Episode 14

At least it was a much kinder contract than Jacob's. It's okay if you don't do anything stupid.

'I don't want a wife for life anyway…….'

To the Cartier family, her wife was nothing more than a replaceable part. There was only one exception.

'If her wife's family is powerful.'

For example, Carola with the blood of the imperial family. Marco's wife, the granddaughter of the previous great pope. Or Arien.

Such persons could at least be called wives for life. A real wife with an unchanging, solid position.

Jacob had four wives before marrying Carola at the age of thirty. Perhaps Jacob's lifelong wife will be Carola.

'The value of the name nobility will gradually decrease.'

The empire gets richer for years to come. There are so many things that make money in the city, so the departure of the territories will happen. A line of nobles who could not maintain the territory would appear.

'In the end, it's all money.'

The reason why noble titles are valuable now is because they are advantageous for doing business. In order to suppress the newly rich, the empire gave a kind of privilege to the nobility when doing business. Exemption from trade, and the right to exclusive contracts, and more permissive distribution laws…….

So, newly rich people all wanted aristocratic wives. So took her son-in-law and used her wife's identity. The same was true for aristocrats in special circumstances like Lucerne.

Status was an expensive commodity. So Jacob in his previous life also did all kinds of business under Elisha's name.

'My superiors, who are counts, whom I have never owned a single silver coin.'

When I thought about it, ridicule came out.

In any case, fallen aristocratic women who were sold for status became objects of ridicule. Husbands subtly ignored the wives of fallen aristocrats who had only pride.

So, the unloved wife of a fallen aristocratic class. Practically speaking, these were the women who were treated as ghosts in their homes.

'Contract wife'.

He also referred to high-ranking women like Carola. It's called 'the wife for life'.

Elisha knew all too well which side she was on. She will definitely be on the “Contract worker” Side.

'If Lucerne divorces me, she will then seek her wife for her life.'

Too many thoughts came at once. Marrying Lucerne was not in the calculation of her life this time.

*​ *​ *​

“Madam, are you all right?”

Elisha felt Nora's gaze and lifted her head. Nora's expression was determined. Elisha noticed that Nora didn't know the terms of the contract.

“It's okay. But do I really have to sign it now?”

“You'd better do that. It's because I'm not a person who likes to negotiate that much.”

Nora answered without speaking back. But there was no hint of pressure. Elisha asked softly.

“If I don't sign, will I get in trouble for the driver?”

“Yes?”

Nora looked like she didn't know what I was saying.

“That……. But…….”

“Then, when he comes, I will sign it. Well, I also have something I want to say.”

“All right.”

Nora nodded.

“Thank you.”

Elisha had returned to her usual doll-like expression before she knew it.

'The people of the Black Lion Knights are important.'

Besides, Nora was an acquaintance.

One day in her previous life, a book was caught by Carola in the main house of Castle Cartier, and it was the day she was beaten by her maids in the hallway.

As I was walking back to my room, not knowing that I was bleeding, a well-groomed, beautiful woman held out her handkerchief to Elisha.

'It's bleeding, write it.'

Her handkerchief had the initial L written on it. Nora was a woman who knew chivalry. She remembered the kindness very much, since no one had ever treated her kindly.

“It will take some time for the general to come.”

“Where have you been?”

“You went to the bank. He said he is issuing a check because he needs a large sum of money urgently.”

Nora answered briefly. Elisha realized that she had gone to raise her own ransom. Elisha suddenly touched the pattern on the nape of her neck. As long as this glyph was present, she could not be free from her debts.

“Don't worry, the general will take care of that pattern as well. Because you will become the general's bride.”

Nora pondered for a moment before adding softly. Elisha smiled briefly and nodded her head.

“You'd better put on makeup and decorate yourself a bit.”

“Is it this time?”

Could it be that Lucerne has already become ashamed of Elisha's appearance? Elisha suddenly had such a thought.

“No, Jacob's people will come for further negotiations. The general says.”

“…….”

“'You should look better than when you were next to Jacob. Can I dress him like that?' He said. In particular, he said that he had to wear everything new from head to toe.”

Elisha's cheeks turned slightly red. There was a place to catch up. Elisha remembered her shabby underwear she was wearing last night.

Not knowing what she meant, Nora just put on her puzzled expression.

*​ *​ *​

“Are you all right, madam?”

“Yes. It's okay.”

Elisha had her eyes closed. To her surprise, it was her young man who adorned Elisha. He introduced me as Ian.

Elisha didn't know much about him, but she knew that he was an aide in Lucerne and a famous knight of the Black Lion Knights.

“I worked as a member of the intelligence department, so I'm good at disguises. I don't have a lady-in-waiting, so I'll help you make up today as soon as possible. Please understand.”

As for Elisha, it was okay no matter who did her makeup and decorated her. Soon, Ian started applying makeup with various types of brushes.

“Mmm, and……. I need to help get dressed…….”

Elisha was wearing a thick Lucerne gown.

“Nora, can you help me get dressed?”

“Yes, I will.”

The oar, standing like a shadow, nodded her head.

Then there was the sound of the door opening.

*​ *​ *​

“What are you doing here, Ian?”

“General.”

The knights called Nora and Ian rose from their seats and bowed their heads. Only Elisha was sitting in front of the mirror. Lucerne stood in the doorway wearing a long coat. Just by appearing, his cool presence covered the room.

“Because there is no one to help with makeup.”

Lucerne was the eyes of a person who now remembered that makeup exists in the world.

“All you have to do now is put on your clothes.”

“I'll do it, so get out.”

Ian and Nora looked at each other and left the room. Elisha sat across the partition and in front of the mirror. Everything from the neck down was covered by a partition, so only her face was visible.

“Why are you pretending not to know?”

“I never did.”

Elisha lowered her eyes and answered.

“I only ask you to button up. There will be a dress on the table.”

“I told you to wear everything new. Did you do that?”

“…… Yes. It was.”

Elisha gave her a small nod.

“Then you have to show me. Before I say anything about examining it.”

Only then did Elisha turn her head to see her Lucerne. The cheeks turned red.

Elisha eventually came out of the partition. Elisha's body in her new underwear was exposed in the bright light.

'Did he even want to see me walking in front of him in my underwear?'

Elisha didn't know whether to be relieved that she wasn't wearing shabby underwear this time, or to ridicule herself. Even so, she didn't hate Lucerne, and she herself was strange.

She looked over Elisha of Lucerne. A new bustier adorned with silver thread and a short, tight-fitting girdle. Besides she was wearing her stockings on a garter belt.

“Did my knights see you dressed like this?”

“It can't be. You can wear your underwear alone.”

“I thought you were the type to walk around in only your underwear.”

Lucerne said nonchalantly. Elisha said she had nothing to say. It was Elisha who entered Lucerne's room in her underwear through a secret passage.

“It was an accident.”

“Okay. Then. Next time, don't be in a room with people other than me in your underwear.”

Elisha looked into Lucerne's eyes as if she were trying to examine his intentions.

“Even when I am with the maids, I will wear a gown.”

“Okay, nice.”

Said Lucerne like an adult of her child.

“…… Button, please fill it.”

In the end, Elisha turned her back first. She was lifted up in a dress. Fortunately, she only had a tight button on the back. It was a sleeveless design that was easy to put on.

Lucerne grabbed Elisha by the waist and pulled her. The dress sandwiched between the two of them sighed.

“You are too skinny. I need to gain some weight.”

“…… It doesn't matter. Even if I gain or lose weight, I can be her wife.”

Elisha murmured softly.

“The thorns are set up colorfully.”

Lucerne didn't even flinch. It felt like his breath was touching the back of her neck, and it was getting harder and harder for Elisha to think rational thoughts.

“I have something to say. About her marriage contract…….”

“Didn't you sign the papers?”

“…… I was wondering if you could also tell me the requirements that will be reflected in the contract.”

Power went into Lucerne's hands. Elisha let out a hot breath. Lucerne buttoned her up. Her breath choked her jaw. Her waist was unreasonably tight. It was almost at the waist level of a child.

“A little string……. Please release me.”

Lucerne's hand caressed the string. It was a gentle touch. Elisha gasped, she said.

“Not before the first night.”

Elisha thought that if she acted like Lucerne wanted her own body, she would give it to her.

“I didn't intend to do that, but unfortunately they made it.”

Lucerne said quietly. His hand, which was caressing her belly, became stronger. At the same time, her belt loosened. Elisha lifted her head and let out a sigh of relief.