Newlywed Life Begins with a Mistake - Chapter 13
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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 13
The next day.
“You summoned us, Madam.”
“Yes. You must know why I called you.”
An elegant yet monotone voice echoed through the drawing room.
Sebastian and Sophia, summoned unexpectedly, looked at Evelyn holding her teacup with expressions that said ‘What we feared has finally come!’
“I think we need to properly finish our unfinished conversation.”
Hand over the ledgers. That’s what she means.
They had expected it, but the timing of the summons was too soon.
A sudden call while they were still looking for ways to prepare.
Feeling like they had hit a dead end, worry filled Sebastian and Sophia’s eyes.
“Don’t worry. I’m not planning to punish you and then take the ledgers.”
“Then…”
“Let’s find a method we can all agree on.”
After pausing for a beat, Evelyn set down her teacup and delivered her main point at neither a fast nor slow pace.
“I’ll give you a chance to verify me.”
“Verify?”
“What do you mean by a chance…”
“Like any family, every household has one or two troublesome matters. Give me one of those as an assignment. If I solve the problem, it means I’m qualified to see the ledgers, and then you’ll willingly hand them over, won’t you?”
I’ll leave the choice to you.
Sending such a look, Evelyn sipped her freshly brewed tea with an indifferent expression.
At the sudden proposal, Sebastian let out a thoughtful sound before belatedly understanding her meaning.
‘She’s deliberately being considerate of us!’
A wise decision.
A method that doesn’t forcibly take but doesn’t provoke resistance.
A solution that would make everyone compliant and peaceful, yet no one could have proposed it.
Speaking carelessly would result in being beaten for challenging the master’s authority or being kicked out of the mansion in humiliation.
As always, most noble ladies don’t even pretend to listen to their servants’ words.
Even offering advice would be met with accusations of daring to climb above the master’s head.
That’s why Sebastian had entered the drawing room prepared for severe punishment.
But then something he’d never experienced before happened.
“What do you think?”
Though he was skilled at managing his expressions, Sebastian found himself asking a question without realizing it.
“Why are you showing us such mercy?”
Evelyn, who had set down her teacup, smiled faintly.
“Because I value your loyal attitude. You could have tried to please me or remained indifferent to the Duke’s Mansion affairs, claiming they had nothing to do with you, couldn’t you?”
That’s right.
As she said, they could have avoided the situation by sweet-talking their way out, but they deliberately chose not to.
Having served House of Count Heteus for generations, they couldn’t easily bend their will.
The same was true for Sophia.
However, Evelyn’s decision was so unexpected that Sebastian and Sophia were dumbfounded.
‘I know this shouldn’t be the case, but maybe it would be okay to entrust the ledgers to the current Princess.’
They should naturally look unfavorably upon her, yet Evelyn showed great magnanimity.
Her generous spirit momentarily stirred loyalty in Sebastian.
They say you need to experience someone for a long time to truly know them, but he never dreamed that person would be Evelyn.
Looking back, Evelyn was truly a mistress suitable for House of Count Heteus.
‘If only she weren’t a fake duchess…’
Not knowing what would happen when her memories returned, he couldn’t easily accept Evelyn’s proposal.
Just as Sebastian’s concerns were deepening,
Sophia, who was beside him, spoke sharply.
“We need assurance, Madam.”
“Assurance?”
“Yes. Please promise us. That no matter what happens later, you won’t make an issue of what’s happening now.”
Sophia presented a new condition to ensure there would be no future troubles.
The current Evelyn could be trusted, but the future Evelyn could not.
There was no guarantee that the Princess wouldn’t hold them accountable when her memories returned, so Sophia spoke firmly with concern.
‘She seems to be thinking the same thing.’
No matter how gentle she might be, would she really leave alone those who had deceived her?
Though it could be considered arrogant for a servant, Sophia’s action was justified when viewed as protecting House of Count Heteus.
The room suddenly became quiet.
Evelyn’s eyes, which had been drinking the rich tea, turned sharp.
Sebastian suddenly tensed at the rapidly changed atmosphere.
‘I wonder how she’ll respond.’
Will she show magnanimity once more?
Or will she make them realize the master’s authority?
Whatever choice she made, Evelyn would be in the right.
Sophia had also spoken those words prepared for punishment.
Just as the tension reached its peak,
“Mary, Rose. Bring me a fountain pen and parchment.”
Evelyn suddenly called for the maids.
When the maids quickly handed over the fountain pen and parchment, Evelyn picked up the pen.
Scratch, scratch.
Evelyn, who had been writing something on parchment, finally raised her head and called to Sophia.
“Please review this.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Sophia carefully took the parchment Evelyn handed her and examined its contents together with Sebastian.
【Ledger Management Contract</p】
This contract has been drafted in the process of Evelyn Heteus requesting the ledgers from Butler Sebastian and Head Maid Sophia.
Article 1: Purpose of Contract
Evelyn Heteus shall verify her qualifications to view the House of Count Heteus ledgers through examination.
Article 2: Process
1. Evelyn Heteus shall faithfully perform the tasks presented by the servants of House of Count Heteus.
2. The servants of House of Count Heteus shall assist Evelyn Heteus within reasonable limits when she requests help.
3. Evelyn Heteus shall take responsibility for any mistakes that occur during problem-solving.
.
.
.
Both parties pledge to maintain the confidentiality of this contract and shall bear legal responsibility if this is violated.>
“This is unbelievable!”
“Are you really sure about doing this!?”
The two people who reviewed the contract were utterly shocked.
A contract filled with clauses disadvantageous to Evelyn herself—this was something an ordinary person would never attempt.
Nevertheless, Evelyn nodded slightly with an indifferent expression as if there were no problems at all, then sipped her tea.
“It doesn’t matter. Meeting expectations comes first.”
It was truly remarkable to see again.
The content was groundbreaking, but the handwriting was absolutely admirable.
The bold yet flowing penmanship was written clearly, as if representing her personality.
The clauses written on the parchment were also perfect, requiring no objections.
Sophia, who had reviewed the contract several times, finally relaxed with relief after confirming there were no issues.
“Thank you for agreeing to this unreasonable request, my lady.”
Sophia bowed her waist.
She greeted with even more courtesy and formality, conveying respect.
Whether she would truly serve her as a master remained to be seen, but the person before her was certainly worthy of respect.
‘Why would such a person be called a villainess?’
She was calm, elegant, and virtuous.
It was so strange that such negative epithets followed her around.
“Then we shall take our leave now.”
Awakened from her thoughts by Sebastian’s presence, Sophia bowed once more before leaving the drawing room.
“Will this really be alright?”
“That’s for His Grace to judge.”
Sebastian gave a gentle smile to Sophia, who had expressed her concerns.
Sophia responded with a smile of her own and then headed to the study to carry out the contract.
“Evelyn proposed a contract?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
After hearing from Sophia about what had happened in the drawing room, Casian asked back in disbelief once the report was finished.
“Why go to such trouble?”
If she needed money, she could just tell me directly.
He had the means to buy her anything she needed, whether jewelry or dresses, yet Evelyn stubbornly insisted on her way.
[It’s okay, honey! I’ll try to do it with my own strength.]
No one had forced her to take on the ledgers, so he couldn’t understand why she kept obsessing over it.
If he could peek inside her head, he’d like to go in and take a look around.
“She put all the disadvantageous clauses on herself.”
Casian clicked his tongue briefly while examining the contract.
The content was excellent.
Except for the fact that it was full of clauses disadvantageous to Evelyn.
‘She’s not a woman who should be making bets anywhere.’
Thinking he’d have to stop her if she ever tried to enter the underworld, Casian thoroughly reviewed the contract once more.
Just as he reached the conclusion that it was full of clauses favorable to the head of House Heteus with nothing to fault.
“Wait.”
Casian suddenly furrowed his brow upon seeing something unexpected.
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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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