The Contract Marriage for Attilenta's Revenge - Chapter 26

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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 Contract Marriage for Revenge – Chapter 26
Atilenta, only I know.
The beauty of your kindness and devotion.

* * *
Winter had deepened, and frost began to form on the windowpanes. Regardless of the weather outside, I was enjoying a comfortable and warm life.
“My dear, the royal court will be hosting a banquet very soon.”
The news Henrik shared with me during our usual meal time was something new.
“Bwendia commemorates its Foundation Festival with great ceremony, so we’ve sent invitations to Francia as well. The Duke is coming, I hear.”
I nodded lightly at his calm tone. It did seem likely that Antonio would make a personal appearance.
Whatever he came to do, I wouldn’t simply accept it. I resolved this firmly while looking at Henrik.
Henrik was not the sort to accept things passively either. Though I didn’t trust him personally, I felt as though I had a dependable ally at hand in this coming battle.
Without realizing it, I clenched both my fists tightly.
“Quite a determined expression.”
Henrik spoke softly. Since only a trusted knight was nearby, I revealed my true thoughts.
“It’s the moment I’ve been waiting for, Your Highness.”
“Ah, so you would say such a thing. I should have summoned you sooner.”
His gaze fixed on me, he wore that characteristic interested smile.
“I’m already grateful that you told me in advance, Your Highness.”
On the surface, I offered him appropriate responses, but within my mind, several scenes flashed past.
There was a chance Selena might come as well.
I remembered how Antonio had made an appearance when Selena and I had tea together alone, long ago.
Why didn’t I understand then?
On such occasions, an uneasy feeling would sweep over me. It was because the two of them, standing in the same place, seemed to complement each other naturally.
“Your Highness, this time I will use Magic beforehand to investigate. I suspect the Duke would not travel all this distance on merely a convenient pretext.”
Henrik’s amethyst eyes shone toward me.
“If there’s a hidden agenda, I’m curious about it too.”
“Once I learn of it, I will report to you immediately, Your Highness.”
Even if I used the Mirror and Coughed Blood to revive uncomfortable memories, this time I would definitely rely on it.
That night, I touched the Mirror, which no longer felt awkward in my hands, and made my plea.
Come now, Mirror. If there’s something special I need to pay attention to at this banquet, tell me. Who is coming with Antonio, and why? I only hope that day passes without incident.
Soon a deep green light rolled across the Mirror, then spread fully. Antonio, dressed in fine clothes, and Francia’s knights appeared.
“Why is Selena not by his side?”
I tilted my head. Of course, there were things I could predict without asking the Mirror like this.
“She certainly wants to keep me confined again.”
Through the delegation sent before, she must have confirmed that I was living well here, and she wouldn’t tolerate the sight of it.
Though Henrik had taken me with appropriate justifications and gifts, this apparent peace between the two nations would not last forever.
“What new stratagem will she use to torment me?”
I considered one possibility. She could slander me and force another divorce.
“Hmm… I can’t read any further than this.”
Soon my chest felt tight and my breath grew shallow. I set down the Mirror and drew a deep breath.
No matter how desperately I wished, it was difficult to see beyond that point. It seemed my abilities were still lacking.
“There shouldn’t be any major trouble, but I’ll have no choice but to speak with Antonio directly.”
What mattered most to me now was preparing well for the coming banquet. Setting aside regrets, I steeled myself to conduct myself appropriately with him while drawing out information.

* * *
The day of the banquet arrived sooner than I expected. Poznan, who was grooming me that morning, had a rather stern expression.
“Your Highness. We shall use this Jewelry Box today.”
Since the Duke himself was coming from Francia, Poznan seemed eager to make an impression. She was bringing out excessively ornate jewelry that I rarely wore. I probed her subtly.
“Poznan, did you hear something? You seem unusually enthusiastic today.”
“Your Highness, I felt the same way when the delegation arrived from Francia. I presumed you would wish to present a favorable appearance to those you knew.”
There was not a hint of slackness in the propriety Poznan observed toward me. As a lady’s maid, it was natural that she might infer my feelings—so without comment, I gazed at the elegant Mirror decorating the vanity.
“A favorable appearance, you say…”
The Mirror was so meticulously polished that my reflection appeared starkly clear.
“My complexion doesn’t look particularly bright.”
The gaunt and thin impression had faded, but still. Whether it was from using Magic recently, there was a pallid quality to my appearance. I was hardly the picture of health and radiance.
I had only used Magic to confirm Antonio’s visit, but unfortunately I had Coughed Blood in the process, and had troubled myself greatly wiping away the bloodstains in secret.
“Your Highness, have no worries. I will make you shine most brilliantly at the banquet. With my care, your dignity shall suffer no blemish, and I am certain you will be pleased.”
True to Poznan’s confident pledge, the grooming took considerable time.
As I emerged from the Dressing Room, Henrik was waiting. Several of his guards were with him.
“Your Highness, I apologize if you’ve been kept waiting long.”
After making a modest bow, Henrik offered a bright smile that suited his refined features perfectly.
“It’s been a pleasant wait. You’ve spoken so eagerly of this banquet.”
Then he extended a large hand to escort me, his gesture unhesitating.
“Like a withered rose.”
I couldn’t deny the compliment, hollow though it sounded. My appearance had gone beyond the simple rose ornaments I’d worn to previous banquets.
I’d always favored modest colors, but tonight was different. A deep crimson skirt spread generously, its petals resembling an actual rose bloom.
Large lace draped across my shoulders, and green leaf-shaped jewelry scattered with tiny golden pearls caught the light with every movement, catching the eye in brilliant flashes.
Poznan wore a satisfied expression, and since Henrik’s reaction was equally positive, I accepted his compliment graciously.
“Your Highness’s words bring me genuine joy. Thank you so much.”
“Then shall we go? Come.”
I took his hand lightly and proceeded toward the Banquet Hall.
From outside the elegant white palace where the banquet was being held, great trumpet fanfares rang out. Stately, celebratory music filled the air.
“His Highness Henrik and Her Highness the Princess now enter!”
The sun blazed brilliantly overhead, and despite the season of falling snow, the air itself was warm.
The Banquet Hall, drenched in that white and golden light, gleamed like an enormous jewel.
As I made my way to my seat, I glimpsed various ornaments adorning the scattered dining tables, and even pink gemstone-like salt scattered among the arrangements.
The largest and most radiant table was occupied, as expected, by members of the royal family and foreign guests. Still, neither the King nor his consort appeared.
This meant that Lesicya, the First Prince, held the highest position in this hall.
“Your Highness Lesicya, my respects.”
“Welcome, brother. I trust you’ve been well.”
“Come now. Bwendia has treated you kindly, I hope.”
Among those greeting Lesicya, Antonio was the first to catch my eye. He was already in conversation with the First Prince.
“Brother, Your Highness the Princess. You’ve arrived.”
Barsha was nearby as well, still cradling the cat like the star of the evening. Lesicya and Barsha guided the two of us naturally to the place of honor.
“Henrik, I hear the Duke of Francia has something to tell you.”
Antonio’s appearance still bore those spring-water eyes and brown hair identical to Selena’s.
He remained exactly as I remembered—a fine physique and handsome, polished features unchanged.

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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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