Please Provide Compensation Through Divorce-Chapter 21

He wasn't wrong... but where should I even start explaining?

Louis chimed in.

"Livia, the other night, when you didn't return, we were going mad with worry. Sean and I went to Luminos to open the forest, but..."

"That guy refused, stubborn as a mule," Sean grumbled. "I almost got into a fistfight with him."

"...What?" I was incredulous. "You fought the guild master, Sean? That's crazy."

Louis sighed deeply. "As a result, Sean has been officially expelled from the wizard guild."

"Oh no."

I put a hand to my forehead. His fiery temper—what could I do about it? Wizards had no place to go if expelled from the guild.

I quickly recounted the events of that day. They listened gravely to my story.

"So, you found the herb but had a rough time with the monsters," Louis summarized.

"Maybe Luminos sent those monsters to get back at me," Sean muttered.

"Luminos isn't like you, Sean. But it's odd. If Luminos checked the forest for monsters, it should have been safe."

"Still, it's hard to hold the guild responsible," I said.

"True. The guild probably got the emperor's approval for situations like this."

"I told His Majesty we should drop the matter."

"Alright. If you insist."

"And Sean."

"What? Do you need something?"

Sean held my hand gently, looking concerned. It was just a few scratches from thorns, but he looked like it was a deep wound.

"I have a suggestion."

"A suggestion? What is it all of a sudden?"

"The position of the deputy captain of the Imperial Guard is vacant."

"...So?"

"Why don't you take it?"

"What?" Sean's face scrunched up in disbelief. "No way! Since when do wizards join the guard?"

"Technically, it's allowed."

Wizards couldn’t work for the royal family, but Sean was now a free agent. There was no reason he couldn't apply.

Louis, who had been listening quietly, grabbed Sean's arm.

"Sean, actually, you are quite suited for it."

"No way!"

"Trust me, brother. I hadn't thought about it, but it makes sense."

"Brother!"

"Sean, you don't have anything else to do right now, do you?"

"Ugh."

Sean finally fell silent. I drove in the final nail.

"This is an order from the Empress. Sean Matreon."

This was all to keep them safe. They were like my own brothers now.

But even without that, I couldn't stand to see Sean idle any longer.

I hadn't seen Leto for several days. He had forbidden me from entering his office until my hands healed.

But this morning, I received a message. He was coming to see me in the afternoon.

To be honest, I felt nervous and self-conscious.

Why did he come to like me?

I was so different from Meryl. Not just in appearance, but especially in personality.

Meryl was gentle, pure, and like a young girl. In contrast, I was…

I hate losing. Giving up means losing.

‘...I’m too different, aren’t I?’

But there's no point in dwelling on it. Denying it doesn't change anything.

I had to accept it and focus on what to do next.

I decided to draw a line and keep my distance, hoping his feelings would pass. For now, that was the best course of action.

In the bright afternoon sunshine streaming into the room, Leto arrived as scheduled.

"Long time no see, Your Majesty."

I closed the book I was reading and stood up from the sofa.

"How's your health?"

"I’m—" I caught myself. I shouldn't say I’m fine.

It sounds like you’ve said you’re fine ten thousand times. It makes me upset.

The memory flashed through my mind.

‘Don’t dwell on it. Don’t dwell on it.’

"I’m much better. Just a bit tired."

"How's your hand?"

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

He took my hand. Bandages from the maids covered the small cuts.

I gently pulled my hand away. Leto paused and looked at me quietly.

"They're not deep wounds. Anyway, what brings you here?"

"I wanted to see you."

A simple and straightforward answer. It felt like a counterattack for pulling my hand away.

I smiled.

"Well, you've seen me now."

"Are you doing this on purpose?"

"Of course not."

Leto chuckled in defeat. He sank deeply into the sofa.

"Actually, I called for Pharaon. It’s time to proceed with the project."

"The project..."

"The medicine. Yuton, bring it in."

Yuton entered with a tray. The glass jars were filled with fresh, blue Indigos, meticulously preserved.

"I contacted Luminos. We agreed to forget about the monster attack and told him we found these plants. He wasn't thrilled about us taking the plants but let it slide because of the monster incident."

"Good to hear. By the way, what did he say this plant's name is?"

"He said it didn’t have one."

"No name?"

"Yeah. There are still many unresearched plants in the empire. If you don't mind, you could name it."

I'm not good at naming things. Maybe we should stick with the existing name.

"Let's call it 'Indigo.' How about that?"

"Sounds good. Indigo it is."

Knock, knock.

A servant entered.

"Your Majesties, Baron Pharaon has arrived."

"Is it alright to let him in?"

"Of course."

Leto gestured to the servant. Soon, Pharaon entered the room.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness."

Pharaon bowed respectfully. Leto couldn’t resist teasing him.

"Finally, you arrive. I thought you'd be the first to rush here when we returned."

"Oh no, Your Majesty. I was very concerned. I couldn’t sleep knowing you were missing. When I heard you returned, I thought you needed rest."

He must have been anxious to know if we found the Indigo. But he held back out of concern for us.

"Look, Baron Pharaon."

I pointed to the Indigo. Pharaon suppressed his emotions.

"You found the ingredient... Thank you, Your Majesties."

Tears welled up in his eyes. He knelt down.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, Your Highness..."

"There's no need to kneel. Please stand."

I helped him up. He saw my bandaged hand and asked in shock.

"Are these wounds...?"

"The Empress got them while searching the bushes. Don’t forget her effort and do your best to make the medicine."

Leto's unnecessary comment made Pharaon tear up again. He took my hand and touched his forehead to it.

This gesture signified loyalty.

"I, Pharaon Sannuel, swear to make the medicine at all costs."

"Yes. Please refine it in your lab. Once it's refined, making the ointment won’t be hard."

"Yes, Your Highness. I will not disappoint you."

Pharaon smiled brightly. Leto told him,

"You know how important this is, Pharaon."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Make sure it succeeds. Request any funds you need from me."

"What? Oh no, Your Majesty. You’ve already found the ingredient."

"Request them. We don’t know how much it will cost."

"Well... Thank you, Your Majesty."

"If you understand, you may leave."

Leto waved him away. Pharaon bowed and left, followed by Yuton with the tray.

It was just Leto and me again. He looked slightly annoyed.

"Have you finished your business?"

"You won’t even let me hold your hand, but you're so kind to Pharaon."

Why was he bringing up Pharaon now?

"I couldn’t just leave a crying subject alone."

"It's pitiful. I have no tears."

"Strength is a virtue of an emperor. So, have you finished your business?"

"You're no fun. Since we’re meeting, how about a walk?"

A walk sounded nice. It was sunny today. But I had decided to keep my distance.

"I have some work to do."

"Weren’t you reading a book?"

He pointed to the book on the table.

"I wanted to finish it today. It's very important."

"The Empress seems busier than the Emperor."

"Indeed. It’s a shame, Your Majesty."

He must understand by now. He had his pride.

"No choice, then."

Finally, he turned to leave. I accompanied him to the door.

"Goodbye."

I had already said goodbye, but he didn’t leave. He just stood there.

"Should I open the door for you?"

He turned to me, arms crossed, leaning against the door.

What was he going to say now?

"I just remembered. Last night, Sean came to see me."

"Sean?"

"Yeah. He said he wanted to apply for the deputy captain position."

Sean, personally? He was indeed obedient. I admired his pride in approaching Leto directly.

"Did he? Please take care of my inadequate brother."

Leto tilted his head, puzzled.

"I haven’t accepted his application yet. I just gave him the right to apply."

"What? Then why...?"

Why tell me this?

"It depends on what you do."

I stood there, stunned. Was my interpretation correct?

"Are you blackmailing me?"

"If asking you for a walk sounds like blackmail, then yes."

I couldn’t help but laugh. It was adorable, in a way.

"How could you use family to blackmail me?"

"Nice. I’ve been called childish before, but now it's petty."

He wouldn’t back down. No matter how much distance I tried to keep.

This time, I had no choice. I held out my hand to him.

"Alright. Let’s go."

"The Matreon siblings’ bond always brings tears to my eyes."

Leto smirked and kissed my hand.