What’s Wrong With My Marriage? I Was Bought as a Wife, Yet My Husband Is Madly in Love With Me! - Chapter 31

Beside a beet-red Luce, who had been rendered speechless, Nora managed to intervene before Klaus could actually carry out the hostile takeover of a shipping company. With her interference, the situation finally settled down.

Seeing that everyone wholeheartedly supported her relationship with Klaus made Luce feel bashful, yet deeply warmed. Consequently, she felt much more enthusiastic about the wedding than she had before.

After discussing it, the two decided to hold the ceremony in early spring, inviting the previous Count from his seaside town. Though it would be quite small-scale for a noble wedding, Luce had no acquaintances among the noble ladies. There was no one she particularly wanted to invite.

Klaus mentioned that the only person he was truly close to was Chad. When Luce suggested they might rent out the entire restaurant that the previous Count loved, Klaus looked impressed, calling it a fresh perspective.

“A wedding is usually performed for the sake of networking, after all,” Klaus noted. “People who truly bless the union are rare. Though I’d like to believe not all nobles are that way.”

Apparently, the peers of his own age that Klaus had encountered were exactly that sort of people.

“Technically, my lineage is that of the child of a child born to my grandfather’s mistress. To those who take pride in their bloodline, I must be quite an eyesore.”

He mentioned he had been told to his face that a commoner had “snuck in.” In reality, since Klaus had been a resident of the slums, he hadn’t cared at all.

“Currently, I’m called a nouveau riche. It’s strange; whether you have money or not, the people who want to insult you will find a way.”

“That’s… that’s horrible.”

“It’s just noise not worth worrying about.”

Klaus laughed, seemingly genuinely unbothered. Luce found this aspect of him incredible. It was a world away from her own tendency to immediately dwell on the words of others.

“Klaus, you really are amazing.”

“D-do you think so?”

“Yes, I really do.”

Taking a page out of Klaus’s book, Luce made an effort to say exactly what was on her mind. In response, Klaus’s ears turned red, and he gave a shy, bashful smile. To Luce, he looked absolutely adorable; seeing him like this had recently become her favorite thing.

“Master, Madam! I’ve brought the documents for the magic stove sales, so take a look—”

“Madam, how are you finding the new kitchen!?”

“Madam, Madam! Are you going to travel to Ghoolam?”

The Dwarves burst in noisily and looked at the two.

“What’s this? Did we interrupt?”

“They’re newlyweds, after all.”

“Must be nice to get along so well.”

“The Master is actually blushing. We saw something interesting today!”

The Barth estate was filled with the sound of warm laughter.

However, an existence appeared that threatened to ruin such happy times. This time, her older sister, Cassandra, arrived without any prior notice.

Cassandra wore a wide-brimmed hat adorned with ribbons and brightly colored feathers. To match, she wore a provocative dress with a lace-trimmed neckline. With a bold smirk on her beautiful face—her bright red lipstick leaving a strong impression—she spoke.

“Luce, I’ve come to see how you’re doing.”

“…Sister. This is not my house alone. Please observe basic manners and contact me before coming.”

“Still such a cold girl, I see. We’re family, so what does it matter?”

Why was it that both her sister Cassandra and her sister Mirella completely disregarded Luce’s schedule? It would be one thing if it were only within the Orlov house, but Luce was now married and the Countess of Barth.

“If we are family, all the more reason to show proper courtesy.”

Cassandra seemed offended by Luce’s refusal to back down. Her face twisted into a scowl as she glared at Luce.

“You sound just like Grandmother. Your husband is nothing but a Count famous for being a nouveau riche. Just because you’ve married up doesn’t mean you’ve become important, so know your place. I am your older sister.”

“…I suppose so. But I wonder, have you ever actually done anything ‘sisterly’ for me?”

“When I’ve gone to the trouble of worrying about you and checking in?”

“Please, just leave me alone.”

Luce felt a sense of panic, wondering why she had to show up today of all days. Cassandra had appeared just as Luce was about to head out.

“Do you have plans? In that case, I suppose I’ll wait inside the mansion.”

“I must refuse, Sister. Please go home for today.”

“You intend to send me back without even offering tea? Mirella was right; can’t you be a bit kinder to people?”

Luce bit her lip at the familiar rhetoric.

(If I talk back here, she’ll just make even more of a scene…)

Luce was simply talking about general etiquette, yet she was being treated like the villain. It should be normal to send word or ask permission before visiting a home. If she treated everyone else this way, Luce could at least resign herself to the fact that Cassandra was just a tyrannical person who ignored manners entirely.

(But Sister and Mirella only behave this way toward me.)

That was why it was so much harder to bear. The fact that they could manage basic decency for others but refused to extend it to Luce was what she hated most.

(…I don’t want to let her into the house. This is Klaus’s and my home; she certainly won’t behave herself as she would in a friend’s house.)

It was obvious that if she left and came back, the interior of the mansion would be a disaster. However, she didn’t want to choose the option of canceling her outing.

She had a dinner date with Klaus today.

She had dressed up as best she could in the clothes Klaus had bought her from the boutique and was just about to head to their meeting place.

“Sister, you can insult me all you like. But I cannot entertain a guest who visits without notice. …Please leave.”

Calling over a servant, Luce stood her ground with a resolute attitude. Cassandra’s refined face contorted with irritation.

“…Just you remember this. Even if you apologize later, I won’t forgive you.”

(I haven’t done anything that requires an apology, though.)

When the servant prompted her to exit, Cassandra shrieked hysterically, “Don’t touch me!” She then stormed out, her heavy footsteps echoing as she left.

“Madam, would it be best if we didn’t announce their visits at the gate from now on?”

At Nora’s question, Luce replied that it would be a great help. Cassandra and Mirella were likely only so overbearing because they were dealing with Luce. If it were anyone else, they would surely maintain a facade of proper behavior.

(…I’m the only one they treat ‘specially.’)

But that “special” treatment wasn’t something she was happy about in the least.

Trying to brush away the unpleasant mood, Luce climbed into her carriage.