First, proving the fact that Linea is being abused and neglected.
Second, I must have sufficient wealth and status to take responsibility for a child.
In fact, there were few precedents for this imperial law.
There is a precedent where such a case existed only once and even succeeded.
In that case, it's similar to mine.
The wife was going to divorce and tried to take her abused adopted son with her.
'The reason that the wife was able to succeed back then was just one thing: the man she was to remarry was none other than a Marquis.'
In short, it means you need connections.
Although the Count Delmore family was in decline, it was still a Count family in name.
'So, I have to marry a man of at least the rank of a Marquis.'
Because the same noble family wouldn't go out of their way to help me.
In fact, Marquis Rivandel happened to have the conditions I wanted. It couldn't have been better.
After finishing my meal, I glanced up at him. And I met the Marquis's eyes.
As soon as our eyes met, he smiled, his eyes crinkling with tears.
He asked me in a low, drawn-out voice.
"Do you need anything?"
How did you know?
I shook my head, even though I was inwardly surprised.
'Not yet. Not until I get information about Marquis Rivandel from the Information Guild!'
I should propose a contract marriage to him.
Unfortunately, I don't have any information about Marquis Rivandel, so I'm not sure if I can propose marriage in exchange.
'You just have to find a way, one by one.'
My only focus right now is growing my wealth.
“We have arrived.”
"Thank you for giving me a ride here."
"If you ever have your business, I could give you a ride back once you're finished."
At those words, I hurriedly shook my head.
"It's not... It's not that extreme. I have a conscience, you know."
"Please feel free to contact me anytime using the business card I gave you back then, and I will answer."
"Thank you."
Marquis Rivandel was showing me more inexplicable affection than I had expected.
'But once the deal is over today, I will be a tycoon.'
By that time, I'll be able to get around a little more easily.
Thinking that, I got off the carriage. However, the real estate transaction, which I was confident would proceed smoothly, unfolded differently than I expected.
***
"...Did you say you came after seeing that the land was put up for sale?"
"Yes. Because I need land."
“Why?”
At those words, I blinked.
It was known that Viscountess Enisha was in urgent need of money due to the massive gambling debts currently piled up in Viscount Enisha's name.
So I thought they would like it if I offered this amount.
I didn't expect them to be so picky and even ask for the reason.
In the original story, it was clearly stated that Viscountess Enisha urgently sold this land to Janice's parents 10 years ago.
He said he bought that vast land for only 900 gold.
Of course, 900 gold was an amount worth risking an entire fortune for ordinary people, but it was a pittance compared to the size of the land.
I waved my hands and hurriedly made up an excuse.
"My lifelong dream was to build a beautiful house in a scenic natural setting, run a ranch, and grow old peacefully."
"Where is Madam's husband?"
"Yes?"
Viscountess Enisha let out a small sigh and continued speaking.
"Even so, seeing a young lady like you buying land... I can't help but have suspicions."
As she did so, Viscountess Enisha shook her head.
"Besides, 1,000 gold isn't a small amount of money, so isn't it strange that you're saying you'll pay the full amount in cash?"
"I withdrew it from the bank..."
"Did you get your husband's permission?"
In the original story, women did not have much economic power, and adult women could only open a bank account after getting married.
So, I suppose they don't trust someone as young as me coming with a large sum of money to buy land.
"Then, what should I do to make you sell me this land? To be honest, I fell in love with it at first sight when I saw it while passing by, so I really want to buy it."
With my hands tightly clasped and my eyes sparkling, I asked her.
Viscountess Enisha, who had let her guard down slightly at the sight, said.
"That's right. Actually, another party with a verified identity has already offered me 900 gold."
These are Janice’s parents.
She continued speaking to me in a soft, gentle voice.
"It is advantageous for me that Madam is willing to pay a higher price, but... I would appreciate it if you could come with your husband to sign the contract."
“Hu, husband.”
I don't have a husband.
I racked my brain in a difficult predicament. To this, Viscountess Enisha spoke firmly.
"For me, the most important thing in a transaction is trust. After all, I don't want to receive a large lump sum that might cause trouble later on."
"Then, if I come with my husband and proceed with the contract, will you sell me this land?"
"Right. 1,000 gold is better than 900, and you even give 5% of the net profit from that land for the next 10 years. There's nothing bad about it."
That is correct. Even so, I proposed those conditions because I felt that Viscountess Enisha was being taken advantage of too much, even though I fully understand the value of this land.
Since the mine was developed, 5% of the net profit is 900 gold or more.
A lump sum of money will probably come in every month, enough to pay off Viscount Enisha's gambling debts and still have money left over.
But where did I get a fake husband from?!
When I thought about it quickly, a light went on in my head.
"Please wait a moment. I will be here today to proceed with the contract immediately, so please do not sell it to anyone else!"
"Don't worry. I value loyalty the most."
Yes, it seemed.
Eventually, I left the barracks and hurriedly looked around.
'He must have already left, right?'
I knew it, but I was thinking of at least contacting him if all else failed.
If he acted as my husband just this once, I’ll set a date and treat him to a lavish meal.
I naturally thought there wouldn't be...
"Uh?"
A black carriage that was familiar enough to be perplexing was standing nearby.
On top of that, as if they had spotted me, a carriage was approaching me!
Soon, the coachman got out and opened the carriage door, and the Marquis inside put down the documents he had been reading and greeted me.
"Are you finished already?"
"No, that's not it."
"Please let me know when you are finished. I will take you back home."
He smiled, his lips curling loosely, still showing me an inexplicable kindness. Am I too snobbish for starting to see that smile as terrifying as it used to?
I approached him while watching his reaction.
“Just in case.”
"Yes."
"...I know I might look crazy, but could you possibly pretend to be my husband for just a moment?"
His body froze at those words.
Then, the documents held in the Marquis's hand tumbled down onto his knees.
I shook my head quickly and explained to him.
"Oh, no, I don't have any other intentions. I need to do something, but they say I absolutely need my husband present. But my ex-husband has already passed away..."
I knew I was rambling.
However, the Marquis soon regained his senses, stood up without answering, and got out of the carriage.
"Uh?"
“Let’s go.”
"Are you really going to do this? I'll make sure to treat you to a nice meal at a great place!"
"Nothing to say."
The Marquis let out a low laugh after saying that.
"I take care of my wife, but I won't refuse a meal."
"No. I'm not your real wife, though..."
As I was saying that, he cautiously approached me and asked.
"May I place my hand on your shoulder for a moment?"
"Yes."
After all, it is only natural for a husband to touch his wife's shoulder.
I nodded.
Then, his smile deepened as he looked down at me with an inscrutable, obsessive gaze I had never seen before.
"Then let's go, Madam."
"Yes?"
"If you want me to pretend to be the husband, shouldn't I start practicing properly from now on?"
I was quite skeptical, but since I was in a position to receive help and it wasn't wrong, I didn't refuse for now.
In the end, I ended up coming in with the Marquis and proceeding with the contract!
And he was much more eloquent than me.
At first, Viscountess Enisha, who seemed to doubt whether we were a married couple with a strict look in her eyes, soon even managed to give such a compliment.
"Your daughter must be pretty."
"She is very lovely because she resembles her mom, the prettiest in the world."
“Oh my.”
To think those inscrutable words were spoken with a hint of laughter.
I was inwardly flustered and glanced at him out of the corner of my eye with my mouth slightly open.
"Should I sign here?"
"Please have both the husband and wife sign. Just in case."
The problem is that we aren't a real married couple.
As I hesitated, unsure of what to do, he leaned his head and whispered.
"I will erase my name from the contract later, so let's use the name of the Count Delmore family for now."
"Understood."
He signed his name on the contract first.
And I opened my eyes wide in surprise at his name written on the contract.
'Carcel?'
I must have seen the name Carcel somewhere.
It feels like it might have been in the original story.
As I obediently signed the contract pushed toward me, I hurriedly scanned my mind.
Because I had a foreboding feeling that I absolutely had to find out where on earth I had seen the name Carcel.
'Carcel... Lakan?!'
It came to mind
Whose name Carcel was.
It was Duke Lakan, Linea's secondary male lead and the mastermind behind the obsessive schemes who would end up killing me!
For some reason, his name was written above my name on the contract.
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