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Chapter : 6
The moment Hatz sat down, Freesia held out her hand to him.
“Show me the proof.”
“What?”
“Proof that our engagement is real.”
“Saving your life isn’t enough for you?”
“It’s better for both of us to be certain, isn’t it?”
Hatz looked at Freesia as if she were absurd. She was trying to act composed, but perhaps from nervousness, Freesia was holding her breath.
At Hatz’s gesture, a butler brought the engagement contract from the study and placed it on the table.
“Check it.”
It was an ordinary engagement contract—except for the fact that the signature belonged to Empress Rocherin.
“All right. I’ll acknowledge the engagement.”
Freesia set the contract back on the table.
“But I have a condition.”
“What condition?”
“Let’s add one more clause.”
Hatz stared at her in silence. Her finger rested just below the last line of the contract.
“What are you talking about?”
“We didn’t get engaged because we like each other.”
So it’s the love talk again.
“And?”
“I like people who only like me.”
“So?”
“As you know, my mother was covered in wounds because of my father’s affairs. I don’t want to suffer those kinds of wounds either.”
“Fine. I understand what you mean.”
Hatz calmly took a sip of tea.
“So, please add a clause that you can’t cheat.”
“Hah?”
“If you cheat and get caught, the engagement is off, and you’ll have to pay whatever compensation I want.”
It was a reasonable request.
Hatz placed his hand on the table and tapped his fingers.
Tap, tap, tap.
What does she want? Compensation? If she wanted money, it would be far more profitable to live as my fiancée. What on earth is wrong with this woman? Does she simply dislike me? …Not someone else, but me? She dislikes me?
Hatz’s expression grew colder as his mood soured.
“Fine. But I’ll add my own condition.”
Condition?
Freesia recalled the conversation she’d had with Ron earlier.
“If he’s going to break off the engagement anyway, at least get some compensation.”
“Compensation?”
“If you get just one-hundredth—no, even one ten-thousandth—of the young duke’s wealth, you’ll be able to live comfortably for the rest of your life. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
“That’s true, but… how would I get compensation?”
“You just need to catch the young duke’s weakness—something he might slip up on.”
“What kind of mistake would a man like that make with me?”
“Usually, when men make mistakes involving women, it’s about women, isn’t it?”
“Well, that’s…!”
So she’d even dragged in her parents and acted pitiful—and now there was another condition?
Freesia looked at Hatz with a troubled expression. In her eyes, he wore a cold, unfeeling face.
“If I cheat, I’ll do whatever you want.”
“…And your condition?”
She felt like her nerves would show. She picked up her teacup with both hands and brought it to her lips.
“If you come to like me, the engagement is off.”
“What?”
What does that even mean?
Startled, Freesia set the cup down.
“You’ll break off the engagement if I like you?”
“Yes.”
“That’s your condition?”
“Yes.”
This is ridiculous. Why would I ever like him?
Freesia asked again to be sure.
“If I like you, the engagement is broken?”
“Yes.”
“What’s the point of that?”
“Instead, if the engagement is broken because you like me—”
“…?”
Clink.
Hatz paused and set his teacup down on the table. Freesia inhaled, tense, as she waited for his condition.
“You’ll be the one paying me compensation.”
“What? That’s—!”
Paying compensation because I like him? She was speechless.
“Just answer whether you’ll accept it or not.”
Hatz said it without changing his expression.
This is insane. Isn’t this too much? Where would I even get money to pay him? He’s already filthy rich—what greed is this?
“If you don’t like it, then we’ll hold the wedding soon.”
“What?!”
Hatz said calmly, stirring his tea with a spoon.
Hey! What is your problem with me?!
Is he out of his mind? Just three seconds ago we were talking about breaking off the engagement, and now it’s a wedding? There’s no middle ground at all. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but in the end, as long as I don’t like him, I lose nothing. There’s no way I’d ever come to like a man who would obviously ruin my life if I got involved with him.
“Fine, I accept that condition! Let’s add it right now!”
The two of them added new clauses to the engagement contract.
“If Hatz Lockin Switcherad cheats, the engagement shall be annulled, and he shall provide compensation as Freesia Rue Maximilian desires.”
“If Freesia Rue Maximilian comes to like Hatz Lockin Switcherad, she shall provide compensation as Hatz Lockin Switcherad desires, and the engagement shall be annulled.”
Hatz put his pen down first. Freesia followed suit.
Clang.
Hatz dropped the spoon he’d been holding in his left hand into the cup.
“Then let’s see how long you last.”
“…?”
Before Freesia could even process his words, he walked out. As soon as he disappeared from sight, Freesia slumped back into her chair.
“I’m exhausted.”
She leaned her head back and looked at Ron.
“What on earth is that man thinking?”
“Your Highness, are you sure that engagement condition is all right?”
“Why wouldn’t it be? I just won’t like him.”
“That’s the problem. It’s not the same as the cheating condition…”
Ron looked deep in thought, squinting one eye as he pondered. In truth, the reason Ron had opposed breaking off the engagement wasn’t mainly about wealth.
If the mansion fire had been arson, it meant someone was targeting Freesia. In that case, Empress Rocherin’s calculations were correct. There was no safer place than at Hatz’s side—the family with the greatest power in the empire, second only to the emperor. As long as Freesia remained Hatz’s fiancée, she would be completely protected.
“Ron? What is it?”
“If the engagement is broken on our terms, you’ll gain wealth. But if it’s on the young duke’s terms…”
“Right. I’ll go bankrupt.”
“No, it’s more than that…”
Trailing off, Ron hesitated. Freesia straightened up and looked at him.
“Ron. Are you worried I’ll get hurt?”
“A little.”
“Don’t worry. I can’t like that man.”
“But what if you do?”
“I won’t. Never.”
There was no way she would. After witnessing her parents’ ruin, did he think she’d fall in love here? There is no love in this place—only bloodshed and betrayal. Love? Absolutely not.
“Where does cheating start, anyway?”
“A kiss, perhaps?”
“No! By my standards—”
“……”
“Even brushing fingertips is cheating!”
At Freesia’s declaration, Ron sighed heavily and let his shoulders slump.
“That’s too extreme.”
“…Then should we say holding hands?”
Hatz Lockin Switcherad.
Handsome, rich, capable, even with an incredible voice—a man with no flaws. There was no way women wouldn’t be throwing themselves at him. And this place was full of beautiful noble ladies. Calling a kiss cheating? Honestly, it wouldn’t even get that far. Here, it’s common for gentlemen to take a lady’s hand and kiss the back of it as a greeting.
But for a conservative Korean woman like me, that’s something I’d never get used to. My fiancé holding another woman’s hand and kissing it? That’s grounds for smashing heads. If it went as far as a kiss, it’d be a triple combo—head, solar plexus, vital points.
So the moment he even brushed fingers with another woman, it’s an immediate breakup. No—rather, the moment he holds another woman’s hand. I’ll catch him in the act.
Brimming with confidence, Freesia smiled broadly. And then, the next morning, the moment she opened her eyes, she froze.
“What is all this?”
“They’re lilac flowers sent by the young duke.”
The room was filled with an overwhelming amount of flowers. The scent of lilacs was so strong it made her nose sting. The maids kept bringing more in.
“That’s enough! Stop bringing them!”
She shouted as she kicked off the blankets and jumped out of bed. The maids carrying flower baskets froze in place. Even the ones already arranging flowers in glass vases stopped. A brief silence fell as the startled maids stared at her.
“Ah…”
They didn’t move, just stared at Freesia. It was understandable—no one had expected the quiet lady to raise her voice. Feeling the weight of their gazes, Freesia forced a gentle smile and spoke softly.
“Everyone, please step outside for now.”
The maids set the flowers down and backed out of the room. Freesia slowly surveyed the flower-filled room. Pale purple lilacs were everywhere.
Where did he even get this many lilacs?
She went to the window and opened it. A wide lawn garden stretched out before her, with marble paths on either side. Following the stream along the path led to a large fountain and a pond. She hadn’t paid much attention before, planning to leave soon, but it was a large and beautiful estate.
Leaning against the window, resting her chin in her hands and enjoying the fresh air, she noticed something.
“Huh?”
She spotted Ron and Hatz in the garden. The two of them were together on a bench on one side of the terrace—Hatz sitting with his legs crossed, Ron standing before him. Light reflected off Hatz’s wavy black hair, making it look chocolate-brown.
When the wind blew, his hair fell over his eyes. With long fingers, Hatz casually brushed it aside.
“What are they talking about?”
Suddenly, Hatz turned his gaze toward Freesia.
Startled, she quickly stepped away from the window.
She hadn’t meant to spy, but she still felt guilty. As she tried to calm her racing heart, loud noises came from outside. Five large wagons loaded with goods rolled one after another through the mansion gates.
Knock, knock.
“Your Highness, you have a guest.”
She followed the maid down to the first floor. Upon reaching the lobby, she saw a carriage parked at the entrance.
“My guest…?”
Who could it be?
As Freesia tilted her head in confusion, someone stepped out of the carriage—a young woman wearing a flamboyant hat adorned with large flowers and beads.
“Oh my~ Oh my!”
Clasping her hands, the woman hurried over with exaggerated excitement.
“Ohoho! Your Highness, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Miss Peach.”
Freesia merely nodded slightly.
“I run a dress shop in the shopping district on the outskirts of the capital.”
Peach… She seemed like a person hard to keep up with.
“Oh my goodness! You’re absolutely stunning. To finally meet the princess I’d only heard rumors about—this is such, such an honor!”
“….”
She didn’t seem like a bad person, but Freesia wasn’t sure how to respond. She gave a lukewarm smile as Peach continued to gush.
Clap, clap! Peach clapped her hands.
“Everyone~! Hurry and unload the items.”
“What items?”
“Oh my! Obviously, gifts for Her Highness.”
“What?”
At her signal, attendants began unloading large boxes from the carriage and stacking them in the lobby. Peach grabbed Freesia’s arm and dragged her into the reception room. They sat side by side on a plush sofa.
Clap, clap! Peach clapped again.
The maids brought the boxes over and began opening them one by one. Dazzling dresses, shoes, and accessories poured out, so extravagant her eyes widened.
“They’re every bit as fine as the palace dresses. All handcrafted with the highest-quality fabrics and leather—each piece made with artisans’ sweat and dedication.”
“Ah…”
“If the noble ladies hear these are gifts from the young duke, they’ll be green with envy. Hohoho!”
Unlike Peach, who smiled with a flushed face, Freesia’s mind went blank. Mountains of flowers and lavish gifts. A bit over the top—but this kind of obvious behavior from men usually meant…
“Holy crap.”
It felt like she’d been smacked on the back of the head. Hatz’s words from yesterday flashed through her mind.
“Let’s see how long you last.”
…Is this man trying to seduce me right now?!
At that moment, Hatz entered the reception room.
“Do you like them?”
The corner of his lips curved up subtly.
He’s insane! He’s trying to bankrupt me!
