Published at 25th of March 2022 02:07:20 PM

Chapter 58

AD

As soon as I returned to my room, I sat down on my bed. My entire body was aching, like I had been beaten black and blue.

When I lay down and turned around, I saw that there was a bag placed on the chair.

After I took that old bag out of the walk-in closet last time, I just kept it around without returning it inside.

It was something that did not go well with either the luxurious upholstery of the chair, nor the surrounding interior.

At least Rona wiped it off earlier, so it was all shiny now.

I rose from the bed again and carried it back to the closet, holding its worn-out handle.

And, just like two years ago when I first entered the mansion, I placed down my leather bag in the same spot.

As I was about to go back to my room, I changed my mind and turned around. Then, I went down on my knees to unlock the bag.

The old, rusty lock wouldnt open properly even as I tried to wrench it open, so I struggled for a while before it opened.

Clank, clank.

Red, powdered rust fell off, and a moment later, the lock finally opened.

Compared to the strength needed to open it, what was inside could hardly be worth the effort.

Whats inside was a diary I sometimes scribbled on, the set of clothes I wore when I entered this place, a watch that was my fathers, about to fall off its strap, and a thread and a needle that used to be my mothers.

That was all.

I was going to close the bag, but instead of doing that, I reached deep into the bag and pulled out a flat envelope.

I went over the contract carefully.

The words Party A and Party B appeared countless times, with the connotation that Party A had the upper hand all throughout.

For each time that Party B appeared, there were things written about what to do and what not to do.

The remuneration for the success of fulfilling the contracts terms was also written there.

At the end of so many clauses, there was one clause that was written with seemingly bolder handwriting.

It was the confidentiality clause.

While maintaining the contract, it was written that money would be sent to my younger siblings in return for this.

It was emphasized many times because it was the most important thing.

Then after that were the details of the remuneration.

In addition, if Party B successfully gives birth to a child, the payment of 500,000 gold shall be given as agreed upon.

The moment I saw the amount500,000 gold!I checked the amount again and again while rubbing my eyes several times.

No matter how many times I blinked, the number of zeroes did not decrease.

It was clear that it was still a heart-dropping amount, then and now.

All of this money would be given after completing the goal that was written in the contract.

[ Give birth to my child and become the mother of the Duchys heir. You shouldnt be a Duchess in name only like it is now. If you want to revel in such luxury, try to think of something better. Dont use the same shallow tricks. ]

I read the contract again starting from where I left off.

My gaze stopped at the last clause.

The confidentiality clause.

It was the reason I couldnt answer him when he asked, Why?

What if Amoide found out the details of the contract?

Until now, Camilla had been paying close attention to everything that would come out of my lips, whether the contract would reach her sons ears or not.

Because it would be revealed that she bought a woman with money just for her son to sire a child.

But at this point, if he ever finds out about the details of the contract

Would he even help me?

I wasnt sure about that. Rather, it was more plausible to say that hed hate me more.

And if Camilla found out about him knowing this, theres a good chance that shell ask me to pay her the penalty upfront

The more I thought about it, the more my thoughts became tangled.

[ Get lost. ]

I want to leave, too.

Why would I want to stand next to you when I might lose my neck if I keep trying to stay by your side?

But I couldnt say this.

A deep sigh blew out of my lips as I thought of Amoide, whose thorns have only grown sharper even though hes dying of an unknown illness.

The memory of staying up all night next to the fallen Amoide who was sleeping peacefully, even going as far as not going to the bathroom. It all gradually returned to me.

All of these were needed for me to improve my relationship with Amoide so that I wouldnt be implicated in the future, just like Selena was.

The accusations thrown by the servants against Selena in [ Lady Crown ] were the worst.

{ I cant believe she cheated on His Grace with a strange man and ran away. }

{ She was already married into a rich family in the first place. Shes a noble in name, but in reality, shes just like a beggar. I heard that the good elder madam treated her well. }

{ She was blinded by greater wealth. }

{ Didnt His Grace already notice what was going on, thats why she did it? Im sure she killed His Grace first because she was afraid of being kicked out of the house by the Duke who found out about her evil intentions. }

{ I feel so sorry for Milord. }

Selena had been painted out to be a Duchess who had an affair with another man, and she killed her husband so that the Duchys properties would fall under her name.

Even if I had ten lives, this really isnt a place where I can stay.

But because of this reason, I had no choice but to trick him.

I kept pretending that my hand hadnt gotten better yet.

I even made a false confession.

As I count all my sins, I wouldnt blame him if he had strangled me if he knew all of this.

He still didnt know about the contract that I signed with Camilla.

Especially the last clause.

Right now, Amoide still misunderstands that I want his child.

Even if he thinks that we wouldnt be able to have a child anyway, even if he hates me so much, as long as he becomes healthy, then itll be fine.

I wouldnt hate this situation either if it ends up like that. If he becomes healthy, then Ill disappear from his sight.

The only problem with this is the fact that he might die before that happens. I tried various things to change this fate, but he still collapsed like this.

Both his diet and the treatments he had were flawless, but the seizure still couldnt be prevented.

I know whats going to happen in the future, but I dont know how and why itll happen. It was making me desperate.

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Thats why I need someone on my side.

The only way to quickly terminate this contract and safely leave this mansion

It would be impossible without Amodies help.

A week later, all the clothes that were ordered from Paula arrived at the mansion.

Come in and look at all of these, Milady.

Rona was more excited than me in seeing dozens of boxes piled up in the room. I had to open the boxes one by one with my lips closed tightly.

As expected, the dresses made by the best boutique in the capital are on a whole different level. The fabric, the sewing, the finishingeven the materials used for the embellishments are all the best!

Thats because these cost a fortune.

I replied in a small voice. Cost and material were directly proportional.

If you have a lot of money, its only natural that you can get more beautiful and better-quality things.

Yup, expensive clothes are different, really different.

Of course.

I nodded as I said this, but as I recalled the amount spent on ordering these dresses, I felt dizzy for a moment.

Camilla, who would receive the bill for this, might grab me by the neck.

Theres no way shes going to make me pay for it, right?

Ehh, no way. This was the Duchy of Efret. Its a family that has enough property to rival the Imperial Familys. Their wealth wouldnt be dented after buying just a few dozens of clothes.

I knew this, but I still felt nervous. Even though Camilla wasnt scolding me yet.

I was probably anxious because I was only a fake wife by contract, and Selenas residual memories were seeping into me, making her inferiority remain tainting my mind.

Nobody knew the details of the contract, but why does this still need to happen?

All these worries plagued me again, so I let out a long sigh.

Back then, since I didnt carry myself with dignity, not only Amoide and Camilla, but even the maids and servants ignored me.

Looking back, I didnt worry about money either when I first entered the estate and just accepted whatever clothes I was given.

The maid assigned to me was instructed to find a boutique that could make my clothes as soon as possible, and to find out my measurements.

The maid, who sneered at the Duchess who didnt even have a wedding, measured me haphazardly. As a result, the clothes given to me werent the right fit.

If I think about it, it was then.

I could have asked for the clothes to be returned, or I could have demanded that the maid be held responsible for not working properly and giving me those sorts of dresses.

Would my fate have changed a little? At least, Selena wouldnt have had to die in pain, hung by the neck with the stigma of killing her husband.

What I needed right now was to make even just one more person take my side.

Trust in me. Thats what I needed, and respect. I dont want to be looked down upon.

Each and every piece of garment was sewed with great detail.

Rona was opening the boxes one by one, taking out the dresses and organizing them.

Every time she opened one, she was amazed, as though she was opening gifts.

But if you could have had fancier dresses

Rona whined as if she couldnt abandon her lingering feelings.

However, the newly tailored clothes were already good enough. They just werent all that colorful.

Even so, it was apparent that Paula carefully chose the fabrics used and the accessories added.

Would you like to wear this one today?

Rona finally opened all the boxes and sorted through them, then she pulled one out to show me.

Alright.

I nodded lightly, then Rona helped me change into it.

Look, Milady, you seem so different already.

Standing in front of the mirror wearing a new dress, I felt like I had become a different person.

Since Miladys all dressed up, why dont you visit Milord? Its such a shame not to show this pretty side of you.

Really?

Am I pretty?

Look closely. The dress looks really good on you, it also brings out Miladys eyes.

The pink dress that Rona chose was lovely.