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Chapter 4
Adelia was indeed a junior from the Academy—and it was true that she was brilliant enough to graduate at the top of her class.
Even back when Roerston attended the Academy, he had heard rumors about a genius in the lower years. So it wasn’t as if they were complete strangers.
But the most important fact was something else.
Their marriage…
★…was a complete scam.★
In the past, the Wheaton family had completely fallen into ruin when Adelia was ten years old.
Her mother, exhausted by her husband’s gambling addiction, left—abandoning her four-year-old daughter behind.
And her father, instead of caring for her, handed Adelia over to a cheap nanny and spent his time indulging himself.
By the time he was driven into bankruptcy by debt collectors—
Adelia, at ten years old, was only a fourth-year student at the Academy.
Because she was so intelligent, the Academy covered her tuition. But living expenses—and even a place to stay during vacations—were beyond their help.
That was when a helping hand reached out to her.
An anonymous sponsor.
It was Roerston’s father—the former Duke of Ipsel.
Well, Father always found joy in supporting scholars. Nothing strange about that.
The former Duke donated a large sum to build a dormitory at the Academy just for Adelia.
Thanks to that, not only Adelia but also students from distant regions—who had struggled in uncomfortable boarding houses—were able to benefit.
Through that connection, Roerston and Adelia came to know each other.
After graduating top of her class, Adelia had no money to continue into the research institute.
That was when Roerston made her an offer.
If she married him and pretended to be his wife, he would provide all the resources she needed until she completed her research.
Recalling the frightened expression Adelia had worn at the time, Roerston let out a quiet chuckle.
—Why… why would you go that far?
—Because I’m sick and tired of being nagged to get married.
Her face had been as red as a ruby, he thought.
Besides, she was the perfect partner for a contract marriage—someone he could part ways with cleanly afterward, without complications.
That brilliant junior of his seemed to have no interest in humans at all—only microorganisms.
“Duke of Ipsel, what has you smiling like that?”
At the familiar voice behind him, Roerston flinched slightly and rubbed the back of his neck before turning around.
A well-built middle-aged woman stood there, covering her mouth with the edge of her fan as she looked at him.
“It’s been a while, Marchioness Hyzenne.”
“Yes, quite a long time. I left the capital for recuperation over a year ago… has it been nearly two years?”
“It has been that long already.”
Responding politely, Roerston hesitated before asking,
“Your family has been well, I hope?”
“Of course. Everyone is doing just fine.”
“I’m glad to hear—”
“That is, except for my daughter Violet, who hasn’t had any appetite day or night since that news, and refuses to eat anything.”
Ugh.
Roerston groaned inwardly.
“To think the first thing I hear upon returning is news of your marriage, Duke. And you haven’t even held a ceremony? Just how precious is this lady of yours, I wonder?”
The Marchioness continued to prod him with her words.
‘Precious lady,’ she said.
Considering there hadn’t even been a wedding, it was clearly sarcasm.
What she really meant was: What problem was there that you couldn’t even hold a proper ceremony?
“The schedule didn’t allow for it. We plan to hold the ceremony properly at a later time.”
“I’m sure Violet will be delighted to hear that.”
Roerston let out a quiet laugh again.
She’s really determined to needle me.
Among all the nobles, there was no one as troublesome to him as the Marchioness Hyzenne.
There was even a rumor that she had long harbored feelings for his father, the former Duke.
When Roerston’s mother passed away, the Marchioness had also lost her husband—and it was said she tried to secretly approach the Duke, seeing it as her chance.
Whether true or not, the former Duke never looked at another woman after his wife’s death.
So the Marchioness turned her attention to his son—Roerston.
Her daughter Violet was deeply infatuated with him, and she had planned to marry them off.
Even if she couldn’t have the Duke himself, she could at least secure the ducal family’s wealth.
He got married in that short time? How dare he make my daughter cry. I won’t let this go.
In truth, she found her daughter’s whining more annoying than anything—but for some reason, she still ground her teeth in resentment toward Roerston.
However, Roerston was not an easy opponent.
“I have a meeting to attend, so I must be going now, my lady.”
With a pleasant smile, he gently turned the Marchioness by the shoulder in the opposite direction.
“Oh? My—”
The motion was so natural that even she momentarily believed she had been properly escorted.
After politely sending her away—
Roerston found himself deep in thought.
I didn’t expect the Marchioness’s family to return to the capital. Adelia must not run into Miss Violet…
And that wasn’t the only problem.
There was another reason he had gone as far as entering a fraudulent marriage—aside from dealing with the Marchioness’s family.
There was a woman who had persistently pursued him for a long time.
No matter how many times he told her he had no intention of marrying her, she never listened.
In any case—
Even if this was a fake marriage meant to deceive others, a wife was still a wife.
And Adelia was his junior.
And someone his father had supported for many years.
He couldn’t just leave someone with such deep ties to him surrounded by a pack of hyenas.
That would be absurd.
For the time being, it’s better if I accompany her to and from work.
Roerston decided.
While Roerston was skillfully avoiding the hidden barbs in the Marchioness’s words—
Adelia was touring the laboratory with Professor Sieren.
She was still completely mesmerized.
“Professor, th-that is…!”
Adelia pointed somewhere, her mouth falling open in shock.
Professor Sieren brushed back his bangs and nodded. For a brief moment, his eyes gleamed with pride.
“It’s exactly what you think it is.”
“The automatic nucleus extractor developed just last winter…! I can’t believe I’m seeing it with my own eyes!”
“Would you like to try it?”
Adelia’s eyes widened as if they might pop out.
“Can I really?”
“Of course. You’re part of this laboratory now—it’s best you become familiar with the equipment.”
Sieren approached the extractor, adjusted a few settings, then placed a sample dish containing microorganisms beneath it.
“Come here and give it a try.”
Adelia’s breathing grew uneven.
To use such high-end equipment—such cutting-edge equipment.
It would take at least three or four years before something like this became available in ordinary research institutions.
But I can use it right now…!
Because she had entered this laboratory!
Thank you, God…!
Following Sieren’s instructions, she leaned into the microscope and carefully held the extraction tube.
Very cautiously, she brought its tip toward a single microorganism.
The tube slipped in as if drawn by an invisible force—and deftly extracted only the red nucleus.
“I did it, Professor!”
“Good. Now try transferring the nucleus over here.”
Carefully, Adelia moved the nucleus as instructed.
Once placed onto a new dish, the nucleus twitched slightly—then became still.
Without its protective layer, its deepened red color looked almost…
“…delicious.”
“…What did you say?”
At Sieren’s question, Adelia blinked and gave an awkward smile.
“Well, through the microscope, it looks just like a ripe cherry…”
“That nucleus came from a microorganism that causes intestinal disease.”
“Even so!”
“…?”
Adelia’s green eyes began to sparkle once more—far too brightly.
Professor Sieren realized, once again, that something was very, very wrong.
