It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 69
Lionel proposed finalizing the contract notarization today, and I readily agreed.
Now that my secularization process was complete, I technically belonged nowhere.
Though it was unlikely that anything would happen within the mansion, I still felt the urgent need to take refuge behind the fortress that was Lionel Luanax as soon as possible.
After we each finished preparing for our outing, we were to meet in front of the main building.
Given my lingering discomfort down there, I took a quick bath and selected one of the few outfits I had for going out.
It was slightly better than the plain dress I had worn during my previous outing with Vivian, but still quite modest.
All the extravagant dresses I had once worn as a lady of House Solen had been burned. The only clothes I owned now were the ones I had acquired while living in the monastery.
It was no wonder Ardin had mistaken me for Vivian’s maid upon our first meeting.
Just as before, I wrapped myself up tightly and left the annex.
The moment you let your guard down was the moment you were caught off guard. Until everything was absolutely certain, I had to remain cautious.
Lionel’s gaze was gentle as he looked at me—despite the fact that the thick-rimmed glasses I wore left only my nose and lips exposed.
Silently, he extended his hand toward me.
After helping me into the carriage, Lionel climbed in after me and took the seat at my side.
“Here. This is the contract we’ll be notarizing today. Please review it.”
Lionel retrieved the documents from the envelope and handed them to me.
Since I had already reviewed the revised provisional contract once before, I quickly scanned it for any differences.
Most of the contents remained the same—except for one additional clause .
“Your Grace… I think this is too much.”
The contract stated that Lionel would pay me for every time I infused him with divine power. And the amount was staggering.
It was on par with the exorbitant donations noble households made to the temple in exchange for divine healing.
“I already receive an allowance for maintaining my status. This is—”
“It is necessary. This is something only you can do. No one else can replace you, so that amount is hardly excessive.”
“But still…”
If it were only until Lionel recovered his lost memories, that would be one thing—but could I really accept this much money every single time?
“You will need spending money of your own at some point. This is separate from your allowance, so take it.”
His tone left no room for argument.
“In any case, this is far less than what I make in a single day.”
“…What? Really?”
I looked at him in shock.
“I told you, didn’t I? There is no man in the Empire wealthier than I am. My passive income alone multiplies that amount several times over.”
…Good heavens.
Was it really that much?
While I was still reeling from the shock, Lionel handed me another set of documents.
“These pertain to the official registration of Serenia Solen as a member of House Dilottete. The notarization has been completed in Cloren.”
From now on, I would be known as Sasha Luanax —a member of the Dilottete family from Kingdom of Cloren.
But in the worst-case scenario, there was still a possibility that my true identity as Serenia Solen could be exposed one day.
These documents—falsifying my name and family origin —were a safeguard against that. If the Imperial Family ever attempted to annul my marriage under the claim that it was based on fraudulent information, they would have to prove my true origins first.
With the layers of forged family ties leading to Dilottete, tracing my identity would be nearly impossible.
I couldn’t help but marvel at how thorough this was.
This level of preparation was only possible thanks to Lionel’s influence, wealth, and vast connections across the continent.
Because he had arranged everything in advance, the process was swift. We first notarized the contract in accordance with Imperial law, then quickly processed the engagement paperwork for submission to the Imperial Family.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“You shouldn’t be thanking me. This is merely part of my scheme to entice you into marriage.”
“…Even so.”
