-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: The Prestigious Family's Son-in-Law Wants a Divorce
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Helmunt mornings started early.
Everyone rose at dawn to exercise in the training grounds, gardens, or walkways.
After morning exercise came the family breakfast.
It was the one time of day when the entire family gathered.
Family head Arandel Helmunt placed great importance on this time.
"...."
Today's breakfast was the same as always.
Four sons and one daughter took their seats.
As they sat, an empty spot caught their eyes.
The eldest daughter was absent.
"Where's Rianna?"
At the question from the eldest son, Roengreen, the others poured out mockery as if they'd been waiting.
"She skipped morning training too."
"Haha, is big sis skipping meals now that she's playing house?"
"Must've had one hell of a spicy night yesterday if she can't even make breakfast."
"Isaac must've put in some real effort despite looking so scrawny."
"...."
Everyone but Alois cackled, mocking Rianna and Isaac.
"The family head is coming."
A servant's words brought silence.
A massive man entered the dining hall.
His eyes still held the tension of the battlefield.
With red mane-like hair and beard flowing, he took the head seat with heavy footsteps. His name was Arandel Helmunt.
Arandel frowned at the empty seat of his eldest daughter.
"Where's Rianna?"
"She hasn't come. She skipped morning training."
Arandel's eyebrow twitched at Roengreen's swift reply.
It was just breakfast, but failing to follow even this minor rule challenged the family head's authority.
Kiiik.
Just then, the door opened, and Rianna Helmunt entered.
"Sorry, I'm late."
She bowed her head and took her seat.
Food came out quickly, but no one touched their utensils until the family head did. They all sat straight and still.
Arandel addressed his eldest daughter.
"Why were you late?"
It wasn't a reprimand.
He knew Rianna wouldn't give him cause to nitpick like this.
He assumed there was a reason and asked.
Rianna's eyes were hollow from lack of sleep. Unusually, she hesitated without answering right away.
She knew speaking it aloud would make it final.
But after staying up all night agonizing, she saw no way out of this situation.
"Isaac—"
She squeezed her eyes shut and let out a bitter breath.
"He wants a divorce."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Well now? This guy's no joke."
Helmunt breakfast time.
Though Isaac bore the Helmunt name, he wasn't allowed at the family table.
The family head had deemed him unqualified.
Thanks to that, Isaac often ate breakfast alone.
"Wow, this is something else. Heh, can't help but laugh."
Cheeks puffed with food, Isaac ate in front of the kitchen.
He shoved a seasoned shrimp into his mouth whole and let out a sigh of delight.
"Hooah, this is killer."
The kitchen staff, on a brief break while their master ate, watched openly.
"Me?"
Isaac waved another shrimp as he spoke.
"I didn't miss a thing... except the food. Exactly one thing. No matter where I went, nothing matched this level."
"Miss it? You ate here yesterday."
The one speaking to Isaac was Milli, a peer his age with sun-kissed skin.
The youngest in the kitchen but skilled beyond her years.
She'd chatted with Isaac now and then, being the same age.
"Oh, slip of the tongue. I mean, I'll miss it."
Brushing off the gaffe, Isaac dug into other dishes.
He'd thought having meat at breakfast was luxurious.
But for a knightly house of swordsmen, meat was a must.
"This is seriously good."
"I grilled it."
"As expected of Milli."
"You used to just eat quietly and leave, but today's like a different person. You're enjoying it so much."
"I've realized how precious meals are. You don't know what you've got till it's gone."
"More importantly, what do you mean you'll miss it? Are you going somewhere? I heard news from the Mallidan Wall..."
"I'm divorcing."
"What?!"
Not just Milli— the other cooks watching Isaac devour his food gasped in shock.
"Divorcing. You know how I'm treated here, Milli."
"Well..."
"Not even joining breakfast means I'm not seen as family."
No one could deny it.
In truth, Isaac had been treated worse than servants under the guise of family for four years.
Because he's family.
Everyone had seen how those words choked Isaac countless times over the years.
"Ahem."
A plump man wiped his hands with a towel and approached Isaac.
The head chef.
His thick hands clasped politely.
"For tonight's dinner... is there anything you'd like?"
"Head chef, are you comforting me right now?"
"Ahem."
The inarticulate chef averted his gaze.
"Never knew you had this side. I'd love all the meat I can eat. It'll be hard once I leave."
"We'll prepare the best we can, Isaac Helmunt."
"I was gonna leave today, but guess I'll stick for dinner."
Isaac stood and offered a polite handshake.
"The food here... I'll never forget it, even years from now."
No exaggeration.
"It's the one thing I'll miss about Helmunt."
He truly never would.
Touched, the head chef and cooks fought back emotion.
"We were honored to serve you."
Handshakes led to an outpouring of comfort and cheers.
"You look great!"
"We had no idea you thought so highly of our food!"
"Congrats on going back to bachelor life!"
"You're handsome—you'll find someone great in no time!"
"Haha, you guys."
Isaac wiped his nose, feeling a strange warmth.
In his past life, he'd barely spoken to anyone but Milli.
He'd fled without a thought for these cooks, but their support now filled him with pride.
Clunk!
Had Rianna not burst in, the heartfelt moment would've continued.
But at the sight of her, the cooks glared.
The air turned icy, like cold water splashed. Rianna approached Isaac.
"Father calls for you."
"Yeah? Quick."
She'd delivered the message but stood there.
Time dragged painfully, like a thorn in the throat.
The silence pressed on them hardest.
"We're going together, right? He didn't just call me."
"Y-yeah, together."
"Let's go. Family head's waiting."
"I was eating. Eat up—I'll wait."
Rianna waiting for Isaac's meal?
Unthinkable before, but no one had time to gape.
"...."
Because Rianna had crossed her arms and started staring down the cooks.
She heard.
She heard every word.
Damn, should've kept quiet.
Mom, sorry—looks like your boy's done for.
What did I say earlier?
A whirlwind of worries swirled in the cooks' heads.
Helmunt's mighty physiques came with keen ears—she'd clearly heard their chatter from outside.
"...."
Otherwise, no need to glare so murderously.
"I'm full already."
The ordeal ended quickly.
Isaac left food on his plate and walked out.
"...Fine."
Rianna looked displeased but followed.
Before the door shut, Isaac thumbs-upped behind his back: Don't worry.
Thud.
Door closed.
Gazing at Isaac's half-eaten plate—so deliciously devoured, yet left for them—the head chef clenched his fist.
"Tonight's dinner will be a feast!"
"Got it!"
Amid the bustling cooks.
Only Milli, his peer, stared worriedly at the door he'd left through.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The family head's office.
Atop the mansion's highest floor, the place reeked more of iron than books despite the shelves.
Arandel stared at Isaac, arms on his massive oak desk.
Privately, Isaac thought no one mismatched a desk and chair more than his father-in-law.
"It's been a while, Father-in-law."
They lived in the same house, but Arandel's gaze on him was rare.
"You want a divorce."
Straight to the point, no pleasantries.
Isaac nodded slightly.
"Yes."
"Denied."
The expected answer.
"You seem to misunderstand something, Father-in-law."
Hand on chest, he gently corrected.
"I'm not asking permission."
The words irked Arandel despite the courtesy.
"I'm informing you it's decided. Our marriage isn't working, so finding new partners benefits us both."
"...."
"Lucky we wed young—divorcing now isn't too late for new spouses."
"...."
"You were uncomfortable taking a commoner like me as a son-in-law. You were right. I'll know my place and leave."
Self-deprecation didn't matter.
As long as he left.
Arandel's gaze shifted to Rianna.
Her quiet reply to his questioning eyes:
"I'll go with Isaac's decision."
"Hm."
A short sigh.
Pain flickered as he looked at his daughter.
No reason to deny now.
So he'd thought.
"Denied."
Arandel stuck to his guns.
"Reason: the Sword Festival."
The Sword Festival was Helmunt's traditional event and celebration.
A massive affair drawing local villagers, friendly nobles, even royalty.
"This Sword Festival announces Helmunt's heir, so many will come probing us."
Not just well-wishers—many to gauge the next leader.
Declaring confidence to them.
"Divorcing now means only Rianna's scandal buzzes at the festival."
Material for mockery.
No issue there.
Isaac saw no problem.
He wasn't the one mocked.
"So after the Sword Festival?"
"Yes, after. If you both still want it, do as you please."
Divorce affirmed, but Isaac wanted out tomorrow.
"Sorry, I want it now. So, counteroffer."
"Negotiating with me?"
Levels had to match for talks.
Isaac smiled at the implication.
"Heard the Mallidan Wall requested aid from kingdom nobles amid fiercer beast attacks."
"...."
"Isaac?"
Arandel propped his chin, intrigued.
Rianna called from behind, disbelieving.
Isaac ignored and proposed.
"I'll go. I bear the Helmunt name, so that covers your contribution."
A useless hack who couldn't swing a sword.
But Isaac Helmunt going sufficed for duty done.
"Direct heirs stay for Sword Festival prep, right?"
Sword Festival drew countless VIPs.
Helmunt children had to showcase overwhelming might.
"Sent to the Wall, you'd bathe in beast blood during prep. I'll handle it."
Not demanding much.
Just leave this house.
Hate waiting for the festival.
So he'd cover the annoying front-line dispatch till then.
"Hmph."
A sly smile curled Isaac's lips.
He knew Arandel's answer.
Didn't know he had this in him.
Acknowledging his son-in-law's backbone, Arandel.
"Fine."
Nodded, permitting his departure from Helmunt.