The Villainess Has Proposed a Contract Marriage

10 – The Downfall of the Villainess

The capital city always has a vibrant atmosphere.

Being the center of the empire, various high-quality goods were brought in, leading to considerable consumption of luxury items. In the capital, high-priced goods that were rarely seen in other regions were visible at every turn.

Therefore, the nobles in the capital usually enjoyed gatherings such as salons and tea parties to pass the time.

The Chandelier Marquis’s mansion was no exception. Today was the day of a gathering where embroidered handkerchiefs made from precious fabrics were being showcased. As a result, many women flocked to the Chandelier Marquis’s residence to enjoy socializing.

“Wow, Lady Chandelier. You’ve drawn such a beautiful butterfly.”

“Your embroidery skills are so exquisite… I should learn from you, but it’s not easy.”

“Is that so? In my eyes, Lady Chandelier’s embroidery looks very impressive.”

Lynia Chandelier, as befitting the daughter of a prestigious marquis, modestly shook her head. Her seemingly innocent smile seemed to soothe the sincerity. Perhaps because of that, the atmosphere of the gathering became even warmer.

“Oh!”

As if recalling the knowledge she already knew, Linnia clapped her hands.

“Come to think of it, aren’t there people who can’t be matched even in embroidery skills?”

“If there are people who can’t be matched…”

Linnia’s eyeballs rolled in a certain direction, and the eyeballs of the others also rolled in the same direction.

There, positioned on a wine-red spacious sofa, was a beautiful young woman with a languid face, embroidering.

Even in a gathering filled with luxury goods, her dress was distinctly luxurious, from the quality of the fabric.

Not to mention, everything she wore was of a price range that couldn’t be easily imitated.

Undoubtedly, she was the noble lady of authority. However, there was not a single person protecting her by her side.

“Ahahahaha…”

Someone snickered. And the mocking flow, originating from the unknown lady, spread like ink in water.

At that moment, one of the young women who had been whispering next to Linnia Chandelier opened her eyes narrowly and spoke.

“Well, we should acknowledge Lady Luminal’s embroidery skills, right?”

From that point, the conversation began to intertwine.

“I wonder how much time she invests in a day to embroider something like me.”

“She’s truly skilled…impressive.”

“But what’s the point of being skilled? Now…the person who appreciates embroidery with such skill would be a rare find.”

“hehehe…who would have known? Lady Luminal, selling herself to commoners.”

“Oh my, but still, isn’t it a bit harsh to say she’s selling herself?”

“Is it harsh? The dowry she took with her was only so much. On the other hand, isn’t the man literally penniless?”

“Oh my! I’d rather be sold than not be sold at all, wouldn’t you say?”

“That’s absolutely… generous.”

Openly mocking, he laughs sarcastically. It’s been a long time since the distinctive way of turning phrases, typical of high society, disappeared. However, Elphesia Luminal still maintained her decadent attitude.

Her posture was as firm as a rock.

“But still, it might not be a bad deal, right? I heard that the person appointed by Duke Luminal is ‘that man’ involved in the illegal auction incident.”

“Oh, I heard about that. The palace was in an uproar for a while because he used sacred powers.”

“It’s rare to hear, so what do you think? Eventually, using sacred powers privately is punishable for commoners.”

“At this point, wouldn’t it be uncomfortable for the noble lady?”

Nevertheless, despite everything, the reason why everything the noble lady wore was top-notch was solely for the sake of the family’s honor.

Even Duke Luminal, who always maintained a stoic expression, seemed to have cast off his lingering attachment to the ＜Scentless Flower＞.

In a softer voice, perhaps Elphesia Luminal might be a illegitimate child.

… Various cruel remarks circulated.

It was an atmosphere openly ridiculing one person. And the instigator of such an atmosphere – Linnia Chandelier had arsenic on her lips, covered by her hand.

“Well done, Elphesia Luminal. Keeping your mouth shut and maintaining a stoic expression even in this situation!”

It was ironic. Truly wanted to laugh out loud.

Linnia Chandelier always disliked that woman who seemed to look down on others.

From her innate beauty and talent to her disdainful gaze, claiming as if she lived in a different world from them, everything was displeasing.

Even the deep-rooted fate was nauseating.

“What’s with that stride? Elphesia Luminal overflows with grace even though we’re the same age!”

“Embroidery you’ve done? Rumor has it that Lady Luminal embroidered the handkerchief used by the duchess. It was so intricate that it was eye-catching, but this… sigh.”

“Another top rank! We’re fellow academy students, but how is Elphesia Luminal so different…”

‘If only that child were my daughter.’

When Lady Chandler uttered those words, Linnia Chandler’s world finally crumbled. As she raised her head and gazed at the ceiling, it felt as if Elphesia Luminel’s stiletto heels were embedded there.

If victory is impossible, then wouldn’t it be better to be on good terms? She had thought so at times.

Yet, every time Linnia Chandler initiated a conversation, Elphesia ignored it as if no one were there. No amount of persistent attempts at conversation could elicit even a sigh from her. To Linnia, it seemed like an expression of a distinct human dignity.

If there was someone who understood the emotion of inferiority best, it was herself, and Linnia could affirm that. Hence, she despised Elphesia Luminel to the point of madness.

Perhaps that woman was born without the capacity for emotions.

Thus, Linnia harbored resentment towards Elphesia without any guilt. Despite knowing she couldn’t win, the political situation took a sudden turn.

‘Finally… Finally… I’ve won.’

Elphesia Luminel, who had been unrivaled with her supreme beauty, was to become the bride of a commoner. Moreover, at the behest of her father, Duke Luminel.

A lady’s dignity ultimately comes from her marriage.

Even if her status before marriage was that of a viscount’s daughter, once she becomes a duke’s wife, she can look down on numerous ladies.

Therefore, Linnia’s self-esteem, engaged to the second prince with the promise of a duke’s title, soared.

The few noble ladies who used to taunt Elphesia eventually turned their steps towards her.

‘She’s crumpled… Elphesia Luminel. Just remove that worn-out garment, and you can walk into the slums…’

Elphesia, captivated by the fantasy of wearing shabby clothes and flirting with commoners, was lost in her daydream.

The moment the controversial protagonist made a noticeable move was precisely then.

Swish!

Unfurling a red fan, she covered her enticingly colored lips.

All eyes turned to Elphesia due to her unfamiliar behavior.

Finally, Elphesia spoke in her distinguished voice.

“I’m delighted to have captured everyone’s attention. I must express my gratitude to the esteemed Chandelier Marquess for hosting this meaningful gathering.”

With a smile, she laughed. Among them, there was truly no one who could decipher Elphesia’s emotional shifts.

The audience fell into the abyss of shock.

While everyone’s composure was breaking, Elphesia spoke.

“Of course, just as you all have shared your interest, I too have been interested in everyone here. For instance, yes… the navy blue dress over there.”

“Me, a navy blue dress?!”

Offended by the impolite address, the lady stood up, fuming.

Regardless of the reaction, Elphesia continued, still wearing a sculpted smile.

“You wore a beautifully adorned one. I assume the confiscation documents related to the illegal auction your cousin was involved in have reached the ancestral home?”

“What, what are you saying?!”

“The person your fiancé apprehended as a criminal happens to be a relative of yours.”

Revealing the family’s disgrace, the bewildered lady sank into her seat.

In reality, her cousin had presented items acquired from an illegal auction to her father, and unfortunately, it had been exposed.

Thanks to that, legal grounds were established to seize profits from her ancestral home.

“Oh, the pearl earrings there belonged to the handsome fiancé. He was so attractive that he swept women off their feet every day. Of course, at the window.”

“Wait, Luminel Lady! Tell me more about that story!”

“With the confidence of a crow or a dog, it’s unclear which, why are you boldly meeting two men? They even both mistakenly believed they took your virginity. I assert that among the ladies gathered here, none are as progressive as you.”

“Huh…!”

Afterward, every time Elphesia’s lips moved, an invisible dagger pierced deep into the guests’ flaws.

Some were angered but dared not lift their faces, and occasionally, gasping for breath, some of the Marquess’s guests left altogether. The once lively gathering disintegrated in an instant.

And so, the time for Linnia Chandler and Elysia Luminal to confront each other had come swiftly.

“Lady Luminal… What do you want to do now?”

“What do you mean? You have eyes and ears, so just see and hear for yourself.”

“I’m asking why you suddenly have such a change in mood and are acting like this!”

“Ah…”

Elysia let out a sigh as if she really didn’t know. Linnia’s anger rose to the boiling point at her pretentious attitude.

“Viscountess Chandler.”

“Yes, Lady Luminal.”

“The future Duchess.”

“…”

Linnia first closed her mouth. She was afraid that those disastrous lips would blurt out something incomprehensible again.

“The Second Prince cannot spare even a single part of his body for me. Because of that, I was never trusted and gave up the struggle for the throne early on.”

“… Are you talking about succession? It would be wiser to avoid getting tangled up in a bloody power struggle.”

“Of course. I have no intention of belittling the Second Prince’s insight. On the contrary, I sympathize with it.”

“Then… why?”

Why?

Doubt filled her mind. One part of her head couldn’t predict what the extraordinary woman was trying to say.

Snap!

Elysia folded the fan she had opened wide.

“It would be torturous to share a bed with the Second Prince. Especially if it’s on top of that belly…”

“This… vulgar…!!!”

Lynia’s face flushed crimson. On the contrary, Elficia, with her fair complexion, responded with a faint smile.

“Maybe those handsome young nobles who were flattering Yeongae might be secretly yearning for her every night?”

“That kind of thing… it stops with the government. After all, marriage is a contract and a business. Love is just a common thing with the government.”

“Yeah, that’s right. I agree. In Yeongae’s case, having a good marriage proposal is rather unusual.”

If you gather all the hypocrisy in the world and confine it to a narrow society, that sample would be none other than the aristocratic society.

At the gatherings, they feigned love between spouses, but as soon as they returned to their mansions, they coveted passionate love with unrelated strangers.

Since the government had practically solidified into a single culture, Lynia’s remarks were not particularly shocking.

“Hmm.”

However, Elficia, with a slight tug at the corner of her mouth, revealed her pretty dimples.

“In the end, as a woman, happiness is found alongside commoners, isn’t it?”

“… What did you say?”

“Shall I put it a bit more vulgarly? In the end, it means you’re just a woman clinging to a commoner’s neck and cooing.”

“Ha! You… have gone too far…! Did you throw away all the dignity you guarded so desperately to become a commoner’s wife?!”

“Gone too far, you say… mocking is freedom, but it becomes troublesome if you mistake your position.”

Tap, tap.

Elficia tilted her head slightly to the side and lightly tapped her fan on her hand.

“As you said, I am a ‘wife’ of a commoner. At least I can openly acknowledge my partner with pride.”

“What does that… even mean…”

“Hmm, really don’t understand? How much do I have to explain.”

Elphesia opened her eyes as if she pitied herself.

“I, who can simply call out the name of my opponent. And you, who must whisper the name secretly. By now, you should understand what I mean, but let me be a bit more kind.”

“Elphesia…!”

“Even though you talk about true love and such with your mouth, the fact that the Duchess and I, who would be ashamed to show it outwardly, are being compared… it means humiliation itself. Do you understand now?”

Immediately after, Elphesia deeply thrust a language-carved dagger into Linia’s chest.

“From the beginning, you and I were different. We were born that way, and we will surely be that way in the future. Outwardly, you may find comfort in mocking the commoner’s wife… but you will inevitably, for the rest of your life, suffocate yourself in misery.”

You.

Buried in vanity and inferiority, crumbling until there’s nothing left, without knowing satisfaction no matter how many wrinkles appear.

When happiness blooms like a thorn, today’s tea party will come to mind.

This is a curse.

And also a blessing.

Unless you face the mirror in your heart and transform yourself, it will be a curse of sorrow and bondage engraved in your heart for the rest of your life.

“…”

A tear ran down Linia’s cheek.

Just from a few words exchanged, a woman had turned into a pathetic wreck.

Elphesia tapped Linia’s shoulder and left her words as if she was pouring them out.

“You should never have dared to dirty your mouth with his name.”

“…Whose.”

Linia asked, her voice trembling.

This villainess was a woman who easily brushed off any insults against herself. That’s why she seemed like an empty human being without any self-esteem or pride. The emotional response she displayed at this moment was unprecedented.

Elysia abruptly stopped in her tracks. Then she turned her head towards Linya and smiled gracefully.

“Who else could it be?”

She said with a charming expression.

“The person who will become my husband.”