In a Political Marriage, Isn’t It Normal to Treat Your Fiancée Well? - Chapter 24

My brother-in-law had come to our family home in the royal capital, a rare occurrence.

He said he had something to discuss with Father.

I could guess what it was about.

“Frum, you join us too.”

Just as I expected.

Probably so he could mock my brother-in-law, who was about to make a fool of himself.

Though whether he would actually mock him or not, I couldn’t say.

Right from the start, my brother-in-law accused my sister of infidelity.

Look who’s talking.

Ignoring my dumbfounded expression, he went on and on.

He had some nerve, saying such things in front of His Majesty.

Didn’t this count as lèse-majesté?

And was this man even in a position to blame my sister?

Did he think we didn’t know?

After my brother-in-law had said his piece, Father calmly laid out the facts.

“And what exactly is the problem with that? My daughter gave birth to two male heirs at once. She has already fulfilled her duty.”

“Fulfilled her duty?”

My brother-in-law was stunned.

Could he really not have known?

Even though he himself had been having an affair with a viscount’s daughter?

“Yes, that’s right. My daughter married for the sake of the family and bore your children for the sake of the family. Expecting anything more would be a breach of contract.”

“W-what…?”

“What, didn’t you know? I thought you had heard from your father.”

“Father said what…?”

My brother-in-law looked pale.

He was as white as a sheet.

He looked like he might collapse at any moment.

“We already know about your affair with the viscount’s daughter during your engagement to my daughter. We know you’ve been keeping an unmarried young lady as your mistress. We know you fathered a child out of wedlock before marrying my daughter.”

“Th-that’s…”

“Yes. We are also aware that you have acknowledged the male child born to you and the viscount’s daughter.”

“…”

“Based on all this, we reached an agreement with your father, the former Duke of Regenburg. In short, a revision of the marriage contract. My daughter’s marriage to you was political, a union between two houses. A man who takes actions that nearly invalidate such a marriage cannot be trusted. Of course, such a man’s family is beyond the question of trust. Who knows when they might break their promises? That is why we drew up a new marriage contract. One that states that after producing the heir and a spare for the ducal house, both parties are free to act as they please. Rest assured. It’s not just my daughter. You are free as well. You may live with your mistress if you wish.”

“Th… that can’t be…”

My brother-in-law slumped to the floor where he stood.

He muttered something under his breath, but it didn’t reach Father’s or my ears.

It seemed he really hadn’t known.

Had he not read the marriage contract?

Did he assume it was the same as before? No, even so, that was unbelievable. Was he the type to skip the final confirmation?

How absurd.

There was no way we would have left things as they were.

The contract had been signed as soon as his mistress, the viscount’s daughter, had entered a stable period in her pregnancy.

“You should be happy. Your wife is now the sole recipient of the King’s favor. Unlike your grandmother, she is not merely a kept woman. She is an official royal mistress.”

A scathing sarcasm aimed at my brother-in-law.

Truly, Father was merciless.

“By all means, you should boast to your parents back in your territory. Tell them that the child your wife will bear is not just any royal bastard.”

“…”

“Tell them that she may even be granted the title of ‘Highness.'”

My brother-in-law remained with his head hung low.

Serves you right, you fool.

In the end, my brother-in-law was defeated by Father’s words and left as if fleeing.