Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 86

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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 86

Just as she’d thought.

Adelia maintained a steely composure and spoke with measured precision.

“That’s not a problem at all. I’ll be wearing makeup then, and the clothes are completely different anyway, so even if someone recognizes me, they’ll just think it’s someone who looks like me. You know how it is? People don’t really pay attention to other people’s faces as much as you’d think.”
“Well, if that’s what you say, junior.”

Loerston replied with apparent indifference, though inwardly he found the whole affair tremendously amusing.

It irked him somewhat that Adelia’s mind was occupied with matters other than himself.

But here was the daughter of the Rumble Family harboring feelings for a circus performer—and not just any performer, but one burdened with a string of younger siblings. That was quite the story, wasn’t it?

If the gossip-hungry socialites of the Capital caught wind of this, one could expect to hear about it at every party and salon for at least a month.

“I’m all changed now.”

Clurker’s voice came from behind the partition.

“Come out then.”

At Adelia’s word, the partition slid open. Clurker strode out, stiff and awkward in the expensive formal attire he’d never worn before in his life.

Yet it didn’t look bad on him. The cravat was tied with skill, and the straight back and squarely set shoulders—likely honed by his years with the circus—were quite striking.

“Good heavens, Clurker! You look absolutely splendid.”
“Do I? I’m so nervous I can barely move.”

Then the owner of the suit spoke up.

“It can be repaired if you wreck it, so stop moving around like you’re made of wood.”
“A nobleman might wear such things as comfortably as pajamas, but a commoner like myself gets anxious just thinking I might catch a rash wearing something like this.”
“You certainly talk well without thinking at all.”

As Loerston teased with an amused chuckle, Clurker turned toward Adelia to change the subject.

“Fair lady. I think it’s time you told me why you’ve dressed me up in this armor. Should I go slay a dragon while wearing it?”
“Leave the dragons to the legendary knights, Clurker. Your target is someone else—Ellie Rumble.”
“Ellie Rumble? Wait, do you mean Eli?”
“Oh, so you call her Eli? Yes, that’s right.”
“In this? Why would I—”
“Well…”

Adelia started to explain what Ellie thought of Clurker, then caught herself. That was something Ellie should say herself.

“Let’s go.”
“Wait, hold on! Just like this, out of nowhere? I’ve never done anything like this before! Obviously!”
“Don’t worry about it. My hu—my senior will help you. Isn’t that right, dear?”

Adelia winked at Loerston.

She never normally acted cute like this. Loerston’s puzzled laugh turned into a smile as he reached out and pulled her close by the waist.

“A request from my beloved wife—of course I must oblige.”
“I’m not becoming the spicy excitement in your marriage, am I?”
“Don’t talk nonsense, Clurker. We don’t need spice like that. Come on, hurry! There’s Ellie over there. Go ask her to dance!”

Ellie Rumble stood leaning against the wall, having finished her rounds of finding partners for the unattached women.

When people occasionally spoke to her, she answered with a cheerful demeanor, but whenever their eyes left her, her shoulders drooped and she sighed—a picture of weariness.

Clurker had seen this side of her many times. Since childhood, her desires had been thwarted, and she’d been suffocated by endless demands: “A proper lady must do this, must do that.”

But when he rode his unicycle and performed tricks for her, Ellie would laugh right away.

Watching her laugh made his heart race, and he felt joy bloom in his chest—but he’d lied to himself all these years that it wasn’t love.

Because it couldn’t be love.

‘And yet.’

Clurker thought to himself.

Just for tonight, just as a dance partner for a moment—wouldn’t that be all right?

He felt Adelia and Loerston following behind him as he scanned the glittering Party Hall with his eyes.

He’d grown practiced at spotting faces quickly while going about his work, and he found Ellie’s face with ease.

More than that—even among the crowd, Ellie alone seemed to emit a subtle radiance.

That’s how he could find her instantly, whether on a street or in a performance tent or anywhere at all.

“Ellie.”

Approaching her, Clurker extended his hand without so much as a cough, his manner bold and easy.

Lost in thought with her head bowed, Ellie glanced sideways without even looking at who it was.

“I’m sorry. I’m too tired to dance today.”
“That’s fine. You can just stand on my feet.”
“What did you just—what on earth—!”

Ellie’s eyes went wide as saucers. Clurker stood with one hand behind his back, chuckling at her.

“Stand on me. I’ll dance for both of us.”
“Cl—! What—what is this?!”

Bewildered, Ellie looked around and spotted Adelia poorly concealing herself. And beside her, Loerston.

Now that she looked, Loerston and Clurker were about the same height. So this fine formal attire was…

“Good heavens.”

Understanding the situation, Ellie pressed a hand to her forehead.

She should have been scandalized, but instead she felt embarrassed and delighted. She couldn’t stop her face from burning crimson.

“Good heavens, Clurker. I can’t—this is too much—”
“It’s fine. A single dance won’t hurt anyone.”
“You really are—!”
“Oh dear, people are starting to stare. So what will it be?”

Ellie swallowed hard, staring at the large hand offered before her.

If his identity was discovered, the consequences wouldn’t end with her mother’s scolding. She might never be allowed to come here again.

And yet.

If she let slip the chance that Adelia had gone to such trouble to create, wouldn’t that be foolish beyond measure?

“All right.”

Ellie’s hand settled lightly upon Clurker’s.

The two of them heading toward the Dance Hall made such a handsome pair that even those who’d begun to tire of dancing leaned together and whispered as they watched.

“My, it seems Ellie has finally found a partner.”
“Who is he? I’ve never seen his face before.”
“So tall and handsome! I heard her mother was searching everywhere to marry her off. Could this finally be it?”

Hearing the murmurs, Adelia and Loerston quietly slipped away to a secluded corner.

Adelia, who’d been biting her lip hard to contain herself, finally burst out laughing once they were away from prying eyes.

“Ellie’s face was absolutely scarlet. Did you see it?”
“I did. Clurker looked just as flustered, for all his nerve.”
“Oh, I’m so happy! Why is my heart pounding like this?”

Loerston gazed at the joyful Adelia with affection, reaching up to touch her cheek.

“So you’re happy?”
“Incredibly. I just hope Ellie finds the courage to be bolder. And Clurker too.”
“You’re hoping they’ll marry?”
“Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
“Even though Clurker isn’t a nobleman?”

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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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