If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 34

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

One: The minimum duration of the marriage shall be four years.

Two: One year after the marriage contract is signed, all rights of the Kristin Duchy shall officially be transferred to Agatha Kristin.

Three: No party shall disclose the terms of this contract to anyone outside the parties involved.

Four: After fulfilling the minimum duration, either party may freely request or notify the other party of contract termination if there is no longer a reason to maintain the marriage.

“And here it states that the consent of the other party is not required…”

On that day, Cain and Agatha each wrote down their desired contract terms and negotiated before finalizing the contract.

Agatha sat by the window in the room, quietly staring at the contract in her hands. Her gaze lingered on the words ‘contract termination’ for a long time. The contract, with both the beginning and the end clearly defined, was neat and precise.

Each of them would get what they needed, and afterward, they would cleanly go their separate ways. Marriage was merely a means to obtain what they needed.

She had just come of age, still very young. There were likely more days ahead than what she had lived so far. Perhaps her hasty decision now could turn out to be a bitter pill in the future.

She hadn’t agreed to the marriage contract without considering the potential risks. She was willing to accept some risks for the sake of the Kristin Duchy, which meant everything to her.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

Agatha turned the paper and placed it on the table as she welcomed her guest. It was Izelle. When Agatha looked at her as if asking what was going on, Izelle made a gesture towards the door behind her.

“The Marquis has selected a few maids for Madam. If Madam chooses one she likes, I will compile the list and report it to His Excellency.”

Ten maids followed Izelle inside. They stood neatly with their hands folded and heads bowed. Among them, Agatha recognized a few familiar faces.

“I heard they were inquiring about the maids who used to work at the Duchy. It seems that was true.”

Liana whispered in a hushed tone. Having been by Agatha’s side since their time at the Duchy, through the County, and now at Vernat Marquisate, Liana had already recognized several familiar faces among the maids. She concealed her joy at seeing them again, but her lips couldn’t help but curl up slightly.

When Cain rescued her mistress Agatha from Countess Calvino, Liana wished he had discovered them earlier. It was quite a considerate move to personally inquire and bring back the maids who had worked at the Duchy that were scattered ten years ago.

Although he referred to it as a marriage contract, no one would willingly get involved with someone they had no feelings for. It seemed that Marquis Vernat truly cared for Agatha in some way.

While she couldn’t voice her thoughts aloud, Liana smiled to herself as she silently expressed her gratitude for his consideration.

“Please convey my gratitude for his consideration.”

“To His Excellency… Are you sure about that?”

“Why, is there a problem?”

“No, not at all. I just thought that it might be better if you conveyed it directly. After all, today is the day His Excellency is coming home,” Izelle replied smoothly, tracing graceful lines with her lips as she spoke.

Agatha hadn’t seen Cain in a few days after signing the contract. It made her wonder if he was handling all the imperial matters on his own, or if he was truly as busy as his nonstop schedule implied. He often stayed at the mansion for only a short while, claiming to have urgent matters to attend to at the palace.

“When His Excellency returns, I’ll make sure to prepare dinner so that he can enjoy it right away. Would you like to join him at the dining table when he’s here?”

Agatha replied, deciding that dining together in the grand mansion would indeed be a pleasant change from her solitary meals in her room.

Izelle’s graceful demeanor and her ability to maintain an appropriate balance between excessive and inadequate were befitting of someone entrusted with the management of the Marquisate, as well as the noble background that came with it.

Agatha recalled that she was originally from Ashley Barony. She returned Izelle’s smile before the servant left to prepare for dinner.

Even in Agatha’s eyes, unaccustomed to undeserved kindness, Izelle’s kindness and goodwill felt clearly genuine. Even if it might be seen as a formality due to her being the woman of her master, she appreciated it.

Whenever she encountered Izelle’s warm smile and calm voice, she couldn’t help but think of Charlotte, even if just a little. In a way, this was the most peaceful and happy time since her parents’ passing.

The unexpected peace felt almost like a dream, and she was grateful for it. However, on the other hand, it also made her feel uneasy, not knowing when it might come to an end.

She silently hoped that these tranquil days wouldn’t be shattered like a bolt of lightning, never to return.