It's Not A Childcare But A Contract Marriage - Chapter 7 Part 2

Until now, the person who had been hiding behind the first brother’s imposing figure was revealed before my eyes.

“Marquis Gaspar was also concerned about you.”

Seated as if he were the head of the guild, the Marquis calmly occupied the best seat, arrogantly stroking his small white beard.

“Ho ho, how much effort has he put into taking care of his young bride? Now, go ahead and express your gratitude in person.”

“Ah!”

I instinctively straightened my back, nearly stumbling backward from the sudden push.

Damn it.

I cursed inwardly, swallowing my anger as I unintentionally stepped forward, placing myself between the Marquis and the rest of my family.

“Hmm…”

The Marquis, still seated in his chair, scrutinized me with judgmental eyes.

I feel so disgusted!

‘Young bride? Ha!’

Gritting my teeth, I spat out words that shattered the suffocating atmosphere.

“Am I a bride now? Did I agree to this?”

“Oh my! Our daughter is so embarrassed.”

The hand that had pushed me a moment ago now tightly grasped my arm, pulling me back.

“She’s just being shy because she’s so young. As you know, Marquis, we raised our daughter to be so refined…”

Attempting to cover her words in haste, my mother quickly shifted the topic to praising the “youngest daughter raised like a golden jewel in Sinkere.”

My first brother, who received our mother’s subtle glance, immediately chimed in.

“She’s our youngest who we cherish so much. We’ve given her everything, but she still hasn’t matured. Haha.”

It was clear that the flop family was desperately trying to maintain the façade of being an upstanding family.

‘Because the image of an innocent girl who grew up receiving only family love sells well.’

That was the image crafted for me in the social world, thanks to the influence of the flop family.

A darling little girl who adored her family, the youngest daughter who was cherished by everyone.

A naïve young lady who knew nothing of the world and was considered a precious gem.

‘Ugh’

Although it was humiliating, that innocent image sold like hotcakes.

‘Especially in the marriage market.’

I didn’t want to delve into the details of my untouched innocence and all that nonsense. I just wanted to avoid my marriage to the Marquis.

Because my aversion to marrying the Marquis was not solely due to our age difference.

Of course, that was something I strongly disliked, but the bigger reason was…

‘They have always desired close ties with the imperial family.’

The Marquis, a cousin of the Emperor, and me, a direct descendant of the Sinkere family.

If the two of us were to be connected in this way, this marriage would solidify the ties that the flop family had been hoping for with the nobility they desired.

Furthermore, this marriage with the extremely conservative noble family would make my own will disappear forever, both in theory and in reality.

‘If we marry under these circumstances, the decision-making power will shift to the Marquis, and I’ll be forever trapped in the clutches of the flop family, both figuratively and literally.’

So, I boldly declared to the Marquis, who looked at me as if inspecting whether the product was worth the price.

“I’m sorry, but I cannot marry the Marquis.”

“What?”

Only then did the Marquis meet my gaze, annoyed by my audacity. I made my stance clear.

“I have someone else in mind for marriage.”

“Hey, what is she saying!”

My terrified mother raised her voice before she could cover my mouth, but I shouted again, louder this time.

“I have no intention of getting married unless it’s with him! No—oops.”

“Marquis, please listen to me first. I can provide a proper explanation.”

“Youngest one, I wouldn’t play such a vulgar prank regarding your future husband.”

“Exactly! Pudding. You must know when not to joke.”

I watched with a snort as the flop family tried to salvage the situation by labeling me a liar.

What nonsense! I only spoke the truth!

‘And does the Marquis think he can just let it slide?’

Unfortunately, the Marquis didn’t entertain their attempt and instead grew angry and left.

“Lying has become a bad habit.”

Frowning in disapproval, he stood up with the help of his cane, straightening his back.

Tap, tap.

After striking the floor with his cane, as if indicating something, the Marquis squinted his eyes at me and began to leave.

But before he could go any further, someone stepped forward, blocking his path as if guarding the front.

A broad back shielded both the Marquis, who had been threatening me, and the family members standing by.

“Marquis Gaspard.”

The voice that growled out the Marquis’s name was familiar.

“What business do you have with my fiancée?”