The Maid's Contract Marriage - Chapter 43

“I went to the battlefield thinking my wife would be safe and comfortable. But tell me, how have you been while I was away?”

Reina stared at him blankly, at a loss for words.

She felt strange.

She should be worried about her slip-up about eating spoiled fish.

But she couldn’t understand why she felt this way.

This was all just an unfunny act…

Her chest felt oddly heavy.

She had never thought life as a marchioness was that difficult.

Was it actually hard?

Now that her body was comfortable, was she just being a crybaby?

Trying to suppress the heaviness in her chest, Reina lowered her head and tried to calm herself.

He’s not my husband.

He’s the young lady’s husband.

I mustn’t be mistaken.

He’s from a different world.

And I need to return to grandmother.

“Your role is simply to quell the current uproar. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“…”

Recalling what the marchioness had told her was slightly helpful.

Reina smiled and opened her mouth.

“…Thank you for your concern. But it’s not like that.”

But for some reason, her voice seemed to tremble as if she might cry.

Flustered, Reina pretended to be brave, lifted her head, cleared her throat with a “hem”, and said,

“Who would dare to serve me spoiled fish?”

Fortunately, her second attempt sounded much calmer.

“So, what happened was…”

But before she could continue her excuse.

Arthur let out a short sigh with a stern face and cut off Reina’s words.

“My lady.”

At Arthur’s next words, Reina’s heart dropped to the floor.

“I was under the impression that the treatment of maids in the marquis’ household was quite good. I’d even heard that the Julius mansion was a coveted workplace for maids.”

“…!”

Arthur looked at her.

“But the more I see you, it doesn’t seem to be the case.”

His lips moved as he stared at her.

“Was I mistaken?”

Reina stared blankly at Arthur, holding her breath.

Her heart pounded, and her blood ran cold.

“Are you really doing well?”

Arthur was staring at her.

And Reina felt as if she was being stripped bare in front of him.

[This is the timeline separator]

Clip-clop, clip-clop…

Whoa, whoa.

Screech.

With the coachman’s call, the carriage came to a stop in front of a small, old house on the outskirts of Julius.

As he helped Alvin Lorenson disembark with a small bundle of luggage, the coachman of the Julius family bid farewell.

“Then I’ll come to pick you up in about two hours. Take your time with your business and come out.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Hiya!

The coachman pulled on the reins and the carriage departed.

“…”

Professor Lorenson watched the departing marquis’ carriage for a moment.

“Father!”

Having heard the carriage, Taylor quickly opened the door and came out of the house.

He then took the bundle of luggage from his father’s hand.

“You must be tired. No other luggage today?”

He was diligent. Quick and with a good expression.

“…”

Alvin Lorenson let out a hollow laugh.

It was obvious why his son was acting this way.

“I thought I said I wouldn’t just allow anyone. Why are you acting like someone who’s already set a wedding date?”

Taylor’s eyes widened at his father’s remark, then he burst out laughing.

“It’s not like that.”

The son’s ears were red as he swiftly went ahead with the luggage.

Raising children…

Alvin Lorenson rolled his eyes.

“You… You didn’t foolishly send a letter right away saying your father gave permission or anything like that, did you?”

“Ah, what nonsense… We’re not even dating. I told you, it’s just me who likes her.”

Alvin Lorenson snapped.

“Boy. Would you believe that if you were in her shoes?”

A professional in the upper class, and a young, handsome, and decent man like this says he likes her – how could a mansion maid refuse that?

It would be a socially respected profession, and not so high-ranking nobility that she couldn’t reach.

She’d be kind and naive…

Sigh.

It was a mistake to raise this boy in the Julius mansion.

Among the Julius maids, famous for their high wages, there were quite a few beauties.

But still, girls who do hard work in places like this often have twisted fates.

Even that Reina girl, though quite a beauty, her situation only brings sighs.

If she were the mistress of a high-ranking noble, she might dream of changing her fate, but that girl’s situation is really hopeless.

Not even a proper mistress, but a bride stand-in who can’t reveal her existence, losing her body in the process.

If she at least became an official mistress, she could receive protection under Arthur’s name.

But ‘Christina Julius’s man’ is an important image for Arthur as well,

In this situation, would Arthur even accept that girl as his mistress?

When it’s uncertain how much Arthur or the marquis’ family will take responsibility.

It’s like she’s getting the short end of the stick from both sides.

When you think, oh well, if she’s a Julius maid, she’ll probably be a beauty and capable enough, but…

When you see a girl like that, you think ah, maybe she’s not meant to be a maid after all, and it becomes troubling.

Of course, cases as hopeless as that girl’s are rare…

“It’s really not like that.”

His son’s face was flushed as he turned back at the door.

Then, looking elsewhere and pushing the door open with his body, he muttered softly.

“I’m planning to confess and ask to date seriously now…”

Suddenly feeling exasperated?

“…”

His son, embarrassed, tried to change the subject.

“…Father, shall I massage your shoulders?”

Even more exasperating?

“No need, boy.”

Alvin Lorenson followed him in, speaking gruffly.

“I have a lecture trip next week. So you come to the mansion that day and take care of my work instead. I’ve already spoken to the madam and young lady.”

“Ah… Yes!”

Next week.

Finally, I’ll see Reina.

Alvin confirmed with a sigh and a grumpy tone.

“You said you finished organizing the report content, right?”

Taylor nodded confidently.

“Yes.”

Professor Lorenson hesitated for a moment.

The marchioness had said she trusted Alvin Lorenson regarding confidential matters, so he could handle it as he saw fit.

It was permission to disclose what Alvin Lorenson knew to Taylor as well, and the method was left to Alvin Lorenson’s discretion.

“…”

It wasn’t pleasant to talk to his kind and innocent son about the dark secrets of the noble family they had long served, and which his son would also serve for a long time.

But it was something that had to be done.

After a moment of silence, Alvin Lorenson spoke as he took off his hat.

“Working for the Julius family, you won’t only see the clean side of things.”

Taylor stood facing his father, keeping his mouth shut.

“Yes, I know.”

Taylor also knew that Julius wasn’t a gentle and righteous noble family.

He also knew that the family had many undisclosed secrets that he didn’t fully understand.

His father was about to talk to him about it for the first time, now that he was officially taking on work for Julius.

“Unjust things. Absurd things… Sometimes there might be things that are unacceptable to your values. But you’re a doctor, and we’re not the only doctors in the world. If you refuse, eventually someone else will do it.”

Alvin Lorenson continued.

“If you don’t help, it could be an even greater misfortune for the patients right away.”

Alvin Lorenson spoke while looking into Taylor’s eyes.

“I hope you’re adult enough to understand that.”

“…”

Alvin Lorenson didn’t dwell on the heavy topic for too long and changed the subject matter-of-factly.

“There’s a medicinal tea that’s served to the young lady every day, you’ll prescribe that. Say thank you for trusting and entrusting us, that we’re doing the work well. Talk about grandmother’s health, listen to what they say, and come back.”

Taylor blinked.

“…To Christina, the young lady?”

…Not to Reina or the marchioness?

After a brief pause, Alvin Lorenson nodded.

“Yes. You’ll understand when you go there.”

His father’s answer was somewhat strange.

Anyway, Taylor nodded and asked.

“Alright. I’ll do that. What kind of medicinal tea is it?”

Professor Lorenson answered.

“Black deer antler mushroom, fire dragon tree bark, athasil fruit. And water brewed with burned aluchino root.”

“…”

Taylor hesitated upon hearing the names of the brutal medicinal ingredients his father mentioned.

“…Pardon?”

Alvin Lorenson was taking off his gloves, not looking at Taylor.

Taylor looked at his father, doubting his own ears.

“That’s… an abortifacient, isn’t it? And you’re saying the young lady drinks this every day?”

[This is the timeline separator]

Be thoroughly Christina in front of Arthur.

Don’t say anything that might reveal you’re a maid, even by mistake.

Even if he claims to know everything and tries to induce an honest conversation, don’t fall for it and be careful with your words.

Be careful not to get caught by careless words, don’t fall for leading questions.

Don’t fall for leading questions.

But no matter how hard she tried to recall the marchioness’s orders, his words kept flooding into her heart like a tide.

“I went to the battlefield thinking my wife would be safe and comfortable.”

“But tell me, how have you been while I was away?”

Reina unconsciously clenched her fist, trying to hold her crumbling heart together.

Her clenched hand trembled slightly.

“…”

Arthur, who had been watching her for a moment, ran his hand through his hair with a sigh.

Then he pulled a chair right in front of himself.

“…”

Arthur raised his eyes and stared at her.

“Sit down. Let’s have an open conversation. Isn’t it about time?”

Could this be a leading question?

Could someone with eyes like these ask leading questions?

Am I foolish for thinking this?

Even as her heart was crumbling heavily, a sad fear raised its head in a corner of her mind.

“You know that if things go wrong, neither you nor your grandmother will be safe, right?”

Grandmother.

Grandmother…

“Sit down.”

Reina trembled, feeling sad and lost.

She couldn’t move an inch.

She felt like she might burst into tears the moment she sat down.

“…”

Watching Reina not moving, Arthur frowned slightly and took her hand.

Reina looked at him blankly.

As his hand touched her, the trembling seemed to become even more pronounced.

Arthur held her cold hand and muttered.

“Why are you shaking so much.”

“…”

He took the plates she was holding in her cold hands one by one and moved them to the table.

Clank.

…Clank.

And then he reached out with both hands and wrapped them around Reina’s hands.

Then he looked up at her.

“You still don’t have confidence in me?”

“…”

Reina remained standing.

Just pale and trembling slightly.

Arthur lowered his gaze to look at her hands again.

Reina’s trembling, as if she was scared, showed no signs of calming down.

He looked up at her again and asked.

“Do you need more time?”

Reina couldn’t say anything.

Unable to deny it either.

Unable to give any answer to what he was saying.

Arthur said.

“My lady.”

Arthur had somehow completely turned to face her.

Arthur sat down and held both of Reina’s hands in his.

“Why are you shaking so much? Are you afraid of me?”

“…”

Reina trembled and blinked blankly.

Arthur, looking at her, seemed to smile slightly bitterly.

“…”

Her chest tightened.

If she stayed like this without saying anything.

Like Marina, Arthur would probably sneer with a cold expression and close his mouth with a face that said, ‘Well, of course. That’s the kind of person you are.’

That was sad.

But she couldn’t imagine a better ending.

She didn’t know what else she should do.

Because I’ve lived like that all my life…

Reina continued to stand there, unable to do anything.

With her hands held by him, just standing there.

I wish you would

Just stop waiting for me impatiently

And give up on me quickly instead.

“…”

After waiting for her for a while, Arthur finally stood up.

“My lady.”

“…”

Arthur called her.

He lightly grasped her shoulders instead of her hands.

“I’m going to hug you now. Push me away if you don’t want it.”

“…”

Reina didn’t understand what he had said.

Even until Arthur slid his hand from her shoulder to grasp her arm.

“If you can’t say anything, just lean on me.”

Even until he spoke softly.

And then Arthur hugged Reina.