IDEFYEM - Chapter 3

IDEFYEM - Chapter 3

Black Man, I'll Do Everything For You Except Marriage!

"That's really good! Really... Seriously, it's good." 

I was drunk and excited and raised my voice, but as I continued speaking, I became more and more faint. 

"I don't think I can."

"What is the reason?" 

"Can I find a man in a month who will want to marry me right now?"

I said in a voice without confidence. I was not loved by my father, nor did I know much about this world.

 Isn't the first step in an arranged marriage a transaction that brings mutual benefits? There was nothing I could give to the other person right now. 

The count looked at me downcast and opened his mouth as if he couldn't understand. 

"You are noble and beautiful. If you just hold out your hand, there will be more than a hundred people who will immediately line up."

 ... How dare. He spit out a word I hadn't heard before. Just as I was about to ask him what he meant, the Count immediately smiled brightly and glossed over the situation. 

"There is a saying that the answer is surprisingly close. A close friend, or at least someone you met at a banquet." 

I shook my head.

"Count, it's a shame, but I don't have many friends."

After being possessed, there was an attempt to understand Enrica's personal relationships.

She suffered all kinds of mistreatment within her family and had no friends to whom she could share her grievances.

It was obvious that my father's influence must have played a role in why I had so little interaction with people, to the point where it felt a bit unnatural.

"What about the second?" 

The man suddenly asked me a question with a slightly bitter look on his face. 

Second? 

After rolling my head for a moment, I opened my eyes wide. 

"What?" 

My lips parted of their own accord. At least the person I met at the banquet...?

The Count slowly nodded his head towards me, who was stiff. I clicked my tongue without realizing it.

"Do you want to get married?" 

Wow, that's not it. The man had cool-looking features that didn't reveal much of his expression, and I couldn't read any emotions on his face.

Was he still angry?

He received such an unsightly marriage proposal from a woman he met for the first time today.

It would have been ruined anyway.

My mind went blank and I started moving my mouth as if anything came to mind.

"1 year! I will divorce you unconditionally after one year. Please save me...."

"Great."

"Yes?"

The answer flowed without hesitation.

In a completely changed atmosphere, he finally responded with a strange smile.

"I was waiting for you to say that."

"So, divorce in a year?"

"No. It's the marriage proposal from before."

Am I dreaming now?

Dazed by the unbelievable events that happened overnight, I raised my hand to pinch my cheek.

The Count naturally grabbed the hand and dragged it toward him.

Because of the height difference, the tip of my finger, which was just barely enough, touched the man's cheek.

"I don't want you to be sick."

A man's soft voice floated in the air and pierced my ear.

Instead of pinching his cheek, I just lowered my arm.

Cool skin with a temperature different from mine and the sound of a pulse that I don't know whose it belongs to.

That alone was enough to know that it wasn't a dream.

Faced with bright blue eyes, I asked a question.

"Why do you want to marry me?"

"There is something I need your help with. And very desperately."

While the man was choosing his next words, I suddenly gasped.

This was because after crossing one big mountain, a series of problems came to mind.

"My father would never allow it."

"I will solve everything. You are just preparing to become a bride."

"There are already rumors throughout the Empire...."

"Why not run straight to the temple and make a marriage vow?"

With my lips twitching, I couldn't help but burst out into a small laugh.

The most novel-like situation has happened since entering the novel.

"Oh, I think I'm drunk."

"But you shouldn't forget me tomorrow."

"How could I forget?"

The Count looked at me with kind eyes, and then suddenly, as if he remembered something very insignificant, he smiled.

I was now ready to answer anything he asked.

"Now that we are in the same boat, I would like to hear the name of the man who proposed to the Lady."

"This is Grand Duke Raphael Kronhardt." 

"... Is that also the case?"

I thought you might be a little surprised.

The Count was not at all embarrassed upon hearing the Grand Duke's title.

I asked, feeling slightly uncomfortable at the answer that came out as if it were obvious.

"Yes? I didn't know him before...."

"I got a feeling."

Is that something that makes sense?

As I blinked in confusion, the Count smiled and changed the subject. 

"Let's go out together. It shows the nobles at the banquet that there is another man."

"Ah yes!"

It's already reliable.

I quickly offered my hand to the man who asked if I could hold his hand and asked. 

"And what do I call you?"

"The Count of House Belbrington. Rap... Please call me Kael."

I didn't miss the way he pronounced the short space between my names.

Immediately his eyes sharpened and he pointed out.

"I doubt it, Count. Is there anyone who is confused about his own name?"

"Oh, that's it."

"Oh my God, how weak do you have to be to drink? Look at the mess in your pronunciation!"

I said giggling.

A kind handsome man was always a good person to make fun of.

For some reason, Kael let out a light laugh as if he was relieved, and lightly gave strength to the hand he was holding.

"Enri. I'm so glad I could meet you today." 

"I think so."

"I enjoy everything going according to plan...."

A sweet bass tickled my ears.

"Sometimes this kind of deviation doesn't seem so bad."

"Sure. Life is essentially a series of deviations, Kael."

I spoke slyly and took a step forward.

He asked again before opening the terrace door.

"Are you ready?" 

"Yes."

The moment I went inside, I was hit by a rush of hot air.

I already miss the cool breeze on the terrace on summer nights.

Eventually, my excited heart gradually cooled down due to the noise of people talking.

I was becoming quite the hot topic of conversation among the people at this banquet hall.

It was all thanks to the news of her engagement to Grand Duke Kronhardt.

How could I hold hands with another man and come out from the terrace alone? Is there anything better than this in the social world?

Suddenly, I became afraid of people's gaze.

"Don't shiver."

Kael must have caught me flinching unconsciously, so he told me.

"We're together, right?"

I smiled slightly and turned to him.

When I met eyes like the winter sea, I felt a little calmed down.

"Enri, if you're going to put on a play, I think it's better to act properly,"

The man who was also staring at me whispered.

"So?"

"Do you mind if I touch you for a moment?" 

"As much as you want. But what...."

Kael's right hand, which was holding my hand, rose into the air.

The joints seen at that time were smooth.

He moved without even thinking about how I was holding such a beautiful hand.

The man gently squeezed the ends of my hair, as if he was handling something very precious.

And kissed it.

Kael's mouth, which fell on top of my light pink hair, curved coolly. The once lively hall became strangely quiet due to his bold actions.

What do I know now about other people's opinions and reactions?

"Shall we dance one song?"

He held out his hand.

"I'm willing."

We performed the unscripted play perfectly until the end.

***

"Do you really want to go alone?"

"I am okay. The family's carriage is waiting to meet you."

I reassured the man who had sad and worried eyes.

"Rather than that, let's set a date to meet next time. "

Everything that happened today feels like a dream and I'm scared that it will disappear.

I said slyly.

"We will get to you as quickly as possible." 

"Of course. If you don't come, I will go."

"I'm looking forward to that..."

"Are you going to get angry if I tell you I don't want to come visit you?"

Instead of answering, I glanced at him and he laughed.

We waved to each other one last time and parted ways.

In the distance, Kael was seen getting on a black carriage.

It seems like he is saying something to the group in the carriage. What is it?

Looking at his stern expression, I was worried that he might regret accepting the marriage proposal because he didn't show it in front of me.

It's gloomy, but I'm curious! 

When I narrowed my eyebrows and focused as much as I could, I felt like I could read the shape of his mouth.

Number... Number... What on earth?

"I will create an estate in the capital, in the name of the Count of Belbrington."

At that time, Archduke Raphael Kronhardt spoke as soon as he got into the carriage.

"Your Highness, how was the banquet... Yes?"

"From now on, I am Count Kael Belbrington. Be careful with your titles."

"Yes?"

He narrowed his eyebrows, paying no attention to his aide's bewildered face.

"Even if I receive something like jewelry, it feels like a burden!"

Raphael pondered the expression on the woman's face as she shouted and asked as if reprimanding her.

"Whose idea was it to send jewels to the Duke?"

"Your Highness agreed to that, no. What happened with Lady Wintersoar?"

Raphael muttered, answering with a light sigh. 

"She doesn't know my face."

"That... yes. It's quite possible that she doesn't know."

"Why?"

Aide Melua lamented his situation but answered sincerely.

"Because you didn't attend the banquet at all, using the excuse of subduing monsters and training the knights. You were reluctant to even leave behind a common portrait."

Raphael's mouth curved slightly as he quietly listened to the words.

"I guess things won't be that difficult."

"Your Highness, now would you please explain what's really going on?"

Despite his aide's pleas, he seemed lost in thought and did not respond.

"... You know... I definitely need her, Melua."

After a while, the Grand Duke parted his lips again, and his eyes darkened deeply. 

"I have to keep her by my side, even if it means pulling off the greatest fraud."

LOL 🤣🤣 You're doomed, Enrica!!

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