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Chapter 4
The Duke’s vividly gleaming eyes were filled with a rage I had never seen before.
“Who is it?”
“Uh, excuse me?”
“The audacity, the shameless person who dared to suggest such an absurd marriage—”
Growling his words, the Duke paused when he saw my slightly fearful eyes. He took a deep breath and then asked again in a more restrained voice,
“Who proposed to you?”
“Oh. It was Marquess Gaspar, His Majesty’s sixth cousin.”
When I revealed the name of the one who had proposed, the Duke reacted sharply, as if he’d heard the name of his sworn enemy.
He pronounced the name as though he wanted to tear it apart syllable by syllable, muttering something under his breath about “that old man”—not that I caught the exact words.
Well, he’s a duke, so I guess he can openly criticize a member of the imperial family. If I did it, I’d probably be slapped with a charge of lèse-majesté.
‘Anyway, judging from the Duke’s reaction, I guess I’m in the clear.’
Thank goodness.
Turns out you’re a normal human being with the decency to be angry at the thought of a 40-year age-gap marriage.
My fake family was eager to sell me off, yet this man—who isn’t even family—is angry on my behalf.
For a moment, a strange feeling welled up inside me, but I was quickly brought back to reality by the Duke’s voice.
“So, is that why you… proposed marriage to me?”
“Oh, yes.”
He had spoken so confidently, as if not even the Emperor’s relatives could get in his way.
But when it came to saying the word marriage, he seemed to hesitate just slightly.
Almost like… he was being careful about saying it to me.
‘Ah!’
I quickly added to avoid any misunderstanding.
“Of course, I didn’t mean a real marriage with you!”
“…”
The Duke’s expression turned sour.
I hurriedly launched into a more detailed explanation of the contract marriage I was proposing.
“As if I’d demand to be collateral for life?”
What, you think I’m trying to snag a noble marriage for free? I’m not that kind of scammer.
This isn’t a real marriage—it’s a contract marriage!
Clearly defined terms. A precise, one-year arrangement.
“That kind of thing would be no different than the coercion my family tried to pull. Like I said from the start, you only need to endure it for one year.”
“One year?”
“Yes! Oh! Do you perhaps have someone in mind already? A lover, or a future spouse?”
That would be a deal-breaker.
Though I’ve never heard any rumors in high society about the Duke being involved with anyone.
But if he had a secret lover tucked away somewhere… my face started to darken with worry.
“I have no such person.”
The Duke responded firmly, in a strangely urgent tone.
‘Phew. That’s a relief.’
Letting out a breath of relief, I relaxed my stiff smile.
“Then there’s nothing standing in the way!”
“Hm.”
“The one-year term was set so that you wouldn’t lose anything by accepting.”
Exactly. In noble society, marriage is a big deal.
Well, if you’re someone like Duke Ivernum, marriage benefits and losses might seem trivial.
Still, in typical noble marriages, there’s a fierce tug-of-war over what each side gains or loses.
So one year—it was the minimum term I could propose that wouldn’t cause any real loss.
“It’s just one year. Even if you’re off the marriage market for a short while, there will still be a line of women waiting for you when you return.”
“…”
“After all, everyone agrees—you’re the Empire’s most eligible bachelor!”
I really tried to appeal to how little he’d lose.
But the Duke still looked unimpressed. I quickly added more benefits he might gain.
“The sedative I showed you earlier? I’ll start producing it the moment we sign the marriage contract. I’ll have a lifetime supply ready before we finalize the divorce.”
“…Divorce?”
“Yes! So you don’t have to worry that I’ll use the sedative to manipulate you after we part ways!”
I’ll disappear without a trace.
After a year, you won’t even have to see my face again.
I enthusiastically listed the merits of a time-limited marriage, but the Duke’s unimpressed face made my voice shrink.
‘Why does he look even more displeased than before?’
Why…?
Am I really that bad at negotiating?
A little disheartened, I tried to shift focus and shared the other things I’d prepared.
“Also, I know a lot about the Second Prince’s faction. I can give you information.”
I even compiled records of the shady dealings of my fake family…
That would be super useful to the Duke, who’s aligned with the First Prince.
“We’ll need to file official marriage paperwork to block other proposals, but since it’s not a real marriage, I don’t expect a grand wedding or anything.”
So it won’t cost much.
That’s what I was trying to say, but apparently that irked him.
“Does the Duke’s household seem so poor that the bride has to worry about wedding costs?”
“What? Oh—no, of course not!”
Come on, like I’d seriously worry about the finances of the richest household in the Empire?
I was just emphasizing how practical and cost-efficient my proposal was!
Grumbling internally, I put on my most perfect sales-rep smile and sweetened my voice.
“Everyone knows how wealthy House Ivernum is! I just didn’t want to be even the slightest burden to you.”
“That’s fine, then.”
“Yes. That’s fine… sorry, what?”
What’s fine?
Can you please be a bit more clear? I’m getting whiplash from this mix of hope and anxiety.
“Didn’t you ask me to consider it positively?”
“Yes, I did!”
“Then that’s what I’ll do.”
His sudden answer startled me, and my voice cracked.
Wait… did the Duke just smile?
I caught the faintest trace of amusement in his voice and couldn’t help muttering to myself:
‘Am I funny to you?’
Well, even if I am, it’s fine.
As long as you accept my marriage proposal.
‘Whew. Maybe this really is going to work out…’
I could feel the tension slowly leave my shoulders.
I was careful not to let my relief show too clearly on my face.
‘He hasn’t completely decided yet. I need to keep making a good impression as a business partner!’
I fought to keep my excited smile in check and spoke calmly.
“Then please take your time to think it over and contact me.”
Oh, right.
I slid the pouch of medicine toward him and said,
“You can test the medicine as much as you want. I understand your caution.”
No way a duke would just drink something handed over without verifying it.
Even if he already sensed the sedative’s power earlier, he’d still want it tested thoroughly.
Which was fine. I had nothing to hide.
‘That’s why I brought enough for multiple tests.’
With my chest puffed up, I said confidently,
“I brought plenty, so there’s enough for thorough testing.”
“…”
“Well, I’ll be going now.”
I stood and gave a polite goodbye, ready to walk away—
If only I hadn’t seen the Duke frown, as if something had displeased him.
‘Wait, what was wrong with my exit?’
Seriously? I just made a classy contract marriage offer and walked out like a boss.
Wasn’t this supposed to be the part where the cold Northern Duke male lead goes,
‘I’ve never met a woman so bold. This feeling… it’s not unpleasant.’
And then chuckles suavely?
‘So why is my duke scowling instead?!’
I got distracted by his handsome face and forgot—this man gives off serious pressure.
Add a scowl on top of that…?
Chilling. The cold air in the room had my shoulders trembling.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Well…”
Even his voice was icy.
Something went wrong. That look is scary.
I hesitated, unsure how to answer. But when our eyes met, the Duke’s expression softened again.
Whew. Much better.
“I just thought… you’d need time to review the medicine and the marriage paperwork. So I’ll wait at my residence.”
“Your residence?”
“Yes. I’ll stay in the capital, at the Count Sinkere’s estate. Once you’ve made your decision, just send word there.”
I’m giving you time. I’ll stay put at a known location so you can verify everything and contact me easily.
A reasonable and courteous proposal—so why did it make him scowl again?
The Duke frowned deeply and opened his mouth.
“What if your family locks you up?”
“…Pardon? Locks me up?”
“Yes. Didn’t they already try to force a ridiculous marriage on you?”
“Oh, well, yeah. They did, but…”
The Duke made a face like the very thought disgusted him.
“What if you go back and get imprisoned and forced into marriage again? Are you saying you’re willing to risk that?”
Wait—imprisoned?
Would my fake family really go that far?
I was a little shocked at how far ahead he’d jumped in his grim predictions. But then I recalled their past behavior.
‘…He’s got a point.’
Considering how petty and vile my fake family is… the worst-case scenario the Duke mentioned didn’t sound too far-fetched.
Maybe he read the realization in my face, because he immediately offered another solution:
“Stay by my side.”
