Chapter 1.4

Luette began drafting a letter to Solnia a week after their meeting.  

As always, the desk in his study was lined with portraits of ladies, waiting for his selection.  

“You know better than anyone that dragging things out only leads to trouble.” 

Luette’s mother, the Duchess of Trovill, said as she lifted her teacup with an elegant gesture.

“By next month, you’ll have to show your face at every event, big or small. Like last year, with that grim expression of yours. Of course, it’s not all bad for me—I’ll still have my handsome son by my side, even if his face is as sour as ever.”  

As his mother mentioned, the social season would begin next month.  

It was the season of patience: attending dull social gatherings, appeasing noblewomen desperate to marry off their daughters, and squeezing out nonexistent charm to entertain ladies who hung on his every expression and glance.  

“There are plenty of gentlemen who live unmarried. Lord Amod, for instance, is still single.”  

Lord Amod was his mother’s youngest brother. Despite announcing numerous engagements, he remained a lifelong bachelor—though his lovers reportedly changed frequently.  

“Why bring that fool up now?”  

The Duchess of Trovill frowned deeply.  

“He’s a disgrace to the family. You know that, don’t you? I would never stand by and watch my son live like that.”  

“…”  

“And I certainly won’t stand by and let someone else take the title.”  

Her last words were a bit frightening. The Duchess of Trovill’s sharp features made even a slight narrowing of her eyes feel intimidating. As a child, Luette had gauged her anger by how furrowed her brow became.  

“It’s absurd. Since when did being unmarried disqualify someone from inheriting a title?”  

“People will find any excuse to make it an issue. Especially if a gentleman of marriageable age remains single—there’s bound to be speculation about what’s wrong with him.”  

“Do you think there’s something wrong with me, Mother?”  

“A little.”  

Luette sighed and rubbed his forehead. The Duchess seized the opportunity to push several portraits toward him.  

“These are obedient young ladies. They’ll overlook your flaws and endure your difficult personality.”  

“You make it sound like you’re picking out a pet.”  

“If you’d married sooner, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”  

Why was it that his mother’s words seemed to overlap with Solnia Heston’s voice?  

‘You’ll need me, too. Someone like me.’ 

“If you’d lowered your standards and announced an engagement with a decent lady, this would’ve been resolved already. Your life isn’t just your own anymore—why don’t you understand that?”  

‘Someone who can resolve a troublesome issue neatly, help you fulfill your duties..’

“No matter how skeptical you are about marriage, it’s your duty. As the heir to the House of Trovill, it’s a responsibility you must bear.”  

‘…and then disappear.’

“They’re all beautiful, kind, and come from excellent families. Why can’t you find any of them acceptable?”  

‘Think about it. I promise you won’t find a better match than me.’

“Just follow my wishes, then. The young lady from the Marquess of Hartrol’s family—she’s someone who could even handle your eccentricities—”  

“I’ll do it.”  

Luette’s sudden declaration silenced the Duchess. Even the maid, who had come to calm her down, stopped in her tracks, startled.  

“What… what did you just say?”  

“I said I’ll marry.”  

The Duchess’s eyes lit up with joy, and a pleased smile spread across her face.  

“Good. You’ve made the right decision. I’ll send a letter to the Marquess of Hartrol immediately—”  

“Not to the Marquess of Hartrol, but to the Earl of Heston.”  

“…What?”  

The Duchess’s face froze in a confused smile.  

“Heston.” 

“I’m going to marry Solnia Heston.”  

The Duchess blinked, furrowing her brow as if trying to recall a distant memory. Then her mouth fell open.  

“Did you just say… Solnia Heston?”  

Luette nodded with a charming smile.  

“She’s the perfect match, isn’t she? The Heston family’s reputation is impeccable, her inheritance is substantial, and as the daughter of the wise and kind late Earl of Heston, her character is beyond reproach. A perfect lady, as you’d expect—”  

“I know all that.”  

The Duchess had put down everything she was holding and was now rubbing her forehead. She looked utterly bewildered.  

Solnia Heston was indeed a favorable match, even in her eyes. But…  

“Are you… sure?”  

After the late Earl and Countess of Heston passed away, Solnia had reportedly led a reclusive life due to her frail health.  

Moreover, the Duchess was well aware that Solnia and her son had been rivals in the past.  

Back then, it had seemed endearing. But as adults, marriage was never something she had imagined for the two of them.  

When had they even met? And how had they decided to marry?  

“Did you… secretly arrange something—”  

“No, I didn’t.”  

“Or are you just chasing some fantasy—”  

“No, I’m not.”  

His immediate responses left the Duchess speechless.  

Watching her, Luette felt a sense of liberation. He admitted it was a bit impulsive, but her reaction was oddly satisfying.  

Yes, this seemed like the better option.  

“I’m going to marry Solnia Heston.”  

“…”  

“And as soon as possible.”  

There’s a saying, after all:  

An enemy with the same goal can make the best ally.  

In that sense, Solnia Heston was the ideal partner to navigate this troublesome situation.  

***

A week had passed since Luette received Solnia Heston’s letter, in which she agreed to his proposal and requested an urgent meeting. Solnia willingly returned to Nutak Villa.  

It had been exactly two weeks since her last visit. During that time, Solnia Heston’s face had grown noticeably more lively.  

At noon, the study in the villa was bathed in refreshing sunlight. Solnia Heston fit perfectly into that backdrop—a woman who exuded a balance of coolness and warmth.  

“Thank you for your kind invitation, Lord Trovill.”  

Solnia still spoke as if she were a distant acquaintance. Even her slight curtsy as she approached revealed her reserve.  

After Solnia took her seat, tea and refreshments were prepared for the two of them. Once everything was set, Luette dismissed all the servants from the study and ensured the door was firmly shut before turning back to Solnia.  

“I have a question.”  

“Please, go ahead.”  

“Why is the contract period set for one year?”  

Ever since deciding to accept Solnia’s proposal, this question had lingered in his mind.  

Why one year, of all durations?  

In the Kingdom, adulthood was marked by one’s nineteenth birthday. In Solnia’s case, she would come of age next July, at which point she could inherit her estate. If marriage were solely for that purpose, it would have been more advantageous to marry later in the winter and endure just a few months.  

After all, neither of them particularly enjoyed each other’s company.  

So why dedicate an entire year to this farcical marriage? Solnia had even sent a letter before today’s meeting, urging him to expedite the wedding as much as possible.  

Why the rush? Why insist on a full year?  

This minor curiosity had refused to leave his mind.  

Solnia took a sip of her tea before responding.  

“Based on recent divorce cases, it seems a marriage must last at least a year for mutual consent to be recognized without complications. As you know, there have been numerous instances of people pretending to marry, only to divorce soon after.”  

“…”  

“That’s why. I don’t want anyone to challenge the legitimacy of my divorce. I want it to end perfectly.”  

Luette couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. He hadn’t expected such meticulous preparation.  

“Were you expecting a different answer?”  

“Not at all.”  

Luette shrugged and stood from his seat. Soon, he returned with a set of documents he had prepared in advance.  

“Please review this to see if there’s anything you’d like to add. Everything you previously mentioned has been included.”  

The documents he handed over detailed every term of their marriage contract.  

Since agreeing to Solnia’s proposal, the two had exchanged letters outlining their respective conditions before meeting in person.  

For instance, they would have separate bedrooms, refrain from marital relations, and share dinner only a few times a week.  

Luette crossed his legs and watched his prospective bride.  

Her gray eyes moved silently but busily across the document. Her large eyes made every movement noticeable.  

“Please review it yourself, Lord Trovill.”  

Much time had passed. At last, her gaze lifted from the document and met his. Luette nodded lightly.  

“I’ve already read it several times. If you’re done reviewing, please sign.”  

Solnia silently accepted the pen he handed her and signed each copy of the contract. Luette’s signature had already been completed.  

The faint sound of the pen scratching against paper filled the study briefly before fading away.  

“Whew.”  

Solnia let out a sigh, as if she had accomplished something significant. She handed one copy of the contract back to him and said,  

“Let’s work well together, Lord Trovill.”  

Though it didn’t sound like something one would say right before marriage, Luette didn’t find it particularly odd.  

“Likewise, Miss Solnia.”  

“…”  

This wasn’t so much a marriage as it was a performance.