Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 51

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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 51

“We’ll discuss it later.”
“The Duke will do as you wish, madam. Please don’t worry yourself.”
“You think so?”
“Of course! I’ve never seen the Duke so devoted to anyone else before. And I’ve never seen him swing between emotions like this either.”

At Liliet’s words, Adelia felt her ears burning hot.

Adelia gathered her hastily combed hair into a loose knot and rose from her seat.

“When the Duke returns, tell him I’ve gone to the Laboratory.”
“Very well, madam. Shall I prepare the carriage?”
“No, I’ll walk today. The weather is lovely.”

Liliet couldn’t bring herself to stop her and pressed a Bonnet and Parasol into her hands.

Though she’d dressed in a light Dress, stepping outside wearing a Bonnet for the first time felt oddly unfamiliar.

‘What if His Majesty tries to arrange a marriage between senior and Princess Claria?’

The thought made her gloved fingertips tremble. Her eyes began to sting.

‘It’s entirely possible. He might do it as a way to settle this affair. Senior and I will eventually….’

Adelia lowered her head, biting her lip hard, then sank back into thought.

‘Even if His Majesty doesn’t know we’re meant to part, he could still demand senior divorce me immediately and marry Princess Claria. If senior refused a royal command, he’d be charged with treason. That… I don’t want that.’

Yet for all that, she couldn’t simply let Loerston go either.

Adelia was quietly alarmed by the feelings blooming within her.

The thought that she didn’t want to part from Loerston, that even after the Contract ended, she wanted to remain his friend—that was the crux of it.

She knew it was impossible, yet attachment kept creeping in.

‘Why am I like this? Have I simply grown too comfortable with the Duke’s household?’

Perhaps that was it, Adelia thought.

If so, she was being terribly unfair to Loerston.

‘I need to keep my wits about me. I can’t use senior’s kindness solely for my own benefit. The Contract is just a Contract, nothing more.’

She suddenly struck out with determined strides toward the research district.

Part of her kept thinking about the brief kiss from last night, but she forced herself to push it away.

‘I can’t let myself indulge in delusions and lose my footing. Senior has no feelings for me whatsoever.’

Thinking such thoughts.

***

Loerston sat facing the King.

This time, unlike before, there was no tea or anything else—only an empty table between them.

The King wore an expression of profound exasperation, and it was directed at Loerston.

Loerston, sitting with perfect posture, spoke once more.

“I can no longer endure Princess Claria’s harassment. I beg Your Majesty to take measures.”
“Well, as to measures….”
“…….”
“……The girl does have a willful streak, I’ll grant you that. But surely as a man, you could indulge her somewhat?”
“Your Majesty.”
“Claria has been singing about marrying you since childhood. Yet you suddenly wed another woman without a word. How hurt she must be….”

Loerston let out an audible sigh. So be it—all cards on the table.

“Your Majesty, as I stated yesterday, I have never once entertained the thought of marriage to Princess Claria, and you yourself know better than anyone that nothing has ever occurred between us.”

The King let out another groan and slouched deep into his chair.

Even after such plain speaking, he wouldn’t let it go.

Loerston found himself briefly wondering what parental love truly was.

By any reasonable measure, Rigan’s King was a wise and virtuous ruler.

He had enacted many policies for the welfare of his people and had not squandered the kingdom’s wealth on excess.

Yet whenever his daughter Claria was involved, his judgment collapsed entirely into incomprehensible madness.

“Claria was deeply wounded by that incident.”
“…….”
“How is it acceptable that so many people witnessed you treat a lady—and the most precious princess in this realm—so roughly?”

Ah, now he’s resorting to coercion, Loerston thought.

Since cajoling had failed, he was dragging up the alleged shove.

Never mind that Claria’s account of the incident was a complete fabrication.

“There was no choice in the matter.”
“No choice?”
“With respect, Your Majesty, Princess Claria’s behavior was extraordinarily overt. I am a married man, and my wife was present in the Banquet Hall as well. No matter how long our childhood friendship, I could not indulge such conduct.”
“And yet you subjected her to such public humiliation! Duke, you lack flexibility for one so young.”

Loerston nearly laughed aloud at words he’d never heard directed at him before.

Very well—if he was to be marked as rigid and obtuse, he might as well press forward as expected.

“Your Majesty is correct.”
“What?”
“The title of Duke and my elevated position in the bureaucracy seem beyond my capacity. It appears I lack the requisite flexibility.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“Whether Your Majesty wishes it or not, I intend to relinquish my ducal rank. I would find greater peace living as a commoner.”

Loerston watched the King’s face flush crimson in an instant.

From anger, certainly, but the King would not dare unleash his wrath on Loerston.

“Duke Loerston. Or rather—Loerston.”

There it is.

Watching the King’s tone shift instantly, Loerston performed the part of a resolute yet weary man with flawless precision.

The King continued.

“I just told you—why this rigidity? Do you regard the ducal title as something so trivial that you can don and discard it at will?”
“Not at all, Your Majesty. But I see no other way to demonstrate my resolve.”
“Now see here.”

The King was in a bind.

Loerston currently oversaw two major matters before Parliament, and countless smaller bills required his counsel.

Though he did not act alone, he was a central figure to every project.

If Loerston withdrew, all progress would slow dramatically….

Beyond that, Loerston was undeniably a talent the nation could not afford to lose.

He could not be spared. Not for Rigan’s future.

Were he to emigrate, the rulers of other nations would dance to greet him at the border.

The name Duke Loerston carried that weight.

‘And his wife, I’m told, is quite accomplished in scholarly pursuits.’

All the more reason he could not be lost.

“……Very well.”

At the King’s words, Loerston regarded him with fresh surprise.

“Let’s conclude this matter here. As for Claria… I’ll send her away for rest. She hasn’t traveled in far too long.”
“And when she returns, I ask that you command her not to approach my wife.”
“……Very well, so it shall be.”

The King waved his hand dismissively.

Loerston bowed slightly and allowed himself a subtle smile of satisfaction.

He’d expected the conversation to drag on far longer. That it ended so swiftly was nothing but a blessing.

“If there’s nothing more, you’re dismissed. Oh, and don’t forget the statistical report on provincial tax rates.”
“Have no fear, Your Majesty. I shall trouble you no further and take my leave.”

The King nodded and waved him away as if ridding himself of an annoyance.

Well, such pettiness was easily borne. What was a royal dismissal compared to sending Claria far away?

Loerston left the Royal Palace in excellent spirits.

The days of fretting over when Claria might next torment Adelia were finished.

For now, at least.

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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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