Contract Marriage Interrupted - Chapter 94



Only Noblemtl

Episode 94. Crack (5)
2023.12.24.

Odette’s body froze at the words she heard from behind her.

She knew that it was nonsense and that she should ignore it, but she couldn’t turn away from it.

Because Odette’s memories hadn’t yet reached the point of her death.

In the end, she turned around.

“I… … died?”

“Didn’t you know… … . You died. It was said to be a suicide.”

Up until this point, it was a little shocking, but not all that surprising.

Odette knew better than anyone that she was half-mad in her dream. In that state of mind, it wouldn’t have been surprising at all if she had attempted suicide.

However, Louis clearly said that Walter ‘killed’ her.

“Suicide doesn’t make sense. You said Walter killed me?”

“It means that it was known to the world that it was suicide. The will you wrote was found, and based on the circumstances, it seems that you jumped from the terrace of the mansion.”

Louis explained in detail about the time of Odette’s death.

After Odette’s death, the investigation concluded that she had committed suicide.

First of all, the will that Odette had written was definitely in her handwriting, and the will also mentioned the suicide, so there was no room for doubt.

However, even though Odette’s suicide was confirmed, one question remained, and that was Walter.

The reason was simple.

“Walter Ertmann was also on the terrace from which you jumped.”

“… … What?”

“It was covered up because there were no detailed circumstances, but he was there when you died. What on earth did he do there?”

Louis said that Odette’s fall from the terrace could have been Walter’s doing.

The mere fact that Walter was there was enough to cover up the murderer’s name.

Even if he had killed her, driven her to death, or at least watched her die, he could not avoid responsibility.

“Walter Ertmann, that’s the kind of person he is. And… … He probably has those memories too. Maybe even more than you and I know.”

“That, that can’t be… … .”

Odette instinctively replied that it couldn’t be, but she kept her mouth shut. She

remembered the strange atmosphere she often felt from Walter, and his suspiciously knowing attitude. He even knew about Odette’s tastes that she never mentioned.

‘That’s because he has memories of the past?’

What on earth was going on? Odette staggered back a step in shock.

Louis absentmindedly reached out his hand to Odette again, but then sighed and took it back, remembering what Odette had pushed away.

“You must have something in mind. No matter how devoted he is to you, don’t trust him. He’ll just use you and throw you away.”

“… … It’s just as hard for me to trust you.”

“That’s right. If you really find it hard to trust, look into the sacred relic. You have an acquaintance at the Belfort Academy, so it shouldn’t be that hard to find out.” “

The sacred relic… … .”

Odette muttered the word without realizing it.

Thinking back, I remembered the story I heard about Count Clovis and the holy relic at the Belfort Academy before I got married.

– I heard that there was a holy relic that the Faculty of Divinity had been studying. There are only three of them on the entire continent, and it is said to grant wishes.

– Wishes? Is that possible?

– According to the documents, it is said that it is possible to turn back time or bring back the dead. Of course, these are just records and claims.

And at the end of that conversation, there was a story about Louis.

– It seems that the curse that seemed to have been placed on you was actually due to the influence of the holy relic. I don’t know the details because they didn’t share them… … It seems to have been a very useful case. You

say you can’t believe anything else, but this came from Anne-Sophie.

It means that it couldn’t be a lie.

‘So, is everything Louis said true?’

Walter killed me?

Louis’ words pierced my confused mind.

“It may not be now, but it will show soon. If you want to get away from him, call me anytime. I… … want to save you in this life.”

Louis’ expression as he spoke was filled with affection, longing, and regret for Odette.

Was it because, as he said, he had died once in the past?

A face that seemed ready to grab his hand if he reached out.

It was the face he had longed for in his ‘dreams’.

However, the expression itself was not so unfamiliar. The reason was simple.

‘Walter always looked at me like that…’

Was it because he had memories of the past?

If so, what on earth was he hoping for?

‘Does he really intend to use me and then throw me away?’

* * *

In the end, Odette shook off Louis and left the terrace.

With every hurried step, she felt out of breath.

All the truths flashed before her eyes, emitting a faint light. It was a suffocating feeling that could only be relieved by meeting Walter.

So Odette walked around the banquet hall, searching for Walter. Her

hurried steps slowed down around the third corner. It wasn’t because her feet hurt or because she no longer felt urgent about finding Walter.

Rather… …

‘… … Something was strange.’

At first, she didn’t think much of it, but she felt eyes following her every step.

It wasn’t just because Odette was the Duchess of Ertmann.

It was like when they were going around the social clubs on Katharina’s orders right after the scandal between Odette and Walter broke out.

The eyes that were mixed with mockery and contempt, glancing at each other, judging whether what they heard was true or false.

The moment they realized it, the sense of discomfort grew even bigger and weighed down on Odette.

‘Why on earth?’

Odette was about to speak to someone, unable to overcome her doubts.

“Your Majesty! You’re here!”

“… … Ellie?”

Ellie, a red-haired girl who appeared from somewhere, grabbed Odette.

“Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you for a long time. Come here! I found something really delicious.”

“Wait, Ellie. I’m looking for Walter-”

“Your Majesty.”

And Ellie lowered her voice as if her previous brash attitude was all a lie.

“We have to get out of here quickly. Do you know what they’re talking about right now?”

“… … What?”

“The Third Princess and the Duke are having a secret meeting. There were more than one or two people who witnessed it! Oh my god, you were embracing me without any shame?”

How could you do something like that with your wife’s older sister, Ellie grumbled.

However, Odette’s mind was blank as if she had been hit once.

Walter having an affair?

“That can’t be. He’s not like that… .”

Odette muttered her defense in a daze, then stopped dead

in her tracks. It was because she couldn’t bring herself to say, “Walter isn’t like that.

” ‘What on earth do I know about him… ? How could I say something like that?’

She still didn’t know anything about Walter.

And now that she had learned the truth she didn’t want, Walter had become an even more unknowable person.

The person who might have killed me. And the person who was so affectionate and devoted to me.

The person who deceived me while knowing all about my past that never happened.

The person who wanted me even after knowing that past.

At that moment when two conflicting propositions were confusingly mixed together.

“Odette.”

She turned her head at the sound of the voice.

Walter, whom she hadn’t seen properly for several days, was standing there.

He must have run in, with his hair somewhat disheveled and his face flushed.

And he must have felt uncomfortable as he came. Or maybe he heard the rumor himself.

Maybe that’s why.

Walter’s gaze was filled with guilt, unlike usual.

The moment she saw that gaze, Odette couldn’t deny anything that was messing with her mind.

　
Louis’ words were true. Odette hadn’t said a word about the past, but she was sure that Walter knew about it. An ignorant person would never look at her with such eyes.

And the rumor was true. An innocent person wouldn’t look at her with such eyes either.

“You, what the hell… … .”

The sadness that hadn’t even surged up when she heard Louis’s truth finally rose to her stomach.

Odette asked, holding back her throat.

“… … What the hell are you hiding?”

* * *

A lounge deep inside the banquet hall.

This was the private space of the royal family, and only one outsider was allowed to enter.

Louis Clovis.

As he opened the door and entered, the one pouring amber liquid into a glass greeted him with a crooked smile.

“Hey, who is this? Aren’t you our lucky count? Where have you been?”

“… … I was in the banquet hall for a moment to take care of business, Your Highness.”

“Oh, right. Odette must have come to the banquet hall today, so you must have wanted to see her face at least once. She’s become so pretty since she became the Duchess of Ertmann.”

Blake, who had spoken to Louis, swished his glass around while grumbling.

Unlike his usual cynical attitude, he was using an exaggerated tone and gesture. Louis now knew that if it was Blake’s injection, it was an injection.

“… … Enough nonsense. Meeting the Fourth Princess was not my original intention.”

“Of course I know. Because thanks to you, we were able to plan something very interesting.”

Blake emptied his glass cleanly and put it down with a clatter, smiling brightly.

As if he had never acted like a drunkard before, he had returned to his usual demeanor.

Cold, static, and arrogant.

“I just heard an interesting story, and I wanted to tell the Count.”

“What is it?”

“Regina came to change clothes earlier. Unfortunately, she said that her magic tool was taken away and she can’t return it.”

“It’s okay since it’s a one-time thing anyway.”

“Really? Then that’s good. What’s important is what Regina said.”

Blake’s lips curved coldly.

“Duke Ertmann, he said he was going to die.”

“… … Yes?”

Louis’ face hardened.