We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 84

Seeing the dressing room owner’s outburst, the woman took off the ring she had on her hand. Nicola, who watched the woman’s appearance change in an instant, was astonished.

“Oh my, isn’t your original face even prettier?”

“Hoho, can I compare myself to Lady Nicola?”

“But, who are you? Does my son know you and help you?”

“Oh, I’m sorry for not introducing myself earlier. I am Lilliana, the wife of Marquis Ovando.”

Upon her introduction, the dressing room owner’s face turned pale, almost blackened.

“So, you’re the Marchioness. But why are you alone?”

“Sometimes I use a magical item when I want to be alone. But when I saw injustice, I couldn’t just pass by.”

“…Are you saying that this person just scammed me?”

“That’s right, quite an enormous scam. Bringing out things that wouldn’t even be worth a million gold and inflating the amount to ten million.”

“Ha, this is a complete scam artist!”

“Lady Nicola! I’m sorry, please just look at me once more.”

When Nicola rose from her seat with a determined expression, the dressing room owner quickly kneeled down and begged. Nicola had significantly contributed to the shop’s sales, and fearing the loss of such an important customer, the owner played their last card.

“If you look at me just once more, I’ll give you all the clothes you chose today for free!”

Nicola showed interest in the owner’s words. Would she really just give away all the clothes Nicola had chosen today, which would likely be dozens of them? For an ordinary person, it might be suspicious to not question the invoices so far, but Nicola was different.

Money was not her concern.

“Fine.”

“…What?”

The dressing room owner, who was begging for forgiveness, and Lilliana, who was watching from the side, both opened their eyes wide in surprise.

“Do you know where to send them?”

Ignoring their reactions completely, Nicola spoke.

“What? Oh, yes! Of course! I’ve visited several times.”

“Then, have them delivered to my place today.”

“Alright. Thank you, Lady Nicola!”

Nicola got up from the sofa and prepared to leave. Lilliana, who had been watching from the side, stood beside her with a curious gaze, as if observing a strange creature or something lacking.

“Lady Nicola, you seem to be a remarkable person.”

“In fact, ten million gold is pocket change compared to the allowance my son gives.”

Lilliana’s complexion momentarily stiffened at Nicola’s words.

“Excuse me then.”

“Oh, wait. Lady Nicola.”

Lilliana couldn’t just let Nicola leave like this. Why would she bother coming to a place like this and even wear a magic ring?

“If you have time, could you have a cup of tea with me?”

“Huh?”

* * *

Nicola openly looked around the place she had come to. To her, who had lived in the Duchy for a very long time, the Marquisate looked splendid and elegant. Visiting another noble’s residence for the first time, everything seemed fascinating.

“Oh, how embarrassing.”

“What is?”

“Compared to Duchy Bryant, our mansion is still far behind. But seeing you, the mistress of that place, looking at it so closely makes me nervous.”

In other words, it was a suggestion to look at it more moderately, but Nicola couldn’t understand a noble’s way of speaking.

“Isn’t this place quite nice too? How about having confidence?”

“…Thank you for the compliment.”

Nicola raised the teacup and savored the tea’s aroma. Lilliana closely observed her. While her manners of speech and sitting were nonchalant, her tea-drinking etiquette was surprisingly impeccable.

Strangely, the harmony suited Nicola well.

Perhaps it was because of her appearance?

Lilliana recalled the omega in the mansion’s corner. That omega, too, was quite beautiful and looked quite lovable, at least in terms of appearance.

However, her admiration for the omega ended there. No matter how excellent the appearance was, the vulgar atmosphere couldn’t be shaken off.

“But why did you want to have tea with me?”

Nicola asked, putting down her teacup after taking a sip. Lilliana smiled brightly and offered an honest response.

“Actually, there was something I wanted to discuss. However, since I could hardly meet you, I gave up halfway. So, I was wondering what to do, and then, as if by fate, I encountered Lady Nicola.”

Hoho, laughing, Lilliana took another sip of tea. Nicola, hearing that she wanted to meet her, widened her eyes in surprise.

“Oh my. You’re the first noblewoman who wants to meet me? Do you have peculiar tastes?”

Despite Nicola having lived surrounded by society’s expectations for so long, having observed various nobles for over 20 years at the Duchy, none of them wanted to meet her. Those she encountered either stared at her as if bewitched or ignored her, knowing Nicola was an omega and aware of her status.

Even if she lived in the duke’s mansion, and was called a lady, Nicola remained a commoner.

“….Well, actually, I have something on my mind. Only Lady Nicola can help me with it.”

“What is it?”

Nicola became interested. After all, she was quite pleased with the current situation.

“You probably know that my husband is an alpha. Of course, he can’t be compared to the Young Lord, but still, he’s an outstanding alpha. However, unavoidably, for the sake of our heir, he brought in an omega.”

“Are you asking for advice on how to drive away an omega?”

“Oh my! No way. Why would I have brought Lady Nicola if that were the case?”

“Then?”

Nicola couldn’t quite grasp it. After all, even if her alpha scorned her, he never had a legitimate wife. Her ability to stay at the Duchy until now was possible because there was no legitimate wife.

“In truth, you may not believe it, but I admire omegas.”

“…Is that so? It’s not an easy thing to believe.”

“Hoho, that might be true, right? However, I love beautiful things.”

As Lilliana spoke, her eyes were shining. The words ‘loving beautiful things’ were sincere.

However, as much as she loved them, it was also true that she wanted to torment it.