The Contract Marriage for Attilenta's Revenge - Chapter 42

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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 Contract Marriage Episode 42
With her lips pressed shut, discomfited by everything and nothing, Henrik approached her with measured calm.
“Atilenta. I’ve mentioned this before, but my maternal family’s circumstances were never favorable. Had I been truly alone, survival would have been impossible. I haven’t forgotten the aid you—and others—have given me.”
His words sounded to her like comfort. Whether from the surge of emotion or from her parched throat, she swallowed the gathered saliva.
It was useless to tell herself not to indulge in empty misunderstandings, childish as she felt. His words kept finding their way into her heart in that very way.
Atilenta. Whether or not you wish to rely on another, I am here—beside you. Now, as always.
Strangely, Atilenta felt her heavy lips and her anxiously churning insides gradually settle and grow calm.
The moment she felt herself soothed, she unconsciously shook her head.
‘No. Don’t give in to such foolish delusions.’
Atilenta steadied herself by reminding herself that her relationship with Henrik was merely a transaction, nothing more. And so she thought it better to propose a new contract to him instead.
“Then… Your Highness, if my help in this matter truly proved valuable, might you attend the ball that will soon be held in Francia with me? …As husband and wife, together.”
Henrik answered without hesitation.
“I hear my servants spoke to you of it already. I am your husband, after all. I’ve long considered it only natural.”
The heaviness that had weighed on her heart dissolved in an instant. This felt like the right thing, somehow.
It was far better that he show her this composed and ordinary demeanor than offer her cheap sympathy in hollow words.
“Thank you… Henrik.”
As if having finally fulfilled her duty, Atilenta let a bright smile bloom across her face.
The moment he saw that smile, radiant as a full rose.
Henrik could do nothing.
As if time itself had stopped, as if someone had bound him fast and immobilized him.
He could not tear his eyes from that smile. It was as though his very soul had left him. It had never happened before—he found himself ensnared by an unfamiliar emotion.
Could she smile so beautifully?
At first, she had been merely one of the tools he wielded. The more weapons one possessed, the better; there was no reason to refuse a capable person.
Living alongside her, he had come to know new things. That her abilities were more useful than he’d anticipated, and that once she had entered his domain, no one could harm her without consequence.
Was she merely that sort of person?
No different from the loyal knights he commanded—wasn’t that all?
It appeared not to be. Henrik’s heart began to pound as though he’d spent the night in fierce combat training.
Seeing her, who had lain ill for days, with a face that looked ready to break into tears, he felt the urgent need to soothe her as though some great calamity had befallen.
She had simply smiled with her usual courtesy, yet suddenly he felt the desire to give her something, anything.
He found himself thinking—wouldn’t she be even happier if she received something from him?
And so his own mood lifted in tandem. Without even deliberately raising the corners of his mouth, a satisfied smile formed of its own accord.
Suddenly, Henrik recalled her in the bathhouse one early morning, her swollen face still flushed with sleep.
When he felt something abruptly collapse within him, Henrik unconsciously withdrew his smile.
It was far too strange.
That dawn, he had thoughtlessly grasped and touched her wet hair. She had never asked for such an action, never mentioned a contract requiring it.
No—but she had done something similar before. The day she had deliberately touched his papers, he had seized her slender finger beaded with blood.
Had he done so deliberately to probe her anxiety, because she seemed so tense?
Even amidst such confusion, Henrik arrived—as he always did—at a clear and precise judgment.
I wish to draw far closer to her than I am now.
He felt no such desire from her in return.
Yet still, he could not look away from her. As one ensnared by rose vines.
Henrik, accustomed to it from a lifetime of practice, could do nothing but maintain an expression of composure.

* * *
“Your Highness, Prince Lesica has come to inquire after your health.”
I entered the Reception Room as Poznan led me, and seated myself upon the plush sofa placed in the center, then beckoned to Lesica.
“Please, come in, Your Highness.”
“How are you feeling?”
As though nothing had happened at all, Prince Lesica entered with his characteristic elegant stride. The servants following him carried various items in their hands.
I, too, paid my respects as I always had, as if there were no troubles whatsoever.
Henrik was nowhere to be seen, occupied elsewhere, but his knights kept this place under vigilant guard, so there was no need for anxiety.
“I have been managing quite well of late, much the same as always. It is thanks to your concern, Your Highness, that I fare so well.”
“I’m glad to hear of your recovery.”
Lesica made a graceful gesture, and the servants presented the carefully wrapped boxes.
Poznan immediately received them and opened them to inspect the contents.
“Your Highness, these are… most precious medicinal materials.”
Poznan’s admiration was not exaggerated, but I deliberately leaned forward slightly, gazing at the gifts spread before me on the floor with feigned wonder.
“Such generosity. I am most grateful, Your Highness.”
When dealing with Lesica, I thought it best to conduct myself with proper courtesy in this manner. Neither side wished to make the matter of my injury any larger than it was.
“I understand your feelings well enough—think nothing of it. The fault lay with me as well, so I do hope my sincerity does not appear wanting.”
Henrik would have sorted it out anyway, so stepping in to question Lesica myself wouldn’t look good at all.
“I understand that you examined the matter carefully. How could I possibly harbor any disrespectful thoughts?”
I offered a practiced smile—nothing excessive, just the gentlest curve of my lips.
“I heard he was recently appointed to the order. It’s an important post that you’ve given him an opportunity for, so a mistake here and there is only to be expected, isn’t it?”
“Truly generous of you. Should you ever need assistance, don’t hesitate to ask. You’re my brother’s companion—there’s no need for formality between us.”
Empty words. I smiled again and offered my gratitude.
Fortunately, Lesica didn’t linger, withdrawing promptly without further delay.
With my health restored through recent care, my body felt lighter than before. My first destination was the Library. But the moment I stepped through the door, I saw a knight clad in black armor.
“My lady, I shall accompany you.”
It was Sir Krakup, who never left Henrik’s side. There was undoubtedly a surveillance knight that Henrik had assigned to me, but it made no sense for Sir Krakup himself to take on that role.
To anyone’s eye, he occupied the most privileged position among Henrik’s knights.
“Why would you trouble yourself? I’m only going to the castle library—is that truly necessary?”
At my expression of confusion, Sir Krakup spoke with firm resolve in his steady voice.
“It is the lord’s command.”

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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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