"Did you…" Oathran turned to Cecilia. "…hesitate from divorcing because… Anton Vasiliev's will would give you all the assets if you do?"
He sounded confused, and more so curious.
"Madam… has always felt very indebted to Mast—to Mr. Anton Vasiliev. Mr. Anton was the one person who agreed to sponsor all of her research. He helped her prove her theories. Without him, none of it would have been possible." Thalia continued.
Gregor nodded, his deep voice picking up the thread. "That was why, when Madam found out about Mr. Arzhen's infidelity, the first thing in her mind was not divorce. It was her research team, the patent… and the contract with the Hunter Association."
Cecilia understood now. AU!Cecilia had hesitated, even after signing the papers, because she was not merely walking away from a marriage. She was walking away from an empire.
