I Ended Up Snatching a Marriage With the Male Lead! - Chapter 56

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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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I’ve gone and had a shotgun marriage with the male lead.
Episode 56

“You don’t suppose he means to tear down this entire street and build a different one?”
“I beg your pardon?”
Acquiring the whole street would cost an astronomical sum, but House Valen was certainly wealthy enough to manage it.
“That’s not acceptable! That clothing shop is my favorite place in the world!”
One of the young ladies cried out in protest.
And so the ladies kept a careful watch on the two men as they lingered on the street, each absorbed in her own anxieties.
“What—what was that?”
And then, as if they’d made up their minds, the two men stepped into a clothing shop.

* * *

“M-Madam!”
The youngest apprentice at the Halloway Clothing Shop came rushing up to the third floor, breathless.
Madam, who had been scrutinizing a dress pinned for alteration with the eye of a hawk, let out a long sigh.
“Serin. Why must you be so reckless?”
She set her tape measure down on the table and turned to face the apprentice.
“How many times must I tell you—anyone who creates elegant dresses must first guard her own deportment?”
“I’m terribly sorry. It’s just that I got so excited, I couldn’t help myself…….”
The apprentice, knowing Madam’s sharp temperament, quickly bowed in apology.
“Well then, what on earth is it?”
Madam’s irritation softened somewhat, and she spoke as though willing to let it pass.
Of course, if this turned out to be much ado about nothing, she fully intended to assign the girl nothing but needlework for a week.
Unaware of these dire thoughts, the apprentice opened her mouth brightly.
“An absolutely extraordinary customer has arrived!”
“Extraordinary?”
Madam frowned.
Looking at today’s appointment book, there was no noblewoman from a house distinguished enough to warrant such a description.
‘So it must be an unscheduled visit from someone of rank.’
Her shop accepted clients strictly by appointment only.
Therefore, an unexpected visitor simply could not be received.
‘I was quite clear about turning away walk-ins.’
Madam shook her head disapprovingly.
But the moment the name left the apprentice’s lips—
“It’s the Duke!”
“What?”
She nearly threw down the tape measure she’d just picked up.
“The Duke is waiting on the first floor right now!”
“……Really?”
At the apprentice’s words, Madam asked again, scarcely believing her ears.
If gentlemen had their clubs as information exchanges, then for ladies, high-end dressmakers served precisely that function.
A place where rumors circulated as freely as at tea parties or balls.
Yet even in such circles, she had never heard whisper of the Duke’s mistress.
Who was this Duke, after all?
Among men of marriageable age, he ranked highest in station, possessed wealth beyond measure, and boasted exceptional looks—a man invariably mentioned among the young ladies and society matrons.
This was an absolutely sensational scoop.
Madam could not contain her curiosity and asked:
“……And the lady accompanying him?”
“Oh, he came alone?”
Her shop created dresses exclusively for women.
A man visiting alone, without even sending a servant ahead, was genuinely extraordinary.
In the end, Madam grabbed her catalog and descended to the first floor.
‘Oh my.’
Her eyes widened at the sight of the man standing there.
‘Heavens! How can someone be so beautiful!’
His appearance didn’t fade even among the riot of colorful dresses.
His features were perfectly proportioned and refined, and though she had no daughter, she found herself wishing she could claim him as a son-in-law.
“Y-Your Grace. What an honor to receive your visit.”
Madam forced herself to look away from his face and offered her greeting.
“Is there a particular dress you’re seeking, perhaps?”
She shifted into business mode, her smile turning professional and warm.
“Nothing in particular comes to mind.”
He frowned slightly as he surveyed the rows of dresses, which all seemed much the same to him.
“I see.”
Madam, thinking his voice was equally flawless, continued.
“Perhaps you could tell me the intended use of the dress? A tea party, perhaps, or a ball?”
She spoke with an air of seeking his permission to proceed.
“Though I must mention that ball gowns require considerable time to produce, so if you could provide the precise date, we would do our utmost to complete them as quickly as…….”
“No. A number of garments have become unwearable, so I need something to wear immediately.”
“Cough!”
Madam caught in her throat.
Such unrefined words from a man of such refined appearance.
“Are you quite alright?”
The Duke asked with perfect composure.
“Yes? C-cough. Of course. Thank you for your concern, Your Grace.”
Madam wondered if she herself was somehow interpreting his words improperly.
But looking over at the young ladies seated across the way, who had been listening intently, she saw their faces flushed crimson.
“Th-then, shall we step this way? We have ready-made pieces, and also dresses I’ve personally designed and created…….”
Madam collected herself and ushered the Duke further inside.

A short time later.
All the shop staff had assembled, and they began painstakingly loading dresses into the carriage.
The sheer volume of garments meant they went beyond neat stacking to pressing them firmly inside.
The young ladies watching from the Cafe Terrace could only gape.
“D-did I just see that correctly?”

* * *

And at that very moment.
While the ladies at the Cafe Terrace were bewildered by this spectacle they would rarely witness, Emilia too found herself facing an equally perplexing situation.
Servants were moving in and out of the room shifting furniture, while maids were busily replacing curtains and bedding with new ones and cleaning.
Emilia, watching all this with some bemusement, approached Robert.
“Surely there’s no need to change the bedroom itself?”
At her cautious inquiry, Robert, who had been briskly directing the servants, came to a halt.
“The room where you’re currently staying is more than sufficient.”
This wasn’t merely her subjective opinion—it was objectively true.
According to what Laura had told her, it was the largest and finest of all the guest rooms.
“And at most, this arrangement will last six months.”
Glancing around to ensure no one else was listening, Emilia lowered her voice to barely a whisper when she spoke to Robert.
Even if the others didn’t know the truth of this marriage, surely Robert—he had been there, after all—understood it was a sham.
He had witnessed the whole thing.
Yet Robert simply shook his head firmly.
“That is not possible. Either way, you have now become the Duchess. It is only proper that you enjoy the privileges befitting that station.”
“But if I’m comfortable with—”
Robert remained unyielding.
“Otherwise, discipline will collapse.”
“I’m sorry?”
“If you, madam, continue to occupy such a room, what will the servants think?”
Even his form of address had shifted—he now called her madam.
And as he spoke, Robert’s manner was as natural as if he had served her as Duchess for decades.
At his seasoned butler’s bearing, Emilia fell silent.
‘Something feels off.’
Robert’s attitude was markedly at odds with his portrayal in the original work.
Unless she was misremembering, Robert should have been deeply displeased with this situation.
And she herself had committed an even greater transgression than a mere contract engagement.
Yet instead of growing more uncomfortable, he had readily given up the Duchess’s suite.
“If there is nothing more, madam, may I take my leave?”
“What? Yes…….”
At Robert’s courteous question, Emilia could only nod her head uncertainly.
And Robert promptly disappeared from view, as if he had a mountain of work awaiting him.

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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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