IBYVS 11

Chapter 11

Cedric, who had been staring at me for quite a while, finally spoke in a low, husky voice.

“…I’m glad you liked the bed. From now on, that will be your room.”

“If possible, I’d like the blankets to be changed often. I like them fresh and fluffy.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

His tone softened a little as he lowered his gaze back to the desk.

I found myself thinking something ridiculous—that it was a shame those hydrangea-blue eyes had disappeared from sight. But just as that thought passed, he spoke again.

“Would you mind sitting on the sofa for a bit and waiting? I’ll finish up quickly.”

“Sure, fine. Can I sit anywhere?”

From my previous life, I remembered that even seating positions could signify rank.

But since I didn’t know the order except for the head seat, I asked. Cedric simply tilted his head with little enthusiasm, as if to say, I’m busy, don’t bother me.

Feeling a little awkward at his attitude, I sat down anywhere but the head seat.

That’s when it happened.

“Ahem…”

The sound of someone clearing their throat came from above the moment I sat down.

Startled, I looked up to see a man with slightly flushed cheeks standing there.

A red-haired man holding a stack of papers bowed politely.

“Greetings, Lady Ellia. I am Edwin Polinoa, chief aide to Lord Cedric Kedisel Indigentia.”

Red hair, green eyes, and glasses.

A rare combination. After asking my leave, he sat opposite me.

Since red hair and green eyes were unusual, I stared at him for a while, and Edwin’s face flushed red like his hair.

“Ahem.” He cleared his throat again and began.

“The reason I’ve come to see you, Lady Ellia, is because—”

“No, I’ll explain.”

Before Edwin could finish and hand me the papers, Cedric rose, strode over, and took them himself.

“Ah, understood.”

Edwin, still blushing, bowed his head and scurried back.

So, he must suffer from facial flushing.

As I watched Edwin retreat, Cedric sat opposite me and snapped his fingers.

The air around us distorted briefly before returning to normal.

“What was that?”

“I cast a barrier. So our conversation won’t leak out.”

“But it’s just the two of us here in the office.”

“Is Edwin not a person?”

His tone was sharp, but he didn’t look upset.

I mumbled vaguely, “That’s not what I meant…” and didn’t push further. It wasn’t that important anyway. I had something else I wanted to ask.

“Why did you call me here so early in the morning?”

His hydrangea-blue eyes skimmed the papers quickly before handing them to me.

“A contract. The sooner we settle this, the sooner we can schedule the wedding.”

“Ah!”

Now I understood why Cedric had summoned me.

“You already drafted it? That’s impressive.”

Without much thought, I praised him and checked the contract.

The wording was complicated, but my focus was simple: how long the marriage would last, and what I could demand during that time.

“The term is three years for now, though it may be shortened or extended.”

“So it depends on when your curse is broken.”

“Exactly.”

As Cedric’s wife, formally adopted into the Grand Duke’s household, I would be treated with due respect.

“Your allowance is set at one million gold per month. You may spend freely within reason, but each expense must be recorded with a valid justification.”

In short: don’t even dream of pocketing money secretly.

I almost blurted out, Then is it really an allowance? but instead nodded.

Still, one million gold a month was an enormous amount.

“If you need additional funds, tell me. As long as the reason is valid, I won’t refuse.”

Well then, no need to quarrel.

Next, I checked the alimony: when and how much would be given.

“Alimony will be paid within thirty days of contract termination. The amount is…”

I blinked.

One, two, three, four, five zeros…

“This is the amount I propose, but it can be adjusted.”

Nine zeros. And in front, the number 1.

I looked at him, stunned.

“…One… one billion gold?”

One billion gold.

My voice cracked in shock. Embarrassed, I covered my throat with both hands.

Ugh, so humiliating.

Cedric chuckled smoothly, his eyes asking, Isn’t that a fair deal?

Honestly, I didn’t really know the value of money in this world.

I didn’t know if one gold equaled ten thousand won or a hundred thousand.

But since it was called “gold,” I assumed it was the highest currency.

So when I saw the monthly allowance of one million gold, I thought 3 years—36 million gold—was the baseline.

But now… wait.

“Uh… am I confusing the units?”

“No. It is indeed one billion gold.”

“One billion… billion…”

That’s the kind of number that makes you gasp.

Eyes wide in shock, I heard him ask casually:

“Is it not enough?”

Not enough?!

If one gold were equal to one won, that alone would be astronomical. If one gold equaled one hundred won, or a thousand won… oh my god.

In my past life, one hundred million won could get me a decent lease apartment on the outskirts. But this was one billion? In gold?!

I was too stunned to speak.

Still, I didn’t celebrate too quickly.

Think carefully. Expensive things always come with a reason.

I was merely entering a contract marriage with a man I barely knew. Why would the alimony be one billion?

There must be a catch.

Nervously, I checked the contract again.

But nothing seemed unfair.

A small elite knight order would be assigned for my protection. The servants would all be personally interviewed by Cedric.

Whenever I traveled, either Cedric or Kalib must accompany me—but since it was for security, there was no reason to refuse.

In cases of false accusations, my side of the story would be heard first.

No matter how many times I read, there was no clause that seemed worth one billion gold in risk.

So the question resurfaced.

Then why give me one billion gold?

“Is this… hush money?”

“It includes that, yes.”

“But hush money of one billion gold? What exactly am I covering up?”

Everyone already knew Cedric was adopted. Everyone knew he was cursed.

It wasn’t a secret that marriage was one method of entering the Sanctuary of Knowledge.

So what secret did I hold?

I stared at him blankly.

Cedric cleared his throat.

“More precisely, it’s compensation for restricting your freedom.”

“Restricting… my freedom?”

What kind of reasoning was that?

“If you look at the second page, line six, you’ll see it states you cannot leave without either myself or Kalib accompanying you.”

“Yes, I saw that. But it said it was for protection.”

“In other words, without us, you cannot go anywhere.”

I pressed my lips shut.

“And on page three, line seven, it states a knight order will be formed for your protection, and that all servants around you will be mine.”

“Yes, you’ll personally interview them.”

“They’ll be my eyes and ears.”

“…So basically, you’re saying you’ll monitor me throughout the contract, since my identity isn’t fully certain.”

“Sharp of you.”

He admitted without hesitation.

I felt a bit deflated.

Of course.

The one billion gold wasn’t mere alimony.

It was money tied with the meaning: I’ll monitor your every move. You cannot go anywhere without me or Kalib. Don’t even think of doing anything foolish.

But what I felt after realizing that was…

“Yes, I understand.”

Just relief.

“…You’re fine with that?”

Surprisingly, Cedric looked unsettled.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

I shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal.

Being watched was nothing new to me.

I used to be a taekwondo athlete, and athletes’ behavior heavily impacted their chances of competing.

If an athlete got into a fight, it could explode into a scandal.

So once I became a national representative, I trained under my coach’s hawk-like eyes.

If that vigilance brought me a gold medal, then enduring Cedric’s watch would bring me… one billion gold.

How difficult could that be?

Besides, no matter how much memory I lost, since I was the one who cursed him, maybe I could undo it soon.

Then I’d have what was essentially free money.

To confirm, I asked:

“No matter how long the marriage lasts, as long as your curse is lifted, you’ll divorce me and pay the one billion gold, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Even if your curse is broken tomorrow?”

“Since we’re not married yet, that wouldn’t count. But…”

Ah, right. The marriage had to happen first.

I almost slipped, but Cedric continued with his expressionless face.

“Even if the curse is lifted on the very day of the wedding, the one billion gold payment remains.”

Oh? Really?

Then there was no need to stay married for three years.

I could just collect the money and live comfortably afterward.

But Kalib…

I suddenly remembered his face, when he said he wanted to live with me in the Grand Duke’s residence.

After some hesitation, I asked cautiously:

“I’d like to add one more condition. Would you hear me out?”

“If it’s reasonable, I’ll consider it.”

He nodded for me to speak freely. I hesitated a little, then said:

“Even after we divorce… I want to be able to visit the Grand Duke’s residence regularly to see Kalib.”