IGHC 12

Chapter 12

Daisy and the butler kept bickering nonstop. I stayed out of it for a while, only to notice Count and Madam sighing in the distance with worried expressions.

To someone like me, who had never once experienced familial love, they were more like parents than actual parents…

I felt guilty, like I had placed another burden on their hearts.

I hesitated awkwardly, unsure what to say, when Daisy suddenly stepped in first.

“Don’t worry, Mom, Dad. I’ll go take a look at that Grand Duke bastard myself!”

“Daisy, watch your language!”

“Daisy!”

Well, at least she didn’t say, “I’ll go punch that Grand Duke bastard in the face.”

While I snickered to myself, Daisy grabbed my arm and dragged me outside.

Oddly enough, the one stopping the Count and Madam from chasing after us was the butler.

“I’m sure you have much to discuss, considering you raised Miss Selus like your own child. Shall we continue the conversation together?”

Then the old gentleman gave me a wink as if pretending not to notice.

Trying to act cool all of a sudden…?

Still, I’ll admit it this time.

Only after we hurried out of the mansion did Daisy finally slow down and ask,

“So, is that Grand Duke bastard outside?”

She’d even dropped the courtesy title now, huh.

I shrugged as I looked at Daisy, who seemed fully prepared for battle.

“Who knows? Yesterday he was waiting in front with the carriage.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

I honestly didn’t understand why she was burning with so much determination, but anyway, Daisy clenched her fist and dragged me along.

Just like yesterday, we crossed the garden and headed toward the carriage. The massive black carriage radiated such overwhelming intimidation that merely looking at it felt oppressive.

Even Daisy—who had been prepared to say anything to Solard—flinched for a moment.

Guess it really wasn’t ordinary.

Daisy froze briefly like a broken machine, then apparently got offended that she’d been intimidated by a carriage. She aggressively banged on the door before yanking it open.

Startled by the sudden intrusion, Solard recoiled slightly. Daisy glared at him in disbelief and bluntly spat out,

“What the heck? The way people talked about you, I thought you were some kind of monster. You’re just a person.”

“…?”

Was it because she barged in saying nonsense out of nowhere? Or because she treated him so casually?
Actually, probably both.

Anyway, Solard looked extremely flustered.

He stared at me with shaking eyes until Daisy suddenly pointed at herself, making him blink in surprise.

“Listen here! Our Selly may be soft-hearted, but she’s way too good for someone like you to marry!”

Wait, whose story is this?

Your rough thoughts… your anxious eyes… and me watching you both…
Some cheesy song lyric started playing in my head.

Based on family status alone, I’m the one lacking here, you know?

I really wanted to object, but unfortunately Daisy seemed 200% sincere.

“You should consider it the greatest blessing of your life that you get to marry someone this lovable, pretty, cool, and amazing! Be grateful forever and treat her like royalty! Got it?!”

What is there to “got”? And again—who are you talking about?

I stared blankly at Daisy before turning toward Solard, only to find him sitting properly and listening to her words with utmost seriousness.

Looking closer, he was even nodding quietly.

Okay… sure…

You two just do whatever you want…

“Ugh, this is annoying! I’m going to see Lenox instead! You engaged people go talk some more!”

At this point, who exactly should be the annoyed one here?

1. Minselly
2. Solard
3. Daisy
4. The readers

If anyone knows the correct answer, please leave a comment…

After shouting that, Daisy shoved me into the carriage, slammed the door shut, and stormed off huffing angrily.

Meanwhile, Solard looked like he still hadn’t recovered from the shock, his pupils trembling at about magnitude 6.0.

What kind of development is this?

“Who… was that…?”

Did he mean, Why is there suddenly another person who treats me normally?

After thinking for a moment, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

“She’s… my soulmate! We just understand each other really well…!”

Even while saying it, I wondered if that sounded remotely believable.

But Solard nodded quietly like he accepted it.

What am I even doing with this innocent puppy of a man? Is this really okay, Minselly’s conscience?

Suppressing a sigh, I hurriedly added,

“She’s not a bad person, she just treasures me too much… I’m sorry.”

“Oh… right.”

“I’ll introduce you properly next time.”

At this point Solard’s hands were trembling too.

Maybe that was too sudden.

But what was I supposed to say?
“Actually she’s the original heroine and I’m just a random extra, and we’re both transmigrators, so blah blah blah…”
Would he understand that at all?

After the emotional storm passed, I pressed my forehead and tried to smooth things over.

“Just… think of me as someone a little unusual.”

Solard nodded, but the bewilderment still lingered in his gaze.

He probably wanted to say it was a lot more than “a little.”

Eventually, deciding this topic was hopeless, I awkwardly changed the subject.

“Oh right, do you even know my name? I don’t think I ever told you personally.”

“You never did…”

He’d probably heard it through Gillein instead of asking directly, but I smiled brightly and held out my hand for a handshake.

“Then since we’re really getting married, shall we introduce ourselves properly? I’m Selus.”

“Solard… Artensia.”

His stiff voice made it sound like even his own name was unpleasant on his tongue.

At the same time, he stared blankly at my outstretched hand like he didn’t understand what it meant, so I simply grabbed his hand myself.

“It’s a greeting.”

I had told him before. He’d said he’d never held someone’s hand before.

Solard looked tense, like everything about this was unfamiliar to him.

Naturally, it had to feel awkward.

Pretending not to notice, I lightly shook his hand. His firm hand slowly tightened around mine in return.

Yet his face was still filled with confusion, like he couldn’t tell whether this was a dream or reality.

After holding his hand for a moment, I let go and looked directly into his eyes.

Solard seemed unable to keep eye contact properly, like even looking at me was difficult, yet he was still trying.

Smiling softly, I spoke.

“Alright then. Do you remember what I suggested at the beginning?”

“A transaction…”

“That’s right. A transaction.”

Honestly… calling this a fair transaction felt questionable considering my conscience had been sobbing for days that I was insane.

But what could I do? He was the one begging me to marry him.

Not my fault. Definitely not.

“Grand Duke, we’re making a deal now.”

“Yes.”

I’d noticed it since yesterday, but wasn’t this man way too obedient?

It felt like he’d agree to almost anything I said.

Hmm.

Suddenly Madam’s advice about “establishing dominance over a man from the beginning” came to mind.

Establish dominance? Could I actually do that? Was this too much?

After hesitating briefly, I eventually blurted out the thought anyway.

It was already doomed from the start!

“Then change the way you speak too. How rude, using informal speech with your future wife.”

Minselly smiled brightly with shameless confidence.

This, little kitten, is what they call an unfair contract.

Silence fell.

Even shameless Selly’s conscience shriveled by the second under the tension.

W-Was that too arrogant? He was a Grand Duke after all. Maybe this wasn’t it?

I was just about to hurriedly take it back when Solard’s voice suddenly reached my ears.

“Would… speaking like this be acceptable?”

“Huh?”

…He actually did it just because I asked?

“If you could use honorifics that easily, why were you speaking casually until now?”

I ended up asking in confusion instead.

Now even more flustered, Solard hurriedly explained,

“I-I apologize. The only people I ever spoke with were servants, so I didn’t realize it was rude behavior… If it made you uncomfortable, then I’m sorry.”

Ah, right.

That’s true.

This man had basically been ostracized by the entire world.

Minselly was the bad guy here.

My nose stung as I was about to tell him it was fine, but then Solard continued, effectively strangling me emotionally once again.

“Sel… Selus… may speak comfortably with me. You can treat me like… like a friend…”

It genuinely felt like the scene needed sparkly doki-doki! sound effects.

Watching him shyly stumble over his words, I cried internally.

I’m sorry, little kitten… Whatever happens, this is all my fault. I’ll treat you well from now on. Sob.

Regardless of my internal breakdown, Solard—still blushing to himself—continued attacking my heart.

“Would it perhaps be alright if I called you Lady Selus—”

“N-No! Just Selus is fine!”

I answered far too quickly.

Dear heavens.

A Grand Duke using honorifics toward me was the most burdensome thing imaginable.

“Th-Then… Selus should also call me Solard…”

Part of his face visible beneath the mask had turned slightly red.

Watching him, I thought:

Why are you a Grand Duke? You’re making me cry.

Do you even realize I’m technically a commoner, while you’re the only Grand Duke in the entire empire?
If you shouted, “Execute this peasant!” I’d die without even being able to protest.

“Alright, Solard.”

The moment I called his name, Solard nodded.

Was hearing his name once really enough to make him clutch both hands together and look that happy?

If he had a tail behind him right now, I bet it’d be spinning like a propeller.

Our Grand Duke has no friends. Sob.

I am~ a lonely firefly~ with no friends~

I sang mournfully in my head when a cautious voice interrupted me.

“By the way… what exactly is Selus’s objective?”

His voice had suddenly become serious enough to sound almost solemn, making me blink in confusion.

“And if this is a transaction… should we write a contract?”

Can you stop switching from comedy skit to dead serious like that?

When I said “transaction,” I’d only meant to clarify that this wasn’t entirely pure intentions—we both had something to gain.

But now that he mentioned it, writing an actual contract sounded like a good idea.

“Alright. Let’s write a contract later.”

“Yes.”

“And what I want is… reckless luxury spending?”

“…Pardon?”

“I want to sleep buried under piles of gold and jewels?”

“…Pardon…?”