https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1609-A-War-Without-Victors-Fifty-Nine-/12529348/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1611-A-War-with-No-Victors-Part-61-/12529350/
Chapter 1610: A War Without Victors (LX)
Chapter 1610: A War Without Victors (LX)
As Hermione emerged from her Disillusionment Charm, she found herself on a secluded hill.
"Keep up," Isabel prompted, leading the way forward.
Hermione glanced around before quickening her pace to catch up with the other two.
At some point, a winding gravel path appeared under their feet, leading to a luxurious manor that seemed to materialize out of thin air at the end, like a mirage.
"Where are we...?" Hermione asked, her mouth agape.
"This is one of Albert's inherited properties," Isabel explained, gesturing with her wand. The metal gates creaked open slowly in response to her gentle wave, as if welcoming the return of its mistress.
"I thought Albert came from a Muggle family," Hermione said, suddenly realizing how little she knew about Albert.
"Yes, more or less. I'm not entirely clear on the details either," Isabel replied, putting away her wand and glancing back at Hermione. "It's best not to ask about certain secrets; some things are not meant to be made public, not even to me."
"Do you live here?" Hermione asked, changing the subject as she stepped into the manor with the other two. It soon became apparent that the manor had been abandoned for some time.
"No, we live elsewhere. This place is usually unoccupied. You're welcome to move in if you like," Isabel said casually.
"No, thank you. It doesn't feel right," Hermione declined, shaking her head. She had no desire to live in such a creepy place alone.
"I wouldn't want to live here either," Katrina mumbled. "But it's a good place for Albert to accommodate Katherine and the others."
The three women made their way through the messy courtyard and into the main hall, heading toward the eastern annex, where some of the house-elves had already cleaned a few rooms.
Isabel pushed open the door to a spacious living room and intended to sit down and continue their previous conversation.
"By the way, there will be a welcome party in a few days. Would you like to attend?" Isabel waved her wand and conjured three cups of tea, offering one to Hermione as she asked.
"A party?" Hermione inquired. "Do you want Albert's lovers to get to know each other?"
"Something like that," Katrina whispered in Hermione's ear, filling her in on the details.
Hermione's cheeks turned scarlet, and she looked at Katrina in disbelief.
To be honest, she never imagined the MacDougal sisters to be that kind of women.
"We don't have those inclinations either," Isabel said, as if seeing through Hermione's thoughts. She took a sip of her tea and calmly reassured her, "And neither does Albert, of course."
"Then why...?" Hermione found it hard to comprehend. Had she misheard earlier?
"Because opportunities like this are rare!" Katrina laughed. "Chances like these probably won't come again, so we don't mind giving Albert an unforgettable memory. Besides, Katherine and the other two are the real stars of this banquet."
Hermione's mouth hung slightly agape, utterly bewildered.
This was just... too embarrassing.
"It seems like you haven't fully adjusted to your new identity yet," Isabel observed, looking at Hermione's astonished expression. "Remember, you are Albert's lover. As his lover, it's your role to satisfy and please him as much as possible."
"This... This has nothing to do with being a lover," Hermione argued.
"If you remove that label, how do you plan to maintain your relationship? Desires are inherently difficult to sustain. Once the novelty wears off, your connection will inevitably drift apart. That's why I never cared whether or not you became his lover," Isabel said, feeling that Hermione hadn't grasped the reality of the situation.
"Albert isn't like that," Hermione insisted, biting her lip.
"All men are more or less the same in that regard," Isabel countered.
Isabel sighed and advised, "Remember, you're different from us. You're not Albert's wife, you don't live with him long-term, and you don't have the familial bond of a household to maintain your relationship."
"So, you must find a way to make yourself captivating. Otherwise, once your novelty wears off, he probably won't have much interest in you, and that usually only takes a couple of years." Katrina pointed to herself, "Just like me; I strive to become a more useful and alluring young woman."
"Why are you telling me this?"
Hermione didn't think Isabel would be so kind as to offer advice to a rival. She still hadn't realized that, compared to scheming, straightforward strategies were far more terrifying and insurmountable.
"I just want you to recognize the situation clearly beforehand. Some things are better said explicitly to avoid future troubles." Isabel looked at Hermione as she spoke, "At least for the choices you make yourself, you won't regret them later. Moreover, if you want to cast an unbreakable vow, you should think it through carefully; it concerns your entire life."
"Is this a reverse dissuasion?" Hermione's expression suddenly turned bizarre as if she had thought of something, "If I sign the contract, what will I get?"
"You will become one of us, receiving treatment equivalent to that of a wife, and you won't have to worry about the issue of future children." Isabel had already guessed Hermione's choice but remained patient in her explanation.
"Status equal to a wife." Hermione's expression was complex, "Can I live with you guys too?"
"It's possible, but I don't recommend it." Katrina raised an eyebrow, "Why would you want to do that?"
"It would completely ruin your interpersonal relationships. Unless you just want to focus on being Albert's mistress, I suggest you create a cozy little nest that belongs just to the two of you."
Hermione fell silent. She realized that she lacked consideration, but this was probably the other party's reverse persuasion. Albert had done the same, and if she hadn't been decisive...
"That's still better than letting him cheat." Isabel seemed to see through Hermione's thoughts and calmly explained, "Men actually prefer that kind of atmosphere."
"Sign a contract with Albert?" Hermione asked again.
"Yes, this is the contract." Isabel placed a piece of parchment in front of Hermione, "If you're willing, you can stay tonight."
Hermione hesitated for a moment before ultimately shaking her head.
"I don't want anyone to see through the cracks, and Albert doesn't want that either..."
"Then you'll probably have a hard time ahead of you." Katrina thought Hermione was just making things difficult for herself.
"Can I only get a verbal promise?"
After reading the contents of the parchment, Hermione frowned and asked.
"I signed it too." Katrina shrugged, "If you're willing to work hard on this relationship, you'll realize that so-called contracts are meaningless. What you gain far outweighs what you put in."
"Yes, just a verbal promise." Isabel said calmly, "Of course, you can also choose to give up. The decision is in your hands, and no one will force you."
"Alright, I'm willing." Hermione was well aware that she hadn't had a choice from the start, "I just don't understand why it has to be so complicated."
"Because the other girls have some degree of interest involved, hence the contract." Isabel explained, "The purpose is to strengthen the connection between us and to ensure that they have a status equivalent to that of a wife. If you want to gain something, you must pay a corresponding price."
"Albert will be coming this afternoon. Before that, let me teach you how to be a qualified mistress." Isabel reached out to Hermione and led her to the bathroom, intending to help correct her poor taste in fashion.
(End of Chapter)
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