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“Lady Whitehouse?”
Just as Marie was debating whether she should turn back, someone called her name in a low voice.
“…Lieutenant Josh?”
“Yes. I’m glad I made it in time.”
“…What brings you here?”
Josh smiled awkwardly. He was dressed more formally than usual.
“The Duke has asked me to escort you.”
“I understand.”
She didn’t know the reason, but since it was a request from an important investor, there was no reason to refuse.
—
A short while later…
“…This is?”
The carriage of the Duke of Bloodstone brought them to a shop in the city.
The store seemed to have closed for the day. The lights were dim, and the display area was hidden behind curtains.
“He’s here?”
“Yes. Please go in.”
Click.
At the end of a dark corridor, a door to a VIP room lined with red velvet opened.
Inside, the Duke of Bloodstone was drinking tea.
“You called for me, Your Grace?”
“Come in.”
He stood to bow slightly, then sat back down.
As Marie took a seat across from him, an attendant promptly brought her tea.
“Thank you.”
Marie fiddled with the teacup’s handle and studied the man in front of her.
‘What’s going on all of a sudden?’
He was dressed in luxurious silk evening attire. His firm chest muscles were clearly visible beneath the smooth fabric.
Without realizing it, Marie’s eyes wandered to Calix’s well-built chest.
A handsome man with bulging pecs on a bed, shirtless…
She recalled the cover of How to Capture a Virile Husband.
Even with only the upper body exposed, the male lead’s expression and atmosphere had been incredibly provocative.
‘Virile… Just how virile are we talking?’
She regretted not having read that part yet.
“…Is something wrong?”
Calix, noticing Marie staring at his chest, asked.
“Ahem! No, not at all.”
Even his black mask matched his evening attire—it was also made of silk. The mask’s subtle sheen made his crimson eyes appear even more intense.
‘Did he just shower or something?’
There was a faint scent of soap wafting from him, and his damp black hair added to the illusion.
Though unlikely, it seemed he had rushed over without drying his hair completely.
For a moment, it even felt like his gaze was fixed on her lips.
It was as if the two of them were alone in the VIP room… and the atmosphere felt seductively charged.
“……”
Marie felt an inexplicable thirst and instinctively bit her lower lip.
“Lady Whitehouse.”
“Yes?”
She noticed a strange restraint in his tone.
Though he spoke calmly, he leaned slightly forward.
“I’d like you to consider this as a business proposal—from one entrepreneur to another.”
“Please go on.”
He awkwardly brushed back his bangs.
“His Majesty the King is pressuring me to marry.”
“Marry…?”
“Yes. He’s pushing for a royal marriage with a princess from the Empire, who will visit Leongrad in three months.”
‘Princess Laila!’
Marie stiffened and bit her lip. The female lead was about to enter the story.
“And what exactly are you proposing to me?”
“I want you to pretend to be my lover until the princess returns to the Empire. When she departs, I’ll pay you 10 billion Billies.”
“But she’s…!”
Marie was so startled she jumped to her feet.
‘She’s going to be your wife!’
She almost shouted it aloud.
‘Are you asking me to sabotage the female lead’s wedding?’
She needed to hear more before reacting.
Marie sat back down, shaking her head.
“Sorry. I was just surprised.”
“I understand. It would be strange not to be surprised.”
“May I ask why you’re making this proposal?”
“If I have a lover, the King will stop pressuring me to marry.”
His tone was dry, as if it were no big deal.
“B-but what if you actually fall in love with the princess? Maybe you’ll want to marry her…”
“Hmph.”
Calix chuckled.
“……”
When he smiled, Marie couldn’t take her eyes off his delicate lips. They were sensually shaped, every movement alluring.
But the voice that came from them was firm.
“That won’t happen.”
“So… all I have to do is pretend to be your lover?”
“Yes.”
‘This man… Once he meets the princess, he’s definitely going to fall in love with her.’
To an ordinary noble lady, such a proposal might be outrageous.
Pretending to date someone in public, then breaking up, could tarnish a young noblewoman’s reputation.
But Marie wasn’t just any noble lady—she had a modern mindset.
‘It’s not a bad deal for me at all.’
Pretending to date and then breaking up didn’t seem like a big deal.
Especially since she didn’t have a penny to her name right now.
‘Ten billion Billies? Just to pretend to be in love? My God. How rich is this man?’
It might not be enough to save Whitehouse entirely, but it’d be more than enough for a secure life.
“……”
Then she noticed Calix clenching and unclenching his fists.
He was clearly nervous too.
‘No matter how rich he is, it must’ve been hard to bring up this proposal.’
It helped Marie regain her composure.
She couldn’t just jump into such a big contract without negotiation.
Clearing her throat, she spoke evenly.
“But… breaking up with a publicly acknowledged lover would leave a noble lady with a huge stain on her reputation. It’s hard to trade my honor for money…”
“Thirty billion.”
“I accept.”
Marie shot to her feet and offered a handshake.
But Calix looked flustered and tried to stop her.
“No, this is… something you should carefully consider.”
“I did. I gave it serious thought.”
“……”
Calix recomposed himself and took her hand.
“Alright. Then the deal is sealed.”
At that moment, the door opened and a short, plump madam entered.
“Have you finished your conversation?”
She was twisting her hands like an eager child waiting for candy.
Looking at them with gleaming eyes, she asked excitedly:
“Duke, shall I proceed as you instructed?”
“Yes. All the dresses and accessories. Prepare everything needed for various occasions and locations.”
“Excuse me?”
Marie gasped.
‘Surely she doesn’t mean all that’s for me?’
The madam gasped in joy, then squealed in excitement:
“Oh my, Lady! How is your skin so flawless? Your hair is like silk! And this slim figure!”
She looked about ready to pull out a measuring tape on the spot.
“Uh, Madam? I didn’t come here to get fitted for clothes. I’m just here to talk to the Duke…”
Marie flailed in panic.
But Calix calmly instructed:
“Bring everything a noble lady needs. Start with something appropriate for tonight’s ball.”
“Oh my, Duke! Then we’ll need over fifty outfits right away! There are bonnets and hats, daytime dresses, evening gowns, not to mention shoes and accessories in every color and style, and also…”
The madam gasped for air as she rattled off a mile-long list.
The atmosphere practically buzzed with the thought of how much money she stood to earn.
“Just a moment…”
Still speechless, Marie finally came to her senses.
Dozens of dresses? Jewelry?
“…Your Grace, I appreciate the thought, but I can’t accept such excessive generosity.”
She politely declined.
“This isn’t generosity. Please accept it comfortably.”
“…If not generosity, then what is it?”
Marie responded stiffly.
Receiving extravagant gifts from someone who wasn’t even her real lover was overwhelming.
Click.
Calix set down his teacup with a surprised expression.
As he leaned back in his chair, an aura of power and wealth surrounded him.
“I’ve decided I should take a closer look at whether you’re actually capable of running a business.”
His tone turned cold. His crimson eyes were sharp—like a true businessman.
The heated atmosphere from earlier suddenly cooled.
“…Please go on.”
“Should the representative of a business dress like that?”
“Pardon?”
Caught off guard, Marie couldn’t argue.
She had just seen with her own eyes how other noble ladies dressed at the ballroom.
“I understand noble ladies of high birth change their entire wardrobe each social season, choosing outfits and accessories suited for every occasion.”
He spoke with an even tone.
“And yet, you intend to meet such women dressed unprepared?”
“Oh…”
“People make many judgments based on appearances. Every move you make reflects on the business I’ve invested in.”
Suddenly, Marie had a realization.
‘This is about investment management!’
He clearly believed this interior design business was worth investing in.
But it also meant he didn’t fully trust her yet.
“And… even if we suddenly claim to be lovers, no one will believe us. That’s why we must gradually act more familiar in public.”
“Then… are you saying you’ll be my partner for tonight’s ball?”
“Yes. And once people believe we’re lovers, your every action will reflect directly on me.”
“…!”
Marie nodded slowly.
‘So if I walk around looking shabby, it’ll hurt his reputation too…’
Now that he’d clarified this was a business investment, Marie felt a little more at ease.
“That makes sense. I wasn’t thinking clearly. Thank you for your consideration.”
Calix’s red eyes seemed to soften slightly.
It almost felt like he was smiling.
Like
he was relieved to finally be able to shower her with extravagant clothing and jewelry.
“You’re very welcome.”
As Calix gave the signal, the madam burst into delighted laughter.
“Alright! I’ll make you the belle of the ball, my lady!”
