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 6

“…The Viscount Hord was also pleased with the engagement. However, he said he had something he wanted to ask before giving his official permission.”

“Something he wants to ask?”

Her sister nodded quietly.

“The Viscount Hord had a close friend from long ago. Apparently, that person was also close to Count Tweed.”

“!”

Hearing the name she feared, Liana instinctively withdrew her hands from her sister’s back and clasped them together.

Could it be that the Viscount Hord had found out that her sister was called ‘the Evil Woman Lana’?

“That person was once asked by Count Tweed to take his partner to his residence. I remember that clearly. There was a time when Count Tweed had to return home suddenly and asked to be taken back.”

“Yeah, I remember too. But didn’t you get off the carriage and walk back near the house, sister?”

Recalling that time, Liana said so.

There was indeed a time when her sister, who had gone out with Count Tweed to a ball, returned alone.

When she came back, she said she had been dropped off by Count Tweed’s friend but didn’t want anyone to know where she lived, so she got off the carriage midway and walked back.

“Yes, but he wanted to know Lana’s true identity, so he apparently looked into which houses around that area had young women.”

That person was likely worried that his friend, Count Tweed, might have been deceived by a young woman.

As a result, the name of the Karota family, which had suddenly lost its parents and was burdened with a large amount of debt, came up.

“The Viscount Hord suspected that either I or Liana might be ‘the Evil Woman Lana.’ Now that this much is known, it can no longer be hidden. I thought I should tell the truth properly. But…”

Having finally met the person she loved after overcoming painful days and being on the verge of engagement, Liana felt like crying when she thought about her sister’s feelings at that moment.

“Seeing me unable to say anything, Lord Naje…”

It seemed he said that it was Liana, the younger sister.

He had known that rumor since meeting Liana.

So, at that time, when he compared the two sisters, he thought ‘the Evil Woman Lana’ was Liana.

(Was he treating me that way because he thought I was ‘the Evil Woman Lana’?)

When she met her sister and fell in love at first sight, she may have forgotten about that rumor.

However, her lover’s family was that of the Karota family.

And her younger sister Liana had a more extravagant atmosphere than her sister.

Thinking that ‘the Evil Woman Lana’ was Liana and that her sister’s existence was causing her gentle sister pain, he had treated Liana coldly.

Finally realizing the reason why she had been disliked since their first meeting, Liana understood.

She thought it was unreasonable to judge someone based solely on appearance, but if he heard such rumors from Count Tweed’s friend, it might be unavoidable.

“I thought I would immediately deny it. But I couldn’t…”

Tears began to overflow from her sister’s eyes again.

“I have to protect Liana. On that day, our father and mother, who went out for work, told me to take care of Liana. But I…”

“Sister…”

Their parents, who had gone out together for work, entrusted their eleven-year-old sister to her elder sister.

But that was only because they planned to return by night, and it was merely a request for that time.

Her sister was still a child attending school.

Yet, their parents never came back.

But her sister continued to keep that promise, protecting their home and Liana no matter how much she was slandered or called an evil woman.

“I’m glad…”

Liana unintentionally spoke those words.

It was a statement that came from the heart.

“Liana?”

“But if you said that you were the one, the Viscount Hord ‘s family wouldn’t have believed you. They would have only seen my gentle sister trying to protect me.”

Her sister’s true nature was far removed from that of an evil woman, while unfortunately, Liana had a flashy appearance.

And even though their impressions were opposite, as sisters, they still resembled each other closely.

“Sister. Since this is just the right time, let’s say I was ‘the Evil Woman Lana.’ That way, everything will go smoothly.”

“That’s impossible!”

Her sister, who had been weakly crying until now, raised her voice.

“To push what I have done onto you… I can’t just be happy alone!”

Even though she was so hurt and crying, she still tried to protect her sister. While thinking of how lovely her sister was, Liana took her sister’s hand.

“Don’t say that. You were only playing the daughter of Count Tweed for his sake, who was lonely after losing his family. You haven’t done anything wrong. Also, you must welcome a husband and restore the Karota family. I believe that is what our father and mother wanted most.”

This was something she couldn’t do by herself.

Their parents had officially registered her sister as the heir when she entered the academy during their lifetime. Since their father, the former Count Karota , was no longer alive, the heir could not be changed.

In this country, women could not inherit titles, but it had been decided that her sister’s husband would become Count Karota .

“It must be you, sister. And I believe Lord Naje is the most suitable to inherit the title.”

Even if her sister were to publicly declare that she was ‘the Evil Woman Lana,’ there might still be someone willing to marry her.

There were quite a few nobles aside from the eldest son, who couldn’t inherit titles.

However, she didn’t believe that those who wished to marry ‘the Evil Woman Lana’ would make her sister happy.

“Besides, Count Tweed is already deceased, so the rumors will fade in a few years. By then, I might have a good match myself.”

Even though she had no intention of getting married or staying in this house, Liana thought that if she didn’t say this, her sister wouldn’t agree.

So, she said it with a smile.

“I’ll be the same age as you were when father and mother died. So now it’s your turn to be happy.”

She persuaded her sister, who said she couldn’t do such a thing, that restoring the Karota family was surely the wish of their deceased parents.

“And besides, I will only participate a few times in the balls you attend with your fiancé, dressed like the old you. That way, no one will say I’m ‘the Evil Woman Lana.’ That’s all there is to it.”

Saying this, she forced her sister to agree.