Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 83

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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 83

When the two of them returned to the Ballroom, Mrs. Rumble was genuinely furious.

Though she held back from raising her voice in public, the way she seized hold of Ellie and poured out a torrent of reproach was perfectly visible to Adelia.

Adelia tried several times to approach Mrs. Rumble and insist that Ellie had done nothing wrong, that she herself had become so absorbed in conversation that time had simply slipped away—but she found no opening to get a word in.

Moreover, Loerston prevented her from pushing through to them.

“It’s impolite to interrupt when parents are disciplining their child.”
“But no—it was my fault! If only I had broken it off appropriately in the middle……”
“If that were the case, Miss Ellie should have thought of it too. Don’t trouble yourself. It will be fine.”

Adelia studied Loerston for a moment in silence.

Toward her, he displayed a generosity bordering on the limitless; yet in matters concerning others, he was often quite strict, with exacting standards.

Why was that? Adelia wondered.

Why was he so generous to her alone……

‘Oh. Because I’m only a junior to him?’

The thought struck suddenly, yet it seemed like a rather plausible hypothesis.

Yes, if she were merely a junior—a senior looking after a junior needn’t quibble over every little thing or lay down rules.

Wasn’t it possible that his satisfaction with her simply maintaining basic social propriety stemmed from the same source?

Adelia’s spirits sank a little.

‘Would it have stung less if he had demanded of me the same high standards a senior demands of himself?’

While she was lost in thought, Ellie finally escaped her mother’s grasp and returned.

She apologized to Adelia for keeping her waiting so long, then spoke again.

“What can I do? I’d love to stay with you, but now the dances are about to begin, so I’m afraid I’ll be busy. It’s my job to find partners for ladies without one.”
“Is that so?”
“You didn’t know?”

Oh dear. Adelia realized she’d misspoken and gave an awkward laugh.

“I’ve never hosted a ball myself before.”
“That’s small mercy. Truly, there’s so much to manage……”
“Go ahead, Ellie. We can talk again later if time permits.”
“Thank you so much for saying that. Then I’ll take my leave……”

Ellie exchanged pleasantries with her mother and the swelling crowd of guests. As the dancing was about to commence, she moved about with even greater urgency.

Adelia examined the dance partner card pinned to her chest. Not a single name had been written on it yet.

Well, since she wasn’t accustomed to dancing anyway, perhaps it was better not to dance at all—or so she thought.

“Pardon me, madam.”

A man’s voice came from above her head.

It was Short Kissing, his face arranged in an oily smile.

“Mr. Kissing.”

Adelia gave a slight nod, observing the bare minimum of courtesy. Short Kissing glanced down at her empty card as he spoke.

“My, it’s quite surprising that the Duchess of Insel still hasn’t found a single partner. It seems the timid gentlemen lack the courage to approach someone in such an exalted station?”
“No, that’s not quite……”
“Might I have the honor of asking you for the first dance?”

Even as the words left his mouth, Short Kissing reached for the card she was holding as if to snatch it from her hands.

Adelia pressed her lips together and tightened her grip on the card to prevent him from seizing it.

Then came a sharp tap, and Short Kissing’s arm fell away. It was Loerston.

“How dare you be impertinent with my wife?”

Short Kissing looked displeased and licked his lip. But he quickly curved his mouth into a cunning smile, raising both hands in a placating gesture.

“I was merely asking the Duchess to dance. Surely, if the Duchess had no partner even at such a small dance party, it would reflect poorly on her standing?”

Loerston responded at once, his voice cutting.

“It is precisely because this is a small party that my wife has no suitable partner. Stop your scheming and leave at once. If you don’t, I’ll use force.”
“W-what a way to speak. Very well, I see I’ve been rude indeed.”

Yet despite his words, Short Kissing’s face remained brazenly unrepentant, as if he couldn’t fathom what he’d done wrong.

Strictly speaking, he had done nothing improper. He’d merely requested a dance partner.

The problem was his manner. That he had tried to forcibly take the card despite her refusal—that attitude had deeply offended Loerston.

“Do you want to dance?”
“No, not really. But etiquette does demand at least one dance……”
“True enough. You ought to dance at least once, with someone other than whoever brought you here……. Hmm, but what can be done about it? My patience is too thin to watch you dance with another man.”
“You’re quite something, senior.”
“So we should find you a respectable partner. Who would do?”

A respectable partner? As if such a man existed in her senior’s eyes, Adelia thought.

‘But the senior is……’

As Adelia walked slowly among the guests in the Ballroom, she glanced sidelong at the back of Loerston, who was walking slightly ahead of her.

‘Why does he hate seeing me with another man so much? I suppose we are married, so of course…… I shouldn’t do anything improper with another man. Absolutely not! But beyond that……’

It had been the same with Clutter, and even with Professor Siem.

Loerston disliked even her conversing with other men, and he despised the thought of them holding hands or touching her.

‘Could it be……’

Adelia felt her heart clench tightly, and she pressed her lips together.

But then a hollow laugh escaped her, and the tension drained from her body.

It couldn’t be.

It couldn’t be something like jealousy.

“Miss Adelia!”
“Oh, Ellie!”
“There you are. Have you chosen a partner?”
“A partner? Well, I haven’t quite……”
“I see. Hmm, what about that gentleman over there? Do you see the man standing in front of the Grandfather Clock? His name is Thomas Witter, and he’s quite the gentleman.”
“Thomas Witter…… sir?”
“Yes. Since you’ll have to dance at least once anyway. Would that suit you, Duke Insel?”

Loerston scrutinized the Thomas Witter in question from head to toe with a meticulous gaze, then let out a short, reluctant chuckle.

“He looks a bit too timid.”
“Coming from you, sir. But a gentleman quite this reserved is exactly right. Oh, though there is one thing I’d like to mention.”

Adelia turned to face Ellie.

“What is it?”
“Well, there is the youngest daughter of the Kissing family. Her name is Sophie Kissing……”
“Oh! I saw her briefly earlier.”

Ellie’s eyes widened.

“You did! That Sophie is absolutely infatuated with Mr. Witter. But since she’s off dancing with another man right now, it should be fine to ask Mr. Witter for a dance.”

Good heavens, Sophie Kissing. Adelia took a step back, still holding Ellie’s hand.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Ellie. I haven’t had much conversation with Miss Kissing, but she seemed rather rough.”

Besides, what was that business about Tommy? Adelia thought. This Thomas Witter must surely be Tommy.

Ugh, she had no desire to draw near him.

“But then……”

It was at that moment that Thomas Witter, standing in front of the Grandfather Clock, glanced toward Ellie and Adelia and came striding toward them with a pleased expression on his face.

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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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