“I see my wife told you. That’s correct.”

Harzen’s face remained perfectly calm as he readily acknowledged it. Though his tone was plain, his manner was impeccably polite and elegant.

Romari narrowed her eyes as she assessed her friend’s contract husband and employer. She wisely pretended not to know the inside story of this marriage and earnestly implored him:

“Marquis of Darkus, please treat Rizel with the utmost care.”

“You need not worry about that. Naturally, I have no intention of mistreating my wife.”

Harzen naturally wrapped his arm around Rizel’s shoulders and responded in a composed voice. Romari’s golden eyes gleamed sharply like those of a predator.

“I’ll remember that. If you make my friend suffer, something unfortunate might happen to you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Harzen displayed a calm and relaxed attitude despite hearing what was nearly a threat.

As Rizel silently observed their conversation, wondering if she should intervene, her friend backed down first. Romari smiled innocently as if nothing had happened and bid her farewell.

“See you next time, Rizel.”

“Yes, Romari. Travel safely.”

Rizel waved her hand. As Romari’s carriage departed, she was left alone with her employer. Harzen glanced at his contract wife, who was silently staring at the place where her friend had been, and spoke first.

“Your friend cares for you deeply. She reacted quite intensely to our marriage news. I felt she had much to say but was holding back for your sake.”

“Ah, well. I have nothing to say because I would probably act similarly if Romari were in this situation.”

Rizel rolled her eyes and gave an awkward laugh. Harzen closed his mouth and stared at her. Noticing her employer’s dubious gaze, she hastily added:

“I mean, her words were a bit harsh, but she won’t treat you roughly under normal circumstances. After all, you are my husband. Don’t take it too much to heart.”

“I understand. Let’s go inside together now.”

“Yes.”

Rizel entered the mansion with her employer’s escort.

* * *

Time passed, and the day of the formal family gathering approached. Rizel completed all preparations and headed to the Carter family mansion with her employer.

Thanks to the magical carriage, they arrived quickly. The Carter mansion was magnificent and splendid, befitting a great noble family.

Rizel was admiring the scenery through the carriage window when she stepped out with Harzen’s escort. A middle-aged butler who had been waiting in front of the mansion greeted them respectfully.

“Marquis Harzen Darkus, Marchioness Rizel Darkus. Please come inside. Everyone is waiting.”

“Let’s do that.”

Harzen attentively took care of his contract wife and followed the butler into the mansion. As the three walked down the corridor, the butler glanced at her employer and casually struck up a conversation.

“Young Master Harzen, it’s been a very long time since we’ve seen you after you became independent from the family. Have you been well?”

“Yes. You remain the same as ever.”

“Indeed.”

The butler’s eyes were filled with affectionate and overwhelming emotions. Rizel tactfully refrained from intruding on the reunion between the two men and silently fidgeted with her folded fan.

Upon arriving at the dining room, Rizel glanced at her employer’s face. He wore a faint smile as if to reassure her.

Entering, they saw a lavishly prepared fresh meal and three people sitting side by side across from the empty chairs. They were the Carter Marquis couple and the Carter Marchioness Dowager whom she had seen at the wedding.

‘The Carter Marquis couple is one thing, but I’m surprised the Dowager is here. Didn’t she avoid situations where she had to face my employer? To think she would appear at a gathering under the pretext of socializing, not just the wedding.’

In the original story, Isabella’s feelings toward her second son were somewhat complicated. They were a complex mix of fear, resentment, apprehension, and discomfort.

‘That’s why it took Parsene a long time to mediate between them in the story.’

While Rizel was briefly lost in thought, Harzen gently wrapped his arm around her waist. Before he could say anything, Delion, who was sitting on the left, jumped up as if propelled.

“Harzen, welcome!”

“Yes, brother.”

“Haha, still with that stiff response. Since you’re visiting the family home and seeing your family, you could act more comfortably. Still, I can’t tell you how happy I am that we’re all gathered together.”

An excited Delion chattered away with a bright smile. He was the only one who happily accepted this obviously awkward situation.

‘He must live a stress-free life.’

While she was inwardly marveling, Vivian, who was sitting in the middle, blinked as she let out a faint sigh. It seemed like she wanted to press her forehead but couldn’t do so in front of guests.
As Harzen nodded and casually deflected his brother’s words, Delion’s gaze turned to Rizel. He brightened as if meeting an old friend.

“Rizel, I’m glad you came with Harzen. We met at the wedding, but I was disappointed we couldn’t have a proper conversation.”

“I see. I was nervous, but thank you for your warm welcome, Marquis Carter.”

Rizel smiled warmly. Regardless of the other person’s state of mind, a bright atmosphere was far better than one that was suffocatingly oppressive and gloomy. Delion responded with a smiling face.

“Not at all, it’s only natural. So, how is life with your husband?”

“Naturally, it’s good.”

Rizel held Harzen’s hand firmly, subtly creating an atmosphere of an intimate couple. Just as Delion was about to speak with sparkling eyes, Vivian intervened to manage the situation.

“Delion, that’s enough. Do you intend to keep our guests standing? Marquis Darkus and Marchioness Darkus, please sit comfortably.”

“Yes.”

Rizel sat down next to Harzen, across from the three people. They were now facing the Carter Marquis couple and the Dowager. They began their conversation over the meal.

Initially, the conversation revolved lightly around recent news and general trends, primarily between Harzen and the Carter Marquis couple.

Rizel was in a position of quiet observation, but she didn’t feel particularly excluded. This was partly because the topics weren’t ones she could easily join, and also because the Dowager barely participated in the conversation.

Even the conversation itself seemed to skim the surface, flowing dryly without depth. The atmosphere remained uplifted only thanks to Delion, who radiated bright energy.

As the conversation reached a lull, attention turned to Rizel, who had been quietly focusing on her meal. She tilted her head in response.

“Is there a problem?”

“No. I was just concerned if you were experiencing any discomfort.”

Vivian’s voice was gentle. Rizel responded casually:

“Ah, I’m fine.”

“Is the meal to your liking then?”

“Yes. Thank you for your consideration, Marchioness Carter.”

Rizel smiled faintly and smoothly deflected Vivian’s words. Harzen naturally looked after his contract wife.

“Rizel, have you been bored?”

“Not at all, I’ve been listening well. I enjoy hearing about you, even the trivial details.”

“That’s pleasing to hear. I feel the same.”

Harzen’s lips curved into a gentle arc at her skillfully displayed affection. Isabella’s eyes shook violently. She looked like someone who had witnessed an utterly unbelievable situation.

‘Well, it’s not strange since she was also shocked in the original story when she saw my employer getting along well with Parsene.’

Rizel didn’t take the Carter Marchioness Dowager’s reaction seriously. Delion, who was watching the scene with pleasure, unaware that they were acting as a contract couple, added:

“You’re at that sweet phase. Vivian and I also had such a fresh period. Ah, of course, we’re still close now.”

“Yes, that’s how it appears to me as well.”

Rizel alternately examined the Carter Marquis couple and played along. Delion laughed pleasantly and changed the subject.

“By the way, I heard a rumor that Harzen fell in love at first sight… is that true?”

“Yes. Actually, the situation wasn’t favorable at that time, so I didn’t notice him.”

Rizel deliberately lowered her eyes slightly, pretending to be shy. What Delion mentioned was one of the rumors that she and her employer had circulated in advance.

“Oh, really? Then how did you two become aware of each other?”

“Through letters. It was quite a romantic approach.”

Rizel glanced at Harzen’s face and raised the corners of her mouth. The letter story was a setting they had created together. Of course, she had also carefully stored fake letters in her spatial pocket to match this narrative.

Delion clicked his tongue in admiration.

“Wow, that’s amazing.”

“Honestly, at first I thought it was a false request or a bad prank, but it wasn’t. As we seriously
exchanged conversations, I felt we were a good match.”

“And so we got married.”

Harzen naturally concluded. Rizel nodded in agreement with his words. Interest gleamed in Delion’s eyes.

“Rizel, did you trust Harzen enough to follow him to the Darkus mansion after marriage?”

“Of course.”

“What did you like about Harzen?”