The Contract Marriage for Attilenta's Revenge - Chapter 53

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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 53
The morning of the tea party, Henrik was unusually attentive to me from the start.
“Have a safe outing. If any trouble arises, let me know at once.”
I thanked him briefly and set out immediately.
Following the servant Barsha had sent, I arrived at the Greenhouse, where soft music drifted through the air despite the early hour, and a delicate fragrance hung thick all around.
“Your Highness. Welcome!”
Inside the Greenhouse, the atmosphere was warm and intimate, wholly separate from the tangle of thoughts in my heart.
“Have you been well? It feels like an age since we last met. I’ve prepared a seat just right for you.”
Barsha greeted me as warmly as always. She had no idea, surely, that her brother and I were caught in recent tension.
“I’m grateful and delighted that you always receive me so kindly. Marie, hello there. How have you been?”
The cat Marie was nestled in her arms. I engaged with her and the other cats while my eyes drifted casually over the surroundings.
“It’s so warm here—it feels like a world apart from outside.”
I spoke as if genuinely moved by the Greenhouse’s beauty. Inwardly, I was gauging whether anyone present might sense the conflict between Henrik and me.
“I’m so relieved to hear it. This gathering is being held under your own auspices, and to have you choose my Greenhouse of all places—truly, I could hardly sleep from anticipation.”
“I’ve never seen a garden quite so lovely as this one.”
Barsha released a soft laugh. As we continued our pleasant exchange, a few approached with delicate steps.
“Your Highness, thank you for the invitation. We’ve brought gifts as a token of our deep appreciation.”
It was Tatra of the Biaubi house. I also spotted a daughter of the Iasha family, whom I’d seen at a previous tea party Barsha had hosted.
“We do hope you’ll be pleased with what we’ve prepared.”
Both wore gracious masks, similar yet subtly different in their appeal.
Tatra let her abundant golden hair fall luxuriantly where it could be seen from a distance, while the Iasha daughter’s striking features were her flushed cheeks and delicate, expressive eyes.
“Your presence makes this gathering all the brighter. I receive your gifts with a grateful heart. Now, do enjoy yourselves.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Soon they drifted into circles with those they knew, exchanging conversation.
“This winter has been unusually warm—it’s been rather pleasant.”
“Surely that’s thanks to Bwendia’s abundant blessings.”
“And also, I believe, to Prince Henrik’s safe return not long ago.”
“Speaking of which, you have grown children, don’t you? You must be looking forward to the spring social season.”
“Oh, I thought the Iasha daughter would certainly debut as well.”
A name caught my ear—distinctly from the table behind me. I tilted my head slightly.
I turned my attention that way while moving naturally enough not to seem overly interested.
I sipped my fruit tea thoughtfully and offered those at my table a soft smile.
In settings like this, the art of appearing not to hear is indispensable.
“Of course, winter is a season of blessings and glory, yet who wouldn’t look forward to the spring that’s approaching?”
From behind me came the anticipation and demure excitement one would expect from women of marriageable age enjoying the social season.
“How curious—we think alike, madam. Miss Iasha, is there perhaps someone special on your mind? That young gentleman you danced with at the last soirée, perhaps—”
The romantic interests of the Iasha daughter were naturally none of my concern, but knowing such things couldn’t hurt, especially since she was close with Tatra.
“How kind of such a distinguished lady to take notice of me. But I’m afraid… I’m rather embarrassed to say, but it seems too early to speak with certainty of such matters. I’m aware too that there are things beyond one’s own will.”
The noblewomen exchanged satisfied smiles at this modest reply.
Then it came.
“Do you truly mean that? Miss Iasha. I watched quite carefully as you danced with that gentleman. Even if there were a way to win his heart, would you still hesitate?”
A very low voice slipped in deliberately.
Laughter burst forth in girlish, trilling peals.
“Oh my, Miss Koshalin!”
“What a amusing jest that was!”
“Though if Miss Koshalin says it, it seems it may not have been mere jest?”
“Hmm, well… I have heard certain things. That you’re quite knowledgeable about such… mysterious magical items, and all.”
The direction of the conversation began to catch my interest more acutely.
What exactly was this “mysterious” thing?
I’d become somewhat familiar with the notable figures circulating in Bwendofska’s high society thanks to Poznan’s careful documentation, but I had no way of knowing what information passed secretly among them.
If it was something of interest during one’s most passionate years—
A thought struck me suddenly.
Even in Francia, where I’d lived in isolation, there were rumors that occasionally drifted through.
A special love potion was sometimes mentioned in magical texts—not formally published by temples, but referenced nonetheless.
Could the Koshalin daughter be a mage herself? Or did she handle items akin to such? Or perhaps she knew of shops that dealt in such things?
But if matters of the heart were truly so easily manipulated, I wouldn’t have lived with such bitter regrets.
Should I find out more?
The impulse, struck on whim, felt rather promising.
If this chance led even as far as Tatra, and I managed to grasp something useful, I might have information worth giving Henrik.
At that moment, Barsha whispered something very softly to me.
“Your Highness, there’s certainly no shortage of fascinating conversation here, is there? If you don’t mind, I do hope you’ll host gatherings like this more often. You’re precisely the sort of woman every noblewoman dreams of becoming.”
I gracefully turned the compliment back toward her.
“It’s only more delightful because you’ve all been so kind as to join me. And I must confess, the Princess’s generosity in lending us such a thoughtful garden is the true reason for our pleasure.”
Though I suspected her admiration ran deeper than mere sincerity.
In that instant, my eyes met Tatra’s across the table. She gave me a seductive smile.
“How right you are. The Princess’s Greenhouse is truly magnificent, with such vibrant blooms—it reminds me of the spring ball that’s coming so soon.”
The woman seated beside Tatra nodded in agreement and added her own words. Tatra then turned her gaze smoothly toward me with a question.
“Do you look forward to that time as well, Your Highness? They say Bwendofska’s spring carries such a fresh, gentle fragrance. I do hope you’ll find that season as delightful as you do now. I myself have been anticipating such a ball with great eagerness. Hehe.”
Facing this beautiful and forward young woman, I found myself remembering the day I’d confessed to Henrik how unsettling her opposition had been.
If I thought honestly about how Henrik had been treating me lately, I couldn’t help but conclude that I’d created a rival with my own hands.
……Yes, it seemed I had finally accepted it.
That he—at least for now—was sincere.
“You’re quite right, Miss Biaubi. How could I not look forward to spring spent in Prince Henrik’s company?”
I watched Tatra deliberately, as she smiled as though she harbored no feelings for him at all, offering her agreement.
After all, everyone here believed me to be an intimate wife to him. Even Tatra, who cherished Henrik so dearly.
Perhaps this was the moment to make him wholly mine, Atilenta.

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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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