Chapter 8
First, proving that Linea was being abused and neglected.
Second, that I had enough wealth and status to take responsibility for the child.
In imperial law, there were actually few precedents for this.
However, there was one such case—and a successful one at that.
That case was similar to mine.
The wife had filed for divorce and sought to take her abused adopted child with her.
‘The reason that woman had succeeded back then was one thing: the status of the man she was going to remarry was that of a marquis.’
In short, you needed backing.
The Delmore Earldom was in decline, but it was still an earldom by name.
‘So I need to marry a man with at least the rank of a marquis or higher.’
A fellow earl wouldn’t go out of his way to help me.
As a matter of fact, Marquis Rivandel happened to possess exactly the conditions I needed. It couldn’t have been more perfect.
After finishing my meal, I glanced up at him and our eyes met.
The moment our gazes locked, he curved his eyes into a smile.
In a low, almost drawn-out voice, he asked me:
“Do you need something?”
How did he know!
Though inwardly surprised, I shook my head.
‘Not yet. Not until I get the information on Marquis Rivandel from the information guild!’
I’d propose a contract marriage to him then.
Since I had no information on Marquis Rivandel, I didn’t know what I could offer in return for marriage, but…
‘I’ll figure out the way step by step.’
For now, the only thing I needed to focus on was increasing my wealth.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Thank you for the ride.”
“If you need, I could pick you up again after you’re done.”
At that, I hurriedly shook my head.
“Th-there’s no need to go that far. I do have a conscience, you know.”
“If you contact me using the card I gave you, I’ll answer anytime.”
“Thank you.”
Contrary to my expectations, Marquis Rivandel continued to show me a puzzling warmth.
But once today’s deal was over, I’d become a refusal.
‘After that, I’ll be able to move around a bit more freely.’
Thinking that, I stepped down from the carriage.
However, the real estate deal I had been so confident would go smoothly did not proceed as I had expected.
“……Are you saying you came here because you heard I was putting this land up for sale?”
“Yes, I need the land.”
“For what purpose?”
At that question, I blinked.
I knew for a fact that Viscountess Enisha was currently in urgent need of money due to the massive gambling debts her husband, Viscount Enisha, had accumulated.
So I had expected her to be happy with the amount I was offering.
I never expected her to be so thorough as to ask for the reason.
In the original story, ten years ago, Viscountess Enisha had sold this land at a bargain to Janis’s parents.
She’d bought that vast plot of land for only 900 gold.
Of course, 900 gold was a sum that would require a commoner to put up their entire fortune, but compared to the size of the land, it was a steal.
I waved my hands frantically and made up a story.
“My lifelong dream has been to build a pretty house in a scenic natural setting, run a ranch, and grow old peacefully.”
“And where is your husband?”
“Pardon?”
Viscountess Enisha let out a small sigh and continued.
“No matter how I look at it, a young lady like you buying land raises suspicions for me.”
She shook her head.
“Besides, a thousand gold is no small amount. And you say you’ll pay it all in cash? That’s strange, don’t you think?”
“I withdrew it from the bank, but…”
“Did you get your husband’s permission?”
In the original story, women didn’t have much economic power, and adult women could only open bank accounts after marriage.
So it was only natural that someone as young as me, showing up with a large sum of money, wanting to buy land, would be met with disbelief.
“Then what do I need to do for you to sell me this land? Actually, I passed by and fell in love with it at first sight, so I absolutely want to buy it.”
I clasped my hands together, eyes sparkling, and pleaded with her.
At that, Viscountess Enisha softened her wariness slightly and said:
“Very well. Actually, another party with a clear identity has already offered me 900 gold.”
That was Janis’s parents.
She continued speaking to me in a measured tone.
“Since you’re offering a higher price, it’s beneficial to me, but… I’d prefer it if you came with your husband to sign the contract.”
“My… husband.”
I don’t have one.
I racked my brain in frustration. Viscountess Enisha said firmly:
“In any deal, trust is the most important thing to me. I don’t want to accept a large sum of money that could cause problems later on.”
“Then, if I come with my husband and proceed with the contract, will you sell me this land?”
“Yes. A thousand gold is better than nine hundred, and besides, you’re offering 5% of the net profit from the land for the next ten years. It’s not a bad deal.”
That’s right. I had offered those terms because, even so, it felt like I was taking too much advantage of Viscountess Enisha, knowing the true value of the land.
After the mine was developed, 5% of the net profit would far exceed 900 gold.
She’d likely receive a substantial sum each month, enough to cover Viscount Enisha’s gambling debts and still have plenty left over.
But where was I supposed to find a fake husband!
A lightbulb went off in my head as I thought quickly.
“Please wait for me. I’ll come back today itself to sign the contract, so don’t sell it to the other party!”
“Don’t worry. I hold faith in the highest regard.”
So it seemed.
Eventually, I stepped out of the viscount’s residence and frantically looked around.
‘He should be long gone by now, right?’
Even though I knew it, I was thinking of contacting him if it absolutely came to it.
If he could just act as my husband for a little while, I’d treat him to a grand meal sometime.
I thought surely he wouldn’t be there, but…
“Huh?”
To my surprise, a familiar black carriage was parked nearby.
And, noticing me, the carriage began to approach me!
Soon, the coachman dismounted and opened the carriage door. The marquis, who had been inside, set down the documents he was reading and acknowledged me.
“Are you already finished?”
“No, not quite.”
“When you’re done, let me know. I’ll take you back home.”
He smiled, loosening his lips, still showing me that inexplicable favor.
Was I just too much of a materialist, that his smile was starting to seem less frightening than before?
I approached him cautiously.
“If you don’t mind me asking…”
“Yes.”
“……I know I’ll sound like I’ve lost my mind, but… could you possibly pretend to be my husband for just a moment?”
At that, his body went rigid.
Then the documents in his hand fell with a rustle onto his lap.
I quickly shook my head and explained.
“Ah, no, I don’t have any other intentions. It’s just that I need to do something, and they say I absolutely must have a husband. But my previous husband has already passed away, so…”
I knew I was rambling.
But the marquis soon regained his composure, rose without a word, and stepped out of the carriage.
“Huh?”
“Let’s go.”
“You’ll really do it? I’ll treat you to a nice meal, I promise!”
“Don’t mention it.”
So saying, the marquis let out a low chuckle.
“I’m taking care of my own wife. Still, I won’t refuse the meal.”
“No, I’m not really your wife…”
As I said that, he carefully approached me and asked:
“May I place my hand on your shoulder for a moment?”
“Yes.”
After all, a husband placing his hand on his wife’s shoulder was only natural.
I nodded.
Then, looking down at me with a strangely possessive gaze I’d never seen before, his smile deepened.
“Then let’s go, my dear.”
“What?”
“If I’m to pretend to be your husband, we should start practicing properly now, shouldn’t we?”
It was highly suspicious, but since I was the one receiving help and what he said wasn’t wrong, I didn’t refuse.
And so, I ended up entering with the marquis to proceed with the contract!
He was also far more eloquent than I was.
Viscountess Enisha, who had initially seemed to doubt whether we were truly married, eventually even praised him.
“You must have a beautiful daughter.”
“She’s adorable—she takes after her mother, the most beautiful woman in the world.”
“Oh my.”
Such unfathomable words, spoken with a hint of amusement.
I was inwardly flustered, my mouth slightly open as I glanced sideways at him.
“Do I just sign here?”
“I need both husband and wife to sign, just in case.”
The problem was, we weren’t actually married.
As I hesitated, unsure of what to do, he tilted his head and whispered:
“I’ll erase my name from the contract later, so for now, let’s use the name of the Delmore Earldom.”
“Alright.”
He signed the contract first with his name.
Then, when I saw the name he had written, my eyes widened in shock.
‘Carcel?’
I had definitely seen the name Carcel somewhere before.
Perhaps it was in this very original story.
I obediently signed the contract as it was pushed toward me, while frantically searching my memory.
I had an ominous feeling that I had to figure out where I had seen the name Carcel.
‘Carcel… Lacan?!’
It came to me.
Whose name Carcel was.
It belonged to none other than Duke Lacan—the sub-male lead who would eventually kill me, the obsessive and scheming villain!
His name was somehow written just above mine on the contract.
