The Contract Marriage for Attilenta's Revenge - Chapter 61

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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 Contract Marriage for Revenge – Episode 61
Barsha pointed slowly to each small illustration drawn in the neat booklet.
“If you look at these pictures… they’re rather different from what you saw last time, aren’t they?”
“Yes, this time there seem to be unusually many paintings of flowers and gardens.”
“You’ve observed it perfectly. In the coming spring, I’m planning to hold an exhibition together with the artists I’ve supported before and some new ones I’ve discovered. Since it coincides with the Social Season Debut for young noblewomen, I chose this theme for the works. I thought it would be easier to draw a good response this way.”
Barsha smiled softly.
“The last time my brother and I put the royal treasures up for auction and donated the proceeds to the Temple, it was very well received. No one could deny that it helped my brother either. I’m hoping to do the same this time. So if you would join me directly, there could be no greater honor.”
I immediately agreed. It would help Henrik’s reputation, and I could earn more of Barsha’s goodwill toward me—a win on both sides.
“While I’m not as versed in the arts as Your Highness, if I can only learn deeply from this opportunity, then I myself would feel honored.”
Barsha gestured, and her lady-in-waiting handed me a booklet containing the biographical information and representative works of several painters.
In truth, it mattered little to me which artists came, but I read through it carefully to show I valued her effort.
“The information of that painter who appeared at His Highness’s banquet is also included here. They’re small pieces, but if you see them and find something you like, please let me know.”
“Did Your Highness prepare this detailed booklet yourself? I think it will get a good response from others as well.”
Barsha, still wearing a smile, moved closer to me and her feline eyes sparkled with mischief.
“I’m so glad you like it. Then, though it’s a bit early, wouldn’t you like to go look at clothes and accessories for that day together?”
This time too, I accepted without demurring. Barsha, who had relied only on Henrik since childhood, seemed to need a same-aged, same-sex friend in her own way.
“You’re welcome to call people if you’re more comfortable, but if you go out like this now and then, you’ll feel a different kind of joy.”
At first, I thought that as Henrik’s family, they would naturally not treat me favorably.
But this too proved to be far from my expectations.
Of course, this could still be Barsha’s false façade. Even so, there’s no reason to expose my distrust now.
“I’m ashamed to say I haven’t yet grown accustomed to the Bustling District. I’m already looking forward to being guided by Your Highness.”
I answered with an appropriate smile.
Watching Barsha, whose eyes couldn’t hide her excitement, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
Going shopping with a girl my own age.
I used to do this sometimes with Selena… come to think of it, that was all on Jaema’s orders.
Back then, I had even considered such things a luxury beyond measure.
There was no room to sink into negative thoughts. The Bustling District where I went out with Barsha was noisy from the entrance, and without thinking, I found myself looking out the carriage window.
Henrik’s knights and Barsha’s attendants followed us like shadows—though I couldn’t say when they’d attached themselves.
“Your Highness, I’d like to take you to my favorite café first. Would that be alright?”
“Of course. Since coming here, I’ve come to quite enjoy afternoon tea.”
Barsha led me enthusiastically to a charming café with a spacious, open terrace and only three or four well-crafted wooden tables.
It was strange to see flowers blooming in various colors around the fence fence, even though spring hadn’t arrived yet.
It was like a garden enclosed by beautiful vegetation. The air was thick with fragrant flowers—enough to catch the curiosity of passersby.
Of course, there was no one around. It seemed to be a place only high nobility frequented.
Leaving only the knights and attendants nearby, I began to leisurely appreciate the surroundings as I watched Barsha savoring her tea with ease.
“Does one of the artists Your Highness supports work here? The paintings on display seem to have a similar style to what I saw last time.”
Barsha, who had been cutting a large piece of cheesecake, opened her eyes round like a kitten.
“Your Highness truly has excellent taste. He doesn’t work here, but I deliberately put his works on display.”
With that, Barsha winked at me. Her manner was playful, but her intent was immediately clear.
That way, the artists she supported could be exposed to more of the important nobility.
Which in turn would enhance Barsha’s own reputation. Just as Henrik had been driven to the edge politically and forced to take the field, she too seemed to have walked and cultivated her own path with great care.
There were many ways to raise one’s standing. Wielding a weapon wasn’t the only answer.
“I could hardly compare to such a wise princess.”
So I found myself regarding her with a natural smile.
Perhaps because my heart had eased somewhat, I sampled the desserts she gladly offered me little by little and enjoyed this tranquility.
Just as I was thinking that spending a day like this, shopping comfortably, wouldn’t be so bad.
“Actually, I have something I’d like to ask of you.”
Barsha whispered in a very small, low voice. Though there were only her attendants nearby, so there was nothing particularly to be cautious about, her manner was deliberate.
“Please speak freely.”
“Well, Your Highness. I’m to be married soon.”
“His Highness mentioned it to me before. You have a fiancé—Duke Binnitsa, the young man recognized as a capable civil official.”
Barsha had a major event ahead of her, which was why Henrik had wanted to quietly suppress the commotion that had occurred earlier.
“Yes. The thing is, I want to know if he truly loves me with sincere affection. Now that the wedding is right before my eyes, I find myself very anxious about it.”
Her expression seemed transparent, but my hand holding the fork stopped immediately.
Good heavens, such pure devotion.
Barsha’s innocent love swelled in my heart like waves once again. After all, she expressed such genuine affection even toward her own brother—how much more toward her fiancé?
So that must be why Henrik said such a thing to me. It was an extraordinarily unfamiliar request—that I offer some advice to Barsha using my abilities.
Though it made sense coming from Henrik, I too needed to be careful. I cleared my throat and subtly probed Barsha.
“As for the dignity Duke Binnitsa of House Opolega possesses, his loyalty to the Crown, and moreover his sincere affection for Your Highness—I could hardly presume to judge. But if I can be of help to Your Highness, I would do so gladly. What exactly do you wish of me?”
Barsha rose from her seat and sat down beside me. Then she tilted her head slightly.
“You know how to read others’ hearts. Of course, the fact that I know this is also a secret. While other people often show curiosity about you at banquets, they cannot pry so presumptuously. Neither can I—my brother sees to that most rigorously.”
She still spoke with caution, but something flickered in my chest—a premonition.
It wasn’t merely that Henrik had tipped her off first. She must have discovered my ability through her own means.
“Your Highness, if I may be so bold as to ask—how did you know?”
A flash of something crossed her crystalline eyes.
“Mari proves quite capable, it seems.”
This was the moment I finally understood, in full, why Barsha carried that cat everywhere she went.
She hadn’t spelled out the circumstances outright, but did she, too, wield some extraordinary power?
Since when has she possessed such an ability? Why tell me now, of all times?
Questions naturally bloomed, one after another, but rather than press her, I found myself thinking again of the Mirror I carried close to my heart, as always.
Barsha seemed to believe I could simply read minds. Henrik himself harbored the same misconception about my abilities.
I, too, could not afford to reveal the truth easily.
I glanced down at the empty teacups and plates before us, then made my suggestion.
“Shall we change venues, Your Highness?”
If I were to use my Magic as she had requested—as Henrik had asked—a place where only we two remained would be most fitting.

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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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