It's Not A Childcare But A Contract Marriage - Chapter 10 Part 2

“Huh, I like you?”

Okay. The reason for all misunderstandings. It’s simply a lack of communication.

When I asked a straightforward question, my mind, which had been preoccupied, became clearer.

Of course, the Duke, who heard these unexpected words in the morning breeze, seemed to be even more bewildered… But could it be that it was the person who had come first and spread the rumors who did something wrong?

“What?”

“It may seem awkward, but please respond to prevent any potential miscommunication.”

“…”

The Duke’s red eyes seemed even more bewildered, but I didn’t back down.

“Did you fall in love with me at first sight? Or did you feel some kind of destiny?”

“My lady…”

The Duke, who had been observing my expression for a while, calmly spoke up.

“You have more confidence than I thought.”

“…”

Although I felt my cheeks turning red, I didn’t falter.

“Well…”

“If it’s awkward, then never mind. I just wanted to make sure to avoid any misunderstandings.”

“Do you want to know if I have feelings for you?”

“Certainly.”

The Duke smiled slightly and asked me a question, a hint of amusement in the corner of his mouth.

“Where did you get that idea?”

“Well, yesterday, you came directly to handle a task that could have been assigned to a knight…”

“Because that’s the most reliable method.”

“…”

“Isn’t it better to eliminate any variables in a transaction? Do you think a single knight can handle the Count’s objections?”

“Well… If it’s a knight belonging to the duchy…”

“You seem to hold our family in high regard.”

“…Because it’s Ivernum.”

I grumbled inwardly, sensing the Duke’s interested gaze upon me.

What the hell? I’m not oblivious to the immense power of Ivernum.

I want to hear a straightforward answer from his mouth.

And what’s with that slightly raised corner of his mouth? It’s as if he’s mocking the way I speak.

I thought you were a very serious person, Duke of Ivernum. You’re quite different from what you appear to be.

Setting aside my grievances, I pondered over these innermost thoughts that I had voiced out loud.

“Whoa. Nevertheless, this is better than misunderstanding.”

Although his face reddened slightly, enduring a brief moment of embarrassment is better than being left in uncertainty for a long time.

Having come to a clear conclusion, I spoke with a refreshed mind.

“If you like me, please let me know right away.”

“…”

“Don’t get the wrong idea.”

Before those red eyes could respond with something like, “As expected, your confidence is remarkable,” I took the initiative and clarified.

“I know that you don’t like me until now.”

“Indeed.”

The Duke, who had been observing me with an unreadable gaze, unexpectedly changed the subject smoothly.

“Is that why you requested a meeting with me today?”

No way.

In order to convey my intentions properly, I quickly picked up a teacup and quenched my dry throat.

I need to make a serious proposal, but I can’t afford to use a hesitant voice that undermines trust.

“Are you trying to find out if I have feelings for you?”

Cough.

No. Who asks such a surprising question about what someone is drinking?

Internally scolding the Duke, I coughed to regain my composure.

“Of course, I was also curious…”

Although confirming his feelings was one of the reasons behind requesting this meeting today, it wasn’t the primary purpose.

“There are certain matters we need to agree upon first.”

“Agreement?”

“Yes, regarding the external reasons for our marriage.”

I cleared my throat and calmly continued, hiding my natural embarrassment.

“Can we pretend that we are in love?”

“Like I have fallen in love?”

For some reason, the Duke’s mouth twisted slightly as he uttered those words.

‘…Don’t you like it?’

Being cautious, I carefully chose my words and spoke.

“Even if it’s not true, I thought ‘love’ would be an appropriate external reason.”

“…”

“The terms of our contract… you will be my temporary marriage partner, and in return, I will provide me with the medicine. Wouldn’t it be beneficial to have something like this as a public disclosure?”

The Duke would agree to this.

It is the only weakness of the invincible Ivernum. Of course, I will be careful not to expose it in the slightest.

“So, I thought we needed an external reason to conceal the true purpose of our marriage.”

A so-called smokescreen.

The Duke, seemingly convinced of this necessity, spoke up.

“Why does it have to be that way?”

Is it possible that the orthodox Northern Grand Duke hesitates to speak words as frivolous as love?

Recalling our earlier conversation and easing the tension within, I spoke with confidence.

“Because love is a universal reason that can justify any irrational behavior.”

“…”

Why does the Duke’s mouth appear even more twisted?

Nevertheless, he didn’t refute my words. Taking that as half persuasion, I continued.

“Even if you suddenly marry someone from a family you consider your enemy, if you fall in love with a passionate flame, you will believe that everyone is genuine, even if they are mere youngsters, right?”

“…”

“Currently, during the height of the social season, there are already two couples who were rumored to have eloped for love.”

Okay, love.

No matter how foolish an action may be, love is the perfect justification.

Hardly anyone would believe that at this moment, I would willingly enter Ivernum, where the Sinkere family seeks absolute overthrow, and get married.

“People will simply dismiss it as another act of foolishness.”

Just as it always happens in society.

“So when it comes to a marriage based on love, few would bother to dig into the true reason behind our union.”

There’s no way the Duke’s weaknesses would be exposed.

I am the type of person who calculates the position of my trading partner in this manner. Looking at him with such an implication in my eyes, it seemed that he understood the unspoken remarks that the Duke left unsaid.

“Okay.”

“Ah, that word…”

“Do it.”

For some reason, the Duke’s gaze pierced through me.

The Duke confirmed my words, leading to an exact agreement.

“Love at first sight, a hasty marriage. That I am a suitor enamored with the young lady.”

“Thank you!”

He may be a duke, talking in riddles, but I got the answer I needed.

Phew. It’s easier if I say that he fell in love with me first.

As long as we fall in love and get married, it’s perfect. The setup was such that the Duke asked me to marry him immediately!

It’s truly a fortunate turn of events.

I won’t let the Duke lose face!