Responding only to the first para - its like a johnny depp and amber heard situation, you won't know who's the wrong and who's the right until there is concrete evidence against the next for foul play. Thus he can't divorce her or she'd be the "pitiful woman" and him the evil that no one wants to associate with because "how could he do that to his wife"
If I'm not mistaken, he has tried to file for divorce but it was always rejected that's why the only option is to make his wife do it instead
I think it's for a more legal based reason. I don't think he technically *can* divorce Elysee. I don't know if it's the lasting will of his father/grandfather OR the marriage/divorce laws of the time.
He really doesn't give a fudge what people think of him and he's the equivalent of a billionaire....
exactly. if he gave a shit what people think of him, he would have always acted like he was the perfect angelic husband to her so that she doesn't continue creating this image as if she is the perfect angelic wife and he is a monster who now goes and cheats with a lowly commoner maid.
why he is forced to remain married with that woman? He is a duke, no? So why can he not divorce her in a world where divorce seems to exist. Why is it something he has to get her to do? Is it because of reputation? I am so confused.
And I also feel a bit icky. Because she said she died at 20. So how old was she for fucks sake when they did it for the first time? How old was he? She is the same age now. So how old is this? I pray she was at least 18. Even if she is 18 won't make it better, if he is above 21. Urgh. Why can the author not make her 21? And him 27 or something. Would be much more ok and acceptable, than someone under 21 with someone above 21....hhhhh