Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 34

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 34

He gestured toward Adelia and changed the subject.

“So what exactly did you tell the servants again?”
“Well, I acknowledged that since it’s the Duke’s Residence, we probably have established suppliers for cheese, fruit, meat—all of it. That’s simply the way things are. But that doesn’t mean it’s best to deal with only one shop. The truth is, the cheese I bought was of better quality than what I’d seen before.”
“You were telling the servants all this?”
“Yes. They seemed to understand perfectly. They’re good people.”

One could have taken their interjection as an insult, but Adelia didn’t—a testament to both her character and her inherent kindness.

Still, she would need some guidance, Loerston thought.

Not all the servants harbored resentment, but there were those who looked askance at Adelia for suddenly becoming the Duchess.

Until now, since nothing serious had come of it, he’d merely observed. But it seemed the time had come to address it firmly.

For her sake.

Lost in thought, Loerston took her hand and led her toward the Garden.

“You went out alone—surely you took a carriage?”
“No, I walked. I felt like taking a walk.”

Loerston wore a playfully reproachful expression, then suddenly caught an unfamiliar scent on the breeze and inhaled slightly.

He’d thought it was the Garden’s flowers, but it wasn’t. The fragrance was emanating from Adelia’s ear.

“What scent is this?”

As he brought his face close, Adelia’s cheeks flushed crimson in an instant.

She drew back slightly, cupping her ear, and asked hesitantly.

“Don’t you like it?”
“No, I like it very much. Come here.”

Loerston gently pulled her wrist toward him.

As Adelia stepped closer at his urging, she felt his nose brush against her soft, delicate earlobe.

A tingling sensation ran down the back of her knees, and her belly tightened.

“Senior, that tickles…….”
“The scent is lovely.”

Loerston spoke as if sighing, his eyes smiling as he gazed down at her.

“What fragrance is it? I’ve never smelled it before.”
“I bought a new Perfume. It was from Signor, I think—one of his new products.”
“Ah, you mean the famous Signor. His fragrances are well-known. So that’s where you went.”
“There was quite a crowd, so I was curious and stopped in. The scent was absolutely lovely. If you like it, would you like me to pick up another bottle for you?”

At that, Loerston smiled and drew her shoulders into an embrace.

He breathed in the fragrance that had seeped into her hair once more and said,

“No—it becomes an even lovelier scent when you wear it. Use it often.”
“Is that so? Ah, I suppose each person has their own natural scent. When that mixes with perfume, it creates something different—I’ve heard that. So the same fragrance smells different depending on who wears it. The combination of scent molecules determines a person’s essence!”
“Yes, exactly. The scent molecules of this fragrance and yours seem to harmonize beautifully.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”

As Adelia laughed like a child, Loerston felt his spirits lift.

His mood, which had been heavy and poor just moments before, seemed to improve noticeably.

“Speaking of scent molecules, it made me think—people also use scent molecules as a major factor when deciding whether they like or dislike someone. I once read in a paper that natural body scent plays a significant role in forming impressions of people.”
“Is that so? Then when you first met me, what did you think? Did I smell unpleasant?”
“Goodness, of course not. You have such a lovely scent…….”

He’d hoped her cheerful prattle would continue unbroken.

But Loerston’s eyes narrowed as he spotted a magnificent carriage pulling through the portico.

Adelia, too, opened her eyes wide at the sight of a Four-wheeled Carriage she’d never seen before.

The Duke’s Residence’s own carriage was handsome, but compared to that extravagant one, it looked like an ordinary supply wagon.

“That carriage…….”
“Adelia, why don’t you go inside first? Actually, take a walk in the Garden and come in later.”
“Why? If a guest has arrived, shouldn’t I greet them as well?”
“You don’t need to greet this guest.”

Adelia’s expression showed she didn’t understand.

Loerston desperately wanted to keep her out of Claria’s sight.

But the carriage door opened faster than either he or Adelia could move.

As a woman descended with the attendant’s assistance, Adelia’s jaw fell open in astonishment.

A dress that sparkled as if diamonds had been scattered across it and hair the color of honey from a storybook complemented each other with almost enchanting beauty.

But that wasn’t all.

The woman was extraordinarily beautiful. Her eyes, pure as those of a newly awakened fairy, were striking.

“Roy!”

But the moment she called Loerston by that unfamiliar name,

Adelia grasped at her slipping consciousness and snapped to attention.

And she instantly understood the woman’s identity.

“Senior, could that be…….”

Adelia looked up at Loerston and asked,

“Is that Princess Claria?”
“How did you know? Have we met before?”
“No, we haven’t. But…….”

You said you were old friends, and there was even talk of marriage. The words caught in her throat.

Adelia watched Claria approach, her gaze steady.

Their eyes had met, so she couldn’t afford to run now. There was no excuse left but to greet her properly and exchange pleasantries out of courtesy.

As Claria drew near, Adelia’s heart stuttered, and her stomach twisted tight.

She nearly cried out, “Please don’t come any closer!”

By then, Claria had reached them both. She planted her fists on her hips and looked Loerston up and down.

“Roy, you’re supposed to be sick, and yet here you are walking around?”

Adelia was terribly tense, but Claria behaved as though she didn’t exist.

Adelia was even more startled when Claria casually grabbed Loerston’s hand and yanked.

Loerston pulled his hand away with a frown and spoke.

“How did you come to be here?”
“Don’t be so difficult. I came all this way to check on you—is that not kind of me?”

Damn it, Loerston muttered to himself.

She’d come in person, so it would be impossible to dismiss her with mere words.

“Where does it hurt? Hmm? Do you have a fever? Let me check.”
“Don’t touch me, Your Highness. I’m a married man.”

At that moment, Claria’s eyes widened, and she stared at Loerston.

Though she’d deliberately ignored Adelia, Claria was shocked.

Never—not once—had Loerston shown her such a firm refusal. She was certain of it.

Knowing exactly what burned in her chest, Loerston took Adelia’s hand with deliberate tenderness and drew her close.

“My wife—allow me to introduce you. This is Princess Claria Regan.”

Adelia, tense with nerves, bent at the knee and bowed to the princess.

Princess Claria regarded her with an expressionless face for a moment, then suddenly smiled like an angel and extended her hand.

“How delightful to meet you, Duchess. I’m Claria Regan. I had hoped to meet you sooner, so it’s rather unfortunate that this is how we come to know each other.”

Claria’s manner of speech was smooth as flowing water—the very accent favored by the Capital’s aristocracy.

Her delivery was so perfectly polished that it sounded almost foreign, and Adelia couldn’t help but be struck.

But she didn’t wish to appear vacant-eyed before anyone, and especially not before Claria, so she quickly collected herself.

With measured composure, Adelia properly kissed the tips of Claria’s fingers in greeting.

“It is an honor to receive your visit, Your Highness.”
“Not at all.”

Claria glanced briefly toward Loerston.

“When I heard Roy was ill, I grew concerned and thought I’d stop by. We’re very old friends, after all.”

Loerston gently pulled Adelia’s arm, drawing her to his side.

Claria’s expression stiffened ever so slightly, but he pretended not to notice.

“I’m grateful for your kind concern, but as I mentioned, the physician has already attended to me. My condition has improved since earlier. There’s nothing for Your Highness to worry about.”

Claria absently fingered her glittering dress and turned her gaze toward Adelia.

“Well, that’s fortunate then. Wouldn’t you say so, Duchess?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I’m gl…….”
“Still, I’ve come all this way—surely you can offer a guest some tea. Don’t you think, Roy?”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————