The Art of Reforming Villainous Men - Chapter 20
Chapter 20
Translator: Yonnee
—
Late at night—
After finishing her bath, Adeline sat in front of her vanity and gazed into the mirror.
When she lifted her damp hair, a red mark was clearly visible on the nape of her neck.
Of course, it was Jack’s mark.
Adeline traced her fingers over the red imprint.
“It left a clearer mark than I thought.”
It wasn’t subtle enough to pass as an insect bite, yet it was in an awkward spot to cover with clothing.
And below that—on her shoulder—were more of the same.
“Looks like I won’t be able to wear anything low-cut for a while.”
Since Crawford’s high society preferred dresses that concealed the legs with long skirts but emphasized the neckline, most of her wardrobe would be off-limits for the time being.
Yet, despite the murmured complaint, there was no sign of distress on her face in the mirror.
‘This is a small price to pay.’
After all, she had secured the funds to clear her urgent debt.
More importantly, she had successfully drawn Millein in.
As she recalled the scene in the tearoom, Adeline’s green eyes turned cold.
‘Milleinberg Ishmire Belov.’
A single sentence was enough to describe him.
The eldest son of the distinguished Marquis Belov and a well-respected nobleman.
If the word ‘nobleman’ were to take human form, it would be Millein.
‘A man without a single flaw.’
The Belov Marquisate and the Zeller Duchy had been close since Adeline’s childhood.
Because of that, she had grown up like a childhood friend to both Millein and his younger brother, Huberg, who was a year younger than her.
Of course, childhood friendships naturally fade with time.
‘Huberg and I have already grown apart.’
But Millein was different.
‘Unlike his younger brother, Millein and I attended Froude Academy together.’
Though they were in different years, their shared time at the academy meant that Millein had been like an older brother to her, always close by.
‘Especially since my only family was my father. That made him feel even closer.’
In truth, when she was younger, Adeline had admired the Belov family.
Unlike the lonely and quiet Zeller ducal household—where it was just father and daughter, the Belov family was known for their strong family bond.
Especially Millein’s mother, Katia Madison Belov, a woman from the Kingdom of Lamore.
Unlike the typical imperial noblewomen, she was warm, unpretentious, and kind-hearted.
Katia had taken a special liking to Adeline as a child, and Adeline had adored her in return.
—You’re such a pretty little lady, Miss Zeller. I wish I had a daughter like you.
The kingdom where Katia was from had a much more relaxed and informal noble culture compared to the empire.
She had grown up in a large, lively household and had always expressed her desire to maintain a warm and loving family.
As a result, Millein had grown up with strong ties to his parents and younger brother.
He took after his mother—kind and generous to others, a gentleman in every sense.
—Millein will obviously be the next Marquis Belov.
It was a statement everyone who knew him agreed upon without hesitation—and Adeline had wholeheartedly agreed as well.
To her, Millein had been a good older brother, a close friend, and someone she had once wished to emulate.
‘Millein will make a great head of his house.’
And she had wanted to do the same.
A future where they both led their respective houses, standing side by side, discussing political affairs—it hadn’t seemed so far-fetched to her.
‘Millein will be getting married soon, too, won’t he?’
Would his future marchioness be someone like his mother?
She had often pondered that question in passing.
But as if mocking her for such idle thoughts…
On the day of her graduation.
Millein had looked at her and said one thing.
—Let’s get married, Renée.
Millein proposed to Adeline.
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