Standard Contract Guidelines for a Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 91

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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 91

Clucker settled into the seat across from Adelia with a pleased grin playing at his lips.

The clothes he wore were the same ones from the day they’d met the twins, which gave them an incongruous air in this lavish space.

Yet the long legs stretched beneath the Willow Chair and his self-assured bearing lent him an ease that filled the room.

“So then, what brings such a refined young lady living in so beautiful a place to summon a mere jester like myself? Surely if you wanted to watch a private performance, you could ask the ringmaster to—”
“It’s nothing like that. I’ve seen the circus plenty of times, and group viewings are more fun anyway. I asked you here today because there’s something important I needed to discuss with you.”

At this, Clucker folded his large frame into the chair as if wringing himself into it, wrapping his arms around himself.

At his peculiar posture, Adelia’s brow furrowed slightly.

“…Clucker, why do you have the look of someone who’s just seen a poison dart frog?”
“Whenever noble ladies tell fellows like me they have something ‘important’ to discuss, they usually ask me to either eat a raw poison dart frog or become one myself. It’s one or the other.”
“You can’t eat a poison dart frog raw. Eating is, by definition, the process from ingestion through digestion to excretion. Most existing poison dart frogs possess neurotoxins, so their victims don’t even reach the digestive stage, much less excretion.”
“…Miss, I’ve thought it before, but you really do have an unusual disposition. You haven’t actually eaten a poison dart frog, have you?”
“When I was younger, I wanted to try. I was curious to see how quickly the neurotoxin would spread. But clearly I didn’t eat one, or I wouldn’t be sitting here now, would I? By the way, do you have an interest in neurotoxins?”
“…No, not at all. I despise poison. When I was a child, I was so hungry I ate whatever plants I could find, and I nearly died from it.”
“At least it wasn’t a mushroom. Among plants, many carry extreme poisons, but they don’t usually grow openly around where people live. Mushrooms, though, are different… Wait, that’s not it! Why are you changing the subject?”

When Adelia protested, Clucker shrugged with a bewildered expression.

“Is it my fault? You’re the one who brought up poison dart frogs.”
“Fine, enough about frogs. I have no intention of feeding you frogs or turning you into one. Though if we discovered a frog as large as you, it would certainly cause an uproar in amphibiology.”

Clucker, who had been listening thoughtfully, smiled softly.

“You’re a scholar, Miss.”
“Oh, yes. Didn’t I mention? I study Microbiology. I’m on holiday right now since classes are in recess.”
“It does my heart good to be around intelligent young ladies. I know another young lady like that too. Not Microbiology or anything like that, but…”

Adelia felt a small thrill of excitement—it seemed things might unfold easily after all.

There was no way the young lady he meant could be anyone but Ellie Rumble.

“Is that so? How interesting…”

Just then, tea arrived, and their conversation paused.

Adelia made as if to pick up her teacup, watching Clucker’s reaction. He sniffed the aroma of the tea—not particularly gracefully—then opened his eyes narrowly, gazing at Adelia.

“What kind of tea is this?”
“Pardon? I… well…”

In truth, this tea had been blended by Ellie Rumble herself.

Herbs mixed with dried fruit gave it a characteristically sweet-tart flavor, and according to Ellie, it also contained “something invigorating.”

Clucker must have had Ellie’s tea before. To ask what kind it was after just one sniff was far too pointed.

“I received it as a gift, so I’m not entirely sure myself.”
“A gift, you say? Hmm…”

With that, Clucker downed nearly half the hot cup in one go.

Adelia winced as if her own tongue were being flayed, but he seemed utterly unbothered.

“You know what, Miss?”
“Yes? What is it?”
“With this tea, if you drink it halfway like so… and then add a piece of Rock Sugar, it tastes even better. And the sugar gives you a boost of energy too.”
“Is that so? You seem to know this tea quite well, Clucker.”

For a moment, something stung across Clucker’s face. But true to his performer’s craft, he quickly masked it with an easy smile.

“I’ve been given this tea as a gift before too.”
“Oh my, from whom?”
“From precisely the person you’re thinking of right now in your head.”

Adelia decided it was time to end their verbal sparring.

Especially with Ellie Rumble listening quietly from behind the curtain—there was no point in prolonging this dance.

“Now do you understand why I invited you here, Clucker?”
“No, I still don’t. Surely you didn’t call me here because of Ellie?”
“That’s exactly why.”

Clucker ran a long finger down the back of his neck.

“I’m not sure what you could possibly want to tell me about Ellie. I’m grateful you arranged for her to have a dancing partner that evening at the party. It would’ve been a shame for the host’s daughter to leave without dancing at all.”
“True, it would be. But consider Ellie’s entire remaining life.”
“Her entire remaining life?”
“Either dancing with someone she doesn’t want to dance with, or never dancing with anyone at all.”

Clucker wore a confused expression. Adelia knew this was only the beginning.

“Why would such a thing happen? After all, she’s the daughter of a viscount. Everyone around here knows the eldest daughter of Viscount Rumble. She has a reputation for being clever and kind. Why would she ever face such a thing?”
“Because Ellie’s heart lies elsewhere.”
“Her heart lies else—”

Clucker trailed off, and only then did understanding dawn on his face. He slapped his forehead.

Setting down the half-empty teacup, the reddish liquid sloshed slightly over the rim.

“…Listen here, Miss. I think you’re misunderstanding something.”
“What could I possibly be misunderstanding?”
“Ellie and I have been friends since we were children. That’s true. But Ellie having feelings for me? That’s where you’ve made a mistake, Miss.”
“Why are you so certain about that?”

Clucker raised both hands as if to say something obvious.

“How could the daughter of Viscount Rumble possibly care for someone like me? As you know, I have a string of younger siblings trailing after me, and my profession is being a One-Wheeled Bicycle Riding clown in a circus. Don’t you realize Ellie could snap her fingers and have any man she wanted?”
“I know. But that finger is pointing at you.”
“That’s impossible.”
“Why? Do you think the two of you can’t be together merely because of Social Status?”
“Social Status isn’t something to be glossed over with the word ‘merely,’ Miss. Good-hearted nobles like yourself occasionally say things like ‘Social Status doesn’t matter at all.’ I don’t think those words are all lies, but they’re simply naive words from people who don’t understand how the world works.”
“So you do think the two of you can’t be together because of Social Status?”
“Isn’t that just common sense?”

Fine. Adelia let out a small, quiet sigh to herself.

This matter required the people involved to sort it out themselves. Her intervention would be pointless.

“So that’s what you think, Ellie? What do you have to say?”

The curtain rustled softly, and a shadow appeared behind it.

Clucker, startled, followed Adelia’s gaze and suddenly rose to his feet.

“Ellie, you… are you crying?”

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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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