It felt like I had just heard something utterly nonsensical.

As I furrowed my brows slightly in disbelief, the Grand Duke spoke again.

“Wouldn’t marriage solve everything?”

Ah, yes, that certainly justifies.

‘…No, wait.’

So I hadn’t misheard that ridiculous statement after all?

Perhaps because I had forced myself to pretend I hadn’t understood it, the shock hit me twice as hard. Odelia’s heart once again started pounding like mad.

Feeling slightly dizzy, I took a deep breath and responded slowly.

“Did you just say… marriage?”

“Yes.”

“And by marriage, you mean… what I think you mean?”

“You and I becoming legally wed. Is there any other meaning?”

…So it was exactly what I thought.

Yet, the Grand Duke’s expression remained utterly dry and indifferent for someone who had just proposed marriage.

I was so taken aback that I could only open and close my mouth, unable to find the right words.

‘…Is he insane?’

I carefully examined the Grand Duke’s face, searching for any hint of madness I might have overlooked.

‘Northern Battlefield Reaper, Golden-eyed Sniper—his titles all suggest a fearsome personality, not a questionable state of mind.’

But then, for some reason, the corners of his lips curled slightly in what could only be described as a faintly satisfied smile.

“My daughter refuses to be separated from you. And since you are reluctant to stay in Norhart for the sake of a lady’s honor, there is only one solution.”

His deep voice resonated slowly, wrapping tightly around my heart as if refusing to let go.

“Besides, you said you were thinking about marriage anyway.”

Keeping his gaze fixed on my face, the Grand Duke moved deliberately, retrieving a small box from his pocket.

No way…?

When he opened the lid, a dazzling diamond ring—about the size of a thumbnail—radiated an overwhelming brilliance.

“Will you marry me?”

The dangerously proximity of the Grand Duke’s strikingly handsome face, his utterly absurd proposal, and the blindingly opulent diamond ring all vied for my attention.

And once more, his breathtakingly beautiful face was adorned with a gentle smile…

My heart began pounding fiercely.

‘…This is dangerous.’

His golden eyes locked onto me, gleamed with an intensity akin to pure flames.

Was this a veiled threat, urging me to accept his proposal without resistance? That had to be the case—there was no other explanation for the wild hammering of my heart.

“If you visit Norhart as my betrothed, neither a lady’s honor nor the royal family’s concerns would be an issue.”

His deep, low voice was deliberate, as if savoring each syllable, sinking into the depths of my heart. A subtle sense of satisfaction lingered at the corners of his lips.

Forget what I said about being used to his looks—he was far too handsome. The slight shift in his expression and the faintest trace of emotion appearing on his usually rigid face were mesmerizing enough to leave me momentarily entranced.

…This was bad.

Tightening my hold on Angie in my arms, I firmly declared,

“I’m sorry, Your Grace. I believe you have misplaced your love and attention.”

One of his eyebrows arched perfectly.

“I want to marry for love.”

Because we aren’t that kind of relationship, right?

I added a lighthearted smile, shrugging my shoulders as if to emphasize the obviousness of my statement.

But what I failed to realize—

Was that no matter how earnestly I spoke, there was absolutely no credibility in my words when my face was flushed bright red.

For a moment, both Angie and the Grand Duke’s golden eyes remained fixed on me.

***

“My lady. Is this… really true?”

“Did the Grand Duke of Norhart truly propose to you?”

The Grand Duke’s outrageous declaration had spread through the blue roof manor in no time.

Well, it had only reached six people, but still.

“So all those times he came to see the baby, that was just an excuse?”

“No wonder His Grace looked after me when we visited Norhart. He must have known I was from Lure!”

“As expected of the most beautiful lady in the kingdom…!”

“You do have a keen eye, Mila! Our lady has been—”

“Norhart carries the first blood of Arcadia. It’s only natural to protect a fellow founding noble house.”

And just like that, those six attendants were busy giving the Grand Duke’s absurd words credibility and meaning.

‘Even the nanny and Dame Gwendolyn…!’

The betrayal!

They knew full well that I was terminally ill—that this engagement must not be allowed to happen!

“But since noble marriages are primarily for producing heirs, if you hide any health issues, you may be held accountable for severe compensation later…”

“T-That won’t happen!”

An heir?!

The Grand Duke’s proposal could only mean one of two things.

Either he had momentarily lost his mind and spoken nonsense, or he was genuinely out of his mind.

‘No matter how much the baby clings to me… this is ridiculous.’

But seeing how happy everyone was, I couldn’t bring myself to ruin their joy. Instead, I used Angie to express my protest.

“Angie, doesn’t this sound crazy to you? I mean, I don’t want to be separated from you either, but…”

“Mma! Owa!”

“Right? It doesn’t make sense, does it?”

“Dooaaah!”

Despite having just started babbling a few days ago, Angie was already stringing together an impressive array of meaningless sounds.

Such quick development… Was it thanks to the Grand Duke’s superior bloodline?

‘She really should be sent to the Grand Duchy soon. Keeping such a brilliant child in Meldorf is a waste of time.’

The thought of parting with Angie, well… yes, Dame Gwendolyn was right—it would be tough.

Ugh, I needed to steel myself.

I had, at most, ten months left to live, while Angie had a whole future ahead of her.

‘Angie will go, and I will stay. To spend the rest of my days here.’

Yes, that was the right decision.

Perhaps the Grand Duke had simply been momentarily deranged when he made that absurd proposal. I would talk to him again tomorrow and clear things up.

But the next day—

That determination vanished into thin air.

Because the sight that greeted me in the garden was an overwhelming procession of gifts pouring in.

“My lady, come outside!”

“Gifts have arrived from the Grand Duchy of Norhart…!”

“No, people are gathering!”

It seemed that the Grand Duke had officially begun his… courtship.

“This silk, with its silver-violet hue, is not dyed but woven from the silk of silkworms that grow only in the mystical forests of the Eastern Continent.”

“This necklace was meticulously crafted by the most skilled artisan among the dwarves residing in the Snow-White Mountain Range.”

“My goodness, this amethyst is the same color as my lady’s eyes.”

“Dazzling, simply dazzling…”

“The cutting technique—this would be nearly impossible to achieve with human craftsmanship. I can’t believe I see a dwarven-crafted gem with my own eyes. It was worth following the lady.”

As the servants from the Grand Duke’s estate introduced the gifts one by one, Mila, the nanny, and even Dame Gwendolyn were utterly captivated.

“Well, since our lady is the most beautiful in the kingdom, a gift offensive like this is only appropriate.”

Especially the nanny—her reaction was the most intense. Her face, gazing at the gifts sent by the Grand Duke, carried a look of deep emotion.

Do ghosts who died unmarried receive even more pity in this world?

‘I understand feeling sorry that a daughter-like girl like me is going to die young… But she already knows that this marriage can’t happen.’

A pang of guilt pricked my conscience as I looked at the nanny’s sentimental face.

She was probably picturing Odelia’s happy married life, but in reality, what stood here was Odelia’s terminally ill body with my soul inside—fully intent on rejecting this proposal.

I couldn’t even pretend to follow their expectations, so I did my best to avoid meeting the nanny’s gaze.

And just as the line of gifts filled the entrance hall—

Gasps came from the townspeople who had been peeking in, curious about what was causing such a commotion at our house.

Oh my, my, my—he’s breathtaking…!

It’s like watching a living statue walk…!

Pushing through the crowd, the Grand Duke of Norhart appeared.

Perhaps determined to fulfill his duty as a suitor, he was dressed even more splendidly than yesterday.

As usual, his attire was dominated by achromatic tones, but today, he wore a black velvet jacket adorned with gold accents, paired with a cravat featuring an elaborate paisley pattern. Even with such minor variations, his appearance had become nothing short of dazzling.

‘There really isn’t a single flaw in his looks.’

The moment he stepped in, the modest garden of the Blue Roof Manor felt like the grand courtyard of a wealthy estate hosting a garden party.

“A good morning to you, my lady.”

“…Good morning, Your Grace.”

He approached me, standing bewildered at the entrance, and took my free hand—the one not holding Angie.

His voice, which was usually blunt and commanding, now rang with an oddly gentle tone. In fact, his speech itself seemed to have softened slightly.

“I couldn’t sleep last night, thinking of you, so I must beg your forgiveness for arriving so early.”

And then, a light kiss on the back of my hand.

Tender and elegant words, refined attire, graceful movements.

Mesmerized by it all, I hesitantly spoke.

“…What in the world is happening?”

“I believe I have fallen in love with you at first sight.”

“Your Grace, I’m sorry, but—”

“What could you possibly have to apologize for?”

The Grand Duke responded in his usual low, velvety voice. Clearly, he was being mindful of the onlookers.

Despite holding Angie in my arms, I could feel a headache coming on as I cautiously added:

“At least if you smiled more warmly, it would seem more sincere.”

The Grand Duke’s lips curved upward in a fleeting smile at my words.

‘Of course. Even with just that, his face is criminally handsome… For an impromptu smile, it’s stunning…’

A moment later, the Grand Duke received a large box from his servant and opened it toward me.

Inside was an array of roses—an impossible sight in early spring.

“It is nothing compared to the beauty of the most exquisite woman in Arcadia, but I wished to present you with the finest Norhart has to offer.”

So, the Grand Duke genuinely played the role of a devoted suitor.

Though his marble-smooth face remained as stern and emotionless as ever.

‘…Well, at least this act is far less awkward than him pretending to be the baby’s father.’

Once again, I sent my mental condolences to Viscount Nielsen, who must have given him all sorts of advice.

“For now, please come inside, Your Grace.”

“Cedrion.”

“…Pardon?”

“Or would you prefer Cedy?”

“Excuse me?”

“Dion isn’t a bad option either.”

…Wait, what?

While I stood there dumbfounded, a subtle satisfaction flickered across the Grand Duke’s face.

“A woman I adore shouldn’t call me ‘Your Grace’—it feels far too distant, don’t you think?”

“…I feel a considerable psychological distance from you, though.”

A faint crack appeared in his otherwise unwavering expression at my blunt response.

‘…I guess Viscount Nielsen didn’t prepare him for that.’

Shaking my head, I turned and walked inside.

“…Hah.”

For some reason, Angie’s babbling sounded suspiciously like a sigh.