Chapter 26. Please Marry Me

The basic principle of a transaction is give and take.

You cannot demand something from the other party without paying any price.

Knowing that, I did not come empty-handed.

Of course, what I would offer him was intangible information…

Last night, I used the magic of foresight again. This time, it wasn’t ‘a future I would personally experience,’ so it wasn’t in the first person. I was merely able to peek at a segment of the future through a mirror.

But even that was helpful enough. Because I obtained information that could be passed on to Enoch Bayern as the price for our ‘transaction.’

‘That man seems to lead a self-destructive and lazy life in many ways…’

But he seemed very interested in accumulating assets.

It was a time when large-scale manufacturing and foreign trade were beginning to flourish. Capital was power, and it determined how noble a life one could live.

Enoch Bayern seemed sensitive to such trends, and while pretending to be indifferent to political power, he tried not to lose his influence. Probably because he couldn’t stand being swayed here and there under someone else’s authority.

‘And also about the hostile country Atreos…’

That would be a condition Enoch Bayern wouldn’t miss in a deal.

Strength filled my clenched fist. It was then that I heard a polite and cautious voice.

“His Highness the Grand Duke is in the reception room on the first floor. Since a guest is here… If you don’t mind, could you wait in the waiting room across the hall?”

“Hmm… I will.”

I had left the social party I attended with Helene today under the excuse of ‘not feeling well,’ so I had to finish this ‘transaction’ as quickly as possible and return to the Lopez residence. It would be troublesome if I aroused unnecessary suspicion.

So, I hoped the guest who arrived at the reception room before me wouldn’t take too long…

“This way is the waiting room.”

“Thank you.”

The comfort of the waiting room, into which I was guided, wrapped around my tense body. I sighed and carefully sat on the plush sofa. In my mind, the lines I had practiced several times since this morning were repeating.

‘Please marry me.’

‘I have magic.’

‘In just a year, I will neatly disappear from your sight.’

‘It would be a good deal for Your Highness as well.’

And so on…

No matter how much I thought about it, the words sounded weak.

I wasn’t very confident that I could persuade the great Enoch Bayern with just that.

If I don’t succeed, I won’t be able to avoid the worst future.

The resolution to die by my own choice, even if it meant death, was unwavering and firm.

* * *

“Are you really going to marry Iris Philoan?”

Enoch lightly chewed over the question that flew in. It was a rare holiday for him, with no schedule, but this guy had come out of the blue and was being annoying. Even just boasting about the gift he received from his lover earlier had already worn down Enoch’s patience.

“Get lost to that opera house where your lover is waiting.”

“No, I came all the way here out of concern.”

“Concern, my foot.”

Enoch took a sip of the whiskey in his glass, letting out a cynical laugh. Warren, who was lounging on the sofa cushion, nudged him gently.

“I don’t really like that lady from the Philoan family. She’s pretty, but…”

“If it’s not your lovely Mercedes, everyone else must be not good enough for you.”

“No, you idiot. I mean, she’s not good as a person. Kind of… how should I put it. Ah, whatever. There’s just something.”

Warren frowned and tousled his dark brown hair wildly. His already messy curly hair looked even more ridiculous, and Enoch clicked his tongue inwardly.

Enoch was well aware of what kind of family the Philoan Marquisate was and what kind of lady their cherished youngest daughter was. He just wasn’t interested. After all, he had no intention of marrying anyone.

However, it was a bit annoying. Even Roelyn, who had a different kind of obsession with him than Henry, had sent him a long letter.

Roelyn Frederick.

The youngest of the four royal siblings.

To Enoch, she was a half-sister, but Roelyn followed him more than her two biological brothers.

One was too rigid, and the other was a complete scoundrel, so it was understandable.

“I have no intention of marrying Lady Philoan. Actually, it’s more accurate to say I have no intention of marrying anyone.”

Warren’s eyes widened at Enoch’s calm words. Then, a look that said, ‘This guy still hasn’t grown up,’ met his gaze. Naturally, Enoch easily ignored it.

“If you’re done, get lost. I’m planning to relax now.”

“Isn’t it enough to rest all day? You lazy bum. Want to go play cards at the club?”

“What’s the point of gambling with idiots?”

“True, you clean them out whenever you sit down… Oh, by the way.”

As if he had just remembered, Warren snapped his fingers. Enoch merely observed him indifferently, whatever he said would probably be pointless. Without any expectations, Enoch poured more whiskey into his mouth…

“That youngest son of Baron Lopez. Apparently, he caused quite a scandal recently.”

Lopez. The moment that name fell from Warren’s lips, Enoch’s gaze changed. Thud, the sound of him placing the whiskey glass on the table resonated dully. Warren read the annoyed interest in Enoch’s eyes that met his.

Sure, I knew you’d be interested. Warren suppressed a budding smile and continued speaking.

“Seems he incurred a huge gambling debt. Looks like he got involved with some nasty folks. You know Viscount Gillen? That guy with the shady finances.”

“I know.”

“Looks like he got fleeced by Gillen’s gang. Not sure if it’s true, but there’s a rumor that Viscount Gillen’s financial backer is Marquis Anderson…”

“……”

Enoch’s gaze turned sharply to the side.

Warren chose to remain silent and took a long drink of his whiskey. By now, the sharp Enoch Bayern would have figured it all out. The connection between the ruckus Marquis Anderson made to marry poor Ellenore Lopez and the gambling debt of the youngest son of the Lopez family.

Sure enough, a fierce sneer crossed Enoch’s lips.

And those eyes.

“Those bastards.”

Eyes that looked ready to kill someone.

Warren silently agreed, chewing on the ice in his mouth. Indeed, the Anderson and Gillen gang were the kind of people who invoked a chronic hatred of humanity in Enoch Bayern.

Although it seemed the anger in those golden eyes was not just because of that.

Warren recalled the girl who seemed like a faint, wavering presence. In the dazzling social circles, the air around her was indeed unique. Or rather, out of place. Like an unknown sapling growing wildly among neatly trimmed garden trees.

So, it was only natural to be drawn to her.

Of course, I would still choose my Mercedes over anyone else, but I understand why Enoch is like that.

…Well, it doesn’t seem like he’s aware of it himself.

As Warren swallowed the ice that had melted to the size of a grain of sand, his gaze fell on the clock on the wall. 3:29 PM. Mercedes’ performance would start soon.

His lover, a famous opera singer, was at the peak of her career. ‘I won’t be in the spotlight for long, so please don’t miss my prime performances.’ Warren diligently kept that promise.

Today, too, he grinned at the joy that the arrogant Enoch Bayern would never understand and got up from his seat. As soon as he did, he felt a gaze asking if he was finally leaving.

What a loveless guy. Still, I’ll stay as his friend. Praising his loyal self, Warren was about to speak when…

Knock, knock.

A knock on the door was followed by the low voice of Hubert, the house steward managing this mansion.

“Your Highness, Lady Ellenore Lopez has arrived. I have shown her to the waiting room for now…”

Then, surprisingly, honest emotions surfaced on Enoch’s face. Surprise, interest, and perhaps, expectation.

Witnessing this, Warren thought that the relationship between that lady and Enoch might not end as a mere scandal. It was almost a feeling of certainty.

* * *

Not even ten minutes after entering the waiting room, I was guided to the reception room. I never found out who the previous guest was, but I suspected it might have been Lady Penelope Ashwood. She seemed to meet with Grand Duke Bayern quite often.

However, the idea that she and the Grand Duke were in a sweet relationship, as the rumors suggested… honestly, was hard to imagine. Enoch Bayern looking at someone as if he couldn’t stand how lovely they were, something like that…

“What are you daydreaming about? If you’re here, sit down.”

The voice snapped me back to reality. When I looked up, there was a man with his usual indifferent expression, leaning against the sofa… no, almost lying down. Perhaps because of his jet-black hair, he resembled a languid black panther.

“So, what brings you here?”

“Well…”

“You didn’t come to play with me, did you?”

I couldn’t hide my bewilderment at his teasing joke and hesitated for a moment. Then, as I sat across from him, I was startled by what I saw on the table.

All sorts of cookies, cakes, tarts… A porcelain teapot and teacup set with beautiful patterns.

“……”

What is all this?

Could it be that he had arranged for tea? This man?

“Ah.”

He let out a small exclamation as if he had just remembered the existence of the tea, and then, in a rather indifferent tone, he said,

“Eat.”

“……”

I muttered a belated “Thank you.” Of course, I had no intention of actually enjoying the tea. Eating anything in front of that man would probably give me indigestion.

“So, why did you come? Did you suddenly decide to become my mistress?”

“No…”

Once again, I failed to hide my astonishment. It was surprising that he still said such things. It seemed like he was just throwing it out there without any real thought.

“The reason I came to see Your Highness today is…”

I fidgeted with my hands and trailed off. Even though I had practiced over a hundred times, it was hard to get the words out when the moment came.

The man’s eyes watching me were quickly losing patience. Afraid of missing the hard-earned opportunity, I took a deep breath and, as if throwing a bomb, I said,

“Please marry me.”