Chapter 13
“Wow!”
I didn’t see the children running out of the alley with their toy models.
As I stepped aside to avoid them, my feet got tangled, and I stumbled. Edmund swiftly grabbed my waist and pulled me inward. Our eyes met at a close distance.
Under my lowered eyelids, I gazed at his golden eyes, mesmerized like the girl from earlier.
Now I understood why, when praising him, all sorts of flowery words poured out as if reciting a lyrical poem.
Because Edmund really did look like that. Deep down, I must have genuinely thought so too.
I wasn’t sure if my heart pounded so strongly because of the unexpected accident or because of his appearance.
As I tried to regain my balance and stumbled again, his bangs fell forward, brushing against his eyes. He closed one eye, his hair partially covering it.
Since his hands were occupied holding my waist, I brushed his hair aside for him.
Edmund frowned in displeasure.
“What are you doing?”
“Oh, sorry. It’s a habit.”
“…Are you saying brushing men’s hair aside is a habit of yours?”
His tone was slightly odd.
“The way you put it makes me sound strange. I just meant I have a habit of brushing hair away. As you can see, my hair is quite long.”
“…”
Edmund furrowed his brows silently before abruptly releasing his hold on my waist and walking ahead.
A moment ago, he treated me like a gentleman, but now he seemed to think otherwise.
“Be more careful next time.”
…How prickly.
I pouted slightly in disappointment and quickly followed after him.
“Excuse me, Count. Did you perhaps get lost…? No, of course not.”
Faced with his sharp gaze, I hurriedly retracted my words and stared at the building.
Cobwebs clung to the chimney, and the exterior walls were riddled with holes.
Rainbutton’s office, a two-story building, was closer to a gloomy ruin than a proper establishment.
‘This must have cost quite a bit to renovate.’
As I approached the arched red wooden door, Edmund crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.
“I’ll wait here.”
“I’ll make it quick.”
After giving a polite nod, I opened the office door and stepped inside.
I quickly climbed the stairs and glanced out the landing window, spotting his light gray hair below.
Edmund tilted his head slightly.
When our eyes met, I smiled softly as if asking him to be patient, but he turned away expressionlessly.
‘How rude.’
Sighing lightly, I adjusted my fan and continued up the stairs.
A small sign reading “Rainbutton’s Law Office” was attached to the worn-out dark brown wooden door.
I knocked, and upon hearing permission to enter, I stepped inside.
Contrary to expectations, the interior was neat.
The neatly arranged sofas in the center suggested this was where clients were consulted.
Finding no one to greet me, I stood idly until a door in the corner opened and a woman emerged.
With freckles and a short brown bob, she was flipping through a book with a cookie in her mouth, not even glancing at me as she passed by.
“Uncle, the rent is due tomorrow… Who are you?”
“Are you Lawyer Rainbutton?”
“Yes, I am.”
“I’m here for a consultation.”
Rainbutton’s eyes widened before she dropped her book in surprise.
“Ah!” She yelped as the book landed on her foot, hopping in pain.
I rolled my eyes at the sight.
In the original story, she was a righteous and unyielding lawyer who defended Edmund despite facing the scorn of high-ranking nobles…
‘Is this really the same Rainbutton who won the trial of the century…?’
It was indeed Rainbutton.
I placed my business card down and studied her with a casual smile.
“I came today to seek your legal advice, Ms. Rainbutton.”
“About what…?”
She, who had been nibbling on a cookie like a hungry squirrel, widened her eyes.
“I want a divorce. I’d like to hire you as my lawyer.”
“Really? What about the legal fees? Can I afford to eat five meals a day?”
Rainbutton shamelessly asked with cookie crumbs still on her lips.
‘So, her priority is food.’
I chuckled and explained my situation.
After listening to everything, Rainbutton rubbed her chin with a serious expression.
“So, your husband was continuously unfaithful, your mother-in-law verbally and physically abused you, and you were isolated and disrespected as a Countess… Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“You want a divorce by mutual consent but don’t want to give your husband a single penny, and you hope to see Viscountess Dien socially ostracized?”
“That’s right. And I want to avoid legal complications, so I plan to hire you as my legal advisor.”
Rainbutton stared at me for a moment before abruptly standing up. She seemed ready to refuse.
“In that case, I must decline. I am an honest lawyer. I won’t be used for a Countess’s petty revenge—”
“I’ll cover your food expenses for a year.”
“That scoundrel…! How dare he betray the Countess and cheat on her?! I never liked him from the start!”
‘Hmm, she’s quite straightforward.’
Her sudden change of attitude made me smile in amusement.
I liked people who were simple in their desires.
At least I wouldn’t have to worry about her backstabbing me or slacking off after getting paid.
I laid out my current situation and plans.
Devon had forged my father’s will, but I had the real one and planned to have it verified by the Mage Tower. This was a key part of my strategy.
“Once the will’s authenticity is confirmed, I’ll use it to pressure him into agreeing to a divorce. Since the Mage Tower will certify it, he won’t be able to deny it.”
“I see.”
Now deeply invested, Rainbutton nodded, jotting down notes.
“I don’t plan to sue his mistresses. They were deceived by Devon too.”
“But what if he files for division of property first? Under imperial law, inheritance isn’t subject to division, but marital assets are—”
“Exactly. That’s why I need your help.”
That was the biggest reason I sought Rainbutton.
She thought for a moment before smirking.
“There is a way to prevent division of both inherited and marital assets.”
“What is it?”
“Has your husband ever committed any illegal acts?”
“I recall the family lawyer once handling a tax evasion issue for him.”
“Then we can use that loophole…”
Rainbutton explained her strategy, and I grinned.
This was going to be very satisfying.
The contract was a success, and my plan had officially begun.
