The Credentials of a Couple (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 87

“I, too, know that there will come a moment when I must let go of hope. That is precisely why I publicly announced my husband’s disappearance. However, I have yet to even find his body.”

Emotions are not meant to be expressed in moments of excitement, but right now.

I deliberately dropped the rigid posture I had maintained until now, letting my head hang limply. If I had shown the world an unwavering Crayton until this point, it was now time to reveal vulnerability.

“Everyone insists my husband is dead, and I have met many who, rather than mourn his passing, only seek to further their own interests.”

“I understand you believe I’m feigning weakness to gain sympathy. But this isn’t something that can be resolved through such means. After all, you lack the qualifications yourself, don’t you?”

I remained silent for a moment, head still lowered, before accepting the handkerchief Septer offered me.

When I raised my head again, tears glistened at the corners of my eyes.

After lightly dabbing my eyes with the handkerchief, I spoke once more.

“…Then does Viscountess Fisher possess the qualifications?”

This time, instead of straightening my back proudly, I deliberately swayed slightly mid-motion, making it seem as though I were struggling to maintain composure.

There were two images I needed to project right now.

First, as a grieving wife who had lost her beloved husband; second, as the resolute leader guiding Crayton through sorrow. Both were essential.

Though they might seem contradictory at first glance, I absolutely had to embody both simultaneously.

Showing only the sorrow of a bereaved wife wouldn’t convince anyone I could fill Crayton’s vacant seat; conversely, displaying only leadership might cause Margaret’s false accusation of murder to take even deeper root.

I judged that navigating precariously between these two extremes would prove far more effective.

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