Chapter 10
“What… what did you say? Demented?”
Elise felt her head spin for a moment.
For someone who had lived elegantly in a noble family, this was a type of insult she had never heard before.
“L-Lord Noma!”
“Don’t touch me!”
Harry tried to support the staggering Elise, but she roughly pushed his hands away.
“Isn’t this the obvious course of action?”
Despite the commotion, Rainer calmly folded the newspaper and spoke. His voice showed no trace of agitation.
“As the head of the family, I must preserve the dignity of the ducal house.”
“What? Head of the family? You?”
Elise glared at Rainer, completely shocked. His declaration that he would become the head of the family trampled on her pride.
“You filthy bastard! You’re not fit to inherit the dukedom! I’ll expose that you’re illegitimate and remove you immediately!”
Angrily, Elise swept everything on the desk with her palm.
The fallen ink bottle shattered, leaving a dark stain on the carpet.
Only then did Rainer slowly rise to his feet.
A chill emanated from his expressionless face. He stepped threateningly toward Elise.
“You…”
Elise suddenly realized how imposing Rainer had become. Until now, she had always seen him as nothing more than an annoying child.
‘P-please, my lady! Don’t hit me! I’ll be good… I promise!’
‘Good? Don’t be ridiculous! Your very existence is a disaster!’
But now, Rainer stood tall before her, at least a head taller. His eyes no longer showed any fear of Elise, unlike in the past.
“Struggle all you want.”
Rainer looked down at Elise with a cold smile. His arrogant posture, constantly looking down on others, wasn’t just because of his height. He already knew he was the victor.
“Haise’s retainers have already sided with me. The moment you hid Gilbert’s death, their trust in you collapsed.”
“W-what?”
“Exactly. Why would you commit acts that even the most vulgar wouldn’t dare?”
“Hah…”
“If you wish to rebel, go ahead. Showing the world the downfall of a power-crazed, ugly old woman could be quite the lesson.”
Elise froze, unable to respond to the sharp sting of his words.
Rainer cast one last disdainful look before turning back to the window.
“Drag that woman out immediately.”
With that cold command, the servants rushed in and grabbed Elise by the arms.
“Let go! How dare you touch me!”
Rainer turned back, his gaze icy. Elise being dragged away like luggage looked utterly pathetic.
Standing by the window watching, Rainer suddenly felt a sense of emptiness.
He realized how ridiculous it had been to fear her for nearly twenty years, trying to impress her.
Of course, back then, he had no choice. He had been small, weak, and malnourished, suffering daily abuse and beatings.
And…
‘Help me! The door’s locked! It’s too hot!’
‘M-mother! Mother!’
Recalling Elise’s unforgivable crimes, Rainer clenched his fists. The moment he had witnessed his mother’s death had shattered him, closing his heart completely.
‘It’s still not enough to give her back what she deserves.’
Dragging Elise away like a piece of luggage was far from satisfying.
Rainer quietly turned back. By now, the desk, which had been a mess moments ago, was neatly arranged.
“Harry.”
At the master’s call, the aide stepped closer. Despite the recent commotion, Rainer looked unusually calm. Soon, it would be time to prepare for the dukedom succession.
“Prepare the marriage documents.”
“Understood… prepare the succession immediately… Y-yes?”
Marriage…?
Taken aback by the unexpected order, Harry could hardly believe his ears.
He laughed lightly and shook his head.
“Ah, my apologies, Duke. Perhaps I misheard—maybe it’s just fatigue.”
“No, you heard correctly.”
Harry, who had thought it was merely Rainer’s humor, gaped. This was the man who had previously recoiled at even the mention of marriage. And he had never even been seen with anyone before.
“Who exactly are you marrying?”
“Cecilia Panning.”
“Y-yes?”
Harry instinctively gasped. Rainer lightly tapped him on the shoulder with a small smile.
“What’s with the surprise? You already heard about it recently.”
“Oh.”
Only then did Harry recall the contract marriage story between Cecilia and Rainer. He had momentarily forgotten due to Elise’s outburst.
‘I’m not asking to be your real wife. Just maintain the marriage for three years. After that, I’ll leave cleanly.’
It was impressive that a delicate woman like her could propose so confidently. And it was surprising that she knew details about Mariana that even Harry, one of Rainer’s closest aides, did not fully know.
Still, Rainer accepting her proposal was unexpected.
Harry asked cautiously, “If I may… will you really go through with this marriage?”
“Three years of freedom from the attention of unmarried young ladies? That alone is worth it.”
Rainer nodded lightly toward a pile of letters on the desk. These were love letters from the ladies of Brisen, some even visiting the estate in person.
“Well, if you put it that way…”
Harry was just as tired of the clingy ladies. He neatly organized the letters, which, without the master’s effort, would soon become firewood.
Harry glanced at Rainer.
“If you’re going to marry anyway, maybe you could… get along with her—”
“No.”
Rainer interrupted firmly, his voice low and decisive.
“If a marriage must happen, it’s best to exchange only what’s necessary and finish it cleanly.”
“Yes, sir.”
Harry bowed silently. Rainer watched him for a moment before sitting back at the desk, arms crossed, leaning lazily in the chair with eyes closed.
Naturally, his green eyes recalled Cecilia Panning. He remembered the strange discomfort he had felt when they first sat across from each other.
“…Get along? Not a chance.”
Rainer murmured unintentionally, narrowing his brows. Harry paused.
“Pardon?”
“Nothing.”
Opening his eyes again, Rainer straightened, resuming the confident face of Rainer Haise, praised by the entire empire.
“The contract needs to be ready tomorrow, so start preparing the documents immediately.”
The next day.
Thanks to Harry’s efficiency, the marriage contract between Cecilia and Rainer was ready immediately.
Rainer returned to the Seymour Hotel and handed the documents to Cecilia.
“I’ve included all the necessary clauses. Please check them.”
Cecilia took the documents and read them carefully.
Rainer Haise and Cecilia Panning will maintain the marriage for three years from the contract date.
Cecilia Panning will exercise all authority as Duchess Haise freely.
Rainer Haise will adopt Evan March as his son within six months of the contract date.
Rainer Haise will not interfere when Cecilia Panning disciplines Evan March and his wife ‘in the name of the mother.’
Cecilia nodded with satisfaction. She was especially pleased with Clause 4, which she had suggested.
‘Discipline Evan and Rosena “in the name of the mother” …’
Even writing it herself, it sounded amusing.
Cecilia picked up the quill again.
“May I add one more clause?”
“What is it?”
“It concerns the mindset we must both maintain during this marriage.”
She added the final clause at the bottom:
Rainer Haise and Cecilia Panning will not allow personal emotions to interfere during the contract period.
Rainer’s eyes narrowed slightly at this addition. Cecilia explained further.
“In life, emotions can go astray. But if personal feelings interfere with our duties, it’s a problem. By writing this down, we can remind ourselves when emotions rise—like if we quarrel… or… fall for each other?”
