Throughout the Empire’s history, no woman had ever become the head of a family. The reason was simple: women possessed nothing.
Unable to enter official positions, they lacked connections. Staying home to support their husbands and raise children, they couldn’t earn money, so they lacked financial power as well.
I was different. I had financial power, which naturally sways people’s hearts. This directly connects to power.
After selecting the names of the highest-ranking nobles from the list, those known to be somewhat open-minded, I called for Sherry.
“Sherry.”
At my call, Sherry, who had been reading a fashion magazine in the corner of the room, jumped with surprise and turned her gaze toward me.
“Yes? What is it?”
“Bring Ilina here. We’re going to visit investors.”
Ilina had a perfect ability to grasp people’s emotions and characteristics, allowing her to predict future events. Her skill was so remarkable that she had never been wrong.
Because of this, those who met Ilina quickly developed trust in me as well, and often came seeking advice.
In short, she was an unparalleled genius at negotiations.
Therefore, I always brought Ilina along during negotiations. Seeming to understand my intention, Sherry disappeared through the door without asking further questions.
❀❀❀
“Miss, don’t be too disheartened. You knew this wouldn’t be an easy path.”
On the way back to the trading company after meeting four investors.
I was receiving consolation from Ilina.
‘So it ended up like this after all.’
This was because all four nobles I met today reacted quite negatively and sensitively when I subtly probed about a female family head.
Honestly, I had somewhat anticipated this reaction. Being men and part of the privileged class themselves, they would naturally find the distribution of power to women distasteful and resentful.
Still, I had hoped at least one of the four might respond positively.
Having failed to find anyone willing to help me become the family head, I had to turn the carriage back toward the trading company.
The carriage traveled steadily for about 30 minutes, approaching the trading company.
But what was this?
Just as the carriage was about to enter the trading company grounds, a family crest caught my eye through the window. It was engraved on a carriage.
Seeing that crest, I had to doubt my eyes.
For good reason.
A white lion and a rose.
That crest was none other than the Esteban ducal family’s.
I wasn’t the only one who noticed this oddity. Ilina, sitting beside me, also saw it and exclaimed with wide eyes:
“Miss, that crest over there looks like the Esteban ducal family’s. Is it?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Why would an Esteban carriage be near our trading company?”
“I wouldn’t know, but perhaps they have business nearby?”
The meeting from two days ago flashed through my mind, but I dismissed the presence of the Esteban ducal carriage in front of the trading company.
There was no reason for him to visit me after I had clearly expressed my refusal.
❀❀❀
It didn’t take long to realize that this judgment was a complete misjudgment.
“Rose.”
As I entered the trading company, I raised my lowered head at the sound of Sherry’s voice calling me. Looking around, there were many people. Sherry, like me, was wearing a mask.
She probably called me that because of the people around us. After all, it was still a secret that I, the daughter of Count Ophelia, was running a business.
“What is it?”
At my words, Sherry hesitated briefly before pointing to her left. It was the direction of the reception room.
Could someone be here to see me?
“There’s a guest in the reception room.”
“A guest? Who could it be?”
Instead of answering my question directly, Sherry quickly approached me and whispered softly in my ear.
And at that moment, hearing from Sherry the identity of the ‘guest’ who had come to see me, I had to doubt my ears.
“What?”
Sherry said it was Duke Esteban who had come to see me.
❀❀❀
After dismissing all the servants, including Ilina and Sherry, I headed alone to the reception room.
The reception room had a total of five doors. This was necessary for security, as soundproofing was required.
After closing and passing through all five doors, I was finally able to enter the reception room.
Simultaneously, I had to inwardly catch my breath at the sight of a man’s face. Though I already knew who it was before entering, actually encountering him gave a different impression.
To put it plainly, I felt conflicted. This was because I had rejected him at his mansion last time.
I felt sorry but also strangely annoyed.
“What brings you here?”
Just as I carefully began, unlike me, the Duke came in without giving me time to prepare.
“I heard you visited several investors today.”
At his words, I unconsciously opened my mouth. Aside from how he knew this, I couldn’t understand why he had come.
Perhaps due to recent chronic stress, a sharp remark escaped my lips without my realizing it.
“What do you want from me?”
“I told you already. To become the child’s mother.”
The Duke answered with a slight smile at my words.
“You’re quite persistent.”
“Because I’m that desperate.”
He whispered softly.
But my mind was already made up. There would be no further reversals. This was also my business philosophy.
I opened my mouth to express my refusal at this point.
“If you’ve come to make such frivolous statements again……”
But the Duke intercepted my words before I could finish.
With his eyes curved, the Duke spoke in a low voice.
“Instead, since it’s a deal, there will certainly be something exchanged.”
At that moment, I couldn’t hastily utter words of refusal because of the Duke’s mention of “something exchanged.”
“Can you take responsibility for what you just said?”
“As I told you before, I don’t say things I don’t mean.”
“……”
“And I always keep what I’ve once spoken.”
As he said this, the corners of his eyes curved like a crescent moon.
My heart pounded heavily. After barely composing my trembling heart, I opened my mouth after some deliberation.
“So you’ll grant me anything?”
“That depends on what I hear. As long as it’s not impossible.”
“Then……”
A strong desire flashed through my mind for an instant. I knew it was absurd, but it was also what I had been doing all day.
And the man before me was someone who could provide what I had been seeking all day better than anyone else.
After careful consideration, I opened my mouth.
“Then, could you make me the head of the family?”
And at my words, his pupils dilated greatly.
3. Could You Make Me the Head of the Family?
The Duke’s gaze wavered at my words. What settled in his eyes, which had been filled with entreaty, was bewilderment. Seeing this, I couldn’t help but laugh derisively.
Hadn’t he said he would give me anything? After saying that, he couldn’t give me what I wanted? Well, he was a male noble with vested interests after all.
Does he also find it disagreeable for a woman to hold real power?
“I’ve never heard of a woman becoming the head of a family.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his answer, which matched my expectations perfectly. But I had to stop laughing soon.
“However.”
“……”
“…If that’s what you want, there’s nothing I can’t provide.”
Silence fell. It was a silence that occurred because I couldn’t find words to respond. The Duke was simply staring intently at my face.
My flesh trembled under his unusually persistent gaze, which pressured me for an answer. For some reason, my throat felt parched.
What should I say? I was too surprised to even grasp what to say.
As I was just moving my lips helplessly—
“Why don’t you answer, Levedi?”
A deliberately low voice gently wrapped around my ears.
Wind.
I thought this unconsciously. His voice was like a gentle breeze.
His voice definitely carried the scent of wind. The kind of wind that seemed like it would lead me to an unknown world.
As I continued to delay my answer, the Duke’s lips curved smoothly. Looking at me slowly, he added in a whisper:
“After speaking so boldly, surely you’re not going to say you were just throwing it out there?”
His tone, like teasing a child, wounded my pride. I boldly opened my lips, which had been moving hesitantly.
“Of course not. How could that be? If anything, it’s the opposite.”
“The opposite, you say?”
At my words, the Duke gazed at me with spirited eyes. Looking at his sparkling eyes made me uncomfortable, but outwardly I just nodded calmly.
“Yes, the opposite. That’s why I couldn’t answer just now.”
The Duke’s words were actually correct, but admitting that he had seen through me hurt my pride. More precisely, I disliked the feeling of being manipulated.
Being manipulated for 26 years was enough.
“Rather, it was you who……”
“……”
“I wondered if you were just saying things without meaning them.”
I spoke with a casual smile.
At my words, the Duke asked with an amused expression.
“Are you saying you were testing me? That suggests you have something else in mind.”
“No.”
“Then?”
The Duke’s eyebrows twitched as he stared at me. His brow narrowed slightly, suggesting he was concentrating. As if he was displeased that I had tested him.
After staring at his eyes filled with the question of what else it could be, I finally opened my mouth.
“I want to become the head of the family. Though your unexpected acceptance is surprising, my desire hasn’t changed. Let me also make it clear that no other compensation will sway me.”
“…I see.”
The Duke, who had been staring at me with a thoughtful gaze, murmured at my words.
I nodded.
At the same time, an awkward silence fell between us. But only briefly.
Soon, the Duke began to speak.
“If you had wanted something material, I might understand, but becoming the head of the family won’t be easy. At least not through legal means.”
Was it my imagination that the Duke’s eyes gleamed sinisterly as he said “legal”? I nodded with an awkward smile.
“Yes, I know that much. That’s why I’m asking you. I hear you’re the real power in the Empire, ranked first in ceremonial order, someone even His Majesty the Emperor can’t oppose.”
At my words, the Duke’s lips curved for an instant, but as if trying to hide it, he quickly hardened his expression and responded in a rather cold voice.
“Well, that’s true, but as I said, it would be difficult through legal means.”
“…Then what illegal method do you have in mind?”
“K*ll everyone who opposes.”
His tone was casual. His eyes looking at me were still smiling. The dissonance between his contrasting words and expression made my body tremble.
“I see. It’s indeed not easy. If it’s a position that requires k*lling people to attain, the legal method must be extremely difficult too.”
“It’s not so much difficult as it is a matter of time and cost. We might have to change the entire Empire itself. So, let me say this……”
Suddenly, the Duke trailed off. Just as I had an ominous feeling—
“…I think we need to modify the contract terms.”
“Modify?”
“I’ll add a few more conditions to the marriage I initially proposed.”
“Marriage……”
As I slowly mulled over this word that felt strange no matter how many times I heard it, he added:
“To be precise, it’s a contract marriage. We’ll draft a contract for this marriage.”
Why did I feel a strange sense of relief at his words firmly drawing the line as a contract marriage?
I smiled slyly and asked:
“Then, what are the conditions?”
At my question, the Duke seemed to ponder for a moment before answering.
“The marriage will last for 6 years, until Elysion turns twelve and can enter the academy.”
“……”
“And though it’s just on paper, we’ll be faithful to each other as spouses. Ah, please refrain from affairs to avoid any rumors or gossip. No mistresses either.”
After saying this, the Duke seemed to consider if anything was missing, then added as if remembering:
“Finally, before and during the marriage, you must spend at least three hours together with Elysion and me, twice a week.”
“…Ah.”
“These are the conditions I propose.”
❀❀❀
Exactly one week had passed since my private meeting with Duke Esteban for negotiations.
And I was at home, that is, at the Ophelia mansion.
The reason was simple.
“Miss, something terrible has happened!”
With a knock, before my permission could be given, the door opened. Through it came Sherry. She approached me, breathing heavily as if she had run in a hurry.
“What’s terrible?”
“D-Duke Esteban is here.”
“I see.”
I thought that what was bound to come had finally arrived. This was also why I had returned to this wretched house just last night after a full six days away.
“Huh? Miss, why aren’t you surprised?”
Sherry tilted her head at my calm response.
“Did you already know?”
At Sherry’s words, I responded with a slight smile instead of an answer.
Around that time, another maid came to my room, bowed her head, and reported:
“The Count has requested that you be brought to the reception room immediately.”
“Let’s go, Sherry.”
There was no reason to delay. I immediately rose from my seat. As I left the room and headed toward the reception room, Sherry followed, looking at me with bewildered eyes.
“Ah, yes? Yes!”
❀❀❀
How long had it been since I left the room?
Before I knew it, my steps had reached the reception room.
As I stood in front of the reception room, several knights bowed their heads to me. Among them were many unfamiliar faces.
Their attire was also distinctly different from our family’s knights, suggesting they were Duke Esteban’s knights. After acknowledging them with a light smile, I stepped through the open door.
I had taken just one step when I heard voices.
“You say you have something to tell my daughter.”
“That’s right.”
“If you have something to say, is it perhaps related to business?”
“Well. Let’s wait until Levedi arrives to talk about it.”
The Duke responded to Father’s question with a somewhat annoyed expression. This seemed strangely unfamiliar.
He had never shown me such an aspect before.
I had often thought he was like a docile dog in front of me, but in front of Father, though he maintained formalities, he clearly showed his disinterest in lengthy conversation.
It was the first time I felt a sense of indifference from him.
I appeared between the two of them a few seconds after their conversation had ceased.
“Now we can talk.”
As I spoke, both the Duke’s and Father’s gazes turned to me. Though both were looking at me, their gazes were different.
One was filled with delight, the other with bewilderment and questions.
I responded to these gazes with a gentle smile, then sat down next to the Duke, who was occupying a long sofa alone.
Simultaneously, a hand reached out to grasp mine. I couldn’t help but smile at the touch that handled me like a fragile raw egg, fearful I might break.
I released the Duke’s large hand. Eyes suddenly widened toward me. I gave him a deep smile despite his surprised expression and interlaced my fingers between his.
Squeezing his hand firmly in my own way, I pressed my body close to the Duke.
The Duke’s body stiffened in surprise at the unexpected contact. I whispered to him so only he could hear:
“If we’re going to act, we should do it properly.”
At my whisper, I could feel his stiffened body gradually relaxing, just as Father’s fake cough was heard.
Turning my head, I saw Father wearing a troubled expression as he looked at us both with eyes full of confusion.
After continuously looking back and forth between the Duke and me, Father finally began speaking to me:
“What exactly is going on here, Levedi?”
“First, please call Brother Josh.”
Before answering, I made one request. Father tilted his head at my words and asked:
“Why Josh?”
“This is an important announcement that the family should hear.”
At my words, Father sent a servant to bring Josh, and after some time had passed, soon, Josh appeared through the reception room door. Walking indifferently, he suddenly froze upon seeing Duke Esteban.
“D-Duke Esteban?”
Around that time, I turned my gaze from Josh to look at Father.
It was also the moment I first voiced words I had been practicing in my mind all week.
Translator
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bluemoon238
Because women have nothing…
That’s one way to suppress. Women are property so they can’t. They would rather strangers take over and their bloodline fall than have a woman in charge. Realistic male behavior you see even today. Then they wonder why some women would jump at the chance for better future even if their families went down.