Marriage by Contract? No, It’s a Marriage of Convenience – A Countess Who Had Her Engagement Broken

Chapter 12: Sudden visit

She thinks it’s best to discuss financial matters face to face so that there are no misunderstandings, but if the other party doesn’t want to meet, there’s nothing we can do. She decided to wait a little.

And when Liddellina had finally recovered from the numbness, Friedrich came from the main house.

Since he had said he preferred not to see Liddellina, she didn’t expect him to come directly. she rushed to the salon where he was waiting.

“Husband, thank you for coming all the way to the other mansion…”

“No, the greeting is fine. Sit down.”

“Yes.”

Liddellina sat down on the seat opposite Friedrich, trying to be tense. she had to maintain a moderate distance from him, just a little farther than a person.

Dorothy, who usually accompanies her, was not there, and Howard was somehow pouring tea.

“The contents of this letter are nonsense. I have fulfilled the promise properly.”

She was somewhat surprised by these words.

“Does that mean you have already finished paying off that huge debt?”

“Please check.”

He spreads out the documents that serve as proof of payment. Liddellina timidly reached out to them.

The Duke had paid off an incredible amount. The extravagance of the uncle’s family was astounding, and she felt that she understood why her father, who was his younger brother, inherited the title.

Uncle had always talked as if there was a debt to the Drimore family, but her parents had lived a modest life, so she could only think that they had squandered it.

“It’s a promise, so it’s only natural. The repayment was finished on the day we exchanged marriage certificates. The current debt is for new dresses and jewelry that the man’s wife and daughter extravagantly bought.”

“What! They are borrowing money again? I’m sorry for misunderstanding.”

Liddellina was amazed and embarrassed, bowing her head to him.

“No, you probably just wanted to confirm the truth. That’s reasonable. There is no trust between us.”

His expression remained hard and his tone cold, but she found him much more trustworthy than the uncle and aunt.

He kept his promises strictly, and she had no doubt that he trusted me as his wife.

“I’m embarrassed. I’m sorry to have you meet me because of such a thing. Despite the fact that you have been treating me so well all this time.”

Then he tilted his head curiously.

“Treating you well? What do you mean?”

“Well, I have a wonderful mansion, a nice hot spring, kind and attentive servants, and thanks to you, I have a very comfortable life.”

In addition, Friedrich doesn’t interfere, and Liddellina herself doesn’t even think about having a child with him, whom she doesn’t get along with.

Some people might consider it foolish, but if you cut it off, it’s actually a grateful condition. There is no love there.

At least Liddellina’s parents were kind and caring to each other. Maybe because she was raised seeing that, she now thinks a foster child is enough.

However, her husband opened his eyes slightly at her words. It was the first time she knew he could show an expression other than intimidation.

“No, I imposed strange conditions on you and brought you to this inconvenient territory, so it’s only natural. Still, I think it’s not enough.”

This time it was Liddellina’s turn to be surprised. It seemed that he didn’t particularly dislike Liddellina. Was it just that he didn’t like people in general?

However, she couldn’t believe that such a person could lead a life in the army. Or is the army a special place? Liddellina’s thoughts wandered again.

“No, that’s absurd.”

She shook her head in a hurry, denying his words. Above all, she likes the hot spring. As long as that is here, she doesn’t want to leave this place. She doesn’t want to return to a life of bathtubs and wiping herself with water.

“In addition, you became one of us. So there is no need to worry about a home without a place to return to. However, I will give you one piece of advice because I happened to be with you. Call the eldest son of that house back from abroad soon. If you don’t, that parent and child will squander his inheritance and his home will disappear.”

Liddellina gasped.

“…W-What do you mean?”

“That means your uncle and aunt are very disreputable. But the eldest son seems honest.”

It’s just embarrassing.

“As you say. Thank you. I will contact my cousin immediately.”

“Understood. I will have a letter delivered. And regarding the contract and money, I thought it was important to talk face to face, so I came here today, but I hope there won’t be any more of this in the future.”

“Yes, I will remember it in her heart. Thank you for your time.”

Liddellina deeply bowed her head.

Although he doesn’t show it at all, it’s clear that he’s trying to treat his wife politely in his own way.

After that, Liddellina hurriedly wrote a letter urging her cousin to return home.

***

TL: Liddellina’s male cousin from abroad is her uncle’s son from his late first wife.