What’s Wrong With My Marriage? I Was Bought as a Wife, Yet My Husband Is Madly in Love With Me! - Chapter 6

Luce had come here today to buy clothes with Klaus. Not to buy the entire store.

Klaus had explicitly said in the carriage that they were going to buy clothes. Luce’s memory wasn’t failing her.

“Klaus, let’s buy clothes today, not the shop.”

“But if I buy the shop, you can have new clothes whenever you want. I thought it would be best for a designer who can maximize your charm to be constantly creating pieces just for you.”

“The Earl is absolutely right,” the owner added, nodding fervently for some reason.

(Wait, shouldn’t he have some ‘artisan’s pride’ and refuse to work for anyone but those he personally likes?)

As if reading her mind, the owner spoke up.

“Please rest assured, my Lady. It is quite common for those with great wealth to keep artisans on retainer. This is essentially the same thing, though the scale is a bit different. You needn’t worry about it at all.”

“I see…”

(…Is this just the ‘common sense’ of wealthy nobles?)

It was a common sense from a world entirely foreign to Luce. However, since neither Klaus nor the owner seemed bothered, she accepted it for the time being as “just how things are.”

“Well then, I’ll take the shop. Now, Luce, let’s pick out some clothes you like. I think bright colors would suit you. You mentioned you liked orange. First, try on something in that palette for me.”

“Right this way, my Lady. Here is the catalog. I shall bring the actual pieces to you immediately.”

From the clothes down to the hats and shoes, this was the first time Luce had ever been allowed to choose everything for herself.

The things her mother and sister had forced upon her were decent enough individually, but they were always a disaster when combined. Luce always had to go out wearing those mismatched outfits. Even when people laughed, her parents and sister never cared. Her brother would get angry and tell her not to come near him because she was embarrassing. Her younger sister would walk with her, holding her hand, and say loudly enough for others to hear, “I’ll choose your clothes for you next time, Sister.”

Of course, her sister had never actually chosen or gifted her a single thing.

“Incredible. It suits you perfectly, Luce.”

“You look truly lovely, my Lady.”

Klaus and the staff showered her with praise as she looked at her reflection. Even if it was just flattery, Luce felt a surge of genuine happiness at being complimented.

“That vibrant shade is so cute on you, Luce. It’s as if a flower is in full bloom; you’re truly radiant. You are beautiful and adorable.”

“You’re overpraising me.”

“What’s wrong with that? I simply want to tell you exactly what I’m thinking.”

When he looked at her with a slightly dejected face, asking if he shouldn’t have said it, Luce could only tell him it was fine.

(I can’t handle it when Klaus looks at me like that.)

Luce realized that once you decide someone is “cute,” you can’t see them any other way. When Klaus looked at her with those pleading eyes, she felt like she could forgive him for anything. In just a single day, she was already being swayed by this husband she barely knew.

(…This is exactly what’s wrong with me.)

The moment someone is a little bit kind, she accepts them completely. Even if she ends up feeling miserable later, she clings to the hope of that kindness and endures unreasonable treatment. Klaus might be exactly like her family was. To ensure she didn’t forget that, Luce clenched her hands tight.

“Luce?”

“…It’s nothing, Klaus.”

“I see. If you’re tired, shall we take a rest?”

Faced with his concern, Luce insisted once more that she was fine. Klaus didn’t push further.

(I mustn’t get the wrong idea just because he’s kind. I’m sick of feeling miserable.)

“Thank you for buying me such wonderful clothes.”

When she thanked him, he beamed with a full, radiant smile. Luce decided she would try to maintain a friendly relationship while keeping a proper distance from her husband.

“I’m so glad you’re happy, Luce!”

No matter what his hidden motives were, he was kind to her for now. She hoped it would stay that way, but the odds were against it. She had to stay prepared for the day he might divorce her.

(This is surely just a temporary dream.)

While Luce was steeling herself with grim determination, Klaus continued to chatter happily. Finally, he knelt before her.

“I feel like I could give up my entire fortune for your sake. Since we were on the topic of inheritance, why don’t we discuss transferring my other assets today? Luce, do you have a preference for certain types of mines? I think diamonds would best match the clothes from earlier, so I’ll give that mine to you…”

“Wait.”

“…Ah, perhaps you prefer a gold mine? I wouldn’t recommend that one since the vein will likely dry up in ten years, but…”

“No, Klaus. That’s not it.”

“Is it emeralds then? Or rubies? Amethysts? I own those mines too, but they’re small. Shall I buy a mine with a yield worthy of you right now?”

“Klaus, please calm down.”

(I tried to keep my distance, and he immediately tries to hand over his entire estate. What is happening?!)

His way of closing the distance was completely broken. Luce had almost convinced herself that this was just “rich person common sense,” but compared to any standard of sanity, Klaus’s behavior was definitely strange.

“Klaus, you shouldn’t just give things like that away to people so easily.”

“But Luce, we’re married, so we aren’t strangers…”

“E-even if we’re married, you can’t just hand them over!”

Staring into his eyes, she almost found herself agreeing with him. Her earlier resolve was on the verge of blowing away, and she cursed her own lack of backbone.

“Klaus. Let’s talk about those things after some more time has passed. Okay?”

“…If you say so, Luce.”

Klaus nodded dejectedly. He looked so pitiful that Luce couldn’t help but take his hand and suggest they walk around the city.

“Since I’m in town with my husband, I’d like to look around the different shops. Klaus, won’t you accompany me?”

Klaus blinked, and a smile spread across his face instantly. He squeezed her hand back and nodded enthusiastically. “Of course!”