What’s Wrong With My Marriage? I Was Bought as a Wife, Yet My Husband Is Madly in Love With Me! - Chapter 22

Luce had always lived with the constant expectation that a future existed where Klaus would eventually tire of her. She assumed that one day, he would finally give up on her.

(I understand that. I truly do…)

She lived her life fully aware of her “place” in the world. At this moment, she wanted to scream at Mirella to stop interfering with her brief dip into happiness.

“My husband is away at work. You won’t be able to see him.”

“Oh? Is it really work? Or has he grown bored of you and gone out to play? Poor thing… well, since I pity you, I’ll stay and keep you company to help kill the time.”

“That won’t be necessary. Even without your company, I am quite busy.”

“Even though you don’t even show your face in society?”

Luce bit her lip at Mirella’s words.

Because Klaus didn’t particularly care about building connections in high society, Luce had indulged in that same freedom. But if she were to truly support him, she knew that making social connections to ensure his business ran smoothly was an essential duty as a wife.

“Sister Cassandra said it herself. Luce is such a gloomy girl that she probably just spends all her time shut up in that manor. She said that since Lord Bart doesn’t know anyone either, perhaps two gloomy people just happen to get along. I wonder if she’s right?”

As Mirella giggled, Luce finally snapped. She didn’t care what they said about her, but she couldn’t forgive anyone for making fun of Klaus.

“Don’t you dare say such reckless things when you know nothing about him!”

“Oh my, are we having a hysterical fit now? It’s no wonder you don’t have any friends if you’re like this. You’re an adult now; shouldn’t you put a little effort into being likable?”

No matter how angry Luce became, it didn’t work on Mirella. Her sister simply looked at her with pity and continued to lecture her.

“…Just go home.”

“What, not even a cup of tea? You really are stingy, Sister. Fine, then at least send me home in your carriage.”

“How did you even get here?”

Mirella shrugged, claiming she had asked someone for a ride.

“I found someone who looked like they were heading this way and asked. A proper nobleman, of course. I told him I wanted to visit my sister but was troubled because a carriage hadn’t been sent for me, and he was kind enough to give me a lift.”

Luce hadn’t even been informed of the visit, so there was no reason to send a carriage. But the way Mirella told the story, anyone listening would assume Luce was being spiteful. Mirella told lies as smoothly as she breathed. Perhaps she wasn’t even aware she was lying.

(To Mirella, everything she says is ‘fact.’ It’s only natural that a carriage should appear for her even without notice. She thinks it’s only natural that I should exhaust myself anticipating her every whim.)

“…You want to use the Bart family carriage?”

“You’re staying home anyway, Sister, so what’s the harm in using it to drop me off?”

Luce desperately wanted to refuse. But if she did, Mirella would surely weep theatrically in front of the Bart estate, telling everyone what a cruel sister Luce was. Even if they didn’t have many social ties, Luce couldn’t risk causing trouble for Klaus.

(If I lend her the carriage, knowing Mirella, she’ll definitely make detours. She might even go shopping and put it on the Bart family tab.)

It wouldn’t be a large sum to Klaus, but it was money he had worked to earn. There was no way she could let Mirella spend it as she pleased.

“My, what a lovely young lady we have here.”

While Luce was agonizing over what to do, a voice called out from behind her. She turned to find a stout, portly man standing there.

(Wait! Who is this?)

When the man-made eye contact with Luce, he gave her a mischievous wink.

“Deck, if this young lady is heading home, please lend her a carriage.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Young lady, why not stay a while and have some tea with me?”

At the man’s invitation, Mirella recoiled with a half-grimace.

“No, that’s quite alright. …Sister, I just remembered I have an errand, so I’ll be going. Honestly, I’m glad you found someone who suits you so well.”

With a derisive snort, Mirella marched out of the entrance hall. The stout man and Deck followed behind her, seeing her off with smiles. Luce stood there dazed, wondering what on earth had just happened, when a familiar voice called her name. She turned to see Klaus standing there.

“Klaus? You were home?”

“The atmosphere at the front door seemed odd, so I came in through the back.”

Klaus also gave her a mischievous wink.

“Master, I have placed her in the carriage with instructions to go directly to the Orlov estate,” Deck reported, and Klaus nodded. The stout man from before followed behind him.

“Thanks for the help, Chad.”

“Don’t mention it. Ah, excuse me, Madam. Please forgive my rudeness.”

The man named Chad corrected his informal tone and bowed.

“He’s an old acquaintance,” Klaus explained. “He’s also the owner of the shop that supplies our ingredients. Luce, perhaps you recognize him?”

“Hahaha! I’ve changed quite a bit, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the Madam didn’t realize. Miss Mirella didn’t have a clue.”

“I’m so sorry, have we met…?”

“Miss Cassandra used to order bacon and such from my shop quite often. Business was good thanks to her.”

“Wait… are you the young master of the butcher shop Cassandra was so infatuated with!?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

As he confirmed it so casually, Luce let out a cry of surprise. When Cassandra used to visit him, he had been a slender man with cool, sharp eyes.

“My waistline grew along with my happiness. After I got married, I poured myself into the business and started handling all sorts of groceries, not just meat.”

“…I see.”

“Since both Miss Cassandra and Miss Mirella only care for handsome men, a round fellow like me is the perfect deterrent. If I ask to keep them company, they bolt pretty quick.”

Chad seemed to know Mirella’s personality inside and out. Apparently, because Cassandra and Mirella had participated in church volunteer work, they were well-known among the townspeople.

“If Boss Klaus had shown his face, it would have only made things more complicated,” Chad noted.

“Better to keep the conflict to a minimum,” Klaus added.

Luce could only nod in amazement at the efficiency of Chad and Deck. Mirella, who had been being so stubborn, had retreated without a fight.