Chapter 2

Episode 2

—Look at this. Did Romanov sharpen its teeth?

Natasha read the weekly in an exaggerated tone.

—Listen. << Has the Duchess of Richard cleaned up her arrogant past? All the rumors that had arisen when she got married have completely disappeared, so it is only doubtful if this is the true power of love or the power of Duke Richard… >> It’s like you’ve been insulted to the face.

—Well, it’s Richard Duchess after all.

—That too.

—What did he say? Do you suddenly want to change * after being poisoned? Who believes that?

(n / t: a word was used here that means to forget past events and start over.)

Ivan spoke in a sarcastic tone.

—Must you have been sued multiple times for defamation?

—I don’t remember. I have also written several complaints.

The so called ‘shame of the Count of Blanche’, the noble maiden who was called the irreplaceable ‘villain’.

“I heard that she had become a whole new person since she became the Duchess of Richard, the position she had so longed for.”

As if she were someone else.

Natasha quickly diverted her attention.

Because. Natasha was a divorce lawyer. And in the history of this empire a duchess has only been divorced once.

“At any moment she will come to me….”

Pak! (sound of a door opening)

As soon as I thought about that, the door opened almost at the same time.

It was so strong that when the door hit the wall, it shook for a while.

—This is lawyer Natasha’s office, right?

In a dark robe, the back of their exposed hand was bare without gloves, but their identity was not difficult to guess.

Because the hem of the dress exposed under the tunic was too luxurious for commoners to wear.

Even without fancy accessories, she couldn’t escape Natasha’s eyes.

—Welcome to Natasha Law Office, Client!

The pipe, which he had been smoking, disappeared without a trace.

Natasha pushed Ivan behind her back with a capitalistic smile on her lips.

It was an unspoken pressure to serve the customer a cup of tea.

—Why did you come here?

—Hmmmm I, the person I serve, secretly told me to come for advice.

—The person you serve ?.

But there was no way a maid could wear such luxurious clothes.

“It seems you don’t want to reveal your identity.”

Because there were often such clients. Natasha followed the conversation without difficulty.

—”It won’t be difficult. It would be better if you came alone, but…

She even trembled when I said those words.

—Well, Keeping secrets is important… Right?

—Yes, it’s true! Very important!

It is common for noble families to have dedicated attorneys.

Even if it is a small and weak aristocratic family in the field, it is essential to have some legal advice.

But visiting a private attorney like this, not the family attorney, means you don’t want the family to know.

And that used to be a very private matter. for example…  the ‘divorce’.

—Are we going to listen to what the clirnt has to say? Do you know what my rate is?

—Approximately…

Naturally, Natasha’s services were very expensive. To the point that even aristocrats couldn’t even dream of it.

—As you know, I am one of the best lawyers in this empire. Legal advice costs 10 gold coins per minute.

There was a sign of hesitation for a while because the amount was higher than expected, but she nodded.

—Then I’ll pay for an hour in advance.

Turuk.

Gold gushed out of the leather pocket on the desk. At first glance, it seemed enough to exceed 600 gold.

—Please sit comfortably, customer

Natasha pulled out the chair herself and made a pretty face.

click.

Ivan skillfully poured the tea.

As it is a hangout for aristocrats, the office was luxurious and the tea leaves were of the highest quality.

Natasha was also wearing a formal outfit, not quite as aristocratic, but more well dressed than commoners.

However, she was not comparable to the woman in front of him. At first glance, it seemed clear that the shimmering flow was the finest silk in the East.

“I don’t think you’re usually just a maiden.”

The series of movements of holding the teacup and taking a sip was very graceful.

—Pfft!

Let’s pretend we didn’t know that she spit out all the tea.

—So you want a divorce?

—Yes. That’s right. But my husband… no, the husband of the person I serve … doesn’t want a divorce.

It was a clunky costume, but let’s be fooled by this too.

There was not a single flutter on Natasha’s face with a soft smile. It was a great professional spirit.

There was only a slight smile on Natasha’s face, there was no exaggerated movement of any kind. It was a great professional spirit.

—If the divorce cannot be reached through an agreement, there is no choice but to resort to divorce in court…. Is there a reason attributable to your husband?

—Untrustworthy reason?

—I was wondering if there was any excuse to try to get the judge to approve this divorce.

Ivan slowly stepped on Natasha’s foot and she noticed him.

There was a warning to be careful with your mouth.

—A reasonable reason is sufficient. If they didn’t sleep together, if he neglected his family because he was too busy with work. Or there is a “secret lover

—Not so!

Rumble! 

She snapped back to the point of jumping out of his seat.

—Oh, why are you so surprised? You seem to be very loyal to the person you serve.

—Hmmm.

Then, as if trying to hide her identity, she sat down again.

—Ah, it’s not like that. Husband… He has no lover, we eat every day and sleep….

—Yes, I see

Natasha cut like a knife.

Because she didn’t want to listen to the absurd relationship * of the couple.

(N // t: the word was used here 염장질 is an expression used to criticize the things that the lovers do to signify their love. Well in this case it’s a married couple.)

—So why do you want a divorce?

The woman was silent for a moment at Natasha’s question.

—Oh, I don’t blame you so don’t worry. Even if it’s a small thing, please tell me. It will be of great help at the trial.

That was a very professional response.

The woman who hesitated finally opened her mouth.

—Because it was a marriage she was supposed to. divorce from the beginning.

—Beginning?

—Yes. That’s right.

Wow, a sigh came out.

—I signed a prenuptial contract. This is a promise of divorce three years after the marriage.

Coincidentally, was a similar rateto the case she resolvedresolved today.

The content was slightly different.

“It is a prenuptial contract …”

In the religion of the Ilihad Empire, “marriage” was a very sacred ceremony, emphasizing that 2 souls would be together for the rest of their lives.

Thus, imperial law was officially monogamous, and the nobility and imperial family were no exception.

Writing a “contract” for such a marriage was also taken as an insult to God.

It can be a very touchy subject.

Of course, these days when God’s influence has waned, contracts have been officially used even in legal battles.

Turns out it was a no—brainer.

—You’re not surprised.

— It happens a lot. When I do this, I see all kinds of unusual cases.

Of course, it was Natasha’s first time dealing with a duchess, but out of consideration for the client, she decided not to say so.

As if Natasha’s reaction reassured her, she let out a deep sigh, like a sigh.

—Instead, I want to verify the content of the prenuptial agreement. May I see a copy? Oh, you can hide your name if you want.

—So …

At my words, the woman became sad once more.

—That’s the problem.

—Yes?

—Because the prenuptial contract disappeared… ..

Natasha looked at her with a wide gaze for a moment.

—The copy too?

—Yes.

—Any witnesses to prove that he signed the prenuptial agreement?

—Nobody but my husband. But my husband can’t testify… ..hmph.

Realizing hermistake, she inadvertently covered his mouth.

—Ehh So, the person I serve Ugh. No matter. You have noticed it, right?

It seems that she also knew that her acting skills were poor.

Natasha smiled brightly.

—Didn’t you act like that to get my attention? Ah!

Ivan intervened once more.

— It hurts.

—I’ll get you another cup of tea.

Ivan hid his annoyance from Natasha and took his remaining cup of tea.

Then the woman’s face paled.

It was clear that the terrible taste of the tea came to mind.

—It’s for assortment, so you don’t have to take it.

The complexion is noticeably more luminous.

—Is there any other reason attributable to your husband other than the prenuptial contract?

—Nothing…

Natasha let out a little snort.

—Unless we recover the prenuptial contract, we will not even be able to step on the threshold of the court.

—Is it impossible?

—I do not know if it is a divorce by agreement, but it is difficult to divorce in court.

The woman’s face contorted as if she was discouraged.

—Uh, can’t I somehow?

—You can’t.

—You are a divorce attorney!

—That’s why I’m a lawyer, not a judge.

Natasha pretended to sneak away.

—Lawyers do not choose any means or method!

—Such preconceptions make society sick.

—Yuck …! I’m sorry about that. However … I mean, I have to get divorced ……

There is no particular reason to get divorced, so then? why is this woman so desperate? “

—It is very regrettable, but there is nothing we can do about it under imperial law. Divorce is impossible unless there is a special reason. Divorce in court is even worse.

click.

Just in time, Ivan brought out the tea again. It was so thick it was embarrassing to call it tea, and it almost looked like cast iron.

—Are you finally trying to poison me?

—It’s tea, Natasha.

—Since when are you like this, arrogantly calling your sister’s name?

Ivan had an angry expression * on his face, but he had to hold on.

n/ t: Dunno how to write it but the word used here means to explode with a strong feeling such as longing, pain, anger, etc., but based on the context it would be anger

—If divorce is impossible … There is no reason to drink tea here.

She got up from her seat hurriedly.

Natasha called after her as she was about to leave.

—The Duchess of Richard.

On that call, the hand that was about to grasp the doorknob stopped.

—How…

was a tone in which I might have noticed that she was an aristocrat, but I had no idea that I also noticed which family she belonged to.

Yes. Duchess of Richard.

” That was her. ‘The Shame of Count Blanche’, a villain ”

” don’t think she deserves that kind of notoriety.”

Maybe someone really did something like that.

Seeing her innocent eyes made me want to believe it.

Hasn’t the person completely changed, as if she have become a completely different person?