Battle Divorce! - Chapter 6

Chapter 3.2

Of course, he looked even better in person, but even the portrait captured his striking features.

In terms of appearance alone, simply calling him “handsome” didn’t do him justice. This extraordinary man, arrogant and full of commanding presence, somehow exuded a strange allure as well.

It had been the former grand duchess who insisted on placing his portrait by Daisy’s bedside, saying it would help ensure her husband’s safe return.

“Are you doing well out there? I’m as comfortable as can be here, thanks to you.”

Although the portrait couldn’t respond, Daisy sometimes spoke to it when she was alone. Without the sisters or any children around, clamoring for attention, the quiet left her feeling a bit lonely.

“I’m eating well, sleeping soundly, taking walks, and reading to my heart’s content… I’ve become quite good at keeping myself entertained.”

For her mission to succeed, her husband had to die.

Wishing for someone else’s death felt like committing a sin in itself, and it left her with a strange feeling.

Still, death was God’s calling, and there was no way to stop it.

Every night before she fell asleep, Daisy prayed that even if he died in battle, he might at least find peace in Heaven.

As she gazed at her husband’s portrait, her thoughts drifted to the kiss they’d shared on their wedding day.

His warm breath that had delved deep into her mouth, and the hot weight of him pressing against her lower stomach…

“Hah, jeez…”

Daisy shook her head and buried her face in the soft covers, willing the embarrassing memory away.

“I’ll be back soon, wife.”

“We’ll consummate the marriage when I return.”

But the more she tried to suppress it, the more vivid the memory became.

It was impossible to forget something with such a distinct presence… The enormous size of that thing was memorable enough. Who could forget something so unusual?

Daisy von Waldeck occasionally—okay, more than occasionally—found herself dreaming of her husband.

Of course, the dreams weren’t intentional, but whenever he appeared in them, he kissed her passionately, as though he would consume her. And as their kiss deepened, Daisy would cling to him as if grasping onto a lifeline.

She would end up being pinned beneath his large frame, completely filled by him, and rocked into a dizzying oblivion… such dirty dreams.

“Haah, it’s not like I’m sexually frustrated. Why do I keep having these filthy dreams?”

Just imagining it sent a tingling sensation down her lower stomach, and it nearly drove her nearly mad. Even though no one was around, she felt an urge to hide somewhere. Feeling restless, she tapped her foot in agitation.

Yes, based on looks alone, he was definitely her type.

If I had to sleep with a man, someone like him wouldn’t be a bad choice… God, what am I even thinking?

It’s all because of that portrait. Seeing such a tempting face so often has seeped into my subconscious.

Resolving not to look at it anymore, she flipped the frame face down.

“O Gracious Lord, please guide this lost soul back to Your embrace.”

Daisy immediately sat up, grasping the cross pendant around her neck, whispering a prayer of repentance.

His warm embrace… was probably because he was a soldier. He did have an impressive chest, especially those pecs. He could probably stop a knife with that kind of muscle—

“Ugh… What am I even thinking? Think pure thoughts, pure thoughts…”

Daisy screwed her eyes shut and lightly smacked her head as if to scold her own brain.

“Forget about it. He’s not coming back anyway.”

The front lines were reportedly in the midst of a brutal battle, with their forces being at a serious disadvantage.

‘So stop wasting time on useless thoughts.’

Daisy pulled the blankets over her head and squeezed her eyes shut.

༺♰༻

Tea time in the evening was an unusual request. The former grand duchess had already begun sipping her tea by the time Daisy arrived, and it was clear she had a lot to say.

“Is there good news, Mother?”

“Of course. How is it that you never read the papers?”

…Well, I would if I had one.

The Waldeck territory was remote, and no one bothered bringing her the daily newspaper. She did manage to get her hands on a paper once a week to gather information, but going into town every day was difficult. Plus, every time she used the carriage, people would give her disapproving glances, wondering why a married woman was out and about so often.

It was exhausting.

The former grand duchess tossed a newspaper onto the table.

[ Maxim von Waldeck Achieves an Unprecedented Great Victory! ]

The headline prominently featured her husband’s name in bold print.

Daisy rubbed her eyes, barely believing what she read. But what shocked her more was the next line:

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

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

No way, that can’t be right. This has to be a misprint or something.

“I warned you repeatedly to cut back on your meals so that you could prepare for the grand duke’s return.”

The former grand duchess remarked smugly as Daisy’s face paled.

‘I did not see this coming. What do I do now?’

Hadn’t the latest weekly paper said the situation at the front lines was dire, and that there was no sign of victory? Daisy was completely blindsided.

‘Okay, stay calm. If I start planning carefully now, maybe…’

But God seemed to have other plans.

“Madam, the Grand Duke of Waldeck has just arrived at the territory!”

Already?

The maid rushed breathlessly into the parlor to deliver the news. Daisy’s face turned a deathly shade of white.

༺♰༻

What should I do? What am I even supposed to do?

Her mind had gone completely blank, and she couldn’t come up with a single plan.

Standing in the lobby with the former grand duchess, Daisy anxiously fidgeted with her fingertips as they awaited her husband’s arrival.

BAM—!

At last, the doors swung open, and a tall, incredibly handsome man strode inside.

The moment her eyes locked with his piercing, steel-blue gaze, she momentarily forgot to breathe. Just as she had feared, the man spotted her immediately and made a bee-line for her.

“I’m back, my wife.”

Maxim von Waldeck pulled her into a tight embrace. The unexpected move made Daisy’s eyes dart around in surprise.

“…Shall we head to the bedroom now?”

“Pardon?”

He whispered softly in her ear, a lazy smile painted on his lips.

“You remember our promise, don’t you? We’d consummate the marriage when I returned.”

Daisy’s face flushed bright red.

Around them, the servants were lined up to welcome their master, and even the former grand duchess was present, but Maxim acted as though they were the only ones in the room.

…And as if that wasn’t enough.

“Forgive me, but I’m in a bit of a hurry.”

Good God. He was already heavy and hot, the front of his trousers straining as if they were about to burst.