Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 53

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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 53

A secret meeting?

Something heavy struck the back of Loerston’s head and passed through—or so it felt.

“Who on earth said such a thing? A witness?”
“You really know nothing, do you! It was the Marchioness Haizennung! She saw it herself. Isn’t that obvious? If it hadn’t been her, would the rumor have spread so quickly?”

Loerston felt his mind reel. First from shock, then from rage.

“My wife did no such thing!”

Loerston protested loudly.

Marquis Gikson hesitated, then surrendered with a gesture of his hand.

“Of course I didn’t believe it myself. Truly. But you—how do you plan to manage this? The entire social circle must be thinking it’s real by now…….”
“I’ll confront the Marchioness directly.”
“Ha! You think that will work? The way such a vicious rumor has spread, she’s clearly made up her mind.”
“Regardless, I have a duty to protect my wife.”

At Loerston’s words, Marquis Gikson suddenly smiled with an odd expression.

“Why are you smiling?”
“Ah, just thinking—you’ve changed since the marriage, haven’t you? Before, you were never this passionate about anyone.”

Those words stung Loerston.

When he recalled what Claria had said last time—that he showed interest in no one—and realized that even Marquis Gikson had noticed it, he felt his face flush crimson.

“……Yes. My wife has changed me. That’s why I will do everything in my power to protect her.”
“You know the Marchioness Haizennung’s temperament, don’t you? If you blunder into this, it’s better to wait for the rumor to die down on its own.”
“Yes, I understand.”

Then the bell rang, signaling the start of the Bureaucratic Council.

Loerston wanted to rush to the Marchioness at once, but first he had to attend the council.

Yet the meeting dragged on interminably.

The tax question consumed the most time.

Those who favored lowering the tax rate, given the National Treasury’s abundance, faced fierce opposition from those who argued the rates should rise in this period of peace.

Then Loerston raised his hand for the floor. He swept his gaze across those watching him, then spoke.

“As Count Imel has observed, examining the National Treasury’s reserves, I see no present need to raise the tax rate. Ligen has lived free of war for more than a century. Our relations with neighboring kingdoms are favorable as well.”
“Quite right!”
“Rather than raising taxes, I propose allocating funds to each region to develop projects that showcase their unique character. Should any of them yield something worthy of representing Ligen, we might even consider exports in due time.”

Murmurs erupted from all sides—voices of agreement and disagreement tangling together.

Marquis Serman, the council president, rapped his gavel to restore order.

“Duke Loerston, you’ve proposed several new projects related to regional administration before. Is this an extension of that work?”
“You could say so. Once the current Regional Development Project and administrative reorganization are complete, our citizens’ lives will become more comfortable. Riding that momentum to develop regions across the kingdom would ultimately advance the entire Ligen Kingdom.”
“Hmm……. Very well. Let us put it to a vote. Those in favor, please raise your hands.”

Hands rose in various places.

The president counted silently, then rapped the gavel again.

“The motion carries. We shall report it to His Majesty.”

Loerston settled back into his seat, satisfied.

The Regional Development Project was a long-standing task of King Henry. Selfish Capital nobles had consistently blocked it in the past, but this time was different.

Loerston had many young nobles who followed him, and those who could not ignore the prestige of Duke Loerston supported him sufficiently to ensure success.

Once the council adjourned, Loerston left faster than anyone, heading straight for the Haizennung mansion.

“Welcome, Duke Loerston.”
“Is the Marchioness at home?”

The mansion’s head steward answered, bewildered by the urgent, almost accusing tone.

“She has stepped out, but should return within half an hour.”
“Then I shall wait.”
“Yes, please come this way.”

Loerston was shown to the sitting room on the first floor.

He had no appetite or thirst, yet took a sip of the Mint Tea the attendant brought.

Its fresh, cool aroma stimulated his mouth and nose. The taste was not unpleasant.

Then he heard a sound from outside.

Thinking the Marchioness had returned, he rose abruptly—only to find himself face to face with Violet.

“Oh!”

Violet gasped, then hid her eyes behind her long hair and lowered her head.

“Violet.”
“D-Duke, what are y-you doing h-here…….”

Her ears, visible for a moment, had turned red.

Suddenly Loerston recalled what Adelia had told him.

How she’d mentioned the Western Balcony to Violet on the stairs, and Violet had been deeply contemptuous…….

“I came to speak with the Marchioness, but since you’re here, perhaps we might have a word, Miss Violet?”
“N-No, I d-don’t want to.”

Violet was drowning in embarrassment. Her rapid, ragged breathing threatened to tip into hyperventilation.

“It will only take a moment. It concerns my wife—it’s important.”

At his words, Violet lowered the hair she’d been hiding behind. Her raven-black locks hung in disarray.

“Your w-wife is shameless!”

Violet’s sudden cry made Loerston exhale deeply.

“That’s not it. My wife knew nothing of what happened on the Royal Palace balcony.”
“I understand you c-care for your w-wife, but I c-can’t believe it. How c-could someone not k-know something so b-basic…….”
“Violet, my wife spent her entire life studying. What may be common sense to others might not be to her. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Violet was already trembling with tears. A thin veil of moisture seemed to cover her dark eyes.

“D-did you c-come all this w-way just to t-tell me th-that? To m-make me acknowledge your w-wife’s innocence?”
“No. I came to see the Marchioness. Unless…….”
“……?”
“Did you help spread this rumor? That my wife was having a secret meeting with someone on the Western Balcony?”

Violet’s eyes widened in shock. Her trembling lips parted soundlessly, releasing small, helpless sounds.

At that moment, the Marchioness swept noisily into the mansion.

“My, Duke Loerston!”
“Marchioness.”

Unlike his usual manner, Loerston did not even greet her with a nod, merely fixing her with a stare.

Whether struck by conscience or not, the Marchioness abandoned her usual flippant approach and hunched like a crafty rat, defensive.

As Violet burst into tears, the Marchioness struck her daughter’s shoulder with her plump hand.

“What are you sniveling about here? Get yourself to your room at once!”
“M-Mother. It hurts.”
“I hit you because it should hurt, not for your pleasure. Stop your theatrics and go upstairs!”

Violet sobbed as she stumbled up the stairs.

Watching her go, Loerston offered a bitter smile.

“Even so, she’s your daughter. To treat her so harshly—is it because, in your view, she’s now worthless since she couldn’t marry me?”

“Duke Loerston! That’s too harsh a thing to say.”

The Marchioness bristled like an angry boar.

Yet Loerston grew only colder, taking another step toward her.

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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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