My Contract Husband Demands a Divorce - Chapter 24

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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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A chill ran through the room.
Duchess Beutelen’s expression stiffened. Countess Eloen did not bother to hide her scowl.
Both women possessed immense pride. It was clear they felt insulted at the realization that they had been invited alongside a noble lady whose face they did not recognize and whose name they did not even know.
‘This is bad. They’re misunderstanding the situation.’
Allowing my fluster to show, I turned to Melis with a look of profound apology.
“There seems to have been a misunderstanding, Miss Haller.”
The noblewomen exchanged knowing glances the moment it became clear that Melis had not received a formal invitation.
Seeing their rigid expressions soften, I felt a wave of relief that the misunderstanding had been cleared up.
Now, all I had to do was gently guide Melis toward the exit—
“Ugh, hik…!”
Or so I thought.
Melis burst into tears without warning.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…”
With a trembling hand, she pulled a letter from her bodice.
“I truly thought… hik… that this was an invitation…!”
Though the seal had been broken, the wax clearly bore the crest of Rutshield.
It was a letter I had sent along with gifts to those I was unable to invite.
To think she actually mistook that for an invitation.
‘I didn’t write anything ambiguous in it, did I?’
The letter simply stated that due to unavoidable circumstances, only a select few were being invited, and expressed hope that we could gather next time if the opportunity arose.
“Because Amarynthis was always so kind to me, when she mentioned inviting only a few people, I naturally thought I was one of them… I truly believed this was an invitation.”
How could anyone possibly interpret it that way?
The moment my bewilderment leaked into my expression, Melis buried her face in her hands and sobbed uncontrollably.
The tender-hearted Noble Lady Metterni gasped in surprise and began to comfort her.
“It’s fine by me, and if everyone else agrees, why don’t we all enjoy the afternoon together? She’s already here, and it feels rather cruel to cast out someone who is crying like this.”
Countess Eloen made no effort to hide her reluctance.
“But Nodis Kingdom Silk is limited. Are you suggesting one of us should wear a shorter dress?”
The moment those words left the countess’s mouth, Melis snapped her head up.
“I—I only came because of my foolish mistake. I have absolutely no intention of receiving anything.”
Perfect. This was my cue to step in and orchestrate her departure—
“Tha—”
But before I could even get a word out, Melis pleaded.
“I only wish to stay and learn a bit of culture and the latest trends. That alone is far more valuable to me. If not for an occasion like today, how could someone like me ever hope to be near such prominent figures of our social circles?”
As Melis adopted such a subservient posture, Duchess Beutelen’s expression smoothed over.
Countess Eloen also seemed losing interest in making a fuss, so long as Melis wasn’t aiming for the silk.
Noble Lady Metterni continued to look upon the weeping Melis with deep sympathy.
And Scheit, on the other hand…
“Hmm…”
He was watching the spectacle unfold with an intensely amused look.
My head throbbed with a sudden dizziness.
I squeezed my eyes shut for a brief moment, during which the Duchess offered a suggestion.
“If she is merely going to keep us company, I don’t mind. What do you think, Amarynthis?”
What did I think?
I found it incredibly suspicious.
Especially that performance. It felt as though she had thoroughly researched the temperaments of the Duchess, the Countess, and the young Noble Lady beforehand, figuring out exactly how to manipulate them.
However, because everyone else had grown compliant, the situation became precarious. I had lost any valid justification to send Melis away.
If I appeared to exclude her for no good reason, it would tarnish my flawless reputation…
Moreover, if a banished Melis went around weeping to others just as she was doing now, tiresome rumors would inevitably spread.
Leaving her here was a headache, and throwing her out was a headache.
‘Either way, she’s managed to trap me in a corner.’
I felt a strange sense of deja vu, as if I had been targeted by this exact sort of scheme before.
Stealthily, I glanced sideways.
Scheit maintained his usual composed, utterly shameless expression.
Catching my gaze, he offered a smooth smile.
At a glance, it seemed warm, but it was impossible to tell what he was truly thinking inside.
Though he was highly suspicious, he genuinely hadn’t known a guest was coming.
‘I must be overthinking things.’
Left with no other choice, I forced a smile and nodded.
“Since everyone is comfortable with it, please join our conversation, Miss Haller.”
Instantly, Melis’s face brightened with absolute joy.
“Thank you, Amarynthis! You really are as wonderfully kind as they say.”
I simply nodded, keeping my smile firmly in place. Since I couldn’t possibly entertain two uninvited guests at once, it was time to naturally dismiss Scheit—
The moment I opened my mouth, Scheit placed a gentle, guiding hand on my shoulder.
Startled into silence, I watched as he smoothly took charge of the guests.
“I have prepared a place for us in the Long Gallery. Shall we proceed, everyone?”
He had the audacity to claim my preparations as his own!
Chattering amiably, the guests followed closely behind us.
I leaned in closer to Scheit, lowering my voice so the others wouldn’t overhear our exchange.
“You said you were only going to greet them and leave.”
“When did I ever say that? I merely asked why you were so desperate to throw me out.”
“What exactly are you trying to accomplish by tagalong along?!”
“Accomplish? I merely intend to converse with my wife’s friends.”
“Stop this nonsense and go back to your room. You don’t even like strangers.”
“I am trying to develop a fondness for them starting today.”
I stared at him before abruptly halting my steps.
Following behind, the guests naturally paused as well, their attention shifting entirely to me.
As Scheit turned back to look at me, I let my head tilt slightly, wearing an expression of deep, exaggerated regret.
“Scheit, if your research is keeping you so occupied, you really should have told me sooner.”
“I am not busy in the slightest.”
“Oh, please. There is no need to push yourself for my sake. I will take excellent care of our guests, so return to your work without any worries.”
…Normally, anyone would take the hint and excuse themselves after this much prompting, but Scheit remained rooted to the spot, his face a mask of unyielding brass.
“It is quite alright. They are our first guests, so the master of the house ought to entertain them.”
For heaven’s sake, I am the master of this house!
It might be called the Huniswald Mansion, but the property is registered entirely under my name!
Should I push him harder and force him out? No. Doing so would turn the atmosphere incredibly tense.
The guests’ eyes darted back and forth between Scheit and me in rapid succession.
As I struggled to maintain my smile, Scheit wrapped his arm around my shoulder once more and nudged me forward.
“Do not play cheap tricks on me, my lady.”
Before I could offer any sort of retort, he swung open the doors to the Long Gallery.
The moment he claimed the seat to my left, Melis promptly slid into the chair on my right.
She kept peeking glances between Scheit and me.
Sitting trapped between the two of them made my nerves tingle with sheer anxiety.
It felt exactly like holding a bottle of highly volatile, fermenting liquor in each hand, where the slightest jar could cause an explosion.
If there was any silver lining, it was that Melis didn’t cause any major disasters or sour the mood.
Though ambition flashed in her eyes from time to time, she refrained from her usual bragging.
Instead, she focused entirely on catering to the whims of the noblewomen.
‘At least that’s a relief.’
Scheit was also unexpectedly well-behaved.
I had feared he might subtly bring up the divorce and make my blood run cold, but he didn’t.
On the contrary, he enlivened the gathering by offering perfectly tailored compliments on the dress adornments the ladies had chosen.
He spoke with the ease of someone thoroughly well-versed in the ways of high society.
Except…
“Amarynthis, the Count’s Residence is hosting a social gathering in a few days. You must come with Baron Huniswald.”
Whenever someone extended an invitation to a social event,
“My apologies. Lini and I have already planned a special, private day for just the two of us then. We shall certainly join you next time.”
“Oh, goodness, no need to apologize. The two of you are still newlyweds, so of course I completely understand.”
He would brazenly answer right over me, or,
“Lately, Princess Isoldra has been appearing frequently at ballroom events. Do you suppose she has her sights set on the imperial throne?”
Whenever gossip or political matters began to surface,
“Hmm. I cannot speak for Her Highness’s intentions, but it seems to me the lace on this sleeve is far more important right now. Woven lace appears much more delicate and exquisite than the embroidered variety.”
He would skillfully steer the topic back toward dresses and fashion.
Since their ultimate goal today was the dresses anyway, the atmosphere remained perfectly pleasant, but…
“Lini?”
What on earth was that sickeningly sweet, cutesy nickname!
From the soles of my heels straight to the crown of my head, every single hair on my body stood on end.
My smiling cheeks trembled with a violent twitch.
Seriously, what was wrong with him now?
Steering the conversation repeatedly was bizarre enough, but his display of affection was far more excessive than usual.
Every single time I tried to speak, he would call out that wretched name, effectively choking the words right back down my throat.
Desperately maintaining my serene facade, I leaned closer and hissed under my breath so only he could hear.
“Have you lost your mind?”
“To think you’ve only just noticed.”
He lowered his pitch, putting on a show of whispering intimately.
“It seems I have driven myself mad with affection for you, my lady.”
His volume was perfectly modulated to ensure anyone nearby could easily catch every word.
I couldn’t be certain exactly how much of it the others had managed to catch.
However, Melis, sitting directly beside me, looked as though she had heard every single syllable of that horrifyingly greasy confession.

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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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