The Maid's Contract Marriage (1 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 12
“……”
I don’t understand anything anymore.
Are you sure you know what’s going on?
That I’m not really Miss Christina…?
“……”
All Reina had heard about him was that Arthur seemed to have figured it out.
And that after seeing Miss Christina, Arthur had simply said, “She’s not my wife.”
Ah, there was one more thing.
That he seemed angry, and she was merely being used for a while to calm this situation down.
Reina hugged her knees and timidly pressed her lips against them.
「Be thoroughly Christina in front of Arthur.」
「Even if he says he knows you’re a maid and tells you to relax, or tries to coax a confession out of you by claiming he already knows everything—deny it. Don’t give him any grounds.」
「Arthur probably expects you won’t answer anyway.」
「Be careful not to accidentally say anything that reveals you’re a maid, not even by mistake.」
「Remember, there are many eyes and ears within the mansion.」
「Don’t fall for leading questions—your careless words might trip us up.」
“……”
I don’t know.
It feels like it’s actually Sir Arthur who’s insisting on a falsehood, and it’s me who has questions.
I’m not your wife, after all.
Why do you pretend you don’t know?
Why do you keep me by your side?
“……”
If all of this is just part of a calculated interrogation, then he must be a truly frightening man.
Arthur opened his mouth.
“What are you thinking about?”
“……About you.”
“……”
Reina fell silent immediately after blurting out an honest answer without thinking.
She even wished she could sew her own lips shut.
Wanting to be alone together, then bursting into tears over acting affectionately…
And now saying she was thinking about him.
Am I going mad?
Arthur chuckled quietly to himself without looking at her.
“……”
For a moment, he looked so astonishingly handsome it stole her breath away.
It was a perfect picture.
Could jet-black hair and silver-gray eyes really complement each other this well?
He looked just like a statue.
Arthur shifted only his eyes toward Reina.
Without realizing it, Reina immediately averted her gaze.
“……”
She wanted to stop acting so flustered—she’d done it several times already and probably looked ridiculous—but his face was simply too handsome to meet directly.
If he’s watching me, I can’t even breathe.
“……”
Just as he seemed about to speak—
Knock knock.
The door burst open even before the knocking sound fully faded, before anyone could respond.
Reina jumped up from the bed in shock.
‘Marchioness Julius!’
She sprang up as if caught stealing something, hastily brushing her skirt and standing straight.
“Ma… Mother.”
She nearly blurted out “Madam” but barely managed to correct herself to “Mother.”
Cold sweat poured down her back as though she’d been caught in a secret tryst in front of her master.
She remembered clearly how meticulously and devotedly the Marchioness had prepared this bed.
Certainly, it wasn’t meant for a mere maid to sit upon.
The Marchioness watched Reina’s flustered state and smiled.
“Christina.”
In the next instant, Arthur also rose from the bed.
“……”
Arthur stepped toward Reina.
Gently, he took her wrist and pulled her softly behind him.
Startled, Reina stumbled slightly as she was drawn behind his back.
“Marchioness Julius.”
Arthur’s calm voice came from behind her.
“I wasn’t informed whether this room is the couple’s shared bedroom, my private quarters, or my wife’s personal chamber.”
He continued.
“But whichever it is, I assumed it would be a place where a married couple could comfortably spend time together. Was I mistaken?”
Reina, bewildered, looked from the back of Arthur’s head to the Marchioness’s face beyond him.
A heavy silence descended.
“……”
After quietly observing both Reina and Arthur for a moment, the Marchioness broke the stillness.
“…You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t do this anymore. I’ve always entered my daughter’s room like this—I didn’t realize I’d made a mistake.”
“……”
Unexpectedly, the Marchioness apologized gently.
Reina stared at her, inwardly shocked.
“I was so alarmed hearing my daughter was unwell that I forgot Sir Arthur would be here with her. I’ve been rude. Please forgive me if I’ve offended you.”
“……”
Did Madam even know how to speak so kindly?
It was astonishing, but she had no time to marvel at it.
Every time the Marchioness casually called her “my daughter,” cold sweat seeped out.
Was this really acceptable?
Surely Sir Arthur would sneer at her with icy contempt any second now…?
“……!”
The next moment, their eyes met.
Reina froze like a rabbit facing a viper.
She lowered her head and trembled her lips.
She could feel the Marchioness silently demanding immediate action from her.
In an instant, Reina understood exactly what the Marchioness wanted.
She had to say something—right now.
“I’m… sorry for causing you worry… Mother.”
With her head bowed, she couldn’t see Arthur’s expression.
The Marchioness smoothly took over, speaking with genuine concern.
“I heard from Doctor Lorenson. Are you all right?”
Reina forced a stiff smile and replied.
“Yes. I suppose I just grew tired from standing too long in the cold wind.”
The Marchioness examined Reina anxiously.
Reina stood still, submitting to her inspection.
She was surely checking for any impropriety.
Reina didn’t know if such things could be seen with the eyes—but she almost wished the Marchioness could see right through her.
After staring at Reina with apparent worry, the Marchioness sighed deeply, her voice dripping with concern.
“How can you be so frail?”
After that, everything flowed naturally.
Reina stammered, asking Arthur if she could speak privately with her “mother” for a moment to reassure her.
“……”
Arthur let her go.
“Go ahead, my lady.”
He offered a dry smile, only the corners of his lips lifting emotionlessly.
Naturally, the hand that had been holding hers was released.
Earlier, when they’d been alone, she’d wanted to run away.
But now that she was let go, she felt strangely unsettled.
[This is the timeline separator]“Well done, Reina.”
At the Marchioness’s first words, Reina instinctively felt relief.
Honestly, she’d braced herself for a slap…
But it seemed the Marchioness understood that using the young lady’s bedroom had been unavoidable, and that was reassuring.
However, the Marchioness’s next words made Reina’s heart sink again.
“Since you’re handling it so well, I suppose it’s fine to keep you in that role a bit longer.”
Reina’s face went pale.
“What?”
More…?
No, please take me out quickly.
The Marchioness sat on the sofa, unfolding her fan as she continued.
“Arthur still hasn’t come to the negotiating table. He seems to want to keep you by his side as if flaunting some advantage he holds over us. It’s childish, but… we’re also preparing something to offer him in return, so a little patience won’t hurt. I’ll ask you to continue just a bit longer.”
The Marchioness spoke softly, yet her eyes remained cold.
Not showing her anxiety in front of a mere maid was the Marchioness’s final shred of dignity.
“Still, it’s fortunate you’re such a perceptive child. If you’d been useless, it would’ve been rather awkward. I must say, I find you quite dependable. I’m truly grateful.”
“……”
What did that mean?
Reina stared blankly at the Marchioness, fear mingling with confusion as she heard hollow praise that rang utterly insincere.
The Marchioness glanced at her briefly, then turned away.
Clack.
Head Maid Mrs. Hurst had quietly approached, carrying a tray with a single teacup.
“Drink this.”
The Marchioness said.
Reina froze slightly, staring at the mysterious cup.
It contained a dark liquid faintly tinged with red.
“What… is this?”
The Marchioness smiled.
“It’s medicine, given in gratitude.”
She personally lifted the cup from the tray and handed it to Reina.
“It will protect your dreams.”
“……”
The moment she heard those words, Reina understood what kind of medicine it was.
It was a contraceptive.
Though she’d never seen it in person, Reina remembered whispers among the maids about the “crimson-red brew” used to prevent pregnancies.
She also knew it was terribly harmful—many maids became infertile or fell ill after drinking it—but she couldn’t even protest that nothing had happened between her and Arthur. She accepted the poisoned cup the Marchioness offered.
“……”
Even if I said I didn’t sleep with Sir Arthur… she wouldn’t believe me, would she?
Trying to avoid the medicine would only make it seem like I’m trying to entangle myself with him somehow.
Honestly, whether we slept together or not, the Marchioness had no reason not to give me this as insurance…
And if she called it a precaution against an uncertain future, there’d be nothing I could say.
All she needed was assurance that I wouldn’t become an obstacle to Lady Christina.
「I won’t do it if you don’t want to.」
“……”
Why did that thought come to mind now…?
Reina lifted the cup with both hands and brought it to her lips.
The medicine was bitter and foul.
“…Cough.”
She coughed softly after swallowing it all.
Seeing Reina finish the medicine, Mrs. Hurst handed her a piece of candy.
Reina accepted it with both hands, saying, “Thank you,” and obediently placed it in her mouth.
The Marchioness gave her next order.
“Minimize going out, and above all, avoid appearing before Lord Rembrandt at all costs—no matter what excuse you make. He’s an imperial guest staying at the mansion, understand? If he sees your face, things will get complicated. Claim you’re unwell, or that you don’t wish to meet any man besides your husband.”
“Yes, Madam.”
The Marchioness paused briefly before adding.
“And one more thing—I’d like you to do something for me.”
What else could there possibly be…?
A bad feeling crept over her.
The Marchioness continued.
“If you carry out this task flawlessly, I’ll pay you ten times your weekly wage. Every week, for however long it takes.”
Reina was startled.
Ten times? Was such pay even possible?
With that money…
“……”
For a moment, Reina wavered—but soon leaned toward refusal.
It was already dangerous enough.
If the Marchioness was offering that much, the task must be extremely perilous.
That money wasn’t worth more than her life.
Above all, Reina’s greatest wish was to return safely to her grandmother.
With pitiful earnestness, she furrowed her brows, ready to express that she was too fearful and inadequate to accept such a weighty responsibility.
“Madam…”
But the Marchioness added an offer Reina couldn’t refuse.
“I’ll send Taylor to your home. Taylor Lorenson—the son of Doctor Lorenson, your family physician.”
“……”
Reina hesitated at this unexpected proposal.
Taylor Lorenson.
The physician’s son who resided with his father at the Marquis’s estate—and served as the household’s second doctor.
「Taylor is quite skilled for his age. He’ll inherit Doctor Lorenson’s position as the Julius family physician once his father retires, so his abilities are reliable.」
‘Grandmother.’
Her heart pounded.
The Marchioness continued.
“Well? I understand you share a special bond. Doesn’t this seem like a rather appealing offer?”
[This is the timeline separator]Arthur sat quietly in a chair, arms folded, tapping his fingers lightly against his arm.
After a moment, he unfolded his arms, reached for a cigar on the desk, and lit it.
He exhaled slowly, and a long stream of smoke drifted through the room.
…I see.
There might have been another man.
After all, that marriage wouldn’t have been genuine either…
An aura rippled.
A sensation only Arthur could feel.
Waiting for them on another floor, a faintly cold, mocking smile settled gently on Arthur’s lips.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
MANGA DISCUSSION
1 Comment
Chapter Comments (36)
Oh my gosh my heart aches for reina… everyone is just tossing her around
Oh gosh reina 🥺… even in this day and age taking contraceptives mess you up … I can’t even imagine how it was back then. ( yes I’m aware it’s fiction but sympathy is free)
Aww I hope there is a way for him to get his sight back🥺.
Inline Comments (172)
I wanted the time we spent together to remain good memories.
Not possible brother… you two can’t be on equal standing. Reina has a bigger threat looming over her and she can’t even be her self around you
"Say it again, but longer."
This is the second time he has said this lol 😆 , blunt isn’t he
After long hesitation…
Ohh that’s a whole other can of worms waiting to be opened
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Saraluvsleads
Omgosh I forgot how much I dislike the misunderstanding trope