Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 80

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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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Episode 80

Short Kissing had to clap his hand over his sister’s mouth to muffle her rising voice.

But moments later, as pain shot through his fingers like they were being snapped, he let out a final yelp.

“What the hell are you doing?”

Short Kissing grumbled while cradling his wounded hand, but Sophie showed no sign of remorse.

“If Tommy asks that woman to dance, I’ll simply die.”

Sophie huffed, and Short Kissing laughed dryly.

“And you think dying is something anyone can just do?”
“Whose side are you on anyway? Forget it! Laric should have come instead. Why did he have to be away today of all days?”
“I wish Ienn had come with me. At least she doesn’t act quite as recklessly as you do.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Ienn is nothing but an affected little pretender.”
“At a social gathering, affectation is merely etiquette. In any case, I didn’t come all this way to play nursemaid, so mind yourself. If you cause trouble, I’ll tell Father and Mother and make sure you don’t set foot outside the house for three months and ten days.”
“One day I’ll slip a poisoned mushroom into your sauce bowl.”
“Then by all means, do try.”

The two siblings, bristling with irritation, turned their backs on each other without ceremony.

Sophie Kissing fanned herself with her fan while her lips pressed together tightly, her face flushed with anger.

‘Where on earth is Tommy? He can’t possibly not have arrived yet! This is infuriating.’

The man she was waiting for was Thomas Witer, a scion of a baron’s house.

Like the Kissing family, he was a native of this region, and though two years her senior, they had grown up as childhood companions.

Sophie had grown entirely accustomed to Tommy looking after her and following her about. She knew that one day she would marry him.

She never let it show in front of him or anyone else, but her feelings ran deep nonetheless.

That was why the mere thought of Tommy asking some duchess named Insel to dance set her blood boiling.

“Sophie! There you are.”

“Why are you only just now arriving?”
“I’m sorry I’m a bit late.”
“Thick as a plank. Never mind! Just stay by my side and be my escort tonight. Don’t you dare think about dancing.”
“What? Why? Are you that angry? Sophie, look at me.”

Sophie made a show of pulling her hand away, but she couldn’t resist his persistent touch and let him take it.

All the while, her eyes darted about searching for that wretched Duchess Insel.

“Are you looking for someone?”
“No! Why would you ask that?”
“You’re looking around unlike yourself… there’s no need to be so upset.”

Dull. Sophie grumbled to herself.

Dull and foolish Tommy. But even so, he’s mine. I won’t let anyone else have him.

Sophie silently hurled curses at the invisible Duchess Insel.

***

“I feel rather chilled, somehow.”

At Adelia’s remark, Loerston’s eyes widened.

“Chilled? Wait, let me give you my jacket—”
“No, please don’t. It’s not that I’m ill, just that I have goosebumps. That’s all.”
“Goosebumps? Why?”
“I’m not sure. Perhaps someone’s cursing me.”

Loerston’s expression softened with relief as he drew Adelia close, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

“No one would dare curse my wife. The consequences would be dreadful.”
“They might not say it aloud, but people can think whatever they like in their hearts, can’t they?”

Loerston cleared away Adelia’s empty glass as he spoke.

“Is it that Sophie girl that’s bothering you?”
“To be honest, she’s weighing on my mind quite a bit.”

Adelia was not accustomed to being loved, but neither was she accustomed to being disliked.

She had always been the sort of person who seemed to barely exist, drawing attention only when test scores were announced.

No one had ever openly shown her hostility, nor had she ever harbored such intense dislike toward anyone.

“But sir, how do you use this card?”

Adelia showed him the slip of paper she’d received at the entrance and asked.

“Ah, I haven’t seen one of these before. This is a Dance Partner Card—used at dance parties and balls.”
“A Dance Partner Card?”
“Yes. You’ve never seen them at Lady Dorothea’s balls or royal balls, have you? But most places use them. See these numbers? That’s the order of dances. And in this blank space here, you write the name of your dance partner or their signature.”
“I see…”
“Usually you shouldn’t dance two consecutive dances with the same person. And it’s not recommended to dance every dance. Haven’t you read about this in the Etiquette guides?”
“I do remember reading that you shouldn’t dance every dance.”
“If you don’t wish to dance, you may refuse, but it’s polite to dance at least once. Though if the host doesn’t know—”

Just as Loerston was about to say it didn’t matter if you didn’t dance, a young lady and a middle-aged woman who were clearly the party hosts approached them with bright smiles.

“Welcome, we’re so delighted you could come.”

The middle-aged woman spoke first.

“I’m Sara Rumble. Had I known the Duke and Duchess of Insel were to visit, I would have held a far more splendid and grand ball instead of this modest gathering! I’m mortified.”

Adelia responded to her words.

“Not at all, madam. This is a lovely party. Is this your daughter?”

Sara Rumble placed a proud hand on the young lady’s shoulder.

“Yes, indeed. Come now, girl, what are you doing? Offer your greeting at once.”

The young lady then swept her skirt and curtsied.

Adelia and Loerston had no chance to stop her. She introduced herself in a soft, gentle voice.

“It’s an honor to meet you both. I’m Ellie Rumble. Thank you for your kindness.”
“Lovely to meet you, Ellie. I’m Adelia Whiten. And this is my—”

Adelia paused delicately to clear her throat, then continued with a natural smile.

“—husband, Duke Loerston Insel.”
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Rumble. And Mrs. Rumble.”

Only after the ladies had finished their greetings did Loerston offer his own.

Adelia felt a flush of quiet pride rise within her.

Once, she would have been too nervous to speak, leaving Loerston to manage everything—

But now Adelia had reached a level where she could handle introductions and conventions at social gatherings in her own right. She had every reason to feel proud.

‘And my pronunciation didn’t waver! My tone was perfect!’

She was already well acquainted with the rumors surrounding Loerston Insel, the handsome young duke.

But the man before her exceeded the gossip by far—so much so that she found herself coveting him.

‘If only Ellie could win this man’s heart, how wonderful that would be!’

Unaware of Mrs. Rumble’s scheming intentions, Adelia chatted pleasantly with Ellie Rumble, careful to maintain proper decorum.

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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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