Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 48

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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 48

“I’m—I’m so sorry.”

Sieurn examined Adelia for injuries, then grumbled as he spoke.

“You mustn’t hurt yourself. What would happen if you couldn’t do your research?”
“Is my research really the problem here…….”
“Of course it is. I have high hopes for your First Thesis.”

Though he spoke in earnest tones, Adelia recognized the jest. She brought her fist to her lips and let out a soft laugh.

The vague, restless anxiety that had lingered all evening seemed to ease—just slightly.

“I won’t hurt myself until I’ve submitted my First Thesis!”
“What are you saying? Once you’ve submitted your First Thesis, you need to prepare the next one. Take care of yourself. If a carriage is about to hit you, do a Forward Roll.”
“I can’t do a Forward Roll.”
“Then learn now.”

Both of them broke into laughter at once.

It was then that someone grabbed Adelia’s hand and pulled hard.

“Ah!”

Nearly falling again, Adelia gasped in alarm. At the same moment, a familiar fragrance washed over her.

Adelia’s heart sank.

There was no need to see his face.

This scent could only belong to Roaston.

“Should I thank you again? My wife spoke of the favor you did her before, and now she’s indebted to you once more.”

Roaston, having pulled Adelia close, spoke to Sieurn. His tone was flat, devoid of even a hint of the mockery he’d shown before.

Meanwhile, the moment Roaston seized Adelia, fury surged through Sieurn to the crown of his head.

He’d meant it sincerely—he didn’t want her injured, unable to pursue her research.

But what enraged him more was how Roaston treated Adelia.

“Duke Roaston, avoid dangerous gestures. You nearly hurt your wife. Does that not concern you?”
“I caught her securely. I know my wife best.”

Sieurn let out a bitter laugh.

“You’ve no right to say that. You’ve made a shambles of the Party Venue, and left Adelia to fend for herself.”

Roaston’s brow furrowed. He turned to Adelia, moving his lips as if to speak, then asked in a controlled voice.

“You were together?”
“……Yes, well…….”
“Where?”

Sieurn cut in.

“We only conversed on the Balcony. Does it matter where we were?”

Roaston paid no attention to his words. Instead, he turned toward Adelia.

“I told you to wait at the second Balcony.”
“Senior, please listen to what I’m—”
“Why didn’t you? To meet with him?”

Adelia’s eyes flew wide open.

“What are you saying…… What misunderstanding is this? It wasn’t like that! I was searching for the second Balcony, and I didn’t know which one was which…….”
“A Top Graduate who can’t tell the second from the third?”

At his words, Adelia’s pupils trembled violently.

The pupils that had been studying her own eyes trembled in turn.

Roaston looked away, his expression caught between bewilderment and defeat.

“……I’m sorry. That was…….”
“Duke Roaston.”

Sieurn’s voice had grown heavy all at once.

He seemed to be reproaching Roaston, but the words didn’t reach Adelia’s ears clearly.

They arrived only as a hollow roar.

Instead, what echoed in her mind was only one sharp phrase from Roaston.

—A Top Graduate who can’t tell the second from the third?

That wasn’t it. He must know it wasn’t like that.

Adelia clenched her trembling lips and bowed her head.

Tears fell in drops, tracing small circles on the floor.

“Adelia.”

Roaston, alarmed, gripped her shoulders, but Adelia twisted away.

She offered a farewell to neither of them in particular, then spoke.

“I should take my leave. I’ve caused too much trouble tonight.”
“Adelia, wait!”

The sound of Roaston’s footsteps followed as she hurried down the Staircase.

When he caught her wrist, her steps halted.

“Come home with me.”
“…….”
“Please, let’s go home together. I’ll explain.”

Explain what, exactly?

Adelia thought to herself.

Her mind was too scattered to take in any words as they were spoken.

Honestly, she couldn’t even understand why she was so shaken.

“Adelia.”

Sieurn’s voice came from above the Staircase. He descended a few steps and met her eyes.

“Go to the Research Laboratory.”

At his words, Roaston’s expression turned cold.

“What are you saying?”
“I wasn’t speaking to you, Duke Roaston. I was speaking to my student.”

Sieurn looked at Adelia once more.

“If you don’t wish to go to the Manor, take some time in the Research Laboratory to clear your mind. You’re welcome to have me accompany you, but it’s not necessary.”

Adelia hesitated.

The desperate expression that crossed her face struck Roaston like a blow.

“Thank you, Professor.”
“Adelia!”

Roaston cried out in alarm.

Adelia continued.

“I’m grateful for your concern, but if I flee to the Research Laboratory now, I fear I’ll regret it.”
“No one would call it fleeing, Adelia.”
“But my heart would feel as though it had.”

Adelia drew a shallow breath, then carefully regulated her breathing to calm herself.

“I’ll see you at the Research Laboratory tomorrow.”

After bowing to Sieurn, she turned and walked toward the Carriage.

Roaston descended the Staircase only after watching her board the Carriage.

“Duke Roaston.”

Sieurn called to him, but he did not turn around.

***

After arriving at the Manor, Adelia climbed the stairs to her room without a word.

Roaston made no attempt to stop her.

“What has happened, sir?”

Seeing his displeased expression, Rudolf, who had begun to organize his jacket, frowned faintly.

“I have something to say to you, sir.”

Roaston, loosening his Cravat with his own hands, let out a brief sigh.

“Keep it short. Better yet, save it for later.”
“If I may say so, it seems the Duchess does not fully grasp what her role should be.”

Roaston’s hands, which had been unfastening his shirt buttons, went rigid.

He fixed Rudolf with an expression he had never worn before.

“If you know it’s presumptuous, don’t say it.”
“The Duchess devotes herself to her own desires rather than supporting this household and you as a Duchess should. Her knowledge is admirable, but she does not seem to understand what must come first…….”
“Rudolf.”

Roaston’s voice turned ice-cold, cutting him off.

He stared at Rudolf in silence for a long moment, as if holding back many things, and finally spoke.

“That’s enough. This is not your concern.”
“……My apologies.”
“Leave. I can manage the rest myself.”

Rudolf bowed his head with a heavy expression and departed.

Alone, Roaston struck the wall with his fist, still half-dressed.

“Fool.”

No amount of cursing himself could undo what was already done.

Rudolf was thoroughly mistaken about something.

It was not Adelia who was failing in her role.

It was Roaston himself.

If Adelia were to leave because of this……

He couldn’t allow that.

Roaston thought to himself.

It wasn’t a matter of contract or obligation—it was simply that he could not bear to let her go.

And he was startled by his own realization.

What am I to her? How do I see her?

He bowed his head. He thought of Adelia.

He thought of Adelia.

Even as he felt he could not part with her under any circumstance, a headache seized him—one that threatened to steal consciousness itself.

***

“Are you truly all right, madam?”

This was the fifth time Adelia had heard the same question, yet she felt no irritation. Instead, she replied.

“Yes, I’m fine. Don’t worry, Liliette.”

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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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