The Stand-In Villainess's Contract Marriage: I Was Divorced After a Year, But For Some Reason, My Ex-Husband Seems to Be Looking for Me - Chapter 14

“…Are you in debt?”

Perhaps because Liana was so fixated on money, Najé asked this question.

“If it’s debt, you’ve been in debt for a long time, Sister.”

After all, the Karota family was deeply in debt.

“You and Esrie are different. Esrie took on that debt to protect the Karota family and you. Yet, you’ve been out having fun all this time, haven’t you?”

It seemed Najé misunderstood that Liana was indulging in a lavish lifestyle even after Count Tweed’s death.

Because of this, she had taken on a debt that was impossible to repay and was now in such a desperate situation that she was willing to accept a marriage proposal with such conditions.

“…”

The interpretation was so malicious that Liana fell silent. “The villainess Lana” must have been very disliked by society.

She secretly sighed in relief that her sister was not exposed to such malice.

“You would prefer it if I disappeared quickly, wouldn’t you? So please accept this proposal. Just don’t tell my sister that it’s a marriage of convenience.”

If her sister knew it was a contract marriage, she would undoubtedly oppose it.

Liana thought her sister would insist they could live together without going through such lengths.

But it seemed Najé had interpreted her words in a completely different way.

“It seems you want to brag that you’re marrying into a high-ranking noble family, but even if it’s an engagement with a duke’s family, Esrie won’t envy you.”

“Eh…”

Liana stared at Najé, unable to immediately grasp his words.

(What does he mean? Does he think I want to brag to my sister about marrying into a duke’s family, so I’ve silenced her about the contract marriage?)

She knew that Najé disliked her.

But he should have understood from their usual interactions that Liana had a good relationship with her sister.

That’s why she never thought he would interpret it with such malice.

“After all, you’re supposed to be divorced within a year. It will bring shame to the Karota family, so don’t come back even if you’re divorced.”

Najé continued to say such things to Liana, who was in a daze.

Originally, she had no intention of returning.

Once a year had passed and she confirmed that her sister was doing well, she planned to go to a convent far away from the royal capital.

But his words made her realize again that Najé would become the head of the Karota family.

Once that happened, it would no longer be Liana’s family.

“…I understand. Even if I’m divorced, I won’t return to the family. Is that acceptable? Please proceed with this proposal.”

Though she thought she would only return to the mansion one last time after the divorce to see her sister healthy, it seemed that wouldn’t happen.

But if her sister could be happy and well, that would be enough.

Reassured by that thought, Liana conveyed her decision to Najé.

He still seemed to have something to say, but Liana didn’t look at him anymore.

He silently escorted her to the mansion, and she got off the carriage without thanking him.

She felt it was rude, but after all, she was “the villainess Lana.”

Even if she politely expressed her gratitude, she would only be seen as scheming something.

Since her sister was already resting, she returned to her room and changed by herself.

(I have to pack…)

Looking around her room, she thought.

In fifteen days, she would need to go and pay for a year’s worth of medicine.

But Duke Kirina had expressed a desire to marry quickly after the engagement. Since he would pay her fee after the wedding, she would probably be able to manage it in time.

But that meant she would have to say goodbye to this mansion.

Thinking of it that way made her feel lonely.

Yet, Liana remembered that when her parents passed away and she was only eleven, her memories of waiting alone for her sister’s return were clearer than the happy times they had as a family.

Her sister would surely feel the same way.

But from now on, she would fill her memories with happiness alongside the person she loved.

(Sister will surely be happy.)

As she thought this, her loneliness began to fade.

Had Najé replied to Duke Kirina?

Since it was his proposal, as long as Liana agreed, the discussion would likely progress quickly.

Not knowing when she might be called by Duke Kirina, Liana decided to pack her things.

She took out the largest bag and began to fill it with her belongings one by one.

However, Liana hardly had any personal belongings.

She had sold the jewelry left by her parents to pay for her sister’s medicine.

She had grown taller than her sister, so she couldn’t wear the hand-me-downs, and lately, she had been borrowing dresses from Count Tweed’s daughter.

Not having clothes to wear over there would be troublesome, so she decided to borrow a few.

(As for what else…)

What remained were clothes she could no longer wear.

She had kept the childhood clothes her parents bought her, not wanting to lose those memories.

But since she might not have a place to live anymore, she couldn’t keep the clothes she couldn’t wear forever.

She hesitated about disposing of them but decided to repurpose them to make clothes for the children at the orphanage she often helped at, and she decided to take them with her.

Since she probably wouldn’t have much to do over there, sewing like this might help distract her a little.

It didn’t take long, and Liana’s belongings fit into one bag.

She didn’t feel like sleeping, and as she looked up at the night sky from her window, she reflected on the sixteen years she had spent here.

As the years passed, she tried to remember her parents’ faces, which had gradually faded, so she wouldn’t forget them.

It was ten days later that Duke Kirina formally proposed marriage.

Liana had thought she would receive contact right away, but after ten days had passed, she was quite anxious.

In five days, she would need to pay for her sister’s medicine.

The new medicine seemed to be working well, and her sister was gradually getting better. If she continued taking the medicine, she would surely recover completely.

(I have to somehow prepare the medicine fee for that…)

Of course, she had been constantly working while waiting. She saved all her wages to pay off her debt.

Even so, she was still far from her goal amount.

“Liana, may I have a moment?”

As she was busy sewing in her room again today, her sister visited her.

“Sister!”

Since her sister had hardly left her room since she fell ill, Liana was delighted to see her come to visit.

Though she was happy, she worried about her sister’s health and rushed over.

“What’s wrong? If you have something to discuss, you could have called for me.”

“I’m fine. I’ve been feeling a little better lately, thanks to the medicine you bought, Liana.”

Her sister said this as she hurriedly took a seat in the chair Liana had prepared.

“Actually, I overheard Najé mentioning something. It seems someone has proposed to you.”

“Eh?”

Startled by the sudden news while she was about to make tea for her sister, Liana almost dropped the cup.