“What? But as Levedi’s mere cousin, I don’t think this is my place…”
I couldn’t help but laugh seeing Josh change his tune now that the situation had turned unfavorable, after previously insisting we were family when trying to claim rights to my trading company.
No, this wasn’t just a time to laugh.
I continued staring at Josh with a smile still on my face and chimed in:
“That’s right, Brother. We’re family, so you should definitely stay for the meeting with my future husband.”
“……”
“This is what a harmonious family does, isn’t it, Father?”
At my words, Josh’s gaze toward me grew even sharper. In simple terms, he glared at me like he wanted to kill me.
So what?
‘What are you going to do about it?’
In the current situation, Josh was thoroughly at a disadvantage. He knew this himself, which is why he was trying to escape.
Yet seeing him still clinging to his pride despite everything made me laugh derisively.
I wore that derision as if it were my natural smile.
Around that time, Father nodded and responded:
“Yes, you’re right.”
Father seemed to have grasped the situation. I felt relieved. The reason he was leaving Josh here to face humiliation was all too clear.
Soon, Josh’s name would be erased from the Ophelia family tree.
And the Duke didn’t hesitate to pour oil on this spreading fire.
“Come to think of it, our Levedi should give you some shares. You must have many children to feed.”
This was unexpected. Children?
“Children?”
“Children?”
My gaze and Father’s, both filled with puzzlement, turned simultaneously toward Josh. With eyes as wide as they could get, Josh could only manage a bewildered smile, as if asking what that meant.
Could it be that Josh had children?
Glancing at the Duke’s face, I saw it overflowing with composure.
His attitude, completely contrasting with Josh’s, was impressive. Looking at him reminded me of a predator at the very top of the food chain, a fierce beast.
Of course, unlike a beast, he was elegant, but that made him even more threatening—like claws hidden, ready to spring out at any moment.
“Answer properly right now!”
Father shouted at Josh, who appealed to Father with an aggrieved expression:
“I-I know nothing about this. Children? Are you judging me based only on the words of an outsider?”
“An outsider, is it.”
A spirited smile appeared on the Duke’s lips, as if amused by Josh’s reference to him. Though beautiful, this smile with its sharpened edge evoked a chill.
Just as I was about to shudder at that smile, the Duke’s voice, noticeably colder than before, cut through the room.
“Well, that’s not wrong. I acknowledge it.”
And not long after, the Duke’s expression softened again. Even his voice, continuing his words, had become gentle unlike before.
“But you know, there seem to be many of your children at the orphanage I sponsor, despite being an ‘outsider.'”
“……”
“I’m curious about the criteria for being an ‘outsider.’ Are your children also included in that category?”
At the Duke’s words, the room was suddenly enveloped in silence.
The one who visibly shrank in this atmosphere was none other than Josh. Everyone present, including me, noticed the change.
It wasn’t long before a cold voice emerged from between Father’s lips.
“It seems I’ve brought in the wrong person. I should have been more careful when bringing someone into the family.”
This was a blatant reference to Josh. It meant Father regretted bringing Josh in, and simultaneously declared that there was absolutely no chance of the family headship going to him.
Hearing this, Josh’s face turned deathly pale. However, Father didn’t even glance at Josh, only looking at me and the Duke as he added:
“Come to think of it, it was possible for one family to possess two titles, wasn’t it?”
A quietly uttered sentence. But its implications were significant.
It was a clear correction that he would never pass the family to Josh, and at the same time, a proposal to give the title that would remain after Father’s death to the Duke.
I looked at the Duke. Though his answer was predictable, I worried he might make a wrong decision.
And fortunately, he didn’t disappoint my expectations.
“What do you mean by that?”
A proper moment of playing hard to get. But his voice, tinged with interest, implied affirmation.
Father, seeming to notice this, spoke to the Duke with a suddenly brightened expression:
“After marrying off my daughter, I’ll have no children left under me.”
At these words explicitly revealing that Josh was not his child, I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
“That’s right.”
The Duke contributed to making the clearly present and breathing human in this place invisible by agreeing.
Regrettably, watching this, I didn’t feel even a trace of guilt.
Josh, with his dirty reputation, had tried to blind Father’s eyes and ears with pretense to claim the Ophelia name.
And his attempt to take my trading company as well would never be forgiven.
‘This is a light punishment for coveting what isn’t yours.’
The taste in my mouth was particularly savory. The air seeping in felt the same. I covered my rising lips with my hand.
It was around then that Father brought up the main point.
“Compared to Esteban, our Ophelia lacks in many ways. My daughter can be presented anywhere without shame, but with our family as it is, there’s not much we can properly offer you.”
“……”
“Therefore, I’d like you to accept our family. Being placed under Esteban’s reputation would be an unparalleled joy for us.”
At Father’s words, the Duke looked at Josh, then readily nodded.
“I worry that the humble reputation of Esteban might rather detract from Ophelia’s eminence, and Levedi alone is already more than enough, but if it brings joy to the Count, no, my father-in-law, I won’t decline.”
The reason he agreed so easily was obvious.
On the premise of our contract marriage, he had promised to make me the head of the family.
If the Ophelia family came into the Duke’s hands, it would become much easier to fulfill this condition.
I felt overwhelmed by how smoothly things were progressing. But it was undeniable that anxiety coexisted beneath the surface.
“Ho ho, I’m gratified that you don’t decline. But due to my inadequacy, our conversation seems to have strayed far from the main point. Shall we return to our earlier discussion?”
Soon the direction of the conversation shifted from promoting Josh as the next Count to my marriage.
In this conversation, the Duke was respectful, and Father was favorable.
While it was pleasant to see them getting along like father and son, why did I feel an inexplicable sense of complexity?
The feeling of deceiving Father.
And another…
‘Will he really keep his promise?’
I stared blankly at the Duke, who was skillfully dealing with Father. He was undoubtedly a perfect man in every aspect, just like his perfect appearance.
That’s why I felt more anxious.
Would this man really keep his promise?
He had made me his business partner, the mother of his child, and his wife.
What could be the reason such a perfect man pushed forward with this “contract,” taking on the heavy burden of making me the head of the family?
The clause about him taking over the Ophelia family felt uncomfortable, like a fishbone stuck in my throat.
Though he didn’t seem like that kind of person, the anxiety that he might be coexisted within me.
This anxiety persisted until the conversation between the Duke and Father ended, and Father left, leaving just the two of us.
❀❀❀
Their conversation ended.
Father closed the door and left, with Josh following behind.
Consequently, only the two of us remained in the reception room.
An awkward air flowed between us.
The Duke was the first to break the silence.
“Are you uncomfortable somewhere?”
My complex feelings must have shown on my face. But I shook my head.
“I’m just a bit tired from staying up all night.”
“…I see.”
At my firm words, the Duke seemed to have nothing more to say and was about to lower his gaze.
As I blankly looked down at the back of the Duke’s lowered head, I opened my mouth.
“But you know.”
At my voice, the Duke raised his head and looked at me.
“How…”
Meeting the Duke’s puzzled eyes, I was finally able to voice the words I had been suppressing all along.
“This contract, no matter how I look at it, seems disadvantageous to you.”
At that moment, the Duke’s face hardened. Though it was a subtle change, I didn’t miss it. The meaning of this change in expression was clear.
It meant my suspicion was correct.
For a while, the Duke silently stared intently at my face. Finally, he opened his mouth with a long sigh.
“You really have no sense of awareness.”
But the words that came from his lips were strange. No sense of awareness? Is he really saying that to me?
I was puzzled. What part of me lacks awareness?
“Are you… referring to me? About lacking awareness?”
When I carefully asked if he was referring to me, he hesitated for a moment before shaking his head with an incomprehensible smile.
“…Never mind.”
“What?”
It was a moment of confusion at his sudden dismissal. The corners of the Duke’s lips curved, and then he spoke almost like a recitation, with a strange smile:
“In that sense, I just want to say that I’m very satisfied with this contract.”
Satisfied with the contract in that sense?
“What does that mean?”
Just as I couldn’t grasp his intentions as he continued to speak incomprehensibly, a low, soft voice penetrated my ear.
“Because I’ve gained you.”
“What?”
“I need nothing more.”
Saying this, the Duke met my eyes.
His cool ruby-colored eyes were incredibly splendid, yet gave a strangely sorrowful impression.
Somehow, I felt like I understood the meaning of his words.
‘Could it be… he likes me?’
One assumption quickly flashed through my mind. But immediately after, a derisive laugh escaped.
‘…What a preposterous thought.’
How long had we even known each other? Could someone fall in love after just a few meetings? Especially a man like him?
He is the head of the Esteban ducal family, ranked first in ceremonial order. He’s also the head of “Diamond Trading Company,” the most successful major trading company in the Empire.
To top it all off, he possesses looks that would be called a sculptural beauty anywhere.
Thus, money, honor, and appearance. A man who has everything couldn’t possibly like a mere daughter of a Count’s family with a divorce history.
Wasn’t there even a rumor that the Emperor was eyeing Duke Esteban as a potential match for the Imperial Princess?
Yes, a man like him might suit the Imperial Princess, but not me.
But despite knowing this, the reason this absurd speculation kept circling in my mind…
“By the way, your hair ornament today is pretty.”
Though his tone was indifferent, it contained an undeniable warmth that he couldn’t hide.
My lips twisted unconsciously. I didn’t like this kindness of his.
Even if what I expected were true, I know better than anyone that I’m not in a position to expect it.
Yet his gentleness, and his actions of caring while seeming indifferent…
Just earlier, it was the same.
Before announcing our marriage, I called for Josh. Though it was a very small action, he recognized from just that what I disliked.
The Duke thoroughly trampled Josh’s nonsensical words, and didn’t stop there—he personally exposed Josh’s true nature to Father, causing him to be expelled from the position of future family head.
No matter how I thought about it, this was beyond the actions of a business partner. Of course, it was also true that rather than being annoying, it was a thoroughly helpful action that I was grateful for.
In short, his “help” was excessive.
I questioned his actions, wondering if he had ulterior motives toward me. But his answer didn’t seem to hide any schemes.
While it did seem like he had some ulterior motive, if he intended to blindfold my eyes and ears to swallow the Ophelia family, he wouldn’t have acted so blatantly.
Like saying I lacked awareness.
“Don’t change the subject.”
“What?”
The Duke tilted his head in apparent confusion at my persistent words.
Seeing this, I wondered if I was digging too deep a hole by myself, but if I missed this moment, I might never have the chance to question him again.
So I decided to be even more persistent.
“What exactly do you mean by lacking awareness? Are you saying you’ve trapped me in some way?”
I thought perhaps he might have a gambling personality. Many business leaders have such traits.
Could the Duke be one of them?
Perhaps he planned to swallow the Ophelia family but felt a thrill in subtly hinting at it to me.
But from what I could see, the Duke was a perfectionist. I remember when he dropped his handkerchief in the corridor last time, it took him several minutes just to fold it with perfect corners before putting it in his coat pocket.
Of course, part of it was his lack of manual dexterity, but judging by how meticulously he folded the handkerchief, he was likely a perfectionist.
But a perfectionist who enjoys gambling?
I’m surely not the only one who thinks this is a highly incompatible combination.
“What kind of answer do you want to hear?”
After listening to my words and appearing momentarily confused, the Duke asked.
I took a deep breath to calm myself, then began with deliberate heaviness:
“I asked why you helped me. I wondered if your comment about my lack of awareness meant you’re hiding something from me.”
At that moment, a “pfft” sound spread through the air. The Duke was laughing at me.
Having asked something I considered quite serious, seeing him laugh made me feel strange.
“Why are you laughing?”
“You seem so intelligent at times, yet occasionally you show such innocent aspects, my lady.”
“……”
“If you can’t understand even after such a blatant declaration of war.”
His voice carried a hint of complaint.
I had to tilt my head in confusion.
“…What?”
It was a question I had asked to resolve my doubts. But hearing his answer only increased my confusion.
But one thing was clear. The tone of his words, suggesting he was frustrated that I couldn’t understand despite his “blatant declaration of war,” could also be interpreted as him wanting me to recognize his true intentions.
In other words, he never had any intention of swallowing the Ophelia family from the beginning.
Then what was his true intention…
Just as I was about to ask another question, he rose from his seat.
“I should be going now. I’ve stayed too long. Work will be piling up.”
After saying this to me and bowing his head, he strode toward the door. Just as he was about to open the door and leave—
“Wait a moment.”
I stopped him. I knew it was a crazy thing to do, but it was clear that if not now, I would never have the chance to ask.
At my call, the Duke turned his head. A puzzled look swept over me.
“Hmm?”
Taking a deep breath, how long did I stare at him as he let out a faint hum?
Soon I felt my pounding heart calming down. I carefully, but with a clear voice, opened my mouth:
“Duke.”
“Yes?”
“…Do you like me?”
At my words, the Duke’s body flinched. It was a small movement close to a twitch, but I didn’t miss it. And above all, his eyes remained widened.
“Why do you ask that?”
I didn’t understand the Duke’s surprised reaction. It was literally just a probing question, but such an intense response?
This was quite a contrast to when I asked how to make me the family head through illegal means, and he replied “Just kill everyone” without batting an eye.
More precisely, what had been mere suspicion gradually tilted toward certainty.
I knew it was utterly absurd, but…
‘Does he really like me?’
Otherwise, why would a man with such consistent composure be so startled? But thinking again, it could also be that I had thrown a very embarrassing question at him.
Translator
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
bluemoon238
Man just assumes she doesn’t have an inkling about her situation. She definitely does unless author messes with her brain. What she doesn’t have is options. She is very limited in what she can do at the moment. Honestly am hating on the father right now. Disliking FL’s inability to just up and leave wouldn’t be realistic thought or truly fair, I acknowledge. She doesn’t have legal rights, no proper support, and no person of influence truly wanting to help on her side. Her whole life has been for just marrying her off for influence. She only understands as much as she does from the Protagonist Perks. Such a society teaching women and placing them in certain positions of influence but always restricting hypocritical nonsense is how it was in reality and honestly nothing short of t*rture. If you veiw someone as property and spout about their value and what should be their rights then you shouldn’t restrict their abilities and progress or treat them as second class or property while using and benefiting from their talents whenever it suits you