Daphne is releasing me as a condition of filing for divorce. However…”

Cesare fiddled with the necklace around his neck.

Joseph set his eyes on it.

‘It’s the Duchess’ necklace!’

What the hell does that necklace mean?

“Anyway, the Duke’s servants will be released soon. Check them all to see if they are not injured, and…..

Cesare’s red eyes flashed darkly.

Joseph saw the ghastly remnants of life in it.

“Prepare for my return.”

It was the return of Cesare Burstoad.

Joseph looked at the long torn divorce papers.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Shannet.

Joseph was also unsure of anything, so he had to keep his mouth shut.

“… Do you think the Duchess has turned away?”

“Even if that’s the case, I don’t think it can be helped. Hasn’t she abandoned me because I am incompetent? It doesn’t matter anyway. I’ll get her back, that’s enough.”

Joseph took a breath.

And he asked the question he had asked over and over again.

“… Do you love her?”

Cesare stared at Joseph.

Drenched in depression, Cesare said nothing.

Unlike before.

****

The day I wrote the divorce papers by hand, I cried to death.

What if Cesare sees this and misunderstands it? He mustn’t forget what I said…

I didn’t want to hurt Cesare, but in the end it happened.

Cesare would have known that I was with Gabriel after being imprisoned in the dungeon, and would have known public opinion that I had betrayed him.

In the meantime, I even filed for divorce…

It was obvious that I would be labeled as a witch who abandoned her husband.

It was unfair and I was sorry for hurting Cesare, so the tears didn’t dry out.

Shannet protected me by my side.

The next day, when I woke up with swollen eyes, Shannet offered me warm honey water.

“Are you done crying now?”

As I smiled faintly, Shannet exhaled happily.

Shannet sits cautiously next to me.

“What are you going to do now?”

There was no strength in Shannet’s voice.

“… Cesare will be released soon.”

That was the deal between me and Gabriel.

“And you?”

“I have to get out of here.”

I clenched my fists.

According to Gabriel’s will, I had no intention of being by his side like Gabriel’s doll.

I have my life too, so why should I?

The divorce was written to cover Gabriel’s eyes.

I’ve got a new life, and I’ve passed the hurdle of death, so I should live happily ever after.

“How?”

Shannet said in a slightly elevated voice.

“I was really worried. I’m afraid that madam will give up and settle down here.”

Shannet’s face darkened.

“That’s not going to happen, Shannet. We’re going to get ready to go out now. Gabriel won’t let us out. Then, so why should he try to win the hearts of those who will never fall?”

The person Gabriel could never overcome, that was the Emperor.

Emperor of this empire.

If I had the condition that the Emperor had no choice but to pass over, I would be able to make him on my side.

Even Gabriel wouldn’t be able to disobey the Emperor’s words, so as long as he’s on my side, I’ll be able to return to Cesare safely.

I wanted to go back to Cesare.

It was so much fun to be with Cesare that I didn’t even notice the passing of time.

I’m not sure when I realized it, but I love him.

I was happy to be with Cesare. I regret not being able to spend time with him.

Shannet’s eyes lit up when she understood the meaning of my words.

Her face sparkled with a life unlike anything I’d ever seen

“Do you have a way? If there is anything I can do, I will help you, madam.”

“There’s a way….”

Of course there is

I was the possessor who came in after reading all of this novel.

So far, I haven’t done much to utilize my privileges.

I was in a hurry to save my life, and after that, I thought it was all over and started dating.

It was a honeyed respite.

But now it wasn’t.

The contents of the original that I know of will give you strength to get out of here.

Among the contents of the original that I remember, there were things that could change the Emperor’s heart.

It was for a similar reason that I accepted Gabriel’s proposal and quietly filed for divorce.

Of course, the biggest goal was to get Cesare out of prison, but…

It was also the first step to meeting the Emperor.

As much as it pains me to say it now, but Gabriel loves me.

So, it was clear that he would like to receive recognition from the Emperor for his relationship with me.

It’s natural.

You want to keep me by your side for the rest of your life, but where does the power to do that come from?

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Gabriel’s foundation all came from the Emperor.

Gabriel would definitely take me to the Emperor.

What I wanted was to meet the Emperor.