Episode 3

Upon arrival at Duke Wadson's residence, Caerina was met by unpleasing glares from the mansion's inhabitants. Her reputation was already smeared. Somehow, not a single soul stood as Caerina’s defender.

Perhaps this was because Brenda was exceptionally adept at winning hearts, making Caerina seem villainous. Yet, the girl was merely a powerless figure. She endured all for love, only to be discarded in the end.

"Should I gouge out their eyes one by one?" Caerina muttered, seething.

As she stepped onto the mansion's front lawn, the Head Butler promptly escorted Caerina to Heston's chamber, as ordered by the house leader.

"Your Grace, Miss Caerina has been brought here."

'Miss Caerina?!' This took Caerina aback.

Her presence was utterly disregarded. Caerina struggled to suppress the urge to rage and ransack the Heston mansion.

"Bring her in," Heston commanded.

Caerina entered the room and regarded Heston with a frosty gaze. His features were passably attractive, but he was far from her type.

'Caerina, how foolish you are to love this man. He isn't even that handsome, and yet you nearly died refusing divorce from him. Let me teach you something, we women must value ourselves highly! Refuse to grovel to a man who looks like a beggar,' Caerina reflected inwardly.

She seated herself on a sofa while Heston closed his document and sat opposite her.

"What's it like to die?" Heston asked abruptly.

"A delight, sadly I couldn't drag you to hell with me," Caerina replied nonchalantly.

Heston was stunned by her bold retort. Additionally, Caerina no longer bowed her head when speaking with him.

"Really? Then that's a pity. I wonder why the gods chose to revive you. I believe their decision to be merciful was remarkably misguided."

Caerina sipped her tea, further irritating Heston as she appeared to disregard his presence.

"Pray to the gods for seven days and nights. Maybe they'll heed your plea and end my life again. Though, it seems they don't listen to the prayers of adulterous men, haha."

Her laughter was unrestrained, and she mocked Heston indirectly.

"Did you just laugh at me?"

"What do you think? Do I look like I'm crying or laughing?"

Heston sank deeper into surprise, puzzled by the change in Caerina. The original Caerina would have wept under his coercion and always spoken formally to him. However, the present Caerina's attitude had reversed from her past demeanor.

"It seems you've grown bolder since returning from the dead," Heston remarked, holding back anger.

"Yes, of course. I've faced death bravely, dealing with a mere mortal like you is nothing."

Heston regulated his breathing, even though he was seething inside. He had to maintain his dignity before Caerina.

"Whatever. I called you here today because I want you to sign our divorce papers. Our marriage was, after all, an imperial command," Heston stated.

"Oh, perhaps you're eager to marry Brenda as soon as possible? Please, tell me the truth. I don't mind whether you marry her or not," said Caerina calmly.

"At last, you understand. Quickly sign this."

Heston pressed Caerina, handing her the divorce documents. He seemed impatient to marry his mistress.

"Alright, I'll sign—but you must give me a divorce settlement."

"How much do you want?" Heston queried.

"One hundred thousand gold coins and an acre of vacant land."

Heston choked on hearing the settlement amount. "Are you joking?!"

Caerina smirked, knowing the Duke Wadson family was wealthy, she figured asking for that much wouldn't impoverish the Heston household.

"No, aren't you wealthy? That should be a trifling amount for you. If you refuse, then I won't sign the papers."

Heston massaged his temples with a sudden headache at the extravagant demand.

He sighed deeply, realizing he had to pay Caerina's price if he wished to marry Brenda soon.

"Fine, I'll pay you one hundred thousand gold coins plus an acre of vacant land. Are you satisfied now?!"

Caerina gave a thumbs-up. "Good! I expected as much, you’re so rich that you didn't need to negotiate the amount."

She signed her name on the divorce papers. With this, she was officially a divorcee today, an oddly satisfying development for Caerina. She wouldn't have to deal with the complexities of adultery or other matters related to Heston and Brenda.

"I've signed. Please send the money and the land deed to Marquess Navre’s residence," Caerina said.

"Yes, I'll have someone take it to Marquess Navre’s."

Caerina and Heston concluded their meeting. Now, Caerina planned to leave Duke Wadson's residence.

'With money and land, I can start a business anew. For now, I should observe and assess the state of the empire I reside in.'

At the corridor intersection, Caerina encountered Brenda and some servants who once attended to her. Brenda deliberately impeded Caerina’s path, seemingly eager to provoke.

"Your Grace the Duchess, ah should I call you Miss Caerina Navre? It seems the Duke has divorced you," said Brenda, feigning innocence.

"Yes, I am now Caerina Navre and no longer this residence’s lady. Congratulations, Brenda, your dream has finally come true."

Brenda was frozen, staring unblinkingly as Caerina stood her ground.

"Yes, I'll soon be Duchess. Poor you, to be a widow while still young," Brenda taunted.

"In my view, you are the pitiful one. It's sad to see a commoner dream so high and destroy another’s home. I admire your brazen nature. With just a bedroom frolic, you secured a nobleman."

Caerina's barb was sharp. Furthermore, she insulted Brenda openly. A rare sight indeed. This gentler, timider Caerina was now showcasing her bravest side.

"What did you just say? Have you lost your mind after coming back from the dead?!" Brenda fisted her hands, struggling to contain her blazing emotions.

"Is there something wrong with my words? At least now I can be thankful, though divorced, I still retain a noble title. Do show proper respect, commoner."

Brenda recoiled, as if crushed internally by Caerina's words. Caerina’s intimidation left Brenda speechless.

"You... you impoverished noble! What's there to be proud of in your destitute family?! Without the Duke, your family would be destitute in the streets—"

Slap!

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