Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 32

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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 32

Loerston held the doorknob and let out a deep sigh before accepting the envelope from Rudolf.

He opened it, pulled out what lay inside, and his expression clouded over as he read the hastily scrawled letter.

“What will you do?”

Loerston thought for a moment before speaking.

“Tell her I’m unwell and send her away. I’ll see her at the party.”

A chill seeped through his voice.

“Will that suffice?”
“If she doesn’t like it, that’s her problem. Now go deliver the message.”
“Understood.”

Rudolf left without another word, closing the door behind him.

As Loerston turned around and ran a hand through his hair, he only then noticed that Adelia was still in the room.

An embarrassed expression crossed his face.

“Sorry—did I startle you?”
“No? I mean… no.”

Of course she’d been startled—what kind of answer was that?—but the retort caught in Adelia’s throat and she swallowed it down.

“Actually, I wanted to ask you something…”
“What?”
“Are you and Princess Claria… close?”
“No, not at all. The princess just does as she pleases.”

His swift reply struck something in Adelia’s chest.

They’d grown up together, and marriage between them had even been mentioned, yet he claimed they weren’t close at all…

‘Isn’t that strange? It’s not as though he’s hiding anything…’

A thought that had lingered in her mind—that perhaps Loerston and Claria would marry after all—suddenly seemed plausible again.

Adelia felt inexplicably melancholy.

“The princess sought you out so suddenly that it seems urgent. Are you sure you shouldn’t go?”

At her question, Loerston let out a startled laugh.

“Why would you say that? Do you want me to go?”
“No? That’s not—I mean, it’s not that exactly. It’s just… if you don’t go, the princess might feel hurt.”
“That’s wasted concern. Besides, she probably doesn’t even know what it means to feel hurt.”
“What do you mean by—”
“That she’s self-centered. She might throw a tantrum, sure, but hurt feelings? That’s too tender an emotion to expect from her.”

I see.

Adelia lowered her eyes, hands clasped before her.

The way Loerston spoke of Princess Claria was perfectly ordinary—and all the more familiar for it.

It was the tone one used with an old friend, and it took effort for Adelia to suppress a twinge of envy.

‘But why should I feel hurt? It’s not as if it matters who he’s close to…’

While she was thinking this, Loerston changed into a fresh shirt, walked to his bed, and lay down again.

He gazed at Adelia, his face now slightly paler than before.

“You can go now, Adelia. You must have your own matters to attend to—no need to stay any longer.”
“But what if something happens? That would be serious.”
“I’ll call for Rudolf. Come on, go before you catch my cold.”

Adelia’s cheeks puffed out stubbornly.

At this moment, she was not the person he needed. The realization stung, and she felt a bitter displeasure rising in her chest.

“So I’m of no use to you at all…?”
“What?”

Loerston looked startled at Adelia’s sharp tone—something he’d never heard from her before.

Adelia’s cheeks flushed crimson. She turned away, smoothed down her dress, and rose to her feet.

“It’s nothing. I’m sorry.”
“Adelia, wait—”
“I’ll go now.”

She closed the door and stepped out into the hall.

Rudolf was waiting outside the door—apparently having returned at some point.

Already unsettled, the sight of his expressionless face only deepened her agitation.

“How is the Duke?”

As Adelia passed him, she felt something surge up from deep within her. It was a sensation entirely new to her.

“You should ask him yourself.”

With that, Adelia hurried away before Rudolf could detain her.

Only when she reached her bedroom did regret wash over her for having vented on Loerston.

She could have spoken kindly instead.
Why had she been so thoughtless, so shameful toward someone who was ill?

‘I’m foolish. Utterly foolish. Foolish beyond all measure.’

Adelia threw herself onto her bed and covered her face with both hands.

A soft groan escaped her, followed by a long sigh.

‘Why do I feel this way?’

Because Loerston was ill?

Because Princess Claria had sought him out?

Or because he’d sent her away?

Perhaps it was all three.

Adelia murmured to herself.

And yet none of it seemed reason enough for this heaviness in her chest.

Adelia suddenly sat bolt upright.

“No. I shouldn’t lie here brooding. I need to do something—anything.”

What good would it do to mope about simply because her mood had darkened?

The best way to forget such turmoil was to lose herself in other tasks.

Reading a book wouldn’t be enough. She needed something more demanding.

Something like tending the gardens, or moving cargo, or cutting herbs.

The servants would have a fit if she did such things inside the Duke’s Residence, but if she ventured a little further out, it should be fine.

She changed into clothes suitable for going out, and slipped past Liliet and the other maids to leave the house.

***

While no one at the Duke’s household noticed her disappearance,

Adelia realized a rather inconvenient truth as she wondered where to go.

‘I don’t know where to go to actually have fun…!’

Where did normal people go to lift their spirits?

They shopped, visited parks, found various diversions—but Adelia had never done any of these things alone.

When her mood was low, she always went to the Library or the Laboratory.

The faint scent of old books or the sharp smell of cresol was the only solace she knew.

‘Goodness, have I really been living in such a narrow circle…?’

Yet thinking back on her school days, it wasn’t surprising that she had so few places to go.

She considered taking a walk through the Duke’s Residence’s expansive gardens, but decided that wouldn’t truly count as a change of scenery, so she resolved to venture outside.

When she left alone, without any attendants, the gatekeeper regarded her with surprise.

“My lady, where are you going?”
“Oh, just… I need to clear my head a bit.”

The gatekeeper glanced back at the empty path behind her and offered,

“Shall I call for an escort?”
“No, please don’t. It’s fine. I’ll be back soon.”
“Very well.”

The gatekeeper still looked dubious, but he let her through.

Once outside, she had no real destination, simply following the street without purpose.

The Duke’s Residence was located near the most prosperous commercial district of the Capital, so the crowds soon thickened and the bustle grew louder.

“I heard even a small spritz smells like a flower garden in paradise!”
“Oh my goodness, I have to have one. I’ll buy it no matter the cost!”

“I, um…”
“Is there something I can help you find? Or would you like a recommendation?”
“That new perfume everyone’s talking about—could I buy one bottle?”
“Of course! What size would you prefer?”
“The smallest you have.”
“The smallest is two ounces, about sixty milliliters.”
“That will do.”
“Excellent, thank you! I’ll process your purchase at the counter.”

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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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