It's Not A Childcare But A Contract Marriage - Chapter 20 Part 1

“Of course, since the Duke is a gentleman, you wouldn’t have even thought about it.”

What is she so certain about?

Listening to her confident voice, he couldn’t help but be surprised.

Funny enough, when he met her trust-filled, rosy eyes, an ominous snake slithered into his belly without him even realizing it.

“I know it might seem surprising for me to bring up the topic first.”

“What’s so surprising about it?”

“Well, it’s because whether we consider status or appearance, it’s my side that would sneak into the bedroom, isn’t it?”

It was clear that she didn’t know how she looked when she said that.

How hard was it to get her hands off his chest?

For some reason, he suddenly felt grumpy.

“You, you are less careful than I thought.”

“What? I thought you were cautious, which is why I brought up this discussion in advance.”

“I see.”

Her twisted words made him raise his eyebrows.

“Ha, ha. I’m not ignoring the Duke’s masculinity… I mean, manhood. I told you in advance because I was worried that you would have a lot of energy at night and might not be able to control yourself.”

But despite her words, her expression oddly irritated him, as if she had never even considered him touching her.

She had a habit of receiving words she couldn’t understand, but she didn’t let go of the titles that were not required.

“Such foolish talk.”

“What?”

“…”

“Contract husband? Why are you suddenly saying that?”

Since earlier, she said that she was taking everything he said in a perverse way, and her grunting lips were saying all kinds of strange titles such as contract husband, but she never called out his name until the end.

He pretended not to notice the pouting lips and lowered his gaze to the teacup.

She boldly faced herself, even though it must have been difficult to let go of his hand.

‘Really, without knowing anything.’

Or is it possible not to know?

Even though it was a contract, the Duke could not understand the strange faith that the woman who became his ‘bride’ had for him.

He didn’t  think he would ever think of himself like that. What on earth did she believe?

‘Right last night… … .’

A connected bedroom, blocked at best by a flimsy door.

Even with his body lying down in his usual bedding, it made him feel strange to think that there was her on the other side of her bed, facing the same wall as his.

In the end, he couldn’t fall sleep that night.

“… …”

Thanks to the fact, he went to the office in the middle of the night, and stayed up all night processing the documents.

Looking at the only empty space amidst the piles of papers on his desk, the Duke glanced at it with a subtle expression.

Knock.

At that moment, a knock on the door brought him out of his thoughts.

“Come in.”

The butler, who had brought a tray with piled letters, gently placed an envelope in front of the Duke.

“Master, a letter has arrived from the Imperial Palace.”

“An invitation?”

“Yes, according to the palace messenger, it seems to be an event that includes the matter you anticipated.”

Rustle.

The Duke neatly swung a paper knife and took out the contents of the envelope, and read them quickly.

‘Is it that matter?’

Having roughly anticipated the Emperor’s intentions, the Duke nodded.

‘Now that I think about it, she also… … .’

The Duke thought for a moment, remembering someone he was naturally associated with, and then called in his aide and gave him an order.

* * *

“An invitation?”

I was enjoying my afternoon tea when an unexpected visitor arrived.

“Yes. It is said to be a banquet held to commemorate the end of the epidemic.”

“This is an invitation sent by His Majesty to the Ivernum Duchy… … I guess I should attend too.”

“That’s right, Madam. If you need anything, the master has sent me to assist you.”

“Whether it was the Duke’s staff or budget, I was instructed to provide whatever you need.”

The man in front of me, who seemed to be completely at ease, said with a cheerful smile.

‘The Duke’s aide. ‘I’ve seen him once before.’

The man who introduced himself as Viscount Belay had been occupying one side of the office when I first visited the Duke.

At that time, I demanded a private meeting with the Duke and had him chased away by the Duke, so that was our first encounter.

‘From the aide’s point of view, my first impression probably wasn’t that good. He doesn’t show any signs of it, though.’

As expected from the Duke of Ivernum. The educational status of the retainers is different.

Inwardly admiring the family dignity that can be felt in even the smallest details, I looked down at the invitation handed over by the Duke’s aide.

‘It is hosted by the emperor himself, and the venue is the Golden Hall, which accommodates the largest number of people among the imperial halls… … It’s a big banquet held by the royal family.’

By the time I finished reading the main content.

The aide opened his mouth as if he had measured the time precisely.

“It is said that this banquet will serve as a commemorative event and also reward contributors.”

“Ah… …”

“You may already know this, but my lord ordered me to deliver this information accurately.”

“Thank you. The more information, the better.”

“Haha, an interesting expression.”

I saw off the aide, who seemed to be smiling for some reason, as he was shaking his head.

As soon as I was left alone in the room, I wiped the polite, sociable smile from my face.

“Darn it.”

I felt sick.

Chewing on the gingerbread man’s head placed on a refreshment plate as a way to vent.

I recalled the first time I received an imperial letter at the Sinkere Mansion a few years ago.