I Ended Up Snatching a Marriage With the Male Lead! - Chapter 80

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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 had ended up in a shotgun marriage with the male lead.
Chapter 80

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Meanwhile, at that very moment, at the Ernst Mansion.
“You—you brat!”
The Count Ernst was startled by the sudden appearance of his son and pointed at him accusingly, then caught himself with a wince.
“Ahem.”
He’d momentarily forgotten he had a guest with him.
No matter how freely he’d disparaged his son in public, he still had his pride—there were limits to airing the household’s dirty laundry before witnesses.
The count cleared his throat, visibly collected himself, and addressed Lucas in a more measured tone.
“Lucas. It’s been some time since you’ve visited the Mansion.”
But his son seemed oblivious to his father’s efforts and was staring past him at someone else entirely.
Specifically, at House Valen’s Duke standing directly behind him.
‘That man?’
Just then, the Countess—eyes widened in recognition—approached them.
“Oh my!”
And she hastened to offer Kaiden a proper courtesy.
“Your Grace, what an honor to receive your visit.”
“It was quite sudden of me. Thank you for the gracious welcome, Countess.”
The Countess smiled behind her hand at Kaiden’s courteous greeting.
“Sudden, you say? Not in the least, Your Grace.”
So saying, the Countess drew close to her husband.
In truth, though she’d been polite to the Duke, the hastily arranged dinner had left her quite flustered.
Worse still, the two men had arrived earlier than expected, and the evening’s preparations were still unfinished.
To signal this predicament while maintaining her smile, the Countess called to her husband in a low voice.
“Dear, come here for a moment, won’t you?”
“Hmm?”
As the Count was about to introduce his son to the Duke but first sought Kaiden’s leave before being pulled away by his wife, Lucas rose with a warm, pleasant smile and offered his greeting.
“I am Lucas Ernst, Your Grace. It is a great honor to make your acquaintance.”
Even as he spoke, his eyes held a measuring gleam as he appraised the Duke.
He’d always known the day might come when he’d meet Emilia’s husband, House Valen’s Duke—
But he’d never imagined it would be so soon, or here in his own home.
‘I never dreamed it would happen like this.’
Though this unlooked-for encounter was not particularly welcome, Lucas saw no reason to avoid it.
Besides, there was something he wanted to confirm from the Duke.
The Duke acknowledged his greeting with an expressionless face.
“Is that so.”
It was an answer stripped of any embellishment, unlike his previous courtesies.
Lucas’s carefully arranged smile faltered slightly at that.
Watching the Duke’s cool gaze, Lucas recalled the praise his father had lavished upon him.
‘Father, exactly which part of this man strikes you as polite and refined?’

* * *

Fortunately, the appetizers arrived shortly after, and the dinner commenced.
“Ha ha, who would have thought you’d become a devoted husband like myself, Your Grace?”
The Count spoke lightly as he sipped his wine.
“Why, I can scarcely present my credentials now! I heard you emptied out an entire wardrobe for her!”
The Count had been quite impressed not only by the Duke’s surprise marriage announcement on the Grand Conference Day, but by his subsequent conduct as well.
Such considerate behavior was rare in high society, which made the Duke’s unexpected side all the more appealing to the Count.
Then Lucas abruptly interjected into the conversation.
“Did the Duchess enjoy it?”
“What?”
The question caught the Count off guard.
“It’s just that not everyone enjoys lavish gifts like fancy dresses, you know.”
Lucas added the remark as naturally as if he were merely making conversation.
The Count chided his oblivious son for the comment.
“You fool! What woman wouldn’t enjoy such things? Isn’t that right, dear?”
“Of course. It’s one of a woman’s fantasies.”
The Countess chimed in with an amused laugh, supporting her husband.
“Is that so?”
Lucas merely shrugged, as though his question had been born of simple curiosity.
Then he turned to address Kaiden.
“I hope my remark wasn’t impertinent.”
The Duke, who had been watching Lucas for a moment, answered with a measured delay.
“It was not.”
At that, the Count shot Lucas a disapproving look and clicked his tongue.
“That’s why you’re hopeless with women—you know nothing of these things.”
Lucas laughed good-naturedly at his father’s remark.
“Actually, I take quite an interest.”
“Then why are you always shut away at court?”
The Count scolded him as though he were spouting nonsense.
“No, truly. There’s a woman I’m interested in.”
His tone carried no trace of jest—it was earnest.
“What?”
“Really, Lucas? Is that true?”
Struck by this uncharacteristic display from their son, the Count and Countess exchanged startled looks.
They momentarily forgot all about the Duke’s presence and became consumed with curiosity about who this woman might be.
“Who on earth is she?”
“I won’t believe it until I see her myself! Bring her at once!”
“Ah, I can’t bring her right away.”
“Why not?”
“She has her own circumstances, so I’m the one waiting. My courtship is quite one-sided at the moment.”
Lucas spoke while noticing that the Duke had continued to observe him throughout.
“But I’m confident that once she becomes mine, I’ll treat her well. I suspect I’ve inherited your quality for devotion, Father.”
Taking Lucas’s words as praise for himself, the Count beamed with pride.
“So you’ve finally opened your heart to love!”
The Count became deeply moved by his son’s transformation and took a long draught of wine.
The Countess then called to him in an anxious tone.
“Dear, you should stop. You always get drunk after just one glass.”
But the Count drained his glass in one continuous gulp before she could finish her warning.
True to the Countess’s concern, the Count’s face flushed with intoxication almost immediately.
The Count fixed Kaiden with a bleary gaze, then his eyes suddenly widened.
“Ah! I nearly forgot—I meant to discuss something with Your Grace today!”
“……You need not concern yourself, Count. It matters little.”
“Though in truth, there’s scarcely any need for Your Grace to worry. Even if the lady had an old suitor, how could any man compare to you?”
The Count spoke as though this were the crux of the matter.
“In any case, once the marriage is done, it’s settled! What can all those other suitors do now? As for me, I overcame countless rivals to win my wife—and here she is……”
“Dear!”
The Countess struck her husband sharply on the back to cut short his unnecessary remarks before the Duke.
“Ow, my dear……”
The Count clutched his back and his face fell to a sulk.
“Get up this instant! Such behavior before His Grace is absolutely shameful!”
“But—but I haven’t yet heard the Duke’s concerns……”
“Enough. Not another word.”
The Countess’s expression brooked no argument as she hauled her husband to his feet.
Turning to Kaiden with an embarrassed smile, she spoke apologetically.
“Forgive us, Your Grace. He’s had far too much to drink. Might it be acceptable to retire for the evening?”
“Of course.”
Kaiden assented readily and turned his attention toward Lucas.
“I find myself eager for a private conversation with you.”
“If you’re willing to indulge him that way……. We’re most grateful for your understanding. Lucas, do attend to His Grace properly.”
With that, the Countess departed, supporting the Count with the help of the servants.
Silence fell over the Dining Room now that only the two men remained.

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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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