Chapter 0 – [Prologue]

The Emperor’s eternal companion.

The knight who bears the sword that protects the empire.

A Duke belonging to the Meklen Family.

The person I married was a Meklen, one of the best families in the Empire.

The Duke of Meklen was a nonchalant man, but his loyalty to the Emperor and Empire was of another level. Having been busy with political affairs at important posts, he had a schedule of the days he’d go home.

There were days when he came home regularly, but he was often busy with other things, so it was difficult to hold a proper conversation with him.

Instead of the Duke of Meklen, his mother, Caroline, was always with me everyday to educate me on everything I needed as a Duchess. It was mainly a duty that needed to be done as the head of the Meklen family.

In reality, I was only Caroline’s replacement.

Important tasks such as managing the property owned by the family, running the mansion smoothly as the head, and serving the people of the Meklen’s family were solely Caroline’s responsibilities.

She didn’t hesitate to speak insulting words towards me when I attempted to help the family.

All of Caroline’s decisions were followed. As she watches my every move, she expects me to act according to her will.

Among the ladies of the Baren Empire, I was a celebrity.

I was known as the Baimach Island’s Parrot.

The parrot, which can only be seen on the island of Baimach, had iridescent wings, unlike other birds. Unlike his fancy appearance, his brain was far short compared to other birds, and he could not imitate them no matter how much he was trained to speak like them.

I was given that nickname because I was less knowledgeable among the ladies of the Empire.

Thus, I lived my life everyday being mistreated.

Then as time passed by, I couldn’t bear to continue living my life anymore with such disgrace.

There was nowhere for me to run because I had nowhere to go back.

A princess of a fallen kingdom who was sold to the Baren Empire.

That was me.

My marriage, which was considered as the symbol of the unity of the fallen Hartman kingdom and the Baren Empire, made me the laughing stock of the aristocratic society.

I’ve endured for three years believing that someone will recognize my efforts someday.

It was a miracle that Caroline died and I thought I’d finally be able to breathe. But, what followed was accusations of an unspeakable act.

Caroline’s funeral was postponed for a while. A special investigation team was set up as the doctor, who was tending to her, suddenly died of an unknown disease.

After, it was concluded that I was the one who killed her.

I defended myself, but the Duke of Meklen didn’t believe me.

Since I was forced to be brought to the court, my guilt gradually increased.

Embezzelemnt of property, concealment of murder, and violation of the dignity of nobility by enganging in immoral relations with information dealers in back alleys.

The maid, Becky, was one of the most trusted people of the Duchess, yet she accused me of being a murderer with false testimony.

There was a transaction made with a merchant in the back alley, but it was precisely for Caroline, the Duke’s mother, not me.

All of their accusations had nothing to do with me, but I was helpless.

A fallen country. A marriage that couldn’t even be rejected.

The effort made to fulfill one’s last duty as a member of the royal family resulted in a miserable life. To the point where I resented myself for having been brainwashed and was made as a sacrifice for my country.

The moment the blade of the guillotine fell under the blue sky, I decided.

If I was given another chance to live, I wouldn’t live like a fool again.

And as if her wish was heard, she came back in the past, precisely three years ago.

My first goal in this life is…

To divorce.

***

“What?”

As he tried to make sense of Eleanor’s words, The tired Duke answered in a dull voice.

She pushed the paper she was holding forward so that the Duke of Meklen could see it clearly.

“Let’s get divorced.”

The Duke became silent when the paper became close enough to the tip of his nose. Mainly because the strange word “divorce” didn’t sound so sincere.

Eleanor, who was looking at him who was as hard as stone and wouldn’t move, spoke first.

“I want this to be done smoothly without anyone getting hurt, so I want an agreement to be made.”

The Duke of Meklen’s expression became stiff. Taking away the paper she was holding, he threw it away without reading it properly.

“Haha. It’s a national marriage that Your Majesty himself has made. It’s not a decision I can make.”

“I know it very well.”

Eleanor expected the Duke to use the Emperor as an excuse. She smiled brightly as she waited for such an answer.

“This is also your direct order.”