Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 15

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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 15

The thought of it made her want to flee to a mole’s burrow rather than face the Ball.

What if she made a mistake and smudged his face with soot?

What if she spilled wine on the wrong person or did something foolish?

“You’re broadcasting your thoughts all over your face.”

Adelia started, quickly covering her face with her hands.

“The sort of mishap you’re worried about won’t happen, so don’t trouble yourself.”
“B-but I’ve never done anything like this before.”
“Everyone has a first time.”

For some reason, Adelia’s expression shifted at Loaston’s words, startled and contemplative.

Loaston continued.

“Think back to your Academy days. Each year brought new lessons, didn’t it? And you live each day as if it were the first. It’s the same thing.”
“I’ve never thought of it that way before.”
“Then start thinking of it that way now.”

With a slight smile, Loaston fastened an elegant Brooch to her bodice, where pleated trim caught the light.

The moment the pin caught her collar, Adelia’s lips pressed together without her meaning to.

Something prickled at her chest—faint, but unmistakable.

Perhaps it was because his hands were beautiful as they fussed with her dress.

Or perhaps because she felt the warmth of his body as he bent to fasten the Brooch.

“There. It suits you. Very pretty and lovely.”

Adelia’s face flushed as she touched the Brooch nervously.

The Brooch bore a large sapphire, so substantial that she worried even touching it might damage something.

While Loaston was grinning, Adelia noticed that his desk was messier than usual.

“Um, Loaston.”
“Hmm?”
A letter over there is quite crumpled. Is that all right?”
“Oh, that.”

For a moment, he seemed flustered, and Adelia tilted her head questioningly.

“It’s fine. Just a worthless letter.”

Without waiting for her to ask to see it, Loaston hastily tossed the letter into a small fireplace.

“Why don’t you try on another dress and show me? I’d like to see.”

Adelia shook her head with a petulant expression.

“I’d rather read “Modern Poets and the Reversion to the Past” cover to cover than do that again.”

Which was to say: absolutely not.

***

But willing or not, time flows onward and the inevitable arrives in its own hour.

“Madam, please bow your head just a touch.”
“Shall we darken the cosmetics a bit more?”
“Madam, what shall we do about jewelry?”

Adelia was already wilting under the barrage of questions raining down from all sides.

‘So this is what they mean by wanting to go home even while you’re already home.’

The maids were far more excited about Adelia’s maiden Ball appearance than Adelia herself.

All of them brimmed with a singular determination: their mistress must be the most stunning person there.

“I really don’t think I suit something this elaborate.”

A Hair Ornament, delicately carved in the shape of strawberry blossoms, looked as lush as a hydrangea.

Beneath it hung thin golden threads, and Diamond Earrings glimmered at her ears.

Adelia gazed at her reflection without recognizing herself, words catching in her throat.

With makeup she rarely wore, her own face felt utterly foreign to her.

“What are you saying? You look wonderful.”
“That’s right, Madam. The crescent-moon Brooch goes so well with the Hair Ornament and dress. Just look.”

One of the younger maids eagerly held up the Brooch, but Adelia still couldn’t adjust to the sight.

Despite being dressed so elaborately, she felt diminished every time she looked at herself in the mirror.

Like a molting peacock that had hastily gathered random feathers and stuck them in haphazardly.

‘At this rate, I really will end up embarrassing Loaston.’

Cowed by these thoughts, Adelia descended the stairs and saw Loaston’s silhouette—he had finished preparing long ago.

He looked so distinguished and handsome holding nothing but a Pocket Watch that Adelia nearly wanted to vanish on the spot.

“Duke.”

Loaston, who had been standing quietly, turned his gaze to Rudolf at the hint, following the direction of his eyes.

The Pocket Watch slipped from his grip and fell, its chain rattling as it dropped.

Their eyes met.

Adelia froze halfway down the stairs, neither descending nor ascending, utterly at a loss.

“Adelia.”

At the sound of his voice, she startled and clasped her hands to her chest.

Seeing this, something stirred in Loaston’s heart for reasons he couldn’t quite name.

This was a face he saw every day, yet today it felt entirely different.

Her lips, pressed together shyly, were as precious as cherries; the hesitant way she stood made her seem as delicate as a newly opened cornflower—he wanted to hold her.

“Why are you standing there? Come down.”

As he stepped toward the stairs, Adelia felt an urge to flee stronger than ever before.

But she could not turn away, so she made her way down the steps with careful deliberation.

When at last they stood only one step apart, Loaston noticed that Adelia’s face had grown alarmingly flushed.

He pretended to adjust the Brooch and whispered softly near her ear.

“Why is your face so red?”
“Oh, that is…”
“That is?”

With her lips pressed firmly together, Adelia lowered her head and spoke carefully.

“Is it all right? Does it look all right?”
“All right? What do you mean?”
“Just… everything…”

What? Loaston thought. Was she worried about that?

‘I suppose I’ll need to help her develop a better sense of makeup and clothing. Or rather… how do I get her to see herself objectively?’

When he said nothing, Adelia’s anxiety deepened, and she was about to cry out ‘Let me go change!’ when—

“Of course it’s all right. More than all right—you’re absolutely beautiful.”
Loaston adjusted the Brooch and Diamond Earrings slightly as he spoke.

“You look dazzling right now, so stop such foolish thoughts.”
“Dazzling?”
“Truly. Trust my eye.”

Catching Rudolf’s expression from where he stood behind them, Loaston lightly pressed a kiss to Adelia’s cheek.

Then he escorted her forward with natural grace.

“Shall we go, Madam?”
“…
Thanks to your precise preparations, we’ll arrive at just the right time.”

At his words, Adelia kept her flushed face downturned, still red as a beet.

‘Again, kissing me like that…!’

There was no one to perform for, yet lately Loaston casually kissed her or took her hand as if it were nothing.

‘I need to keep my head. I’m going to get the wrong idea.’

Adelia made a silent motion of patting her own cheek sharply.

If she didn’t, she feared she would grow to expect his warm touch all the more.

***

Madam Dorothea’s Mansion, where the Ball was held, was much smaller than the Insel Duchy Residence but impressed with its charming, neat exterior.

“You’ll probably get along well with Madam Dorothea.”
“Really? Why is that?”
“Well, your interests seem similar.”

Adelia’s eyes brightened.

Could Madam Dorothea possibly be interested in microorganisms too?

‘No, that couldn’t be.’

To prevent herself from growing excited and making a mistake, Adelia took a deep breath and looked straight ahead.

“Don’t overthink it, all right?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Good. Now let’s focus on playing the role of a married couple.”

Tension crossed Adelia’s face, though it was softer than it had been at the mansion.

She had thought herself overdressed, but looking around the ballroom proved her worry groundless.

There were countless people in feathered hats of every color, others with their lips painted in different shades top and bottom—the array of extravagant costumes was staggering.

“Madam Dorothea loves anything amusing.”

Loaston offered this insight.

“The Duke and Duchess of Insel have arrived!”

As the two entered, a servant announced their arrival in a loud voice.

At the announcement of the Duke and Duchess of Insel’s arrival, countless eyes snapped toward the entrance.

‘Oh no.’

Under the weight of so many gazes, Adelia’s shoulders tensed involuntarily, and she gripped Loaston’s arm tightly.

At least he was beside her. Without him to lean on, she might have crumpled entirely under the spotlight.

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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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