chapter 24
Looking at Jeremy’s dazed face, Yuhan wore a satisfied smile.
It had been worth coming all the way here, even if it meant breathing in the cold dawn air.
“Your Grace the Duke… why are you here… how…?”
Jeremy was still mumbling incoherently, his face blank with shock.
“Please, sit down first.”
Yuhan politely gestured for him to take a seat. Jeremy, still bewildered, nodded and sat down on the sofa.
Seated, Jeremy blinked and stared at Yuhan across from him. He simply couldn’t make sense of the situation.
The person who had bought the deed of title and the house deed was none other than the Duke of Frektuester. What in the world was going on?
“You seem very surprised.”
“Yes.”
At Yuhan’s words, Jeremy nodded, looking like his soul had fled.
On that face, Yuhan saw traces of Serret, which pleased him inwardly. Siblings were siblings, after all—he found himself liking the man before him.
Especially since he had caused such a mess.
“I heard that Viscount Inohater’s title deed had entered the market, so I ordered it to be secured immediately.”
“Ah, yes.”
Jeremy still hadn’t fully grasped the situation and only nodded blankly.
But soon he realized how fortunate it was that both the title deed and the house deed had ended up in Yuhan’s hands.
“Thank you. Thank you so much, Your Grace!”
Jeremy’s voice quivered as he expressed his gratitude again and again, his eyes brimming.
How fortunate it was that these things had fallen into the Duke’s hands and not someone else’s. Jeremy felt as though his life had been spared.
“The title deed I’ll return to you.”
At Yuhan’s words, the aide beside him immediately pulled an envelope from his bag and handed it to Jeremy.
Jeremy hurriedly opened it and confirmed the title deed inside. To his father, it was more precious than life itself.
“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”
Jeremy fought back his tears as he expressed his thanks once again.
After carefully putting the deed back into the envelope, Jeremy glanced at the aide. There was still something else he should be receiving.
He stared as if to say, what about the house deed?, when Yuhan’s voice cut in.
“There’s one more matter.”
“Yes, Your Grace. The house deed…”
Jeremy trailed off nervously, gauging Yuhan’s expression.
“If you don’t mind, could I return that to you a bit later?”
“What? The house deed?”
“I have a use for it.”
Yuhan’s gaze grew serious. The most reliable way to tie down the fiancée who kept trying to escape their engagement had just fallen into his hands.
She might have run from even the Emperor’s letter and medal, claiming she wanted nothing—but she would need the title deed and the house deed.
“A use for it? What would you possibly…”
Jeremy looked at him nervously.
“There’s nothing to worry about. I will return it.”
“Of course. Of course Your Grace would return it.”
Jeremy nodded over and over again, as though convincing himself to soothe his anxiety.
“I would also prefer Lady Inohater not to know that I was involved in this matter.”
Yuhan spoke. He already knew Serret had decided to remain longer at the ducal estate because of Jeremy’s blunder.
He had heard bits and pieces from the coachman and the servants guarding the gate—that Serret, who had been packed and ready to leave, had run into Jeremy loitering at the entrance.
That she had chased after him when he tried to flee, and had shoved clothes and jewels into his hands before sending him away.
Since Yuhan had already been informed that the viscount’s title deed and house deed were being sold on the market, it hadn’t been difficult to piece the story together.
“You want it kept secret?”
Jeremy blinked in confusion, as if wondering why.
“I’ll be the one to tell Lady Inohater.”
“Ah, yes. I understand.”
Jeremy nodded vigorously.
“Tell her you retrieved the title deed, but not the house deed.”
“Yes. In any case, Serret only gave me those things hoping I could at least recover the title deed, so she won’t expect the house deed back as well.”
Jeremy glanced at the box beside him.
“And what is that?”
Though Yuhan already knew Serret had handed him clothes and jewels, he feigned ignorance.
“Ah, these are clothes and a necklace… it’s just that…”
Jeremy looked at Yuhan uneasily.
These were obviously valuable things—not Serret’s own, but no doubt ones Yuhan had given her. Having accepted them made Jeremy feel as though he were sitting on needles.
“Lady Inohater gave them to you?”
“She was desperate, so she did it in haste. It’s all my fault. If only I hadn’t been swindled…”
Jeremy bit his lip, defending Serret.
Seeing his tearful expression, Yuhan restrained himself from laughing. That his fiancée had shoved away gifts he had given her, just to resolve her brother’s mess—how adorable she was.
He wasn’t displeased in the slightest. In fact, he was rather proud that she had made such good use of them.
“I’ll take those with me.”
“Yes, of course. You should.”
Jeremy quickly placed the box on the table.
“It would be nice to share a meal, but today I don’t have the time. Let’s do so another day.”
Yuhan stood as he spoke.
“Yes, Your Grace. Thank you very much.”
Jeremy also rose, bowing deeply in thanks.
As he received Jeremy’s gratitude, Yuhan thought: I should be the one saying thank you instead.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Serret smiled faintly at the probing look in Lawyer Dellavine’s eyes. Setting down her coffee cup, she cleared her throat before speaking.
“I know how strange it must seem for someone not even married yet to suddenly ask how much alimony she could get from a divorce.”
“……”
At her words, Dellavine only gave an awkward smile, saying nothing.
So, he does think it’s strange, Serret thought, and quickly took another sip of coffee.
“But it’s a very important matter for me.”
“Well, I’m sure Lady Inohater has her reasons.”
At last, Dellavine smiled in understanding.
“Yes, circumstances leave me no choice.”
“My concern is only that Lady Inohater might suffer from a marriage you don’t want.”
“That won’t happen anymore.”
Serret’s expression turned bitter. She knew of Yuhan’s schemes now, and she wouldn’t let herself be so easily cornered.
As long as she didn’t bear a child, she would survive. He had killed her after she gave birth before—but if she never bore one, at least her life wouldn’t be endangered.
“If you’re thinking of divorce before even marrying, isn’t unhappiness already certain?”
“If I don’t marry, I’ll be even unhappier.”
Serret was realistic about her situation.
If she broke off the engagement with Yuhan now, without recovering her father’s title or their house, she would lose her only shield.
In the worst case, she might be sold off into marriage with some stranger.
Practically speaking, the best option was to marry Yuhan and then divorce. Right now, her only financial lifeline was the Frektuester family.
Once she became duchess, she would be able to access some funds—not enough to pay all the debts immediately, but enough to show intent and keep the estate and title from slipping away.
Later, with alimony, she could fully repay everything. That was Serret’s plan.
“Very well. I’ll respect Lady Inohater’s decision. I’m always on the side of women.”
Dellavine gave a reassuring smile, which eased Serret’s heart.
“The first thing you should know is that alimony itself isn’t very significant. The real issue is division of assets.”
“Division of assets?”
“Alimony is capped. Whether you’re married one year or ten, no matter the spouse’s fault, the maximum is ten thousand lupings.”
“Ten thousand?”
Serret’s face fell at his words. A mere ten thousand lupings?
“But when it comes to division of assets, that’s another story. It can be anywhere from one-tenth to half.”
“Half?”
Her heart raced. Could she really receive half of the vast Frektuester fortune?
“That only happens in marriages of thirty years or more.”
Seeing her wide eyes, Dellavine chuckled.
At the word thirty years, Serret grimaced and shook her head. She’d rather be sold to a stranger than live thirty years with Yuhan.
Not that she’d even live that long—he would surely kill her long before.
“I’d be satisfied with the minimum.”
Serret spoke firmly. Even one-tenth of the Frektuester fortune would exceed 170,000 lupings.
She would forever carry the label of former Duchess of Frektuester, but that didn’t matter. She had no intention of marrying another man anyway. She would simply live quietly in Mocial with her father.
“To receive even a tenth, you’ll need to be married at least a year. And that’s only if your spouse is clearly at fault.”
“Clearly at fault?”
“Adultery with another, physical abuse, things of that nature…”
Dellavine trailed off, his expression doubtful. Would the Duke really do such things?
That bastard has done far worse, she wanted to say. Would poisoning his wife count? She held her tongue and only nodded.
After finishing her consultation, Serret headed back to the ducal estate.
Her conclusion was simple: marry first. She would have to endure at least one year to qualify for division of assets.
As soon as she returned, she asked the butler where Yuhan was.
“He just came back and is in the study.”
Hearing this, Serret went straight to the study. She was about to knock when the coachman came out.
Upon seeing her, he startled, bowed deeply, and hurried away.
What was that about? she wondered as she stepped inside.
Yuhan, standing by the window, turned at the sound of her entrance. His expression was oddly cheerful, which only irritated her further.
Still, no matter her mood, she had to say what needed saying. Skipping pleasantries, Serret went straight to the point.
“I want to get married. As soon as possible.”
I’ll collect the price of my life from you this way, Yuhan Frektuester.
