The Contract Marriage for Attilenta's Revenge - Chapter 34

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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 34
Barsha, who sat between Resicha and me, stroked the cat with practiced gentleness before speaking in that soft, measured way of hers.
“Of course, Your Highness. Naturally you’ll be coming with Henrik.”
“Do you have an interest in horses as well?”
I brushed back my hair with an elegant gesture. My appearance was flawless today, thanks to Poznan’s meticulous work, but such things required constant vigilance.
“I’ve had some instruction in horsemanship, though of course I cannot compare to the princes.”
“Your Highness, in that respect you’re much like me.”
Barsha was being considerate, smoothing over the awkwardness between Resicha and myself—two people without prior familiarity. Yet Resicha continued speaking to me.
“That’s possible. I’m quite fond of horses, so I’d visit the stables near the palace frequently. I even made some good acquaintances there, which turned out well for me.”
As if he’d been waiting for this very moment, my mind drifted downward to the stage, toward Henrik, who would soon return. At the same time, I weighed Resicha’s intentions carefully.
This man who had greeted me with nothing more than courtesy at every gathering and assembly—why was he suddenly speaking to me at length?
“There was a fellow named Baren. Unfortunately, he’s gone back to his hometown, I hear.”
I raised my fan to my lips, feigning surprise.
“Is that so, Your Highness? Did something urgent come up?”
“So I heard. I was quite fond of him.”
“How generous of you to show such regard for a servant, Your Highness.”
“Horses require careful handling. He was a fellow of considerable skill.”
Neither Resicha nor I allowed our expressions or tones to slip—both of us remained impeccably composed. Yet something felt amiss.
“Atilenta, you weren’t bored while I was away?”
Just then, Henrik returned and regarded me with natural ease. I smiled softly, playing the gracious consort.
“Not at all, Your Highness. I was enjoying conversation with Prince Resicha and Princess Barsha.”
Henrik nodded and took his seat. The Sword Dance performance that followed proceeded without incident.
The evening passed without notable disturbance.
Yet Resicha’s words gnawed at me throughout the banquet. The moment we returned to our quarters, I went straight to my chambers and retrieved the Mirror. I didn’t even wait to explain anything to Henrik first.
Since arriving here, I had used Magic only to pay my debt to Henrik—hunting spies, investigating Antonio. I had never taken the trouble to inquire of the Mirror about Henrik’s family.
Henrik had never asked me to, either.
The reason was obvious. He was already watching them himself. Within his domain, I simply did my part.
As I handled the Mirror, I hesitated briefly, then turned it toward several of the spies I had previously reported to Henrik.
After casting Magic in rapid succession, my chest grew tight. I exhaled sharply, breathing hard.
“…Ah, someone’s been replaced.”
One of the spies I had reported on had been switched out. An entirely unfamiliar face now.
Henrik clearly hadn’t expelled them from the Royal Palace outright. Instead, he was manipulating the information they gathered to suit his purposes.
Since that day, even when I identified new spies and made my reports, his reactions remained much the same. He probably handled those from Francia similarly.
“Could Antonio have come here to confirm exactly that?”
If so, why had Resicha chosen this moment to speak to me like that? He’d always maintained the demeanor of a proper prince, offering nothing but courtesies, nothing untoward.
I steadied my ragged breathing and composed myself before entering the bedchamber. Henrik sat on the sofa as if he’d been waiting. Immediately, I reported what I’d discovered.
“Your Highness, do you know of someone named Baren who works in the Stable? Prince Resicha just mentioned…”
Henrik, with his legs crossed as he listened, answered in his characteristically unflustered tone.
“He would have been someone my brother employed. He’s testing your abilities.”
Watching his untroubled manner, I quickly grasped the truth—that he had already understood what I’d discovered through the Mirror and far more besides.
“You knew already, Your Highness.”
Of course. Henrik had many weapons at his disposal. One of his trusted knights must have uncovered it and reported back.
“My brother would do something like that. But he didn’t immediately replace the man. He needed to observe my movements. In any case, thanks to you, my brother can no longer use that particular gambit.”
Henrik, like a master who understood the value of his servants, offered his praise. Yet I felt a twinge of unease and found myself absently touching my lips.
“Even so, one cannot easily discern the full extent of my abilities.”
“That goes without saying.”
Henrik swept back his hair with a flick of his hand, then exhaled quietly.
“My brother could discern that you’re a witch’s daughter. He placed someone to watch me, after all.”
I had been warned to watch Resicha not long ago. Now, with a habit already formed, I ran my tongue across my dry lips.
“There’s no way he could have overheard that conversation. Only people you trusted were in Francia at the time, weren’t they?”
“That’s true. What I mean is, there are rumors circulating in Francia’s social circles.”
This was a reality I could not deny. The rumors that had emerged about me in Francia’s society were roughly three: that I was a witch’s daughter, that I bore the stain of illegitimate birth, that I was a divorced woman or barren.
Anyone in this court with keen ears would have heard news from the distant south long ago. Someone in Resicha’s position could certainly have learned of my disgrace, regardless of Henrik’s efforts to suppress it.
But he could not have been certain that I wielded Magic.
In Francia as here, only priests of the sacred order typically command such power.
Even Selena, who had been at my side since childhood, had only asked if I possessed such ability. She had never been certain.
The true gift my mother left me—Henrik himself did not know of it.
“Your abilities remain unknown to him. That is certain. The way he tested you is proof enough.”
“The manner in which he approached me… Yes, you’re right. If he knew my abilities, he wouldn’t have acted that way.”
Henrik nodded lightly in agreement.
“You exposed that spy your brother had been using for so long. That was quick.”
I studied Henrik’s eyes carefully. There were moments when they held a trace of ease, but now they seemed tilted toward something colder.
“I shall take greater care, Your Highness. I am at a loss for words, having caused you concern.”
“As for the other rumors, most nobles wouldn’t be privy to them. There shouldn’t be anything that damages your reputation.”
Rather than reproach me, Henrik spoke of the responsibility I carried. I bowed respectfully and offered my gratitude in measured tones.
Without thinking, I clenched my fists beneath the wide sleeves where he could not see them.

* * *
I had a strange dream.
The massive trees that had once held me fast had withdrawn into the distance. As if deliberately keeping their length from me.
Be careful, Atilenta.
Do you think you can escape from here? You don’t even know the way.
…What on earth is this.
I was weeping in the dream, searching for my mother, muttering absently. Even as the tears fell, that confusion remained sharp and vivid. I woke with a gasp.
“Hah….”
“Your Highness, did you cough?”
As if to announce that the same day was beginning again, Poznan entered with her customary courtesy and began to dress me.
Replaying the strange dream in my mind, I glanced as I always did at my reflection in the mirror on the vanity.
Suddenly, something felt profoundly wrong.

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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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