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Chapter 82
The contract I first made with Ezekiel had two conditions.
One: a one-year contract marriage.
Two: stepping down after the heir contest.
Out of the two, one seemed likely to be extended indefinitely, and the other was nearing its fulfillment.
“I guess it’s about time I prepare to lose the contest. What kind of contest should we have? Do you already have something in mind?”
I was ready to lose cleanly and gracefully. That was the promise, after all.
But Michele’s expression wasn’t good. Ezekiel glanced nervously between his nephew and me.
“What’s wrong?”
At last, Michele spoke up.
“I don’t want to inherit the territory.”
The statement hit me like a blow to the back of the head.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not ready to take it over yet.”
“What are you talking about? You’re thirteen. You’re old enough.”
“No! My abilities are still lacking. Watching Aunt made me realize that.”
His words made me falter. There seemed to be more to this than I thought.
“Why do you think you’re lacking?”
Michele clenched his fists tightly on his thighs and answered firmly.
“Aunt is a clever person. You think up new businesses none of us ever considered, and you pay attention to people and things we overlooked.”
…That was a little embarrassing.
“I even took a break from the academy to stay here just so I could watch what you were doing.”
I already knew that. After taking leave, he had been helping with the territory’s affairs, or traveling with me to the capital, trying to experience as much as he could.
“Aunt embraces all kinds of people. Compared to that, my perspective is still narrow. If I kept the heir’s seat when there’s someone better than me, I’d feel awful.”
“But even if I’m heir, I’ll still be Duchess. In fact, I can do more as Duchess.”
“……”
“Your becoming heir doesn’t shrink my work or influence in the slightest.”
“Still, Aunt, please hold onto the heir’s seat.”
Michele was resolute.
“When the time comes and I’m ready to challenge you, I’ll take it back with my own strength.”
There was determination in the boy’s eyes.
“Understand? Don’t throw the contest on purpose. If I can’t catch up to you in the end, then don’t hand me the heirship until you die of old age.”
That was Michele Betra’s pride. My nose stung with emotion at how admirable he was.
“Michele, you’ve grown. If that’s what you want, then this Aunt will hold the heir’s seat.”
“I admire your spirit, too,” Ezekiel added. “Go ahead and try.”
Encouraged by our response, the young boy smiled brightly.
“Everyone, just watch me.”
And so the heir contest scheduled for March was canceled. Someday, when Michele finished preparing himself, we would have a true contest. Until then, I only had to wait for the child to grow.
A few days later—
“Happy birthday!”
On the day with the double threes, Michele’s birthday banquet was held in a lively atmosphere.
There was no contest, but since it was the birthday of the Betra family’s potential heir, many people attended.
“You seem in good spirits lately.”
“I made some money investing in Lotto.”
Ollie, flush with his new windfall, brought expensive gifts.
“This one’s for the young master, this one’s for madam.”
“Why give my aunt a present when it’s my birthday?”
“Since I was already preparing, I thought I’d bring double.”
“Why not triple?”
“Because I myself am a gift to Your Highness!”
“Winning the Lotto’s made you forget your place, hasn’t it?”
“Eek!”
Also present was Valentina, representing the Betra merchants.
“Another shipment of rare tea leaves from overseas arrived. And since I’m opening a dessert shop soon, I brought some new cakes and cookies for everyone to taste and give feedback.”
“This is delicious. If you sell this, it’ll be a hit.”
Thanks to her, we ate plenty of good food. President Wharton grabbed a cookie from the towering pile and took a bite.
“The taste is superb. You can feel the craftsmanship. I was craving something sweet while working, so this is perfect.”
Vivian Wharton, somewhat swept up in the moment, presented her gift: a small cravat and vest for Michele.
“I made it in the same design as adult men’s formal wear, since you’re now a young man.”
Michele, who longed to grow up, liked this gift the best.
The banquet ripened with food, drink, and music. After finishing her chat with President Wharton, Anna came over to me.
“Soon it will be you and master’s first wedding anniversary, won’t it?”
“Yes. We married in April, so it’s almost one year.”
Not only our wedding anniversary, but also the first anniversary of our contract. We made the contract in March, and married in April.
“I’ve been working on something for months for you, madam.”
According to Anna, it was a gift for both me and Ezekiel. Matilda whispered a hint.
“Anna showed me already. It’s beautiful.”
“What is it? Clothes you made yourself?”
Anna proudly declared:
“A first-anniversary dress for you, and formal wear for master.”
I noticed the bandages on her fingers. My heart swelled. She had made them stitch by stitch, with us in mind. She’d only just begun learning the craft, and yet she worked so hard to complete them.
“Thank you.”
Now I couldn’t wait for the anniversary. Ever since my husband whispered in my ear, “Expect the best day,” my heart had been fluttering.
What would happen? With everyone preparing something, it was bound to be joyous.
But before that day came, I had a ritual to perform.
About twenty days after Michele’s birthday party.
Today was a secret anniversary known only to those inside the mansion.
Thus the invitees were only Ezekiel, me, Ollie, Alfredo, and Michele.
“Since everyone is here, let’s go to the chapel.”
The Betra territory had a shrine to the regional deity, but also a cathedral, since they had accepted the state religion.
Even my marriage to Ezekiel had taken place in the state church’s cathedral.
So the ducal mansion held both a chapel to the main god and one for the state religion.
“Today we’ll use the state church chapel. There, we can avoid outside eyes and hold our ceremony in secret.”
The solemnly dressed group entered the chapel and locked the doors.
Inside resembled a small church, with bright lighting. The soft morning sunlight felt warm, like our mood.
“Then, who will officiate the vow?”
“Ollie did it last time, so let him do it again.”
A year ago today, we had written our contract and vowed to live as husband and wife for one year.
Now, we gathered to dissolve the expired contract.
“Though many terms were bent, the one-year sham marriage ends here.”
Administrator Ollie, blessed with sacred authority, brought out the two contracts. As signatories, Ezekiel and I placed our hands on them and recited the dissolution incantation.
“Papers that have fulfilled their purpose, return to nature.”
The ink glowed gold, then turned black and burned away. New words appeared upon the parchment:
[Contract Terminated]
This phrase only appeared when both parties genuinely desired to end it. The contract was officially nullified.
“Then this paper can be kept as a keepsake.”
Ollie’s light remark filled me with relief. It was over. No more waiting anxiously for our relationship to expire. No more strange tug-of-war with my husband.
“Congratulations on ending your life as a couple with an expiration date.”
Ezekiel wrapped his arm around my waist, joking slyly.
“Add congratulations for becoming a couple forever, while you’re at it.”
Ollie and the others broke into broad smiles.
“Of course. Congratulations!”
“Congratulations!”
“Wishing you happiness forever, Your Highness and Madam!”
Amid applause and joyful gazes, the contract ended.
And so, our life as a true married couple began.
