Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 63

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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 63

“How is it?”

At Loerston’s question, Adelia covered her lips and waved the fork wildly, gesturing at the plate.

She swallowed with effort what was in her mouth, then spoke in an enraptured voice.

“You should try it too. Goodness! I’ve never tasted anything this delicious before! It’s a bit savory and salty, but then comes this sweetness that’s absolutely sublime! The richness of it — the aftertaste lingers for so long.”
“Quite the praise. Is that all?”

Loerston took a spoonful of the dessert as well. Savoring it slowly, he realized Adelia’s words were no exaggeration.

“It really is remarkable.”
“I told you, didn’t I? And this sea part here — the flavor changes slightly depending on the color. The closer you go to the shore, the more citrusy it becomes.”
“I’ll tell the chef how much you enjoyed it.”

Adelia beamed with happiness and immersed herself in the dessert once more.

Watching her, Loerston was suddenly struck by the thought that he wouldn’t begrudge giving Adelia all the wonderful and marvelous things in the world.

And at the same moment, he understood.

He could no longer deny his own heart.

Forget the contract and all the rest, Loerston thought.

He could not pretend anymore that he had fallen utterly for Adelia, that somehow, without his noticing, he had come to care for her genuinely.

This feeling was precious. It was something he must treasure in silence until the day he could show it to her.

He steeled himself for a long wait.

He would hold his breath and wait until her heart turned toward him.

‘Though I’m not sure how well I’ll manage it.’

The thought made him smile bitterly.

***

The voyage that had seemed to stretch on endlessly ended quickly, and the ship soon arrived at a small island in the Southern Archipelago.

While not quite as renowned as Solfeju, it was well known among the nobility as a quiet resort destination.

Perhaps for that reason, the Harbor was decorated with exceptional beauty.

“Look at that, senior!”

Adelia pointed at something. When Loerston looked up, he saw a spire roof glinting with five colors in the sunlight.

“The roof is sparkling! However did they manage that?”
“I heard it’s done by setting Colored Glass into it. I’ve only heard about it myself; today’s my first time seeing it.”
“Heavens…”

Adelia surveyed the Harbor’s landscape, gazing at the sparkling spire roof again and again, at a loss for words.

The Beach was filled with white, fine sand, and the waves rolled in gently before retreating just as softly, over and over.

Maritime pines grew along the Cliff, and beyond them a small Village rose along the hillside path.

“It’s such a beautiful place.”

After a long silence, Adelia spoke as if breathing out a sigh.

“I never could have imagined a place this beautiful existed.”

It was the unvarnished truth. Everything in Adelia’s eyes was new, unfamiliar, and breathtakingly wondrous.

That such a radiant place could exist. If heaven truly lay somewhere, surely it would look much like this.

“Then shall we go into that beautiful place? I think you’ll be pleased with where we’ll spend our holiday.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”

Adelia smiled brightly and, without thinking, took Loerston’s hand.

Startled by the warm touch, she instinctively tried to pull away, but Loerston gripped her hand more firmly instead.

“Don’t let go. We can’t have you getting lost.”

Adelia’s lips parted in surprise, then she feigned an indignant expression and laughed mischievously.

“Do I look like a three-year-old to you?”
“You’re the sort who needs to be looked after like a three-year-old, though.”
“Excuse me?”

Adelia burst out laughing.

The bright, ringing sound of her laughter echoing across the clear sky was lovely to hear.

“Seniors are supposed to look after their juniors anyway.”
“Speaking of that, you must have had a Partner System mentor too, didn’t you?”

The Partner System was one of the Academy’s more charming rules — each senior took responsibility for one new student.

It helped freshmen adapt to school life and, moreover, broadened their connections.

“I did. The senior who guided me when I was new attends bureaucratic meetings with me now. And I was a mentor to a junior as well.”
“You must have gotten along well.”
“We did. Especially since I started Rowing because of my senior mentor. As teammates later, they gave me plenty of encouragement.”

Adelia nodded as if she’d expected as much. Then Loerston asked in turn.

“What about you? You had a mentor, didn’t you?”
“Oh, no, actually I didn’t. The senior who was supposed to be my mentor suddenly took a leave of absence. So I just managed on my own.”
“What? Such a thing happened? What about when you were supposed to mentor?”
“When I became a class year to mentor freshmen… that year happened to have unusually few new students. So some children had no mentor at all. I was one of them.”

Adelia’s expression grew wistful at the memory, her brow softening as she smiled ruefully.

It was one of the pleasures of school life that nearly everyone got to enjoy — no wonder she missed the opportunity.

“If I’d had a junior, I could have taught them so well. I’d have taught them about microorganisms and…”

Loerston found himself imagining Adelia standing before a tiny child of six or seven, expounding on the philosophy of microorganisms. It was hard to stifle his laughter.

He raised the hand he’d been holding, and brought it gently to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to the tips of her fingers.

Startled by the unexpected gesture, Adelia had no chance to react before Loerston spoke.

“Here, we don’t need to pretend to be married, so let me be your mentor instead.”
“You will?”
“Yes. If there’s anything you don’t understand, just tell me. If there’s anything you want to do, just say the word. What’s the point of having a senior if not for that?”

As the two of them bantered back and forth, they arrived at their destination — the Villa.

Adelia gasped anew at the sight of the quaint, classical Villa.

“Look at the Terrace, senior! It’s so beautiful!”

The Terrace, ringed with white Railings, opened fully toward the sea.

A weeping willow stood by the Pond, and the Garden, filled with summer flowers blooming in cheerful profusion, was visible beyond.

“From everywhere in this Villa, you can see the sea.”

At Loerston’s words, Adelia’s wonder only grew.

Now that he mentioned it, the Insel Duchy Residence had been similar. Special treated glass had been fitted in so that even from the Bathroom, one could see the open vista while bathing.

At first she’d felt self-conscious every time she bathed, unable to settle, but now a Bathroom enclosed on all sides felt stifling and unbearable.

“You really can see the sea from everywhere?”
“I’m telling you, you can. But from outside, you can’t see in. It’s the same glass used in the residence.”

What a marvel it was — to be able to see the sea all day long!

Adelia gazed for a long while at the horizon line wavering and shimmering in the distance.

“This place really is wonderful.”
“There’s more to admire inside. Let’s go see.”

The Villa wasn’t particularly large, but it was furnished with an exotic atmosphere that lent it a fresh charm.

After carefully touching the Five-Colored Tapestry hanging on the wall, Adelia became excited and explored from room to room.

“Oh my goodness! Is this you, senior?”

Discovering a small Picture Frame above the Fireplace, Adelia cried out in disbelief.

Inside the faded Photograph stood a tiny figure dressed as a sailor. If one were to imagine Loerston as a small child, he’d look exactly like this.

“Ah, yes. I… I forgot to take that down.”

As Loerston wrinkled his nose playfully, Adelia hopped about on her toes, still clutching the Picture Frame.

“Why would you want to take it down? It’s adorable! Senior, did you have childhood pictures? Why have you never shown me?”

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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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