The Credentials of a Couple (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 4
Even though I knew my husband had another woman, and even though my former lover had returned, my daily life hadn’t changed much—or rather, it absolutely had to remain unchanged.
No matter how elegantly and beautifully I tried to wrap it up, high society was barely any different from the wild.
If I left even the slightest opening, they would all pounce like ravenous hyenas and tear apart everything I had—just as they had done long ago.
“Sigh…”
I knew well enough that, especially now, I had to get along with Bake.
The more the Marquess Crayton and his wife appeared harmonious, the more the rumors would fade away.
I exhaled a heavy breath and listlessly shook my head.
My fallen hair obscured my vision like iron bars.
I knew better than anyone else.
Despite appearances, my daily life was already unraveling.
The moment I realized how lovely the maid’s face looked while she combed my hair, I couldn’t let her handle my hair again, and after seeing Bake chatting with the head maid, I’d pondered writing letters of recommendation countless times.
Even though my husband himself showed no change whatsoever from his usual self.
Slowly, I picked up the ring resting on my dressing table.
The wedding band I’d worn every day since marrying Bake had lost its luster, unable to withstand the passage of time.
“Make your decision, Lady Crayton. Much will change depending on your choice.”
I could no longer look at the ring and covered it with my hand.
The firm sensation pressing against my palm was enough to bring back that day’s memories.
Slowly, I opened my hand and slid the ring onto my ring finger.
I couldn’t afford to lose everything again, helpless and inactive as before.
This time, too, there was something I had to protect.
With my arms crossed, I stood quietly, gazing upward at the wall until my eyes settled on a particular spot.
Portraits of past Marquesses Crayton lined the wall in succession, yet there was no place for my father among them.
Only Bake’s solemn portrait occupied the spot where my father should have been.
“Kevin.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“When is Bake coming?”
“He said he’s having dinner with Count Naret to discuss business.”
“I see. Then I’ll have to dine separately today.”
Even as I replied, my eyes remained fixed on the portrait.
My father’s face, absent even in portrait form, was growing ever more indistinct in my memory.
“Shall I prepare your meal?”
“No. There’s no need. I already have a prior engagement.”
“A prior engagement? May I ask where you’ll be going?”
“The Crayton Hotel.”
“……”
“Well? Is there a problem?”
“No, my lady. I’ll prepare the carriage immediately.”
Kevin quickly bowed and hurried away.
Watching the retreating back of the old butler, I pursed my lips lopsidedly.
“M-My lady?!”
“Did you see a ghost? Why are you so startled?”
“It’s just that you arrived without any notice, so I worried something serious might have happened.”
The manager rubbed his hands together and gave an awkward laugh.
“I have a dinner appointment.”
I slowly surveyed the hotel lobby.
True to its reputation as the finest hotel in the capital, the lobby was splendid and immaculate.
At a glance, nothing seemed out of place.
“Any significant problems running the place?”
“His Grace has been looking after us well—how could there be any issues?”
“I heard you’ve been too busy with other ventures to pay attention to the hotel.”
“Now that you mention it, it has been quite some time since I last saw His Grace. Is he well? Please do ask him to visit us whenever he has time.”
“Understood. I’ll be sure to pass it along.”
I smiled calmly and turned away.
But my hand gripping the fan was clenched tightly.
I’d expected it, yet actually confirming it left a foul taste in my mouth once again.
Bake’s lies were far more cunning than I’d imagined.
“You’ve arrived?”
Entering the room I’d been shown, familiar faces greeted me.
Only then did I finally relax my grip.
“Cheshire. Rose.”
“I missed you, sister!”
I embraced Rose as she leapt into my arms, then smiled at Cheshire standing beyond her.
“Have you both been well?”
“Of course! You’ll be shocked when you hear what I’ve been up to this time—”
“I found what you asked for, sister.”
“Cheshire! I was just about to—”
“If I listened to all your chatter, we’d never get to the point.”
Cheshire grabbed Rose by the scruff of her neck, pulled her away from me, and immediately handed me the envelope he’d brought.
“It’s what you requested.”
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. Anything you ask of me, I’ll do. We’re close enough for that, aren’t we?”
Cheshire grinned and held out the envelope once more.
Instead of taking it, I simply looked up.
“Actually, I have another request.”
“I already told you—I’ll do anything you ask, sister.”
“……”
“Is it something difficult to say?”
I looked straight at Cheshire, who tilted his head in confusion.
I’d always thought of him as just a child, but with his hair neatly swept back from his forehead, he looked surprisingly like a proper young man.
After a moment’s hesitation, I slowly began to speak.
I didn’t want to make such a request, but there was no one else I could trust.
“I need you to find someone.”
“Someone?”
“It seems Bake has another woman.”
The moment the words left my lips, a heavy silence fell.
I forced a smile, trying my best to appear indifferent.
The very fact that I had to make such a request was dreadful, but this wasn’t the time to worry about pride.
“Shall I kill him? Just say the word! I’ll find that damn bastard right now and—”
“Calm down. Sister hasn’t finished speaking yet.”
Cheshire stopped Rose, who looked ready to charge off immediately.
Yet even Cheshire seemed at a loss for words, his mouth opening and closing several times before he firmly shut it again.
Pretending not to notice the veins standing out on Cheshire’s tightly clenched fist, I continued.
“I have no intention of divorcing him.”
“……”
“And I don’t plan to let this issue blow up.”
I took the envelope from Cheshire’s hand and checked its contents.
Then let out a short, bitter laugh.
This time was no different from before.
Without looking further, I stuffed the papers back into the envelope.
Just from the documents Cheshire had initially given me, I’d realized it instantly.
For the past month, Bake had been lying to me consistently.
And now, reviewing this new report, I understood again:
Bake had started lying to me far longer ago than I’d thought.
Yet even with that repulsive truth laid bare before me, my decision remained unchanged.
Meriel needed a father.
“Find Bake’s woman as discreetly as possible—without anyone finding out.”
“If it has to be discreet…”
Rose started to speak but quickly covered her mouth.
I simply smiled without a word.
“Once we find her, should we inform you separately? Or just deal with her ourselves?”
“……”
I paused at Cheshire’s question.
Truthfully, I was curious about her.
How beautiful she was, whether she had a good nature, and how deeply she loved my husband.
Whenever I thought of that woman—whose name and face I didn’t even know—countless questions swirled in my mind.
But at the same time, I didn’t want to know.
Because the moment I saw her face, I feared I’d never be able to forget it for the rest of my life.
Closing my eyes briefly, I added quietly:
“Just handle it. Make sure I never have to think about her again.”
Pretending not to notice the trembling in my own voice as I spoke those words.
“Sending away all the servants so suddenly? Has there been some change of heart?”
“They’re all getting older. I thought it’d be better to help them live comfortably rather than burden them with hard work.”
I watched silently as the servants departed.
Most of the household staff had been here since my father was still the head of the house.
Having spent so much time together, I’d believed we understood each other better than anyone else.
But it seemed that very closeness had become our undoing.
I lowered my eyes slightly, fingers lightly tracing my earring.
Though I couldn’t yet identify the woman, I did have suspicions.
The woman’s earring had been found inside the mansion, and Bake carried the scent of soap used exclusively within the estate.
It was highly likely the woman either lived in the mansion or had regular access to it.
It wasn’t as if this affair had lasted just a day or two—the servants couldn’t possibly have remained unaware of the farce unfolding inside the house.
They simply chose silence and complicity.
Without realizing it, I’d gripped the earring so tightly that its pin pricked my fingertip, yet I kept watching those who were leaving.
I knew this wouldn’t end so easily.
It had already been over ten years since Bake became Marquess Crayton.
That he’d seized control of everything belonging to House Crayton was, in hindsight, almost inevitable.
It was highly likely that Bake’s clever friends—and even those who’d once served my father—had all sided with him, deliberately blinding me.
The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth.
“It must feel empty. They say you don’t miss the chair until you get up from it. After sending away people you’ve known for so long, you must feel strange.”
“It’s fine. After all, I still have you.”
Not everyone had turned away.
Something remained.
I smiled at Margaret.
Even when everyone else had abandoned me, my friend still stood by my side.
“I’d be glad if I can be any comfort to you. That’s all I can offer, after all.”
“All? That means more to me than you know.”
“You’re the one giving me strength, honestly.”
Margaret gave an embarrassed smile and fidgeted with her fingers.
She was suspected as the prime suspect in the murder of her husband, Viscount Fisher.
My friend, who couldn’t even bring herself to kill an insect.
“It’s a false accusation. They’ll clear you soon.”
“…Do you think so?”
“Of course. So don’t worry about it. No matter what anyone says, I know you’re innocent.”
“…Thank you. And I’m sorry.”
Margaret reached out her hand.
Her fingertips, as they touched mine, trembled faintly.
“Don’t apologize between friends. When I was struggling, you stayed by my side too. I’m just repaying that kindness.”
“……”
“It’s alright—relax your expression and let’s have some tea. I just received some excellent tea leaves. I’m sure you’ll like them.”
I stood up to fetch the tea leaves myself.
I could have asked a maid, but personally, I preferred brewing my own tea.
“No, you don’t need to make tea for me. I can’t drink any anyway.”
“Can’t drink? Why?”
“It’s just…”
“Are you still feeling unwell? Maybe I really should have called a physician.”
I frowned slightly, then stopped.
At some point, Margaret’s eyes had grown red and teary.
She looked both embarrassed and as if she might burst into tears at any moment.
“I’m with child.”
“With child?”
I couldn’t say another word and swallowed hard.
Then, as if in a trance, I slowly moved my head.
At the edge of my vision stood Margaret, both hands protectively cradling her abdomen.
When the male lead is punished by carrying the female lead’s child and having periods like a woman
“I’ve given birth to two children for you, yet you still think about him.
Was I nothing but his substitute to you from beginning to end?”
Synopsis:
Meng Huan, a scumbag who has dated countless girlfriends, transmigrates to a female-dominated country.
Day 1: Whether it’s female dominance or not doesn’t matter. The beauties here are passionate and amorous. Isn’t it easier to date them than in modern times?
Day 2: After a night, Meng Huan discovers the differences in the female-dominated world. Men here actually have chastity locks and menstrual cycles. This hinders his ability to perform, damn it!
Day 3: What’s wrong with sleeping around? I don’t want you to marry me. I’m meant to be a playboy. I don’t care about male virtues… What? You want to drown me in a pig cage? Marry, I’ll marry!
Day N: Meng Huan inexplicably vomits and receives the shocking news of his life… He’s pregnant.
_____
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