The Contract Wife Tries to Leave - Chapter 43
‘Should I have told him this morning…?’
Even though she knew it was useless to delay, it was difficult to bring up the subject. This was because she could predict Daniel’s reaction. He was a clever child. Once he hears rumors, he might sense something.
‘I must tell him this evening so that Daniel doesn’t have any unnecessary suspicions.’
The carriage, moving smoothly, stopped in front of the main gate of the Weimar estate.
Before long, the heavy iron gates opened to both sides, and the carriage glided inside.
The spot where it finally came to a halt was in front of the main building. Johanna anxiously fiddled with her hands until the coachman opened the door.
“We have arrived. Please, if you would.”
She carefully stepped outside. Today, the bright sunlight was particularly dazzling. As she made a visor with her hand and looked up at the sky, someone approached her. It was an elderly woman in a neat outfit.
“Welcome, Miss Lucerne. We have been expecting you. I am Annette, the housekeeper of the Weimar estate. These are the lady’s maids who will be attending to you today: Nella, Lena, and Michelle.”
Three maids, also dressed in luxurious yet elegant dresses, bowed to Johanna. They appeared to be in their early twenties.
“Please follow me this way.”
How many of them know the truth? Victoria had said that only the Marquis’s closest aides were aware of the contract. Perhaps Annette knew. However, Annette’s demeanor remained perfectly courteous as she guided Johanna throughout the introduction.
The place she was guided to was a large room with an adjoining bathroom. The white marble bathtub was filled with warm water.
“First, I’ll help you with your bath. After you wash, we’ll tend to your hair and skin…”
Only then did Johanna realize why she had been summoned to this mansion. She couldn’t stand beside Marquis Neubitz looking so shabby. Understanding this, she felt a bitter taste in her mouth.
After washing thoroughly, she combed her hair with a fragrant oil brush and smoothed her skin with rosewater and oil before putting on a white blouse with lavish lace.
The skirt, also white, flared elegantly like a mermaid’s tail and had a subtle lace trim at the hem.
Over the blouse, she wore a light sky-blue silk bolero adorned with a sapphire brooch.
Her platinum-blonde hair was neatly pinned up, and she wore a hat decorated with pearls. Her shoes were satin with small crystals.
After finishing her makeup and standing in front of the mirror, she saw her reflection. It felt as if she were looking at someone else. Was this how Cinderella felt, enchanted by her fairy godmother’s magic?
Throughout her journey from that room to wherever she was heading, Johanna couldn’t calm her racing heart.
The destination was a living room on the first floor. A man sitting in an armchair by the window glanced over with a bored expression as he skimmed through the newspaper.
As he put down the newspaper and clasped his hands together, he looked Johanna up and down. His slowly moving gaze lingered for several seconds on her face.
Finally, a detached voice devoid of any emotion drifted through the air.
“You look good enough.”
A smile-like expression briefly flickered across his crooked lips before disappearing like a mirage. The man stood up. Dressed in elegant attire for an outing, he looked incredibly handsome.
“Shall we go, then?”
He extended a gloved hand to her. Johanna hesitated for a moment before placing her hand on his. A smooth, natural escort followed, like water flowing effortlessly.
Just before the living room door opened, Johanna took a deep breath and reminded herself that the only bridge between them was the contract. So, she told herself not to get overly excited or let her heart flutter unnecessarily…
* * *
Today, the bustling streets were particularly crowded. It seemed that nobles with plenty of money and time, but nothing to do, had all come out to play.
The carriage, emblazoned with the crest of Marquis Neubitz, stopped in front of the opera house. They were here to see a performance, not an exhibition, and Johanna felt a slight thrill, as this was her first time seeing an opera.
“Hold your head up and straighten your back. Don’t be too tense.”
“Yes.”
Her posture and gait were stiff as if her whole body were rigid. She kept glancing at the ground, aware of the countless eyes on her the moment she stepped out of the carriage.
“People have too much interest in others’ business,”
Muttered the man beside her irritably, his expression one of pure annoyance. Johanna stole a glance at him, trying not to let her gaze drop to the ground. Walking arm in arm with her first love felt incredibly surreal.
