Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 90

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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 90

“Your proposal is refreshing and has merit, but Lady Rumble and her family won’t sit idle.”
“That’s precisely why you need to take the lead this time.”
“……Me?”
“Yes, you.”

Looking at Adelia’s radiant smile, Loerston felt a sudden chill run down his spine.

***

The next day.

Loerston sat across from the Rumble couple—Eli’s parents—sipping tea.

‘What am I doing here……’

The thought crossed his mind for a moment, but he collected himself, remembering Adelia’s earnest expression.

It was less earnest pleading than playful coaxing, but even that was stimulus enough for Loerston to find it impossible to ignore.

‘Where on earth did she learn to do that……’

Thinking a thought that would have made Adelia cry out “Nobody taught me!” if she’d heard it, Loerston wrapped up the small talk and carefully broached the day’s subject.

“The reason I sought you both out today is……”

The Rumble couple tensed visibly.

The sight of the lanky husband and the plump wife clutching each other’s hands was quite amusing, but Loerston suppressed his smile and continued in a serious tone.

“To recruit Miss Eli Rumble.”

Both of their eyes widened simultaneously. This was unexpected.

Well, of course……. They already knew that since the Duke of Insel was already married, their daughter had little prospect in that regard.

But you know how it is. Sometimes a man takes a woman as a second wife because he’s fond of her……

Though it wasn’t exactly satisfying as parents to have their beloved daughter become someone’s second, being connected to the house of Insel would at least preserve their family’s honor. They had harbored such sentiments.

But recruitment, out of nowhere?

“Excuse me, Your Grace.”

Lord Rumble spoke, wiping the sweat that had suddenly beaded on his forehead.

“What I mean to say is……that is, our daughter, Eli, when you say you’d recruit her, what exactly do you……”
“Exactly as I said. Miss Rumble possesses an innate talent. The ability to Design, to construct, to bring her mind’s vision into reality. Such talent is not given to everyone. I trust you are well aware of this fact.”

At that, Lady Rumble pushed her husband aside and leaned forward.

“But, Your Grace, that’s a misunderstanding. Eli is a woman. No matter how talented such a girl might be, how much can she truly accomplish? After all, in the field of mechanics, men have far more prominent roles……”
“You believe Miss Rumble’s abilities would be lacking compared to men simply because she is a woman? Lady Rumble, are you sincere in saying this?”

Loerston’s voice carried neither censure nor mockery, but rather a measured tone.

Yet Lady Rumble’s face flushed crimson as though she had been laughed at. She had laid bare the limits of her understanding in a single moment.

Loerston continued.

“Then I suppose you harbor similar thoughts about my wife? That in the sciences, men excel wonderfully, and women merely meddle and bungle……Do you think that way?”

The faces of Lord and Lady Rumble went pale. Lady Rumble jumped up from her seat, her soft hands fluttering.

“Heavens, no! Nothing could be further from the truth. I would never think such a thing. It’s simply that my daughter is just an ordinary girl. The Duchess of Insel is different, entirely different! I’ve heard that she never relinquished the top rank throughout her years at the Academy, while my daughter has never even attended the Academy!”
“In her stead, she surely received instruction from brilliant tutors within her household. If we’re comparing Academy instruction to tutoring from specialists in a field, frankly, the latter is the more demanding education.”
“But still……”
“Should you permit us to recruit Miss Eli Rumble’s technical skills for the house of Insel, I am prepared to offer the following as an Advance Contract Fee.”

Loerston drew a pen from his jacket pocket and scribbled several numbers onto a Napkin.

Without a moment’s hesitation, the Rumbles snatched the Napkin…… and their eyes flew wide open, their mouths falling slack.

“This……”
“This is an Advance Contract Fee?”

Loerston returned the pen to his pocket with an impassive expression and gave a slight nod.

“It is. Of course, Miss Eli herself will receive a portion of the contract fee as well. And if the machines she designs prove more profitable than anticipated, she will receive Incentives.”

Loerston, who had been looking down at the couple with his chin slightly raised, drove his point home.

“You have two other young daughters in the Rumble household, do you not? Though not your blood children, I understand you raise them as your own. Your cousins’ daughters, if I recall? That noble heart of yours cannot be swayed by mere money, surely? Yet with a contract fee of this magnitude, you will not only have funds for the living expenses of the two children in your care, but also resources to contribute toward their Dowries in the future.”

It was a simple truth.

The Rumble household, while hardly in straitened circumstances, had never imagined an amount quite like this.

A house that could dispense such a sum so readily—what manner of family was the house of Insel?

Loerston spoke.

“My wife and I depart this place in five days. Please take your time to consider the matter and send your reply by then.”
“Y-yes, we will.”

As Loerston turned to leave, one eyebrow arched slightly.

“Pardon me?”
“That is, we consent to……recruiting our daughter.”
“And you, Lady Rumble?”

Lady Rumble’s small lips pursed even tighter as she gave a small nod.

“I……I consent as well. If my husband agrees……”
“Then my visit here has been worthwhile.”

Loerston straightened his jacket with a sharp tug, adjusted his collar neatly, and straightened his posture.

“The detailed terms of the contract will be discussed separately with Miss Rumble at a later time. You have no objections, I trust?”

***

At the very moment Loerston was wrapping the couple around his finger at the Rumble residence.

Adelia was sitting in the temporary tea room of the Villa, waiting for a visitor who would arrive shortly.

How many ticks of the clock had she counted? Finally, the butler came up and spoke to her with utmost courtesy.

“Madam, your guest has arrived.”
“Oh, thank you. Please show them to the tea room.”
“Yes, madam.”

The butler descended slowly and returned with a tall man.

The tall man was none other than Clurker, and without his usual disguise, wearing clothes that suited him reasonably well, he presented a rather tidy appearance.

“Ah……”
“Welcome, Clurker.”

Adelia rose from her seat to greet him.

With his handsome height and striking features, one might easily believe he was the youngest son of some noble house if dressed properly, but in the resplendent Villa of the Duke’s household, his manner seemed utterly out of place.

“Please sit. Butler?”
“Yes, madam.”
“Would you bring us some refreshing juice or tea? And some dessert to go with it.”
“Of course. Just a moment, please.”

Clurker looked at Adelia with fascination as he sat in the chair. His legs were so long that his knees rose slightly above the seat.

“Surprised?”
“Surprised? I thought for sure I was finally being caught. But when I got dragged here, it’s this dazzlingly gorgeous place. Duchess……don’t tell me you’re going to……”
“Going to what?”
“……You know, there’s that thing nobles do. Abduct pretty women or men and lock them in a basement to……enjoy themselves……”
“Clurker!”

Adelia’s face turned crimson as she struck the table with a bang, and Clurker burst into laughter. His true nature finally revealed itself.

“I’m only joking, joking.”
“Don’t make jokes like that! Seriously.”

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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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