Please Provide Compensation Through Divorce-Chapter 30

His tone was slightly sarcastic, but factually correct.

In the old days, the royal family managed the guild as a military facility. Magicians were crucial in frequent territorial wars.

Then, around three hundred years ago, the guild demanded independence from the royal family, resisting their militarization.

As a result, the guild gained independence, but relations with the royal family soured significantly, as evident between Luminous and Leto.

“I’m glad my indifference has kept you well.”

Leto responded with equal sarcasm, then pushed a document on the table toward him.

“Read this.”

“What is it?”

“I plan to establish a medical office in the palace.”

“What?!”

Luminous frowned deeply.

“What about the Temple?”

“That’s for the royal family to handle, isn’t it?”

“No. If the royal family and the Temple clash, it will trouble the guild.”

History proved this fact. Luminous wanted no part in their feud.

“Someone might think I’m declaring war. This is a simple business proposition.”

‘Business proposition? What business does the royal family have with the guild?’

Luminous opened the document reluctantly. His eyebrows twitched as he read.

“You want to buy access to the ‘Magician’s Forest’?”

“I’d like to buy the forest, but I know you won’t sell it. So, I’m proposing to buy access rights. The price will be fair.”

Luminous immediately closed the document.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“The guild members will oppose it. Magicians don’t sell their pride.”

“How is a forest pride?”

“People like you will never understand.”

“I’m curious what kind of person I am.”

‘An arrogant prince who only thinks about himself. A cold-blooded man with no mercy. An ice block who knows neither compromise nor coexistence.’

Luminous wanted to say it outright. That’s how he saw Leto.

“I’ll just say this. We don’t like being used.”

“Yes, it’s using you.”

Leto said without a flicker of emotion.

“What?”

“This isn’t a school. You and I are now heads of the royal family and the guild.”

“I know that. Who said otherwise?”

“Then you should think about how to use me. To your fullest advantage.”

“Magicians don’t engage in such politics.”

Luminous regretted coming here.

‘I must have lost my mind to be here, listening to this.’

He braced himself for more harsh words. But Leto’s tone softened.

“Look, Luminous.”

“…”

“The royal family’s indifference to the guild is acknowledged. Magicians are citizens too.”

“Excuse me?”

“You must have felt slighted. I understand.”

‘Acknowledged? Slighted? Understand?’

Luminous blinked in confusion. The emperor must be nearing death. Otherwise, he wouldn’t use such words.

“But you need to understand this. Before being a magician, you are the head of the guild. Put aside your feelings and consider the benefits for your guild members.”

“I’m telling you, they won’t want this.”

“You won’t know until you ask them.”

Leto leaned back into the sofa.

“Times are tough for your guild members. The number of monsters has decreased, and dragon births have significantly dropped.”

“How do you know that…!”

“Did you really think the royal family is completely indifferent to the guild?”

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Monster hunting is the main income source for magicians. Since the sharp decline in monster numbers, magicians have survived by taking private mercenary jobs.

Luminous clenched his fists in frustration. It was humiliating, but true.

Leto looked out the window and muttered.

“Someone told me. Isolation isn’t good.”

Luminous flinched. It was a message for both the royal family and the guild. He didn’t know who said it, but it hit home.

“If you’re uncomfortable with the word ‘use,’ think of it as ‘coexistence.’”

“…I don’t know who you’ve been talking to lately, but you’ve learned some new words.”

“Did you hear about Shawn becoming the deputy captain of the guards?”

“What?! Has he gone mad? Well, that nutcase always was missing a few screws, but what were you thinking accepting him?”

“I just approved his application. He won the position through fair competition.”

Luminous swallowed hard.

‘Just approving his application is surprising enough.’

“He must have been embarrassed, keeping it quiet.”

Leto chuckled.

“The royal family is ready to accept magicians, Luminous. So, check with your guild members.”

Leto glanced at the silently fuming Luminous. He had clearly struck a nerve.

“Look at the last page of the document.”

Luminous did as instructed and was shocked.

“This… this is…”

It was a blank check bearing the royal seal.

“Discuss with your guild members and write whatever amount you need.”

Luminous was dumbfounded. Then Leto took out another document.

“Now, let’s discuss the second matter.”

“There’s more to discuss?”

“Yes. And this one is even more important.”

Three hours later.

Luminous left the drawing room, exhausted. He held two documents in his hand.

“Goodbye, Master Luminous.”

Yuton greeted him politely. Luminous looked weary, with dark circles under his eyes.

“Your emperor…”

“Yes.”

“Has he been replaced by someone else?”

“What?”

“They say people who start doing things out of character are close to death.”

Luminous muttered, shaking his head as he walked away. After he left, Yuton entered the drawing room.

Leto was sitting calmly, sipping tea. Yuton approached and asked,

“The meeting ran long. Master Luminous looked exhausted.”

“All this over a mere discussion? Despite his size.”

“But, Your Majesty, isn’t a blank check a bit risky? Who knows how much the guild will write?”

Leto shook his head.

“Don’t worry. They’ll write a reasonable amount.”

“How do you know?”

“Luminous isn’t very bold.”

And he laughed leisurely.

Watching this, Yuton thought,

‘Has he changed? He seems just the same.’

“You’ve been overworking yourself lately.”

Lady Mare said as she placed tea on the table. I lifted my head. My neck ached from concentrating for so long.

The desk was cluttered with papers. It was the draft of the “Proposal for the Establishment of the Medical Office.”

I sipped the tea. The warmth moistened my dry mouth.

“I’m just doing my job. I have important documents to write.”

“But you seem particularly urgent after visiting Baron Farham.”

I just smiled wordlessly.

Lady Mare was right. I had been preoccupied with the proposal for days.

It was an incredibly important document. It had to be perfect before the council meeting next week.

‘But… is that really the only reason I feel so rushed?’

"If you finish the proposal within a week, let’s go together."

I was confused. Was I eager because I wanted to go to the night market? Or was it because I was looking forward to going with Leto?

His question suddenly came to mind.

"Do you do this because you don’t like me?"

I had only focused on his feelings for me. I hadn’t considered my feelings for him. I didn’t think they mattered.

"It hurts me more if you ignore your feelings."

Why would that hurt him? Is that what happens when you like someone? I didn’t know. I had never liked anyone before.

‘…But I don’t want to hurt him.’

I put down the pen. I decided to think seriously about it.

Let’s put aside the fact that we need to get divorced. Let’s also set aside that he is the emperor.

Think about Leto, man to woman.

A fair and handsome face. Sharp gaze and stern lips. A curt way of speaking.

He is indeed intimidating. But…

Occasionally, a mischievous expression. Kind words and gestures despite appearances. Sometimes a fleeting smile. Especially under the sunlight.

I inadvertently muttered,

“He is pretty.”

‘…What?’

Pretty? Not handsome or cool? Where did that come from?

I absentmindedly touched my neck. It was warm.

‘…Alright, I admit it. I like his face. Only his face.’

I shook my head. Let’s stop here. Any further would be too much.

That evening, I finished the first draft of the proposal. It was rough, but the structure was there.

Now I needed to consult with Leto and make revisions. I considered sending a servant but decided against it. The matter was confidential until the council meeting.

The walk from my room to his office wasn’t far. His office door was slightly ajar. Light spilled out, indicating he was inside.

I was about to knock when I heard voices from within.

“I’ve sounded out the pro-royal nobles about the medical office.”

It was Yuton’s voice. Then Leto’s voice followed.

“Good. What did they say?”

“They agreed with the purpose and need. But they are still wary of the Temple.”

“Of course. Make sure to keep them informed. Don’t let the Temple-aligned nobles like Berne catch wind.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

So Leto knew Berne was allied with the Temple. He just pretended not to.

It seemed this meeting would not be easy. Was it going to escalate?

“Your Majesty… does it have to be now?”

Yuton asked worriedly. Even his closest aide seemed concerned.

“If not now, then when?”

“A bit more timing—”

“There is no such thing as perfect timing. It has never come and never will. Understand?”

I agreed internally. Timing was a matter of making.

“And the empress needs a home.”

‘Home?’

“A home?”

“Yes. She finds the palace uncomfortable. And so do I.”

“That can’t be true!”

“It’s a fact, Yuton.”

Leto said calmly.

“So we need a place where she can do what she wants freely. Then she might start seeing the palace as home.”

“I see…”

“I want her to feel comfortable.”

I felt a mix of emotions I couldn’t explain. It was like receiving a precious gift I didn’t deserve.

I glanced at the proposal.

‘…I should perfect it before bringing it to him.’

To Be Continued