The Contract Marriage for Attilenta's Revenge - Chapter 30

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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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A Contract Marriage for Atilenta’s Revenge, Episode 30
A wave of weariness passed through me at such a manner of speaking. Even if she had divined today’s events through magic, I suspect I would have felt precisely the same.
“Since Bwendia has been so kind as to look after me, there is no question. Your Highness, I only wished to deepen our friendship, so I do hope you will accept my sincerest apologies.”
Tatra continued speaking, as though displaying her remarkably gentle and clear voice.
“I behaved with such inexperience at the banquet held for Your Highness before. I have been reflecting on it ever since. I am truly sorry.”
I longed to sigh, but refrained with practiced ease, surrounded as I was by Barsha and several daughters of noble houses along with their attendants.
In truth, I found myself doubting whether Tatra could truly be called so young at all.
According to Poznan, the concept of adulthood here differed from where I had grown up.
The Coming of Age Ceremony in this land is conducted at twenty years of age. In short, there was not such a great gap between Tatra’s age and my own. Yet she wielded her eager nature like a weapon.
Hah, here I stand, unable to even afford such leisure.
Strictly speaking, Tatra was indeed younger than I. To be honest, she did not give the impression of a woman fully ripened by experience.
It would have been natural for Henrik, upon first meeting, to regard me—who was of a similar age to her—as not yet mature.
Tatra was like a full and abundant bouquet of flowers. Unlike me.
If she had danced with Henrik upon her immediate debut in society, then it would have been very soon after receiving the mark of adulthood, making his regard for her all the more special.
My earlier resolve not to waste any particular feeling on her before coming to this gathering proved wholly hollow.
Yet I had no intention of letting the matter pass unmarked.
“Tatra, I understand that you are young. But that being said, the age difference between you and me is hardly as pronounced as all that.”
I warned her obliquely to be cautious if she truly knew her own inexperience. And also, not to wield her youth as a weapon.
Tatra made no excessive fuss, merely covering her mouth with her fan.
“If I have caused you discomfort, Your Highness, I can only apologize.”
She was laying responsibility at my feet with remarkable subtlety. Even knowing full well that my ill humor stemmed entirely from her provocation.
I was occupied with the thought of how to suppress her playing the unwanted rival, when Barsha stepped forward with grace.
“I should prefer we speak of other things, Tatra. Now that we have the pleasure of Your Highness’s company, we scarcely have time for anything but cheerful conversation.”
“You speak with great wisdom, Your Highness.”
Without hesitation, Tatra had a servant bring forth a carefully wrapped gift, which she presented.
“Would you not accept this gift, Your Highness? Thanks to your kind invitation to this beautiful garden, I have had the privilege of a rare experience. I hope you will receive this humble offering from me.”
“If it comes from you, I shall accept it gladly, Tatra.”
Barsha unwrapped it there and then. Within a jewelry case lay silk ribbons meant for a cat.
There were not merely one or two ribbons adorned with premium Diamonds and other jewels that shone with brilliant light. They gave the impression of something akin to fine women’s garments.
“Oh, how delightful!”
The women who gathered around Barsha began to exclaim in admiration.
“The Pearl sheen is just like Mari’s eyes.”
A young woman of the Iasha family standing close beside Tatra naturally joined in praising her as well.
“Indeed, Miss Biaoubi has excellent taste.”
Among the noble young ladies laughing and smiling at one another, Barsha too smiled with evident satisfaction.
“You have such a kind heart. Did Biaoubi procure these for you?”
Tatra answered with hands clasped respectfully before her.
“Yes, my father insisted I bring them. These Pearls are from a distant southern shore…….”
I watched the people happily joining in the conversation that Tatra was leading, and made appropriate responses myself.
“The color suits Mari perfectly, Your Highness.”
I thought that Biaoubi must truly dote upon his daughter.
To show her father’s affection even in a private gathering such as this.
Could it be that daughters could inherit here?
Then was Barsha also a rival to Henrik? From what I understood, the Succession Dispute in this realm was surely a matter between two princes alone.
Resichaya and a half-brother, and there must have been some political circumstances I did not yet know of.
Yet Barsha did not share the same mother as one of them, did she? And given that she had shown me such favor, their bond seemed quite close.
Of course, families could quarrel. It was something I knew better than anyone.
Perhaps this family too found itself in difficult straits.
That evening, after the tea party concluded without incident, I found Henrik occupied with work in the bedchamber as always.
Having eaten my fill of the refreshments Barsha had offered at the tea party, I had forgone dinner. Uncertain what he had done, I spoke to him out of politeness.
“Your Highness, I regret that I could not offer my greetings at dinner today.”
A sudden curiosity struck me. Perhaps he had no separate office. To be working here even at night.
“Is that so. Did you enjoy the tea party?”
I dismissed the trivial personal question at once and broached what truly concerned me.
“Your Highness. Since I cannot presume to deceive you, I must tell you this.”
I seated myself naturally before him and maintained a measured tone.
“Tatra’s interference is deeply disconcerting. I made clear my position at the last banquet, yet it continues nonetheless.”
Henrik set down his documents with a face utterly composed.
“Are you saying it is my responsibility.”
Since his gaze and voice carried no particular coldness, I offered what seemed the appropriate response.
“Your Highness, I cannot agree with that assessment.”
In fact, it seemed more like an opportunity—a chance to make a request of him without paying an exorbitant price.
“There is only one thing I wish to ask you, Your Highness.”
“Anything.”
Henrik settled back into his chair with unhurried ease, regarding me steadily.
“If what Biaoubi’s daughter said were true, I would expect romantic rumors to surround her. Yet before you came to Francia, you showed no inclination toward marriage. I am curious about your reason.”
Even if this society was more encouraging of bold women in social circles than Atilenta’s court, a scandal would still be fatal to a lady’s prospects.
I wanted to understand what he made of the eligible young women in society. If another rival besides Biaoubi’s daughter were to emerge, it would be thoroughly vexing.
He possessed the kind of striking appearance that drew eyes without effort, and he wielded considerable prestige and power. It was hardly conceivable that only one or two women harbored feelings for him.
“There was nothing like that.”
Henrik’s amethyst eyes shone with peculiar brightness. Beyond their usual composed, observant quality, I detected something else—a flicker of something unguarded.
“Biaoubi’s head certainly pushes his daughter forward, but he hasn’t orchestrated anything in society. A single dance together wouldn’t be enough to birth a rumor. If it were, the aristocracy would already be talking.”
I listened intently to Henrik’s words, striving to read the emotion hidden within those gem-like eyes.
“That’s how I was able to keep my distance from women in society. And once I had you at my side, it became even easier.”
I considered a hypothetical. What if he had grown closer to her? What if that had been his true intention—
“But you may blame me for it, if you like.”
My thoughts had barely begun to form when Henrik leaned closer, a smug expression crossing his face.
“You hardly concern yourself with rivals, even with your husband right before you.”
Now I understood the meaning hidden in his gaze. He was testing me again—coolly, rationally assessing whether I was someone worth using.
Goodness, I had not dreamed such a dream even after that peculiar night. I took a firm stance to avoid any misunderstanding.
“Your Highness, I am not so foolish as to deceive myself. I know full well that this relationship is a pretense.”
He remained motionless, his gaze fixed upon me. When he looked at me like that, I felt like a still life pinned in place.
I could not escape those mesmerizing amethyst eyes, nor his firm brow, nor the smooth curve of his lips.
“My words to Biaoubi’s daughter were spoken without artifice.”
What good would it do if I praised him as a sensible man, as a husband who understood the virtues of marriage? It brought him no advantage.
How could a young, hot-blooded man be satisfied with such a wooden wife as I?
“Taking another woman is your prerogative and your freedom, Your Highness.”
Besides, it was clear he would need an heir. It might not be an urgent matter, but once Henrik achieved his ambitions, someday he would.
All I cared about was using that man well in the pursuit of my own goals. If I were suddenly divorced later, I would not mind.
I, too, sat as immovable as stone, my eyes never leaving his.
Henrik kept his silence for a considerable time before he finally spoke.
“… Yes. I do know that you do not deal in falsehoods.”
His expression remained much as it always was, so I nodded and brought the conversation to a natural close. There seemed to be no complications this time, and that was sufficient.

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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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