Please Provide Compensation Through Divorce-Chapter 32

“Did you hear it?”

I nodded, clutching his sleeve.

“Who is Elisana?”

“That…”

Dante hesitated before shaking his head.

“I don’t know.”

“She said Elisana must be stopped.”

“Yes, I heard that too.”

“We need to find out who Elisana is.”

I had an inexplicable certainty. Elisana had to be stopped. Absolutely.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Please calm down.”

He lightly held my arms, and I finally let go of him. We stood there, staring at each other for a moment.

Dante furrowed his brow.

“Your Majesty, forgive my impertinence.”

He stepped closer, our cheeks almost touching.

“The goddess's scent seems stronger around you.”

“Could it be related to hearing the goddess's voice?”

“Perhaps. I can’t say for sure.”

At that moment,

“What is going on here?”

A familiar voice made me turn. Dante quickly stepped back.

On the central staircase leading down to the first floor, there stood Leto, looking colder than ever.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Dante knelt on one knee, a look of considerable discomfort on his face.

Leto descended the stairs slowly, his gaze like an arrow aimed at Dante.

“Priests aren’t allowed in the palace after the chapel closes.”

He stopped directly in front of Dante, whose face looked particularly pale.

“And who taught you to approach the Empress so closely?”

“My apologies.”

“You didn’t expect to live after doing such a thing, did you?”

Leto’s hand moved to his sword hilt.

‘Is he really going to kill him?’

Dante bit his lip. Leto drew his sword without hesitation. The blade shone with a cold gleam.

‘This has to stop.’

I grabbed Leto’s arm.

“Please stop.”

Leto turned to look at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of betrayal and anger. It was painful to meet his gaze, but I couldn’t let Dante die.

“This priest said he fell asleep while praying. He saw me and was overcome with reverence. He asked if he could approach me, and I allowed it.”

“……”

“He is a young priest. His mistake was made out of devotion to the goddess. Please forgive him just this once.”

“A mistake?”

“Please.”

It was the first time I had ever asked Leto for something. I never thought it would be for another man.

Leto’s gaze wavered.

“Haa…”

He sighed shortly, then glared at Dante.

“Name.”

“Dante Hamelson.”

“Ah, the renowned chief priest.”

Leto seemed to know about Dante.

“You’ve become the high priest’s favorite at a young age due to your exceptional divine power? Did you get close to the Empress relying on the high priest?”

“That’s not it at all. I apologize.”

“I feel like cutting your head off and sending it to the high priest.”

Leto lifted Dante’s chin with the tip of his sword. A trickle of blood ran down the blade.

“I’ll spare you.”

“…Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“But remember, it was not the goddess who saved you today, but the Empress.”

“…Yes.”

“Get out of my sight. If this happens again, I will not hesitate to take your head.”

Dante nodded and quietly left the imperial palace.

Leto would be angry. I had no excuse.

As the Empress, I had allowed another man to come close. Worse, I had taken his side.

Leto spoke coldly.

“You didn’t really expect me to believe that nonsense about reverence, did you?”

Each word pierced me like a dagger.

“Do you like that priest?”

I was beyond shocked and found his accusation ridiculous. How could he misunderstand so badly?

“That’s not it.”

“Be honest. Are you still afraid I might kill you?”

‘Be honest? Would he believe me if I said I heard the goddess's voice?’

Leto smirked.

“It’s hard to understand. Of all people, you chose a con artist.”

Con artist.

I felt my heart sink. Leto didn’t even believe in Dante’s divine power. How could he believe me?

A thought crossed my mind.

‘Maybe this is for the best?’

Let him be disappointed. Don’t make excuses. This way, I could end things with him cleanly.

But I felt so upset that I couldn’t speak. Was it because I had high expectations for tonight? Or because it hurt to be misunderstood?

No, I decided not to think about it. It was pointless now.

“I’ve told you that’s not the case. I have nothing more to say… I’ll go up first.”

I brushed past him and headed up the stairs, each step feeling heavier.

Two steps up, something tugged at my sleeve.

Could it be?

I looked down. Leto’s hand held my sleeve.

“…I think I might have said something to cause a misunderstanding.”

He sighed softly.

“Even if you liked that priest, I have no right to say anything. After all, it was my wish that you focus on our relationship.”

‘…What?’

“I know you didn’t marry me because you wanted to. And that you’ve always wanted a divorce. But still…”

I turned slowly. What was I hearing?

Standing on the second step, I was at eye level with him. He spoke with softer eyes.

“I said I’d wait for your answer, remember?”

“……”

“I just wanted you to remember that.”

At that moment, something inside me snapped.

I reached out and pulled his neck towards me, kissing him.

‘Remember that you’re waiting for my answer? Even after seeing me with Dante? Even though I defended him?’

I didn’t know what to call this feeling. It was overwhelming and inexplicable. But one thing was certain.

In that moment, his heart felt unbearably precious.

Leto seemed startled. His whole body stiffened. And as I was about to pull away,

“……!”

He grabbed my waist with both hands, lifting me slightly. He brought me down the stairs, still kissing me.

His hands on my waist and nape, his kiss was intense and unhesitating.

I could barely breathe. I tapped his arm. Only then did he pull away.

“……”

“……”

We stared at each other, needing time to process what had just happened. Both of us.

Reality slowly set in.

‘What have I done? Why did I kiss him?’

Embarrassed, I blurted out,

“Why did you kiss me so hard that I couldn’t breathe?”

“Who was the one who jumped on me first?”

There it was. His way of making me speechless.

Thanks to that, my rationality returned fully. Leto wore a meaningful smile, as if he hadn’t been angry just moments ago.

He lightly touched the emerald on my necklace.

“You wore the necklace.”

“You asked me to.”

“You came out looking this pretty, and you’re going back inside?”

My face turned red. Normally, I would have brushed off such comments, but this time it made me dizzy with embarrassment.

‘I can’t do this. If I stay with Leto any longer, something will happen.’

I took a step back. The emerald slipped from his hand, resting against my chest.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I’m not feeling well. We should postpone the outing.”

“That’s a shame. If that’s the case, you should rest.”

“…Thank you for your consideration.”

He let me go more easily than I expected.

‘Or maybe he’s letting me go because I kissed him.’

As I was about to leave, he called out,

“Before you go, I want to ask you one thing.”

“Ask away.”

“Why did you kiss me?”

Of course. He wouldn’t let me go that easily.

I clutched my skirt.

The answer was simple. Because he looked unbearably precious for a moment.

But I wouldn’t say that. I couldn’t let a momentary emotion ruin everything.

Stay calm. It was just a kiss. It could be dismissed as a minor incident, almost as if it never happened.

…If that was possible.

“I was frustrated. I didn’t want you to misunderstand about the priest.”

“Really? You have a bold way of clearing up misunderstandings.”

“If it was the wrong way, I apologize.”

“No need to apologize. So, will you resolve future misunderstandings in the same way?”

“Of course not—!”

By now, I realized. Leto was enjoying my reactions.

But who could I blame? I had started this.

“…If you’re done teasing me, I’ll go now.”

I didn’t know what my face looked like, but he seemed slightly surprised and gently hugged me.

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“Alright, alright. You look like you’re about to cry. I won’t misunderstand.”

“That’s a relief. You don’t need to see me off.”

“Okay. Do as you wish.”

He said that, but didn’t let go.

“I don’t want to let you go, but I have no choice.”

“……”

“Someday, tell me the real reason.”

I lightly pushed him away.

“There is no real reason.”

“Sure, sure.”

He finally let go. I quickly climbed the stairs.

Entering my room, I shut the door behind me. Lady Mare and the maids looked surprised.

“Your Majesty, how are you back so soon…?”

“I need to be alone.”

“Oh, yes, yes. Understood.”

Lady Mare led the maids out. I lay on the bed.

My heart pounded wildly. The feel of his lips lingered. The touch of his hands on my waist and nape.

I covered my face with both hands, feeling my face heat up.

“…I must be crazy.”

How would I face Leto now?

It’s possible to find someone precious in a moment. It doesn’t mean I love them.

‘But kissing him? On impulse? Have I always been this weak to the atmosphere?’

My heart finally calmed down. I sighed deeply.

The night market was completely out of my mind. Something far more shocking and intense had happened.

As I caught my breath, a name came to mind.

“…Elisana.”

Who could Elisana be?