“Oh, yes!”
I quickly put my hand on Julian's arm. I felt his body tremble slightly.
As expected, I'm not very good at escorting.
Thinking about it that way, he seemed a little cute. Embarrassed by my own thoughts, I pretended to be calm and followed him. When I tried to follow him, my father grabbed me urgently.
“Layla, talk to me before that...”
"Father."
I straightened my back and looked at my father.
"I'm not a little girl who will always be in my father's arms. I want to choose my husband."
My father's eyes shook violently. He glanced down at the floor, seemingly lost in thought for a moment. But he soon realized he couldn't break my will. I think he simply wanted to be on my side.
"Remember, Layla. We'll help you whenever you want to turn back."
My father whispered softly in my ear. I held back tears and nodded. My father's love was overwhelming. I felt guilty for not being able to repay that love right away.
"Your Highness, Grand Duke of Dukezan. I will escort you to the reception room. Would you like to speak with my daughter?"
“Yes.”
My mother seemed to want to stop me, but she held back and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. After bowing deeply to my mother, I asked the maid Anna to guide Julian.
It was a fleeting moment before Julian and I were left alone in the reception room. I asked Anna to prepare a paper for the contract, so we were truly alone.
Julian was looking down at me. I stood there dumbfounded, not knowing why he was looking at me, until I realized our arms were still connected.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“There is nothing to apologize for.”
When I hastily pulled my hand away, Julian said in a low voice that it was okay. He seemed to be contemplating something. Perhaps my touch was unpleasant. It could be, since he rarely touches people.
Silence fell between us. I felt bad, like I'd made a mistake, but Julian spoke first.
“Young Lady Winsley, I also know my situation.”
I nodded at those words.
Julian had long sought a marriage partner of a Count or higher rank. However, finding a Countess willing to marry a man rumored to be a cannibal proved difficult.
However, the Emperor would not permit Julian, who was a Grand Duke, to marry a Baron or commoner. People whispered that the Emperor was overly protective of his nephew. Whatever the truth, the Emperor was deliberately sabotaging Julian's marriage.
I appeared before Julian, who was going through such difficulties.
“I want to know why you want to marry me.”
It was the most important question of the meeting. I felt that the most honest answer would be the most persuasive. I politely put my hands down and spoke bluntly.
“To gain the power to intervene in the struggle for the throne.”
Julian looked at me with sharp eyes. It was a remark that sounded suspicious enough. Anyone who dared to mention a "strife for the throne" would react like that.
Julian asked, tapping his teacup.
“Doesn’t the Count of Winsley maintain neutrality?”
“Yes. Ultimately, I also want to remain neutral.”
"However?"
"I've heard that His Highness, the Second Prince, Cain, has been acting unethically during the struggle for the throne. I simply don't want to serve someone like that as my lord. If a Prince with upright intentions, other than His Highness, ascends to the throne, I will follow him."
Julian was still staring at me. His eyes were filled with suspicion. But it didn't feel rude. It felt like he was simply exploring me deeply.
“Do you want to serve the right lord?”
“Yes. I am also a knight who has been ordained.”
Ultimately, it wasn't a wrong statement. I didn't want to see someone as sleazy as the Second Prince ascend to the throne. It was even more unacceptable that my family would be sacrificed because of it.
Even though I only have one year left to live.
"So, if we do get married, I hope you'll absolutely support me, at least in the fight for the throne. That's my condition."
One side of Julian's mouth twisted slightly. Was he not getting through? Perhaps he thought it was ridiculous for a mere young lady of a Count to bring up the issue of the throne. He unconsciously wiped the sweat from his palm.
“Great.”
“Really?”
I covered my mouth, realizing I was overjoyed. But it was too late. Julian's gaze seemed to pierce me. I hastily brushed my hair back and tried to appear calm.
"Your Highness, if you have any conditions you wish to impose, please let me know. I know I'm not the first to propose marriage to you. Were the conditions not met?"
"Yes."
Julian, answering, looked somewhat bitter. He held out his right hand, not his healthy left. That hand was covered in thick gloves.
“Look carefully.”
Julian removed his gloves. His skin was more inhuman than I'd expected. His skin was anything but human. It was covered in rough stone, and not a hint of white flesh was visible.
The friction sound as Julian took off his gloves was also creepy.
He moved his strong, thick fingers slowly. There was a sound of rock clashing with rock.
“Some women run away just from seeing this.”
Julian said it calmly, but somehow I felt like I could see through his mask. He must have been hurt at that moment.
She wasn't even a stranger, but a woman who had come to promise marriage. He saw with my own eyes that even such a woman wasn't emotionally prepared.
“How about you?”
"I am..."
I placed my hand over Julian's. I interlocked my fingers with his as he hesitated to step away. It was rough and cold. But I wasn't afraid. What if his body were made of stone? He was more scared than I was.
“I’m not afraid.”
Julian seemed quite shocked by my answer.
“Really. I’m not afraid of you.”
Maybe I, too, would have been afraid if I had seen him without any intention.
But I had a goal, the will to achieve it, and above all, the salvation I had received from him in a past life. I wanted to comfort him as much as I had been comforted in my past life, so I spoke with strength.
“What’s the big deal? Are you afraid of the big rocks on the roadside?”
"But..."
Julian tried to refute something, but soon shook his head in self-deprecation.
“Tell me your conditions.”
As he said that, he released his grip on me. I could see he was worried that his actions would scratch my skin. I felt a pang of regret at letting go. Perhaps he wanted to comfort me a little more?
“I want a successor.”
“Successor...”
He added hastily, perhaps thinking I was hesitating.
"I won't rush you. I'll wait until you're mentally ready. And after the baby is born, I won't force you to sleep with me, so don't worry about that."
I'm not worried about that. Julian will probably wait a year or two until I feel mentally ready. At least, that's the Julian I've seen.
But I was the one who didn't have time.
In my previous life, the child I gave birth to was in very poor health. It was uncertain whether I would even be able to deliver the child safely.
I had no intention of having another sick child. I'd be dead in two years, so I figured if I married him, I could ignore his needs and fulfill only my own.
It's a complete win for me in terms of trading.
But why? I felt hesitant. Perhaps it was guilt.
“Is there a reason why you absolutely want to have a successor?”
I asked to ease my guilt. And thankfully, Julian gave a very cold answer.
“Why should you know that?”
This was the only time he, who had been so cautious until then, showed any coldness. Strangely enough, I found that quite upsetting. So I responded bluntly.
"No, that won't happen. Yes, let's sign the contract."
You asked yourself.
I was overcome with an inexplicable emotion as I wrote down the contents of the contract. I quickly signed it and handed it to him. I could tell he was staring at me.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“No. It’s nothing.”
Julian signed the contract with his left hand.
“You’re left-handed.”
“You’re asking the obvious.”
“Why is that obvious?”
“My right arm is...”
Could it be that he can't write? I was about to blurt out an apology, embarrassed by the thought of asking such a rude question. Julian held out his hand and cut me off.
"It's not that I can't use it. It's just that I can't show it, so my left hand has gotten used to it."
I guess that's because if you reveal it, other people will be surprised.
After writing and exchanging the contract, we stood up. I stood naturally to his left, looking up at him.
“Please escort me.”
“...Yes.”
He held out his arm, and I placed my hand on it. Our family looked a little surprised, watching us come out so naturally.
"My marriage proposal with the Grand Duke yielded a good result. The wedding..."
Only then did I look back at him in surprise.
“Come to think of it, we haven’t set a date for our wedding.”
“I see. When would be a good time?”
“The sooner the better. How about this week?”
“La, Layla..."
My father, mother, and the entire family looked taken aback by my joke. Julian glanced at them and chuckled.
“Let’s do it next month.”
I realized he cared about my family.
I felt impatient, as time was running out. But since this was for my family, I thought it would be better to be considerate of them. I stood up straight and whispered to him.
"Thank you."
He stood still for a moment and then answered slowly.
"You're welcome."
It seemed like he was smiling too.
Was I really going to marry him? I smiled at him, my heart pounding with excitement, unable to comprehend the meaning of a contract marriage. However,
Thud!
My father knelt down hard enough to make a loud noise. I wiped the smile from my face and looked at him. He was bowing his head toward Julian.
"Your Highness, I know this is extremely rude. However, I'm not yet ready to give my daughter her hand in marriage. As you've probably guessed, Your Highness, this marriage is my daughter's sole and exclusive decision. Isn't marriage a union between two families? I... cannot yet consent."
My father spoke in a voice that seemed to be seething with despair. Julian looked down at him and said nothing.
No. I was afraid Julian would kick me out of this position, even if it was just out of pride. But he held on for quite some time.
After much thought, Julian finally opened his mouth and spoke.
"Your Grace, I need this marriage. The contract has already been finalized, so I can't easily back out."
“Your Highness, but...”
"But what you said is right. I can't completely ignore the parents' opinions, so I'll put this marriage on hold for the time being. But it's only a hold."
Julian said so much, but I didn't dare to push him. It was the first time I'd seen my father like this, and it was difficult just to control my emotions.
As I kept my mouth shut, Julian looked at me and then withdrew his gaze.
"Your Highness, I sincerely thank you for your understanding. My daughter and I will do our best to discuss this marriage."
At this moment, my father was expressing his sincere gratitude to Julian. Julian gave my father a brief nod. As he turned, his cloak fluttered.
I could only stare blankly at his back.
I quickly put my hand on Julian's arm. I felt his body tremble slightly.
As expected, I'm not very good at escorting.
Thinking about it that way, he seemed a little cute. Embarrassed by my own thoughts, I pretended to be calm and followed him. When I tried to follow him, my father grabbed me urgently.
“Layla, talk to me before that...”
"Father."
I straightened my back and looked at my father.
"I'm not a little girl who will always be in my father's arms. I want to choose my husband."
My father's eyes shook violently. He glanced down at the floor, seemingly lost in thought for a moment. But he soon realized he couldn't break my will. I think he simply wanted to be on my side.
"Remember, Layla. We'll help you whenever you want to turn back."
My father whispered softly in my ear. I held back tears and nodded. My father's love was overwhelming. I felt guilty for not being able to repay that love right away.
"Your Highness, Grand Duke of Dukezan. I will escort you to the reception room. Would you like to speak with my daughter?"
“Yes.”
My mother seemed to want to stop me, but she held back and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. After bowing deeply to my mother, I asked the maid Anna to guide Julian.
It was a fleeting moment before Julian and I were left alone in the reception room. I asked Anna to prepare a paper for the contract, so we were truly alone.
Julian was looking down at me. I stood there dumbfounded, not knowing why he was looking at me, until I realized our arms were still connected.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“There is nothing to apologize for.”
When I hastily pulled my hand away, Julian said in a low voice that it was okay. He seemed to be contemplating something. Perhaps my touch was unpleasant. It could be, since he rarely touches people.
Silence fell between us. I felt bad, like I'd made a mistake, but Julian spoke first.
“Young Lady Winsley, I also know my situation.”
I nodded at those words.
Julian had long sought a marriage partner of a Count or higher rank. However, finding a Countess willing to marry a man rumored to be a cannibal proved difficult.
However, the Emperor would not permit Julian, who was a Grand Duke, to marry a Baron or commoner. People whispered that the Emperor was overly protective of his nephew. Whatever the truth, the Emperor was deliberately sabotaging Julian's marriage.
I appeared before Julian, who was going through such difficulties.
“I want to know why you want to marry me.”
It was the most important question of the meeting. I felt that the most honest answer would be the most persuasive. I politely put my hands down and spoke bluntly.
“To gain the power to intervene in the struggle for the throne.”
Julian looked at me with sharp eyes. It was a remark that sounded suspicious enough. Anyone who dared to mention a "strife for the throne" would react like that.
Julian asked, tapping his teacup.
“Doesn’t the Count of Winsley maintain neutrality?”
“Yes. Ultimately, I also want to remain neutral.”
"However?"
"I've heard that His Highness, the Second Prince, Cain, has been acting unethically during the struggle for the throne. I simply don't want to serve someone like that as my lord. If a Prince with upright intentions, other than His Highness, ascends to the throne, I will follow him."
Julian was still staring at me. His eyes were filled with suspicion. But it didn't feel rude. It felt like he was simply exploring me deeply.
“Do you want to serve the right lord?”
“Yes. I am also a knight who has been ordained.”
Ultimately, it wasn't a wrong statement. I didn't want to see someone as sleazy as the Second Prince ascend to the throne. It was even more unacceptable that my family would be sacrificed because of it.
Even though I only have one year left to live.
"So, if we do get married, I hope you'll absolutely support me, at least in the fight for the throne. That's my condition."
One side of Julian's mouth twisted slightly. Was he not getting through? Perhaps he thought it was ridiculous for a mere young lady of a Count to bring up the issue of the throne. He unconsciously wiped the sweat from his palm.
“Great.”
“Really?”
I covered my mouth, realizing I was overjoyed. But it was too late. Julian's gaze seemed to pierce me. I hastily brushed my hair back and tried to appear calm.
"Your Highness, if you have any conditions you wish to impose, please let me know. I know I'm not the first to propose marriage to you. Were the conditions not met?"
"Yes."
Julian, answering, looked somewhat bitter. He held out his right hand, not his healthy left. That hand was covered in thick gloves.
“Look carefully.”
Julian removed his gloves. His skin was more inhuman than I'd expected. His skin was anything but human. It was covered in rough stone, and not a hint of white flesh was visible.
The friction sound as Julian took off his gloves was also creepy.
He moved his strong, thick fingers slowly. There was a sound of rock clashing with rock.
“Some women run away just from seeing this.”
Julian said it calmly, but somehow I felt like I could see through his mask. He must have been hurt at that moment.
She wasn't even a stranger, but a woman who had come to promise marriage. He saw with my own eyes that even such a woman wasn't emotionally prepared.
“How about you?”
"I am..."
I placed my hand over Julian's. I interlocked my fingers with his as he hesitated to step away. It was rough and cold. But I wasn't afraid. What if his body were made of stone? He was more scared than I was.
“I’m not afraid.”
Julian seemed quite shocked by my answer.
“Really. I’m not afraid of you.”
Maybe I, too, would have been afraid if I had seen him without any intention.
But I had a goal, the will to achieve it, and above all, the salvation I had received from him in a past life. I wanted to comfort him as much as I had been comforted in my past life, so I spoke with strength.
“What’s the big deal? Are you afraid of the big rocks on the roadside?”
"But..."
Julian tried to refute something, but soon shook his head in self-deprecation.
“Tell me your conditions.”
As he said that, he released his grip on me. I could see he was worried that his actions would scratch my skin. I felt a pang of regret at letting go. Perhaps he wanted to comfort me a little more?
“I want a successor.”
“Successor...”
He added hastily, perhaps thinking I was hesitating.
"I won't rush you. I'll wait until you're mentally ready. And after the baby is born, I won't force you to sleep with me, so don't worry about that."
I'm not worried about that. Julian will probably wait a year or two until I feel mentally ready. At least, that's the Julian I've seen.
But I was the one who didn't have time.
In my previous life, the child I gave birth to was in very poor health. It was uncertain whether I would even be able to deliver the child safely.
I had no intention of having another sick child. I'd be dead in two years, so I figured if I married him, I could ignore his needs and fulfill only my own.
It's a complete win for me in terms of trading.
But why? I felt hesitant. Perhaps it was guilt.
“Is there a reason why you absolutely want to have a successor?”
I asked to ease my guilt. And thankfully, Julian gave a very cold answer.
“Why should you know that?”
This was the only time he, who had been so cautious until then, showed any coldness. Strangely enough, I found that quite upsetting. So I responded bluntly.
"No, that won't happen. Yes, let's sign the contract."
You asked yourself.
I was overcome with an inexplicable emotion as I wrote down the contents of the contract. I quickly signed it and handed it to him. I could tell he was staring at me.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“No. It’s nothing.”
Julian signed the contract with his left hand.
“You’re left-handed.”
“You’re asking the obvious.”
“Why is that obvious?”
“My right arm is...”
Could it be that he can't write? I was about to blurt out an apology, embarrassed by the thought of asking such a rude question. Julian held out his hand and cut me off.
"It's not that I can't use it. It's just that I can't show it, so my left hand has gotten used to it."
I guess that's because if you reveal it, other people will be surprised.
After writing and exchanging the contract, we stood up. I stood naturally to his left, looking up at him.
“Please escort me.”
“...Yes.”
He held out his arm, and I placed my hand on it. Our family looked a little surprised, watching us come out so naturally.
"My marriage proposal with the Grand Duke yielded a good result. The wedding..."
Only then did I look back at him in surprise.
“Come to think of it, we haven’t set a date for our wedding.”
“I see. When would be a good time?”
“The sooner the better. How about this week?”
“La, Layla..."
My father, mother, and the entire family looked taken aback by my joke. Julian glanced at them and chuckled.
“Let’s do it next month.”
I realized he cared about my family.
I felt impatient, as time was running out. But since this was for my family, I thought it would be better to be considerate of them. I stood up straight and whispered to him.
"Thank you."
He stood still for a moment and then answered slowly.
"You're welcome."
It seemed like he was smiling too.
Was I really going to marry him? I smiled at him, my heart pounding with excitement, unable to comprehend the meaning of a contract marriage. However,
Thud!
My father knelt down hard enough to make a loud noise. I wiped the smile from my face and looked at him. He was bowing his head toward Julian.
"Your Highness, I know this is extremely rude. However, I'm not yet ready to give my daughter her hand in marriage. As you've probably guessed, Your Highness, this marriage is my daughter's sole and exclusive decision. Isn't marriage a union between two families? I... cannot yet consent."
My father spoke in a voice that seemed to be seething with despair. Julian looked down at him and said nothing.
No. I was afraid Julian would kick me out of this position, even if it was just out of pride. But he held on for quite some time.
After much thought, Julian finally opened his mouth and spoke.
"Your Grace, I need this marriage. The contract has already been finalized, so I can't easily back out."
“Your Highness, but...”
"But what you said is right. I can't completely ignore the parents' opinions, so I'll put this marriage on hold for the time being. But it's only a hold."
Julian said so much, but I didn't dare to push him. It was the first time I'd seen my father like this, and it was difficult just to control my emotions.
As I kept my mouth shut, Julian looked at me and then withdrew his gaze.
"Your Highness, I sincerely thank you for your understanding. My daughter and I will do our best to discuss this marriage."
At this moment, my father was expressing his sincere gratitude to Julian. Julian gave my father a brief nod. As he turned, his cloak fluttered.
I could only stare blankly at his back.
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