Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 79

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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 79

The host of the dance party was a woman named Sara Rumble, a baroness and a person of standing somewhere in the Western Region.

The Rumble Family owned three estates in this area, and this mansion, which was used for the dance party, was the largest and most ornate among them.

Adelia descended from the carriage under Loerston’s escort and stepped forward into the brilliant light.

Climbing the stairs and following a rather long corridor, servants emerged to attend to them.

“We shall keep your belongings safe for you.”

Loerston left his hat and cane, and Adelia left her decorative bag in the cloakroom, then they proceeded down the gallery and into the ballroom.

The red velvet carpet that lined the floor could not have been called cutting-edge fashion, yet it gave a pleasant, familiar feeling.

“May I have your names?”

The footman standing before the door asked politely, and Loerston replied that they were the Duke and Duchess of House of Insel.

With a sharp rap of his polished heel against the floor, the footman drew the attention of those gathered near the entrance and called out:

“The Duke and Duchess of House of Insel!”

In that instant, all eyes turned away from their animated whispers and fixed upon Adelia and Loerston.

‘This is really something I can’t get used to,’ Adelia thought, doing her best not to hunch her shoulders.

She had always found it awkward even in the Capital, but compared to the reaction here, the nobility there hardly seemed worth the trouble.

Those standing near the entrance fell silent, their eyes widening, and people from farther away began hurrying over as if some spectacle had arrived.

“The Duke of House of Insel?” someone began to whisper, and the murmur spread through the ballroom like gentle waves.

“From the Capital?”

“I’ve seen him in the papers. There was an article covering the Royal Charitable Ball.”

“But I hadn’t heard he was married.”

As she heard the murmuring voices one by one, Adelia grew increasingly tense.

Loerston gently patted the back of Adelia’s hand, which gripped his arm so tightly, and whispered:

“Don’t be nervous. Show them your most confident smile.”

“How? Simple. Listen, they’re all complimenting your beauty.”

“Then just take pride in the fact that you’ve claimed such a beautiful man for yourself.”

At Loerston’s teasing, Adelia finally released her tension and burst into laughter.

As they entered the ballroom, the crowd that had been clustering parted on both sides, their eyes filled with reverence.

“Champagne or wine?” Loerston asked.

Just as Adelia was about to answer champagne—

“Wine would suit a beautiful lady far better,” a voice interjected, and a wine glass was thrust toward her.

Adelia and Loerston turned in unison to see a strange man with one corner of his mouth raised in an exaggerated smile.

Loerston asked, “And who are you?”

The man replied, “Ah, pardon me. I am Short Kissing. My father is Howard Kissing.”

At the name Short Kissing, Adelia’s shoulders gave an involuntary twitch. Whether Short Kissing noticed was impossible to say.

“Please call me Sho.”

Having handed Adelia the wine glass, Sho then exchanged a light handshake with Loerston.

Loerston, glancing down at the hand released from his own (held with no more pressure than courtesy demanded), spoke:

“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Kissing.”

“The honor is mine. Who would have thought I’d meet the Duke of House of Insel at such a modest dance party? It’s hardly imaginable.”

At that moment, Adelia felt a stare directed at her from somewhere.

She turned her head, scanning the crowd, and spotted a small young lady with an unfamiliar face staring directly at her. Her expression was unmistakably angry.

‘What is this? She looks furious,’ Adelia thought.

The small lady had narrow eyes and thin lips. Her hair was rolled up high on both sides and adorned with an elaborate ribbon, and the arrangement reminded Adelia of something…

“No, there’s no need for that. I’d just like to greet each other with friendlier faces next time we meet.”

After saying this, Adelia looked up at Loerston. Seeing his eyes looking down at her with approval, her heart eased considerably.

“Darling, I’d like to walk a bit.”

Adelia practically dragged Loerston away from the spot.

Only once she was certain that Sho’s gaze no longer followed her did she exhale a long breath.

“I didn’t expect to run into him like this.”
“Given that his family are prominent figures in this region, it was inevitable. But you handled it beautifully.”

Adelia rolled her eyes.

“If looks could kill, I’d be in pieces by now.”

“Absolutely horrifying. Really and truly.”

Adelia wrapped her arms around herself as if shivering and let out a heavy sigh.

“I never want to exchange another word with her, but I suppose that’s impossible.”
“Probably. But it’s fine. As long as you handle it as you did just now, and I’ll stay by your side the whole time.”

While the two were having this conversation, Sho had located his troublesome youngest sister among the crowd.

“What? Brother.”
“What is this attitude? How old are you? The Duchess of House of Insel was deeply displeased.”

“All the men will only want to dance with that duchess!”

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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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