The Contract Marriage for Attilenta's Revenge - Chapter 21

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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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Atilenta’s Revenge Through Contract Marriage — Episode 021
I had known since the moment I followed Antonio onto the Battlefield that I was no ordinary woman. In truth, I had never been an ordinary princess from birth, for better or worse.
Knowing that Henrik saw me this way was enough—I offered no protest.
“You’ve set foot on a Battlefield, you know how to lead a banquet. I’ve rarely encountered such a woman.”
In Francia, a banquet bearing a family’s name was typically overseen by the lady of the household. From what I had experienced, the kingdom of Bwendopska seemed little different. Henrik’s wedding anniversary banquet had been arranged by Princess Barsha herself.
And ordinarily, the lady of a household had no reason to venture onto a Battlefield. Though the ideals of womanhood differed somewhat between the high society of Francia and Bwendopska, this one point seemed to align.
My personal attendant Poznan had certainly drawn a distinction between herself and her brother, who was a knight.
“That general from the south made excellent use of you, didn’t he? Or should I say, your ex-husband?”
“It matters little how you address him, Your Majesty.”
A flicker of interest crossed Henrik’s amethyst eyes once more. What part of my words had sparked his curiosity this time?
Truthfully, I cared little either way. So long as I had not displeased his temperament.
What mattered was that he had taken an interest in me. Based on his conduct thus far, it seemed he honored his agreements faithfully.
“Do you resent it so much? Yet it remains a matter of your homeland.”
I studied Henrik’s composed expression and his eyes, alight with genuine curiosity, focusing all my attention on his voice—cool and measured, as always.
He did not openly suspect me of being a double agent planted by the Francian Royal Family.
But if he was suspicious nonetheless—
If beneath that unhurried manner lay a merciless blade—
I had endured Henrik’s interrogations many times before, as a cold-blooded lord examining his instrument like a weapon.
Just as I had chosen him, he had the right to test me at any moment.
But what if this conversation was something more?
My throat suddenly went dry, and I swallowed. If I were to claim I had never once lied to him, it would be a confession of the foulest sort.
Henrik knew. He knew the shame that Francia’s own king had hidden before him.
No matter how indifferent Henrik claimed to be toward his wife, my inability to bear an heir was a fatal blemish.
And in this transaction, the more visible that blemish became, the more disadvantaged I would be. For he was an ambitious man who coveted far more than a mere throne.
Should he ever demand a divorce on the pretext of that weakness, I would have no choice but to yield.
What was more—something Henrik had not yet discerned, though he might in time—the same held true of the Magic I wielded. I had been lying from the very start.
“Your mother’s homeland was not Francia, I’m told.”
Henrik continued to stare at me with that penetrating gaze. If that man, who expressed interest in me, sensed I had betrayed him, he could drag me into the Basement and torture me without hesitation.
I looked down at the Ring on my finger. The Ring, imbued with the Magic of Bwendia the Dark Dragon—the being who had founded this nation—bore all the trappings of a guarantee, of a pledge, but I would not succumb to such hollow sweetness.
In the end, the measure of Betrayal rested on that man’s judgment alone. How abstract a guarantee could be? I had to choose truth once more.
“Your Majesty, as a Duchess and a princess of a great power, my education was not lacking. Only…….”
It was a past utterly unrelated to Henrik. At this moment, when it mattered to appear as a woman of maximum utility to him, admitting my own foolishness made my chest ache.
Yet if he had so desired, he would have uncovered everything about my past long ago.
I quickly steadied myself and continued in a calm, measured voice.
“I acquitted myself well enough at the first banquet I attended in this place.”
“Thanks only to Your Majesty’s guidance. I was merely……foolish. I lived in deception without suspicion, and gave everything.”
My lips and throat felt parched. I needed no mirror to foresee my future—that setting fire to the Francian Royal Palace would not bring my heart complete peace.
Not even if I drove a blade through the king’s shameless face as I desired, nor if Selena wept in my presence, nor if Antonio fell to his knees in despair before me.
“Your reason for coming to me that day—in truth, you revealed it all then.”
“Your Majesty, this much I can say with certainty: I wish to ensure they all pay a fitting price.”
“The Royal Family and the Duke used you fully, then cast you aside. And there was another who exploited you?”
“Exactly as I told you when we first met, Your Majesty.”
“You told me to use you like a Tool. You…….”
Henrik struck the vital point with a calm expression. I reviewed my reply once more in silence. Likely, even after hearing my answer, his expression would remain unchanged.
“Your Majesty, how would I dare speak falsehood? You bade me serve as a Tool for your conquest, did you not?”
Henrik allowed himself a faint smile. I felt a measure of relief wash over me.
That man was indeed peculiar. Even with my words, his displeasure did not seem aroused. Though I had always known as much.
“You must have much to prepare.”
“You are right. Though I have been occupied solely with the Battlefield until recently, now I must strengthen the inner workings of the realm.”
I did not know all that Henrik was doing. Yet having aided him in exposing a spy, I was curious what he would undertake next—for it would allow me to refine my own plans accordingly.
Even without Magic, I could foresee that monitoring the movements of society would be paramount. Prince Lescha remained a threat.
“War is not fought solely abroad, Your Majesty. As with your separate audience with the delegation today.”
“Ha ha.”
Now Henrik laughed aloud. Moments ago he had examined me like a honed blade, yet now he shifted his manner so easily. I found it somewhat startling, but I maintained my composure alongside his.
“Thinking back, you seem to be warning me as well, do you not?”
Henrik wore the bright, pleasant smile I had glimpsed before. Toward that man who showed interest in me, I chose truth over denial.
In truth, I had nothing to dissemble. I had chosen Revenge over death itself. Fear held no sway over me. Only one thing—I refused to harbor foolish, pitiful faith in another soul.
For I dreaded above all becoming a fool once more, relying on another only to be abandoned and unmade by my own stupidity.
“What I told you today, Your Majesty, I believe you already knew before you admitted me into your confidence.”
“Ha ha……truly……you…….”
My judgment was sound. Had Henrik intended to strike me down with his sword, he would have done so long ago. The opportunities were plentiful. Even that first night, when I’d arrived unannounced and uninvited, it would have been possible. But he did not.
I had captured his interest, and through that, we had struck a transaction that served us both.
“You are truly unremarkable in no way.”
It was unmistakably praise. But I had no intention of reacting like some ordinary noblewoman, delighted to receive the prince’s attention. My nature simply did not permit such warmth.
“I am deeply grateful to you for bringing me to this place.”
“Do not look at me with such eyes.”
I lowered my head at once, before I could even examine what expression my eyes might have betrayed.
Henrik, I do not trust you. I have no intention of foolishly surrendering everything and devoting myself like some hapless woman. But as a transaction partner, I think you will do.

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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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