T/N: I’ve actually already translated up to CH17 on this novel but I can’t help it, I want to revise and re-work everything ╥﹏╥ sorry everyone please be patient~! I’ll maybe post CH16 in kofi soon
PROLOGUE
Shall we get married?
‘…I almost died.’
The first thought that came to mind as soon as she regained consciousness was this.
The feeling of my body floating in mid-air was still vivid.
Her stomach felt like it had swelled up and then shriveled, and she thought it might burst at any moment… As that sensation replayed, Saena’s body began trembling again.
The fear of being on the brink of death wasn’t something that disappeared easily.
“Saena.”
At that moment, someone tightly embraced her trembling body and patted her back.
When she collected herself and looked up, what came into view was the face of a man wearing a worried expression.
“…Constantine?”
“Yes, it’s me. Are you feeling a bit better?”
Why is he here?
Trying to piece together her scattered memories, Saena started to think back.
She had been treasure hunting when she met that person…
Those crazed eyes glaring at her, the malice she felt with her entire being…
It was real. That person truly wanted her dead.
‘What did I even do…?’
Being drenched in someone else’s malice was an experience she never wanted to go through again.
The feeling of coldness piercing into her bones… a chilling sensation that she was certain she wouldn’t forget anytime soon.
“…Where is this?”
Where could it be?
Ah. It’s a somewhat familiar place. The Duchess’s room.
It seemed she was once again indebted to the soft cushions of the bed she’d lain on a few times before.
“You were unconscious… so I brought you here. The doctor will be here soon. I treated the wound on your arm, but I couldn’t check anywhere else… Is your body alright?”
He didn’t look too well himself. He must have been quite shocked as well.
“My body? Hmm…”
Her sleeve was torn, revealing a wound on her arm that had already healed.
Other than that, it didn’t seem like she was hurt. She carefully observed her entire body, but she didn’t feel any particular pain. Though her startled heart was still faintly pounding.
“I’m not in pain… I think I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He let out a small sigh and gently stroked her cheek. Was that a sigh of relief?
‘He must have been really worried.’
Seeing his serious expression gave her a strange feeling.
What a peculiar man…
Judging by the circumstances, it seemed he had saved her. How many times had she already been helped by him?
Even if she tried to repay him over and over, she wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to fully do so.
“Did you… save me?”
Recalling the situation, his gaze darkened.
“Thank you, as always.”
“Don’t mention it.”
But how could she not express her gratitude?
He kept showing sides of himself that she hadn’t imagined at first. Contrary to his initial impression, he was so kind and considerate that it surprised her and left her unsure of how to respond.
She didn’t want to get closer to him, but she also couldn’t completely push him away. And now…
‘I’m the bad one here.’
It was time to come to a conclusion.
No matter how much she thought about it, there didn’t seem to be any other answer. Even if there was another answer, there wasn’t time for it.
“No, really. I’m grateful. So grateful that I feel I need to say this.”
“About… what?”
Constantine asked with a slightly stiff demeanor.
“We should stop here.”
Saena’s words came out like a sigh.
For quite a while, he remained frozen in silence before asking in a low voice,
“…May I ask why?”
Of course, he’d be curious. Saena explained the conclusion she had reached. Her heart felt a little weak, but at times like this, she needed to act even more firmly. For his sake as well.
“I think I have to get married.”
“…….”
Constantine’s expression looked as though he’d been deeply shocked. Since he was someone who usually showed little change in expression, the contrast was even more pronounced.
Saena herself found this reality very frustrating. However, since no other alternatives came to mind, there was nothing she could do.
In her heart, she really wanted to live a single life.
But nearly dying had jolted her awake.
She couldn’t stubbornly insist on her own way and walk into another pit of misfortune. If she had to get married anyway, wouldn’t it be better to make up her mind quickly and find the gentlest and kindest man she could as soon as possible?
‘I’m not good at judging men, so it’d be better to ask my brother or father for help, wouldn’t it?’
And the man in front of her… was a good person, but too much for her.
“Marriage… you said?”
“Yes.”
“Weren’t you against marriage?”
“…I was. I wanted to be. But… the situation just doesn’t allow it.”
Constantine seemed to be struggling to process the situation with a confused expression, trying to organize his thoughts with patience.
“So you’re saying you’re going to get married?”
“Hmm. I think I have to.”
Constantine fell silent for a moment.
“…But why not me?”
“What?”
“Am I not even a candidate? Am I… that lacking?”
“…What?”
No, it’s not that…
How could he come to such a conclusion on his own? Unlike her, an ordinary count’s daughter, he was one of the empire’s four great dukes and a supreme oathkeeper.
“What’s so wrong with me? Tell me, and I’ll fix it.”
“……That’s not it.”
“Do I seem too beastly to you?”
“No, it’s not that….”
“I should have restrained myself more…”
He covered his eyes with his hand, looking self-deprecating.
Saena hurriedly tried to explain.
“It’s not about you, Duke! It’s personal circumstances…”
He didn’t seem to be convinced at all. It looked like she wouldn’t be able to make him understand without revealing some of her situation.
But, was it okay to tell him?
‘Oh, whatever.’
He wasn’t the type to use this against her as leverage, so it should be fine to share this much.
Saena briefly explained her situation.
“…I see.”
“Yes. So…”
“Marriage does seem like the quickest solution.”
“Yes. It has nothing to do with your charm, Duke. Your charm is overflowing.”
But Constantine slightly furrowed his brows and replied.
“That’s something I find hard to agree with.”
“…What? Why?”
He slowly raised his hand and cupped her face.
“If my charm was overflowing, it should have worked on you too… but unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case.”
He said, his thumb lightly brushing under Saena’s eyes as if mocking himself.
The spot where his hand touched trembled slightly for some reason.
“No… You’re plenty charming…”
Sometimes, it was so overwhelming that even Saena found herself swayed, so what he said wasn’t true.
“Do you really think so?”
“Of course!”
Saena answered confidently.
“Then…”
Constantine tilted her head closer to his, aligning their gaze so closely that he could see his reflection in her eyes.
“Don’t look for another man.”
The earnestness in his unwavering gaze left Saena speechless.
“Am I… not an option?”
“No, it’s not that… It’s just that I’m not good enough for you…”
That’s all it was…
“That’s not true at all. If you’re willing, I want to be that man.”
His deep blue eyes persistently locked onto hers, as though they would bind her in place.
“Choose me.”
But his voice was so soft, almost pleading, as if he were trying to soothe her.
“Whatever troubles or difficulties you face, let me be the one to resolve them for you.”
“……”
“I will be the answer.”
Why… Why could he say something like this?
He was so sincere that even Saena found it puzzling.
“…You heard me say I was going to get married, right?”
He nodded.
But he’s a Duke…
“Are you really okay… with someone like me?”
“Not just okay. I want it desperately.”
“…But it’s marriage.”
“If you’ll only allow it.”
The thumb that had brushed under her eye now trailed down her cheek.
“Let these lips grant me permission.”
His thumb grazed her lower lip, pressing lightly. Her lips naturally parted slightly.
“Just say the words.”
He lowered his gaze to the slight opening, his expression intensifying.
“I’ll make it happen as soon as tomorrow.”
Marriage…?
Feeling the touch of his fingers, which seemed poised to push further, Saena swallowed hard. She felt entranced by his soft yet strangely forceful demeanor, nodding briefly before quickly shaking her head again.
“…Did you just agree?”
“……”
“Hm? Didn’t you just agree?”
Uh. What should she do?
Saena rolled her eyes in thought.
She hadn’t expected him to react like this… Why is he doing this to me?
She couldn’t understand it at all.
“…To be honest, I’m in a hurry too.”
Seeing her confused expression, he added an explanation.
“What?”
He did seem quite urgent.
“You’re in a hurry to get married?”
“…Yes.”
Saena blinked a few times, looking into his face, and then a thought struck her.
‘Ah, could it be?’
This man had entered a contract marriage in a past life.
She didn’t know why, but it seemed there had been a compelling reason for him to get married back then.
Could it be the same now? If that were the case, wouldn’t this be quite a favorable situation for both of them?
Honestly, Constantine was the perfect husband candidate.
Leaving aside his title, his character was admirable. He wasn’t the type to raise a hand against a woman or force her into anything. He was someone with the manners and refinement to respect the person he married.
That quality stood out to Saena more than anything else.
She couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope rising within her.
If she was going to get married anyway, wouldn’t it be better to marry a good person?
“Well then…”
Saena blinked a few more times, then slowly looked into his eyes and spoke.
“Let’s get married.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. If you’re okay with it, Duke.”
The moment she gave her consent, he suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace.
“Ah?!”
“Ha, Saena…”
…Was he really in such a hurry?
His reaction was like someone overwhelmed with joy after receiving a long-awaited gift. It was oddly reassuring, in a way.
‘Reassuring…?’
It didn’t make sense, but that’s how it felt.
Feeling a strange sense of unease, Saena tilted her head slightly, but she didn’t notice the peculiar glint in his eyes or the faint curl of his lips.
Of course, with her head resting against his, she couldn’t possibly see it.
