Contract Marriage Interrupted - Chapter 52



Only Noblemtl

Episode 52. Because I Love You
2023.07.30.

Odette’s eyes widened in an instant at Louis’s words.

“How did you know?”

It was a fact that only Ellie knew that he had tried to propose marriage to Louis.

And even though she had diligently investigated the surroundings since first meeting Walter, she could only confirm that the information had not leaked out.

But how did everyone know, including Walter and Louis?

Did it seem like it was written on their faces that he was going to propose marriage today?

When Odette tilted her head in confusion, Louis slowly smiled.

A smile that seemed relieved, or perhaps complicated.

“Your Majesty said you had something to tell me. And then there was that thing with Duke Ertmann… … It wasn’t hard to guess.”

“Oh, so that’s what happened.”

Odette nodded without much doubt at Louis’s explanation.

After hearing the explanation, it didn’t seem that surprising.

‘I don’t know how Walter knew… … . ’

Anyway, since you knew, there was no need to hide it anymore.

“I’m glad you knew. That’s why I asked you to meet me, because as you know, I’m going to marry Duke Ertmann.”

Louis’s eyes were persistently scanning Odette, who said that she didn’t have to worry about it.

He was trying to figure out if Odette was lying.

“I guess she really doesn’t know.”

He started to feel strange when she said she never received the letter.

That’s why he even mentioned that Odette was planning to propose marriage and that he knew about it, but this was her reaction.

If Odette had something to hide or be shy, he wouldn’t have been so surprised.

Instead, he would have tried to act naturally.

Especially since Odette didn’t meet many people and lived a secluded life, it would have been even harder for her to hide her feelings in this area.

“The Odette I saw in my dream was like that too.”

He wasn’t saying that Odette was stupid or sloppy.

She simply trusted people, was naturally cruel, and preferred honesty, unlike other nobles who considered being cunning a virtue.

If Odette had memories like Louis had, she would not have been able to hide her true feelings so skillfully in a situation where Louis was showing off.

Then the conclusion is only one.

‘Walter Ertmann, he is the mastermind.’

Louis thought back to what Odette had said when he had met her at the Belfort Academy.

– I was waiting at the meeting place when I was interrupted by Duke Ertmann.

– But nothing really happened. I became a little annoyed after that, but… …

– Duke Ertmann and I are really not related.

When he had hypothesized that Odette might have the same memories as him, he had thought that this might be false.

But now that that possibility had disappeared, the meaning of what Odette had said was clear.

‘Duke Ertmann is interfering with me and Odette.’

Only then did he understand the whole situation.

Walter suddenly mentioned the ‘curse’ to Louis at Xavier’s banquet.

It was all Walter’s trick to drive a wedge between Louis and Odette.

‘It must have been Duke Ertmann who intercepted the letter.’

The fact that Odette didn’t even know about the letter means that he took care of it before Odette even realized it. He

probably bribed a maid or a servant.

And as a result, Odette, whose choice of Louis disappeared, chose to marry Walter.

She didn’t even realize that the person she was going to marry was controlling everything around her!

Louis clenched his fist and asked.

“… … Walter Ertmann, are you really going to marry him?”

“Yes. Now that the marriage has been announced, there’s no way to cancel it.”

If the marriage had not been announced, things would have been better.

However, once the marriage was announced by the emperor, it couldn’t be canceled for any reason.

Even if I can’t get married because of the family’s opposition, I’ll continue the half-hearted engagement.

‘Damn it!’

I wish I had come a little earlier.

I couldn’t act rashly because of my hesitation.

The strength in my clenched fist grew stronger, and my nails dug sharply into my palm.

‘I know now is the time to step down.’

No matter how clouded his reasoning was, Louis could not help but see the situation.

However, hot anger was churning in his stomach.

If this ‘nightmare’ he had seen was real, and if Odette had regretted marrying him and used the holy relic.

If she had been given a new opportunity and chosen Walter herself, he would not have been this angry.

Who could he blame for the opportunity he had ruined?

He would have respected Odette’s decision with a broken heart.

However.

‘This is not it.’

This was not Odette’s decision, but Walter’s.

And he had interfered with Odette’s will and deceived her!

‘If it weren’t for him, the situation could have been different.’

Odette could have proposed to him as planned, and perhaps this time they could have had a happy ending.

However, Walter, who had not even appeared in the ‘nightmare,’ suddenly intervened and kicked away Louis’ second chance, and he couldn’t help but feel angry.

Even though he wasn’t chosen by Odette fairly, and he had been deceiving her all this time!

‘I must tell you this.’

For Odette’s sake, he couldn’t let her be deceived like this.

And he had to change her mind so that she would break up with Walter.

Once he could do that, I could figure out a way to break up with Walter.

‘No, even if we don’t break up.’

If only Odette would look at me again… … !

“Your Majesty, wouldn’t you reconsider your marriage? Duke Ertmann is not a good man.”

“I know. But I don’t see why I should listen to you. This has nothing to do with you anymore.”

“Don’t assume it has nothing to do with me.”

Louis began to approach Odette step by step.

Even in the dim light, the man with the hair that stood out was wearing a sorrowful expression.

He hesitated several times, and then finally asked with difficulty.

“Couldn’t you find someone else to marry right now? For example… …

“… … Are you kidding? Count.” “

I’m not kidding. Wasn’t I the one you wanted first?”

“That’s true, but now I’m thinking of marrying Walter.”

She had already finished talking about marriage with Walter.

On top of that, the Emperor had already announced the marriage today.

If she were to change her spouse now, who would listen?

It was realistically impossible, and there was no reason to do so.

“I can’t betray my husband. Let’s pretend I didn’t hear what you just said.”

Louis’ face darkened as Odette spoke firmly.

It was the moment she mentioned the word “husband.”

“Don’t call that kind of person your husband! Why don’t you know anything?”

“… … What?”

The moment Odette frowned at the incomprehensible words, Louis grabbed her arm.

“I know what I’m saying will sound strange. But please listen to me just this once.”

“Count Clovis?”

Odette’s eyes widened again, startled by the sudden grab.

“Walter Ertmann, he’s deceiving you! Please listen to me just once-!”

At that moment.

“I really can’t take my eyes off him for even a second.”

The grip that had been squeezing Odette’s arm disappeared.

When she opened her eyes, there was a face she had been waiting for.

A cold and sharp face that had become quite familiar.

“My princess is not even three years old, and if you leave her alone for even a moment, this situation will arise… … Or are you doing this on purpose because you want to see me lose my mind?”

Walter muttered cynically and grabbed Louis’ arm, which he had been holding onto, and threw it.

Louis stumbled back a few steps in the aftermath, frowning.

“… … Duke Ertmann.”

“W-Walter.”

“Yes, princess. Your meeting partner is here, so why are you flirting with someone else?”

“That’s not it. Here-.”

Just as Odette was about to explain the situation, Louis’ sharp voice cut through the two.

“Walter Ertmann, don’t you dare interrupt. Can’t you see that they’re having a conversation?”

“I don’t know that they’re having a conversation, but can’t you see that they’re having a reunion? You’re the one who shouldn’t be interrupting.”

“A-A couple?”

Odette was actually surprised by Walter’s statement.

Was it okay to use the word “couple” when they hadn’t even gotten married yet?

When Odette was embarrassed and couldn’t close her mouth, Walter smiled loosely and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand.

“His Majesty the Emperor announced the marriage, so we’re a married couple, right? What else would you call us?”

“That’s true, but… …”

Isn’t the word fiancé usually used in such cases?

Walter’s assertion was so bold that even Odette became confused.

While she was tilting her head, Louis brushed back his disheveled hair and let out a sharp sarcastic remark.

“Ha, what about a married couple? You don’t know until the wedding, right?”

No one knows what will happen in a person’s life.

“It seems ridiculous to call us a married couple already.”

“Well, that’s true. I’m afraid that if I leave it alone, Odette will fall for some piece of trash.” Even if

I look away for a moment, this kind of thing happens.

“So I’m going to cut off the hands of anyone who dares to touch her. Count Clovis, I hope you will also keep this in mind.”

Louis’ face darkened at those words.

“Do you not know that you lied to me? Does Odette know what you are doing?”

“Just because there is both light and shadow in the world, there is no need to look into both.”

What a useless outburst.

Walter added cynically and grabbed Odette’s hand.

“There is no need to deal with it any longer. That’s it-.”

“Walter Ertmann!”

At that moment, Louis shouted in a suppressed voice behind those who were about to leave.

“Why are you next to Odette!”

Walter’s steps suddenly stopped.

He seemed to think about something for a moment, then turned around and looked at Louis.

With a cold and bitter smile on his face,

“Isn’t that obvious? Because I love you.”

“… …!”

“I hope that is a sufficient answer.”

With those words, Walter took Odette and left,

leaving Louis alone in the darkness.