It's Not A Childcare But A Contract Marriage - Chapter 10 Part 1

A few days ago, the night after returning from the guild, I sat quietly in my room, reminiscing about the events of the day.

“What’s your business with my fiancée?”

The figure that stood in front of me, blocking my way.

“Now, her ‘family’ belongs to me.”

A large hand grabbed the fist that was thrown at me.

“It seems like you’re cold.”

The glove in my hand was ridiculously large, but it conveyed warmth.

I quickly returned it because I thought something might change if I continued to use it as it is…

“Mmm.”

When I remembered the warmth that surrounded his hand, I felt my heart soften.

I immediately thought to myself.

‘I need to control my mind.’

Thinking about the flop family who used me as a means of income, I realized that even if I thought about it for twenty-four hours a day, it wouldn’t be enough to feed the things that used to drain the life out of me from my spine.

“Turn it off.”

Even if I scolded myself harshly, the image of the Duke kept coming to my mind, so I changed my posture and sat down, thinking differently.

“Yeah. If you don’t want to think about the elephant in the room, that’s the only way for it to keep popping up until you die.”

Instead, let’s revisit the problem. Why am I so agitated?

Is it because I haven’t experienced love in this lifetime?

Well, that’s because a noble lady shouldn’t have any scandals before marriage due to social norms, so it couldn’t be helped.

Is it because the Duke of Ivernum is so handsome?

Well, that could be a possibility, but it’s not like I’m getting overly excited just because I encountered a celebrity. It’s a bit strange to be shaken to this extent.

After contemplating it, I snapped my fingers and came up with an answer.

“The shaky leg effect! That must be it.”

Hmm, yes. That’s right. After all, the situation I went through today was quite dramatic.

The moment Chiaville raised his hand.

The remnants of hope that I once gave to my family, like the last bastion, evaporated.

The feeling of exhaustion hit me when I thought, ‘They went this far to resort to violence.’

At such times… I reach out my hand in the name of ‘family.’

That’s a typical move, isn’t it?

The leading male character who saves the heroine from a group of bullies.

“The prince on a white horse. A classic romance.”

Yes, it’s a very conventional charm appeal, isn’t it?

As a reader who loves romance, I enjoyed that sentiment, believing that classics have an eternal taste.

So, it’s natural to be momentarily shaken.

“But let’s get a grip.”

I murmured to myself, as if reminding myself not to forget.

“What if I hastily believe in the extended hand when my heart is weak? You’ve learned well.”

Yes, I’ve learned very well. It tingles at the back of my head. Isn’t this the lesson my family taught me in this life?

“What? The youngest daughter whom the whole family loves? Pfft. Did you actually believe that stupid rumor?”

Suddenly, a voice passing through my mind sank my mood.

“Well then. I will definitely pay you back, Flop family!”

To dispel the uncomfortable feeling, I shook my head and shouted my resolution before lying down and preparing to sleep.

Resting my body on the soft bedding that embraced me like feathers, belonging to the Duke’s household, I leaned my head and closed my eyes tightly, as it was already late….

“But wait!”

Even as I drifted off to sleep, a memory suddenly emerged in my mind, causing me to kick off the blanket and sit up.

Ah, really. Why do things become more vivid when I lie down to sleep?

“Do you usually go to such lengths for your business partners? Was I mistaken in thinking you were a bit too kind?”

No, no, no, it’s not like that.

It’s just a contract marriage, so if we simply stamp the marriage certificate for a moment, I’ll fulfill my promise and give you all the medicines.

Huh? There’s no clause in this contract that says, “Protect the poor contract marriage partner who is being abused by the family and give them cider instead.”

Why is a Duke, who has nothing to regret, acting so kindly?

“Aren’t you guilty?”

Unknowingly, I muttered and pondered again as I ruffled my hair.

Well, let’s redefine the relationship between me and the Duke.

Although it’s slightly tilted, we’ve already stamped it, so there’s no turning back.

“Hmm, a very clean transaction,” I thought to myself.

But typically, in contract marriages, you start like this and end up falling in love, right?

“… … .”

Another memory quickly whispered to me as I tried to listen to the sweet melody in my heart.

The time when I believed for a long time that I was the protagonist of a child care story.

Let’s enjoy the traditional hot chocolate made for children. Every night, hot chocolate would arrive in my room. The stern father would pretend indifference while secretly giving me heartfelt presents, and my older brothers would grow jealous whenever I spent time with other friends, as they wanted to monopolize their little sister.

‘The hot chocolate came from the maid, and the gifts were cheap items that were about to be discarded. My friends were truly envious that a high-ranking aristocrat, whom they couldn’t get close to, showed more interest in me.’

I had many memories of shattered expectations after anticipating similar child-rearing experiences from the flop family.

“Really… my fantasy of a family romance…”

No, that was just a fantasy. Reflecting on it with a dry gaze, I decided to meet the Duke the next day.