Battle Divorce! - Chapter 22

Chapter 11.2

“Rumor has it that your husband struck quite a nice deal with the royal family in exchange for his deployment.”

“What kind of deal? Isn’t he supposed to be their loyal hunting dog?”

A dog demanding food from its master? It made no sense.

“Yes, but the royal family was in a tight spot. They needed time to orchestrate an escape to the outskirts.”

The surprise attack had caught them completely off guard.

Desperate times called for desperate measures. Which must be why that pervert had left for battle without even spending their wedding night together.

Daisy nodded slowly, absorbing the information.

“A title equivalent to royalty and a rank granting him independent command during emergencies. Those were Maxim von Waldeck’s terms for deployment. They must have agreed since sending him to the front lines was as good as a death sentence.”

“Yet he returned after a grand victory?”

“Yep. Now public opinion is entirely in the war hero’s favor.”

If those were the headlines he was making in the papers, then it all made sense.

“A new hero for the kingdom has risen, and he’s closely tied to the royal family. Naturally, they’ll want to keep a very close eye on him.”

“Then why am I the one stuck with that job?”

“Given the current circumstances, you’re the most logical choice.”

She’d been set up. This had probably been their plan all along.

Daisy narrowed her eyes.

“Anyway, Daisy, you’re quite the public sensation right now, thanks to that guy. Haven’t you noticed?”

He grabbed a newspaper from his desk and tossed it onto the tea table in front of her.

[ National Hero Grand Duke Waldeck! What do you most look forward to upon your return home? ]

[ Holding my beloved wife, Daisy, in my arms. ]

…Damn it. He saw.

All she could do was stare at the article in resignation.

“You think that’s the only one? Everyone’s talking about it. They’re all dying to know, who is this ‘Daisy?’”

“…Alright, I get it. Just stop, please.”

Apparently, Maxim had been publicly gushing his excitement about their wedding night.

Considering this was the same man who casually used the phrase “s*xual intercourse” in front of the former grand duchess, she wasn’t even surprised.

Daisy rubbed her temples, feeling the onset of a headache.

“For now, I’m not comfortable with you being alone in Waldeck, so I’ll send someone along with you. We can say they’re someone who used to tend to you when you lived here.”

“So you’re keeping tabs on me.”

I was a fool for ever thinking I could ask for some help.

Right, life is a solo journey after all.

Daisy let out a long sigh, gulping down her now-cold tea. Her throat still felt parched.

“So basically, you’re telling me to shut up and cooperate.”

“Could you try to speak a little more nicely, Easy? You’re the daughter of a noble now, at least in name.”

“To hell with being a noble’s daughter. If I truly were your daughter, would you be treating me this way?”

Daisy slammed her teacup down hard enough to make the table rattle and abruptly stood from her seat.

“I don’t care. I’m doing things my way, and I won’t be responsible for whatever happens. Just so you know.”

“Now, now. I know that’s just talk. You wouldn’t be so irresponsible.”

“Shut up.”

“Well, I’ll give you some time to think it over.”

“You’re planning to throw me into another mission last-minute, aren’t you? Well, dream on—”

“I’m talking about the boy, Jamie. He doesn’t appear to be in good shape, and he needs medical attention as soon as possible.”

Jamie was the frailest child at the convent. Though he had seen doctors occasionally, the high cost of medicine had prevented him from receiving proper treatment.

“There was nothing about that in Sister Sophia’s letter.”

“Well, of course not. Sister Sophia wouldn’t want you to worry.”

That sounded exactly like something Sister Sophia would do.

“I’ll cover the hospital fees and even make a donation to the convent under Daisy Therese’s name. How does that sound? Since your mission has been extended, I’m offering to help with the more urgent issues.”

It was despicable how he brought up a sick child and the convent. If she kept listening, she knew she’d be dragged further into his schemes.

“Don’t act like you’re being generous now.”

“Easy, instead of being angry with me, try to think through the situation rationally.”

Daisy turned on her heel and marched toward the door. As she reached for the handle, Count Therese’s voice stopped her.

“Think about your mother. She died on a mission. Can you really bring yourself to do this?”

Daisy froze.

“Since the moment I took you in, I’ve never once forgotten. And neither have you.”

“…”

“Let’s not let her sacrifice be for nothing.”