The Contract Wife Tries to Leave - Chapter 52
Night had fallen. Daniel opened his desk drawer and took out an old diary.
It had been over a year, so his memories might have been distorted; he needed to check what he had written.
[Today, the famous Marquis Neubitz came to the school’s fundraiser. Even from a distance, you could tell he was an Alpha—he stood out that much. The principal introduced me as a scholarship student, but his gaze was so cold that I wondered if I had done something wrong. But since he looked the same way at everyone else, I figured that’s just how he is.]
[Even though it was hot, he kept wearing gloves and seemed to hate touching people. He was really different from what I had imagined. But still, he was incredibly handsome.]
Daniel turned the page, recalling the icy expression of Marquis Neubitz, which was as cold as midwinter.
[After the fundraiser ended, I saw an Omega approach Marquis Neubitz, and he pushed the Omega away so harshly that it felt excessive. He even said something so awful, like, ‘Are you coming to a school full of children just to go into heat?’ I was shocked just hearing it. That Omega ended up bursting into tears.]
‘Right… that did happen…’
To Daniel, Leonid Neubitz had left a bad impression. Someone who hated Omegas that much said Johanna was an exception? Honestly, it would be a lie to say he wasn’t suspicious.
‘But Johanna said she likes him…’
When she said that she liked him, Johanna seemed sincere. But was the Marquis sincere too? Wasn’t there a chance that he was deceiving her?
‘He has OCD and hates Omegas, but he’s fine with touching her?’
Then maybe it wasn’t love, but rather, he was marrying her for some ulterior motive… That twisted personality of his might still need an heir…
Daniel closed the diary and let out a heavy sigh. It was difficult to accept, but he couldn’t interfere with his sister’s decision.
* * *
A few days later, Johanna and Daniel moved into the Weimar estate.
During that time, the entire country was abuzz with rumors. There was a scandal swirling around Marquis Neubitz and a mysterious Omega. Various gossip magazines covered the story of Marquis Neubitz’s alleged romance, with numerous unfounded rumors mixed in.
The most absurd of these rumors was the claim that Johanna was the illegitimate daughter of the Princess of Arberk, who had been beheaded during the revolution over twenty years ago.
“Welcome, Princess.”
“…”
Leonid had apparently heard the ridiculous rumor as well, greeting Johanna with a playful mockery as soon as he saw her. Johanna nearly let out a laugh at his words but managed to restrain herself, responding naturally instead.
“Have you been well? This is my brother, Daniel.”
“Ah, nice to meet you.”
“…I’m Daniel Lucerne. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Having previously asked Leonid to keep the fact that their relationship was merely contractual a secret from Daniel, Leonid greeted him with the pretense of a caring fiancé. His leisurely demeanor conveyed that he could afford to be generous, at least to this extent.
He was undoubtedly a man who did things his own way. When in a good mood, he could be as magnanimous as he pleased, but when the opposite, he was sharp and merciless, like a honed blade.
Having clearly understood this side of him, Johanna wasn’t swayed when he pretended to be affectionate. Though she couldn’t control her heart from racing against her will, she felt she was slowly becoming accustomed to him as she spent more time with him.
“It’s almost lunchtime. Would you like to join me for a meal?”
Leonid set aside the book he had been reading and stood up. Johanna wasn’t sure if he was sincerely asking or if it was just a polite gesture.
In any case, both Johanna and Daniel hadn’t eaten yet, so it would seem suspicious to refuse Leonid’s invitation. After all, they had to play the part of a couple deeply in love.
“Alright, let’s eat together.”
She replied with a warm smile, and Leonid gently took her hand. His bare hand, ungloved, made Johanna almost flinch without realizing it.
“…I’m not feeling well, so I’ll eat later.”
Daniel, who had been watching them both, spoke in a hesitant voice. Though he maintained a polite demeanor, it was clear he felt uncomfortable around Leonid.
“Is that so? That’s too bad. If your stomach keeps bothering you, let Annette know. She has some very effective digestive medicine.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
Daniel bowed slightly, then exchanged a glance with Johanna before following the footman. Johanna watched her brother’s small figure until he disappeared from view.
