Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 13

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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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Chapter 13

Yang Jae-sa listened quietly to Loarston’s lengthy discourse before speaking with a gentle smile.

“It seems the Duke has fallen quite completely for his wife.”

In that instant, Loarston’s lips stiffened.

He rolled his beautiful cyan eyes and spoke.

“……Does it look that way?”
“From where I stand, there’s no other way to see it.”
“Ha, well, I wouldn’t say to that extent…….”

Yet Yang Jae-sa merely smiled in silence, and indeed looked quite pleased.

His expression was like that of a grandfather watching his grandson praise his wife.

Loarston felt heat rise to his face belatedly.

He gave a dry cough.

Utterly smitten with that microbe fanatic. And it wasn’t even a real marriage to begin with…….

It was absurd.

Well, of course it was.

Loarston simply decided to regard himself as an actor who happened to perform his role rather well.

He hadn’t genuinely come to love Adelia.

Really.

Probably.

***

Meanwhile, Adelia had been waylaid by Mrs. Smittles just as she was about to eat lunch, and her mind was entirely occupied with fabricating a story.

“My goodness, is it true? The Duke proposed to you?”
“Yes…….”

She couldn’t possibly say that the marriage was a fake, so before she knew it, she’d spun out a false proposal story about how Loarston had knelt before her.

“Well, that handsome devil does have an eye for beauty.”
“……Yes, yes?”
“Don’t you think? Adelia, you were so focused on your studies that you never bothered to groom yourself. But to my eye, you were always a rough diamond. Just look at you now—completely transformed from your student days.”
“That’s just…… there’s someone with really good Makeup Artistry…….”
“No matter how skillful the artist, you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. It’s truly fortunate for you.”

Adelia laughed shyly at Mrs. Smittles’s unguarded compliments.

Then, catching sight of the wall clock, she started up in alarm.

“Goodness! Mrs. Smittles, I really must go. I’m late.”
“Oh dear, I’ve kept you far too long. Off you go now.”
“Thank you so much. I’ll come again.”

Adelia rummaged in her pocket, scattered whatever coins she found on the table, and bolted out through the door with such force that the shop bell clanged loudly.

Only then did Mrs. Smittles’s eyes widen as she saw the coins left on the table.

“Goodness me, that’s enough to give away fifty pies for free.”

Mrs. Smittles’s tongue clicked in amazement as she beheld the gleaming Gold Coins.

***

Adelia returned to the Laboratory with all the speed she could muster.

But having left late to begin with, there was no avoiding her tardiness.

Bang!

At the sound of the door opening, Siern—who had been bent over his microscope—turned his gaze toward Adelia.

“I’m sorry…… I’m late…….”
“Off to lunch somewhere on the outskirts, were you?”

No matter how you heard it, his tone dripped with sarcasm.

Already petite, Adelia shrank even further into herself.

“That’s not—”
“Never mind. Change into your lab coat and get back to work.”

Adelia wilted like a plant struck by salt and returned to the experimental chamber.

Though she put on her lab coat, she felt none of the enthusiasm she’d had that morning.

After slumping in dejection for a moment, Adelia suddenly slapped her own cheek and shook her head.

‘I can’t let this get me down! I made a mistake, and I own that—but I need to finish what I started today!’

If she could just prove what she’d observed this morning, maybe Siern would finally see her not as a tardy novice, but as a capable researcher!

‘All right. First, I need to obtain a sample of Acidic Soil.’

Soil composition is teeming with complex organic matter.

Adelia needed to verify whether the microbes she’d dubbed “Neutral-State Microbes” could actually neutralize acidity in real soil samples.

***

When Adelia returned home with Loarston, she was startled to see unfamiliar people waiting for them.

“You—— no, darling, who are these people……?”

Adelia stammered the question, but Loarston only smiled and gestured to his maid, Liliet.

“Madam, this way if you please.”
“Oh, just me……alone?”
“Go on, my dear. I’ll have something waiting for your return.”

Before she could protest—

warm, moist lips met her cheek.

The unexpected kiss nearly made Adelia jump; she forced an awkward smile.

What was she supposed to expect, and who were all these people? He could have given her some hint.

Aside from everything else, just kissing her like that?!

Regardless of Adelia’s bewilderment, Liliet practically propelled her forward by the small of her back toward the Toilet Room.

As Adelia entered the Toilet Room, a middle-aged woman who had arrived before her rose gracefully from a seat, her dress sweeping the floor in a respectful curtsy.

“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Duchess.”
“Oh, yes…… pleased to meet you too.”

The woman’s eyes widened, and a smile crossed her face.

“Formal address to a simple seamstress? I won’t hear of it. I’m Agnes Folde, proprietor of a modest shop here in the Capital.”

This time, it was Adelia’s eyes that widened.

“You…… you’re Agnes Folde? The owner of Le Vet Tune?”

Agnes let out a soft laugh.

“How honored I am that you recognize me, Duchess.”
“Of course I do!”

Adelia’s face flushed crimson.

“You’re the most famous dressmaker on Needle Street. You make Dresses for His Majesty and the Queen and the Princess.”
“His Majesty and the Queen have been most gracious in their patronage. I’m merely honored to serve.”
“But what brings you here……?”

Adelia was genuinely perplexed.

The seamstresses at Le Vet Tune, even the youngest of them, refused clients unless they were pre-booked appointments.

Needle Street—a glittering thoroughfare lined with clothing boutiques and dressmaking ateliers.

In that district, the very name of Agnes Folde was not to be mentioned lightly, even in jest.

Even nobles dared not risk offending her sensibilities.

A single fall from her favor would see the scandal spread through all of high society within a day.

‘But……’

What could possibly have compelled such a formidable seamstress to come here?

“The Duke asked for my assistance. I’ve prepared several evening Dresses for you.”
“Evening Dresses…… for me?”
“Of course. Normally one would begin by discussing fabrics, then proceed to fittings, preliminary fittings, alterations, and so forth—but the Duke mentioned that you’re terribly busy with your laboratory work, so I’ve taken the liberty of using the measurements he provided and prepared these Dresses in advance.”
“Measurements he provided? Who on earth—”
“Why, the Duke himself, of course.”

Agnes laughed as if amused, and Liliet, standing behind Adelia, laughed as well.

The only one who couldn’t laugh was Adelia.

‘How on earth did he learn my measurements?!’

In her confusion, Adelia suddenly felt a familiar touch—Loarston’s hand, gently encircling her waist.

Of course, he wasn’t here, so it was only her imagination.

But it was clear he’d deduced her measurements from every casual contact they’d shared.

‘Detective work, honestly!’

Liliet gently took hold of Adelia’s shoulders.

“Now, Madam, we must try on the Dresses. The party is tomorrow, after all, so you must choose one by tonight.”

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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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