At the precisely calculated moment, I opened my mouth.
“I’m getting married, to this man.”
In that instant, Father and Josh’s eyes widened dramatically.
“What are you saying?”
Father was the one who asked in surprise. Josh also added a comment.
“Y-you’re marrying His Grace Duke Esteban?”
I nodded while steadily gazing at the two bewildered men.
“Yes. That’s how it is.”
“W-when did you start courting His Grace?”
“I think we’ve been together for… about two years now?”
A week ago, while negotiating with the Duke, we had planned for this day. Everything from what to tell Father to preparing answers for anticipated questions.
This was the moment our efforts bore fruit.
“I suppose our dating period has been about that long. However…”
“……”
“…My feelings began much longer than two years ago.”
At that moment, I couldn’t help but widen my eyes.
This was because what the Duke was saying now was not part of our plan.
Though my interlacing our fingers and pressing close to him earlier had been spontaneous too. And he might just be acting as well, but…
‘He somehow sounds sincere.’
His ruby eyes holding my gaze seemed somewhat melancholic. Like someone truly in love.
If this was acting, there wouldn’t be another actor in the Empire who could match him.
But I decided to attribute it to my imagination. If not, this situation made no sense.
The Duke had proposed a contract marriage to me solely because I had looked after Elysion that day at the courthouse.
Our first meeting had been just that. And above all, we were in a business relationship. Nothing more, nothing less.
Yet what confused me was a fragment of memory that suddenly surfaced.
“…Lady Ophelia?”
“Do you know me?”
I remembered Duke Esteban recognizing me immediately. At that time, I had been away from the capital for about three and a half to four years due to my marriage.
I had assumed he’d seen me in magazines or newspapers, but I’d heard the Duke had also been abroad during the same period as me.
I know I’m attributing too much emotion to a single look. Nevertheless, once the doubt arose, it wasn’t easily forgotten.
I emerged from this confusion when I heard Josh’s admiring voice.
“Should I understand that you’ve been secretly in love with our Levedi for a long time?”
Josh’s words somehow made my face heat up. I wished I could zip his mouth shut if possible.
I was deeply concerned about what the Duke might think. Of course, the Duke had brought this upon himself, but remembering that fact didn’t lessen my embarrassment.
No, recalling it only added to my awkwardness. Why?
I was about to question myself when:
“You’re quite perceptive.”
By the time I turned my head with a startled feeling, it was already too late. Father and Josh were looking at me with pleased expressions.
Though Josh’s gaze seemed closer to greed than pleasure, that wasn’t the important thing right now.
While this was the reaction we had aimed for, such a blatant declaration made my face burn as if it were real.
It wasn’t common for me to be misunderstood as being in an affectionate relationship with a man in front of family.
But an even bigger problem occurred.
‘…!’
Suddenly, his strong arm wrapped around my waist. It was an incredibly natural contact, but that was from a third-party perspective…
From my perspective, I was practically nestled in his arms before I knew it.
My fingertips trembled slightly.
Even though it was acting, I never expected him to make such overt physical contact.
‘Thanks to this, Father and Josh will never doubt us, but…’
How should I put it? For a contractual relationship, this level of skinship—while fine for me since I needed to deceive them completely—was it okay for him too?
As I stiffened and looked at him with puzzled eyes, he smiled, curving the corners of his lips.
His eyes meeting mine still showed not the slightest hint of wavering.
“From the first time I saw her, I thought she was an extremely lovely person. The more I looked, the prettier she became, as if there were no other women in the world.”
“When I found out she was married, you can’t imagine how devastated I felt. Of course, now she’s mine.”
For a moment, his gaze holding me was gentle. Facing such a honey-dripping gaze that was almost burdensome, I truly felt as if I were his lover.
But I knew better than anyone that this was just an act.
Why would a man like Assel Esteban, considered the Empire’s most eligible bachelor, be interested in a woman like me?
‘This is just showmanship for business.’
But even in the remotest possibility…
Even if he were sincere, nothing would change.
I had no plans to meet another man.
Of course, while I might end up dating someone by chance, I had no intention of getting married.
‘In this Empire, marriage has predetermined dominant and submissive roles.’
Even those who were gentle before marriage drastically change their attitude once they’ve caught their fish. They see a possession, not a woman. Before marriage, I never imagined Alex would transform into such a dreadful person.
Of course, this man might not be that type, but how could I know?
I don’t want to stand in a position of being taken anymore. Rather than being taken, I’d rather be the one who takes.
Just as I was reaffirming the resolution I had made two years ago before leaving the Floredo mansion, Josh’s voice was heard.
“If you’re so close with Levedi, you must also know that she’s running a trading company.”
I couldn’t help but narrow my eyes. The intention behind Josh’s words was all too obvious.
Sure enough, my ominous premonition soon became reality.
“Of course I know, but why do you ask?”
“If she’s getting married, she’ll be busy enough being the mistress of the Esteban household, so it seems difficult for her to continue with the trading company.”
Isn’t this what they call blatant manipulation? My teeth gritted involuntarily at his words, which clearly showed his intention to take over my trading company.
There was no reason to hold back anymore. With the strong support of Duke Esteban beside me, I was about to open my mouth to say something when:
“Mistress duties? I’m not sure what you mean.”
“What?”
“If you’re talking about managing the household, I’ve already hired experts who are doing an excellent job.”
At the Duke’s retort, Josh’s expression hardened, but only briefly. He soon smiled slyly and countered:
“Is that so? But I heard you have a son, so childcare…”
“I plan to entrust childcare to nurses and maids as well.”
At that moment, Josh’s eyes reflected both bewilderment and question.
“Why are you getting married then?”
“…Because I love Levedi.”
At his resolute answer, Josh closed his mouth. Just when it seemed everything would calm down—
“By the way, from your nuance, should I understand that you want Black Rose, which Levedi is operating?”
Duke Esteban began.
At these overtly direct words, Josh’s face turned pale. He waved his hands in denial.
“N-no, of course not.”
At Josh’s words, the Duke asked with a seemingly puzzled expression:
“Hmm? Why are you so flustered? Isn’t it natural for a man to desire to run a business like that?”
“Y-yes, that’s right?”
At the Duke’s incomprehensible words, Josh’s expression completely changed. After clearing his throat a couple of times, he bit his lip and put on a determined face.
It was only a few seconds later that a sigh escaped his lips and he opened his mouth.
“Actually, I heard Levedi started Black Rose because of her settlement money. Since it’s essentially family money, I wondered if she should keep it while remarrying… anyway, that’s how it is.”
“Ah.”
The Duke’s exclamation, after listening to Josh’s nonsense, carried a strange hint of derision.
However, seemingly oblivious to this, Josh only continued to boast more loudly.
“Since it’s a business started with settlement money, while Levedi must have worked hard, I think she’s taking too much credit for herself… she seems somewhat ungrateful. Isn’t it family money after all?”
“…I see.”
“Yes, yes. So I think it’s right that I, as the future head of the family, should receive some shares. Sigh, she’s so stubborn about being the legitimate child.”
‘What nonsense is this?’
I barely managed to suppress the urge to shout out in disbelief when:
“…Hmm, I find this a bit puzzling.”
“Pardon?”
Josh tilted his head in surprise at the Duke’s sudden words.
The Duke opened his mouth with a seemingly kind smile toward Josh.
“I heard you’re Count Ophelia’s adopted son, but I don’t understand why Levedi should be grateful to you.”
“That’s…”
At that moment, the smile disappeared from Josh’s face, as if he hadn’t expected this response.
But it didn’t end there.
“Moreover, you seem to have no business experience at all. Why would Levedi entrust her business to you?”
“……”
“…And some shares? Do you even know how valuable Black Rose’s shares are?”
At that moment, it was Father’s pupils that dilated. Sure enough, Father soon asked the Duke:
“What do you mean by that?”
And the Duke responded to Father with a seemingly puzzled expression:
“Didn’t you know? Black Rose is currently one of the most successful fashion brands in the capital. Given its reputation despite being relatively new, it’s essentially number one.”
At that moment, silence fell over the room.
Father didn’t say anything for a while, alternately looking at the Duke, me, and Josh.
In the end, Father’s gaze settled in Josh’s direction. After looking at Josh with thoughtful eyes, Father finally began:
“Is what he’s saying true?”
At Father’s question, Josh stiffened with surprise before hesitantly answering:
“I didn’t know it was… that significant.”
“But you did know something, I take it.”
Father didn’t enjoy social activities.
My mother, known as the flower of society for her beauty, was often embroiled in scandals before marriage.
From the Emperor to prominent figures, everyone had at least one scandal with my mother.
Though she was just the daughter of an obscure baron, my extremely beautiful mother was probably good prey for journalists hungry for sensational stories.
Because of this, after marrying Father and giving birth to me, she suffered from suspicions about whether I was truly Father’s daughter, and eventually took her own life to prove her innocence.
Publicly, it was known that my mother died from a serious illness, but the reality was that she committed s*icide, unable to bear the pressure and shame from rumors.
Knowing this all too well, Father cut off his steps from society as soon as he covered my mother’s coffin.
Though he sat in the position of minister at the Emperor’s recommendation, it was essentially an honorary position. He only occasionally entered the palace to advise His Majesty the Emperor. Naturally, news reached him slowly, which allowed me to continue my business smoothly for the past two years.
Nevertheless, I had expected him to notice to some extent. Realizing that he truly didn’t know, rather than turning a blind eye to my activities, I felt somewhat bewildered.
While I was lost in these thoughts, Father looked at me and opened his mouth.
“I thought it was just a small achievement, but you’ve been doing something quite remarkable, Levedi.”
Father’s praise made my anger disappear, replaced by embarrassment.
“No, Father.”
“When I heard it was one of the top ten trading companies in the capital, I thought it was an exaggeration. But seeing His Grace the Duke say so, it must be truly impressive.”
The Duke was surprised by Father’s reaction.
“Hmm? You really didn’t know? The name Black Rose is so famous that I thought you would have heard it at least once somewhere…”
At the Duke’s words, Father burst into laughter and replied:
“Ha ha, I’ve been away from society for a long time, so I have little interaction with the outside world. News reaches me slowly.”
“Ah, I see.”
After nodding in understanding at Father’s words, the Duke suddenly seemed to remember something and turned his head toward Josh.
“By the way, what is your name, Levedi’s adopted brother?”
At the Duke’s sudden gaze and question, Josh pointed to himself in confusion and asked:
“M-me?”
His voice sounded reluctant. It was clearly a look of panic to anyone watching. But unlike Josh, the Duke asking the follow-up question was utterly composed.
“Yes, you.”
His voice was cold. It was so different from how he spoke to me, almost like a different person, and the dissonance was jarring.
On the other hand, seeing Josh flustered by the Duke’s cold questioning gave me a sense of satisfaction.
After a moment of hesitation, Josh finally opened his mouth to the Duke’s question.
“J-Josh Ophelia.”
“Ah. I’ve heard of you. I believe we attended the same academy?”
Josh seemed momentarily confused by the Duke’s puzzling question, but quickly nodded. This was because a pleased expression appeared on the Duke’s face as he looked at Josh.
“Oh, that’s right! We were schoolmates.”
But I could tell. This was a thoroughly calculated display of pleasure.
And the reason he was taking such a calculated attitude was perhaps…
“You seem to be my senior, and I remember you because your reputation at the academy was quite notable.”
Josh’s expression hardened at the Duke’s pointed words. No matter how oblivious he might be, he must know that his conduct at the academy had been terrible.
However, seemingly conscious of Father watching the conversation with interested eyes, he merely laughed awkwardly and responded nonchalantly:
“Ahaha, is that so?”
“Yes.”
But Josh’s nonchalance wouldn’t last much longer.
Father, who had been observing their conversation, stepped in.
“Reputation? Was our Josh that famous?”
Father asked the Duke, who responded with an affirming smile:
“Yes. Everyone in all grades knew the name Josh.”
At the Duke’s answer, a faint interest sparkled in Father’s eyes. After turning his head to glance at Josh, Father looked back at the Duke and asked:
“May I ask what made our Josh so famous?”
At Father’s words, the Duke glanced at Josh, who was trembling nervously, then answered with a curved lip:
“Of course.”
“What kind of…?”
“I heard he never lost first place throughout his seven years at the academy.”
At the Duke’s unexpected words, I had to tilt my head in confusion. He clearly seemed to be trying to give Josh a hard time, so why was he making up lies to praise him?
Then what was that hint of derision earlier?
Just as I was feeling puzzled, while satisfaction was filling Father’s face—
“…Ah, from the bottom, that is.”
The Duke added. Though his voice was quiet, the impact it delivered was far from small.
Father’s brow contorted. More precisely, it crumpled. Then Father’s gaze turned toward Josh.
After staring at Josh for a while as if glaring, Father carefully began:
“Is that true?”
At Father’s question, Josh hesitated momentarily, then, looking at the Duke and seemingly realizing that lying was futile, nodded with resigned eyes.
“…Yes, it is.”
At Josh’s words, wrinkles formed between Father’s brows. But only briefly. Soon, aware that he was in front of the Duke, Father relaxed his hardened expression and put on a gentle smile.
However, everyone in the room knew that smile was forced. Even the oblivious Josh noticed and began to fidget before opening his mouth.
“Um, if your business is finished, may I withdraw…”
Josh carefully asked Father. But Father gave Josh a sharp look and then answered in a stern tone:
“Where do you think you’re going? Sit down.”
Translator
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bluemoon238
Wow…
I get her father’s anguish but that’s still a no. For a businessman and merchant society is their actual lifeline. You can’t stay afloat without people = income. Did he completely rely on his wife to do business and Emperor’s pity after? This reeks of incompetence.