Newlywed Life Begins with a Mistake - Chapter 23

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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 23

“It’s obviously going to be the same content, so why bother?”

The corners of Casian’s eyes crinkled slightly.

[I absolutely won’t return until you find a mate!]

Casian’s mother, who left behind such a bombshell declaration, departed from Heteus County four years ago as if fleeing in the night.

Her sudden actions threw the House of Count Heteus into great confusion at the time.

This was because the lady of the house had disappeared with the grand banquet right around the corner.

Though they sent word for his mother to return, she replied that she would absolutely not come back until he welcomed a companion, refusing to bend her will.

She even became obsessed with Casian’s marriage, sending nagging letters asking if there were any ladies he fancied whenever the Heteus banquet approached.

In the end, that year’s grand banquet was led by the butler and head maid.

[Is it because the lady of the house is unwell? This year has a different feel to it.]

[The beauty of empty space must be the concept. I can see the servants are faithful to the concept.]

[Oh my, isn’t this the Cheryl frill fabric that was popular last month? To personally procure such rare fabric, the House of Count Heteus is quite thrifty.]

Though they made every effort to fill the void left by the lady of the house, even those with notable experience found it somewhat overwhelming to keep up with the latest trends of the social circle.

Casian’s mother had raised expectations considerably by displaying excellent taste every year, but the inadequate parts that showed here and there made it woefully insufficient in the eyes of the noble ladies.

In the end, that year’s House of Count Heteus banquet became the subject of negative gossip.

The social circle tore down the House of Count Heteus with all sorts of criticisms, saying it was nothing more than keeping up appearances, lacked aesthetic sense, and that guest hospitality was more neglectful than the previous year.

The retainers who couldn’t bear to watch this stepped forward enthusiastically, but under the pretext of helping, they tried to somehow connect their daughters with Casian.

[To lessen Your Grace’s burden, I’d like to recommend new talent. Natalie happens to be very interested in flower arranging—]

[Surely banquets need a woman’s touch! In that sense, having the experienced Reina oversee this year’s banquet would be—]

[As a loyal retainer, I cannot just stand by and watch! Since Daisy, who has much banquet experience, offers to help, please entrust this year’s banquet to Daisy.]

The upcoming meeting would surely present plausible excuses while pushing forward young ladies as his match.

Though fatigue was already weighing down his entire body, Casian rose from his seat and headed to the meeting room.

“Count Muet, your greed is excessive! Baroness Muet led the banquet last year, and now you’re proposing a second term!”

“If you put it that way, didn’t Lady Cheil also handle the banquet the year before last!”

“No matter what anyone says, our Natalie is the most suitable.”

As expected, his prediction didn’t miss the mark.

Resounding shouts echoed repeatedly throughout the meeting room.

The retainers who had been holding their tongues burst forth like machine guns with their own words as soon as the grand banquet agenda came up, as if they had been waiting.

They ruthlessly tore down their opponents’ children while praising their own, revealing their greed.

Casian, who had been maintaining his position with a bored expression, leaned back and crossed his arms.

‘Should I just send word to mother that I have a lover?’

He thought that if he mentioned Evelyn, his mother might come running immediately.

After all, it was true that she was his wife.

…Casian, who had been thinking this way, suddenly stopped his thoughts.

‘Why am I naturally thinking of the Princess as my wife?’

It was clearly just acting.

It was just a play to deceive the bait.

Though he didn’t know when it started, Casian had been naturally regarding Evelyn as his match.

She had Count Heteus as her lover, so why was he, a fake, presumptuously coveting the place of the real one?

Am I truly going mad?

Casian, faced with his ugly desires, quickly covered his face with his hands.

He roughly rubbed his face, hoping that no one would discover his true feelings.

Even so, he pondered and pondered again about why Evelyn should be put forward for the banquet.

Though it was a banquet where it didn’t matter who took charge, this time he wanted her to handle it.

Was there anyone who had filled the position of his mother, who used to lead the social circle’s trends?

There wasn’t.

Was there anyone who had held a splendid banquet that received enthusiastic praise?

He didn’t know.

He knew that the retainers’ daughters had taken turns overseeing banquets, but he couldn’t even remember their names or who was who.

He had simply looked at their appearance and guessed whose daughter they were, offered appropriate encouragement, then let them hold grand banquets.

Then why should Evelyn oversee this year’s banquet?

Unlike before, an answer didn’t come easily.

Though impure motives rose to his throat, he tried to suppress his emotions and somehow provide a rational reason.

‘Neither Count Seldian nor Count Heteus would be able to move freely in the duchy, so let’s set a trap at the banquet.’

We’ll use the banquet to catch evidence of rebellion.

Yes. So it’s right for the Princess to oversee it.

Having made his decision, Casian straightened his body and spoke.

“There’s a limit to bickering, so let’s wrap this up here. I’ll select a suitable lady through a test.”

“But Your Excellency!”

“Your Grace! This is!”

Though desperate cries were heard at his command-like announcement, their cries didn’t reach Casian.

Casian quickly left the meeting room and went down the stairs.

When he reached the lobby, he happened to see Evelyn.

“Darling!”

Evelyn came running over, fuming.

Casian suddenly grabbed her waist with one hand and pulled her toward him.

“My wife. I have a request.”

He brought her hand to his lips and gave the most beautiful smile he could manage.

“Please attend the banquet with me.”

* * *

“So. You’re asking me to oversee the banquet?”

“Yes, my wife.”

When Casian finished his explanation, I tilted my head slightly and asked to confirm if I had heard correctly.

At this, Casian nodded obediently and waited for my answer.

“Hmm, well.”

Was it because my energy was depleted?

Despite having a handsome man right in front of me, I found myself responding half-heartedly.

“Since this is a sudden request, you must be flustered, so I’ll give you time to think…”

“I don’t want to.”

“Pardon?”

“I said I don’t want to. Why should I have to take a test?”

At first, I was definitely motivated, but hearing there would be a test suddenly made me not want to do it.

Not having expected a refusal, Casian’s pupils dilated rapidly.

“I can’t help but find this disagreeable. This was a procedure conducted to fill the vacancy of the Duchess of Heteus, so is there really a need for me, who is already the Duchess of Heteus, to take a test?”

“You speak correctly. However, unlike the ducal house servants, others express concern that an outsider might not skillfully lead the grand banquet of the South.”

“Then it can’t be helped. I don’t want to do it this year.”

Yes, I’ll compromise.

It’s not like the banquet only happens this year—there’s next year too.

As I raised both hands in surrender, Casian asked cautiously.

“May I ask the reason?”

“I need rest. It hasn’t been long since I wrapped up the palladium incident, and I don’t want to use my brain again.”

This wasn’t empty words—it was real.

Though it was my past life, like everyone else, I spent my entire school years taking tests and being evaluated at every moment.

It was the same in the job market. I constantly knocked on company doors, trying somehow to hang a decent employee ID around my neck.

I appealed that I was a useful talent and got into the company I wanted, but what came back in the end was…

‘A dog’s death.’

I lived fiercely and finally possessed a comfortable life, and now they want me to take another test?

The ledger test was something I proposed myself to maintain a peaceful ducal house life, but this case was different.

As long as I’m the Duchess of Heteus, the initiative for the banquet belongs to me.

Due to unfortunate events, unmarried noble ladies had temporarily substituted the hostess role in rotating shifts for the past three years, but now that I’m here, there’s no need for that.

So it’s only natural that they should obediently follow the decisions I make.

But why should I step forward and have my qualifications verified, becoming the subject of gossip from those who tell me what to do?

“My lady, for my sake at least—”

“I won’t.”

“But…”

“Stop. Don’t argue with your wife’s words.”

With those words, I turned around decisively.

I heard a pitiful voice from behind me, but I walked away resolutely.

“Tsk, his build is fine, but how can he be so weak?”

I knew he was a soft-hearted husband, but to think his heart was weak enough to be swayed by his retainers.

Should I establish discipline in his place?

Of course, it might be him showing magnanimity to the loyal subjects who support House Heteus, but even so, they should maintain proper decorum toward Casian.

Whether the rumors had spread far and wide, as soon as I entered my room, the maids who were moving desserts from the trolley to the table asked with eyes full of curiosity.

“My lady, are you really not going to do it~?”

“Even though it’s a golden opportunity to make yourself known in the South?”

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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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