Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 59

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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 59

Rudolf stepped back and closed his mouth again.

Loerston knew he wanted to say something, but pretended not to notice.

Rudolf disliked Adelia. He didn’t know why, but he did.

Perhaps there was some misunderstanding, or perhaps…

‘Enough. Some people just don’t get along.’

Adelia was precious to him, but he didn’t want to show his displeasure to Rudolf, who had stood by his side as an old friend.

A fine line—invisible but absolute. As long as neither of them crossed it, things would be fine.

And Loerston was certain Rudolf understood that line very well.

Just as Loerston finished changing his clothes, a servant arrived.

“Master, a guest from House of Haizenenne has arrived.”

The moment Loerston and Rudolf heard the name House of Haizenenne, both their brows furrowed involuntarily.

“The Marquise?”
“No, sir. Her daughter.”
“Violet?”

Loerston, who had secretly expected the Marquise Haizenenne, was caught off guard.

Violet had come here? Alone?

The same young lady who always hid her face behind her hair whenever she stepped outside?

“Show her to the Reception Room.”
“Very good, sir.”

As the servant hurried downstairs, Rudolf approached Loerston.

With a perfectly natural gesture, he adjusted his master’s Cravat and spoke.

“I wonder what this is about.”
“I haven’t the faintest idea.”

Rudolf was unaware that false rumors concerning Adelia had spread throughout society like wildfire.

Had he known, he would certainly have made more unpleasant remarks.

Loerston, still mystified by Violet’s intentions, feigned ignorance, entered the Reception Room, and closed the door behind him.

Violet, barely perched on the edge of the sofa, shot to her feet the moment she saw Loerston.

As though someone had struck her across the back and shouted “Stand!”, her entire body trembled, her shoulders hunched.

“You are welcome, Miss Violet. Though your visit is rather abrupt.”

At Loerston’s words, Violet shrank further into herself. Already small, she now looked almost childlike, as though she might fold in half.

Though the rumors about Adelia keeping a lover had begun with Violet, watching her tremble as if she might be devoured any moment stirred pity in him.

“Please, sit. What would you prefer to drink? Mint, rose, or perhaps milk in your tea…”
“I—I’m terribly sorry!”

Violet’s sudden cry was so loud that Loerston nearly dropped the Brass Bell he was holding.

She bowed so deeply that her forehead nearly touched the table.

Her black hair, cascading like a waterfall, rippled with her trembling.

Loerston sighed and set down the bell.

“I would like to know what you are apologizing for.”
“I—I—I s-said such a t-terrible misunderstanding. I c-caused such great shame to Your Grace’s h-honor…”
“That is not the issue.”

As Violet lifted her head, her eyes appeared between strands of fallen hair.

They were eyes that seemed to carry all the sorrow, frustration, and despair in the world at once.

“The person to whom you owe an apology is not me, Miss Violet. It is my wife.”
“B-but… I…”
“But? But what? You can bow your head and apologize before me, but you cannot do so before my wife?”
“N-no, that’s not… I really did w-wrong, I…”

Her words trailed into indistinct murmurs before tears began to fall in earnest.

Watching Violet wipe her eyes with her fists, Loerston felt a cold desolation settle over him.

The one who had reduced this woman to this state was her own mother, Marquise Haizenenne.

She pushed her daughter forward to claim every advantage society had to offer, yet was harsh and unforgiving toward her.

“Listen to me, Miss Violet.”
“I—I should d-die!”
“…I beg your pardon?”

Loerston could not contain his incredulity and let out a hollow laugh.

Violet’s face turned as red as a boiled lobster.

Yet this was no jest—she continued weeping desperately as she spoke.

“If I’m to b-bear responsibility, that’s the only w-way. If I s-say it was all just a m-misunderstanding and d-die, then no one will m-misunderstand anymore. That w-way… that way…”
“Miss Violet!”

Loerston’s shout rang through the Reception Room like a bell. Violet was so startled she forgot to cry and simply stared at him in shock.

“Do you yourself understand what you are saying?”
“Y-yes… yes?”
“Is your life a joke to you?”
“No, absolutely n-not…”
“Then why are you speaking such nonsense? This only troubles me—nothing more, nothing less. Rather than apologizing, you seem to have come seeking my comfort.”

Fresh tears welled up in Violet’s eyes.

Though Loerston felt his insides twist with fury, he exercised restraint.

“…Did you come here of your own will?”

At his question, Violet’s eyes widened before she lowered her head in silence.

That silence itself was answer enough, and Loerston exhaled sharply.

“Your mother sent you. Didn’t she?”
“M-Mother t-told me to c-come and apologize p-properly. She d-did.”
“And is this what you consider a proper apology? Listen, Miss Violet. Had I been a man without patience, I would have had you thrown out on the street immediately.”
Violet’s expression showed the shock of this revelation.

Now she said nothing, only letting out occasional sniffles as she stared at him mutely.

“I have told the Marquise Haizenenne—your mother—to resolve this matter. Though you conveyed the false information, you did not spread the rumor. Now I am instructing you as well: settle this cleanly.”

Loerston knew well that rumors could not simply vanish overnight.

The Marquise would hardly heed his words; and even if she did, the people would not believe her.

So this matter would have to wait for time to work its cure—until those who loved to chew gossip found something else to sink their teeth into.

As he suppressed the anger that threatened to overwhelm him, listening to Violet’s rambling complaints only made the fury rise to the crown of his head.

“I think it best you leave now. I shall have a servant show you out.”

As Loerston rose, Violet scrambled to her feet after him. Her eyes were wide with fear.

“N-no, Your Grace. P-please don’t. If you l-leave like this…”

As Violet’s hand reached toward his sleeve, he sighed and jerked his arm away sharply.

Tears cascaded from Violet’s eyes.

Then came a knock. Loerston irritably ran his hand through his hair.

“Come in.”

But the one who entered was not the servant—it was Adelia, returned home.

She stood in the doorway holding a Silver Tray bearing teacups, cream, and a pot, and froze when she saw the chill emanating from Loerston.

“…D-darling? I was told you were speaking with Miss Violet, and…”
“Why are you doing this?”

As Loerston’s voice hardened, Adelia’s eyes darted nervously.

“I heard no tea had been brought to the Reception Room, so I thought it might be rude and came myself. We have a guest, and I didn’t understand why you hadn’t asked for refreshment to be served…”
“I’ll handle it. Besides, the guest is leaving now.”

Adelia’s gaze shifted to Violet.

As before, Violet had hidden her face nearly entirely behind her hair, but it was clear she had been crying.

Adelia set down the Silver Tray with a composed air and approached Violet.

“Miss Violet? Why are you crying?”

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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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