For the Lady's Wise Regression - Chapter 33

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 33
“Do you, groom Ian Luscliffe, take Vanessa Sharoze as your wife and swear to fulfill her wishes for all your days?”
At the Crown Prince Tessa Decart’s question, Ian’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
“Groom? Your response seems rather slow.”
“……Yes, I swear.”
The sharp sound of teeth grinding reached Vanessa’s ears.
His jaw would shatter at this rate.
“Excellent. Now, bride Vanessa Sharoze, do you take Ian Luscliffe as your husband and swear to cherish him with love for all your days?”
Besides, they’d agreed to keep it simple in the Sung Kingdom.
“I swear.”
Vanessa had to hold her breath—the hall was packed with guests, every last one of them.
She’d lost count of how many close calls she’d already weathered.
First, when they brought out what they called the Wedding Ring.
She’d been astonished to see the ring they’d crafted together in the workshop transformed into a Diamond Ring.
For some reason, he’d threatened more than once that he would go find it himself.
Second, when the butler Denian moved with such swift efficiency—something she’d expected to happen only after the ceremony ended—three women didn’t even cross the threshold before being escorted out.
Apparently, Ian had stepped in personally this time.
She’d merely thought it was rather noisy outside.
It was her own oversight that she hadn’t heard it while waiting to make her entrance as the bride.
She should have witnessed it herself with her own eyes!
And finally, the third and last trial…….
“Groom, kiss your bride as much as you love her…….”
Crown Prince Tessa Decart. The officiant had become a wild horse with its reins cut loose.
She’d hesitated right up until the last moment whether to invite the Crown Prince’s etiquette instructor—who was also her own teacher—but decided against it since Tessa would be the officiant.
She should have just invited him after all.
Vanessa stole a glance at Ian beside her.
He was staring at the Crown Prince as though he could shoot flames from his eyes at any moment.
But sensing her gaze, Ian’s expression softened as if nothing had happened, and he exhaled quietly through his nose.
“……Forgive me.”
With that brief apology, Ian approached. The moment something touched Vanessa’s forehead—she’d instinctively closed her eyes—it withdrew just as quickly.
“I’d prefer to do the rest when we’re alone.”
At Ian’s words, Vanessa found herself absently recalling their Contract Terms, and she bit back an inward laugh.
Refusing like that was so very Ian.
‘Well, at least I can focus entirely on my revenge.’
With nothing left but the bride and groom’s recessional, Vanessa turned her gaze to her father.
His expression seemed overwhelmed yet complicated all at once, and her nose began to sting without reason.
‘Please, in this life, live long, Father.’
Even if your hopes for grandsons have sailed away.
With barely a sheet’s width of distance between them, Ian and Vanessa walked slowly forward.
“……Is there anywhere you’d like to go for a honeymoon?”
Ian, who’d been greeting guests without even linking arms, suddenly broke the silence.
“A honeymoon?”
Vanessa answered, concealing her mouth behind her Bouquet.
“It seems we’ll need something for the Noblewomen’s Gathering to discuss.”
At his flat tone, Vanessa studied Ian’s face.
Surprising. She hadn’t known he could think of such things.
But Vanessa shook her head.
“Don’t bother.”
“…….”
“Between us, it’ll do to say we haven’t gone yet because we’re both busy.”
“If anything, between us, we should go all the more.”
Ian’s gaze settled on Vanessa.
It was Vanessa who felt taken aback—his eyes were different from usual, with faint creases barely visible between his brows.
“……Are you serious?”
“What would be the point of lying?”
With that curt remark his final word, Vanessa turned her attention away at the end of the Virgin Road, looking straight ahead.
He’d plastered on contact restrictions, and now he speaks of honeymoons?
Moreover, because of his untimely gift offensive, her plans to go to the Northern Region had fallen through, and she’d have to depart the moment the ceremony ended?
Her confusion was brief—the moment she caught sight of the unmistakable blonde hair standing near the ceremony hall’s entrance, Vanessa’s eyes crinkled as she smiled.
For this moment alone, she looked like a bride happier than anyone could ask for.
Look at the way your face crumbles.
You’re far too much like the Duchess—it’s absolutely maddening.
I’d flash you my middle finger if I could, but I suppose I must restrain myself.
“If you haven’t given it proper thought, then perhaps what I mentioned before……”
“Do you really think so?”
As Calais’s expression twisted before her like crumpled paper when their eyes met, Vanessa held his gaze while a smile played about her lips.
“There’s no need to go to such lengths, Ian. Especially not between us.”
“……That’s not what you said to me.”
“……?”
Vanessa blinked, genuinely at a loss.
When had they discussed a honeymoon destination?
She ransacked her memory, but found nothing of note.
Well, in any case, if he’d said it like that, then she must have mentioned a place without realizing it.
“Don’t dwell on what I said.”
With each word Vanessa spoke, Ian’s face grew harder, more rigid.
“I have no intention of troubling you further.”
She added that there was no need for duty or obligation, offering a thin smile as if to reassure him.
“No need, you say……”
Ian murmured the words in a daze, as though he’d sustained some profound blow.
As though he’d received some terrible shock.
‘……I should tell him about the Northern Region trip later.’
He had an uneasy premonition that if he mentioned it now, the fragile closeness they’d only just established would vanish in an instant.
***
“May I ask you something?”
To hear those words the moment they boarded the carriage after the wedding, having collected a few belongings from the Sharoze Mansion—what timing.
Vanessa sat across from him, one hand resting on a travel bag.
“What is it? As long as you’re not asking for a divorce the moment after the wedding……”
“Why did you choose me?”
“What?”
A flicker of genuine bewilderment crossed Vanessa’s face.
“Why did you choose me as your husband?”
“……Why are you suddenly curious about that?”
“Isn’t it reasonable to ask? I agreed to your rather demanding request, after all.”
At Ian’s flatly spoken words, Vanessa swallowed hard.
He had a point. He could certainly ask.
But why would he ask that immediately after the wedding, of all times?
And why was he swallowing uncomfortably, as though still reeling from some shock—so unlike his usual composure?
At this rate they’d be signing divorce papers as soon as the ink dried on the marriage certificate. If he wanted to know, he should have asked during their courtship!
When Vanessa didn’t answer readily, Ian fixed her with a persistent stare.
Why had she chosen him?
Well, that was……
“If it were you……”
Vanessa mumbled uncertainly.
What should she say?
That without someone like him, Calais Leonard would press the marriage issue relentlessly?
……No, that wouldn’t do. The look in his eyes now suggests he’d demand to sign those papers immediately.
Then, the honest truth……?
‘A clean past, a respectable title, and besides, you’d remain unmarried in the future, so it would be simple enough to sign the divorce papers once my revenge is done. That’s why I chose you.’
How could she possibly say that?
While she churned inwardly, Ian reclined against the carriage back and looked down at her from where he sat.
“……I thought you’d be the kind who wouldn’t ask for reasons.”
His carefully chosen excuse made Ian’s lips curl into something ugly.
“So it didn’t matter who I was, as long as they didn’t ask questions.”
“What?”
“Did I misspeak?”
There was something like anger coloring his voice now……
But she couldn’t very well say that his title was acceptable, his past was acceptable, and his guaranteed bachelorhood made him the perfect husband material! She’d actually put thought into it, tried her best to find a suitable answer—had she gotten it wrong?
But this was a contract, wasn’t it?
She’d simply chosen the option with the highest probability of success……
Ah, forget it. The timing is bad, but what can be done?
It was a shame that the narrowing gap between them would widen again, but it was better to say this much clearly before either of them misunderstood.
“……Because it would be troublesome if feelings developed.”
Vanessa opened her mouth with a resolute expression.
She had to take revenge.
Against the Leonard Marquessate—those who had stripped her of everything, murdered her father, and ultimately brought about her own death.
Any new love, any flutter of excitement that arose along the way—these were merely variables to be discounted.
So she had simply acquired the strongest card to play.
Ian Luscliffe was a man who had remained unmarried even as he approached forty.
Vanessa met Ian’s eyes directly.
“That’s why. Because I don’t think you’ll love me.”
“I won’t love you.”
Ian echoed her words slowly.
“So that’s the reason you chose me…….”
Ian’s gaze drifted past Vanessa, fixing itself on the window outside.
From that moment until they arrived at the Luscliffe Mansion, he did not so much as glance at her again.
‘……Did I go too far?’
No. This was something that needed to be said sooner or later.
Apart from her resolve, the reason her heart felt uneasy was probably…….
The deep furrow between Ian Luscliffe’s brows, as he gazed out the window, showed no sign of softening.

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