Marriage of Convenience

Chapter 13 – 15 Year Reunion (7) / A Wounded Palm (1)

Translator: Skye

Following his marriage, Zachary developed a habit of bathing the moment he returned home after his campaigns. Blood, grime, and the stubborn smell of sweat clung to his body after battles. But that was only natural. The only thing one could afford to do in terms of washing on the battlefield was scrubbing their neck clean. Rather than soak their entire body in water, they were more desperate to get a few more moments of sleep and be able to slay at least one more opponent.

Of course, there was not a chance a young noble lady could understand what the battlefield was like. How had Bianca reacted the first time she had witnessed Zachary returning from a campaign? She had backpedaled while her small, pretty face crumpled, appearing as if she would puke any moment. Following that occurrence, Zachary started to head straight for the bath every time he returned instead of going to see her. A husband who nauseates his wife? How ridiculous.

However, Zachary himself was well aware that even if he were to bathe and freshen up, it didn’t mean Bianca would welcome him. She hated him. She despised him and found him detestable. Though he could read that much just by looking at her face, she had even said it herself before.

It was a further reason as to why Zachary couldn’t understand what had just occurred earlier. Unfurling himself and leaning back against the edge of the tub, he recalled the events that unfolded a few moments ago. A sudden visit and an unexpected proposal he never thought would come from Bianca’s own lips.

Just what on earth could have happened to her while he was out on the battlefield? The Bianca he saw today had undoubtedly been unfamiliar.

Yet, having said that, she was still the same as always, never chang–

“What do you mean ‘an heir’ when you’re standing there trembling, afraid that I might touch you,” Zachary mumbled to himself.

Her repulsion towards him. The visible quivering, body flinching before his hand could even get near her. Her trembling green eyes filled with fear at the possibility he may do something to her. Bianca tried to hide it, but Zachary had been able to see it as easily as looking at the palm of his hand. They were all things she exhibited when she was in front of him, in the past and in the present.

Zachary scoffed. He had no intention of taking her suggestion of an heir seriously.

After all, she was still the same as always.

♘♞♘♞

Act III. A Wounded Palm

The next day around midday, there was a commotion in a corner of Arno castle. It wasn’t strange for there to be a ruckus as whenever the knights returned after each campaign, it was common for the castle to be noisy the following day. The unmarried ladies at risk of surpassing the prime marriageable age, as well as the boys looking up to the men in armor, would flock around the knights.

The stories the knights would recount were as exciting as hearing a legend about a hero who defeated a dragon. Though the women were more interested in achieving their own interests, the stories the knights shared were the only source of amusement in this quiet, peaceful place. As a result, it was always a good day whenever the knights would pause to share their accounts of battle.

However, the commotion today did not fall under that category. It involved a woman’s sorrowful wails and the sound of a resounding slap.

Arno castle was normally calm and quiet, like a tranquil lake, but that was disturbed by a noise that was as sharp as nails.

It was a place where people lived, so there were small issues and quarrels that arose throughout the years. It was just that this time, it was none other than the lady of the house, Bianca, who had started it.

Bianca could be described as–to put it nicely–quiet, calm, and someone who frankly had no interest in those around her, preferring to stay holed up in her room instead. She was so impassive to the extent that people questioned whether or not she was even capable of having emotion to show others.

Nevertheless, as the daughter of a count, she was thorough when it came to distinguishing those of high vs lower status, and paid close attention to how promptly her orders were being followed. In addition, even Vincent–the steward in charge of overseeing the estate–prioritized her demands over everything else, and trained the servants not to blabber any nonsense in front of her.

Thanks to that, there was little to no trouble that occurred between Bianca and the servants. And that would remain true even if Bianca were to hear the servants talking behind her back. Even if she were to clearly hear it, Bianca wouldn’t spare a glance in their direction, chin raised and pretending to be indifferent, taking it as nothing more than inferiors frivolously running their mouths.

Though the servants found Bianca to be self-centered and finicky, she was a rather easy person to serve. As such, the maids were unable to understand Bianca’s sudden behavior in the current situation. A maid was visibly trembling, her mesmerizing blonde hair in disarray under her bonnet, her cheek swollen and red, and yet her face appeared completely stunned, not having fully grasped what had just happened. The other maids were fidgeting in place, unsure of what to do.

Bianca glared at the blonde maid with a frigid look. Though she was noticeably shorter than the other maids, the chilling aura and the searing rage in the air made Bianca appear more imposing.

Bianca spoke heartlessly, “Whether it be cursing me or not, I have no interest in what you talk about. I could care less.”

And that had certainly been the case till now.

The madam is so coldhearted, she didn’t even say a word after receiving a gift from the count.

I’m so annoyed she makes us dust the tapestries almost every day.

Why in the world is the count still keeping a wife like her around?

Plenty of such comments had tirelessly reached Bianca’s ears.

Even so, she had never shown a response to them as the things the servants would say weren’t a complete lie. There were even some comments Bianca agreed with.

However, there was a limit to what she could overlook.

There was something that even she, someone who tended to have zero interest in what others say, could not ignore. It was when inferiors didn’t know their place and coveted what was beyond their reach.

“But comparing yourself to me, your master? That’s unacceptable.”

Bianca’s pale hand sliced the air, striking the blonde-haired maid’s cheek with a smack. Her hand turned red and swelled just as much as the maid’s cheek, and despite how much it stung and burned, Bianca continued without so much as a glance down at it.

“Bring me the cane. It seems I need to punish her.”

Quickly reading the room, one of the maids swiftly left to fetch one.

The cries of the blonde-haired maid grew louder, as if in protest, when she heard Bianca’s words, which only caused the latter to narrow her eyes at the sight. What right do you think you have to be wailing? The maid’s face, eyes welled with tears, was pretty and her figure was glamorous. She must’ve made her brazen comments while shamelessly believing in her pretty face.

Just thinking about it again left Bianca speechless and distressed. Recalling the insults she had overheard moments prior, she wondered how in the world she ended up like this.

The fact that Bianca went looking for Zachary had spread throughout the entire castle. Of course, that was only to be expected as she had gone out to the entrance hall where all of the knights were gathered.

Everyone was curious as to why Bianca had gone to look for Zachary. After all, she was ‘that’ countess, the only one in Arno castle who avoided and ignored the count.

The maids were particularly interested in the count and countess’s relationship. Not only was Count Arno young and handsome, he was also prudent, wealthy, and powerful. He even had a good body to boot. He was like a prince the maids always dreamed about.

There were a considerable number of maids who wished to catch the count’s eye at least once and become his mistress. The fact that he already had a wife did little to deter them. It would be a different story if he loved his wife very much, but everyone knew that the count and his wife were a couple only in name. As such, there were many who held onto false ideas.

And Bianca was certainly aware of the fact that they were holding onto such wishful thinking. The current situation never would’ve arisen had they continued to hold such thoughts in their minds only.

The maids had been gossiping about last night’s events, about how Bianca went looking for Zachary, only to be kicked out of his room. Bianca had been coincidentally passing by when the maids raised their voices, completely unaware of her presence.

“So, you’re telling me that no one heard what happened inside?”

“You really think anyone would’ve been able to when the steward was standing guard at the door?”

“Hmmm.”

“Still, isn’t it a good thing? Hearing that the madam went to go look for the count, it could be a sign that they may become closer.”

“The madam is probably just acting on a whim.”

“Even so, it’s something that’s never occurred in the last decade. Maybe the madam changed her mind?”

The maid who first spoke pouted when the other maid didn’t seem to agree. The problem was the blonde maid who grumbled and refuted the other maid’s claims.

“Hmph. Changed her mind, you say? But do you think the count will accept her? Frankly, she’s a gloomy woman, don’t you agree?”

“Ante.”

“That’s what everyone thinks, you know? The knights and the servants.”

Despite the other maid’s warning, the blonde-haired maid, Ante, only tilted her chin upwards and raised her voice.