Episode 15

-For me, there is only him.

Oh my goodness. This must be Ezekiel’s speech at the royal ball for married couples held in the capital.

The ‘that person’ mentioned there was not me, according to the circumstances.

It was an event only open to high-ranking nobles, above the count’s. The joy of not having to meet those pesky Viscounts was fleeting.

A shocking story came out of Ezekiel’s mouth as he greeted the noble elders whom he had not seen in a long time.

The trigger was a question from the eldest duke of the neighboring territory: “Young man, do you have someone in mind these days?”

“Of course there is.”

“Oh my. Did I ask something so obvious?”

It was a mischievous joke, made with the thought that since we had only recently gotten married, it would be natural for me to be the one ‘in love’.

But Ezekiel, who had been silent, pressed his lips together, as if he believed that only the words he was about to utter were the truth.

“Yes. For me, there is only him.”

It seemed like everyone there thought I was “that person.” I could feel the envy and playful stares pouring down on me.

But I could tell.

‘That answer is not acting.’

Ezekiel already had someone in mind, as is often the case with nobles who marry for political reasons.

At that moment, I remembered his fate as determined in the original work.

Monica Conte, a saint of sunshine from the slums and Ezekiel’s original partner.

If the two of you are meant to be, wouldn’t you have already met somehow?

What if the original was twisted and we met sooner?

“Oh my God, my Heavens! Was I being greedy for something I shouldn’t have been?”

Honestly, I felt sad. Even after experiencing all sorts of unfortunate stories, I was left as a perpetual sidekick, unable to take the lead role.

I was so upset that I couldn’t even ask Ezekiel outright.

‘He doesn’t even know that I know Monica Conte.’

I sat in the cloakroom, hugging my knees, absentmindedly mulling over my fate.

I thought that since I knew the original and the future of this world, I could change my life.

But I guess that wasn’t it.

As great as the expectations and hopes were, the aftershock of despair was considerable.

I could hear an orchestra playing downstairs.

Eight. After thinking for a while, I swept through the empty room alone and danced to the music.

Even though I don’t have a partner, I’m proud of my dancing skills.

… … I absolutely did not win alone. Absolutely not!

***

Finally, the present.

Exactly two weeks after I returned from the ball.

The next day at dinner I was shocked when my husband avoided me just by hearing my footsteps!

I fell asleep while looking at the picture frame and reminiscing, and then woke up in bed with my hair all messed up and wearing a negligee.

The first thing that caught my eye was the picture frame neatly placed upside down on the bedside table. It was the work of art I’d created in a fit of rage the night before.

It felt a bit bittersweet. Realizing that this wasn’t my permanent home made everything feel unfamiliar.

‘It was a city I really liked.’

Although I was still feeling depressed, I decided to pull myself together.

I was in shock for 10 months and felt like I would be better off doing something else than just craving my husband’s love.

‘I still have networking and business to build.’

… … Let’s also find a way to survive while being moderately greedy.

‘I’m cautious about what I can accomplish with the title of Duchess.’

First of all, what did the female protagonists of romance novels who succeeded in contract marriages like me do?

‘It was 90 percent business.’

“Anna. This place thrives on trade, so it’s sensitive to foreign trends, isn’t it?”

“Yes, I heard that.”

First, I had a meeting with Anna.

Ever since I heard the Duke’s remark at the ball, Anna had been watching my every move and trying to please me.

“As far as I know, there are quite a few wealthy enthusiasts who only deal in foreign goods.”

“That’s right! I also took a vacation the afternoon before yesterday and went out, and I saw quite a few wealthy people from out of town just browsing imported goods stores.”

“Have you seen the imported goods?”

“No… I guess it’s because it’s a precious item, but they only say they handle such things and don’t show it to me easily.”

It was as expected. I had a similar experience when I went out with Ezekiel before we were married.

“Look at this. The merchants of Vetra treasure their wares so much that they keep them hidden.”

No matter how precious an item is, if you don’t see it in person, fewer people will buy it. Seeing it with your own eyes stimulates the desire to buy.

Otherwise, why would there have been something like a shop window in the shopping mall in my previous life?

So, if I were to open a large import goods store and make a display window… … .

‘Wait a minute. What good would it do if my business did well, since I’m the Duchess of Vetra anyway?’

In this city, the only thing that made me money was the tyranny of big business.

Let’s develop it into an idea for everyone.

As soon as I got inspiration, I wrote down in a notebook what I needed to do.

[Promotion of Imported Goods Purchases -> Window Installation Proposal!]

“I should talk to Ezekiel. If it’s about managing the estate, I’m sure he’ll listen.”

I’m talking about seeing your face, even if it’s just for show.

Anna, who had been watching me carefully as I fiddled around, had bright eyes.

“Isn’t that the notebook you’ve been using since the time you wrote it?”

“That’s right. It’s my inanimate friend.”

“Madam, you like writing.”

“Whenever I spoke, my family would scold me, but when I wrote, I could write as much as I wanted without anyone saying anything. That’s why I felt comfortable.”

“lady…….”

After embracing each other for a moment and comforting each other, we parted ways, telling each other to stay strong. A few tears welled up in our eyes.

“Ezekiel. Are you in there? I have something I need to tell you.”

I had to tell him several times that it was about the estate before I could enter his office.

As expected, my guess was right. Ezekiel let me in on work-related matters.

I spoke about what I had just thought, looking out the open window at the back of my spacious study, where a map was posted, and the wide canal of Betra was visible.

“I think this is an idea that might be helpful to Vetra. What do you think?”

“……Are you saying you’re just going to leave those expensive items on display and let them rot?”

Ezekiel was not pleased.

“What if I leave my stuff in plain sight and someone steals it?”

“You can just use the special defensive glass made at the Magic Tower. Plus, the security guards patrol the commercial arcade area, so you’ll be fine.”

Pioneers are inherently lonely. I did my best to explain to him the necessity of a product display window.

“There are quite a few unfamiliar items coming in from overseas, aren’t there? People tend to avoid buying things they don’t even know exist. The idea is to show them that and pique their curiosity.”

“But Betra is already a prosperous trading territory.”

“What if I could make it sell better in exchange for displaying a few items?”

If we stimulate purchasing desire, out-of-towners will spend more, ultimately revitalizing the city’s economy.

“It’ll take some time to implement this in all stores, but you can leave that to me. I don’t have anything else to do anyway.”

Ezekiel gently interrupted me.

“Didn’t we end the conversation by saying that we won’t get involved in the territory?”

“That, that meant I shouldn’t just take the successor training, right?”

“Just don’t worry about Vetra at all. Just stay still.”

He shook his head.

“But I also came up with an idea of my own….”

“You don’t need that kind of affection for Vetra. You’re the kind of person who’ll leave this city after a year.”

“I am……!”

I started to cry without realizing it, and then I barely managed to close my mouth.

I’ve thought about this countless times while looking at the Betra territory and meeting its people.

I want to continue living in this city.

Even if I’m not a duchess, I think it’s okay to just live as an ordinary person.

But it was something I couldn’t say.

“Please leave now.”

I was kicked out of the office with Ollie’s awkward but kind assistance.

The office door was firmly closed again this time.

No, I understand that you are worried that I might interfere in the succession plan.

‘Do I really have to go this far?’

I just gave my opinion, but he kicked me out because he felt it was interference, but he was already deeply in love with another woman.

What am I supposed to do here for 10 months? Just rot away?

-Useless. That’s why my mother left me as soon as I was born. I’m such an unfilial son who couldn’t even protect his mother’s life.

My heart sank as I recalled the words I had heard from my grandmother a long time ago.

Thanks to that, I sobbed all the way back to my room. By the time I finally reached the door, the tears had all dried.

Okay. Let’s just give up. Let’s just sit still and not bother to install anything.

… … No, but.

‘Are you really going to give up like this?’

I, too, want to do something. I want to speak out as the mistress of the Duke’s house.

If I neglect my work, there will definitely be gossip.

Even the Duke’s servants will ignore me, who can’t even express an opinion.

And the same helpless days are repeating again… … .

‘I hate you!’

This time I will definitely do it.

After making up my mind, I headed back to Ezekiel’s office.

dripping.

As soon as the door opened, I pushed Ollie aside and went in, pouring out what I wanted to say.