It's Not A Childcare But A Contract Marriage - Chapter 22 Part 2

“Baron Plenius… … .”

Next to her, there was the sound of someone swallowing hard. The excited murmur came from her second son.

His eagerness was palpable.

Looking at her son’s bloodshot eyes, the Countess was filled with emotion again and again, wiping the corners of her eyes.

“As you know, today’s banquet commemorates the complete expulsion of the epidemic that once plagued our Empire.”

The Emperor spoke loudly, making sure everyone knew about the achievement accomplished in her son’s name.

“And this here is an award prepared by me for the person who contributed to the creation of a cure for infectious diseases.”

The reward being presented was undoubtedly of great value. 

The servant, following the Emperor’s gesture, raised the marquess’s scroll even higher, ensuring that it caught everyone’s attention.

“Oh, indeed, it’s a reward worthy of a noble title.”

“Only Your Majesty can bestow such an honor.”

The envious looks and voices heard around her could not have been more thrilling.

His Majesty raised the corners of his mouth in satisfaction and turned around.

‘Huh? Our Doulian is here, where are you looking?’

“Now, my servant, who will receive this award? Who is responsible for the treatment that contributed greatly to eradicating this epidemic?”

Glancing.

At that moment the Countess squinted at her Doullian with a slightly anxious look in her eyes.

Her son, who I wanted to shout his name more proudly than anyone else, had his face flushed with anticipation.

Doulian held back his shaking lips as if he wanted to scream at any moment.

‘Yes. My son, how can you be so dignified?’

The Countess secretly praised her son’s wonderful manners and fluttered her fan in her joy.

When looking for someone to receive a reward based on an achievement, it would be uncool for the person in question to answer directly here.

No matter how free-spirited his personality may be, her son is also born an aristocrat.

After all, people of noble birth like her instinctively do not do things that would be criticized as being undignified.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I know who the responsible party is. May I be permitted to announce their name?”

“You have my permission.”

In these matters, it is usually necessary to appoint someone to answer on your behalf.

As expected, like a planned play, the official who came to His Majesty’s side took out a scroll, unfolded it, and read it.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Then I shall tell you the name of the person I found. The general manager who made a great contribution to developing the cure for this epidemic and distributing it throughout the empire is none other than the Sinkere family… … .”

The official paused for a moment, as if trying to be dramatic.

The Countess almost held her breath as she couldn’t wait to hear her son’s name called next.

‘Hurry! Say that name right now!’

It’s called Doulian Cinquere.

She wanted to hear the name of her son, whom she was proud to give birth to, ring out in this beautiful imperial palace banquet hall.

The Countess tightened her hand on her fan, feeling as if her pounding heart was about to come out of her throat.

Finally, the official’s mouth moved again.

“Lady Evely Singuere.”

“Yes! It’s me—… Huh?”

The second child, who was shouting out loud in excitement, was seen raising his head in confusion.

The Countess was also in the same condition.

‘What’s going on? Why did they say that child’s name? Isn’t it supposed to be my son?’

‘I think that incompetent servant just said the wrong name.’

The Countess frowned at her displeasure and opened her mouth to correct the mistake.

“Unfortunately, I think there was a misunderstanding-”

“Quiet.”

“Honey? This is supposed to be our Doulian—!”

“Stay still.”

But that attempt was soon thwarted by her husband, who painfully squeezed her arm.

Although she was mortified, the Countess had no choice but to keep her mouth shut with her husband’s warning look. 

‘You know this situation is strange!’

Seeing the visible vein on her husband’s neck, the Countess tightly bit her lip.

“The youngest… … .”

She heard her eldest son mutter next to her, as if he had realized something.

“What. What’s happening? “Why did they mention Pudding and not me?”

“Doulian. We’re in front of His Majesty.”

She could see the eldest child paying attention to the second child, who was looking around pitifully as if he was in confusion.

Her face, which had seemed like flowers blooming just recently, was now completely muddy.

‘Ah, my poor son.’

Before she realized it, the Emperor’s gaze had turned to the girl on the other side.

The tip of her fan, held tightly in her hand, quivered.

The excitement that had filled her moments ago had drained away, leaving her feeling like all the blood had rushed to the floor.

“Evely Sinkere, come forward as the guest of honor for today’s banquet.”

Upon the Emperor’s summons, Everly feigned innocence with her eyes wide open.

‘That abomination!’

‘That thing’s face is smiling while the face of my precious son, who’s clutching his belly is distorted!’

Her heart, once filled with anticipation, plummeted into an abyss.

* * *

“… … “The person in charge of this remarkable feat is none other than Lady Evely Sinkere of the Sinkere family!”

When my name suddenly rang out in the banquet hall.

I was surprised too.

‘What is this? What? What’s going on?’

I felt like I needed a moment to process the reality.

After blinking my eyes slowly, I turned my head to the side.

“Duke? How did this happen?”

For some reason, I had an intuitive sense that the person next to me was the cause of this sudden change.