The Contract Wife Tries to Leave - Chapter 70
He slowly leaned in. The brief moment stretched into an eternity. As his lips met hers, Johanna forgot how to breathe, accepting the kiss in silent surrender.
His pheromones spread subtly, teasing her skin and raising her body temperature. Instinctively, Johanna released her own pheromones in response, causing Leonid to press his lips harder against hers, his eyes narrowing.
“Mmnh…”
When he bit down on her lip with his teeth, a sharp sting spread. Startled, Johanna’s eyes widened as she looked at him. Even with their lips still locked, Leonid’s gaze narrowed further, almost mockingly.
“Ahem!”
The archbishop, who was officiating, cleared his throat, giving them a pointed look. They had lingered too long in the kiss. Embarrassed, Johanna gently pushed against Leonid’s shoulder. Despite her light touch, he withdrew easily, crafting a gentle smile for the audience. Even though she knew it was just an act, Johanna’s heart pounded uncontrollably.
“With this, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
The officiant’s declaration prompted polite cheers and applause from the guests. Feeling more awkward than joyous, Johanna’s gaze wandered aimlessly until she met Daniel’s eyes.
Her brother was sobbing uncontrollably, while Leonid’s youngest sister, Kiara, was doing her best to comfort him.
‘Why is he crying… so foolish…’
A hollow laugh escaped Johanna, and she felt a lump rise in her throat, almost as if her brother’s tears were contagious. It wasn’t even a real wedding… it was all so foolish.
As she struggled to hold back her tears, Leonid took her hand and led her down the wedding aisle. Her eyes, strained from holding back tears, turned a faint shade of red.
When they passed through the final wedding arch, the soft music faded. Amid the distant sound of applause and congratulatory voices, Johanna let out a faint sigh that no one noticed.
* * *
After the wedding, a reception was held. For the reception, Johanna wore a sky-blue evening dress and let her hair down in soft, natural waves.
She also touched up her makeup. While her eyes and lips remained the same, she brightened her complexion a bit. Since the morning, she had felt a slight fever coming on, and by evening, her cheeks were noticeably flushed, giving her a rosy appearance.
Considering she had no issues controlling her pheromones, it didn’t seem like it was a heat cycle… She wondered if she had caught a cold on the day she briefly went out to see Daniel.
At the reception, Johanna, alongside Leonid, greeted the guests before finding herself alone with Duke Elderique. They stood in a secluded corner where the sounds of the other guests seemed distant, and Johanna nervously wetted her dry lips as she faced him.
The Duke’s face was expressionless and indifferent, his gaze stern. Expecting an unpleasant conversation, Johanna mentally prepared herself, carefully choosing her words in anticipation of what might come.
After what felt like an eternity, Duke Elderique finally spoke.
“Take good care of my grandson. He’s sensitive and particular, but he’s not a bad person at heart.”
Johanna’s eyes widened in surprise at his unexpected words. She had assumed this conversation would be an extension of the one she had with Leonid’s mother, Hermia, so this development caught her off guard. Hesitating for a moment, Johanna cautiously responded.
“I am the one who should be asking for your understanding… I have many shortcomings, but I will do my best… to show you a good side of me in the future.”
A stiff, frozen voice escaped her lips. However, Duke Elderique didn’t seem to mind, instead, he smiled warmly. As his expression softened, he transformed into someone who looked more like a kind, neighborly grandfather. In that moment, Johanna was reminded of her late maternal grandfather, who had always doted on her. A wave of nostalgia and longing filled her heart.
“Yes, it would be nice to see you often. If you ever have any difficulties or troubles, feel free to speak up. And if Leonid ever upsets you, you can come and tattle on him.”
At his playful remark, Johanna couldn’t help but let out a hearty laugh. Duke Elderique joined in, his deep, pleasant laughter resonating warmly. While a sense of warmth spread through her, so did a heavy guilt that weighed on her heart.
‘…I’m sorry, Duke.’
If only she could genuinely return this kindness… The reality that she couldn’t made her feel a twinge of sadness.
