Sickly? Husband's Contractual Wife

Chapter 96

“Ah, no. It’s nothing.”

He began writing again diligently.

As he wrote down everything Amoide dictated, the pages started to pile up.

“You’re bequeathing all of this to your wife?”

The lawyer reconfirmed, and Amoide nodded.

“I understand that having a large dowry makes it easier to remarry.”

“That’s true. When noblewomen remarry, their wealth is the most significant consideration.”

Having a substantial dowry was essential for securing a good marriage. This was a given in noble society. No matter how high-ranking a noble family was, if they had no money, they couldn’t marry their daughters off to respectable places. A wife’s dowry was a reflection of her family’s wealth and the husband’s capabilities.

…But why is he mentioning this?

“She might find a better husband. Someone healthy, with no risk of an early death.”

“…”

Not knowing how to respond, Melvin lowered his head. The young duke had been asking questions he couldn’t answer.

“Apart from the inheritance, add a special clause.”

“Yes.”

Melvin quickly dipped the quill in ink.

“I, Duke Ifrit, ensure the absolute safety of my wife, Selene, even after my death.”

The hand that had been writing smoothly stopped once again.

“This is a clause regarding the safety of the duchess.”

Previously, it was surprise at the inheritance, but now it was closer to confusion.

“The child will be protected by my mother even if I’m not around, but it’s different for my wife.”

“I’ve heard rumors that she might be pregnant. Is that why you’re changing the will…?”

“It has nothing to do with whether she’s pregnant or not. It’s about protecting my wife’s safety and rights after my death, within the legal framework. I’m entrusting you with this task.”

His piercing eyes seemed to bore into Melvin.

“And I trust you won’t tell my mother about this conversation.”

“…Of course.”

Melvin organized the will, which was now filled with numerous additional clauses.

“Are there any other changes?”

“No.”

“Then please sign here.”

Amoide walked over to the table where Melvin was sitting and took the quill. After carefully reading through the newly added clauses from start to finish, he signed it meticulously. Finally, he folded the document, dropped some red wax on it, and sealed it with his personal seal.

“To be opened upon my death. The moment I breathe my last.”

“Understood.”

The duke spoke as if he were discussing someone else’s death. Could one become so indifferent to their own death after being ill for so long? Melvin wondered.

“Then, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

Amoide nodded, and Melvin quickly gathered his things and left, afraid there might be more to add.

Once outside, he finally let out a deep sigh.

He felt like he had just been caught between two sharp blades.

The duke and the duke’s mother. The tasks each had given him were extremely contradictory. One had asked him to prepare divorce papers for the Duchess of Ifrit, while the other asked him to ensure her safety and inheritance.

“Good grief.”

As a legal representative for both, he couldn’t take sides.

“I don’t know.”

However, some things were clear. Despite his illness, Amoide was the head of the Ifrit family, and Camilla would likely outlive him. Therefore, he had to decide whom to side with.

After a brief moment of thought, he concluded.

The only truth that has stood the test of time and across the world:

“Victory goes to the winner.”

He muttered, clutching the freshly drafted will.

After all, it was a fight between his clients. He just had to step back and support the more powerful side. So far, that had been Camilla, but the duke’s recent determination had been quite formidable.

The look in his eyes was that of a desperate predator, willing to do anything to protect what was important.

—

With a week given to determine the pregnancy, everything in the mansion started to revolve around me. Following Camilla’s orders to rest as much as possible, I was effectively confined to the bed.

“Rona.”

I murmured, sitting on the bed.

“Yes?”

“What if… I am pregnant?”

“What do you mean? If you are, that’s wonderful!”

Because there’s someone who doesn’t wish for it.

“Why are you saying such ominous things? I’m sure you’ll have a lovely baby.”

Rona crossed her fingers and giggled.

“Don’t worry about anything and start by eating. Jean made a special dish that’s good for morning sickness.”

“I’m not experiencing morning sickness.”

“Either way.”

Rona opened the lid of the dish. Considering my recent sensitivity to smells, the food had a refreshing flavor. There were meat dishes with fruits, a mild soup, and a bean dish, all tailored to my taste.

“It’s delicious. He put a lot of effort into it.”

I finished the meal, feeling full for the first time in a while.

“I’m glad it suits your taste. Jean seems to have a knack for cooking for pregnant women.”

“Yes, it seems so.”

“But why do you look so down? Should I have more food brought up?”

“No, that’s okay.”

I shook my head. Although the food was to my liking, my heart felt as if it had swallowed thorns.

“I’ve been abroad for a long time, so I don’t have any friends in society. I thought it would be nice to become friends.”

What on earth is this about?

Veronica came to visit the Duchess of Ifrit herself to ask to be friends. This is different from ‘Lady Crown.’

In the book, it was written that Selene had sought out Veronica and they had several exchanges. Has something changed?

Just as I’m not the same Selene as before, there’s no guarantee the events in the book will unfold the same way. Though it was too early to tell, if the content of the book has changed even a little…

Could his fate also change?

“Then go ahead and continue with your advice.”

I was curious to hear what she had to say, wondering what prompted her to come all the way to give this lecture.

“A war is about to start. Between the kingdom of Rilos, where I was, and the Empire.”

Veronica said, touching her fingers together.

“The Empire needs knights to go out and fight, leading them is the Solar Knights, and at the top is Amoide but he’s very ill.”

Veronica furrowed her brows slightly, as if in sympathy.

“When the head of a family is ill, naturally, the power of that family weakens. They can’t participate in politics. If there were an heir, the situation would be different… but unfortunately, that’s not the case.”

Veronica’s gaze briefly landed on my belly before quickly looking away. At that moment, I really wished there was an heir growing inside me. Then at least I could refute some of what she was saying.

“The Duchess Dowager is anxious. The family’s reputation isn’t what it used to be, and their influence at the royal court is waning… So she’s making all sorts of rash decisions.”

“Like bringing you in as a daughter-in-law?”

I remembered the way Camilla had looked at Veronica, with eyes full of desire.

“…That won’t happen. But it is true she wants to bring in a daughter-in-law from a good family.”

Regardless of any agreements, Amoide had an official wife. Yet the fact they were considering bringing in a new daughter-in-law meant…

‘They plan to get rid of me eventually, whether I have a child or not,’ I thought.

Camilla intended to push me out of the family one way or another. My goal was to escape before that happened. The only obstacle to that plan right now was the potential child.

“I felt sorry for you, thinking there were many things you didn’t know, so I came to see you. I hope this was helpful, Selene.”

Veronica stood up and put on the hat she had taken off.

“It’s already this late. My father must be waiting.”

She checked the time on her pocket watch, seeing that watch brought a hazy memory to the surface.

‘Yes, at the harbor.’

She was the beauty I saw there.

“Veronica.”

I called her urgently. She looked at me as if to ask what was the matter, and I hesitated.

“Ah…”

It wasn’t a particularly important conversation. Besides, I had been deeply covered by my hood at the time, so she wouldn’t recognize me.

“Unfortunately, I can’t see you off. Take care, Veronica.”

Veronica nodded and left the room. After she left, Rona came in to clear the tea cups and spoke.

“You must have been surprised by Lady Veronica’s sudden visit.”

“…”

My hand was still clenched around the bed sheet.

I quietly pondered over her words. Why did she come to me and say all that?

Veronica was the daughter of a capable diplomat. The emperor’s favor towards the Lotrange family was growing, and she was on a path to greater success. She would fall in love with the crown prince, become his consort, and eventually the empress.

For someone like her to come and say such things to me…

‘What does she want?’