Translation Until Countess Mareena Westmont Attains True Happiness

3.1 Mareena’s Request

“—What are we going to do? That woman’s recovering!”

“There’s nothing we can do. If we’re too aggressive, we’ll only arouse suspicion. For now, let’s just observe her.”

“Just so you know, I won’t wait forever.”

“I’m aware.”

“At this rate, I’ll no longer be of marriageable age.”

“What do you mean by that? Are you going to marry another man?”

“As long as that woman is still here, it’s not like we can get married.”

“I know. Let me come up with a solution.”

“Do you mean it?”

“Isn’t it obvious? There are many ways to get rid of Mareena.”

“For example?”

“We can stage an accident.”

“What about causing her carriage to fall off a cliff?”

“Don’t be so nonchalant about it. Although, that may be worth considering.”

“Fufu, look at the face you’re making right now.”

“Why? You don’t you like it?”

“I don’t hate it.”

Mason and Cameron would have their tryst at least four times a week. Their affair had been going on for a long time.

Johan nervously eavesdropped on their conversation.

He suppressed his urge to gather all the servants in the mansion, and then barge into the room to beat those two up. Afterwards, he went to Mareena’s bedroom.

“I apologize for the odd request, Johan.”

She had requested Johan to spy on them and learn the time and the date they’d be having their next week’s liaison.

“Think nothing of it. There’s no way I could allow Lady Mareena do this on her own.”

“You’re a great help. Did you discover the reason why Cameron hates me so much?”

Ever since the day she had discovered their affair, she always pondered that one question—

Did I do something to hurt Cameron? Or is she merely dissatisfied with her salary?

“I don’t think she’s the mastermind. When she first arrived, she was very grateful to us. At that time, she genuinely wanted to serve Lady Mareena. Mason must’ve corrupted the impressionable girl.”

“Even though she was always by my side…”

“It can be said that Mason has the talent to capture people’s hearts. His indulging words are like a honey that lures in prey.”

“How frustrating.”

Mareena also thought Mason’s tender words were proof of his love for her. She was proud of her gentle and talented husband. Mareena didn’t dare imagine what would have happened if she hadn’t woken early and take that detour that night. Perhaps, she’d no longer be of that world.

 “Then, what were they doing?”

“They seem to be using contraceptives. They said that they’d endure until Lady Mareena is gone.”

“I see. If she were to get pregnant, then their affair would be revealed… I’m going to visit the guild tomorrow.”

“…Please reconsider this.”

“I’ve already given this a lot of thought.”

“I understand. Please remember that if anything were to happen to Lady Mareena, I’d lose my reason to live.”

“I know.”

“It’s late. I shall excuse myself.”

“Thank you for accompanying me this late into the night.”

“Don’t mind that. Please rest, Lady Mareena.”

“I shall do that.”

Thanks to Johan, she didn’t feel anxious in the slightest as she laid down to sleep. She even felt excitement at the thought of tomorrow. Mason and Cameron were surely going at it even at that moment. As of the present, she felt like snorting at them.

I have to focus on myself. 

…Still, to think that I intend to be embraced by a complete stranger for the sake of having a child.

If her parents were to catch wind of it, they’d definitely stop her. If it was her passionate mother, she’d even imprison Mareena for it. No, before any of that could happen, Mason and Cameron would be having their just desserts served to them.

“Sometimes, I just want to be myself.”

One wrong move, and she might end up getting injured. Her stomach might get crushed and she’d die a horrible death. Still, she had a careless, impulsive, yearning desire to surrender herself to danger.

It was as if she had regressed to being an adolescent. At the same time, she felt that such selfish and childish feelings were perfect for her present self.

She channeled her urge to claw at her chest and her wrath into a reckless gamble, one cast without hesitation.

***

The place where Mareena was currently located was a back alley. 

…It’s not a suspicious place.

The guild was located in a commercial area in the western part of the city. It was an organization that’d accept any request savefor theftand murder.

“I’d like to make a request.”

Mareena, who wore a deep-hooded cloak, was speaking to a rotund woman who seemed to be the receptionist. Said woman looked over Mareena from top to bottom.

“First time?”

“Yes.”

“Then, are you aware this is a guild?”

“I am.”

“It’s not a place for a young lady like you.”

“I shall be the one to decide that.”

“Hmm.”

Then, the receptionist opened the door behind her and went inside. While waiting for her return, Mareena stared at the request board. There she saw flyers depicting various interesting requests, such as, ‘I need a herb from Mt. Shinka!’, ‘I need an idea for a new bread!’, and ‘I want a bride!’.

The sturdy-looking men who seemed to be there to accept the requests were looking at the board. A young woman proceeded to pull off a flyer that had ‘Looking for a hairdresser! It’s for a matchmaking event.’ written upon it.

“There are various jobs, it seems.”

The men who had gathered in the corner of the room seemed a little rough. For the time being, she’d like to refrain from asking them. The moment she entered, her entire body had quivered. She wondered how shallow she had become.

Even if she said that she was fine with anyone, it didn’t mean that she’d want to do it with just anyone. For example, if one of the rough-looking men were to accept she might refuse.

She still had time to turn back.

Or more like, if she didn’t manage to find anyone she liked then she’d just decline.

If possible, she also didn’t want to impose on anyone.

But was she in a position to be so picky?

After all, it was a guild.

Mareena was seriously contemplating all of that in her head, but unfortunately, before she could come to a decision, the receptionist had already returned.

“Follow me.”

With those words, the receptionist tilted her head towards the room she had previously entered.

Mareena left the waiting room and followed the woman to the back room. Afterwards, the woman left Mareena in the room.

“Welcome.”

In the room was a man with black hair and a calm voice. As he was wearing glasses, she couldn’t see his face clearly. Still, he looked to be around Mareeena’s age, if not slightly older.

“Sit down.”

The man prompted Mareena to sit on the couch.

“I’m Lewis, the guild master.”

“My name is Mareena.”

“…”

Unfortunately, despite the cloak she was wearing, she couldn’t hide her aristocratic traits. The guild members must had realized, hence she was directed to Lewis’ room.

“We do not accept criminal requests such as theft and murder.”

“I’m aware.”

“That’s good then. So, what is your request?”

“…”

“Mareena?”

“There’s a duty of confidentiality here, right?”

“Of course.”

“What if the secret is leaked?”

“Then we’ll make sure to reimburse you.”

“With money?”

“That’s right.”

“I see.”

“As we’re a small guild, trust comes first. Otherwise, we’d be destroyed in no time.”

Hence why Mareena chose the smaller of the two guilds in the city. That guild had a clean history and a good reputation. Since its members were only few in number, the risk to secrets being leaked was minimal. Getting the human resource she desired might be difficult, but at the very least, the guild was worth trusting. Moreover, the guild master himself understood that the guild would perish if their confidentiality was destroyed.

“Again, what’s your request?”

She couldn’t keep hesitating. Now that she was there, she had to resolve herself. However, she could barely form a word.

“I… want to…”

“Huh?”

“…What I’m saying is, I…”

“What is it?”

Be strong, Mareena! Don’t be shy!

“I want a child! I absolutely want one!!!”

“…What?”


***T/N: “…And you sir, shall be the father!!!” ///Le Lewis: What x2

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