Chapter 8 Unworthy
Rolf froze for a moment, unable to help recalling his own friend. Back when the late king sent him to train in the army, he had by chance met Duke Skoda, who was called a military genius, and they eventually became close friends despite their age difference.
Skoda had the nickname "killing machine" on the battlefield. Every time he left the battlefield, he was almost soaked in enemy blood. But even such a fierce person had a weakness - Anne. Only when mentioning his daughter could Rolf see a trace of tenderness on Skoda's face. The killing machine disappeared, leaving only a loving father who would go on and on about how wonderful his daughter was, insisting on bringing Rolf to his home to see that girl who was as pretty as a doll.
Yes, if Skoda were still here, how could he let Anne suffer such grievances? He probably would have gone straight to the Titan family to chop Holden up, then stormed into the palace and grabbed him by the collar to demand justice for his daughter.
How could he not help take care of his friend's only treasure after he was gone?
"Forget it, forget it."
Rolf felt somewhat sad. He felt he must be truly tired to so easily miss his departed friend. "Let Anne in. I promised Skoda to treat his daughter well. Now that she has a request, I'll agree to anything except taking back my decree."
Conor immediately beamed with joy. "Yes!"
He hurried out, thinking to himself that bringing up old friends really was the best way to move their nostalgic king. He only hoped that this time, Miss Anne could get what she wished for.
"Miss Anne, His Majesty will see you now."
Anne had thought Conor was also coming to persuade her to leave. Hearing these words, her eyes reddened and tears nearly spilled out. "Thank you, I'll go see His Majesty right away."
Elisa wiped away her tears, also speaking excitedly, "Thank you, Lord Conor!"
Conor waved his hand to indicate it was nothing. "Go in quickly."
Anne had walked the path to the king's hall countless times, but today was the first time without her father by her side. Her gaze swept over the surroundings. She suppressed the subtle pain in her heart and finally stood before the king's desk.
"I greet Your Majesty." She lowered her head and curtsied to Rolf.
Seeing her face, which was no different from his memory, Rolf's expression softened considerably. "Rise. Since you married into the Titan family, we haven't seen each other for three years."
Anne nodded. "Yes, I thought I wouldn't see Your Majesty again until the next palace banquet, but now because of some personal matters, the time has come much sooner."
"Anne wishes to ask you to agree to something, Your Majesty."
Rolf's eyes dimmed slightly. He sighed, "If it's about Holden and Candy's marriage... Anne, you know that once a king has spoken, unless it endangers the country, he cannot go back on his word."
"Even if Skoda were here, I couldn't."
Hearing him mention her father, Anne's eyes grew moist, but her gaze remained firm. "Anne doesn't wish to put you in a difficult position. Anne only hopes you can agree to let Anne and Holden divorce legally."
"Divorce?"
Rolf was somewhat shocked. He had thought Anne had come to plead with him because she couldn't accept Candy's addition, but in this day and age, how could a woman manage after divorce?
Although the law clearly stated its legality, and divorce among commoners was one thing, for nobles, divorce was even worse than being sent to a sanatorium.
A woman only reached the point of divorce when she could neither win her husband's heart nor gain respect from his family, and her own family mostly wouldn't accept a woman who had been driven away.
Such a woman had no value for marriage alliances anymore, and for nobles who raised daughters only as tools for marriage, she was just a burden.
And while the Virlet family behind Anne wouldn't treat her as a tool, they...
Anne smiled bitterly. "Your Majesty, I know what I'll face if I divorce, but staying married means remaining under the Titan family's control—playing the invisible wife while Holden and Candy put on their loving act, continuing to feed his family's ambitions."
"I'm all that's left of the Virlet family, but I'm my father's daughter. His blood runs in my veins. Neither of us ever gave up easily."
"To be honest with you, the old lady of the Titan family gave me a 'kind' suggestion." She emphasized the word "kind" heavily. "She told me that since Holden already has his true love, I could also find something to do."
Rolf frowned, immediately sensing this couldn't be anything good, otherwise how could it push the usually gentle Anne to come plead with him personally.
Anne still looked at Rolf behind the desk with tears in her eyes. "She said I could get involved with men she arranges, men who could benefit the Titan family, to help this family..."
"Outrageous!" Rolf couldn't listen anymore. Who didn't know about his friendship with Duke Skoda? Skoda had given his life conquering more than half the empire's territory. How dare they make such demands of a hero's daughter!
Facing the king's fury, Anne showed no fear. She still stood straight, like a graceful flower standing tall. Even after being battered by wind and rain, she retained her proud spirit.
"When the Virlet family was nearly wiped out, Anne swore in her heart that she would return to the family territory and revive the family. Now Holden has broken his word to me, and his family has humiliated me. I have my dignity - they don't deserve to imprison me with the Titan name."
"I want to return to the Virlet family's territory, find surviving branch members and start over. One day, I will make the Virlet family famous throughout the world again!"
Rolf froze. The beautiful face of the young woman before him remained the same, but her eyes gradually overlapped with a shadow in his memory - that great hero holding his sword pointed toward the distant horizon, smiling confidently and saying, "Rolf, just watch. I'm going to double the territory of the Soth Empire and make the Virlet family famous throughout the world!"
His thoughts returned to the present. The tall king laughed heartily and waved his hand. "Then go. I'll have Conor deliver the royal decree to the Titan family."
"Take everything that's yours and return to where you should be, Anne!"