Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 38

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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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Episode 38

“Look, here you go again. Apologizing where there’s nothing to apologize for isn’t a good habit either.”
“B-but Professor, since you pointed out my mistake, shouldn’t I apologize?”
“When did I say it was a mistake? You’re simply the way you are. Some people might dislike that about you. Some will find it unbearable.”

Adelia recalled, one by one, the faces of people whose expressions had grown subtle whenever she launched into one of her passionate tirades.

‘It feels like a psychological attack…….’

But before she could spiral into self-recrimination, Siern moved first.

“Let me be blunt. No matter how hard you try to read the room, it won’t help much. At least not with what you’re after—pretending to mean things you don’t, rationing your words to only what’s necessary, papering over the rest with smiles—that simply isn’t your nature.”
“So… am I to live like this forever?”
“What’s wrong with living that way? If you want to talk about something you love, then talk about it. If there are people who hate that, then simply don’t speak with them going forward. Problem solved.”

Adelia, about to answer that she’d end up with not a single friend if she did that, instinctively pressed her lips shut instead.

‘Now I’m beginning to understand why Dorotea worries about Professor Siern so much…….’

Siern was certainly the type who’d sooner sterilize another petri dish in the laboratory than concern himself with others’ opinions.

“People who try to read the room after the fact only end up looking foolish. Just accept yourself as you are. It’s not as though being yourself will make you kill someone.”
“The metaphor is rather violent, but… I understand what you mean.”
“Do the same when you meet Claria. There’s no need to change.”
“But she’s a princess…….”

Siern let out a scoff.

“What’s so remarkable about power gained by chance of birth—having a king and queen for parents? What’s the fuss?”
“Professor!”

This time, genuinely alarmed, Adelia glanced around.

She knew well enough there were only two of them in the laboratory, but the gesture had been instinctive.

Siern, looking amused, simply bit into his sandwich.

“Why are you so frightened?”
“Because you can’t speak carelessly about the royal family!”
“In places where no one listens, even the king’s backside gets cursed. If you’re planning to report me, I’d suggest you revise our conversation going forward.”
“Don’t joke! If you disappeared, who would I conduct research with?”

At her response, Siern broke into genuine laughter.

She’d seen him smile twice today. She felt like she should buy a lottery ticket.

“Which is precisely why you can’t report me, meaning I’m free to curse the king’s backside as I please.”
“……Everyone around me is far too reckless. My heart won’t survive at this rate.”
“Better than being surrounded by timid cowards.”

Aren’t I playing the role of that timid coward? Adelia thought.

Urged on by Siern, she finally began eating her lunch box, though it tasted like nothing.

Siern clearly wanted her to become braver. But that was a difficult task.

If such things could be accomplished in a day, how easy life would be.

Yet braver she must become.

At least for tomorrow.

***

At the very moment Adelia was lunching with Siern,

Loarston was also eating.

The difference from his usual routine was that he wasn’t eating a lunch box, and his dining companion was someone whose company he far from enjoyed.

“I’ve been hearing talk of Duke Insel all over lately.”

Loarston poked at the lavish food he couldn’t taste with his fork, summoning a courteous smile as he regarded his companion.

A dignified beard, a face aged handsomely enough, a man who in his youth must have received praise for his looks countless times…….

None other than Henry, King of Riegan.

‘Yesterday the daughter, today the father. Truly a family to drive one mad.’

“Loarston.”

Loarston, inwardly grumbling, looked up with a smile resumed.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Talk about me, you say……. I confess I’m not aware of it, but I’m curious what Your Majesty has heard.”
“Are you truly curious?”
“Yes. I trust it must be favorable.”

At that, King Henry chuckled warmly.

“How could unfavorable talk circulate about a young man of such exemplary character and conduct as yourself?”
“I’m relieved to hear it, then…….”
“I too hold great expectations for you. Even if the council treats you as an upstart, I know better than anyone what abilities you possess.”

There was some truth to that.

King Henry took considerable interest in Loarston, who had been study companions with his treasured daughter.

Having observed his unmistakable brilliance and exceptional intellect from long ago, it was only natural for a king to hold such expectations of his subject.

The king, having sampled a morsel of foie gras, spoke in an even tone.

“You’re quite interested in the Regional Administrative Reorganization, I hear. Is that so?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. The Capital’s administrative structure has, thanks to Your Majesty’s careful efforts, achieved stability over the years. But many provincial administrations remain unsettled due to corruption among administrators or budget shortfalls. Depending on how we address these issues, we could establish a more stable system for the kingdom. That is my belief.”
“You’re right. There are many areas where bold action is necessary. That you’re thinking of such matters—my eye was sound indeed.”

As he spoke, Henry’s knife scraped across the plate with a sharp sound.

Loarston tensed and watched his every gesture and expression carefully.

Then, a clear smile settled on Henry’s lips.

“Well, let’s leave off such tedious matters. Does the food suit your taste?”
“Yes, of course.”
“I hear Claria visited your residence yesterday.”

News travels fast indeed.

Loarston, catching himself in cynical thought, lowered his head slightly to mask his bitter smile.

No, not rumor—Claria likely told him herself.

He was almost curious what she’d blurted out.

“Does the girl pester you much?”

Pester? When it comes to his daughter, the man shows not a shred of conscience.

“Not at all. I’m merely concerned, as Your Majesty’s subject, that the Princess seems to devote excessive thought to unnecessary matters.”
“What strikes you as unnecessary may not seem so from her perspective.”

Loarston exhaled deeply in his mind, then spoke with practiced indifference.

“I am already a married man, Your Majesty.”
“Ah, yes, I know. Had you held the ceremony, my consort and I would have attended personally to offer our congratulations. Do you not intend to hold one?”

Loarston paused, then offered the most appropriate reply.

“My wife, as Your Majesty may know, is currently occupied with her studies in the Laboratory and is extremely busy.”

Henry listened in silence.

Very well, one more thrust.

“And, though it’s shameful to admit, she is more capable than I, and shows scarcely any interest in matters beyond her studies and yielding results for the kingdom. She is simply not the sort to take pleasure in such ceremonies.”

King Henry nodded with an understanding smile.

“Nevertheless, a wedding is a major turning point in life. When turning such a corner, it is proper to perform the duties allotted to you in their natural order.”

Loarston smiled faintly, though inwardly he was not smiling at all.

Claria’s stubbornness on crucial matters surely came from her father, King Henry.

“In my view, it would be best to hold the wedding ceremony with great fanfare. That way we might quell baseless rumors, and would not Claria herself relent?”

Once again, words threatened to spill from his lips: if your daughter were the sort to give up so easily, would I be suffering like this?

But Loarston was skilled at swallowing his words.

He had been raised—as a nobleman and as an heir—with such discipline.

“I concern myself little with baseless rumors.”

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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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