2 — Finalizing Negotiations

Several days after I replied back in the affirmative to the Fisalis family, the duke himself paid a visit to my home... along with many, many betrothal presents. Finely made, extravagant dresses—the likes of which I’d never even seen from afar—and dazzling jewels. And on top of that, a little bit of everything else, it seemed. Just an endless stream from inside the carriages...

Beyond anxious at the sight of so many goods being brought into our home, one after another, my whole family crowded into the kitchen.

“We could get out of debt simply by selling all of this...”

“’Selling?’ Viola, how could you say that!?” Mother shot down my whispered idea, a dark expression washing over her smiling face. My brother and sister’s pupils were like pinpricks as they watched these luxuries being paraded before them for the first time. It was in this moment of mutual stupefaction that the duke made his dashing appearance. He was so perfect in his crisp uniform that looking at him was like looking into a ray of light.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Viola. I am Cercis Tinensis Fisalis. I am deeply honored that you have accepted my marriage proposal,” he said as he gazed at me with rapt attention. He smiled beautifully throughout the entire introduction. I was utterly dumbfounded, seeing this gorgeous man right in front of me for the first time. I had heard he was hot, but mere rumors did not do the actual extent of his beauty justice. He was taller and more fit than I had imagined. His carefully styled short brown hair was perfectly befitting a knight. His dark brown eyes were the same color as his hair, and they glittered in a way that somehow seemed dignified. He had a straight nose and an expressive mouth curved up into a gentle smile. In short, he was flawless. His whole being was a perfect combination of features. I was scared speechless to have this dazzling gentleman right there in front of me. Mouth agape, I haltingly introduced myself.

“The-the pleasure is all mine, Your Grace. Viola,” I stammered out. Stupefied as I was, even my bow was terribly awkward. Ahh, what am I doing?

But the duke’s dark eyes smiled back at me, with no mention of my clumsiness. He took my hand and said, “You are as lovely as they say.” Turning to my father then, he asked, “Lord Euphorbia, might I have a word with Miss Viola?”

“Oh, erm, certainly! Allow me to set up some chairs for you out in the garden.” Father was grinning and nodding like a bobble-head doll.

“Thank you, sir.” And with that, I headed out to the garden with the duke.

All of a sudden it was just the two of us, out under the afternoon sun in the quaint garden. “I need you to be my show wife,” Cercis declared, with no warning at all.

What? What did this jerk just say?

“A show... wife?” For a moment, I could not believe what I was hearing. I mean, that wasn’t something you say with a smile on your face, right!? ...Ahem, excuse me. The sight of the happy little birds gathered in the garden felt the exact opposite of Cercis’ disquieting words.

I have a feeling this will be nothing but trouble.

I asked my question one more time as I forced my mouth into a fake smile.

“Yes, just for show. I actually have a lover I’ve been with for about six years. I’m in love with her, but, regrettably, she’s just a former dancing girl. She has no idea about her lineage, not to mention she is a commoner—she would be rejected by my peers. I can’t marry her.” He was indifferent in the face of my bewilderment.

“Oh...”

“But lately everyone has been pressing me to get married and produce an heir.”

“Oh.”

“But like I said, they wouldn’t approve of a marriage to her. I have no intention of leaving her, though. So that’s why you would be my show wife. We would just pretend to be a happy married couple.”

“...oh?” It was such a crazy idea that I could only give the vaguest of answers. You could say that my expectations had shifted somewhat.

To be frank, then... this guy who’s going to marry me is already madly in love with someone. So, I’ll be his legal wife, but also the side-woman. Heck, I won’t even be the side-woman, probably, seeing as he has already decided for himself that he couldn’t love me. I mean, normally guys are in love with their ‘other woman,’ right? Er, hold on, I’m confused. Then what would that make me... besides his legal spouse? Oh, I’m so lost. Fine!

I understood enough for the time being, even though I was still lost. I knew this was too good to be true. It would be even more crazy if it wasn’t. Weddings between couples who barely know each other and arranged marriages are not uncommon, but usually both families agree on the marriage because there are special interests at stake. No one marries a plain girl with no connections if there is nothing to be gained and not even a spark. I understood that much.

I organized my spinning thoughts as I stared at the duke’s smile, which had grown dark. He, meanwhile, disregarded me and continued speaking. “You are under no obligation to say yes, of course, and I’m also fine with you taking a lover. All of your daily necessities would be covered, and you’d want for nothing,” he said with a sweet smile.

To say something as fiendish as that with such an innocent smile! I nearly felt my soul leave my body. This man is the devil incarnate. I stared at him in amazement, mouth agape.

...Get it together, you idiot. Close your mouth.

A regular, spoiled earl’s daughter might have lost her temper, but in my case, my feelings were mixed. This wedding proposal was all due to my family’s debt, after all. Father, Mother, and my little siblings would struggle terribly if they had to pay back all of that debt. If I get angry over his requirements and break off the engagement, my family will fall headfirst into financial ruin. Who am I kidding? We’ve already hit rock bottom. We would be pariahs in the eyes of high society. Naught but a stain on the face of the aristocracy!

...That sounds kind of impressive, though.

No, no! Focus! Everything will work out as long as I grin and bear it.

I mentioned this in a conversation a few days ago—I’ve never been in love. Not a single gentleman has ever caught my interest in my eighteen years of living. I never really thought about my future. I simply figured, ‘We’re too poor for me to get married. I need to be around to help out!’ So, really, I should be grateful for the opportunity to live a life of luxury, right? I mean, I wouldn’t have to worry about retirement!

All of this flew through my mind in that one moment. “Alright. I’ll do anything if you promise to pay off our debt,” I answered calmly enough.

I don’t think that I’ll be looking for a lover or anything, though.

Perhaps it was because I answered him so matter-of-factly, but the duke seemed slightly surprised. His smile, however, soon returned, and he said, “I’m glad you’re so agreeable. I’m looking forward to our future together.”

He held out his right hand.

Are we ‘closing the deal?’ I unhesitatingly wrapped my right hand around his.

“Yes, me too... by the way, what would I actually be expected to do as your show wife?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, to start, as duchess, I would have to go to social events, right?”

“Oh, no, I’m so busy that I don’t often go to parties. You would not be required to go.”

“I don’t have to?”

“Correct. If things change, we can discuss it then.”

So in other words, socializing is still a possibility. Got it.

“I understand. What about tea parties?”

“Er, my mother is not really one for socializing, so she only goes to and hosts them infrequently.”

“I see.”

Of course, glitz and glamor aren’t appealing to reserved people, you don’t have to tell me.

I was relieved to hear that I did not have to be a social butterfly.

“Managing the manor, then... What about that?”

I’ll bet it’s going to be all up to me to do.

“The butler, Rohtas, takes care of running the house, so you don’t need to worry about that. He’s been serving us since my parents’ generation, so he knows our household better than anyone. If you ever have any questions, do ask Rohtas or the head maid.”

“Alright.”

He sounds less like the head of the house... and more like a butler himself!

“Well then, what of your territory?” I pressed. The duke was a knight. I was sure he was busy, since he held the important position of division commander, so I was curious as to how he managed his territory. In my family, my father ruled the fiefdom, but my mother helped out where she could. I did not expect him to pass the whole domain off to me, but just in case, I wanted to ask.

“At the moment, my father... the previous generation looks after the territory. When the rank of duke was suddenly passed down to me, I stopped going out around our territory, you see, because I had so much to do. I left the land to them. You are not required to accompany them around the territory, either.”

Phew, I thought, nodding along.

Me? Administering a domain? That would be asking for disaster.

And now for the big question. “Where do you stand in terms of producing an heir?”

I am going to be a virgin ‘show bride’ and I am not going to make an heir with him.

“If I have a child with any of my lovers, it obviously would not be yours to raise, but I would adopt it and make it my successor.”

What a brutal answer, even for a man as indifferent as him! He’d rather hire a wetnurse than let me raise the baby.

Hmm... it looks like what we have here is a debt-canceling devil. Is he really going to save my family? When I weigh my options... I’m inclined to lean toward wiping out our debt. I guess if there aren’t any guests, you don’t have to worry about the upkeep of the house, anyway. On top of that, he said I don’t even have to worry about the territory... I really will be just for show! What am I going to do all day then—just sit around in the manor?

...I guess I’ll put off thinking about that until the time comes.

To sum it all up, the duke told me that he had to get married, that all my necessities would be covered if I behaved myself while at the manor, that I could have a lover so long as I was discreet about it, that I didn’t have to go out and be social, and that we didn’t have to have a baby together.

This is quite a set of terms and conditions. To be fair, they don’t negatively impact me all that much personally, so I think I’ll be fine. My family’s well-being depends on it! Moreover, a reserved person like me is better suited for a life indoors than one out and about!

“Is there anything else you want to know?” Cercis asked, although he had already answered all of my questions.

“I think I am fine for now. If I come up with anything later, I’ll ask you then.”

“That sounds like a plan.”

And thus I formally entered into a marriage of convenience, or rather, a marriage by contract, between the Fisalis and the Euphorbia families.