It's Not A Childcare But A Contract Marriage - Chapter 16 Part 2

“What a peculiar request.”

Taking surnames on and off are not uncommon in this era where marriage is a transaction.

After reaffirming our marriage contract, I extended my hand forward.

“I’ll do my best from now on.”

“….”

The Duke, who had been glancing at my hand for a moment, finally took my hand before I became too awkward.

‘Phew. I thought you didn’t shake hands with women.’

There were so many jerks I’ve dealt with while running the guild. I almost misunderstood him.

Despite his cool appearance, there was warmth in the Duke’s hand.

‘I’m sure my hands aren’t sweating, right?’

Feeling the touch of his bare hand against mine was oddly unfamiliar, and I mumbled nonsense to myself.

“… …”

Isn’t this enough to establish trust between us, contracted partner?

I wiggled my fingers, trying to signal that the handshake should be over now.

However, the Duke’s hand, which firmly enclosed mine, showed no signs of loosening.

No, it seemed to be gripping even more tightly…

“Um, Your Grace?”

“….”

“Your Grace!”

“!”

I exclaimed impatiently, and only then did the Duke release his grip on my hand.

What’s with him? Did he fall asleep with his eyes open?

Feeling puzzled by his strange behavior, I must have stared at him with a curious gaze, as the Duke opened his mouth again.

“Perhaps the alcohol was too much.”

“Oh, you drank quite a bit at the banquet. Isn’t that normal for you?”

“I don’t enjoy it.”

Perhaps he was affected by the alcohol and entered a temporary standstill state.

“Just looking at his face, you’d think he could down a shot of vodka and not have a single hair out of place.”

During the banquet, the Duke didn’t stagger even after drinking numerous glasses presented by various guests.

So, that’s what I judged. But maybe that was only in front of other people?

“….”

I thought as I looked at the duke staring at the inside of his empty palm, perhaps still in a confused state.

‘I think it’s a bit cute that you’re surprisingly weak to alcohol… … .’

* * *

The next morning.

As I looked at the exquisite food prepared by the Duchy with delight in my eyes, I heard the Duke’s voice.

“Evely.”

“Yes, Du… Kyle.”

Under the intense gaze of his crimson eyes, I suppressed my awkwardness and uttered the Duke’s name.

Yeah. It’s just like in front of the mansion staff, treat it like anyone else.

As I promised myself to use a natural tone, the Duke continued.

“The Sinkeres. They’re heading for your guild.”

“Yes?”

My eyes widened at the words I never thought would come out of his mouth.

“Would you like me to leave it as it is?”

“Can I leave it as it is?”

“If you want.”

A straightforward answer to my curious question.

Wow, this is the power of authority.

“Thank you for your consideration, but I’m fine.”

“….”

With a smile, I responded, and the Duke’s eyebrow twitched.

Now I understand what he meant. He’s clearly displeased.

“I thought you were interested in the Upper Domain.”

“Oh, of course, I value it greatly. I’ve put a lot of effort into cultivating it like this.”

I invested my whole youth into it. I’ve done my best to apply my knowledge from my past life to make it successful here as well.

“It might have started with a modest initial investment, even though it’s grown to be considerable now.”

“….”

“Even if it’s taken by my family, there’s nothing more to say.”

Certainly. Legally, there’s no issue.

‘Compared to the money I’ve accumulated while running this place, it’s only a small portion. But anyway, the initial capital I used to start the Upper Domain was entirely the family’s.’

So, I’ll consider it the final dowry and hand it over to the stingy family…

‘… Can they even be called family?’

I can’t stand to see that sight, even if I’m in pain.

* * *

The morning after.

The atmosphere at the County of Sinkere’s mansion was tense from early morning.

People couldn’t help but notice how grand and well-attended the engagement ceremony of Ivernun was yesterday.

Located right next to the temple, the mansion of the County was well aware of what transpired.

The Countess spoke cautiously to Count Sinkere, who was sitting in the seat of honor and frowning.

“Darling, I know you might not be in a good mood… but at least have some soup first.”

“What?”

“Even though we had dinner so late last night, you still need to eat in the morning—”

Bang!

Before the Countess could finish her sentence, the Count of Sinkere’s fist slammed onto the table, causing a jarring sound.

“I… I was just worried you might be upset.”

“Talking such nonsense, that’s why you never realized how serious things have become!”

Even as tears welled up in his wife’s eyes in response to her husband’s outburst, the Count of Sinkere did not hesitate to continue attacking with words.

“To think that I left this clueless woman, who’s so foolish, to be the mistress of Sinkere.”

The disdainful tone in her husband’s cold voice made the Countess tremble, her lips quivering.

“Is… is your tone really necessary?”

“Necessary? What’s necessary is you, a woman who was so lost in her own world that she allowed this chaos to happen.”

“How could you say such—”

Like thrusting a knife into her mouth, his words made the Countess tear up in frustration.

Even in the face of her tearful expression, the Count of Sinkere remained unaffected and sneered with an icy face.

“I wonder what you’ve done to let the household reach this state.”

“Ugh!”

Eventually, the Countess let her tears fall.

However, there was no daughter present to offer her a handkerchief at this moment.

‘It’s all because, because our daughter isn’t here…’

The Duchess clenched her lips, fighting back tears.

‘How could I be subjected to this? She’s completely useless!’

As she blamed the troublesome situation on Evely, in the midst of her shedding tears…