The Duke's Fox

I calmly sat beside Jules Verston's desk as I said coolly, "Here are the divorce papers. Your seal, please."

Jules eyed me first with hesitation, but soon gathered himself and glared with both impatience and weariness.

"Is that the only thing you're capable of, Moro Longtail?" he demanded. "When will you finally be done? I told you. Nora's hysteria was my fault, and I'll take responsibility to the bitter end. Also, it's just some peasant gossip. You could just go out less. Are you only satisfied if you leave my house a mess?"

I looked up stiffly, my gaze placid. "I'm not messing around. Please allow my departure, my lord."

Clearly out of patience, Jules smacked the table and bellowed, "Fine! You asked for it! You better not regret this!"

With those words, he took out his seal and stamped it on the papers.

I gently folded the papers. It just had to be sent to the imperial capital of Judau for approval, and only then I could return to Quesk Hills.

My head lady-in-waiting Susan was on her knees, crying and pleading, "Please, think about this again, my lady! You wanted this child for eight years… This just isn't right!"

Child…

I was stroking my own belly before I knew it. My joints were stiff, while my heart was aching thoroughly.

I was pregnant four times in eight years, but an angry mob would always gang up on me, causing a miscarriage in the middle of the street.

I had to heal for three years just to get pregnant again, all the while taking medicine that was so bitter it would make me choke.

Jules raised a brow, looking at me in disdain; it seemed he was waiting for me to regret it and start begging.

After all, I had revealed myself in our first year of marriage. Now, I ended up bruised and battered all over.

It was all because I genuinely loved Jules. He grew confident that I'd never leave him.

But now, I calmly shook my head. "There's nothing to consider. I'm sure of this."

Jules' expression froze, and soon darkened. "Don't think a divorce can cow me into abandoning Nora! I'll be waiting when you beg on your knees, bawling!"

And with that, he turned and left.

Susan sighed, her tears appearing before mine did. "My lady… Why would you have to go that far?"

I smiled as I shoved the divorce papers into her hand and said stiffly, "Just send it to the capital."

I watched as Susan left before gouging out my shattered core with my bare hands.

Most of the Reiki had spilled out. A purple mist hovered around it, forming the words: Jules Verston. It was the jinxes he should have suffered, including seizure of all his wealth and exile.

However, I had bet half my essence to protect him for eight years.

Now, as one would put it: ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

I extracted the jinxes, holding them in my palm and squeezed, letting the purple fragments float into the wind.

It was his jinx. He could handle it himself.