A Contract Marriage with My Child’s Father - Chapter 91

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 91

“Lady Viola! Are you getting married? Finally, you’re going to become our mistress…!”

Marie, who was standing beside her, was also sparkling with eyes full of anticipation.

‘What did I just hear?’

For a moment, I doubted my ears at Becky’s cheerful question.

“Wh-what do you mean?”

“Huh? Oh, isn’t it true? I heard that Lady Viola and His Grace the Duke are going to get married…”

“R-right. Eric said so…”

“No, no! That’s not it at all!”

As I frantically waved my hands in denial, disappointment simultaneously filled Marie and Becky’s sparkling eyes.

‘What on earth is going on here?’

Eric must be referring to Marie’s friend who’s a trainee knight. Is this a story going around the knight order?

But why…

Seeing my perplexed expression, Marie carefully explained.

“W-well, you see. I heard that Young Master Jayden said that… I’m sorry. I guess I misunderstood.”

“No, it’s okay, it’s okay!”

I know rumors tend to grow and get exaggerated easily, but I had no idea how this rumor even started.

I felt cold sweat running down my spine, feeling like I was causing trouble for Cain who got dragged into this.

Perhaps because my expression was serious, Marie and Becky looked at me cautiously.

“I-if it was a misunderstanding, we’ll go around correcting it.”

“Right! Don’t worry!”

“I’d be grateful if you did that.”

I suppose that’s fortunate for now.

As I let out a sigh of relief, both of their expressions relaxed considerably.

“Sigh, but I’m worried about what to tell the head butler.”

“Why the head butler?”

“H-he said the domestic affairs problem would finally be resolved… He was so happy.”

Domestic affairs problem?

Seeing my blank expression, Becky tactfully explained the situation.

“Shortly after the former captain of the knights incident, Lady Silvien, who was in charge of domestic affairs, voluntarily stepped down from her position.”

‘Ah, Silvien.’

That was the name of the domestic affairs deputy who had delivered Noah’s letter to Jayden before.

Come to think of it, I heard before that Silvien was the daughter of former captain Morden.

Becky’s continued explanation went like this:

Morden’s case was so serious that a major investigation was conducted, but no evidence of wrongdoing was found regarding his daughter Silvien.

It was concluded that it was solely Morden’s independent crime.

However, Silvien said she felt deeply responsible as a loyal retainer for not stopping her father beforehand, and voluntarily stepped down from her position as domestic affairs deputy.

“So that’s what happened.”

“That’s why the butler was happy. He said there would finally be a mistress to take care of domestic affairs.”

Becky was cheerful, but I became more serious instead.

The marriage I was seriously considering was only a contract marriage with another noble who could serve as Melody’s shield.

Marriage with Cain? That’s ridiculous!

I was getting anxious thinking I might really cause all kinds of trouble.

‘Should I hurry and find a contract marriage partner to get this done?’

Then this ridiculous rumor would die down too.

It was something that needed to be done as soon as possible for Melody’s safety anyway.

I hadn’t brought it up with anyone yet because I hadn’t found someone who met the conditions…

‘Maybe I should discuss this part with Cain instead.’

He would know well about the Empire’s noble society.

‘I’ll go see him during break time later.’

Now that I’d made a decision, all that was left was action.

I returned to the bedroom with Marie and Becky.

After entrusting Melody to the two of them and going through my usual daily routine, time passed quickly.

‘Cain should be in his study around now, right?’

Finally having a moment to breathe, I immediately set off to find Cain.

But wait?

On the path from the annex to the main building.

I could see Craig and Eugene in the distance.

What are those two doing here?

* * *

Craig felt so very wronged.

“What? Punishment cleaning! Why just me all of a sudden!”

The crime of shouting “Finally, the time has come! Time to welcome our mistress!” toward the Duke and Jayden at the training grounds last time.

For that incident, Craig received punishment cleaning from Eugene – mopping the manor corridors for a week.

How could this be so unfair.

‘It’s not like I was the only one excited!’

Everyone was about to cheer just like him back then. Everyone was equally expectant!

What did he do so wrong that he had to scrub this vast manor floor all by himself.

“Craig. Shut your mouth and mop properly. Over there, clean up that trash in the corner too.”

As Eugene supervised sternly with his arms crossed, Craig scrubbed the floor with his mop while voicing his grievances.

“Sir Eugene! What did I do so wrong? I was just being honest, representing everyone’s feelings! Honestly, wasn’t it something everyone desperately wanted!”

“…That is true, but.”

“See! Cleaning the training grounds would be one thing, but having me clean all the way to the main building corridors is too unreasonable…!”

Listening to Craig’s complaints with one ear, Eugene shook his head as if he couldn’t help it.

Certainly, as Craig said, His Grace the Duke and Lady Viola getting together was something the entire knight order desperately wished for.

Eugene himself desired that union more intensely than anyone else.

It wasn’t just personal feelings of thinking they looked good together, but also because of his deep loyalty toward his lord.

‘If not Lady Viola, His Grace will absolutely never marry in his lifetime. No, he can’t.’

Eugene had always had good instincts. And now his instincts were crying out.

Only Viola, who was as kind as an angel yet as brave as a squirrel, could tame the cold Dragon Duke.

So he agreed with Craig’s outcry a hundred times in his heart.

However…

‘Fool. What’s he trying to do by suddenly acting smart and making a fuss to a man like His Grace who has absolutely no romantic experience.’

At such a delicate stage, those around them should quietly let things flow naturally.

If they just waited patiently and set the right atmosphere, it would naturally work out someday!

While young Master Jayden’s blatant bomb statements could be seen as cute, a grown Craig thoughtlessly interfering at that timing and ruining the mood was a serious crime.

“I’m really wronged, sob sob…”

Craig was wailing like a pitiful beast while mopping the floor.

“Oh? What are you two doing here?”

With a cheerful voice, the person who appeared around the corridor corner was none other than Viola.

Eugene reflexively jumped up and blocked Craig completely. He was worried this fool might spout nonsense again.

“Haha! Greetings, Lady Viola! Well… Craig has been begging to clean this vast main manor by hand, saying he wants to train his mind and body lately…”

Even with the future duchess right in front of him, lies flowed smoothly. Eugene was that desperate.

Then, Craig suddenly poked his head out from behind Eugene.

“L-Lady Viola! I’m so wronged! It’s not like I had any bad intentions, so please say something to Sir Eugene…!”

Smack!

“Ack!”

Eugene reached back and mercilessly smacked Craig across the back.

When Craig looked at Eugene resentfully with tears welling up from the injustice, Eugene shot him a murderous glare.

Won’t you shut your mouth?

He had to prevent word of what happened at the training grounds from reaching Viola’s ears at all costs.

Third parties must be thoroughly eliminated. Hadn’t Eugene’s older sister always said this like a mantra?

“A woman’s heart is like a reed until she enters the wedding ceremony. You must never make a fuss around her before she stamps the marriage certificate!”

Under Eugene’s deadly glare, Craig finally tucked his tail and cowered.

Eugene quickly forced an awkward smile and changed the subject.

“Lady Viola. Where might you be headed? If you’re going to the apothecary, it’s not this way…”

“Oh, do you happen to know where His Grace is? I have something important I’d like to discuss with him.”

…Gulp!

Something big is coming.

Something big is coming…!

Though he had no particular evidence, Eugene’s instincts were screaming warnings like crazy.

Eugene pressed down on his trembling heart and answered as calmly and respectfully as possible.

“His Grace the Duke briefly stopped by the training grounds this morning, and he’s probably in his study now.”

“Oh, that’s a relief. Thank you for letting me know, Sir Eugene!”

Viola smiled brightly and fluttered away toward the study.

Eugene watched until her figure completely disappeared, then slowly turned his head to look down at Craig sprawled on the floor.

“Craig. Do you realize what kind of massive disaster you almost caused by flapping your mouth just now?”

“…Pardon?”

“Cleaning duty extended by one week. Complain and it becomes a month.”

Even after delivering the harsh punishment, Eugene turned around in an extremely refreshed mood.

‘Lady Viola needs to become the Duchess as soon as possible.’

Eugene truly thought so.

Because…

He looked down at his own wrist.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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