Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 66

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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 66

Until evening fell, Adelia wandered freely through the Villa, exploring every corner with wide-eyed curiosity.

In one room, an entire wall was covered with a Tapestry—as if countless portraits had been hung from a clothesline.

Drawing closer, she realized it was a family tree of House of Insel, embroidered in thread.

“Oh…”

Whether from lack of space or because the work had simply been abandoned partway through, the Tapestry showed only the distant ancestors of Loerston and those who came before him.

Adelia stood gazing at the embroidered figure of the first Duke of House of Insel, murmuring to herself.

“He looks so much like Loerston…”

The thread had faded over time, but the hair like a burning sunset, the impish curve of the lips—they were stamped from the same mold, identical in every way.

Among those who came after in the genealogy, none resembled Loerston quite so strikingly, which made it all the more remarkable.

Adelia studied the intricate web of descent, then let her gaze drift around the room.

Now that she looked, the chamber was filled with displays of ancient Pottery, ornaments, and medals.

A treasury, she thought. House of Insel must keep their treasures here.

Her eyes lingered on a luminous, pale-blue Pottery piece from the old Eastern Region—there was something about it that drew her in, unlike anything else in the room.

Across its bright surface, birds had been painted in brushstrokes that looked as though they’d been dashed on with a swift hand—all of them flying in pairs, each mate beside the other.

As she watched the birds rise through clouds of mysterious form, Loerston’s face suddenly bloomed in her mind.

‘What does Loerston intend to do when our Contract ends?’

True, she stood beside him now as his “wife”—but one day, Loerston would welcome a new bride, a “real” one.

The thought sent a sharp, stinging ache through her chest.

She sensed the nature of that emotion faintly, barely consciously—but Adelia turned away from it with stubborn resolve.

‘I mustn’t feel this way.’

She had never believed herself a suitable match for Loerston.

Even if she could somehow become his true wife, she shouldn’t—she mustn’t.

Adelia possessed far more emptiness than substance. Her house had fallen into ruin; she hadn’t a coin to her name. There were no heirlooms she could offer as a dowry.

All that remained to her were sordid rumors about a dead father and whispered gossip about a mother who had abandoned her.

‘Loerston should take a proper bride—a flawless lady as his formal wife. That’s how it must be.’

Princess Claria’s face flashed suddenly into her thoughts, but Adelia shook her head and banished it.

‘Not Princess Claria. Not someone with such a terrible nature… someone virtuous and modest instead—truly worthy of being a Duchess.’

A woman who, unlike herself—who still stumbled over dining etiquette—would know exactly how to behave in every situation.

‘But until that day comes… I have to play the role of his wife. No—I am his wife.’

I am the Duchess of House of Insel, she reminded herself.

The thought warmed the hollow place in her heart, just a little.

There was still so much time left before she had to leave his side, and that made her feel unexpectedly light.

***

As twilight descended, the Villa’s occupants could hear singing and the sound of instruments drifting from a distance.

Though faint, the melody carried on the sea breeze made Adelia’s heart race.

“A Night Market? I bet it’s twice as fun as an ordinary market!”

Loerston smiled and answered her eager words.

“Three times as fun, probably. You see things at the Night Market that never appear at regular shops. Sometimes an Acrobatic Troupe even performs. Have you ever seen one?”
“Never, not once. But I’ve always wanted to! People spinning ten plates at a time, those terrifying tightrope walks…”
“I hope the Acrobatic Troupe came tonight, so our junior can enjoy it all.”

Adelia laughed like a child.

Hand in hand, the two made their way along a path that led from the rear of the Villa toward the bustling Night Market.

The first sight to greet their eyes was a riot of colored lights—cheap bulbs strung together by the hundreds, yet dazzling in their brilliance.

“Heavens!”

And among the throngs of people, musicians played their instruments, singers sang, and children danced to the music—

It was less a Night Market and more a full festival. Great piles of firewood sat waiting to be lit in an open space, promising to reach their crescendo soon.

“What do you think?”
“It’s wonderful.”

Adelia spoke the words slowly, as though sighing with contentment. Loerston squeezed her hand, his expression tender with satisfaction.

“Hold my hand tightly. Don’t let go.”
“I will. I’ll hold it firmly.”
“Shall we start with dinner? What would you like to eat? You can buy food from any stall and sit at whatever table you find.”
“Really? Oh, Loerston—what is that? It looks delicious!”
“Shall we take a look?”

Adelia practically dragged Loerston toward the nearest stall.

The sizzle of meat on a grill, the rich aroma of fat and savory spices, the mingled scents of sweet and tangy sauce stirred her hunger.

“What is this?”

The vendor, a man who had been turning meat on skewers, smiled and replied to her question.

“Pheasant Skewers, dear. You never had them before?”
“Not once.”
“Well then, you absolutely must try them today. How many shall I give you?”
“Two, please.”

The vendor dipped the just-grilled skewers into the sauce bowl, then carefully wrapped them so the glaze wouldn’t drip.

Loerston paid while Adelia accepted the skewers.

“The smell is incredible!”
“There’s plenty of other delicious things too. Oh, what about those? Adelia, have you ever had anything like that?”
“What? What is it?”
“A kind of Dumplings—made with a special method unique to this region.”
“Then let’s go see them right now!”

In her excitement, Adelia forgot to hold Loerston’s hand and hurried toward the next stall.

Even before she reached it, she could feel the intense heat radiating outward, though she saw no kiln or brazier.

“Where is all this heat coming from?”

As Adelia murmured the question, Loerston appeared beside her and spoke.

“From underground. Watch closely now.”
“Underground?”

Her eyes widened, reflecting the crimson glow.

An elderly, muscular man who appeared to be the vendor pulled back a cover that had been concealing the earth, revealing a fire burning within.

“You’ve made a fire underground!”
“Exactly. And we bake the Dumplings right there inside.”

The old man stirred the fire to reduce it to coals, then swiftly removed Dumplings from a curved shelf arrangement above.

The Dumplings emerged golden-brown and perfect—each one as large as a grown man’s fist—and her mouth watered involuntarily at the sight.

“Would you like to try these too?”

At Loerston’s question, Adelia gave him a playful look as if to say, ‘Why would you even ask?’

“Three of them, please.”
“Three? You’ll be stuffed.”
“Oh, Loerston and I will each have one, and we’ll save the last one for a late-night snack.”

Loerston laughed and asked for three Dumplings to be wrapped.

Adelia stood mesmerized, gazing at yet another stall.

Watching her delight, Loerston felt his heart soar skyward.

If he could, he would make her wear that expression every single day.

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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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