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 15

“To me?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Her sister nodded with a smile.

If Naje was talking about it, then it must be an offer from the Kirina Duke’s family.

But since her sister looked so happy, it seemed she hadn’t heard about the contract marriage.

Even though she was exasperated by Naje’s carelessness in discussing it in a place where her sister could hear, she felt relieved to see her sister in such a joyful mood.

“Who is it from?”

“Well, it’s from the Kirina Duke’s family.”

“The Duke’s family?”

She had worried about what it could be if it were someone else, but it turned out to be the one who had proposed a contract marriage to Liana, so she felt relieved.

“Liana, you’ve attended parties alone a few times to meet your friends, right? They must have noticed you there.”

“Is that so…? I didn’t think…”

“Soon, Naje might come to talk to you. If it means Liana can be happy, I fully support it.”

Her sister’s cheerful smile made Liana’s guilt grow.

It seemed her sister was happier about the fact that someone from the Duke’s family had recognized Liana and proposed to her than the fact that it was from a Duke.

“…That’s true. I’m looking forward to it.”

So Liana also nodded with a smile that she tried to make as happy as possible, in response to her sister’s words.

The next day, just as her sister had mentioned, Liana officially received a proposal for engagement from the Kirina Duke’s family.

Led by Naje, who had come to pick her up, Liana headed to the Viscount Hord’s residence to hear the details of the marriage proposal.

Since her sister’s engagement would make the Viscount Hord her brother-in-law, it seemed the Kirina Duke had proposed through him.

Although her sister wanted to come along, her condition wasn’t quite stable yet, so she decided to wait at the mansion.

Naje looked lovingly at her sister, who was genuinely happy about the engagement proposal for her sister.

His sardonic glances toward Liana were probably because, as he had said, her sister was truly happy for her engagement.

But Liana never intended to boast about it to her sister. She understood that her sister was genuinely pleased for her.

So, she ignored Naje’s glances and directed her gaze outside the carriage.

She had brought the belongings she had packed a few days ago, just in case she was told to proceed with the faux marriage.

It was lonely to part from her sister like this, but once they returned to the mansion, she would surely be asked about the wedding plans and what kind of person her fiancé was.

However, in reality, there wasn’t even a plan to meet her fiancé. Of course, there were no plans for a wedding either.

If her sister were to hear that, she would definitely oppose Liana’s marriage.

So perhaps this was for the best.

Her only concern was her sister’s health, but she had asked the female doctor Amaria to keep her updated on her sister’s condition during each examination.

Liana gazed out the window at the mansion where she had grown up until it disappeared from view.

Eventually, they arrived at the Viscount Hord’s residence, and Naje promptly exited without escorting Liana.

The driver, who could no longer bear to watch, offered her a hand.

With such an attitude until the end, it was rather refreshing.

Although it was sad to part from her sister, she felt relieved that she wouldn’t have to see him anymore.

He would be her brother-in-law, and she was grateful that he would take over the problematic Karota Count family, but it might have been impossible to live with someone who disliked her so much.

If it weren’t for her sister’s illness, she would have left home long ago.

Liana was guided by a maid to the room where the Viscount Hord was waiting.

Naje, who had gotten off the carriage before her, was already there.

However, Liana didn’t complain about being left behind; she simply greeted the Viscount Hord and quietly waited for his words.

Both Naje and the Viscount Hord seemed confused by Liana’s quiet demeanor, which was far removed from that of a wicked woman.

“I believe you’ve already heard, but there has been a marriage proposal from the Kirina Duke’s family.”

Even so, the Viscount Hord explained the details of the marriage again.

“Yes.”

This contract marriage would save her sister’s life.

Thinking that, Liana nodded earnestly.

“The contract period is one year. Here’s the remuneration. If you agree to the terms, please sign.”

A piece of paper was presented before her, and Liana glanced over it.

It was exactly the same as what she had been told beforehand.

They would marry immediately after the engagement.

There would be no wedding ceremony.

They would not meet face to face.

She was to attend parties alone, among other stipulations.

And, the marriage duration was one year. After the annulment, she was to leave the Kirina Duke’s family immediately.

The fact that she would be turned out from her marital home and told by Naje never to return made her want to cry a little, but everything was for her sister’s sake.

After confirming the amount of the remuneration one last time, Liana signed and handed the paper to the Viscount Hord.

“The other party wants you to come as soon as possible,” he said.

“Yes. I’m ready to go. I can leave anytime.”

When she answered like that, they seemed surprised, but they quickly contacted the Kirina Duke’s family to send for her.

She was told to wait in the guest room until then, and Liana nodded.

“Please take good care of my sister.”

She said that as her last words and bowed her head before exiting the Viscount Hord’s presence.

Naje was likely to interpret that with malice, but that was something Liana absolutely wanted to convey.

After waiting for a while, a carriage arrived from the Kirina Duke’s family. Liana thanked the maids of the Viscount Hord’s residence for their care and exited the guest room.

The driver and the maid who came to escort her treated her courteously, but neither of them tried to speak.

She had anticipated this situation, so Liana didn’t mind at all and got into the carriage.

“Amazing…”

It was a luxurious carriage even larger than that of the Viscount Hord’s, making it difficult for her to sit comfortably.

Feeling uneasy, she curled up in a corner of the spacious carriage and stayed still.

Liana would marry as the “Wicked Woman Lana.”

Surely, there would be those who directed malice at her, just like Naje.

But it would only be for one year.

If she could endure that much, she could save her sister’s life.

With that thought in mind, she felt she could endure anything.