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Chapter 6
When she checked the clock, it was already four in the afternoon.
Professor Sieren had said, very carefully, that she might be returning late.
But Adelia simply wanted to stay in the laboratory even one second longer.
“Yes, I understand!”
“Good. Then let’s call it a day.”
Call it a day…!
Adelia felt her chest tighten again, her shoulders trembling slightly.
Am I about to become an incredible working adult at this rate?
Back when she was at the academy, she carried everyone’s expectations, yet she could never clearly dream of her future.
She had never even imagined she would be able to come to a place like this laboratory.
She hated the thought of barely getting by on a tight weekly wage.
And back then, she had been nothing but a timid student who only knew how to study.
The idea of stepping out into society itself had been terrifying.
But not anymore! Ugh, I’m so happy! It feels like I’ve been reborn!
However, that excitement melted away like snow the moment she took off her lab coat.
Now she had to return—not as “Researcher Adelia,” but as “Duchess Adelia”…
No, that’s not right. This is my job too. I should do my best.
Still, pretending to be a duchess simply didn’t motivate her the same way working in the lab did.
If I had refused his proposal back then…
—
—How about this? In exchange for me continuing to support you in my father’s place, you make a contract with me.
—A contract…?
Surely he didn’t mean a contract to become a mage, right?
—Yes. A contract called “The Perfect Fake Marriage between Roerston Ipsel and Adelia Whitten.”
—A fake… marriage?
—If you marry me, you won’t have to worry about anything until you graduate from the laboratory. Money? A house? Rare books? Just say the word.
—Ah, no…
—In return, you’ll act as my wife until you graduate. Of course, when we’re alone, you won’t have to do anything that real couples do. You just have to make it look convincing.
—
No.
Adelia shook her head, muttering to herself.
There was no way she could have refused that offer.
It had been shocking, yes—but even if she went back a month in time, she still wouldn’t have been able to reject Roerston’s proposal.
Getting into the laboratory had been that desperate of a dream.
Perhaps even more so because she had once almost given up on it.
After leaving the lab, Adelia began walking toward home.
Just then, the door of the largest four-wheeled carriage parked by the roadside swung open, and Roerston stepped out.
“Where are you going?”
“Ah, oh—ah, sen—”
She swallowed the word sunbae and quickly corrected herself, her face turning bright red.
“D-dear. What are you doing here…?”
“I came to pick you up, of course. Get in.”
Why is he speaking so politely?!
His gentle tone made her head spin in a completely different way than before.
Ah, right! We’re outside.
She suddenly remembered their agreement—to speak politely and act like a loving couple whenever others could see them.
But reminding herself didn’t help much.
Even if he was just a fake husband…
He was the most handsome man in the kingdom, like a perfectly crafted work of art, calling her dear and speaking so softly.
Anyone would blush in that situation.
“Th-then, excuse me.”
Adelia awkwardly greeted him and barely managed to climb into the carriage.
The moment she did, her eyes met Rudolf, who was sitting across from her, and she froze.
Th-this person is kind of scary…
His expressionless face and stiff gaze always made her shrink back a little.
At that moment, Roerston spoke.
“How was it?”
“Pardon?”
“The lab. How was it? Was it alright?”
“Ah! The lab! Yes, it was great! No—it was amazing! Did you know they’ve already finished developing the 18-H.Mgf microscope? I’d only heard about it at the academy, but I didn’t expect it to be completed so quickly! If they introduce it to the lab, they’ll be able to observe microorganisms we’ve never discovered before! Isn’t that incredible?!”
Roerston smiled politely and nodded along.
I don’t understand a single word, but if you’re happy, then I’m happy.
That was the kind of smile it was.
But to the excited Adelia, his smile only fueled her further.
Usually, when she started talking like this, even academy professors would end up with lifeless, fish-like eyes after three days…
Sunbae…! You’re actually listening to me so attentively…!
“And Professor Sieren is much kinder and more considerate than I heard! She carefully explained all the precautions, and even on my first day, she let me observe a new microorganism! And also—”
Roerston’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Professor Sieren.
That must be her advisor.
He had heard some rumors about her…
Seeing Adelia’s eyes sparkle as she described that “cold-blooded” professor as kind made him feel strangely uneasy.
“Ahem.”
At the quiet cough, Adelia flinched.
She fidgeted with her gloved hands and spoke nervously.
“I-I’m sorry. I was talking too much…”
Roerston blinked in surprise.
“No, that’s not why.”
“Oh—then… are you catching a cold?”
Seeing her genuinely worried expression, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Even if I’m a fake husband, are you really praising another man for being kind right in front of me? He had only meant to tease her—how did it turn into this?
“It’s not a cold.”
“Then did something get stuck in your throat…?”
At that moment, Roerston lightly flicked her forehead.
“Ah!”
Startled by the sudden attack, Adelia widened her eyes as if she’d suffered a great injustice.
“If I were your real husband, it wouldn’t have ended with just a cough.”
“…Huh? Wh-what do you mean?”
“You were going on and on about another man. That’s a breach of contract.”
That wasn’t in the contract!
“Th-that’s…”
“You were about to say that clause wasn’t in the contract, right? I’ll add it today.”
“Th-that’s too much! I just respect my professor!”
She protested timidly, but Roerston only shrugged.
Adelia puffed out her cheeks in annoyance.
He barely held back his laughter, covering his mouth with the back of his hand as his lips tried to curl upward.
She’s really cute.
Like a squirrel stuffing its cheeks with seeds.
The thought made him chuckle softly as he gently patted her head.
“Even if I’m a fake husband, if you say another man is kind and considerate in front of me, I get a little jealous too.”
“Je-jealous…?”
“Yes. While we’re married, you should say I’m the kindest and most considerate man in the world. After all, you’re my wife.”
And I’ll make that true, he thought.
Adelia still looked confused.
But soon, her ears turned bright red, as if she finally understood.
“Your ears are completely red.”
At his words, she clamped her lips shut and stopped breathing.
If I tease her any more, she might faint.
Just as Roerston decided to stop—
Rudolf suddenly spoke from across them.
“Professor Sieren Viter. I’ve heard the name. She’s famous for never letting her students graduate.”
Adelia, who had been shrinking, lit up again at the mention of her professor.
“You know her too, Sir Rudolf?”
“Please, just call me Rudolf, my lady. I’m merely a servant of the Ipsel family.”
“Ah, right…! Anyway, yes! I’ve heard she’s extremely strict when reviewing papers.”
The next moment, both Roerston and Rudolf froze at what they saw.
A faint blush spread across Adelia’s cheeks.
“I’m already excited about how strict she’ll be! She’ll point out every one of my shortcomings, right? Being able to receive that kind of guidance—it’s like a dream!”
Before she even finished speaking, Rudolf shot Roerston a look that clearly asked, Do you regret this marriage?
“Shut up, Rudolf.”
At that, Adelia flinched, while Rudolf shrugged.
“I didn’t say anything.”
Dinner at the Ipsel duchy was far busier than the morning.
Since neither Adelia nor Roerston enjoyed nightlife, the servants worked even harder to ensure their masters had a peaceful evening.
“You need to straighten your back, my lady.”
Liliot said gently, scrubbing Adelia’s back with a soft sponge.
Adelia, who had been curled up, straightened slightly and cleared her throat.
