Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 40

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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 40

Time is a vast current beyond human control, yet sometimes it seems to move as though deliberately intent on mocking us.

Loehrstein, watching his reflection in the mirror, had become certain that time possessed intention—that it genuinely conspired to vex him.

When he prayed for it to crawl, it bolted ahead. When he wanted it to fly, it moved like a snail.

“Perfect, my lord.”

Rudolf spoke with admiration, but Loehrstein heard none of it.

The mere fact of having dressed for Claria’s birthday party twisted his mood into knots.

Had Claria not thrown her ridiculous tantrum, and had King Henry not tormented him yesterday, his irritation would not have reached this pitch.

Claria would have whined her unreasonable demands, as she always did, and he would have indulged her—as he had when she was a child.

But now, he couldn’t even bear the thought of seeing her face.

And that was only half of it.

A princess’s birthday party drew countless nobles, all crammed together.

The prospect of entertaining them all at once already gave him a headache.

“And Adelia?”
“Her ladyship is nearly finished with her preparations, I’m told.”

Before Rudolf could finish, a knock sounded at the door—soft, deliberate.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Adelia’s face appeared in the gap, peeking through.

Her naturally voluminous hair had been gathered up into an elaborate twist, crowned with a delicate Tiara.

With her hair swept back, the long line of her neck was exposed, and an Earring dangled alongside it—an elegant, striking grace.

“Come in, darling.”

Loehrstein smiled as if he’d never been scowling moments before, extending his hand toward her.

As Adelia stepped carefully inside, the knot of displeasure that had been clenching his chest seemed to unwind.

Rudolf slipped out tactfully, and the door closed. The moment it did, the composed ease melted from Loehrstein’s face.

He exhaled heavily and rested his forehead against her shoulder.

“S-Senior? Are you all right?”
“No. I’m not. I don’t want to go.”
“That sounds like a line I was supposed to deliver…”
“I’ll deliver it instead.”

What in the world was this?

Adelia stared at Loehrstein in bewilderment—he looked like a pouting child.

What was she supposed to do in a moment like this?

“Well…”

After a moment’s thought, she raised one hand and began gently patting the back of his head.

“T-there, there. You can do it…”

Her clumsy attempt at comfort made Loehrstein break into helpless laughter.

He lifted his head and grasped her waist gently in both hands.

She was so slender he feared she might snap in two—and the thought stirred something between pity and an odd, burning desire.

“That’s what you do when someone’s in pain, isn’t it? ‘Go away, pain. Disappear, pain.'”
“Well… yes, I suppose. But you’re not in pain, so you need to be brave.”
“Right… I’ll be brave.”

He held her gaze, studying her face intently.

He could see her growing flustered under his prolonged stare, but he didn’t want to look away.

“What about you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t I need to cheer you on? ‘You can do it, you can do it’?”

Adelia bit her lip before speaking.

“To be honest, I don’t think any amount of encouragement will help right now. My stomach’s already tied in knots.”
“Oh no, that won’t do.”

Loehrstein’s hand moved to her flat stomach.

She stiffened in surprise, but before she could react, his palm glided gently across the Dress.

“Stomach ache, go away. Stomach ache, be gone entirely.”
“…I’m not a three-year-old with a tummy ache, Senior.”
“I know. But if you go to the party feeling this way, you’ll collapse halfway through. I don’t want to see you collapse.”
“You seem more nervous than I am. Did something happen?”

Yes, something did, Loehrstein thought.

Something very serious. Something I can’t possibly tell you about.

“Nothing like that.”

He smiled.

His expression was unchanged from usual, yet Adelia couldn’t quite shake her unease.

Then came three sharp knocks.

Rudolf was signaling that the Carriage was ready.

Loehrstein drew a long breath, then took Adelia’s hand and settled it on his arm, speaking low.

“Stay close to me tonight. Understood?”
“Yes, I will.”
“If we get separated for any reason, go somewhere with fewer people. The Second Western Balcony would be best.”
“The Second Western Balcony. I’ve got it.”
“The Grand Hall where the princess’s birthday celebration is held has balconies on the east, west, and north sides. Don’t go north. There’s nothing but unpleasant sights there.”
“Unpleasant sights?”
“That’s how it is. So wait for me on the Second Western Balcony. If anyone tries to make a move, just stand nearby. I’ll come find you—I promise.”

His lips brushed her temple, lingering only an instant. By now, such a kiss should have felt ordinary, yet Adelia’s cheeks flushed anew.

‘He promised he’d come find me…’

It sounded like something a lover would say.

The thought caught her off guard so completely that she gripped his arm tightly.

“I’ll do as you say, Senior.”
“Good. That’s my clever girl. Shall we go?”

Together, they left the residence and boarded the Carriage.

The journey was peaceful and restful, but the Royal Palace was not far from the Duke’s Residence.

Peace, as the old saying goes, never lasted long.

“Oh…”

As Adelia stepped from the Carriage beside Loehrstein, she gasped at the sight of the palace—so vivid, so resplendent.

Its beauty from this proximity was a world removed from the distant view she’d always known.

“Is this your first time inside the palace?”
“Yes. I’ve only ever seen it from afar. I had no idea it was this beautiful.”

Two archways stood at the entrance, each carved with different rose motifs.

They glittered so brilliantly that she knew real gemstones must have been inlaid.

And the luxury didn’t stop there.

The columns supporting the great entrance shone with gold, and the entire path was lined with flowers in celebration of the princess’s birthday.

“I’ve never seen flowers like these before.”
“They’re likely exotic specimens. Claria has always favored such things.”
“Look, people are arriving now. Let’s make sure our married couple act is convincing tonight.”

Adelia smiled softly at his words, then quickly straightened her expression as she spotted someone approaching them.

The woman who strode toward them without hesitation was middle-aged and well-padded in build.

“My, my! So this is the famous Duchess!”

At the sound of her voice, Loehrstein’s smile froze awkwardly even before he’d identified her.

“Duke Insel, I’ve been looking for you everywhere!”
“Marquess Haisenne.”

Adelia’s eyes darted back and forth, sensing the subtle tension crackling between them.

Loehrstein stepped aside as if to allow them to greet each other, and the middle-aged woman took Adelia’s hand, curtsying slightly.

“A pleasure to meet you, Duchess. I am the widow of Marquess Haisenne.”
“How lovely to meet you, madam. I’m delighted.”
“Violet!”

The marquess suddenly raised her voice, calling to someone.

A young lady of modest height emerged hesitantly from behind her.

Her thick black hair and dark eyes made a striking impression.

“Come and greet the Duchess Insel, child.”

Adelia stepped forward to acknowledge Violet.

But the moment she did, Violet flinched as though burned and stumbled backward.

“I-I, uh, h-hello.”

Violet’s voice was so soft it was barely audible.

Her words tumbled out in a barely intelligible mumble, her lips not forming the sounds properly.

“Hello, Violet. I’m Adelia.”
“O-oh, I know. Yes.”

Exasperated by her daughter’s stammering, Marquess Haisenne frowned and seized Violet’s arm, shaking it roughly.

The sudden harshness made Adelia’s eyes go wide with shock.

“Really, what is wrong with you? Is this how you behave in front of the Duchess?”

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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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