# 7
"…What?"
Revan, whose mind was boiling with worry for Helen and guilt over Chevlin, felt his emotions freeze at her words.
"Divorce? Did you just say divorce?"
Revan repeated the word “divorce” several times, and let out a joyless laugh.
“Don't be silly.”
Then he turned serious and stared at Helen.
“…”
“What, are you going to take Chivlin and go to her biological father once we break up?”
With a sharp look in his eyes, Revan grabbed Helen's wrist tightly.
Her delicate skin reddened quickly.
“Let go of me. It hurts.”
Even though he let go of her hand, the look of doubt in his eyes remained the same.
I'm fed up.
No matter what she said, he wouldn't believe her.
‘Even if I suggested doing a paternity test, he wouldn’t agree. 'What can I do?'
“I don't know what to tell you anymore.”
“Ha.”
Helen couldn't understand what was on Revan's mind.
She no longer wants to know more.
“No matter what, I don't want to care about you anymore.”
Hearing Helen's words, Revan moved his hair back forcefully.
“You don't love me... do you?”
“What do you mean by that?”
She didn't want to say she saw him with Arya, but she couldn't explain her feelings without mentioning it.
“I saw you with Countess Reisen’s daughter behind the palace.”
Helen hesitated, then spoke.
“This is a misunderstanding. I don’t know what you heard or saw, but let me explain.”
Revan looked confused, clearly not expecting this.
“No, there's no need for that.”
Helen took a deep breath and looked down.
"I can barely look at your face now. Do you think we can go back to the way we were?"
“…?”
“Can you treat Shivalin like you did before?”
Helen asked the questions she had been holding back.
“Sheveline will remember the resentment and hostility you showed her.”
“…”
“Forever.”
It was sad and heartbreaking. But not a tear was shed.
She thought she would be more impressed. Divorce has never been easy. Even as she said the word, she felt uncomfortable.
It was a harsh word that she didn't want to say. But… thinking beyond that was a luxury.
“It's only right that we end it here.”
Helen's expression was firm.
“Is divorce easy for you?”
“Does it look easy to you?”
“Helen, I was the one who asked first.”
Their sharp talk left no room for bargaining.
“If I leave you, will I regret losing someone I thought I would spend my life with?”
The relationship seemed so precious in words alone.
“Revan, do you know why I escaped death in the palace that bound me like a chain?”
Helen lost her family in a fire. Her mother and sister were burned, their bodies were never found, and her father, Emperor Roman, remained in a coma.
Revan, who had never been in such a situation before, could not easily answer Helen's question.
“When my mother, who always advised me to live for my sister, pushed me and said...”
“…”
“I should ignore my sister’s cries and run away.”
"She could never forget that moment. The blood on her mother's hands."
And the strong smell of smoke, and the huge flame that seemed like it was about to silently consume her.
[“Helen, no, Ash! Get in here. No matter what sounds you hear outside, don’t come out.” ]
[“Mom… I don’t want to go. I’m scared. I want to stay with you.”]
[“Your mother will join you soon.”]
[“Don't cry, go quickly”]
[“Mom, Rachel is crying”]
[“Promise me you will never look back. I love you, daughter.”]
Desperate words calling on her to live no matter the cost.
Sh
“Thanks to Chevlin, I could smile and live... You ruined that.”
Being alone was a heavy price. Even breathing felt like guilt.
“From the moment you denied our child, there was no going back.”
Happiness had to wait. Now, Helen had no choice but to endure.
“The law of the empire stipulates that if a member of the royal family requests a divorce, his or her wish is given priority.”
“Helen, you really are.”
“Revan, I was really happy. Building a family with you... even if it didn't start with love...”
She remembered the times when she was just happy. Her tears fell late.
“At first, I only liked you because you were my baby’s father... but at some point, I started to love you.”
She thought it would never break. She thought it would last forever, which was ridiculous.
“But it wasn't. I think we stayed together because of the love that Chefline gave us.”
The first speaker felt as if she was sinking deeper.
Her stomach was upset, and she felt nauseous even though she had not eaten.
Revan stared at Helen in amazement, who sighed deeply. He was absolutely stunned.
“I was going to let it all go by quietly... just continue to raise Shevlin as my own daughter.”
“…”
Revan's hands trembled in anger at Helen's impudence after her betrayal of him.
“But how can you talk about divorce?”
“…”
“Did you ever love me?”
Helen didn't answer. She was not denied. Just like he did.
Revan tilted his head back, frightened by Helen's facial expression. He hoped she would be denied.
Lately, he's been constantly disappointed in her.
“Has life with me become unbearable?”
He hated it. He didn't want to get more miserable.
"What do I do? I feel the same."
So, Revan lied. As he always does.
“Life with you was unbearable.”
"Possibly too. I'm tired of being led around."
“…”
The wounds they inflicted on each other were very deep. Tears fell from their eyes.
“If this is your utmost, how can I hold on to you any longer?”
“…”
Revan left Helen with tears in his eyes.
"Okay. Let's break up. We."
The hand he promised to never let go of.
It was a rainy day, in late spring.
The next morning, the couple submitted the divorce agreement to the temple.
There was no need for a lengthy trial. The divorce of the Marquis of Rata and his wife was quickly approved.
Thus, Shivalin's baptism ceremony, which was being prepared as Rata, was delivered to the royal palace.
On a cloudy day, after finishing packing and dividing possessions, Helen looked up to the second floor where Revan's office was.
As if he was watching her, the blackout curtains were immediately drawn.
"Good-bye."
Helen turned her gaze, and gently patted the butler who had come to bid her farewell.
“Ma’am, thank you for bringing glory to this old man’s insignificant life.”
The butler answered politely, and bowed deeply.
“Bye, Your Highness.”
The nickname change was a bit strange, but she had to get used to it. She was no longer the Marchioness of Rata.
Helen nodded lightly, then got into the carriage and drove off.
"My mom."
"Yes?"
“No need to worry.”
As soon as their eyes met, Shevlin quickly erased what she had written with her breath on the window.
The words “Shivlin Ratha” were barely visible.
She felt so sorry that she had been deprived of their happy family in an instant.
“Mom and Dad… won’t live together anymore, right?”
Shevlyn was a smart child. Helen hugged her and patted her gently.
“My love, you were born of love. I was so happy when I gave birth to you.”
"truly?"
“Absolutely. You are a very precious being.”
Shevelin's gloomy face brightened slightly.
Shevilyn felt reassured, so she hugged her rabbit doll and fell asleep.
Helen patted Shevelin on the back and opened the window to get some fresh air.
Shivalin sighed as she thought about living in the royal palace from now on.
Although she has visited the Crown Princess several times, living there is different.
“Will Shevilyn cope well?”
Neigh-
“Oh my God!”
Since the Marquis's residence and the royal palace were not far away, it was not long before the carriage driver stopped the horses.
Helen decided not to wake the sleeping baby, so she picked her up gently.
“Your Highness, we have arrived at Agnas Palace.”
After Helen received support from the carriage driver, she looked around.
The Palace of Agnès, the residence of the Crown Princess, has always been a luxurious place.
Since they would be staying in the palace, she had to see the Crown Princess first.
After a while, Countess Caine, the chief lady-in-waiting of Agnasse's palace, came out.
“Hello, Her Highness Princess Helen.”
“Hello, Countess Kane.”
“Did you come to see the Crown Princess upon your arrival?”
"Yes."
The Countess noticed Kane Schieffelin sleeping, lowered her voice and looked worried.
“Is Your Highness very busy?”
“She is now in a private meeting with a guest.”
With the countess's answer, Helen felt a man emerge from the office.
At that moment, her eyes met the eyes of the man who turned to her.
Jet black hair and sparkling blue eyes like rubies.
As soon as she saw the Riquier Imperial Family's jewel-like eyes, Helen immediately knew who he was.
Duke of Aachen Ricoeur. Former Crown Prince of Ricoeur, which neighbors Pitstein.
‘Why is the former Crown Prince of Riquier in Agnès Palace…?’
Helen was surprised by the Duke of Belzeit's sudden visit.
"…what?"
Helen was amazed at the short syllable that came out of his mouth.
'How does he know my childhood name?'
What? It was the name her mother had given her.