"We need to talk about our marriage."
The words hung in the air, cold and heavy. For a few seconds, Arkin simply stared at the woman standing in the doorway. She looked exactly the way the novel had described her: beautiful, elegant, and perfectly composed. Her long dark hair rested neatly over her shoulders, and her posture was straight and confident, making her look untouchable.
But her eyes were frigid. There was no warmth in them when she looked at him; it was the gaze of a person looking at a stranger, or perhaps a nuisance, rather than a husband.
Behind her, the servants quietly stepped out of the room, and the door closed with a soft, final click. Silence filled the space, and in the quiet, Arkin could hear his own heartbeat thumping against his ribs.
This is her, he thought, his pulse quickening. The female lead. The woman who would one day become the empress of the empire.
And the woman who was destined to destroy Arkin Vale's life.
She walked further into the room and sat down across from him without hesitation. Her movements were calm and controlled. She didn't look nervous or emotional; to her, this conversation was likely nothing more than a necessary, if unpleasant, task to be checked off a list.
Arkin swallowed hard, his throat feeling tight. This is happening already. In the novel, this scene happened much later, but here he was, facing the end on his very first morning in this world.
She folded her hands on the table and looked at him directly. Then she spoke.
"I want to end this marriage."
The words fell like a hammer. Arkin's chest tightened, and for a moment, a wave of genuine panic threatened to overwhelm him. His hands felt cold, and his mind raced through the memories of the book.
So it's starting. The divorce arc.
Before he could spiral, a familiar mechanical sound echoed in his mind.
Ding. The glowing blue screen appeared again in front of his eyes.
[Warning: Main Mission Triggered]
[Mission: Prevent Divorce]
Mission Reward:
Wealth Points
Influence Points
Skill Unlock
Mission Failure:
Loss of system privileges
Social downfall probability: 98%
A chill ran down his spine. He understood the stakes immediately. If she divorced him now, the system would abandon him, and he would be left to face the miserable fate of the original Arkin Vale: humiliation, isolation, ruin, and an eventual death in poverty.
I really have no choice, he realized. I have to stop this.
He remembered that in the novel, the original Arkin had begged desperately when she asked for a divorce. He had pleaded, panicked, and humiliated himself, and that behavior had only made her despise him more.
Arkin took a slow, deep breath, forcing his racing heart to steady. He couldn't repeat that mistake. If he acted like a pathetic coward, the story would continue exactly as it was written. The woman across from him watched him silently, clearly expecting an outburst, an argument, or a desperate plea.
Instead, Arkin simply looked at her quietly for a moment. Then he spoke.
"If that's what you want, we can discuss it."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. That answer clearly surprised her. She had been prepared for resistance, but instead, he sounded almost cooperative. For the first time since entering the room, she looked at him with a hint of genuine curiosity. She leaned back slightly in her chair.
"I didn't expect you to agree so easily."
Arkin gave a small, weary shrug. "You said we should talk."
She studied his face for a few seconds before continuing. "Our marriage was arranged by our families. It was meant to strengthen the alliance between our houses."
Arkin nodded slightly. He knew the politics involved.
"But there has never been any real relationship between us," she continued, her tone steady and clinical. "We live separate lives. We barely speak. This situation benefits no one. If we separate now, we can avoid unnecessary complications later. Ending the marriage early would be better for both of us."
Arkin listened quietly. On the surface, her reasoning was perfectly logical, but his mind was working through the consequences. In the original story, Arkin lost everything the moment the alliance was severed. His family stopped supporting him, and once the crown prince arrived, Arkin became nothing more than a forgotten obstacle.
If I allow the divorce now, I'm finished, he thought.
He leaned forward slightly, matching her intensity. "Are you sure divorce would actually benefit you right now?"
The question made her pause. Her expression shifted. In the original story, Arkin never questioned her; he only begged her to stay. Now, he was challenging the logic of her decision.
She tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
"If two major noble families suddenly break a marriage alliance, people will talk," Arkin said calmly. "Rumors spread quickly in noble society. A sudden divorce could create unnecessary speculation."
She remained silent, so he pushed further.
"People might assume there was a scandal, or a deep conflict between our families. Either way, it could damage your reputation."
Her expression became thoughtful. He had her attention now. Arkin leaned back, sensing a small opening.
"So I have a suggestion."
She watched him carefully. "What kind of suggestion?"
"Instead of divorcing immediately, we maintain the marriage in name only," Arkin said slowly. "We continue appearing as a married couple in public, but privately, we live separate lives. This would avoid social rumors and protect both families. It also gives us time."
"Time for what?" she asked.
"To pursue whatever goals we want," he replied.
The room fell silent again. She watched him with an intensity that felt like it was stripping away his layers. The Arkin she knew was arrogant, lazy, and short-tempered. The man sitting in front of her now sounded rational and composed.
"Why would you agree to something like that?" she asked sharply.
Arkin knew what she was thinking. In the original story, Arkin clung to the marriage because of an obsessive infatuation. Now, he was offering distance willingly.
"Because forcing someone to stay in a marriage they hate is pointless," Arkin said.
The words came out simply, without drama or hidden emotion. For the first time, she looked caught off guard.
Ding. [Affection Level: +1]
[Mission Progress Updated]
Arkin almost let out a sigh of relief. He had prevented the immediate divorce, at least for now.
The woman across from him finally spoke. "I'll consider your proposal. This arrangement may help avoid unnecessary attention."
Arkin nodded, but she raised one finger.
"However, this doesn't change my ultimate decision. I still intend to end this marriage eventually."
"I understand," Arkin replied. For now, time was all he needed.
She stood up from the chair. "I'll have a formal agreement drafted," she said. She walked toward the door, but just as she reached it, she paused and glanced back at him. Her eyes lingered on him for a second longer than they ever had before. Then she left.
The door closed quietly. Arkin finally leaned back and exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"That was close…"
But before he could relax, the system screen flashed again.
[New Threat Detected]
Arkin frowned. "What now?"
[Original Male Lead Arrival Countdown: 30 Days]