Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 35

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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 35

Adelia’s face flushed as her words were cut short.

Even someone as obtuse as she might be could not fail to recognize that Claria had done it on purpose.

She hadn’t wanted Adelia’s opinion at all—she had spoken to her solely to dismiss her.

Loarston could hardly have missed what Adelia had plainly noticed.

His expression strained with restraint, he drew Adelia closer to his side and spoke.

“I beg your pardon, but my wife and I have matters to discuss. I’m afraid we haven’t the time. Perhaps another occasion.”
“Why are you being like this? I’m not saying I’ll be here all day. Isn’t that right, Duchess?”
“I… well…”
“You see? She says it’s fine.”

Before Loarston could muster a response, Princess Claria seized Adelia’s hand as if snatching a prize.

Then she pulled with such force that Adelia had no choice but to follow.

“Come now, show me around, would you? You don’t mind, do you?”

Adelia glanced back at Loarston, but before she could say a word, Claria’s grip dragged her away.

Loarston’s bewildered expression lingered for only a moment before he hurried after them, pulling Adelia nearly into his own embrace.

“What are you doing?”
“Why are you being like this? Duke, show some decorum.”
“Your Highness, you would do well to show decorum yourself. Release my wife at once.”
“One would think I’d kidnapped her, the way you’re carrying on.”

Loarston ignored Claria’s complaint and gently but firmly separated Adelia’s hand from her grasp.

As the situation reached this point, color began to creep into Claria’s cheeks.

When tears began to shimmer in her round eyes, Adelia could do nothing but falter.

“My… my dear!”

Before Loarston could speak another word, Adelia turned to him with a forced smile.

“Since the Princess has so graciously come to visit, surely we ought to offer her some tea.”

There was something almost desperate in Adelia’s voice—a plea not to let this matter escalate further.

Loarston reluctantly released his hold on Adelia’s arm.

The moment Loarston’s hand fell away from Adelia, Claria’s tears vanished as if they had never been, and she fixed him with a bright, searching stare.

“You wouldn’t dare refuse when even your wife agrees, would you?”

Loarston felt a rare spark of genuine anger, but he could not raise his voice to a princess within his own garden.

Just as he turned to leave, Adelia spoke.

“I shall show you the way.”

Loarston turned to her in surprise.

But Adelia wanted no further trouble—and perhaps more than that, she had no wish to leave Loarston and Claria alone together.

“Then.”

With her chin raised, Claria flicked her gaze forward and swept past Loarston with deliberate pride.

It was as the three of them—Adelia, Claria, and Loarston—entered the mansion’s hall.

“Thank you for showing me around. Now I have some things to discuss with Loarston. Why don’t you take a stroll, Duchess? It would be lovely.”

Adelia stared at the princess as though she’d been struck.

Over her shoulder, her eyes met Loarston’s.

He seemed to consider something for a moment, then gave her a slight nod and spoke.

“You mentioned needing to find a book in the Study, didn’t you?”

Adelia saw him wink, and understanding bloomed. “Oh.”

“R-right, yes. A book I need for my research. It would be good to look for it now.”
“Do that. And while you’re at it, think about what we might have for dinner this evening. Perhaps we could dine out as well.”

Was he being sincere, or merely making conversation?

Uncertain, Adelia forced a bright smile.

Yet she could not prevent the pang of disappointment and defeat that stirred in her chest.

After Adelia departed for the Study, Loarston attempted to guide Claria to the mansion’s public Reception Room rather than his private one.

But before he could stop her, Claria brazenly threw open the door to his Private Reception Room.

“Enough of that.”
“Don’t like it? I’m the princess of this realm. If I wish to take tea here, then tea comes here.”
“Claria, you truly—!”
“Raise your voice and your wife will be displeased, won’t she?”

Loarston’s hands clenched into fists, then relaxed. He exhaled slowly.

By then, Claria had settled herself in his Private Reception Room and summoned her attendant, commanding her to brew tea.

“Brew it slowly. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”

The attendant, quick-witted, hurried away—and would not return for some time.

Loarston closed the door behind him and pressed his brow.

“What is it you want?”
“Don’t speak to me like that, Loarston. You mustn’t.”
“You’re tormenting me. How do you think I’d be received if I told your father everything you’ve done?”

Claria laughed derisively—a sound that managed to be both annoying and disarmingly pretty.

“Do you truly think Father would raise an eyebrow? If I shed a few tears and tell him you betrayed me by marrying another, you’ll be in a far worse position than I.”

Even as Loarston’s expression darkened, Claria continued airily.

“Besides, he’s already displeased with your conduct. You held no wedding, you took a wife without so much as informing me, and you never breathed a word to him either. Don’t you think he knows?”
“I have no obligation to report my personal affairs to you—or to the King. If he has said nothing, it is because he approves.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I’ve been kind enough to say nothing to him thus far. As I said before, if I should happen to speak a few words in his ear—”

Claria pressed her small fist to her lips and giggled.

“What do you think you stand to lose?”
“Why are you doing this to me?”
“Because I don’t believe you married for love. If there’s anyone you could ever love, it would only be me.”
“Stop talking nonsense.”

Loarston’s sharp voice cut across the room like a blade.

He was angry at Claria’s brazen words, but he was angrier still at himself—thinking of the expression Adelia’s face had worn when he sent her to the Study.

Oblivious to his thoughts, Claria prattled on.

“Such words won’t wound me. I’m already hurt from today—were you pretending to be ill so you could laze about with your wife? Even when I asked you to come?”
“What I do with my wife is none of your concern, Claria.”

Then, rising abruptly from her seat, Claria strode toward him and delivered a light slap to his cheek.

Smack!

Though the act was shocking, Loarston merely gazed down at her with a dispassionate expression.

“How long will you keep throwing tantrums like this?”
“Until you fall into my hands.”

For an instant, contempt and mockery flickered in Loarston’s green eyes.

Claria saw it clearly. Yet, using her pride as a shield, she pressed him all the harder.

“I truly don’t understand. I am Rigen’s sole princess. My parents are the King and Queen. Everything in the world would be mine if I merely wished it. So how dare you refuse me?”

It was absurd.

Claria’s unreasonable demands were nothing new, but this time even Loarston found it intolerable.

He had thought marriage would put an end to it, yet instead of subsiding, her tyranny only grew worse with each passing day.

“You are my Betrothed. You have been, for a very long time.”
“Stop anyone on the street and ask them—does anyone call such a thing a betrothal?”
“I have no need for the opinions of others.”

I’m exhausted. That was all Loarston could think.

It was time—truly time—to break free of this endless cycle. His voice grew heavy and cutting.

“I love and respect my wife. There’s no comparison between her and you, Claria. If you don’t wish to lose even our friendship, I suggest you stop now.”

But Claria would not let him escape so easily.

“What happens if word spreads that your marriage is a sham?”

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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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