Battle Divorce! - Chapter 18
Daisy tried to stall, but Maxim was having none of it.
“But still—”
“If we go to the bedroom now, I can’t promise I’ll behave myself. Are you alright with that, Issy?”
…He was a master of subtle threats.
Fine. If she had to go see Count Therese with this living weapon in tow, maybe it was safer to do it while he was still a bit tipsy.
And that was how she ended up here.
“Issy wanted to see the count very much. So here we are.”
(TL/N: Remember that it sounds exactly like her codename ‘Easy’, so it’s a big deal that he’s calling her that in front of her boss.)
“Is that so?”
Count Therese looked at Daisy with syrupy, fatherly affection.
“You must have missed your father, my dear daughter.”
…He’s smiling now? Does he have any idea what he’s put her through? How is this guy smiling right now?
This nonsense is infuriating.
Daisy had never had such a foul mouth before, but with a boss like this, she’d gotten a lot more creative with her cursing. She wanted to let loose with a string of profanity, but held herself back.
She’d asked to come, after all, so she had to keep up appearances.
“Yes, Father. I missed you so much.”
Daisy forced a bright smile, teeth grinding.
Outwardly, she probably looked like a pitiable woman, desperate for familial affection, while inwardly she was gritting her teeth to dust.
Ever since Maxim’s miraculous victory, public opinion of Count Therese had done a complete turnaround. He was no longer a cold-hearted villain who sold off his daughter to die, but a lucky man who hit the jackpot and won everything back.
Either way, they’d become fodder for gossipmongers, the sort of story people loved to chew on with extra malice.
Daisy faithfully played the part of the fragile daughter, stealing a glance at her husband’s face.
‘That’s… not the reaction I was expecting.’
She’d worried Maxim might act just as clingy and embarrassing here as he did at the Waldeck estate, which would only give Count Therese more ammo to tease her.
But for some reason, Maxim was strangely distant, saying nothing beyond what was necessary.
‘Is he being cautious?’
She’d pleaded to go alone, but he’d insisted on coming with her.
Here was the man who couldn’t stop joking and flirting with her. Now he was nearly silent in this place.
“Shall we sit? I have some fresh tea leaves from the East. They smell wonderful.”
“Sorry, I’m not a fan of tea.”
“Shall I have something else brought for you?”
“That’s not necessary.”
Maxim replied curtly.
He’s definitely being cautious, Daisy thought. The more she watched, the more certain she was.
‘You really can’t get a read on this guy at all.’
He’d only just returned, but even with more time, she doubted she’d ever truly understand him.
“……”
“……”
“……”
A heavy silence settled over the parlor.
Pour. It was broken only by the sound of the Therese butler pouring tea.
‘What do I do? I need to talk to that bastard Therese alone.’
No way was she bringing her business in front of her husband. After a moment’s thought, Daisy spoke up carefully.
“Um… Max?”
“Yes, Issy?”
Just using the pet name made Maxim’s face brighten.
“The rose garden here in Therese is beautiful. Would you like to go see it?”
“The rose garden?”
“Yes, it’s one of my favorite places. I’d love to show it to you.”
She glanced meaningfully toward Count Therese as she spoke.
“This gentleman will guide you.”
The butler bowed at his master’s cue after serving the tea.
“Is Issy coming with us?”
Is he oblivious, or just pretending to be?
She’d tried to be subtle as nobles often used indirect speech. But it seemed it didn’t work with Maxim von Waldeck.
“I need to talk to my father. I haven’t seen him since the wedding.”
“Then why don’t we all—”
“The butler will show you the way. Please go ahead and enjoy your walk.”
Daisy firmly cut him off and, as a finishing touch, whispered the magic word.
“…Darling.”
Maxim von Waldeck’s hardened face turned bright.
“I’ll be back soon. I hope you and your father have a good talk.”
He sprang to his feet, but before leaving, bent down and whispered in Daisy’s ear. Her face flared.
“I’ll be back, darling.”
Because of that final comment he left behind.
