Part 3

Political Marriage (1)

Erika didn’t avoid Gerick’s glaring eyes as she turned around while walking away.

‘I didn’t do anything wrong.’

Though she felt Gerick’s resentful gaze upon her, she ignored it.

Gerick had no right to resent her.

Even though she had every right to resent him.

Gerick’s hand grabbing tearful Evelyn’s was noticeably irritable.

Erika shook her head, consoling herself that it was fortunate to have broken up with such a man.

However, that was one thing, and being blindsided was another matter entirely.

She intended not to let it slide if it became certain that Gerick had deceived her.

Ion, who had been carefully observing from the side, cautiously asked,

“What do we do now?”

“We’ll dance after they finish their first dance. That’s how we’ll make sure people notice us.”

“……I’m not good at dancing.”

“Neither am I.”

Erika answered half-heartedly while keeping her eyes fixed on the dancing Gerick and Evelyn.

She didn’t even notice Ion becoming dejected at her response.

When the couple’s first dance ended, people rushed to the hall to dance.

Erika took Ion’s hand and stepped forward.

A greeting.

One hand clasped together, the other on the shoulder.

While Erika was recalling Evelyn’s movements from earlier, one of Ion’s hands hovered uncertainly around her waist.

“What are you doing? You need to hold my waist.”

“Huh? Oh.”

Gulp.

“Is this your first time dancing?”

“Well, somehow it is.”

“I suppose this is my first time in a setting like this too.”

Ion looked at Erika with an expression of incomprehension.

Erika sighed softly and explained his confusion.

“……I was Gerick’s personal guard. I always had to be prepared for anything.”

Erika glanced sideways at the other dancers, then twirled on her own.

Her dress spread out in a circle before returning to its place.

“So this is your first dance too?”

“Well, you could say that.”

“But you dance so well?”

“I’m copying others.”

Ion finally noticed that Erika’s eyes were moving busily.

“……You mean you’re watching people dance and imitating them?”

“Yes. Hey, you focus too. Don’t look clumsy.”

Ion, who had been merely keeping up with Erika’s movements, straightened himself.

Erika, competitive and hating to show any flaws, was now concentrating on copying the dance.

Thinking he shouldn’t ruin it, Ion also focused and followed Erika’s rhythm.

Her confident expression despite dancing for the first time, her flexible movements, and each action considering the shape of her dress were all artistic.

Ion, having learned social dancing before, was able to finish without major flaws.

“……It’s my first time seeing Lady Erika dance. There’s truly nothing she can’t do.”

“Indeed. The two of them match surprisingly well.”

“I’m not sure who the main couple is today.”

“Shh.”

The ladies who made eye contact with Gerick covered their faces with fans and turned away.

When the music ended, Erika and Ion faced each other again and exchanged closing greetings.

Erika gestured to Ion and headed to the terrace.

“Phew…… That was tiring.”

“Are you tired?”

Ion, who had somehow brought cool champagne, fanned Erika’s face with his hand.

“Use this.”

“Ah. That would be better.”

Ion quickly took the fan Erika handed him and fanned her face diligently until it cooled down.

He didn’t even realize that Erika had boldly made him serve her.

“Better now?”

“Yes. You can stop.”

Ion took the empty glass from Erika, who had downed her champagne in one go, and looked down at her with sympathetic eyes.

“Can you stop giving me that pitying look?”

“Pitying? I never thought that! If you have any conscience, you shouldn’t think that way either. Who else has everything you have?”

Erika pouted but accepted Ion’s excuse that wasn’t really an excuse.

She couldn’t keep complaining when Ion went that far.

After all, Erika had a father and brother who cherished her, a family that Ion didn’t have.

Ion extended his hand to Erika.

“Let’s go now.”

“Yes, there’s no need to stay any longer.”

As Erika stood up and smoothed the wrinkles of her dress, Ion said,

“I’ll come to pick you up at your home tomorrow morning.”

Erika wondered why Ion was coming tomorrow.

“Tomorrow? Why?”

“It’s the start of our 90 days.”

“Ah…… 90 days……”

At the mention of the 90 days beginning, Erika felt a slight annoyance rising.

Even though she knew she had to go through this to get the information she wanted, her head was already throbbing at the thought of visiting places where couples frequently went with Ion.

However, Ion was smiling so brightly that she could only nod.

***

Ion visited the Sparta grand ducal residence at an hour earlier than Erika had expected.

Erika, who hadn’t even gotten out of bed yet, was so surprised she couldn’t form words.

“My lady, you need to get ready quickly,” Jessie urged.

Erika finally got up.

‘I should have had a few more days of rest……’

She put on clothes hastily and went downstairs. In the reception room, Ion was nervously fiddling with his teacup.

Seeing Erika enter the reception room, he immediately stood up and placed a large bouquet in her arms.

“What’s all this?”

“A gift for our first date…… I thought I should show some sincerity……”

“……We’re going on a date today?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

At Ion’s curt reply, Erika thought for a moment and nodded.

Since they had decided to follow what Gerick did with Evelyn for 90 days after announcing their marriage, a date was indeed appropriate.

It was very annoying when Jessie dragged Erika back upstairs to dress her up, saying she needed to look good for a date, but she had to admit it was a necessary process to get the answers she wanted.

When Erika came down after finishing her preparations, Ion was waiting in front of the carriage he had prepared.

“Where are we going?”

“It wouldn’t be fun if I told you in advance.”

Erika took Ion’s hand and boarded the carriage, then stared at Ion sitting across from her.

From childhood until now, there hadn’t been a single time they faced each other without scowling.

But now he was asking her on a date with kind words and checking on her mood.

Erika unconsciously nudged him.

“You seem different today.”

“Not in a bad way, I hope?”

“……”

They had no further conversation until the carriage reached its destination.

***

Lake Park, the sanctuary for lovers.

It was a park frequently visited by couples. Centered around a large lake, it featured sculptures by renowned artists.

Erika watched the carriage approaching the park with a miserable feeling.

‘I didn’t want to come back here…… Don’t tell me……?’

Escorted by Ion, Erika stepped into the pavilion as he led her.

Erika looked around.

She hadn’t intended to make comparisons, but scenes from her memory naturally surfaced.

Delicate flower decorations, a simple breakfast, and blankets to wrap around shoulders……

Ion wrapped a blanket around Erika’s shoulders as she sat down.

Erika wouldn’t feel cold in this weather, but he seemed to want to do it anyway.

Although Erika found Ion’s care awkward, she didn’t refuse it.

“It’s still a bit cool…… I didn’t know what you’d like, so I prepared various things.”

Ion placed a sandwich on a plate and set it in front of Erika. He also prepared both cool drinks and warm tea.

“You seem to prefer cool drinks, but I prepared warm tea too since it’s morning.”

Erika looked at Ion as he attended to her meal.

His face was full of smiles, as if he was thoroughly enjoying himself.

Erika looked around at the scenery. Things she hadn’t noticed before caught her eye.

The vast green grass that made her heart feel generous, the sparkling leaves that seemed to whisper that the future was bright……

Sculptures that seemed to twist their bodies in embarrassment as they watched the couples……

Except for the fact that Gerick and Evelyn had already been here, it was quite nice.

It was easy to understand why many couples visited this place.

Taking a bite of her sandwich, Erika opened her eyes wide and said,

“Hmm? There’s tomato in this?”

“Yes. I heard you like it……”

In this world Erika had transmigrated into, tomatoes weren’t common. For Erika, who had eaten them every day in her previous life thanks to her mother who treated tomatoes like some essential aphrodisiac, this was very disappointing.

Most chefs didn’t use them unless specifically requested……

“Did you investigate me?”

“Investigation is a strong word…… I just thought I should know a few things about you……”

Erika realized that Ion was trying to be very faithful to their contractual relationship.

‘He’s certainly diligent……’

As she continued eating her sandwich, she followed Ion’s gaze.

His face brightened as he kept staring at the lake.

A small boat had just arrived near the shore close to the pavilion.

And as if to prove Erika’s intuition correct, Ion continued,

“If you’re done eating, shall we go for a boat ride?”

“……Sure.”

Though she wasn’t particularly enthusiastic, she couldn’t refuse as she remembered Gerick proposing to Evelyn.

Ion helped Erika onto the boat and take her seat, then sat down on the opposite side and took the oars.

As Ion skillfully rowed, the boat began to move.

The small boat, leisurely cutting through the lake, seemed to have a specific destination.

Watching Ion row with familiarity, Erika suddenly became curious.

“Have you been here many times?”

“……It’s my first time.”

“Really? You seem quite familiar with it.”

“……”

Erika tilted her head at Ion’s hesitation but didn’t press further.

Avoiding Erika’s gaze, Ion diligently rowed toward the center of the lake.

In the center of the lake stood a white arch. The arch, beautifully decorated with roses and clematis, was meant for proposals.

‘Hmm…… As expected……’

Ion, not straying far from Erika’s expectations, steered the boat under the arch.

When the boat was positioned exactly under the arch, Ion stopped rowing.

After securing the oars so they wouldn’t drift away, Ion carefully stood up to avoid rocking the boat and knelt on one knee in front of Erika.

His hand trembled slightly as he took out a box from his chest.

Click.

The ring box opened, and,

“Erika de Sparta, will you……”