The Contract Marriage for Attilenta's Revenge - Chapter 44

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Atilenta’s Contract Marriage for Revenge — Episode 44
“May Father’s blessing rest upon Bwendia.”
It was a subtle way of revealing that I was quite satisfied with my life in Bwendofska.
The king, who had sent Herson—still lacking in experience—to gauge my situation, clearly did not feel pleased about it, just as that delegation had looked at me with displeasure.
“It seems my daughter has already settled in quite well there.”
Of course, the king’s face remained perfectly composed. I let out a gentle, affectionate laugh, the very picture of a dutiful daughter.
Soon, as lively music filled the hall, we found ourselves seated in our designated places, reunited with Selena and Antonio.
The two of them stuck together like a harmonious couple. It would be foolish to claim I felt at ease, but in keeping with them, I leaned into Henrik as though seeking his support.
For a moment, my nominal husband faltered. But soon he wrapped a gentle arm around my shoulders.
The movement was so natural that no one watching would have caught that subtle pause.
I turned to him with a soft smile as though nothing had happened. Henrik answered with a subdued expression of his own.
“It is an honor to meet you, Prince of Bwendofska. We exchanged words briefly before, and I am truly delighted to share this glorious occasion with you.”
By rank, they greeted Henrik first—and in his native tongue, no less.
“Your Highness, it is a pleasure to see you again. I am Selena, an old friend of Atilenta’s. I hope the long journey was not too taxing? Atilenta, I have been waiting for nothing but the chance to see you since I sent that letter. How have you been?”
“It has been a while, Your Majesty. You appear unchanged and serene.”
Selena settled beside me at once, inquiring after my well-being, while Antonio added his own remark with practiced ease from beside her.
“Your complexion has improved considerably, which puts me at ease. I knew little of life there, but I imagined you would be quite occupied, becoming a prince’s consort.”
Selena’s manner toward me was warm and tender as always. Of course, now that I had become a foreign prince’s wife, I could have demanded formality from her.
But an important ceremony of this nation was underway, and I saw no reason to create trouble. I readily matched her tone.
“How thoughtful of you, Selena. My days have been peaceful. I have enjoyed myself at leisure in the beautiful gardens… thanks to His Highness’s considerable consideration.”
“I myself have found peace in my days since receiving you.”
Henrik gently brushed my shoulder with evident satisfaction. I smiled and leaned closer to him, feigning the shy demeanor of a new bride.
In truth, Selena’s concern—veiled as it was—held some merit. A prince of Henrik’s considerable authority would indeed have many people to see and many matters to oversee in his consort.
But I suspected Henrik had ensured I was spared such trifling duties.
There was nothing to gain by standing out unduly in the Palace, so I had taken to enjoying my days in blissful, untroubled leisure.
“Then all is well. Atilenta.”
Antonio nodded in agreement as he gently patted the smiling Selena on the arm.
The pair seemed to have choreographed even the flow of this conversation. They were, after all, so perfectly matched a couple.
How could two people be so insufferably alike?
As Selena sipped an elegant Francian cordial—a taste familiar to me—she leaned closer and whispered.
“Tell me, Atilenta… you seem to have recovered your health, yet there is… no news?”
She had touched, with exquisite precision, upon my disgrace. Her concern seemed proper and her words beyond reproach—at least to any onlooker.
I tilted my wine glass carefully, drawing no undue attention, and gave Selena a slight shake of my head.
“Do not worry, Atilenta. Remember that we are always here for you.”
I barely suppressed a bitter laugh. So that was it—they meant to pull me back into their web. I had suspected as much.
But was there some other scheme at play? Surely they could not simply divorce me at their will.
I had already freed myself from Francia, where I had been nothing but a puppet in their hands.
The Palace where I now dwelt was under Henrik’s watchful eye. Even here in this banquet hall, there would be his knights keeping watch, unobtrusive but present.
Such a thing would not be easily accomplished.
Today too, I thought of the mirror I kept hidden close to my heart. When I returned to my quarters later, I planned to use the mirror again. They had come all this way, to where they were staying—perhaps I could read something more from it.
“I wish we could dine together at leisure, but there are so many distinguished guests that I must excuse myself. Prince, I beg your understanding. Atilenta, you must have missed the food of this place—enjoy it in comfort. I have told the cook your preferences as well.”
Selena gave me a conspiratorial wink before rising from her seat with Antonio. As she had said, the surrounding area was filled with groups of people in various formal dress.
“Oh, and Prince Henrik, will you not join us? I recall you mentioning at the last banquet held here that you regretted not meeting someone.”
Before turning to leave, Antonio extended his invitation, and Henrik responded with crisp precision.
“I shall dine with my consort first and take my leisure at a measured pace.”
He spoke as any devoted husband might, emphasizing me. Yet his cold countenance did not entirely fade—he remained merely elegant and composed.
“It has been so long since I dined in this place. The occasion feels quite novel, my dear.”
Our table grew quiet once the intruders had departed. My peace of mind was hardly restored by their absence, but I now had ample opportunity to observe Henrik carefully.
“Did you miss it?”
Henrik regarded me with a faint, knowing smile.
Though Antonio and Selena had long since departed, I sensed he was mindful of the servants carrying wine and food, as well as the nobles watching from the periphery.
This solicitous expression and these words—it all seemed designed to appear more tender precisely because we were abroad.
“Not particularly. I find myself thinking only of the Steak from Bwendofska.”
He was offering deliberate kindness for the benefit of onlookers, and I had no reason to refuse it. I whispered in return, as though indifferent to this place, and offered him a light smile.
“Kobel’s cooking is special, after all. Even the salt used for dipping makes it delicious.”
“I find I agree with you entirely.”
Henrik answered with a refreshing smile.
One thing was certain: he smiled at me with increasing ease and brightness far more often than before.
Though truthfully, he had rarely lost his composure… except when I met with that accident; then he looked ready to seize someone and have them executed.
In any case, judging by his candid nature, one would not have thought he could adapt so readily to this place.
Dark hair and a sharp, defined nose and jawline created an overall cold impression, but when those gem-like eyes curved so smoothly across his face—it was something else entirely.
Especially the laughter that slipped from him in a voice as deep and hushed as an autumn night.
How others perceived him needed no further explanation.
When a man like that showed favor so readily, it elevated the standing of his wife—and what a bargain that was.
Quite the advantageous arrangement, all things considered.
“I confess I’m delighted to find myself thinking along the same lines as you, even in this distant place.”
I offered him a smile to match his own.
Henrik had always been surprisingly helpful with the smaller details of these important occasions.
Each time, I was reminded that I, too, would need to settle my debt with him. And as it happened, there was only one form of payment I could offer.

* * *
On the first night after the banquet ended, we were shown to the Guest Quarters—the very place reserved for distinguished foreign visitors, and where we had first met.
The nostalgia struck me immediately. Then, a knight in black armor had stopped me with unmovable resolve; now Krakup opened the doors before us as naturally as breathing.
“I found it quite comfortable during my last stay. I hope you’ll find it equally restful.”
Henrik settled into the sofa with the ease of someone arriving home, and the knight beside him handed over several documents.
“Everything appears to be in order—I’m sure I’ll sleep well tonight.”
I surveyed the room around us. Unfamiliar as it was, the lavish furnishings and refined pieces left nothing to criticize.
Though Henrik himself was visiting for only the second time, he moved with such natural grace that I found myself settling across from him and withdrawing the books I’d brought.
They were the ones he’d recommended and those I’d borrowed from the Library not long ago—histories of dragons and accounts of Bwendofska’s Magic. I wanted to reread them before sleep, and perhaps practice Magic afterward.
“I didn’t expect you to bring those all this way.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————