Marriage of Convenience

Chapter 7 – 15 Year Reunion (1)

Translator: Skye

“Where is the count?”

Vincent’s features shifted oddly when he heard Bianca suddenly asking for the count’s whereabouts. He was already well aware of how little interest Bianca had in Zachary, but this was too much.

“…Lord Arno left for the campaign, if you recall?” Vincent replied, disapproval clearly evident in his tone.

No wonder. Bianca had been causing an uproar for the last few days until she finally accepted the fact that she had returned to the past. She found it strange that Zachary hadn’t made a single appearance, as he surely would’ve come to check on her at least once despite how callous their relationship was.

Bianca felt a great sense of relief at hearing that he was currently away. Although she had already strengthened her resolve, she would gladly welcome the extra time to prepare herself mentally. She swallowed a breath of relief at not having to face Zachary just yet.

She feigned nonchalance and casually replied, “Is that so? When is he expected to return?”

“Based on our last correspondence, he said that he estimates to be returning around the start of winter.”

“Hmm.”

Bianca slowly nodded her head and shifted her gaze to look out the window. The turn of her neck reflected a noble elegance as well as the degree of her indifference towards Zachary. Irked by such demeanor, Vincent’s expression crumpled, looking like he had tasted something acrid.

Vincent was a man around his forties and it was known that he had long ties with Zachary, originating back from when they had both been under the Hugues family, before Zachary received his baron title. As Zachary’s oldest vassal, Vincent’s loyalty was like no other, and as the steward of the castle, he also frequently butted heads with Bianca.

There were many in the castle who were disgruntled by Bianca and disliked her, but it was none other than Vincent who topped that list. It was likely that he cursed Bianca more than the maids who had a crush on Zachary. Plus, Vincent did not bother to even hide his dislike for her, possibly because he was confident that he wouldn’t be kicked out even if Bianca were to go and tattle to Zachary.

However, when it came to being a steward, Vincent was excellent. His unfriendly attitude was only out of spite. He made an effort to grant everything Bianca–the lady of the house–wanted for the most part. There was nothing in his actions to nitpick on or identify as being negligent.

Hence why Bianca overlooked his forward behavior, content with the fact that Vincent knew his place and never stepped out of line. Either way, it was not like she coveted strong loyalty from her servants. Bianca was quite lenient towards those who weren’t lazy and did their job properly, and weren’t thieves who tried to swipe their masters’ possessions…

Of course, that was Bianca’s opinion and hers alone. All of the servants of Arno castle kept their distance from her, though it wasn’t clear why as she wasn’t a particularly wicked master.

Well, even so, Bianca had no desire to try and figure out the reason and mend it in this present life of hers. She did have regrets of her previous life, but they were only regarding certain important points in time. She had no reason or need to become someone particularly kind. It wasn’t like she asked for such a miracle in order to become a new person.

Even though she had fallen from grace so miserably and wretchedly, it did not change the fact that she was a lousy wife who could only think about the humiliation of being driven out instead of grieving over her husband’s death. Instead of pledging to love her husband if she were granted a second chance at life, she was a woman who burned with the determination to seize revenge against Fernand. That was the type of person Bianca was. Saying goodbye to her old self and getting revenge on the people who had brought despair into her past life was the extent of her purpose. Her reputation or her relationship with others weren’t very important.

Peering at Bianca, who was staring out the window while lost in her own thoughts, Vincent asked in a rigid tone, “Was there something you needed me to do?”

“No, not really.”

Bianca shook her head. She no longer had a need for him as he had answered the one and only question she was curious about. But something came to mind right as she was about to dismiss him.

“Ah, that’s right. It’ll be pretty cold this winter so please prepare a cape made of fox fur for me. A white one would be best.”

“…I understand.”

Vincent furrowed his brows, an expression that seemed to be saying ‘I should’ve known.’ Bianca always asked for new fur coats despite owning several already. It was alarming how she was spending money on lavish goods like it was any normal day even though her husband was away on the battlefield.

Their young lady of the house was well-known for her extravagance. She had grown up as a precious child of the Blanchefort family, so there was nothing she hadn’t been able to obtain with money. After all, the dowry the Blancheforts paid had been enormous.

Although a dowry was a wedding contribution by the bride’s family, it was customary for an amount greater than the original dowry to be given back to the bride if her husband met an early death and she became a widow. Then, after her husband’s death, the bride would leave with two times the amount of the original dowry and either re-marry or live on her own.

Therefore, the bride’s family would try to prepare a dowry reflecting how much they cared for her, while the groom’s side would welcome the sudden increase in funds.

But the Blanchefort’s proposed amount had been much too grand. It was an amount that neared the two-year budget for the Arno’s, so on the off chance that Zachary died in the war, then the majority of the Arno’s assets would fall to the Blancheforts. As a result, Zachary had no choice but to endure the shame of imploring them to adjust the amount.

And so, the bride who had arrived was a typical young lady of noble birth, swathed with grace and arrogance. A lady who preferred jewels and fox furs over playing house despite her young age. She would only converse with her nanny, whom she had brought with her from the Blanchefort estate, refraining from exchanging any words with the other servants unless she absolutely had to.

The servants saw that as Bianca drawing the line, almost as if she–a precious daughter of a count–had no desire to even mingle with those of such lowly birth. Bianca’s gaze also played a part in making the servants feel that way.

At first glance, the trademark green eyes of the Blancheforts looked like they were filled with warmth resembling spring blooms, but a proper look made one see that her eyes were actually as cold as ice.

They were so icy that the weak-minded servants were already walking on eggshells around Bianca when she was only 7 years old, while those who were strong-minded huffed defiantly. Vincent had a hard time trying to calm down the headstrong ones who grumbled about her.

And the lord of the castle, Zachary de Arno, was no exception to Bianca’s frosty gaze.

Zachary was the son of a humble viscount and at the time of his marriage to Bianca, he had only been a baron. He was unable to inherit his father’s territory or title, as he was born as the second son, so he was left with only two choices: the path of a religious brother or the path of a knight. He had picked the path of the knight without any hesitation, setting off for his first war at the age of 16, and ultimately made significant contributions. Then, at the age of 20, Zachary had received the title of baron along with the Arno territory, making his name known.

Even so, it was still incomparable to the prestige of the Blanchefort family. Zachary himself did not understand why Count Blanchefort had offered him his daughter’s hand in marriage.

How nice would it have been had the count relayed his weighty answer through his daughter? Unfortunately, it had seemed the 7-year-old Bianca was completely clueless. She only continued to grumble like she was disgruntled and avoided her husband.

Zachary had made much effort to try and placate her, trying to have meals together and buying her things she liked…

But due to his stiff features and harsh tone, it didn’t seem to have a positive effect. Still, he had been doing his best and as such, there was no reason for him to be ignored and essentially given a reception resembling a frigid wind by his wife.

Vincent was under the impression that Bianca was pushing away Zachary because she was inwardly looking down on his title and blood. He was enraged by the belief that his lord, who was not lacking in any areas, was being scorned by a young girl who had nothing to boast other than the fact she was born into a renowned family.

However, because his master, Zachary, overlooked Bianca’s behavior, there wasn’t much Vincent could do.

And that was how nine years passed by. Bianca was no longer a child but a girl, and would soon be a woman. The consummation of marriage they had been putting off due to Bianca’s young age was approaching.

Given that the majority of nobles took part in arranged marriages, it was rare for there to be love between them. Many couples lived by thinking of the contracts drawn up by their respective families, the attraction towards the other when they shared a bed, and their child and heir who shared their blood.

An heir. Would things be better if there was an heir?

As Zachary was a noble who had received his title through his achievements on the battlefield, he spent close to half his time on the frontlines. As his lord’s vassal and steward, Vincent was nervous about his lord frequenting the warzones without even an heir.

Thus why he had been pleading with Zachary to have an heir, but the latter ignored him with the sole argument being Bianca’s young age.

But what was the result of that? The still-childish countess was requesting for white fox capes while her husband was out risking his life on the battlefield.

Vincent released a sigh. He decided he would try bringing up the idea of an heir again once Zachary returned this winter. The madam would surely mature if she gave birth to a child–she would need to.

Vincent clicked his tongue and left the room.

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T/N: Please take note of lines where words like ‘likely’ and ‘possibly’ are used (ex. It was *likely* that Vincent cursed Bianca more than the maids) – These are conjectures aka it could be true but it doesn’t mean that it absolutely is. (In this example, it’s more like it’s Bianca’s guess). Just wanted to point it out because I mentioned that this story is slow burn and that characters will make their development slowly, but in order for a development to happen, you need to see the “ugly” first – I know there are people who are quick to hate on characters by jumping on specific excerpts without reading carefully. Trying my best to stick to the same nuances the raw gave, but there’s only so much that can be conveyed directly in English. (Also, please don’t use examples from the webtoon to argue against characters here, as the details are different from the novel)