HMC 16

Chapter 16

He stopped every passing servant to ask about Chloe’s whereabouts. Since she often moved about without any attendants, no one had an accurate idea of her location.

His careless ambition could only be retrieved when the blue sky began to be tinged with dusk. Upon hearing that Chloe had returned from her outing, Kalis immediately headed to her room.

“What is it?”
Chloe’s face paled at his appearance. Even that expression, now, was amusing to him. He waited for the moment when her noble face would be drowned in despair.

“I have something to tell you,” Kalis began, feigning seriousness.
“Shall we… call it quits?”
“Call it quits?”
“I mean, we should end our relationship.”

A faint blush of delight appeared on Chloe’s face.
“So… Your Highness wants a divorce?”
“Yes.”

When Kalis gave a clear answer, Chloe’s expression brightened even more. He struggled to hold back a smirk.

“Good. Then let’s proceed with the formalities…”
“Before that, there’s something you need to do for me.”
“Please, tell me.”

He deliberately delayed, observing her reaction. Among all her emotions, joy and expectation were the most prominent. Soon, these emotions would vanish instantly with the next words.

“I need you to get the King’s approval.”

As expected, Chloe’s face fell. However, using her sharp mind, she quickly tried to find a way out.
“If both spouses agree, I believe the sovereign’s consent isn’t necessary.”
“That’s a separate matter.”
“Are you trying to make things more complicated?”
“No, that’s not it. I mean…”

It was impossible for Chloe to escape his grasp. Kalis presented something utterly unavoidable: the contract between him and King Valont. What he had meticulously planned long ago shone now, just like it had during the earlier revelation.

“There’s a contract I made with His Majesty. Technically, divorcing you would be breaking that contract. What if the King were displeased?”
“I will handle that later.”
“That won’t do. What if you betray me while I’m away?”
“Once I leave here, there’s no way I’ll be entangled with Your Highness. I can guarantee that. So you don’t need to worry about anything else…”

Her self-assured excuse only irritated Kalis. He let out a light scoff and cut her off immediately.

“Why, Chloe? You’d just need to accept my terms. Why are you dragging this out? Why complicate the simplest thing?”
“….”
“Ah, is there some unavoidable circumstance?”

The ocean swirled in her eyes. As her steadfast gaze trembled, Kalis felt a secret satisfaction.

He moved closer into the dim space. Her legs instinctively stepped back, narrowing the distance between them.

“For instance, what if His Majesty refuses to allow our divorce?”

He deliberately lowered his height to whisper into Chloe’s ear.

Chloe trembled. “You….”

Now she seemed to understand. Kalis smiled faintly and withdrew his face, wanting to observe her raw reaction.

“What… what are you talking about?”

Her voice, once confident, grew soft and almost inaudible. He took another step forward; when she tried to retreat, he moved closer again, until she hit the wall.

“Chloe!”

A strong force hit the wall, pushing her back.

“Did you think this was a joke?”
“Did you really think the royal family would approve of a divorce? You, who know better than anyone what divorce means in the kingdom… Asking for it so boldly as a princess… Have you completely lost your mind?”

Indeed, something seemed off. Chloe had taken a different carriage than the royal one on her way back. It wasn’t shabby, but certainly not royal.

If the King had approved the divorce, she wouldn’t have returned to the estate. She would have been enjoying royal luxury before being struck with such devastating news.

“I hear you even visited the temple? Were you trying to beg the chancellor since the King refused?”

At that moment, the chancellor confirmed that Chloe’s name was in the guest registry and informed Kalis. Everything fell into place.

All her efforts, all the ways she tried to outsmart him, ultimately failed. That had always been the fate of such a foolish woman.

“Go on, Chloe. Why so quiet? Just because a little secret got exposed, you’re completely deflated. That just makes me happier.”

Kalis rubbed his hand across her cheek, the touch trailing down to her shoulder.

“Fine. Let’s assume we’ve divorced. You’d be too ashamed to remain in the palace. Who would take you? A bride who hasn’t even performed the wedding night is worthless merchandise.”

The word wedding night made Chloe avert her eyes, memories flooding back.

‘I’m sorry, princess. I’m not ready yet.’

Kalis, who left before the wedding night, had returned later. He performed it with her, but that night, after bathing, he firmly refused her.

Even though she was embarrassed, Chloe accepted it, not pushing him.

Yet the person responsible for arranging that night could hardly speak of it as if he had slept with her out of duty.

“You see, Chloe. A foolish woman like you is right where I want her. With nowhere to go, all you can do is rot here quietly! Better than a wandering vagabond, isn’t it?”

The corners of his mouth slowly lifted. Watching Chloe sink into despair, he finally laughed fully.

Only then did Chloe realize everything. He had gone through all the trouble to arrange the wedding night—not to save her face, not to avoid being a villain, but simply because this devilish thrill had long been anticipated and meticulously planned.

Dylan approached Kalis, who lay on the bed.

“Your Majesty, a letter has arrived.”

At this hour, it was undoubtedly hers. Kunn quickly snatched the letter. He couldn’t wait for Dylan to leave and immediately read it.

His reddish-brown eyes flickered, scanning the letter from bottom to top.

“Is… something wrong?”

The subtly rounded handwriting seemed cute. Her voice, heard a few times at most, lingered in his ears.

‘Worrying unnecessarily,’ he thought. Yet inwardly, he was pleased. Finally, Kunn allowed a genuine smile to appear.

“Who exactly are you exchanging letters with?” Dylan noted, seeing his master’s odd reaction.

A smile—from that emperor? Who would have thought? Not even when he executed the enemy general did he look so gentle.

“There’s someone I want to free from that damn rat.”
“…What rat?”
“Someone I need to personally help.”

Dylan, still nearby, realized he had been caught in a strange situation. His master, showing interest in another, was unprecedented.

“Then why only letters? Can’t it be done directly?”
“We’re building a rapport first.”
“And after that?”
“I wait until my savior extends a helping hand.”

Kunn only waited for that moment. Even though he feared it, once Chloe came seeking him, reaching for his hand, he would forget everything. All the power, honor, and influence he had maintained would vanish, leaving only instinct and exterior.

And he would willingly abandon and give up even what remained, all for her.

Yes, just like the old Chloe.

Even a proud and seemingly invincible man would become foolish in that way.