The Bitter Divorce
Melissa(1) “If you act toward us like you used to, you'll get reported for harassing a noble lady, you know.”
Roberini, standing beside Ashley, glared at him with a haughty expression. So now that they were divorced, she was going to strictly enforce class distinctions. They were nobles, but he wasn't. He was just a commoner who'd once been skilled with a sword. People probably thought he'd gotten lucky marrying a noble lady despite being a commoner. Damn it. It wasn't luck. His skills had been on the level of a national treasure. That's what made him famous, and Ashley had proposed to him because she fell for that.
“One more thing. If you go around exposing what happened during our marriage to the world, I won't let it slide. Be prepared for that. For my sister's sake, I'll do anything.”
Serena crossed her arms and shot him a venomous look, like she was gazing at some insignificant creature.
“Act like a man and stop being such a pathetic loser.”
Roberini, Serena. If it weren't for these two women, maybe the divorce wouldn't have happened today. Or even if it did, it might have been much later. These two had accelerated the whole mess. They were always glued to Ashley's side, constantly badmouthing him and egging her on to divorce. To him, they were like enemies. But he didn't harbor any real grudge. He just clicked his tongue and turned away.
It was time to leave.
“I'll be going now.”
“Goodbye.”
Ashley, at least showing some decency, replied curtly with a blank expression. Roberini and Serena, on the other hand, wore smug, infuriating smirks.
“Don't ever show your face again.”
“We don't want to see you limping around, so disappear already.”
He wanted to wish his wife happiness. But he was human after all. After everything these three had put him through—and now being abandoned—he couldn't help resenting Ashley a little. In the end, the words wouldn't come.
Fine, we're done. Forget her completely. Never think of Ashley again.
Three years of marriage. It had ended like this. Miserably.
Even if his wife, sister-in-law, her friend, and mother-in-law came crawling back begging, he'd never remarry her. That's how deep the wound was. He was that exhausted. He never wanted to go through a marriage like this again.
Late at night, by a lake outside the King's Capital. A lavish carriage came to a stop.
“We've arrived, Master.”
“Good work.”
The butler opened the door, and Hireger stepped out. His eyes were closed.
“This fishy smell... We're definitely by the water.”
“Um... Are you sure you're alright?”
“Don't worry. I won't die.”
Step by step, Hireger made his way toward the lake, supported by the butler.
“We're here.”
“Yes... I can feel it trembling.”
Hireger took a deep breath, then slowly opened his eyes. The moonlit lake came into view. A beautiful nightscape.
“Urk!”
His limbs began to shake violently, and he collapsed to the ground.
“Aaaargh!”
“Master!”
Foam bubbled from his mouth, and he soon lost consciousness.
Two hours later, back at the estate, he opened his eyes again. Hireger sat up in bed and stared quietly out the window.
“...Not yet, huh.”
After the divorce, he had nowhere to live. He had money, but no motivation to do anything. Outwardly calm, inwardly the shock hit hard—he spaced out multiple times a day. Meeting people, signing contracts, finding a new place—it all felt like a hassle. As long as there was space to lie down, that was enough.
“...Thank you.”
He'd stay at the guild house for a while. It was Olivia's consideration. Like a dormitory for guild members without families—a communal housing setup. But with so many familiar faces, it wasn't easy to relax.
“Huh? Why are you here, bro? Weren't you living with the Laphone family?”
“Couple's spat?”
Every encounter in the halls brought endless questions. Explaining led to more.
“What's the reason for the divorce?”
“When did it happen?”
“No alimony?”
Just leave me alone.
He answered politely at first, but soon he didn't want to see or talk to anyone. So he holed up in his room.
“I'll vanish for a month.”
The day after moving into the communal house, he shut himself in, reading books. He didn't even go out for food. After disappearing for a while and reappearing, word of the Laphone daughter and son-in-law's divorce would spread across the capital. By then, all his guildmates would know.
Knock knock.
Two weeks in—meals reduced, weight lost, still hiding—came a knock.
Knock knock knock.
“I told the guild master I'd rest for a month... Who could it be...”
Scratching his unkempt hair, he opened the door. A middle-aged gentleman in a short cloak stood there. He introduced himself as sent by the queen and bowed politely.
“Her Majesty is still waiting. Has your strength not returned?”
“You should have found someone else. She's been waiting this whole time?”
“We did. Five people. All failed. That's why Her Majesty insists only you, Naru, can fulfill her wish. She sent me to check if you're still unwell.”
“I'd love to help, but...”
Three years ago, even the queen of this kingdom had been his client. After he handled a few requests to her satisfaction, she'd given him a tough one: retrieve her mother's keepsake from the sea. But after losing his powers and becoming crippled, he couldn't continue and withdrew voluntarily.
He was grateful she hadn't forgotten him, but he couldn't do it.
“I'm no longer an adventurer. I've even gotten divorced and am living like a wreck. Tell Her Majesty exactly what you saw today.”
Don't worry. When my powers return, you'll be my first priority. Leaving a job unfinished gnawed at him.
Not long after the middle-aged man left—
Bang bang bang!
Someone pounded on the door furiously, enough to furrow his brow. He opened it to find a burly woman standing there. Melissa.
“Hey! You got divorced! Congrats!”
Her beaming smile said she was thrilled to death.
“Congrats? Come on.”
Melissa was a comrade from his adventuring days before marriage. Sleek black bob haircut giving her a refined look. Tall, well-built frame with toned muscles—a warrior through and through. He'd heard she'd retired from adventuring and was now a professor at Buzdra Academy.
“You haven't changed a bit.”
“What's with that? Shave that beard. People'll think you're a sage.”
“No reason to go out.”
“Idiot!”
Melissa smacked his back.
“Divorce is no big deal! I got divorced too, you know!”
“I know.”
“Whoa, look how skinny you are. You don't even look human anymore.”
Three years ago, shortly after he married Ashley, Melissa retired from adventuring, snagged a rich guy, and married quick. But the marriage wasn't smooth; she divorced in under a year. No kids.
“How'd you know I was here?”
“Heard the divorce news from folks, went straight to your guild master. She said you were here. But damn, you've lost so much weight. You okay?”
“Don't worry. Anyway, no mistakes, right?”
“Eh?”
“You did.”
“I hate that woman. Acts like the boss when she's nothing special.”
“That's her charisma.”
He poked her playfully and headed to the kitchen.
“Wonder if there's anything to drink... Might need to shop.”
“Who drinks at home? Let's go out.”
“For booze?”
“What else on a day like this? Come on, I'll treat. You need to gain some weight—you look pitiful.”
Come to think of it, when was the last time he drank? Not even on divorce day; he'd just spaced out. With a good friend around, he suddenly craved it. Hmm, maybe head out for once.
He shaved his long beard clean, then went out with Melissa.
They ended up in a luxury inn room in the city center. On the top floor with a balcony overlooking the scenery—a cozy spot.
“Nice room, huh?”
“This because of me?”
“What? I just wanted a quiet, atmospheric place to drink.”
Melissa brushed it off casually, but it sure seemed like it was for him. Worried he'd feel stares from people. She usually loved rowdy, crowded bars. For her to drink alone in a room? She'd probably get bored. Either way, thoughtful gesture. Great friend.
“Enjoy your time.”
The servers who brought the food left. The table was laden with dishes.
“Let's drink!”
“Cheers! Thanks!”
“To Naru's divorce!”
They clinked glasses nonstop, reminiscing loudly about old adventuring days over the food.
“Melissa, I thought I was done for back then.”
“Ugh, me too. If you hadn't helped, I wouldn't be here.”
“You did most of it.”
“You cut off five of that thing's legs—that was huge. So brave and fast. Kinda made me fall for you a bit.”
Melissa paused mid-sip, gazing wistfully. Her cheeks flushed from the drinks, eyes curved in a happy crescent.
“If I'd confessed back then... would you have accepted?”
“Me? With you?”
What the hell? He couldn't help laughing.
“You and me as a couple? Rock and Ariana would crack up.”
Rock and Ariana were comrades from Melissa's adventuring days. The party disbanded after his marriage, everyone scattered.
“Haha, yeah? Everyone said we didn't match.”
“We were always pranking each other—how could feelings develop?”
“Right, right. Spot on. I get all mischievous around you. You divorcee.”
“Says the divorcee herself.”
“Hahaha. Both of us crashed and burned. Marriage failed spectacularly.”
Both thoroughly drunk, tongues and actions loosened. They traded curses, jokes, dirty talk, laughing foolishly.
“Drink till we drop!”
“To death!”
Soon, twenty empty bottles littered the floor. They could barely sit up straight, eyes half-glazed, reason gone—barely understanding each other.
“Drink, you crazy bitch. Cheers!”
“Divorced loser. Couldn't satisfy her in bed, huh.”
“Heh heh, and you?”
“I was a total nympho for him. His fault. Cheers!”
“Nympho my ass. Probably your personality. Warrior type—too much like a guy. Not womanly enough, got dumped.”
“Fuck.”
Melissa slammed her glass down. Then suddenly yanked off her top. Her ample breasts spilled out.
“Hey, still not see me as a woman?”
She cupped them, jiggling. Tanned globes rippled like waves.
“My ex went nuts sucking them.”
Her slightly perky nipples pointed aggressively at him.
“Heh heh, you're wasted.”
He laughed it off, feigning nonchalance. But unconsciously licked his lips and downed his drink.
What the—I'm suddenly wide awake.
Honestly flustered, but the vibe called for playing it cool. We're best friends—big deal if she flashes boobs.