The Art of a Brilliant Political Marriage - Chapter 14

—Going back in time, a few hours before Saves returned home.

I had Litte prepare a luxurious dress and help me get ready. After a long time, I put on proper makeup and had him style me like an elegant noble lady. Dressed like this, I lay in wait for my sister-in-law to return. Her daily routine involves attending a girls’ school and returning in the evening. I had researched this thoroughly.

“Oh, welcome home.”

“Wha—what are you doing in a place like this?”

As Vefa tried to step down from the carriage, Cielin climbed in, essentially pushing her back inside. Litte told the driver the destination and climbed in as well, and the carriage began to move again.

“Wh-what is the meaning of this?”

“Let’s go shopping together for a bit.”

“Why on earth should I go anywhere with you!?”

“Well, there are some very unavoidable circumstances.”

There were no circumstances at all, but when I gave her that vague excuse, she only glared at me with sharp eyes.

“What are you saying? I have no such circumstances! Let me out this instant. Besides, why do I have to share a carriage with the daughter of a crooked moneylender?”

“Perhaps it is because I married your older brother. Don’t you think I’m a good match for the famous, cold-hearted Assistant to the Prime Minister?”

“My brother is a wonderful person!”

At Vefa’s outburst, the light in Cielin’s eyes vanished in an instant.

“Ah, I see. So, it’s like that…”

“My Lady…”

“It’s fine, I understand. I thought this might be a possibility. It’s within my expectations.”

Cielin shook her head at Litte, who looked like he wanted to say something. This was a common plot in gossip papers: the sister-in-law loves her biological brother—the husband—and directs her jealousy toward the wife through relentless bullying. Yes, that works too.

After all, a sister can be quite a nuisance for a wife. Their bullying is often impulsive and fueled by youth. They might throw vases, toss books, or body-slam you at a party. Since Cielin never skips her physical training, she was ready for anything.

With fresh motivation and spirit, I leaned closer to my sister-in-law. I already knew that no one would ever understand my hobby, so as long as I was satisfied, that was all that mattered.

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh, nothing, just talking to myself.”

Cielin gave a bright smile to the suspicious Vefa.

“Since you love your brother so much, there is something I would dearly love to send to you.”

“I don’t want anything!”

“Now, now, there is no harm in looking first. Besides, it’s something your brother loves too. I’m sure if he sees it, he will praise you.”

“What could you possibly know about my brother!?”

Oh, she wasn’t stupid. I was just using a sales pitch, but it seems that speaking too carelessly makes my lies obvious. It is true that I know nothing about my husband, Saves. Whether the shop we are going to will actually interest him doesn’t matter to me at all. It was just a convenient lie to get Vefa to come along. I should stop saying such random things, though. It will only cause unnecessary anger and ruin Vefa’s mood.

“Well, it won’t be too late to decide after you try it out.”

Cielin laughed “te-he” and brushed it off.