Contract Marriage Interrupted - Chapter 84



Only Noblemtl

Episode 84. Poisoned Chalice
2023.11.19.

Odette looked a little wary at Cedric’s question.

Since Cedric had been asking her questions to test her, she must have suspected that this time, too.

Especially since it was right after she received the ultimatum.

Odette hesitated and asked.

“Are you asking me that question because you’re worried that I… … might betray my brother?”

Then Cedric realized that he had been a little hasty, and he frowned and placed his hand on his forehead.

“It seems like there’s a misunderstanding, so to speak… … In the current situation, I have no reason to worry about your betrayal. I have a stronger relationship with Walter than you think.”

“But I could change my mind and try to sow discord between Walter and my brother.”

“That’s not something you can do, it’s something anyone else can do. And the guy I know… … isn’t the type of guy who would fall for discord.”

It was a confidence that could be considered arrogant, but it was something that he and Walter could feel because they were of the same breed.

Walter and Cedric were the kind of people who would listen to what others said and follow their own judgment no matter what anyone said.

Still, Cedric needed to have a broader perspective than Walter, so he tended to listen to other people’s opinions, but Walter was not like that.

“It’s hard to find someone as self-willed as that guy.”

“… … That’s true.”

“Yes. So if Walter turns

his back on me, it will be his own choice. It’s not because of your persuasion.” Cedric chuckled as he said that, and leaned back.

Unlike other nobles who considered upright posture a virtue, Cedric’s attitude was quite easygoing.

It was also a way of showing that he was comfortable with others.

“Think about it, Odette. If I were worried about your betrayal, it would be ideal for you to marry Pavel’s collateral line. But I don’t think that’s the case. The reason I’m asking this question is… … It’s really for your own good.” Because I

know you married against your will.

“If you want a divorce, I can help you even now. Since you’ve only been married for a short time anyway, you can continue living in my palace and naturally continue your separation.” According

to imperial law, nobles could request a divorce from the imperial family if they had been separated for more than half a year.

In the case of a normal divorce, both parties needed to agree, but if you requested a divorce directly from the imperial family, you could proceed with the divorce without one party’s consent as long as the emperor approved.

It wasn’t easy, but with Cedric, getting the imperial family’s approval wouldn’t be that hard.

“Then I’ll find someone rich and popular and marry you. It wouldn’t be that hard to find a country noble who wouldn’t be able to move.”

Then, Odette would easily be able to obtain the life she had been wanting.

A quiet and peaceful life far from politics.

And she wouldn’t have to worry about the divorce label that would naturally follow her.

‘That’s why I made such a fuss.’

It would be common knowledge in social circles within a few days that Cedric had sent troops to control Ertmann and brought Odette back. There had been

no significant exchange between Cedric and Odette, and above all, Ertmann had always been neutral, so it would have seemed to the world that Cedric was persecuting his sister for political reasons.

In this situation, if Odette continued to live in Cedric’s palace and divorced, and Cedric seemed to have been heavily involved in the remarriage, the rumor would have become even more solid.

The story that Odette might try to keep Ertmann in check by relying on him would have become a given, and that he had forced her to divorce and send her to a humble family.

‘But that’s all.’

Cedric had built up a reputation over time, so it wasn’t really a flaw.

Since it was not uncommon for brothers to kill or kick out each other while fighting over the right to succession, it could be seen as Cedric showing leniency.

It was an ideal way for Cedric to take the bad role and for Odette to live quietly in an unnoticed place like before.

However.

“I appreciate the offer, but I like it this way.”

Odette refused Cedric’s offer without showing any signs of conflict.

“Of course, I know that my brother made this offer for my sake… No, even if he didn’t, it wouldn’t really matter. Because, as my brother said, that was the life I wanted.”

Whether Cedric really made this offer for Odette’s sake or was just saying it to keep Odette in check, Odette knew that Cedric’s offer was ideal.

It would be a very reasonable method for both of them.

Then, she would be free from Blake’s control, and she would be able to live a much quieter and more peaceful life than she did now.

“If it had been before… … If I had heard this offer a month ago, I would have accepted it without hesitation. But now that I’m married, my life at Ertmann has improved.”

“Because Ertmann is wealthy? If that’s the case, I can easily get people for him.”

“No, of course he is wealthy materially… … But it’s not just because of that.”

Odette shook her head.

Wealth wasn’t a big deal to her.

People were.

“Sir Arnold likes me very much, and the servants treat me well. Above all… … .”

Odette paused for a moment. She

was speechless for a moment because she didn’t know how to describe it.

Above all.

The next words she would say were about Walter.

That Walter was really good to her, that he really cared for her.

That he kissed her on the cheek every morning and evening, and that they spent the night and the morning together.

So, if I were to open my eyes in the morning without Walter, I would feel very lonely… … .

‘… … How do I say this?’

　
It didn’t seem like much, but when I listed them, my face got hot.

More than anything, Odette knew what she was going to say after she had said these words.

‘Brother, would I be able to live like this if I married someone else?’

Would that person be able to care for me as much as Walter cared for me?

In the past, she would not have even hoped for something like this.

After all, most marriages among nobles were political marriages, and Odette had no intention of seeking affection from her spouse or lover.

So, if I had to say it, Odette intended to live like a single person while married.

Up until now, she had lived well in the palace, and she was confident that she would continue to do so in the future.

‘But… … .’

After marrying Walter, that thought disappeared like melting snow.

Now, she could not go back to the time before she felt that warmth.

Odette was so absorbed in the role that she was completely absorbed in giving and receiving fake affection.

No, maybe Odette’s affection, which had become the role itself, was not fake.

‘… … I still don’t know.’

Do I really love Walter?

Or am I so absorbed in the role that my dream is pushing me to feel such feelings for him?

What is certain is that Odette now needs Walter.

So after a little hesitation, she finally came up with a good word.

“… … Above all, Walter loves me too.”

The reason for their marriage that they had been putting out publicly.

She had brought up ‘love.’

In fact, Odette thought that Cedric might not believe it, but Cedric nodded obediently.

“Yes, it seems like he loves you.”

“… … Right?”

Just how well did Walter act in front of Cedric?

Odette was a little taken aback, but Cedric didn’t notice.

Instead, he could see that Odette’s feelings were not much different from Walter’s.

Odette, who thought of Walter, seemed somewhat dreamy.

“Thank you for the advice, but I am very satisfied now.”

Odette smiled as she said that.

And Cedric could no longer advise her to divorce.

.

.

.

“… … Thinking about it again, I want to put that bastard Walter in prison.”

Cedric was very disappointed that the emotion that should be classified as madness was wearing the fancy disguise of love.

Odette loved Walter.

It wasn’t that surprising. Odette was naturally kind and was also starved for affection. She

grew up with a cautious personality due to her environment, but Odette was really weak to affection. It

was obvious from the fact that she showed endless favor to me when I treated her with a little affection.

‘That’s why I’ve been more careful… …’

It would have been better if Walter had treated Odette indifferently like everyone else.

But that wasn’t that surprising either.

Because originally, lack tends to attract in the same way.

‘Just like I did.’

Cedric thought back to when he first became close to Odette, then quickly pushed it away and stood up.

“Anyway, if you say so, how can I separate the two? I have to find another way.”

There was another reason that couldn’t be ignored.

“Walter said that Louis Clovis is frequenting Blake’s palace.”

“Count Clovis? Then he has no particular contact with the Second Prince.”

Louis’s external reputation was close to that of a bum. Despite

having a title like Clovis, he had not shown any significant political activity.

It was widely known that he avoided politics because it would increase the number of conflicts with Lady Clovis.

“If someone like that suddenly came into contact with Blake, there must be a reason. He is either trying to hide something, or he is trying to gain something.”

Maybe both.

Cedric recalled the note he had been looking at before Arnold returned.

Walter had sent Russell to deliver it before leaving the palace.

It said that Louis Clovis was frequenting the Second Prince’s palace and that he should find out, and that he was involved in the bootlegging business.

[It seems like he originally withdrew, but for some reason he recently got back in.]

The

problem is that bootlegging is not an attractive business to get involved in so aggressively.

Word had already spread that the Emperor was starting to show signs of trying to eradicate bootlegging.

And why did he get involved in bootlegging again, and even approach Blake?

Cedric’s eyes turned to the teacup on the desk.

It was a poisoned teacup that had been delivered right after he returned.