The End of a Fake Marriage

The long, monotonous ringing continued, a never-ending nightmare. But Nina stubbornly clung to the receiver. Finally, a slow, reluctant sound indicated that the call had connected.

“Huff, huff… Who, who is it?”

“Mom!”

“…Nina?”

“Mom, I’m going crazy! Alexander still doesn’t think I’m a Chambler! He’s completely taken with that girl from Whitehall… sob, sniff What if I get thrown out of here? What will we do if we get kicked out with nothing?!”

“Nina, calm down. Gasp, ugh! La… Largo, stop, wait a moment!”

Nina’s face crumpled. She heard ragged, breathless panting and the chuckling laughter of a man, sounding playful.

“Mom! Get a grip! Stop fooling around with your lover already! How old are you…?”

“W-What… huff, what are you talking about, Nina? It’s not like that… L-Largo! Shh, Nina will hear—ow!”

“…If it weren’t for me, we’d have been thrown out long ago without a single penny. Don’t you get it? We’re in serious trouble!”

“Nina, just calm down. I understand, I really do. L-Largo!”

Finally, after Meggie yelled at the man she was flirting with on the other end, the heavy breathing subsided. Nina stared at the air, her gaze sharp with barely concealed disdain, as if her mother were right there beyond the wall.

“All right, well, I’ve just been working on a solution too. I’ll be up there sooner or later, and until then, you’d better hold your own. Keep your temper in control!”

“…You’re coming? Here?”

“Yes. How much can you really do on your own without me? Now stop whining and go do some shopping”

“…”

“Love you, my little red rabbit. I’ll be there soon. Bye.”

Before Nina could reply, the call was abruptly cut off. Probably rushing off to be with that young lover again. Nina stood there for a while, her lips pressed tight.

Then a warm hand wrapped around her shoulder, and a gentle kiss touched her forehead.
“Don’t cry, Miss. I’m here. Would you like to come in and play with dolls with me? Or would you like to go to the party?”

“…Let’s play with the dolls.”

Nina was dragged into the room by Melinda’s hand, but they didn’t need to play dolls or go to the other noblewoman’s party.

Because something far more interesting had just arrived.

Knock knock.

A soft knock sounded at the door, and a nervous-looking maid stepped into the room. She paused, startled by the chaos inside, and quickly averted her gaze.

Recognizing the maid, Nina and Melinda’s faces lit up. “It was Rosa Feather!”

“I…I brought the item you requested.” Rosa hesitantly placed a tightly wrapped paper bag on the floor, nervously watching Nina and Melinda.

Nina nodded at Melinda, who immediately understood and hurried over to fetch the checkbook from a drawer.

“Quick and efficient—I like that. Here, take this.”

Rosa’s eyes flickered as she glanced at the number on the check. Quickly taking the check with both hands, she turned and hurried away, as if fleeing from her sins.
“Wait. Wait. The work isn’t over yet, Rosa. You really thought you’d receive this much money, and this is all you’re going to do?”

“…Yes?”

Rosa, who had been about to leave, froze in surprise as another paper envelope dropped in front of her.

“Now, take that and hide it well in the other place. Can you do it?”

“W-what is this?”

“Don’t ask questions. It’s better if you just do as you’re told, right?”

“…”

“You’re not going to back out now, are you? Well, I suppose you could, but…… let’s make sure we get this done. If you do a good job, I’ll pay you double what I gave you earlier.”

Double.

At those words, Rosa’s lip trembled and she couldn’t help but stare at Melinda and Nina. The money she’d just received was more than her 12-month salary. Double that amount was almost unimaginable.

‘Fine. I’ve already started, I might as well get as much as I can,’ she thought.

After a moment of hesitation, Rosa picked up the envelope from the floor and clutched it tightly to her chest. She bowed her head and was about to leave when Nina, as if remembering something at the last second, called out to her.

“Oh, and by the way.”

As Rosa looked back, Nina gave her an innocent smile.

“You go and get the cat.”

***

If one were to name the most prominent figure in Kaliba’s high society, it would undoubtedly be Alexander Chambler. And what about Renee Chambler, the wife of such a prominent figure? Naturally, people were always curious about her.

A Cinderella from an obscure provincial noble family, whose name no one had even heard of!

“…Hazelin? Does such a family even exist?”

A woman who had never appeared in the Kaliba’s society even once became the wife of the richest and most alluring man in the country! Society’s reaction could hardly be described as favorable.

“It seems the Chambler men have a knack for turning unfortunate women into Cinderellas.”
“If you dream of social climbing, aim for a Chambler!”

The previous head of the Chambler family, Bearson Chambler, and even his son had chosen partners from outside the upper class, sparking subtle mockery among the elite. Rumors and whispers spread incessantly beneath the surface.

Of course, the marriage of Bearson Chambler and Alexander Chambler, which involved the suicide of his ex-wife and an affair, was not comparable, but in any case, it was a good story for the rich society.

Who was this woman, really? Was she beautiful? Tall or short?

Perhaps a romantic story hides behind it, like her saving Alexander Chambler’s life?

Was she exceptionally talented? Lively and full of joy? Or perhaps she seduced him with a sensual smile? Was there any truth to the rumor that their grandfathers had promised them to each other, and had they known each other since childhood?

…Renee Hazelin, who are you?

When the public’s curiosity reached its peak, Alexander Chambler and Renee Hazelin’s wedding finally took place. Those who had eagerly awaited Renee Hazelin’s appearance, their anticipation burning bright, involuntarily gasped at the sight of her.

Una mujer tan deslumbrante como el sol.
A woman as dazzling as the sun!

This admiration come not only from Renee’s inherent beauty but also from her daring wedding attire. A strikingly unconventional wedding dress with a simple design that boldly revealed her snow-white shoulders and elegant curves!

There were no cascading layers of lace, no exaggerated bustle to puff out the hips, nor any overwhelming decorations that seemed to devour the bride.

The combination of the wedding dress that emphasized the bride’s own beauty and the huge blue diamond necklace that Alexander Chambler gave her as a gift was unconventional in itself.

At first, some people thought the look was tacky, but it didn’t take long for people to start copying Renee’s dress.

Within a few months, her wedding fashion had become a massive trend, even earning the nickname “The Chambler Look” and spreading to other countries. Society simultaneously envied and was fascinated by Renee, eager to know more about her yet resenting her all the same.

But Renee Chambler was not an easy person. She didn’t open her mouth easily, and she didn’t get particularly close to anyone.

However, she was not unfriendly or stiff. Her gentle smile, bright laugh, and kind voice had a special power that attracted people.
As a result, people naturally began to look for someone who could talk about her.

For example, Nina Chambler.

“…Well, I don’t really know much about Renee. But I do know that she goes out a lot when Alexander isn’t around. It’s not that she’s doing anything strange, though. Just… just that she seems to have quite a few friends that I don’t know about.”

“But it’s strange, isn’t it? Every time she goes out, she comes back without earrings or stockings…oh, no. I shouldn’t be saying this. Pretend you didn’t hear it.”

Thanks to someone stirring the pot, the curiosity about Renee Chambler showed no signs of waning. Some called the numerous stories floating around about her rumors, while others claimed they were truths.

Figuring out the truth seemed to be the most crucial task, and people buzzed with anticipation, waiting for the Chambler couple to appear at the Ministry of Finance banquet.

And soon enough, the couple they had been waiting for—an almost perfect pair—entered the banquet hall, arm in arm.

Dozens of gazes immediately fixed on the entrance.