Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 17

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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 17

Adelia’s eyes, which had been squeezed shut, finally opened—only to find herself staring up at Roaston’s inverted face.

She gasped without thinking, her mouth falling open in surprise.

Roaston’s expression as he carefully helped her to her feet was peculiar.

It seemed to carry amusement, yet something about it felt distinctly displeased.

“I’m so—I’m terribly sorry. You…you….”
“There’s nothing for you to apologize to me about. I’m the one who should be sorry. Leaving you alone like that—it could have ended badly.”

After saying this, Roaston turned toward Professor Siern, who stood watching the two of them.

“My wife owes you a debt of gratitude.”
“Ah, well.”

At Siern’s lukewarm response, a faint twitch played at the corners of Roaston’s mouth.

“Might I ask your name?”

The slight edge in his tone caused Siern’s eyebrows to rise deliberately.

Siern, who had been studying Roaston intently, shrugged and answered.

“Siern Emit.”
“Ah, so you are the Professor Siern I’ve only heard about by reputation. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Roaston Insel.”

In the Kingdom, rank mattered greatly, but the protocols of age and respect were held in even higher regard.

Therefore, regardless of his personal feelings, Roaston occupied a position where he must defer respectfully to his elder.

Yet Siern turned his gaze away as though he hadn’t heard a word.

Just as Roaston’s smile began to stiffen at the edges upon realizing that Siern was deliberately trying to provoke him—

“I know who you are, young Duke Insel. You’re something of a public figure, aren’t you?”
“Ha, a public figure? You’re too kind, really.”

A subtle tension began to flow between Siern and Roaston.

Adelia’s eyes darted rapidly as she observed the two men.

‘What on earth is happening here?’

Whatever it was, the atmosphere between these two men was far from ordinary.

She could sense that both Siern and Roaston had become notably sharp, unlike their usual selves.

‘What is this? They don’t seem to know each other, and yet the atmosphere is so….’

Siern spoke.

“You mentioned your wife owes me a debt, but since she’s my student, there’s no need for such stiff formality.”
“On the contrary. Since you are my wife’s teacher, I must show you even greater respect. You are, after all, considerably my senior.”

Adelia was startled by the thorny edge in Roaston’s words.

But Siern pretended not to hear, and instead said:

“Your affection for your wife is admirable.”

Siern glanced at Adelia once more, offered a brief greeting that they would see each other in the Research Lab, and then disappeared back into the crowd.

Left alone again, Adelia found the strange atmosphere that lingered around Roaston increasingly unbearable.

She noticed how the veins at his temples stood out slightly and how his brow had grown tense, and she felt deeply troubled.

‘Is he angry?’

For reasons she couldn’t name, it seemed that way.

Adelia cautiously reached out toward Roaston’s sleeve.

But just as her hand extended, Roaston turned to face her, leaving her arm suspended awkwardly in empty air.

“What is it?”

Roaston took her hand naturally as he spoke.

“Well, I…I thought you….”
“I what?”
“You seemed…a bit out of sorts.”

At Adelia’s careful words, Roaston gazed into her eyes for a long moment.

As those burning eyes fixed upon her, Adelia’s heartbeat quickened.

“My dear…?”

Then Roaston let out a small sigh.

He gently touched the pale, delicate hand he held and whispered:

“I’m sorry for making you worry.”
“What? No! I don’t…why are you apologizing?”
“Because I was truly out of sorts. But that doesn’t excuse me for making you read my mood.”
“Why were you out of sorts…?”

Adelia asked, but Roaston did not answer. Instead, he offered a bitter smile.

In truth, Roaston himself was surprised by his own emotions.

He had merely witnessed Adelia holding hands with another man—and her supervising professor at that.

And yet it had repulsed him entirely.

The very thought that another man besides himself knew the touch of this small hand was unbearable.

“I felt jealous. After all, you’re my wife now.”

Adelia’s expression showed she had not expected such an answer at all, and Roaston smirked knowingly as he let out a quiet laugh.

“Surprised?”
“Of…of course I am. Jealous? But nothing happened at all….”
“I know. I’m just narrow-minded.”

At those words, Adelia’s round eyes blinked gently.

“You’re not narrow-minded at all.”

Speaking haltingly and with great care, Adelia’s cheeks flushed as she lowered her gaze.

Roaston’s displeasure, which had lingered until just a moment ago, melted away with those few words—much to his own surprise.

“But….”

Adelia hesitantly broke the silence.

“What is it?”
“Where…where were you?”
“Just paying my respects. Ah, here she comes now.”

Following Roaston’s glance, Adelia turned to see a luminously dressed, middle-aged woman approaching.

“That’s Dorotea, the hostess of tonight’s party.”

Just as Adelia reflexively began to greet her, the woman hurried over and grasped both of her hands.

A flash of surprise crossed Adelia’s eyes.

The woman did not notice, and greeted her warmly.

“So you’re the renowned Duchess Insel! Delighted to meet you. I’m Dorotea Thornton.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Dorotea. Thank you so much for the invitation this evening.”

When Adelia glanced at Roaston after returning Dorotea’s greeting, he smiled approvingly and gave a slight nod.

Dorotea observed the two of them with the warmth of a mother watching her children.

“What a perfectly matched pair you make. I hear you graduated from the Academy at the head of your class? You must be quite brilliant—I can see it in your eyes alone.”

Adelia gave a modest shake of her head and smiled.

“You’re too kind.”
“Not at all. In fact, I was so keen to meet you that I sent the Duke an invitation asking him to bring you along. And I’m so glad I did! How are you finding Professor Siern’s Research Lab? Do you enjoy it?”
“Oh yes! Very much so. I’ve always loved Microbiology, and…are you perhaps interested in it as well?”
“Of course. It’s a field with boundless potential for the future….To be honest, I’m more inclined toward mechanics, but there was a time when I tried to study microbiology myself.”

‘Could it really be…could she truly be someone like me…?!’

“Really? Truly?”

Adelia barely restrained herself from seizing Dorotea’s hands, her face flushed and her composure wavering.

“Which field interests you most? Fungi? Or perhaps saprophytic bacteria? I personally find saprophytic research absolutely fascinating, and particularly the order of hairy molds—the research value is truly remarkable…!”

Adelia’s clenched fists, which had been bouncing enthusiastically up and down, came to an abrupt halt.

Realizing she had done something embarrassing again, her face turned crimson.

“…Yes, truly remarkable. I apologize.”

She wished the ground would open and swallow her whole.

But contrary to Adelia’s desire to vanish, Dorotea’s reaction was surprisingly delightful.

“Just as I heard—a fascinating person indeed.”

Laughing warmly, Dorotea squeezed Adelia’s right hand and said:

“Please continue pursuing your research. If more women like the Duchess existed, the Kingdom would be so much stronger for it.”

With that, Dorotea cast a gentle glance toward Roaston.

And she added:

“You have chosen your wife well, Duke Insel. Your mother was a remarkable woman too…. I recall His Majesty once remarking that the women of the Insel House have always been exceptionally bright. To confirm the truth of those words today fills me with such joy.”
“Thank you, Dorotea.”

Dorotea smiled knowingly, her gaze lingering on Adelia as she spoke.

“Do come again. I’d love to hear more of your fascinating conversations.”
“Of course, we shall.”
“Do enjoy the party as much as you wish—it would make me very happy.”

Having concluded her graceful farewells, Dorotea departed. Adelia quickly turned back to Roaston. “Did I…did I make any mistakes?”

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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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