Chapter 2

When I opened the parchment, Eugen’s name was already written there.

A maid came and prepared a pen and ink. It seemed she was telling me to sign it right away.

“Hey, what’s wrong? You’re not saying you don’t want to divorce me, are you?”

Hidi giggled at his words. I couldn’t help but feel that there was nothing amusing about the situation.

“Or do you not want to step down as the Duchess?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“Then why aren’t you signing it right away?”

“It’s too sudden, and besides—”

“Besides what?”

I had been told by my grandfather to protect the Eisenburg Duke family. In addition to managing the property and servants, I was also responsible for social interactions as a noble alchemist and the treatment of patients.

I couldn’t imagine Hidi being able to handle all of that.

“You still cherish your position as Duchess, don’t you! You’ve been taking it from Hidi for three years!”

“Taking it?”

“Yes! I was going to marry her, but Grandfather wouldn’t allow it—”

What was he talking about? Eugen had never once tried to introduce Hidi to my grandfather. He had only consistently opposed my marriage to me.

“Just sign it without any more fuss!”

“It’s too sudden. I also have work in progress.”

“Are you an idiot! You weren’t running the Eisenburg Duke family alone!”

He was right about that. The Eisenburg Duke family had many alchemists who were my grandfather’s disciples.

Even without me, they could maintain the family’s reputation as noble alchemists.

“Then, I’ll follow the workshop leader’s instructions—”

“No, I intend to entrust everything in this mansion to Hidi. After all, she can make the ‘Elixir,’ which is said to be the pinnacle of all magical potions!”

The Elixir is one of the most difficult potions to make. First, gathering the ingredients is incredibly challenging, and the preparation process is extremely complex.

I had been making it every day since my grandfather fell ill, but even a moment’s lapse in concentration would result in a failed concoction.

There’s no way Hidi, who was at the bottom of her class at the magic school, could make the Elixir.

“You don’t believe me, do you? Well, it doesn’t matter. Your personal feelings are of no concern to me. Just sign it as soon as possible!”

Now that he had said this much, there was no stopping him.

The Eisenburg Duke family had many excellent alchemists besides me, and fortunately, there were other noble alchemists in the city.

The people of the city wouldn’t be left without magical potions.

“By the way, you haven’t received any gold or jewels from Grandfather, have you?”

“No.”

The most valuable inheritance I received from my grandfather was the knowledge of magical potions.

Eugen should have received the same, so I don’t understand why it came to this.

“All the dresses and jewels you possess belong to Hidi now! Don’t take a single one!”

“Of course, I have no intention of doing so.”

I had no attachment to anything in this mansion. I even wanted to ask if it was okay to take my old things, but I swallowed my words to avoid another argument.

“Then, agree to the divorce.”

“I understand.”

Eugen’s eyes widened in surprise at my quick compliance. Hidi, as always, looked delighted.

It’s really ridiculous. I thought as I picked up the pen. Eugen gasped in exasperation.

“Your green-stained hands are always so disgusting to look at!”

The green stains on my hands came from gathering and preparing herbs. All alchemists have green hands.

Naturally, Eugen and Hidi’s hands were not green.

“I told you to wash and take care of your hands properly.”

The juice from the herbs seeps into the nails and can’t be washed off easily. This was common knowledge among alchemists, but Eugen didn’t know it.

When was that?

He used to hold my hands and say, “Beatrice’s hands are the hands of a hard worker, very beautiful.” I was so pleased that I accepted the marriage proposal from my grandfather.

But he probably didn’t really think they were beautiful; he just wanted a capable and useful partner.

It was my fault for not seeing through his true intentions.

I decided to forget everything and dipped the pen in ink, writing my name.

—Beatrice von Eisenburg

Since we were relatives, my name wouldn’t change even after the divorce. It felt strange.

Eugen took the parchment from me and smirked.

“Hahaha, finally, this cursed marriage will be dissolved!”

“Eugen, I’m so glad!”

“Yes, Hidi, it’s all thanks to you.”

Eugen and Hidi not only embraced but also started kissing passionately in front of me.

We were still technically married until the divorce papers were filed with the authorities.

Seeing them openly committing adultery, I let out a long, deep sigh.

Eugen noticed my expression and ordered the maid.

“Hey, get this woman out of the mansion. She’s a disgrace to the family, so use the back door.”

The maid bowed deeply and took my arm.

“Lady Beatrice, please go outside.”

“...”

It seemed they wanted to get rid of me immediately.

I had no intention of resisting and stood up, heading for the back door.

Eugen and Hidi followed me, still being affectionate.

When I opened the back door and stepped outside, Eugen threw a travel bag at me.

“Take the gloomy mourning clothes you’ve been wearing since Grandfather died! They’re bad luck. As for the rest—”

Eugen looked at Hidi.

Hidi held the divorce agreement and threw it at me.

“Beatrice, thank you for your hard work. From now on, I’ll be the Duchess, so try to stay alive.”

She said this and slammed the back door shut.

The lock clicked loudly.

A cold north wind blew. I sighed, and a white mist floated in the air.

The sky was overcast, and it was freezing. The weather seemed to reflect my mood.

There was no point in staying here. I needed to go to the authorities and file the divorce agreement.

I turned and took a step when a voice called out.

“Hey, Beatrice, where are you going with your luggage? Another herb-gathering trip?”

A black cat with a lace collar descended from a tree.