Chapter 105

And their words were right, too. Even if it had been placed on the political chopping block, it was still her marriage, her life.

On the other hand, there was someone who gave a different answer—unexpectedly, or perhaps as expected, it was Raymond, who always uttered the most nonsense.

“I like Prince Raihan better.”

“I knew you’d say that.”

“But somehow, it feels like Essen is losing, so I don’t really like it.”

“So what are you suggesting?”

“Oh, I’ve thought of a solution.”

“What is it?”

“If you marry both Duke Schwitz and Prince Raihan, the problem is solved.”

“…….”

Her attention, lost in reminiscence, was drawn back by Yurik, who entered silently with a tired look. Yurik greeted Durant, who was searching through books in a corner of the office, and then sat down next to her as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Tired?”

“A little.”

Yurik, who had recently returned from dealing with matters in the territory, looked as if he hadn’t slept at all.

Sitting beside her, Yurik leaned his head on her shoulder as if seeking comfort, folding his upper body. He let out a shallow sigh, and then, perhaps intending to nap, closed his eyes.

She held her breath for his sake, but Durant closed his book with a loud snap, breaking the silence.

“Why are you so calm, Young Heiress? The situation is urgent.”

“Getting worked up won’t help right now…….”

“Still, what about… the title?”

Durant, watching Yurik with closed eyes, asked in a small voice. It was a pointless question.

“……The title, why?”

“You’re not sleeping?”

“I just had my eyes closed. So?”

She answered for Yurik, who groaned softly.

“My grandmother wrote in her will that if I don’t marry someone I love before turning twenty-seven, I won’t inherit the title.”

“…….”

Yurik, apparently surprised by something he’d never heard before, slowly lifted his face from her shoulder. It was understandable—he must have wondered why she hadn’t inherited the marquisate directly and remained in the ambiguous position of Young Heiress. The fact that he’d never asked until now was impressive.

“……But if I marry Raihan, the Estellon marquisate leaves my hands regardless of the will. That’s the point.”

On the other hand, if she married Yurik, the marquisate would remain hers. According to Essen law, it was possible to hold the position of Duchess Consort concurrently.

Yurik was likely quite flustered, but he was also one of the most rational people around… or so she thought, until she reconsidered.

‘Maybe he’s not so rational… at least when it comes to me.’

For example, the incident at the banquet hall. Or more precisely, he seemed to lose his usual reason only when it came to her.

Before she could finish the thought, Yurik’s eyes lit up sharply.

“Do they know?”

“Of course not.”

“Tsks.”

The clicking of his tongue sounded disappointed. What would he have done if they did know…?

“In this situation, I can’t beg you to marry me. You’ve really thought this through.”

“…….”

Almost at the same moment Yurik finished speaking, Durant closed his book with a loud sound. Pressing his temples, he trudged over and sat down heavily before them. He seemed unable to solve the problem.

Holding his forehead, he suddenly repeated what she’d heard not long ago.

“Can’t you just marry both?”

……She couldn’t believe she was hearing this from Durant as well.

“Sigh, marrying both is a problem, and if that happens, the Estellon marquisate disappears… wait.”

She was lamenting to when she suddenly realized something and jerked her head up.

“Why is are you reacting like this, Young Heiress?”

“…….”

Their eyes met, and she quickly looked away. Durant was always quick to catch suspicious signs.

“Well, actually…”

She hadn’t expected to reveal this here. She swallowed hard.

“I… have a title in Elvirtein.”

“……Why do you have that?”

Sensing the story would be long, she sipped the cooled tea and began explaining, starting with Dinua Garden and the method she’d come up with. When her lengthy explanation ended, Durant sighed before Yurik could.

“Should I call this clever or something else?”

Actually, the nonsense Raymond had suggested was the very solution she’d first thought of, especially after seeing the ‘Baroness Viscas’ title left by her mother.

To sum up: As Dione Estellon, she would marry Yurik Schwitz, and as Dione Viscas, she would marry Raihan Elvirtein.

Naturally, polygamy was impossible legally. But on paper, ‘Baron Dione Viscas’ was a different person from ‘Young Heiress Dione Estellon’. Of course… everyone knew it was just a technicality.

‘I didn’t even realize until now… I must be really greedy.’

She gave a bitter smile. She was honestly a bit scared of how Yurik would take this. Anyone normal would hesitate. Yet, selfishly, she wished he would accept this crazy plan.

She hadn’t mentioned it before because it sounded so absurd, and she’d never expected things to unfold this way.

If things hadn’t turned out like this, it would have been laughed off as nonsense.

“Of course, this means it’s not a marriage with Dione Estellon as they wanted,”

“Then just do the opposite.”

“……No, I was going to say that’s for them to figure out.”

Durant seemed to accept it, but his expression was sour. He seemed to be wondering if this was really the best solution.

“But, hmm… there’s no precedent for this.”

“That’s true. But there’s no precedent for the current situation either, so it makes sense.”

“That’s true…….”

She finished speaking and glanced at Yurik. He didn’t seem particularly shaken, but she wondered what he was really thinking.

Noticing her gaze, Durant spoke to Yurik first.

“What do you think? Honestly, your opinion matters most.”

“I don’t mind.”

“……Really?”

Durant asked again, surprised, and Yurik nodded without hesitation. His slanted gaze met her startled eyes.

“Politically, and between the three of us… it makes sense.”

“…….”

“Just pass it along. Even if Emperor Vicente objects, Prince Raihan will push it through.”

He spoke confidently, as if he could see the future. Since when did those two know each other so well…? Even as she wondered, Yurik just smiled and gently stroked her tense neck.

Durant, also half in doubt, furrowed his brow.

Of course, such a decision couldn’t be made by the Crown Prince alone. After intense resistance and lengthy negotiations, Essen’s letter was sent to Elvirtein as quickly as possible.

About a month later, she boarded the cruise again with Yurik.