Chapter 46
“Uh, sister… How did you get here…?”
Asking the daughter-in-law of the Dien Viscount family how she got into the Dien Viscount’s residence?
I was speechless and let out a cynical laugh.
“What a ridiculous question. Is there any place you can go that I cannot?”
“…That’s… not what I meant…”
Verita lowered her gaze, seemingly overwhelmed by my sharp words.
I smirked and gestured toward the room she had just exited.
“Is Devon here?”
“Yes…”
“Perfect. Let’s go in together, shall we?”
As I headed toward the room, Verita followed me with a bewildered expression.
I opened the door and stepped inside, turning my head before Verita could cross the threshold. She hesitated, recognizing from my gaze that this was the line she was not allowed to cross.
Leaving the door slightly ajar so she could hear, I entered and burst into laughter in disbelief.
Devon was lying face down on the bed, asleep with an ice pack on his waist.
‘And here he is, sleeping soundly in this situation? What a sight to behold.’
I approached the bed, crossed my arms, and looked him over with disdain. Then, with all my strength, I kicked his waist, sending him rolling off the bed.
“Ugh!”
Startled awake from his light sleep, Devon groaned and grabbed his waist, sitting up. He blinked stupidly and glared at the opposite side of the bed.
“Who is it?!”
“It’s me, you idiot.”
I smiled sweetly and waved at him.
Finally recognizing me, Devon’s face turned ghastly. Seeing the bluish bruises around his eyes, I couldn’t help but chuckle in satisfaction.
Devon, still glaring at me, scoffed.
“You must be nervous because of the lawsuit, huh?”
“Accusing Duke Mipedian without fear—do you want to disappear in your sleep without even a scream?”
“Ha! Just for trying to seduce that lady? If I wanted to expose it, I would have done so long ago. The only reason I haven’t spoken up until now is because you have something to hide from Duke Mipedian.”
His words hit a nerve, nearly making my brow twitch. So, he’s not completely brainless after all.
I forced myself to maintain a smirk.
“So, you’re not worried anymore?”
“Go ahead, say whatever you want! I won’t go down alone. I’ll make sure everyone knows that the esteemed lady was one of the women I had an affair with. Even if you try to hide it, people will only make vulgar jokes about her.”
My smile vanished completely.
Not only had he kidnapped me and attempted to violate me, but now he was threatening to ruin Lillian’s reputation, an innocent bystander. Anger surged through me, creeping up my spine to the top of my head.
I silently took out an artifact from my pocket and tossed it onto the bed.
As the red gemstone landed with a soft thud, it emitted a bright light, causing Devon’s jaw to drop. The light projected a verification document for a will.
The handwriting analysis confirmed that the will I possessed matched the handwriting of Count Buell.
In other words, I had undeniable proof that Devon had forged the will he claimed to be genuine.
Devon craned his neck to read the document, then quickly reached out for the artifact. But I swiftly snatched it away and smirked.
“Even you must admit, this document makes it painfully clear that you tampered with the will.”
Devon slammed his fist onto the bed and growled.
“Give it to me!”
“Even if you take the original, I can request a copy from the Mage Tower. The only one who can erase both the document and the transaction record is me.”
“Ha! Are you threatening me now?”
I smiled slyly.
“More like proposing a deal.”
“A deal?”
Devon responded immediately.
I suppressed a grin and continued.
My original plan was to use the document to pressure him into agreeing to a mutual divorce. However, seeing how recklessly he had sued Edmund, it was clear threats alone wouldn’t work. In that case…
“Yes, a deal. Like you said, I haven’t told Duke Mipedian the truth because I have something to hide. And I won’t tell him in the future, either. But now you’ve gotten yourself sued because of me… I feel guilty about that.”
Devon eyed me warily and spoke.
“So?”
“Withdraw the lawsuit and sign the divorce papers quietly. In return, I will turn a blind eye to all your crimes.”
“And the will verification document…?”
“Yes, I will ensure that no one ever sees it. I’ll even request for the transaction record to be erased and destroy this artifact. I’ll also inform His Majesty to silence the officials involved. That way, no one will ever know that you forged your father’s will.”
Devon’s eyelids trembled. After a brief moment of thought, he suddenly shouted.
“So you’re saying that if I agree to this divorce, I’ll walk away with nothing?! No way! I need at least a fair division of assets!”
I scoffed.
“With the Buell family’s assets frozen by the Imperial Court due to tax evasion charges, what exactly do you plan to divide?”
“Once the investigation ends and the taxes are paid—!”
“And when do you think that will be? Tomorrow? The day after? Next week?”
Devon pressed his lips tightly together and glared at me with burning eyes.
“Let me be clear—I have no intention of negotiating with you after today. If you refuse, I will take this will verification document to His Majesty and expose every single atrocity you committed throughout our marriage.”
At the mention of the Emperor, a cold sweat dripped down Devon’s temple. Power truly was terrifying. I smirked at his flickering eyes.
“Ah, and I heard you tried to break the longstanding contract with the Lebron merchants during a private meeting? The higher-ups in management were quite distressed, worried that your arrogance would put them at odds with the Imperial Court.”
I looked down at him with utter contempt.
“I see recklessness runs in your family.”
“You…!”
Devon’s nostrils flared with rage, but his once-defiant gaze was losing its fire.
“What are you planning? I thought you’d be out for revenge after I kidnapped you, but now you’re offering such an easy deal. How can I trust this?”
His now-calmer tone showed signs of resignation and consideration. After weighing his options, he realized my offer wasn’t so bad. All that drama, when it could have ended this easily. I felt both exasperated and slightly disappointed.
I pulled out a small box from my pocket.
“Consider this proof of my commitment to the deal.”
Devon snatched the box and opened it, his eyes widening at the sight inside.
A deep blue stone with engraved runes—an Oath Stone.
To perform the ritual, just a single drop of blood from each of the two parties was required. Once the blood was dropped onto the stone, it would glow white. At that moment, if the incantation and oath were spoken, the stone would turn bright red, signaling the completion of the contract.
If either party broke the promise or contract terms before death, their internal organs would rupture, leading to death.
It was a kind of sinister magical tool—also known by its alternate name: curse.
When first released, it sparked widespread controversy for being an inhumane magical item.
Currently, it was completely banned from sale by the Imperial family, and only distributed illegally among guilds and criminal organizations for malicious purposes.
Alternatively, it was used in private, high-stakes civilian dealings like this one.
Most people wouldn’t dream of cursing themselves unless they were completely insane—but for those who needed to protect a vow at the cost of their own life, there was no better guarantee.
“W-Where did you get this…?”
“You don’t need to know that.”
I had bought it—at a steep price—from the same place where I’d purchased the memory-erasing drug before coming here.
To afford it, I’d even had to sell the pearl earrings Lilien had given me for the ball.
With a bitter smile, I silently apologized to her and fixed my gaze on the pale-faced Devon.
“Is it… real?”
I tapped on the Oath Stone lightly as Devon stared at it suspiciously. Then, I took out a certificate of authenticity issued by the Guild and handed it to him.
Only then did he seem to believe me. He placed his hands on his waist and sat down on the edge of the bed. I pulled out a folding knife and held it out to him.
Devon didn’t take it right away. He bit his lip and hesitated.
When I glanced down, I saw that his hand holding the box was trembling slightly.
So he’s scared about wagering his life.
Typical.
I sat down on the bed across from him and whispered in a low voice.
“All you have to do is agree to sign the divorce and withdraw the lawsuit, and actually follow through. Then the contract’s fulfilled—your life won’t be in danger.”
“…”
“After everything’s settled, you go to Viscount Dien and beg to have your title inheritance reinstated. We both get a fresh start.”
My tone, coaxing yet firm, seemed to weaken his guard. Devon looked at me with wavering eyes.
“You go first. Drop your blood first, then I’ll go.”
“…”
“What, are you scared? Want me to do it first?”
Pretending it didn’t matter who went first, I casually reached for the box.
“S-Stop! I’ll do it!”
Apparently his pride was wounded. Devon snatched the box back from me.
I wiped the smile off my face and sat up straight.
Devon licked his dry lips in nervousness and pointed a trembling finger at me.
“If you deceive me, I swear—!”
“You know as well as I do this is a life-or-death deal.”
No matter how much I didn’t want to live with him, would I really stake my life just to trick him? I’d just keep pushing the divorce lawsuit.
With a quiet sigh, I made my point. Devon finally nodded, seeming convinced, and took the knife with a determined expression.
