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 7

Afterward, it seems there was a slight commotion regarding the existence of “The Wicked Lady Lana” at the Hord’ residence, but ultimately, my sister and Naje’s engagement was successfully concluded.

The Hord’ couple, Naje’s parents, seemed to struggle quite a bit with the idea of their son getting engaged to a woman related to the infamous “Wicked Lady Lana,” even though my sister Esrie was unrelated to that reputation.

However, Naje managed to convince his parents. He even said that since he would be entering their family as a husband, he would have no problem severing ties if any inconvenience arose.

Moved by their son’s determination, the Hord’ lord granted his approval under certain conditions. This condition was that they must pay off their parents’ debts before the wedding, scheduled to take place a year later.

If they achieved this, Naje would be able to inherit the title of Count Karota.

Naje was entering a family known for its scandals, particularly after losing their parents and having a reputation for being connected to a rather unscrupulous woman.

For the sake of their son’s future, it was a non-negotiable condition for the Hord’ family.

The debts left by the parents still lingered.

Even with their hard work together, it would be a challenge to pay everything off by next year.

Nevertheless, if they could get engaged, a future where my sister could finally find happiness with someone she loves might arrive.

Although Naje had some reservations about his feelings towards Liana, if he could love her that much, he could be entrusted with my dear sister.

And so, Liana would attend the engagement party of her sister and Naje as “The Wicked Lady Lana.”

The venue would be the Hord’ estate.

Typically, it should have been held at the Karota estate, where Naje would be marrying into, but the mansion was old and the staff minimal. Hence, the Hord’ estate took charge of the event this time.

As Liana drew attention from the crowd, she slowly made her way to the main figures of the evening, her sister and Naje.

Today, Liana wore an extravagant and eye-catching dress, said to be favored by the late daughter of the Tweed family, Lana.

It had been a while since “The Wicked Lady Lana” had made a public appearance following the death of the Tweed lord.

Despite being subjected to the curious gazes of onlookers, she was not fazed and walked boldly as if she were Lana, just like her sister used to.

She hoped that perhaps the public had started to forget about “The Wicked Lady Lana,” but unfortunately, that was not the case.

My sister, the star of the day, was with her fiancé, Naje.

“Sister,” Liana called out to her, who was clad in a demure and elegant dress gifted by him.

Hearing this, murmurs spread among the crowd, questioning whether the rumors were true.

Neither my sister nor Liana knew, but it seemed the gossip about that wicked woman being a daughter of the Karota family had been circulating for some time.

Since Naje was aware of it, it might have been spread by the friends of the late Tweed lord.

However, now that Liana had shown up dressed as Lana and called Esrie her sister, it was likely that the word would spread that the wicked one was indeed her younger sister.

“Congratulations on your engagement,” she said with a smile.

“…Thank you,” my sister responded with a pale face.

Of course, the reason for her look of imminent collapse was her guilt about pushing the infamous reputation of the wicked woman onto her sister.

However, perhaps it seemed to Naje that my sister was afraid of Liana. He stepped between them to shield her.

“I’m truly happy for you, sister.”

“If you feel that way, then please don’t get involved,” Naje whispered softly, so my sister wouldn’t hear.

To say that his cold words didn’t hurt would be a lie.

Yet he believed Liana to be “The Wicked Lady Lana” and said that to protect my sister from such a woman.

So Liana had to endure it for her sister’s sake.

(Don’t worry, I’ll leave that house before long.)

Liana intended to leave if it meant her sister’s happiness, but she knew that her sister wouldn’t believe her even if she said so.

Furthermore, if Liana said she was going to leave, her sister would likely not accept it either.

Feigning ignorance to Naje’s words, Liana turned back to her sister.

“I’ve conveyed my congratulations. I’m tired, so I’ll be heading home now.”

Staying too long might lead to someone noticing how different she was from the previous Lana.

So, she said that, receiving a bewildered gaze as she decided to leave quickly.

A few people approached Liana as she tried to exit the venue, but she skillfully dodged them.

(Is this going to be alright?)

Once she boarded the narrow carriage of the Karota family and was alone, anxiety immediately washed over her.

Had she managed to perform as “The Wicked Lady Lana” without raising any suspicions like her sister?

Having never attended a party before, she felt anxious, but reassured herself that everything would be fine and decided to return to the Karota estate before her sister.

She would attend several more evening parties as Lana, ones her sister would also be present at. After her sister’s marriage, she could leave the house.

For her sister to marry Naje, they had to pay off their parents’ debts first.
There were also the processes of confirming their engagement, Naje inheriting the title, and applying for the return of the territory held by the royal family.

All of this would require the debts left behind by their parents to be paid off, which the Hord, Naje’s family, agreed to help with.

By prioritizing the repayment of the debts, it would enable Naje to inherit the title immediately after their wedding.

The repayment of these debts before the wedding was the condition set by the Hord for my sister and Naje’s marriage.

Thus, once Liana completely repaid the debts that the Hord had helped with, her sister would be able to marry Naje.

That was why Liana worked hard, taking on additional tasks.

Her sister assisted her with work, but Liana insisted that she should focus on studying the management of the territory to support her future husband, Naje.

After their marriage, the newlyweds would quickly inherit the title and territory.

Knowing her own clumsiness, my sister looked apologetic, but she had been supporting the Karota family alone until now.

Tonight, as Liana appeared before others as “The Wicked Lady Lana,” she realized just how painful it was.

Her kind-hearted sister must have been deeply hurt by the looks of disgust and scorn directed at her by others.

In light of that, enduring a few remarks from Naje felt trivial.