Chapter 6

“That’s great to hear then.”

His speech was so solemn. They shook their hands, treating it as a dramatic settlement.

“Wash up, then lie down on the bed. You’re not the only one using it anymore.”

I usually wash up before laying down….but I couldn’t tell him that I jumped right into bed because I was so surprised by his diary, so I nodded softly.

“Yes, I’ll go wash up and change.”

Though Evan was a year younger than me, he was bigger, so he didn’t seem like a younger brother at all.

I took out my indoor dress from the closet.

He chose one of the books he had piled up and sat down at his desk. It was quite uncomfortable when I looked over my shoulder.

‘Because you said you’re fine with it first…’

In addition, after unintentionally peeking in the diary, I started to want to be really nice to him.

It was already difficult to sincerely follow this kind of operation, that could honestly kill me.

But Evan is a different story.

We are in the same boat, considering that he had no choice in this marriage either.

I wanted to get along well so he wouldn’t be regarded as a bad and indifferent child.

“You graduated from the Academy today. Are you studying again?”

I sneaked to him and asked.

“You are so sincere.”

I then slowly raised my hand and stroked his black hair. His soft, smooth hair was wrapped around my hand.

[ Patting your head when you’re receiving a compliment. ]

“You’re younger than me. That’s amazing.”

Evan said nothing, then he quickly withdrew, wondering if he wanted to change his mind.

“Oh, you didn’t like it?”

He didn’t even look back.

“I’m sorry…”

“No.”

He mumbled while covering his face with the book he was holding.

“All right, then. I’m glad.”

I spoke quickly and walked into the bathroom.

The last time I saw him, his neck seemed to be a bit red again.

***

“Eat more of this.”

Evan and I stayed in the same room until breakfast.

It led to…

[ Sharing favorite foods. ]

At first, I didn’t want to get along, so I thought I should just be nice to him. However, after I saw the diary, I changed my mind.

It was because he was not indifferent from the beginning, but instead, he was a lonely child who hid his wishes.

Having no family as well, I understood how he felt, so I wanted to take care of his childhood a little.

Even if he grows up to be a completely indifferent man in the end.

So, I am showing my earnest desire to get along with him.

“That’s enough.”

Evan returned the tart I gave him.

“I don’t like sweets.”

“Really?”

“I’m not a kid.”

Lies.

‘Your eyes were shining when they came out with the tarts.’

I thought with a slight glance.

“If you don’t like it, then it can’t be helped.”

Though I didn’t have to be told twice, I brought the tart back.

So, while I was eating the tart, Evan was reading the newspaper that the servant had brought in.

I was forking thoughtlessly, and I happened to see one of Evan’s newspaper articles.

[ The 500th Anniversary of the Biggest Horse Racing Event ever! Experts are predicting the highest-selling money ever. ]

If it’s five-hundredth times!

The 500th annual horse racing event is the first event in which the male lead of the original “The Empire’s Great Deal” appeared.

The horse racing event was one of the many entertainments of the aristocracy, but the minimum betting amount was quite high, so the common people could not easily participate. I already knew that the male lead made his initial money here.

“…”

I gulped down a piece of tart.

I was thinking about ways to make money to play and eat comfortably when I would be running away.

‘Yeah. I think I’ll have to get in there somehow and get the money. I’d better run away and decide where to go later. I still have a lot of time, but I can’t miss this opportunity.’

The year I turn twenty-one years old.

There are still seven years left before I die, and Evan marries the Empress as planned by my father-in-law.

‘Let’s disguise ourselves as a missing person, and not deceased. If I’m the only one who officially disappears, Evan can marry her.’

After that, the story that I was missing would not matter in the end.

‘I’m just spending a lot of money quietly and playing around like this.’

It would be a little boring to live in hiding, but it is better than dying.

‘I only have to live in hiding until Ellani and Evan divorce…’

The plan was roughly drawn in my head.

“Do you want to go?”

I was deep in my thoughts when Evan suddenly asked me.

“Huh?”

“You’ve been looking at this article for a while.”

“Ah.”

He must have noticed that I was looking at the horse racing article.

“Yes, I want to go. I think it would be fun.”

Of course, it’s an opportunity to make good money.

I am the daughter-in-law of a Duke, but I don’t have any money right now.

All kinds of high-end food and clothing were provided, but the budget was not set yet because I am still a minor.

When Evan went to the Academy he got budgeted for his pocket money…

In this case, there was no reason to organize this exceptionally.

Last time, I asked the butler secretly, and he said that he could make a budget from the moment I became an adult.

So, if there’s anything I need, I can ask him…

“The official budget has not been drawn up. Of course, there is an order from the Duke to purchase everything you need. If you have anything you want, just tell me.”

I couldn’t answer that what I wanted is ‘cash that would never be tracked.’

Under these circumstances, it was almost impossible to create slush funds with the assets here.

Nevertheless, I could not ask the Duke, who paid my debts, to make a new budget for me.

“May I go?”

“You said you wanted to go. Who would stop you?”

He spoke in a sullen manner.

“In two days.”

That meant I would have cash in two days.

Now, let’s walk the money road.

I asked excitedly.

“Who should I talk to? Should I tell the butler? The maid? But can I bet my own money? Do I need an adult guardian?”

There are many things I didn’t know because it was my first time going out on my own after coming to the Duchy.

But the more questions were asked, the stranger Evan looked at me.

“What…”

He patted and muttered on the plate of his finished dessert.

“I don’t really have anything to do these days.”

“Huh?”

“It wouldn’t be bad if I don’t watch these kinds of events and stuff.”

“I don’t hate crowded places.”

“…!”

“You’re a pretty good talker.”

I stared at him and sighed internally.

Maybe it was because he grew up without any emotion, but I wasn’t sure why he was twisting his words.

There is nothing I can do. I did say let’s be nice first, I am also a year older too.

“Well, then Evan…”

I asked with a big smile.

“Do you want to come with me?”