It Turned Out to be a Useful Fraudulent Marriage - Chapter 22

“We will be together until the day our lives end.”

In my dream, the lights in the royal palace’s garden lit up brightly along with the Duke’s words, eliciting gasps of admiration from those who watched.

But now the royal garden was extremely dark.

pounded my chest in frustration and collapsed to the ground.

I heard footsteps approached from behind. I had a feeling I knew who it was, so I swept my hair back and shouted.

“Alright! Thank you! Thank you so, so much! Let’s save the gratitude for later, shall we?”

Despite my shout, the footsteps didn’t stop.

I glared at the person, full of resentment.

Eric Orleans.

It was too dark to see his expression clearly, but I bet he was wearing a smug look, convinced he had just saved me.

Good people, huh.

Aren’t they just so exhausting? Always needing everyone around them to coddle them and praise them.

I forced my legs to straighten and stood up.

‘Fine. Sure, I’ll do it! Isn’t all I need to do just bow and grovel in thanks?’

Why did he even help me in the first place? Going so far as to tell such a poorly-executed lie. Didn’t he realize his voice squeak when he was acting? It’s only because these nobles are all so clueless– 

“Emeline Wedgwood.”

But Eric’s face, now right in front of mine, looked strange. Instead of the smugness I expected, he looked… angry?

‘He looks sad.’

I found it absurd that this arrogant young master could appear sad. And I was curious to know what made him so.

‘The mouse worrying about the cat, huh? How absurd.’

I scanned Eric’s face and subtly stepped back.

“What is it? If you called me, say something…?”

But Eric just stared at my face for a long time, looking confused, without saying a word.

Just as I was about to scold him, Eric finally spoke.

“The rest of the document.”

“Pardon?”

The rest of the document…?

Ah, that.

I recalled the rest of the document that didn’t exist in the envelope brought by Eric Orleans.

In fact, if I had that later part of the document, I might have had more options. It could have provided more decisive evidence, after all.

As I licked my lips in regret, Eric spoke.

“… Do you know what’s there?”

Eric’s eyes glared at me sharply.

I frowned at his words.

I do know. I know all too well. I went to the office with it and ended up getting shot by your father.

–But I couldn’t say that.

“I don’t know, but… there might be something more decisive, right?”

“Lies.”

Before I could finish my sentence, Eric closed the distance between us, having taken a step forward because I had backed away.

As he got closer, I could feel just how big he was. He was a knight who had served as the commander of the royal knights. From a distance, his tall figure might make him appear slender, but up close…

‘A beast.’

looked into Eric’s crimson eyes and thought of Baldrick Orleans.

Now that I thought about it, we were in a dark garden, and there was no one around to help in case something dangerous happened. I looked at Eric with a sense of foreboding.

“W-What evidence makes you say it’s a lie…?”

The words spilling from my mouth scattered as I spoke.

“…You foolish girl! I’d rather sell you off to the slave market!”

Old memories stirred in my mind.

I pressed my forehead.

Ugh.. that damned Violet… damned… Wedgewood… Whether it’s a wealthy commoner or a fallen noble–

In the end, those who think they have power always reveal their true colors in front of those they see as weaker.

‘How can the inside and outside be the same?’

At that moment, Eric spoke with a face full of rage.

“…Pretending to be scared. Acting like you don’t know anything. When it’s disadvantageous, you evade with lies, and when it’s necessary, you brazenly threaten…”

I subtly stepped back and scanned the area for a stone.

“Are you planning to spray me with poison gas like before? Or maybe you’ll find a rock to smash my head with?”

As Eric spoke, my gaze, which had been glancing at the ground, locked onto him.

‘Haha… I got caught.’

There was no way I could win with something like a stone.

I looked at Eric and raised my open palm, as if to calm him down.

“Hey… why are you acting like this…? It would be better to calm down… This doesn’t suit you. You’re not the type to be like this…”

Let’s talk… let’s talk it out.

“I’m tired of this too. The virtue of right and wrong.”

“No. That can’t be. Think about it again.”

Thoughts of Violet’s fists and the Viscount Wedgwood’s slaps flooded my mind.

Those with power love to wield it.

‘B-but Eric Orleans valued dignity more than that, right?’

I trembled as I spoke.

“You like love and justice, don’t you?”

I stepped back, trying to evade Eric, who kept getting closer like a predator chasing its prey.

Then something poked me in the back.

I looked back. A thick forest of thorn bushes stretched out behind me.

There was nowhere left to retreat.

The moment I realized this, Eric spoke.

“Not anymore.”

I flinched and backed away, causing a small thorn to prick the sole of my foot.

‘Ouch!’

I grimaced.

A strange expression flickered in Eric’s eyes.

“On the way here, Lily told me another story about you. There was a pearl hairpin lying at the scene of Violet’s death…”

“What are you saying…?”

Chills ran down my spine. Vivian’s words were true. There really was a hairpin there…

“That hairpin is said to belong to Violet’s daughter, Emmeline.”

“Repeat after me, Emeline. It wasn’t your fault that Violet died. You didn’t kill Violet. And you are Helena Violet’s daughter. Now, repeat!”

My mother’s voice echoed in my head.

Helena.

Helena Violet.

When I first met her, she certainly had that name. Along with the nickname Bluebeard’s fifth wife.

“What do you think will happen if I lend a little of my power to the police and say this? That Helena acquired a vast fortune due to the death of the merchant, and if it turns out Helena is the culprit, half of that fortune will belong to the police. Don’t you think he would even create more evidence to get it?”

My eyes widened.

‘I didn’t kill Violet. I am Helena Violet’s daughter…’

I recalled the voice of a twelve-year-old girl and exhaled sharply.

My vision spun. I tried to run back, towards the thornbush forest.

But Eric grabbed my hand. He wouldn’t let go, even as I struggled against him.

“Are you crazy? There are thorns behind!”

Eric shouted. I stopped struggling and glared at him. A painful energy surged from the sole of my foot.

“Are you pretending to worry about me right now…? You really are a piece of work… Just do one thing. Be kind or be mean.”

Eric looked down at me with a pained expression. I was the one in pain. Why is he acting like this?

I clenched my teeth.

Eric spoke. “Do you think I’m the only one who knows this? My father knows too. Why do you think my father hasn’t said anything, even though he knows your weakness? He probably wants to drag your suspicious family back, pulling their leashes if you try to run away. And he’ll drag them by the leash and–”

A very faint groan escaped Eric’s lips. It sounded like the cry of a wounded beast, but it was only for a moment. Eric soon returned to his expressionless demeanor and said:

“To kill you, just like my mother.”

However, as Eric finished speaking, there was sadness lingered in his eyes unable to be hidden. 

A sorrow fell over his eyes, visible beneath his ebony-like hair. It was a shade I had rarely seen before.

‘He knows…’

I was confused.

Why couldn’t I ignore this deep sorrow that shadowed Eric Orlean’s face, who had been threatening me just a moment ago?

I tried to say something, but before I could open my mouth, Eric Orleans pulled me toward him. Thanks to that, I got out of the bush and walked onto the flat ground.

The soles of my feet ached.

Eric looked at my dazed expression and spoke with a stern face.

“Yeah, I figured it out. Everything. So from now on, I’ve decided to stand on the side of evil.”

“Evil…?”

At my bewildered question, Eric pointed a finger at me.

“Yes, you. Emeline Wedgwood. The most helpful evil person I know right now.”

Eric’s finger pointed at the tip of my nose. I stammered, my face crumpling.

“Oh, no, w-were you not just trying to threaten me? To intimidate me into tearing up the film and the documents…? You said you were tired of the virtue of right and wrong…?”

You just scolded me, right?

“I said I’d be on your side from now on.”

“On my side?”

I widened my eyes.

What do you mean we’re on the same side? How could the handsome Young Master and Emeline Wedgwood, who is walking down the path of ruin, possibly be on the same side?

I asked in a trembling voice, “You just said you thought I was a murderer, right?”

Eric replied as if he was dumbfounded by my question.

“That was just a test. I was trying to convey what my father knows. Does that even make sense? You were only twelve at the time.”

Only twelve years old.

I instinctively backed away at Eric’s words, retreating once again toward the thorns. Eric frowned and pulled my hand.

“Why are you so eager to run away from me?”

Eric said that as if he was dumbfounded and squatted down in front of me. He gently lifted my foot, which was still wearing a shoe, and saw the blood oozing out, he shook his head as if in disappointment.

“You’re bleeding… You foolish Emeline Wedgwood. I told you not to run away.”

As he said this, Eric looked up at me, genuinely expressing his frustration at my actions.

In that moment, I understood.

Eric could never truly side with evil.

Even if he became my ally, he would still be a good person. A good person could never be corrupted.

I looked down at Eric pitifully.

“How can you possibly think you’re going to side with me…?”

He had such naive thoughts that a twelve-year-old couldn’t kill a person.

Ah, you naive Young Master.

You don’t know what real villains are like.

Some people can kill their fathers without needing to put in much effort.

You never know.

 

✵ ✵ ✵

 

Helena Wedgwood was loitering near the entrance to the ballroom.

‘Why is the Duke taking so long to arrive?’

Of course, it was customary for high-ranking nobles to arrive fashionably late to parties, but even so, the Duke was unusually late today.

Moreover, today was the day Helena needed to receive royal approval for her marriage to the Duke.

Helena actually had a somewhat poor reputation, while the duke was the complete opposite.

In this continent, there were only two high-ranking dukes: Grand Duke Gerda, who wielded power in the North, and Duke Orleans in the capital.

Grand Duke Gerda’s strength lay in the vast lands and strong military of the North. In contrast, Duke Orleans held immense wealth through his high honor in the capital, his important relationship with the royal family, and his family business which reached every corner of the world.

In short, Duke Orleans was an ally the Emperor could never afford to lose. Although the Emperor now boldly claimed he would grant the marriage consent to avoid offending this powerful ally, if he were to change his mind at the last moment—

That’s why Helena wanted to be absolutely certain until the end.

‘I need to go in together. We have to look really close.’

She had to show not only the royal family but everyone gathered here.

She wanted to shift the perception of those who viewed her as trying to use the Duke to climb status, presenting their union as a deep love that overcame the difference in their social standings.

To achieve this, Helena was determined to create a warm image with the Duke and was waiting for him.

‘Is he coming through the other entrance instead?’

Helena glanced at the entrance on the opposite side.

However, that was more like a side door, which did not match the Duke’s tendency to make a grand entrance.

He has protagonist’s syndrome.

He seemed kind, good-natured, and benevolent, but every action the Duke took was aimed at embellishing himself.

Helena felt this from their very first meeting. The day the Duke saved her, who had been ignored at the gathering she had been invited to.

“May I ask the beautiful lady’s name?”

Hearing the Duke’s kind voice, Helena realized how intoxicated he truly was with himself.

A low-ranking noble from a rural area, a worthless being. He thought he was special enough to care about insignificant beings.

The Duke later would say he fell for Helena at first sight, but in reality, he had fallen for himself—his belief that love should not be bound by social class. Helena knew this, yet she found this aspect of the Duke even more appealing.

At the end of the hallway, a tall middle-aged man was walking toward the ballroom entrance.

Helena gazed at the Duke’s handsome red eyes and thought, ‘Narcissistic people are easier to manipulate.’

Helena waved her hand toward the Duke. When he saw her, he smiled with a surprised expression. The Duke approached with measured steps, his face filled with joy.

Helena smiled back at the duke.

‘And he’s even handsome.’

Feeling satisfied, Helena said to the Duke, “I stepped out for some fresh air because I was feeling a bit suffocated, and I timed it perfectly for your arrival, and it happened to be just in time for the Duke’s arrival.”

Helena embraced the Duke’s arm. He replied, “It’s fate.”

Helena squinted her eyes at the duke’s handsome face. ‘He also speaks beautifully.’

Helena took the Duke’s hand and naturally led him into the ballroom.

Just then, one of the Duke’s knights emerged from the ballroom and whispered something to him.

Then the Duke’s red eyes became slightly cloudy.

Helena glanced toward the nobles whispering inside the ballroom.

‘Let’s go in, quickly.’

She was anxious to quickly drag the Duke into the ballroom.

As soon as the knight finished speaking, Helena tried to tug at the Duke’s hand. But he wore a perplexed expression and said, “Ah, please go in first, Helena. I have someone I need to greet…”

“Who is it? Let’s greet them together. If they are the Duke’s friend, they’ll also be my friend.”

Helena gave a playful smile.

However, the Duke released her hand. Helena looked up at him with an anxious expression.

The Duke affectionally stroked Helena’s hair and said,  “I’m sorry, but it’s someone I need to speak to urgently.”

“Who…?”

The Duke’s expression stiffened slightly as Helena continued to ask questions. It was a stark contrast to how he usually acted as if he had been pouring honey over her.

‘..Is he about to get married now?’

In any case, noblemen were hard to trust. The Wedgwoods were no different.

“You probably know Lady Margaret Beaufort. I’ve been heavily indebted to her in business as well.”

“Oh, Lady Margaret Beaufort! I know her well! I’ve been wanting to greet her…!

Helena replied excitedly to the duke’s words. If she’s Madam Margaret Beaufort, isn’t she the matriarch of high society? Helena genuinely wanted to greet her alongside the Duke.

At that moment, the Duke spoke to Helena in a cold voice.

“Helena.”

In that instant, the Duke quietly looked down at Helena, and for some reason, she felt a chill. It was only for a fleeting moment, but it felt as though the Duke was looking at her like she was an object.

And Helena was very familiar with those who looked at people as objects.

Just as Helena unconsciously stiffened, the Duke returned with his usual gentle voice and expression.

“I believe I should greet her alone. I want to greet her together too, but I have business matters to discuss with her, and it might be a bit difficult and unfamiliar for you. I’ll finish quickly, so please wait a moment.”

The Duke arranged Helena’s hair and briefly kissed her hand.

That earlier fleeting expression—a brief look of disdain, a brief moment of anger—seemed like an illusion.

Helena momentarily frowned as she saw the Duke kiss the back of her hand. But when he lifted his head, she quickly smiled and said, “I’m going to miss you so much, but I’ll try to be patient, Duke.”

The duke laughed sweetly at Helena’s words, then quickly walked away down the hallway.

Helena watched the Duke’s retreating figure with a smile until he and his knight disappeared completely before muttering, “That was a bit… strange?”

 

✵ ✵ ✵

 

I felt as if I had found a slight clue and pressed Eric for more information.

“So you found the rest of the document, right? It contains secrets about your mother and crucial evidence that Duke Orleans is plotting treason, which means you’ll help me and my family escape far away to silence me, right?”

As long as I had the rest of the documents, it wouldn’t take much to persuade my mother.

But Eric shook his head.

“No. I couldn’t find the rest of the document.”

“What?”

Eric calmly pulled a flask filled with liquor from his coat pocket and soaked a handkerchief with it. Huh? Did I just make a mistake…?

‘Secrets about your mother.’

However, Eric didn’t seem particularly surprised by my words. It appeared he already knew how his mother had died.

He offered me the handkerchief and said, “Take care of your own treatment.”

I absentmindedly took Eric’s handkerchief.

No, is treatment the issue right now?! Huh?! I’m a mess over the fate of me and my family!

“So, should I just spread our photos around and take the documents to the Princess?! Is that okay? You seem to have quite the relationship with her… Hey! Say something!”

“How do you know about the contents of that later page?”

Eric gazed at me intently, ignoring my threats.

Huh? How do I know?

Oh no.

I realized I had acted like I knew too much about the rest of the document. In retrospect, I hadn’t pretended to be surprised enough when the secret of Eric’s mother’s murder was revealed.

“I—I don’t know anything!”

“Liar. Can’t you stop lying?”

How can I stop? If I said I had a prophetic dream where your father was a psycho, I’d be labeled insane on the spot!

However, contrary to my desire to brush it off with a lie, Eric continued to stare at me intently, showing no signs of letting me go.

I looked at him with a tense expression.

What should I do? Should I really talk about the prophetic dream? About that strange old lady who gave me the apple wine?

Ugh… What if Eric Orleans believes in astrology like Philippe? From what I know, Eric is a devout believer and has a straightforward personality, so he detests superstitions.

Then Eric spoke. “Is the informant you mentioned really a thing?”

“Pardon?”

Informant…?

It suddenly struck me that I had mentioned an ‘informant’ in passing while at the mansion.

‘I cannot reveal the identity of my informant.’

Ah. That…

“What on earth are you doing?”

With Eric muttering under his breath, I quickly put on a mysterious expression and said, “So you’d better not think about betraying me, right?”

Eric scoffed.

“If there’s someone among us who’s more suited to betrayal, it’s you, not me.”

He was so correct that I couldn’t even refute it.

As I was about to retort, Eric crossed his arms and scrutinized me with a displeased look.

“I don’t know if it’s right to put this crazy idea into action…”

“Why are you looking at me like that…?”

What crazy idea? The only one who suits crazy idea is me, not you!

I cleared my throat uneasily, feeling an ominous vibe.

Eric wiped the unpleasant expression from his face and said seriously,  “Do you know why my father wants to marry your mother?”

Yeah, I know. But I couldn’t say that out loud. I quickly feigned surprise and replied.

“W-well… maybe because she seems easy to deal with? She would devote herself to the ducal family but wouldn’t have a claim to any inheritance issues?”

Eric muttered. “As I thought, your informant didn’t get any further than that.”

No, that’s not true.

I silently answered in my mind while observing Eric’s troubled expression. So Eric already knew about the coastal land?

Just as I was thinking that, Eric looked at me seriously. “Don’t be surprised, just listen.”

Ah, I need to prepare to be surprised. It’s time to showcase my acting skills honed over many years.

“Actually, the land your mother inherited from the Wedgwoods is known as ‘The Mermaids’ Graves.’”

Wow, that’s astonishing! The Mermaids’ Graves!

“Whaaat?!”

 

I put all my effort into acting surprised, screaming to the point of hurting my throat.

Eric frowned and told me to be quiet. “Calm down.”

Calm down, what…? I quickly pretended to look around, trying to appear frightened.

But–

‘Actually, I knew everything.’

The Mermaids’ Graves.

A place where mermaids, who once lived on the continent in ancient times, died and whose bodies turned into incredibly pure magical stones, an immensely valuable site for magical mineral stones.

Who would have thought that it was buried specifically in Wedgwood’s coastal land?