The Villain Is Obsessed With His Fake Wife

At the banquet hall, nobles from the nearby Count Hettel family gathered. They looked sideways at Chancellor Orteca and them at the dinner, and especially at her.

 

‘A lot of people must have been curious.’

 

The male nobles’ admiration caught her ear.

 

“I was wondering why the Duke of Blanchett got married, but her appearance was really…”

 

“Duke Blanchett was a man too. Without even knowing that, I thought he wasn’t interested in women…”

 

The whispering didn’t stop until they sat down.

 

‘I feel dizzy.’

 

She might get used to it, but she still couldn’t get used to the feeling of becoming a spectacle among many nobles. John, who was sitting next to her, held her hand in his lap.

 

“Should I rip off all those mouths?”

 

“…huh?”

 

“But since my wife is by my side, I’ll have to endure it.”

 

His strong-boned fingers interlaced each finger and put pressure on her.

 

“Still, ma’am. You don’t have to worry about anything. I will take care of everything.”

 

“What?”

 

“You just used polite language.”

 

“Ha, it’s difficult to fix it overnight.”

 

When she was surprised and made an excuse, John rested his chin with one hand and raised the eyebrows of his mouth.

 

“Then maybe it would be better to punish you every time you show respect?”

 

“…Why do you keep punishing me from last time? Do you want to punish me so badly?”

 

“Well.”

 

John gave strength to his hand and looked into her eyes. It’s a gaze that makes you feel ashamed to meet it.

 

“I keep wanting to make my wife cry without even realizing it.”

 

“…”

 

“My wife’s crying face makes me very excited.”

 

It was a very scary and dark way of thinking. Dissatisfied, she pulled out the hand John was holding.

 

“But I think it would be very unpleasant for people other than me to make you cry.”

 

He looked at her like she was cute and whispered, his red eyes shining brightly.

 

“So tell me anything. I can do everything.”

 

“Which one?”

 

“Anything. There is no one anywhere that can stand against me anyway.”

 

John’s voice felt a little meaningful.

 

‘You’re not planning something else, are you?’

 

Deng – 

 

The bell rang 9 o’clock.

 

She quickly looked at the doorway. Betty stuck her head out, nodded and disappeared. It looks like the problem she was worried about has been resolved. Count Hettel and his wife stood up. Count Hettel shouted excitedly, raising a glass of champagne.

 

“Welcome all the distinguished guests who have gathered at Count Hettel Castle!”

 

“I am especially honored that our precious guests graced our event.”

 

Countess Hettel followed her husband and lightly raised her glass.

 

“Then for the empire-”

 

It was the moment when the nobles in attendance followed Countess Hettel and raised their glasses. Countess Hettel, who had a smile on her lips, shed a single tear from her frail face.

 

“Oh, you can’t do this.”

 

* * *

 

Countess Hettel bowed her head respectfully to her distinguished guests.

 

“I’m sorry for ruining the mood. I will proceed with the congratulatory speech again.”

 

“Margarita, is something bad happening?”

 

A noblewoman who was particularly close to Countess Hettel asked with concern.

 

“No. I can’t bear to say this in front of guests.”

 

“Honey, I don’t think it would be a good idea to tell you anyway.”

 

Count Hettel began to comfort his wife.

 

“It might be better to say it in front of everyone.”

 

The nobles around him added their words one by one.

 

“Speak comfortably, Margarita.”

 

“Is it so? I think I’m overdoing it, but it’s okay to take a break.”

 

Reluctantly nodding her head, Countess Hettel cautiously opened her mouth.

 

“I’m sure you all know that Count Hettel has been having a hard time financially. You know it’s because of my husband’s business failure.”

 

Countess Hettel touched her tearful eyes with her white handkerchief.

 

“But the reason Count Hettel was in trouble was because there was one who didn’t pay back the Count’s money.”

 

“Who is the one who didn’t pay back the money?”

 

“She…”

 

Finally, Countess Hettel’s eyes fell on one place. This was where Estelle was. Estelle blinked her indigo eyes as if she was surprised when Countess Hettel met her gaze.

 

“Are you talking about me?”

 

“…That’s right, Duchess Blanchett. Why didn’t you repay Count Hettel’s money?”

 

Estelle was embarrassed. Countess Hettel looked at Estelle and smiled in her conversion.

 

‘How dare you make fun of me?’

 

A vicious woman who not only attracted the attention of Chancellor Orteca, whom the Hettel family had longed for, but also ruined her daughter’s marriage prospects.

 

It may not be a large amount of money for the Duchess, but it is a very large amount of money for us, Count Hettel. You don’t have to pay interest, so please return at least the principal.”

 

“I’m sorry, but I have never borrowed money from Count Hettel.”

 

Everyone nodded to Estelle’s answer.

 

“Didn’t Duchess Blanchett rarely leave her family?”

 

The story of Estelle not leaving her mansion was very famous.

 

‘How can she lend money to Libertan’s adopted daughter? She’s a difficult person to meet in the first place, right?’

 

So one noblewoman grabbed Countess Hettel’s sleeve and asked in a worried voice:

 

“Did Duchess Blanchett really borrow her money? And even if she had, without clear evidence…”

 

“You may have such questions. Fortunately, we have documents to prove our words.”

 

Countess Hettel had her maid retrieve an envelope of documents from her office labeled confidential. The maid quickly returned with an envelope.

 

“In the end, I will have no choice but to disclose this document to everyone. Now, please look at the signatures on this document and guarantee here.”

 

She said that even the nobles were shocked when they saw the amount written on the document.

 

“Oh my god. 100,000 gold?”

 

“You mean you didn’t get your 100,000 gold back? How could it be such a large amount…?”

 

100,000 gold was enough to buy a castle. It was a large sum of money, equivalent to 3-4 years of income for an ordinary noble family. Countess Hettel held up her contract and bond for all to see.

 

[Estelle Libertan.]

 

Estelle’s white face turned pale as people murmured. It looked like it was about to collapse.

 

“I really don’t.”

 

But Estelle straightened her back gracefully and stared at Countess Hettel.

 

“I have never written such a guarantee. If you were an agent in the first place…”

 

“It is contract magic that cannot be completed if she did not agree at the time. But whose signature is on this guarantee, which establishes the magic of the contract?”

 

Countess Hettel tapped the name on the warrant with her index finger.

 

“If you don’t believe me, take it and check for yourself. It’s the lady’s name.”

 

Countess Hettel handed Estelle the warrant. She took Estelle’s certificate from her and looked at it. Her indigo eyes were piercing as she examined her signature line.

 

“That’s my signature. But I’ve never signed anything like this…”

 

Countess Hettel grinned to herself.

 

‘It was a complete success!’

 

It was rewarding to deliberately take risks in front of people.

 

‘Now, either that annoying commoner will be abandoned or the Duke will compensate for this money.’

 

The situation became irreparable. Countess Hettel lowered her eyes, pretending to be sad, and forced the corners of her mouth to go up.

 

‘No matter what contract magic tool you use to check, you won’t find any evidence of fabrication.’

 

It was a bit of a funny situation. As Estelle said, Estelle has never borrowed money from Count Hettel. Of course, the Libertan Dukes were the same. Of course, that document was fake.

 

‘But the signature on the warranty is real.’

 

No noble would be able to see through this trap. It was a method that Countess Hettel had never thought of before Baron Penula arrived.

 

‘Baron Penula, I gladly and gratefully accept your sacrifice.’

 

Baron Penula came to visit them urgently in the middle of the night. He handed out an envelope, saying these were the terms of the deal.

 

‘I saved it to use when I’m in a hurry. Instead, there are conditions. With the authority of the owner, please secretly search all of the guests’ rooms.’

 

Inside the envelope was a warranty with Estelle’s name written on it.

 

‘What should I do with this blank warranty?’

 

Of course, when she verified it with the contract magic tool, the contract was definitely signed. But that was it. This warranty, which was appropriately named, couldn’t do anything.

 

‘What are you asking me to do with this?’

 

‘Wouldn’t it be okay to use this guarantee and a fabricated document to get money from Duchess Blanchett?’

 

‘What kind of crazy talk is that now? Isn’t this a manipulation that will be discovered through contract magic?’

 

The contract magic tool judged all actions modified after the contract was concluded as manipulation. Therefore, nobles acted very carefully before concluding contract magic.

 

‘Of course, if it’s normal. But you can only manipulate it once.’

 

‘You can manipulate it?’

 

‘To be precise, there is a gap in this warranty. In the first place, this guarantee was guaranteed by the Duke of Libertan as his guardian. There are variables in contract magic that you are not a party to.’

 

So, in general, contract magic does not sign or guarantee on behalf of others. This was to prepare for unexpected variables.

 

‘Just tell me the conclusion quickly so I can understand.’

 

‘At that time, by chance, the contract magic was completed with about half of the guardian proxy documents missing. Thanks to that, the contract magic was completely messed up.’

 

‘Then…’

 

‘Yes. To put it simply, if you manipulate the document and insert it before Duchess Blanchett gets her hands on the warranty, it can be treated as if it was signed at that time!’

 

Generally, in situations like this, the parties who signed the contract were brought in and the issue was resolved through a trial at the imperial palace. But Estelle was different. At the time, her parents, who signed the contract on her behalf, were arrested for treason.

 

‘So, how do we get the Duchess to touch this document? Doesn’t this even apply if the Duchess is aware of all of this?’

 

‘That was my concern.’

 

‘Besides, what you say is just a guess. I don’t know if it will actually work!’

 

Baron Penula shrugged his shoulders in response.

 

‘If you don’t believe it, you can bring your children and test it a few times. I tried it several times and most of the time I was successful.’

 

‘Contract magic is a sensitive magic, so it can change even in the slightest variable, but it is guaranteed to succeed…’

 

‘If you’re worried about that, there’s nothing you can do. This is the only way to legally extort a huge amount of money from the Duke of Blanchett.’

 

If this fraud was caught, Count Hettel would fall completely. Because he dared to manipulate the contract magic to defraud Duke Blanchett. Perhaps he won’t even be able to protect the Emperor.

 

‘Good night. I will listen to you.’

 

Still, there was quite a bit to be believed. Because here was Chancellor Orteca who would stop Duke Blanchett and enforce the contract. Countess Hettel tried several times to summon her daughter. As Baron Penula said, it was truly a success. If only this fabricated document reached Estelle’s hands.

 

‘That was the thing I was most worried about…’

 

It’s like being so stupid that you’re in a corner and you’re hastily handling the document. There is no way to stop this scam anymore. Baron Penula, who was considered the only evidence, was also sent to the castle’s prison and secretly killed.

 

As a testament to Countess Hettel’s success, the surrounding nobles also took her side.

 

“The Countess even had physical evidence, but she just insisted that it wasn’t her.”

 

“I feel sorry for Count Hettel’s family.”

 

At that time, John wrapped one of Estelle’s shoulders and hugged her.

 

“There’s no way my wife would lie.”

 

“…John.”

 

“Why don’t you stop talking nonsense after proving it with a contract magic tool?”

 

Everyone who was whispering at Duke Blanchett’s threatening remarks quieted down and noticed the Duke’s attention. Countess Hettel nodded her head as if she had been waiting.

 

“As much as you want. Because we are innocent. Instead, I hope that Prime Minister Orteca will mediate this case. If the Prime Minister does it, it will be accurate.”

 

“That’s right. I heard that the Prime Minister is His Majesty’s administrative authority representative and has more accurate contract magic tools than anyone else.”

 

As Lotte added her words, as if taking the Countess’s side, Chancellor Orteca, who had been quiet, nodded his head.

 

“Great. The situation seems complicated, so I will check it right away.”

 

Chancellor Orteca showed a ring to Duke Blanchett and Count Hettel.

 

“This ring is a treasure of the royal family that only the Prime Minister is allowed to use. It also has the ability to identify contract magic.”

 

It was a ring with an antique pattern engraved around a bright blue gem.

 

“Of course, the function itself is similar to a regular contract magic tool. If the gem turns red, it means there has been manipulation, and if the color is still gold, it means the contract magic has been completed perfectly.”

 

The green eyes of the Marquis Orteca stared at Countess Hettel like snakes.

 

“Of course, you will have to test to know is real.”

 

Countess Hettel tensed her body without realizing it.

 

‘She didn’t know that the treasure that had been brought down from the imperial palace would suddenly come out…’

 

However, Marquis Orteca said that it was similar to a regular contract magic tool. If so, it would come out as confirmed many times in the office.

 

“Great. Because we are proud.”

 

“…By the way, Countess Hettel.”

 

Estelle, who had been in Johan’s arms without saying anything all this time, raised her head.

 

“If this turns out to be a fake document, how will the Countess compensate me?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Of course, Countess Hettel may feel unfair. But if you had done something wrong, I would have been falsely accused and you would have had to pay a huge amount of money.”

 

Estelle’s eyes were red, as if she had cried.

 

“More than anything, the honor of the Blanchett family is at stake here. You’re not going to just ignore it, are you?”

 

Anyone could see that Estelle was docile, soft-hearted, and well-bred.

 

“Of course I intend to.”

 

“Oh, I’m so glad.”

 

Estelle looked at her husband with a bright smile on her face.

 

“John. How much compensation do you get in a case like this?”

 

“Well. Usually, you have to pay back about 10 times the amount you tried to scam.”

 

Countess Hettel shouted in surprise at the word fraud.

 

“What a scam!”

 

“Why are you surprised? If it’s possible that my wife lied, isn’t it also possible that Countess Hettel is cheating on her?”

 

“Well, that’s…”

 

This situation was not what Countess Hettel had expected. She tried to get out, insisting that even if the plan had failed, they were also at fault… 

 

“Then that’s good! I swear by my title as Duchess Blanchett. I never signed that warranty.”

 

Estelle smiled as innocently as a child.

 

“So, Countess Hettel can also swear by her family name.”

 

“…”

 

“Can you swear?”

 

“…that.”

 

Her navy blue eyes shone bright red. But Countess Hettel felt strangely afraid of those sparkling eyes

 

‘Why do I feel like I’m trapped?’

 

She suddenly started feeling anxious about everything. But she couldn’t even stop in the middle.

 

“Prime Minister, please proceed quickly. It’s something you don’t need to waste time on.” cried Lotte innocently, looking at the chancellor of Orteca.

 

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