# 23 -
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Seret watched Yuan anxiously as she cut the meat.
According to the plan, she was to return tomorrow, but she felt that she needed to stay in the capital longer to finish the mess that Jeremy had caused.
Would it seem weird if she said she wanted to stay after all she did about leaving? Seret stole another glance towards Yuan.
“If you have something to say, say it.”
Yuan noticed her gaze, so he put down his fork and knife and looked straight into her eyes.
Siret was confused when their gazes met, so she cleared her throat lightly.
“I want to stay in the capital for a few more days.”
“What next?”
Yuan said with an expressionless face. Seret was surprised by his response. She expected him to simply tell her that she was free if she wanted to stay.
“I would like to stay at the Duke’s Palace for a while as well.”
She said hesitantly, feeling her neck heat up from his coldness.
She felt like she was begging, and it hurt her pride. However, Yuan kept staring at her without answering.
Her face gradually began to blush. Does this mean he doesn't want her to stay? What an arrogant person. She nervously grabbed the hem of her skirt.
“Forget what I said. I will leave tomorrow as planned.”
She said quickly, her pride completely wounded.
“And if you leave, where will you go?”
“I have so many places I can go.”
She didn't have anywhere. There was no one in the capital close enough to ask to stay with him for a few days.
The hotels were far away, and staying in a luxury hotel was impossible unless you stole Yuan's wallet.
"truly?"
Yuan tilted his head slightly. Although his face was expressionless, he seemed to be mocking her.
"Yes, really."
She said firmly. Yuan laughed at her answer. Seret gave him an angry look.
“Let's try then.”
He said without wiping the smile from his face. It was the look of someone who found something amusing.
"What did you say?"
She furrowed her eyebrows. What's wrong with him? Experience what? What he said sounded ridiculous.
“Do you know anyone in DC?”
Yuan asked, looking at her.
Of course not. Neither in this life nor the previous one.
In her previous life, she was an outcast duchess and did not get close to anyone.
But her pride did not allow her to confess, so she raised her chin slightly and said:
“I know.”
"from?"
“Why do you ask so many questions?”
“I received a request and I promised Baron Enohater that I would take good care of Miss Enohater.”
“You talk like you're my guardian.”
“It's something close to that. I'm your guardian now.”
Yuan raised the wine glass and pointed it at her before calmly taking a sip.
“I'm my own guardian, so you don't have to worry.”
“Seret Enohater’s guardian is Yuan Frektwister.”
He said it in a clear tone.
His voice and look were unanswerable, so Siret fell silent.
"I'll ask again. If you leave this palace, do you have somewhere to go?"
"honestly?"
“Yes, honestly.”
Yuan nodded.
“No. The only person I know a little bit is Eve Racing, but it would be inappropriate for me to ask to spend the night with her since we haven’t known each other long.”
In the end she answered truthfully. Staying in the Duke's Palace was the best option.
"Isn't there anyone else? Anyone you know a little in the capital?"
"Someone I know a little bit? What exactly do you want to know?"
Seret asked, thinking.
“I was wondering if there was another man who could help Miss.”
Seret laughed dryly at hearing the expression “another man” from Yuan’s mouth, but quickly said:
“The only man in the capital who can help is the one sitting in front of me right now.”
She smiled lightly.
"That's good. Just one man."
Yuan seemed satisfied with her answer.
“Then I will take this as permission to stay in the palace for a while longer.”
“What caused this sudden change? You were so excited to come back.”
“An emergency occurred.”
She was a little confused, but she controlled herself.
“If what happened needs help, tell me. I will always help you.”
“No need, I'm fine.”
She declined with a smile and picked up her fork and knife again.
***
Seret tossed and turned in bed for a long time before sitting up in the dark.
Thoughts were crowding in her head, and she couldn't sleep. How can this dilemma be solved?
One hundred and seventy thousand is a huge amount. It may mean nothing to the Freaktwister family, but it is huge to her family.
“Yuan wouldn't care about something like this.”
He could easily cover this amount. Are you asking for his help?
But if you do, you will not be able to break off the engagement. As long as the money is between them, the breakup will not be easy.
“Jeremy...you bastard.”
She muttered, hiding her face between her knees.
No matter what she thought, she could not find a solution other than Yuan. Who else can secure the amount?
If her father loses the title and the palace, he will not be able to live. For him, honor is life itself.
After thinking long and hard all night, an idea came to her as dawn broke. It was risky, but not bad.
“I should file for divorce.”
She said after finishing the glass of water Hana gave her.
“Divorce? What divorce?”
Hannah frowned in surprise. It was strange for someone who was not yet married to talk about divorce.
“Divorce is the only solution. There is no other way.”
Siret said as she got out of bed.
She has decided, she will marry Yuan and then file for divorce in order to obtain a large financial compensation.
But the question is how much compensation will be. You will not know unless you consult a lawyer.
“Miss, are you still half asleep? It seems that you haven’t slept because of Young Master. Would you like to rest a little? By the way, the Duke is not in the palace, you can have breakfast in peace.”
“No need. I'm wide awake.”
She said as she walked nervously into the room. Who would be the right lawyer? Certainly not one related to the Freaktwister family.
She suddenly remembered a lawyer from her previous life; Mrs. Dillypine, whom I had read about in magazines and heard her name from among upper-class ladies.
She had married and divorced Baron Scott, and was previously known as Baroness Scott.
During her divorce proceedings, she saw the need for a lawyer specializing in women's cases, so she studied law and became a lawyer.
Delibane has earned a reputation as a progressive woman, if also an eccentric, but she will come in handy now.
“Where was Attorney Dilbain's house?”
Seret paused in thought as she rubbed her chin.
“Was it near the Bengent River?”
I remembered an old conversation from one of the women that Dilipin lived in a white house near the river.
At that time, Sirit was afraid that Yuan would divorce her, so she listened to any talk about divorce.
Now that has become useful. She smiled lightly.
After a simple breakfast, I left the palace early.
She refused to accompany the driver, and took a rented car with Hannah. It wasn't good for Yuan to know that she was going to a divorce lawyer.
She alighted near the Bingent River, and began searching with Hannah for the white house. Five minutes later, the house appeared in front of them.
“Miss, there, that's him.”
Hannah pointed out.
Seret walked quickly. The small house was three stories high and looked simple but elegant.
"Miss, where are we? Whose house is this?"
Hannah asked confused.
“It is the home of the person who will extract money from the Frecktwister family legally.”
Siret said as she climbed the stairs resolutely.
***
Jeremy clasped his hands anxiously. The title papers and the mortgaged palace were transferred to another person.
These papers had been in great demand recently, as the nouveau riche of the middle class were buying up poorer noble titles.
It wasn't completely legal, but it became common as times changed.
The good news is that the person who obtained the papers agreed to meet with him.
As soon as he heard this, he rushed home.
“Is that enough?”
He looked at the dresses and jewelry that Seret had given him. It was valuable, but he doubted it would be enough to retrieve the papers.
He was ready to kneel and beg if necessary. Sigh deeply.
At that moment, the reception room door opened.
Jeremy stood up quickly, his face tense.
The door slowly opened, and someone he didn't expect appeared.
“The… Duke?”
It was Yoann Frecktwister, Seret's fiancé.
“It's been a long time.”
Yuan said as he lightly extended his hand.