It Turned Out to be a Useful Fraudulent Marriage Chapter 18 - 3. In Bluebeard's Dark Basement

“What kind of nonsense are you spouting so sincerely…?”

 

Just as Philip was muttering that, the door burst open.

 

I quickly kicked Philip off the bed and hid myself under the blanket. I had to hide my feet, which were covered in dirt from running around without shoes.

 

“Ugh!”

 

Philip, who had been kicked in the back, let out a scream and fell flat on the floor. There he lay, and I hid under the covers.

 

The sight that Lily, a maid from Duke Orleans, saw as she opened the door must have been rather outrageous: Philip sprawled on the floor and me tucked into the bed.

 

The sight that Lily, a maid from the Duke of Orléans, saw as soon as she opened my door must have been somewhat outrageous.

 

“… Oh my. Sir Philip is here too.”

 

Lily, masking her surprise with her professional composure, asked while glancing at Philip, who nodded at her while glaring at me.

 

“Well… yes…”

 

“And Lady Emeline, you’ve overslept.”

 

Lily strangely gave me a curious look as she spoke.

 

“Yes, I suppose… But I would like to sleep a bit longer, so could you perhaps step outside for a moment…?”

 

In truth, I was just about to get some sleep. Last night, I used both my body and my head and couldn’t get any rest. I’m exhausted, seriously.

 

I looked at Lily with a pleading expression. But before she could respond, my mother barged in.

 

“You’re still sleeping?! Get up! We’ve been invited to the royal party tonight! Is this really the time to be lounging around?”

 

My mother, whose face was gleaming as if she had diligently applied her so-called ‘mystical cream,’ scolded us. For someone who’s quite the swindler herself, she sure falls for scams involving fake remedies.

 

The royal party, huh.

 

Now that I think about it, two days before my mother’s wedding, we were indeed invited to a royal party.

 

According to what I saw in my dream, we’re going to be utterly ridiculed by the nobles at that party.

 

That’s because Vivian Cavendish is going to reveal at the party that all of my mother’s husbands are dead.

 

My mother ran out crying. Not because she was genuinely sad, but because she couldn’t exactly say, ‘They all had it coming for a good reason,’ so she’ll make a show of running out to save face. The Duke will follow her.

 

And then, in the garden, in front of all the nobles, the Duke will romantically propose to my mother again, saying:

 

“Until the day our lives come to an end, we will be one.”

 

That’s what he said.

 

‘And nine days after that, he really did take my mother’s life.’

 

I shook my head in discomfort and pulled the covers back over myself.

 

“Ugh… Can’t I just not go? I’m really not in the mood to go smile at a royal party.”

 

I never know when I’ll hear from Eric Orleans! I still have to print the film hidden in my wardrobe! And hide those documents in a more secure place!

 

“Do you smile based on how you feel? You smile with your facial muscles, Emeline!”

 

Of course, my excuse didn’t work on my mother.

 

I peeked my head out from under the blanket. My mother sat down on the bed with a gentle smile.

 

“And today is the day when the Duke and I finally receive the King’s approval for our marriage. Once His Majesty grants us permission, our marriage will be perfect…!”

 

My mother, about to make a fuss, suddenly realized Lily was still in the room. After glancing at Lily, my mother cleared her throat and returned to her elegant demeanor.

 

“I mean, this is a glorious day for your mother. And you, my children, are just going to lie around like this! And Philip, why do you smell like alcohol? Ugh! Didn’t I tell you not to go to that ‘Roses That Bloom at Night’ place or whatever?”

 

My mother glared fiercely at Philip.

 

I let out a deep sigh. Yeah, that damn marriage approval.

 

Once that approval comes through, things will get even more complicated. It would mean the Duke and my mother’s marriage is under royal protection.

 

That’s why I purposely only gave Eric one day. According to royal tradition, the Duke will spend the night at the royal palace, and before he returns tomorrow morning with the King’s approval for the marriage–

 

‘Do something, Eric! Make a move!’

 

As I anxiously thought about Eric Orleans, my mother and Philip left the room. Philip, even as he was being scolded, mouthed to me, ‘I’m going to kill you.’

 

Lily remained behind to tidy up. I stayed in bed, only waving my hand.

 

“Um… just leave it. I’ll clean myself up.”

 

“No, it’s alright. I’ll—”

 

At that moment, Lily reached for the wardrobe door.

 

‘Oh no, not there…!’

 

I quickly sprang up and grabbed her hand before she could open it.

 

“I said I’ll clean it!”

 

Lily froze, looking startled. Her eyes slowly traveled down from my probably fearsome face to my dirt-covered feet.

 

‘Oh, no…’

 

A cold sweat seemed to break out on my back as I looked at her.

 

For some reason, Lily didn’t look surprised at all. Maybe it’s because she’s a skilled maid? I guess noble houses have their fair share of scandalous behavior.

 

I awkwardly smiled.

 

“Actually, I snuck out last night. You know how these things go—let’s keep it a secret, alright? You won’t go running to Eric Orleans like last time, will you?”

 

I spoke in a rather threatening tone. Lily flinched.

 

“Of-of course not.”

 

As long as she doesn’t tell my mother, that’s all I need.

 

I glared at the traitor Lily one last time. She glanced at her hand, which I was still holding, with a troubled expression.

 

Realizing I’d been holding her hand for too long, I let go of her hand.

 

I shrugged my shoulders, pushed the wardrobe door harder for no reason, and returned to bed. Lily also backed away from the wardrobe.

 

“You’re really not the person I’ve heard about, Lady Emeline.”

 

“People always look different up close compared to from afar. Isn’t it the same with the Young Master Eric Orleans?”

 

At the mention of Eric Orleans, Lily’s expression changed. What should I say about that? A solemn knight-like look?

 

It’s a face that doesn’t suit an ordinary maid at all.

 

As I pondered her strange expression, Lily quickly relaxed her face and spoke cheerfully.

 

“That can’t be. Young Master Eric is a man who is completely the same inside and out. I’ve known him for a long time, so I’m sure of it.”

 

Her voice returned to that of a skilled maid, but I felt an odd sensation.

 

That expression Lily just had—it seemed like something I wouldn’t easily forget.

 

Eric Orleans is a man who is the same inside and out…

 

I licked my lips, recalling the documents Eric had in his possession.

 

Everyone knew that when Eric was in the knight’s order, he had the favor of the Princess.

 

At that time, the Princess was able to secure a portion of the mithril mines for the royal family after negotiating with the North, where the political power was so strong to the extent that the Helenia continent was said to belong to the King, while the North belonged to Grand Duke Gerda. This earned her the King’s trust and made her the first in line for succession, despite some opposition in the council.

 

The North is a treacherous place, filled with plots and betrayals among the lords run rampant. Despite its rich natural resources, Prince Robert had avoided going there for exactly that reason.

 

Even royalty could easily be assassinated in the North, with the act disguised as a mere natural disaster.

 

Eric Orleans was the one who protected the Princess during her northern expedition. After that, rumors spread, fueled by the Princess’s scandalous reputation, and many nobles speculated about their relationship.

 

The truth of the rumors is unknown. But one thing is clear: Eric risked his life to protect the Princess in the dangerous North.

 

‘But Eric’s father, the Duke, sided with Prince Robert, and Eric confirmed this in the documents…’

 

So, where does Eric’s allegiance lie?

 

Will he betray his father and remain loyal to the Princess? There’s no point in loyalty to the Princess if his family falls, right?

 

It didn’t seem logical.

 

I was certain Eric would negotiate with me for the sake of his family.

 

That works better for me, too. I have no intention of getting into trouble with that psycho Duke by spreading rumors of an affair about Eric and me, and if I were to hand those documents to the Princess–

 

‘What if the Princess is just as crazy as the Duke? Royals and nobles—those with power—are all the same.’

 

With that thought, I looked at Lily. “No matter how good a person may be, they always find a way to save themselves. Don’t you think Prince Eric would do the same?”

 

I smiled slyly as I spoke. Lily gave me a strange look.

 

“I hope so. I really hope the Young Master does that.”

 

What does that mean?

 

I had the feeling that Lily was a bit overly devoted to her master. Maybe that’s why she made that solemn expression earlier. 

 

As soon as Lily left, I opened the wardrobe door. Hidden beneath the crumpled dress were the wrinkled documents and film.

 

Yeah. Once this is all over, I’ll live an honest life.

 

I gathered the documents and film.

 

It seems like sleeping won’t be happening after all.

 

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