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 25

There are six months left until the contract period ends.

So, there’s no need for her to participate in the parties she dislikes and force herself to play the role of the villainess.

(…I’m glad.)

In that regard, Liana felt a sense of relief.

However, it seemed that the Duke of Kirina still intended to use Liana’s notoriety, even after his former fiancée had entered the convent.

Despite being under house arrest, salespeople from fashion and jewelry stores visited Liana every ten days or so.

Of course, Liana hadn’t called for them.

According to Felice’s instructions, they wanted it to appear that she was buying up jewelry and dresses despite being under confinement.

Choosing jewelry and flashy dresses that she didn’t really want, and enduring the exasperated gazes of the store clerks, was quite stressful.

Gradually, her appetite diminished, and the old dresses she had brought from her family home had become unwearable without alterations.

Yet, no one noticed Liana’s changes.

There had been no opportunities to meet others enough for them to realize.

The only solace was hearing from the female doctor during her occasional visits to the convent about her sister’s recovery.

And playing with the children.

Her sister was recovering well, and the medication seemed to suit her body.

However, the letters from her sister had stopped coming.

Her sister had also recovered and started appearing in social circles more frequently with Najé.

Since she would inherit the title of Count Karota, socializing was important.

It was likely that she had heard rumors about Liana’s misdeeds.

Since the situation had developed to the point of involving the royal family, Najé probably advised her to stay away.

Alternatively, she might have been disheartened to hear that her sister, who had married into the duke’s family, was living extravagantly.

The seasons changed, and autumn arrived.

The flowers blooming in the garden had been replanted, showcasing delicate blooms in calm colors.

Liana quietly gazed at the scene.

The embroidery she was currently working on was themed around those autumn flowers.

The wages she earned from her sewing work had accumulated to a reasonable amount. While it wasn’t a large sum, it would be enough for Liana to live modestly on her own.

She planned to continue working.

Her room was overflowing with dresses and jewelry, overflowing from the closet and piled up in boxes.

The clerks from the jewelry and fashion stores who visited the Kirina Ducal House were astonished by the sight of Liana’s room, but since it wasn’t theirs, they couldn’t just open things up.

So, everything remained as it was.

She would likely leave it all behind when she left this mansion.

One autumn night, past midnight, Liana opened her window wide and looked up at the night sky.

This day was special.

Six years ago, her parents had passed away in an accident.

“Father… Mother…”

Liana clasped her hands together and quietly offered a prayer.

“The Count Karota family will be inherited by my sister and her fiancé, Najé. I’m sure they will protect the territory and its people.”

Though Najé was harsh on Liana, he was an excellent person who genuinely loved her sister.

“I don’t have to worry about my sister. The medicine is working well, and she is reportedly living almost like a healthy person now. Please continue to watch over her.”

At this hour, no one was in the garden anymore.

There were guards at the distant gate, but her voice probably wouldn’t reach them.

So Liana quietly spoke to her deceased parents.

“Please forget about me. Even though it was for my sister’s sake, I’ve sullied the name of the Count Karota family. You must be disappointed in me, just as Najé said.”

Recalling Najé’s words, she tightened her clasped hands.

“May my sister live happily. And may happiness also come to Kararize of the Duke of Kirina, who provided the means to save her…”

Liana couldn’t save her sister no matter how hard she tried.

It was thanks to Kararize proposing a contractual marriage that she could buy the medicine for her sister.

As a result, she had been exposed to the malice of the people and had suffered resentment from Valentina and the Madaliaga Marquisate, but since she had received such a large sum, it was to be expected.

Once winter ended, her life here would also conclude.

Her sister would marry Najé and become the Countess Karota.

While she wouldn’t be able to witness it, she would at least hear the rumors.

Once her sister safely married, she would leave the royal capital.

In a distant land, she would live modestly, praying for her sister’s happiness.

The final day came unexpectedly.

Since she had been under house arrest due to the incident involving the princess, she had not attended any parties and spent most of her time in her room, causing her sense of time to become a bit vague.

After a long while, Felice visited Liana’s room and handed her the annulment papers.

“Please sign here. You need to leave the mansion within ten days.”

“…Yes, understood.”

Liana nodded and signed the annulment papers without hesitation.

Unlike at the beginning, there was still no signature from Kararize. He seemed busy, so he would likely report it soon.

After she signed and handed them over, Felice stared at the document several times to confirm.

“Well then, the contract is now complete. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Thank you for your care.”

Liana bowed deeply.

With that, the contract was entirely concluded.

Once Felice left the room, Liana immediately began to pack her belongings.

Though she had been told to leave within ten days, she had very few belongings, and Kararize was currently away.

It would be easier for both parties if she left quickly.

She returned the dresses prepared for her to the closet and put on a simple, worn-out dress.

Once she braided her hair, she felt for the first time in a while that she was seeing herself in an age-appropriate manner.

She likely wouldn’t wear flashy makeup or extravagant dresses again.

“Thank you for your care.”

Saying this to the empty room, she bowed.

It might have been fine to leave silently, but as a matter of courtesy, she placed a letter of gratitude for the care she received and exited the mansion through the back door she had been shown.

In front of the garden that had blossomed beautiful flowers each season, delighting Liana, she couldn’t help but stop.

The only regret was that she wouldn’t be able to see this garden anymore.

“Goodbye.”

Liana whispered softly, then without looking back, she left the mansion of the Kirina Ducal House, where she had lived for about a year.