The Son-In-Law Of A Prestigious Family Wants A Divorce

✦ Chapter 25 — Damn it, Helmund ✦

「Translator – Creator」

᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃

“My lady, the scouting team has returned!”

“…………….!”

The moment she heard Kelsei’s report, Shauren’s maid, Rianna rushed out.

It was late, the sun having already dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the snow-covered landscape. The scouting team had been gone much longer than expected, their prolonged absence fueling a growing sense of anxiety amongst those who awaited their return.

To make matters worse, another team dispatched earlier that day had yet to report back, adding to the mounting tension within the camp.

As Rianna saw the familiar figures emerge from the forest, their silhouettes outlined against the twilight sky, she let out a sigh of relief.

Fortunately.

Isaac appeared unharmed.

Shauren, though her expression was uncharacteristically somber, offered a weak smile, indicating she hadn’t sustained any serious injuries.

But as they drew closer—

“There’s one less person than when they left.”

Rianna nodded at Kelsei’s words.

Their journey, which had begun with six members, had ended with only five.

If one were to hear the tale of their harrowing ordeal, they would consider it a miracle that five had managed to return at all. Yet, that knowledge provided little solace, for the bitter truth remained—

One of their own was gone.

“Oh my.”

Kelsei’s exclamation pulled Rianna from her somber thoughts. She followed Kelsei’s gaze, her eyebrows furrowing in surprise.

Surprisingly, Shauren and Isaac were holding hands.

“They seem to have grown closer.”

“So it seems.”

Rianna found herself wearing a gentle smile.

Though she wasn’t unaware of how her younger sister had been treating Isaac poorly, she couldn’t intervene.

“Not all of today’s events were bad, right?”

Rianna nodded at Kelsei’s words.

If those two had grown closer…

Rianna’s expression hardened.

‘What meaning does it have now?’

After all,

Hadn’t Isaac already decided to leave Helmund?

Rianna’s expression rapidly darkened. Still, if Shauren could become a good memory for Isaac.

As she was thinking that would be nice.

Seeing Shauren even linking arms and leaning against him.

‘…………….’

Rianna felt something peculiar stirring inside her.

🎕

“Lord Isaac! Are you alright? Are you injured anywhere? If you’re tired, I can carry you on my back!”

“I’m fine, Jonathan. Please, just stop.”

“If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call!  Ugh!  I should have gone with you! I could’ve—”

“You wouldn’t have been any help. Now, go.”

Isaac gently but firmly pushed Jonathan out of his room, preventing the overly enthusiastic young man from barging in.

“My apologies, Lord Isaac! Rest well!”

As Jonathan finally departed, his footsteps echoing down the hallway, Isaac was finally left alone.

“Phew.”

He let out a long sigh, collapsing onto a chair with a weary groan. The day had been far more exhausting than he anticipated, pushing him to his physical and mental limits.

‘I heard sometimes they even camp overnight.’

He shuddered at the thought of sleeping outside after such a grueling day. He doubted he would have the energy to even set up a tent, let alone get a decent night’s sleep.

‘Well, no use complaining about it.’

After all, he could say these things because he managed to survive.

He’d survived a life-or-death battle, a harrowing encounter that few would walk away from. He owed it to those who didn’t make it back to appreciate his own survival.

‘Maybe I’ll take a quick wash.’

Thanks to the separate washing area in the noble quarters, Isaac could clean up fairly comfortably.

The water was warm, and the soap was high quality…

Ulderan had used his private funds to improve the soldiers’ conditions, saying the frontline deserved better treatment. It was befitting of Caldias’s bloodline, who had created spears for countless soldiers to use.

These seemingly small but significant efforts combined to protect the Malideen Wall.

Then.

As Isaac finished showering and returned to his room, he found a rather unexpected visitor waiting for him.

“Silverna?”

Silverna was sitting in a chair, reading ‘Isaac’s Sword’. She must have read it countless times by now, yet she seemed to be studying each line with renewed focus and intensity.

“Ah, you’re back,” Silverna said, looking up from the book as Isaac entered.

She appeared to have already bathed, her hair still slightly damp, her skin glowing with a healthy flush. She was dressed in a thin, loose-fitting garment, and as she rose from her chair, Isaac couldn’t help but notice the gentle sway of her breasts.  He was slowly, but surely, getting used to this.

“Mmm, what about Anna?”

“Anna? She’s washing up. She’ll probably go to sleep soon.”

“Right.”

Isaac nodded, a hint of awkwardness in his tone.

It was rather late, and for a man and a woman to be alone together, especially dressed in such casual attire, wasn’t exactly appropriate.

Hadn’t Anna and Ulderan asked him to be careful?

He intentionally left the door ajar as he entered, taking a seat opposite Silverna.

“What brings you here?”

But it seemed his concerns were unfounded. Silverna held the training manual in her hands, her expression serious.

“I came to say thank you. Today, if it weren’t for you, all the scout team members might not be here.”

“……………………”

“No, surely that’s how it was. Without your knowledge and composure.”

“You’re overestimating me. You’re the one who took down the Yeti.”

The consolation didn’t seem very convincing to Silverna, as her expression darkened.

As the mood dampened, Silverna hastily held out the manual and spoke:

“So, Isaac. I want to express my gratitude to you, not just as the scout team’s leader, but as Caldias’ only daughter.”

“Gratitude? How?”

“A sword. I want to create the sword you desire.”

Isaac’s eyes widened in surprise, and it was the first time he had shown such an obvious reaction, making Silverna’s lips curve up slightly in a smile.

“Though you received Falchion from Father, even that’s not completely to your liking, right? We don’t know when the Grand Demon Beast Nest’s offensive will end, but I’ll talk to the blacksmith about having it ready before then.”

“Really? You’d do that for me? It’s a weapon that’s not well-known in the kingdom, so I’m not sure if it’s possible.”

“Hmm? If we explain the form and structure well, shouldn’t it be possible?”

“I see. Well, it looks like I’ll be busy again.”

Although Isaac said that, he was excited like a child who had just met Santa Claus. Silverna smiled softly as she watched him, feeling happy about their simple conversation.

Seeing him happy made her feel even better.

It was the first time she had felt the urge to do something for someone else, and it was a strange sensation.

‘It’s not just lady-like feelings, is it?’

For a moment, she thought she heard Anna’s voice.

Silverna had said that she didn’t have romantic feelings, but Anna’s words had made her think deeply about it.

“…Sorry.”

Watching him smile brightly as he prepared to draw the blueprint, an apology escaped her lips.

“Hmm? For what?”

“Nothing. Good night. I’ll talk to the blacksmith. He’s quite skilled.”

“You’re not coming along?”

Isaac found it strange, knowing Silverna would usually accompany him to ensure everything was properly arranged.

“No, I’ll speak to him separately.”

Silverna forced a smile and left the room.

“Sleep well.”

*Thud.*

The door closed.

And Isaac stared at the space where Silverna had been.

Then.

The door rattled open again as another woman entered.

“What’s this? Why did Silverna come again? Isaac, you’re not really starting another household, are you?”

“……”

Shauren Helmund, her twin-tails neatly retied.

Cute pajamas and a blanket draped over her shoulders.

It must have been quite cold coming here, since this wasn’t her quarters.

“Why are you here?”

As Isaac asked coldly while setting aside the blueprint he was drawing, Shauren pouted and answered.

“Just… I had something I wanted to tell you.”

“Something to tell me?”

“Yeah, so……”

Seemingly embarrassed, she fidgeted, clasping her hands and tucking them between her legs.

“Thank you for today, really.”

For Shauren to express her feelings this honestly, especially to Isaac.

While it signified her mental growth and the winds of change.

“Sure.”

Isaac’s voice remained cold.

“You weren’t expecting some kind of nice response, were you? I protected you only to save myself.”

“…I know.”

Shauren lowered her head.

“B-but when I was in Isaac’s arms today, it was really warm. So that’s why… I’m just… so grateful.”

“I told you, I did it to survive.”

“I-I’ve never been held like that by anyone. My other siblings…they’re always so cold and distant…”

“Haa, Shauren?”

Isaac frowned, setting his pen down with a sharp click. She flinched, her eyes darting up to meet his gaze, searching for any sign of softening in his demeanor.

“You know how I’ve been treated in Helmund. What exactly are you expecting from me? Do you want me to start complaining about your family too? You’re a Helmund yourself!”

“I know……”

“You at least didn’t hit me like the other siblings did under the pretense of sparring. But you still treated me half like a slave, didn’t you?”

“Y-yes.”

Shauren shrunk under his gaze, her head bowing lower; tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over.

“I know you’re only seventeen, and you’re still immature. But that doesn’t excuse your behavior. You can’t just come here, thank me for saving you, and expect everything to change.”

“Sniffle…”

Shauren’s trembling lip and tear-filled eyes did little to sway Isaac’s resolve.

‘Maybe I was too harsh.’

Just as he wondered if he’d been too hard on a mere seventeen-year-old.

But then he would recall the past, the memories of humiliation and mistreatment, and a wave of anger would wash over him, making his blood boil.

Perhaps that’s why.

He wanted to ask a more fundamental question.

“Hey Shauren, why do you want forgiveness? After I divorce Rianna in a month, we won’t see each other anyway.”

He knew this incident had changed Shauren, but he doubted it had completely erased her true nature. He could easily brush off her apology, pretend nothing had happened, and it wouldn’t make a difference in the grand scheme of things. He had no real power over her, no right to demand anything from her.

“…………..”

Shauren remained silent, her lips pressed together in a thin line.

As realization dawned on Isaac, his eyes widened in horror.

“Oh, no! You know that’s not possible, right? I’m your brother-in-law! It can’t happen!”

“B-but you won’t be next month!”

“Shauren! What are you saying?!  You can’t just develop feelings for someone because they hugged you when you were cold!”

“But…but…it felt so warm!  Really warm!”

“Well, of course it did—!”

Isaac groaned, slapping his forehead in exasperation.

Seventeen years old.

The perfect age for romanticized notions of love.

A simple touch, a shared drink, a warm smile—all it took was a fleeting moment of connection to spark a whirlwind of imagined romance.

“I’ll…I’ll make you happy!  I’ll treat you better than my sister!”

“You’re just a child! Stop playing these silly games and get out of my room!”

“Uwaah!”

Isaac shoved Shauren towards the door, trying to push her out. However, she was surprisingly strong, her feet planted firmly on the ground like a stubborn boulder, refusing to budge.

‘Ah, damn.’

Cursed Helmund.

He decided to try a different approach.

“Shauren, you’re mistaken. You’re just confusing a momentary flutter for love.”

“…I don’t think so.”

“Yes, it is. That’s what it is.”

“Is it… really?”

“Yes. It’s just a silly crush. It’s not logical to have feelings like that for your brother-in-law—. ”

Ah.

Damn it all, Helmund.

He’d forgotten; there was a precedent for this sort of thing.

A certain Helmund sibling was known for his obsessive infatuation with his own sister.

Shauren blinked her large, innocent eyes at him, her gaze unwavering.

Isaac sighed, surrendering to the absurdity of the situation.

“I just…I hate you Helmunds.”

🎕

“Tch.”

Shauren returned to her quarters grumbling.

Though she was forced to leave after being turned away, it wasn’t completely fruitless.

‘At least he listened to what I had to say!’

That, in itself, was a victory for Shauren.

The warmth she felt for the first time in her life.

And that sense of security.

Though she never expected to feel it from Isaac, Shauren had decided to define her heart flutter as love.

“Hehe.”

Feeling like the female protagonist from a romance novel, she entered her room.

And found Kelsei standing there with a pale expression.

“Huh? Kelsei, you’re not asleep yet?”

“M-my lady……”

Kelsei’s gaze darted towards the bed, her voice barely a whisper. 

Perched on the edge of Shauren’s bed, legs crossed, chin resting on her hand, sat a woman with a chillingly familiar aura.

“S-s-s-sister?”

The moment she saw Rianna —

— the question of how she had gotten there vanished from her mind.

Her teeth began to chatter, her body trembling even more violently than when she had braved the freezing cold to seek out Isaac.

END of CHAPTER

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It’s going sideways!

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