CH 8

Let’s give each other a soft kiss.

When he opens the sweaty shirt, the smell of passionate sweat tickles the tip of my nose like a captivating pheromone perfume.

In the hot breath. Even though he doesn’t seem agitated, the Grand Duke’s eyes are restless, as if he wants to know why we’re already stopped.

I was sitting on top of him on the chair as if I were going to give kisses anxiously. 

“Then why are you so late?”

I look down, clutching at his loose tie.

Of course…that’s in my imagination.

* * *

I definitely reached out to put my hand on that chest.

“….?” 

But before I knew it, I had a piece of paper in my hand.

What’s going on here?

The Grand Duke calmly gave me a piece of paper and sat on a chair.

“It is a marriage contract.”

What we have to do on the first night is fill out a marriage contract?

Yeah, that’s possible. That’s what young couples do these days.

It’s like a marriage certificate, right?

Will you give me your energy after this? 

First of all, I looked down at the contract written in black on white paper.

“You probably would have been curious. Why did I put a marriage story in the crumbling Fellua?” 

The first line dumbfounded me, so one corner of my mouth twitched.

[Aiming for divorce after one year. ]

“If you follow that clause carefully, we will go through divorce proceedings after a year.”

Is he saying we’re meeting now for mutual introductions and making a divorce notification?

–A little while ago, this nine-tailed fox made mutual introductions and decided to start working as a married couple–

“You don’t have to worry because you won’t get divorced because of dishonor.”

I looked through the paper and glared at Epher, but he was only looking down.

‘This punk…’

Did he try to be generous and make me understand why he was late?

You act like you’re going to do it, and by doing it, do you mean getting a divorce?

‘How dare you fool me?’

The Grand Duke continued speaking calmly, not seeing my expression at all, continued speaking calmly.

“I won’t ask for an unreasonable job as Grand Duchess as written there.” 

I read through this ridiculous contract.

“But I won’t cut off your living expenses.”

I couldn’t hear even a single word from Epher.

“However, when there is an official event, you should participate together.”

It was because there was one clause that stood out more than many other clauses.

“We don’t have to pretend to be a good couple. And there’s no need to look bad.”

[For each other’s life later, do not touch each other’s body. ]

“In moderation. If the wife is normal and unharmed here, I promise to divorce you in about a year.”

Don’t touch each other’s bodies. Doesn’t this mean you won’t have a secret relationship between husband and wife?

It was so absurd that I unknowingly told the Grand Duke my innermost thoughts.

“Then why did you talk about marriage with Roselia?”

The Grand Duke, who had been looking down all along, looked up at me with a little contemplation.

When I saw it as a fox, I looked up, but it didn’t feel so bad. His expression was somewhat rotten, though. 

“…Ro, what?”

Oh, right. There is no word more strange than referring to oneself.

I asked back without shame to make the Grand Duke think he had heard wrong.

“I asked why you put the marriage talk to me.”

I bit my teeth hard.

“There’s no way you can fulfill a contract without knowing the reason.”

Epher rose from his seat.

“It is not a contract that must be kept. At the very least, I wrote down the morals I had to follow.” 

Although ‘without knowing anything’ was emphasized. It seemed that the Grand Duke was only focused on ‘transition.’

“What if I don’t keep it?” 

The Grand Duke said, picking up the robe that had been placed on his chair.

“If only you follow what is written there.”

“….” 

“As long as you keep the proper line.”

“….” 

“I have no intention of neglecting you. Please let me know if you have any requirements. Anytime.”

You’re neglecting me! You don’t even touch me. Why did you say that! What are you going to do with my fox bead!

“So, am I doing nothing and just having the title of Grand Duchess?” 

“…I’m glad you already know.”

He turned around and walked away from me. 

“Why? Why do I have to be a Grand Duchess?”

He paused for a moment and said coldly, showing his back.

“…If you’re really asking because you don’t know, then I’ll tell you.” 

I was wondering what nonsense this is. 

I couldn’t say anything because he looked so good as the villain in the novel. 

* * *

If you go all the way to the east of the Elysian Empire, there is Mount Tiris, well-known as a sacred mountain. 

If you go east beyond Mount Tiris, you will find Mount Teil, which is the border of the empire. 

The plains in the middle of the two mountains grew well with grain. It was cool in summer and warm in winter. There were many sunny days with clear skies, and it was also suitable as a resort for nobles. 

Since it is on the border of the empire, exchanges with other countries were active, and there were some wars to occupy this land long ago.

Because it was such an important area in the empire.

From ancient times, those who were independent of the imperial family used to rule by receiving the title of Grand Duke. 

Leisure and rest. It was a small mission given to those who did not become the Empire’s Emperor.

The Grand Duke of Epher Elysia, like many of his ancestors, became the Grand Duke of Elnoah. By giving up the right of succession to the throne.

And a month ago.

“I don’t understand.”

As soon as Epher saw the letter from the imperial family, he tore it into four parts to soothe his anger.

In the letter, the marriage destination of Epher Elysia was written.

Of course, most of the royal family’s marriages were arranged according to the rules of the imperial family.

Unless they have someone who they really want to marry.

However, he gathered only the young ladies of the fallen families, and he didn’t ask them to choose from among these. 

“Where is this kind of treatment?”

At that time, Fior, who always guards Epher’s side, picked up the torn letter from the floor and said it carefully. 

“Are they being cautious?”

“…I guess so.”

The deep valley between the imperial family and Epher has been rising for quite some time.

There has always been a battle for succession. In most cases, if the eldest son or eldest daughter had no major problems, they would inherit the throne.

However, unlike Herian, who had no talent for magic, Epher had an extraordinary talent for magic since he was a child. 

In the powerful magic nation Elysian Empire, it was clear who had the qualities of an Emperor without having to say it. 

People naturally started to split into two factions.

But, there is a view that Herian, the eldest son, should inherit the throne. 

And Epher, who is talented in magic, is said to be more suitable for the throne.

“Even though I have already given up the right to inherit the throne, is this what he is doing?”

“Your Highness knows that those are just words.”

Epher smiled, and he raised one corner of his mouth.

It must also be the Crown Prince’s advice to marry into one of the fallen families.

There must be a hidden agenda behind the decision to crush such possible plots of treason.

Fior collected the letters and placed them on Epher’s desk, and Epher looked down at them again with an annoyed look.

“Maybe all of them.”

“Fior. First of all, quickly investigate the family that seems to be the furthest away from brother.”

“Yes.” 

“I’m not even sure I’ll accept this condition, but he wouldn’t have communicated with everyone.” 

A week after that.

Epher and his quite capable henchman, Fior, have finished investigating all the families.

It wasn’t too difficult. It was a family that was falling apart, and they talked so little with each other that they didn’t even show their faces in public, so the exchange was quite noticeable.

With the names of about six families on the table, Epher was troubled.

Which of them should he put his marriage talks to?

Of course, there was a way to reject the proposal of his older brother, the Crown Prince, but he thought it would be better for him to move as he wished. 

“Among them… Which family do you think will never plot with brother?” 

“Then it must be these two families.”

Epher turned his eyes to the two families at the end.

“There is no point of contact between Fellua and Yevancher.”

“Isn’t that the same for other families?”

On the surface, there were no signs of contact between all the families.

“Hmm… It seems like His Highness the Crown Prince hasn’t even touched Fellua family yet.” 

“We don’t know about that. “

Epher, who was meticulous, always thought it was “one in everything.”

But Fior, who also knows his personality well, said more confidently.

“Perhaps they haven’t been in touch. Luanna Yevancher is a bit into gambling.”

Epher frowned.

“Roselia Fellua has a lover.”

“And the woman of this family is still a minor….” 

“Hmm….” 

“There is a saying that this side is lesbian.”

“Pretending to give a lot of options, and if you think about this and that, in the end the only thing left is the family you want.”

Epher leaned his head slightly against the window and cooled his anger in the cold window.

“…I’m so sick of it.”

He looked at his reflection in the window and sighed deeply. He closed his eyes and thought of the best way. 

“Fior. Put a marriage talk with the Fellua family.” 

“…Yes?” 

“I heard that Fellua has a lover. If I offer to divorce her in a year, at least she won’t be on my side here, but she won’t turn against me.”

“Ah… yes…” 

Fior paused at the end of his words, then looked at Epher and asked.

“Your Highness. Are you serious?”

There was a hint of sadness in his voice.

“Can you really decide to get married for that reason?”

“Yeah. If you’re desperate for something, you’ll cooperate.”

“Not that…” 

“You said she’s quiet, so I’m sure she’ll follow along well.”

Fior wanted to ask, “Don’t you want to get married to someone you love?” But he stopped talking when he saw that the Lord looked very tired.

Epher quietly muttered as if he had read Fior’s worries.

“Just one year. It will only last for a year.”

“Your Highness…” 

Epher ignored Fior’s sad eyes and promised himself that from then on, he would live the way he really wanted.