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Chapter 2
Edward, left alone in the Grand Duke’s reception room, did not feel lonely at all. Instead, he was busy looking around.
“Just as expected of a Grand Duke’s house. To fill a room with such top-quality items.”
The reception room was like the face of a noble house, so decorating it beautifully was natural. But arranging such luxurious, elegant, and formal items in perfect harmony was not easy.
Edward admired the room with the eyes of a pure merchant. Then he remembered why he came and touched the ring box in his chest.
Even though he confidently said in front of Henry and Hector that he was going to propose, Edward was afraid.
“I don’t want to be rejected.”
He sighed and sat on the sofa.
Since no tea was served, it seemed like a subtle complaint about him visiting without an appointment. But sending a letter to schedule a meeting felt too formal. Edward, who wanted romance, didn’t want that method at all.
He didn’t want to meet Diana as part of business.
“I’m used to waiting.”
So he decided to relax. There was no need to rush.
Edward de Mare. The richest man in the empire.
His grandfather’s generation had a successful merchant group. In his father’s time, it became one of the top five. And when Edward became the head, it became the greatest merchant group on the continent.
Money and power were inseparable.
Even though he held more wealth than high nobles, he never stepped forward. He quietly increased his wealth.
All for this moment.
“Thank you for waiting. My lady will come down shortly.”
“No problem. The room is so beautiful that I lost track of time while looking around.”
Fides paused for a moment after seeing Edward’s smile, then bowed and served tea. Even for another man, it was a warm and handsome smile that lowered one’s guard.
“Please wait a little longer.”
After the butler left, Edward finally felt nervous. He clenched his hands and rubbed them on his thighs, feeling sweat.
Then the door opened.
“Sorry for making you wait.”
Edward immediately stood up and turned toward Diana.
The woman with pale golden hair and golden eyes approached slowly, speaking as if she wasn’t sorry at all.
“Nice to meet you.”
“It’s an honor, Grand Duke’s daughter of Kailum.”
As he bowed politely, his silver hair fell like snow.
“I am Baron Edward de Mare.”
“I’ve heard of your reputation.”
Diana greeted him briefly instead of using full formal etiquette. But Edward didn’t seem to mind at all. When she sat down, he slowly sat across from her.
Not being allowed to kiss a lady’s hand could be an insult. Diana looked at his face, but he showed no reaction.
“I wonder what brings you here without an appointment.”
“Please forgive my rudeness.”
Edward smiled gently.
“It’s embarrassing to say this myself, but I am a fairly famous merchant.”
“How humble.”
“So I’m quick at understanding what others want.”
Diana silently looked at him, as if telling him to continue.
“It seems the Grand Duke’s daughter is very busy and wants me to get to the point.”
Her expression stiffened for a moment, then relaxed. It seemed her pride was hurt that he saw through her so easily.
“If you know that, then get to the point, Baron.”
“Very well.”
Edward stood up, stepped forward, and knelt properly. He took out the ring box and opened it.
“My lady, please marry me.”
Diana’s face twisted badly.
“What?”
“You need it. A stand-in husband.”
To inherit a noble title, a woman must have a husband.
Diana remembered the imperial law and looked at him coldly. Edward simply smiled.
“One year.”
“……”
“After four seasons pass, I will leave your side… no, the Grand Duke’s side.”
* * *
“Are you crazy, sister?!”
“I’m not crazy, so be quiet. How unrefined.”
“Is this the time to talk about refinement?! You’re saying I’m getting a brother-in-law?!”
“To be exact, a future brother-in-law.”
Diana quietly looked at the diamond ring on her left hand.
It was decorated with diamonds and sapphire. For something given by the richest man on the continent, it was rather simple.
“You’re really marrying that Baron Mare…”
“It’s a contract marriage.”
“What?! Really?!”
Diana looked at the ring again. The sapphire reminded her of his eyes—clear, blue like the sea.
“The term is one year. He said I can use him during that time.”
“…Is it because of inheriting the title?”
“Yes.”
She remembered his face when he said “stand-in husband.”
“That’s too fast… Did you tell father?”
“I already did.”
“…Isn’t that too quick?”
“He liked it.”
Dietrich fell silent.
“What if he refuses to divorce?!”
“He gave me this.”
Diana took out a golden key.
“What is that?”
“A vault key from the Operum Bank of Libertas.”
Libertas was a free city near the empire. No kingdom or empire could control it. Its banks held hidden wealth of powerful people across the continent.
“He said all documents related to the Mare Guild’s entire fortune are stored there.”
Dietrich’s face turned pale.
“…That means…”
The Mare Guild was the richest on the continent.
“And those documents can be immediately processed—debts, bills, property ownership…”
“…What does he gain from this marriage? W-what if he tries something with you—”
“He said he won’t even touch me.”
“……”
“Without my permission.”
He didn’t want money, power, or even her body.
“…He’s insane.”
“I know. That’s why I called him crazy.”
“…To his face?”
“Yes.”
She remembered him smiling even after hearing that.
“…You two are perfect for each other.”
“Really?”
“He seems crazy, but I kind of like him.”
His conditions were honest.
“He doesn’t even need fame. He already has everything… maybe he just doesn’t need anything anymore?”
Diana remembered his words:
“The honor of being the first husband of a beautiful Grand Duke.”
“…Sister? Are you hot?”
“No. I’m cold.”
“He doesn’t play tricks, doesn’t send endless proposals, doesn’t stalk you… he’s not bad.”
Is he not afraid of the Emperor?
At that thought, Diana clenched her fist.
The Emperor—the old fox.
“…He came to me himself, asking to be used.”
“He said he’ll become a son-in-law?”
“Completely insane.”
Ignoring Dietrich, Diana muttered:
“I am Diana de Kailum.”
She had no intention of becoming “Mare.”
She was Kailum.
“Uber.”
At her call, a golden flame appeared on her shoulder.
“Long time no see, Uber.”
“Hello.”
The spirit Uber only favored Kailum—and especially Diana.
“Uber, I’m cold.”
“…Really?”
“Yes, really.”
Seeing her slightly red cheeks, Uber quietly warmed the room.
* * *
“Extra! Extra!”
Children shouted while holding stacks of newspapers.
“Grand Duke’s daughter of Kailum is marrying Baron Mare!”
What sounded like a child’s joke… was actually becoming reality.
