My Dream is to Get My Own House - Chapter 6

Episode 6

Strangely, his expression hardened.

“…Divorce.”

“Yes. The initial contract period is one year.”

He nodded as he carefully examined the section about contract extension.

“Understood.”

Dylan finished signing the contract at the bottom.

“Now, I’m also a married man.”

“I’m a married woman too. Let’s be together.”

He cautiously reached out his hand.

His large hand, touching mine, felt like a vibrating tree.

Well, it’s understandable.

After finally parting ways with the Sweet Potato Family, my body is excited and trembling.

I decided to change the subject.

“I heard that we could move in immediately!”

“Oh, really? Then, I’ll visit my brother first and then move in. I should let him know that we got married.”

Ah, it’s only natural to visit family.

I have no family to tell that I got married.

I left them all behind.

I feel so relieved now.

I nodded with satisfaction and smiled, but then paused.

“Your sudden marriage must have surprised your family. Should I come along too?”

“…No, it’s not necessary. I’d prefer it if we went together next time. There are circumstances that prevent us from meeting family right now…”

Well, we were in a contract marriage and planning to divorce soon anyway.

It would have been funny to meet each other’s families.

I quickly summarized the situation.

“So, go see your family. I’ll send the contract to the lawyer. Oh, can we move into the newlywed town right away?”

“Yes, I heard it’s possible.”

“Then, shall we meet at our house later? Let’s have dinner together!”

He nervously nodded.

“Yes, please be careful at work and come back. I’ll prepare dinner.”

He looked like a grim reaper preparing for war.

“I was just going to suggest ordering takeout or eating out.”

Can Dylan cook?

He’s a knight who has fought battles with his extraordinary looks.

I doubted if he could cook well.

I hope he won’t serve some bizarre dish.

But still, I must eat it if he says it’s delicious.

At this moment, I felt confident that I could laugh no matter what Dylan does.

“Yes, thank you for preparing dinner! Have a good time with your family!”

With serious determination, I raised the corners of my mouth and smiled lightly.

I wondered what kind of people Dylan’s family would be.

What kind of dinner would he prepare?

Various curiosities arose.

***

At the same time, inside the Emperor’s palace.

The Emperor was enjoying dinner with his mentor, Duke Saboia.

“Mentor, are you leaving again this time?”

“Yes. I will be going to the western region this time.”

Duke Saboia held a high-ranking position in a vast territory, and he was the Emperor’s mentor.

On the surface, he appeared to have everything.

However, his countenance was always filled with deep sorrow. The reason for this was the Million Theater terrorist incident that occurred approximately twenty years ago, orchestrated by the terrorist group known as the Red Castle, which aimed to overthrow the empire. They had thrown bombs at the Million Theater. At that time, Duke Saboia lost his son, daughter-in-law, and even his five-year-old granddaughter.

“On the day of the terrorist attack, we traced the surviving theater employee. They were living in hiding at a teahouse in the western region.”

“Soon, you will be able to find the missing Lady Diana.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The Duke’s lips did not even twitch. Since the loss of his family, he had transformed into someone who could not display any expression. Particularly because he couldn’t even find his granddaughter’s body, his pain only intensified. 

The Emperor looked at him with a pained expression.

The Duke naturally changed the topic of conversation. 

“How is the atmosphere at the Grand Fortress, which has been transformed into a winter stronghold?”

This time, a momentary sense of pity appeared on the Emperor’s face and then vanished. 

“It remains the same.”

Three hundred years ago, there was a witch who resided in the Ice Castle and ruled as the formidable Snow Queen with her piercing gaze. 

By chance, she encountered the Emperor and fell into a fiery unrequited love. However, the Emperor feared and despised the witch. The witch, who loved him, experienced both immense heartbreak and anger. Eventually, she placed a curse upon the Emperor, rendering him incapable of feeling any emotions towards her. The curse’s influence extended to the northernmost region of the empire, reaching the Grand Duke Castilla, who carried the Emperor’s bloodline. The once desolate but habitable territory transformed into a winter fortress adorned with frost and castles. The witch’s curse was potent. It persisted through generations, afflicting one individual in each bloodline.

While the successive Emperors reigned as the Holy Emperors, the Grand Duke Castilla lived a solitary life in the cursed castle in the north. They existed with over half of their emotions severed. They merely indulged in the frenzy of slaughter on the battlefield, ultimately descending into madness.

Fortunately, the current Grand Duke Castilla, Dylan, differed from the past dukes who were plagued with madness. Instead of becoming a warmonger, he found solace in combating terrorism through a healthier approach.

“We are still apprehending terrorists.”

“Are those Red Castle bastards again?”

“Yes. My younger brother has infiltrated the Imperial Knights, pretending to be a knight. He will be captured soon.”

Duke Saboia expressed a brief sigh of admiration, nodding his head. 

“You truly are remarkable.”

The Emperor smiled radiantly, as if a button had been pressed. It was as if he had finally heard the words he had been awaiting his entire life. He swiftly fired questions like a volley of gunfire.

“To be honest, I have a sentiment to bestow the title of Imperial Sword. If it weren’t for that damn curse! If there were no successor, I could even pass on the Emperor’s custody… Ah, my apologies. I’ve gone off on a tangent. I’m sorry, Master.”

A proud boasting of a younger brother to the extent that blood would rush from one’s ears. 

Duke Saboia awkwardly turned his head.

“It’s alright. But, if I may, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Setting aside the achievements of the Duke, what is he like as a person? I’m curious since I’ve never met the guy.”

The Emperor murmured, shaking his head.

“Actually, that child doesn’t find life particularly enjoyable. He’s very disciplined… Well, how should I put it? He seems lacking in self-confidence in his appearance.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Perhaps it’s because of black magic. But still, I know my younger brother very well.”

“In what way?”

“That child’s life trajectory is crystal clear to me.”

Duke Saboia said, tilting his head.

“Your Majesty, didn’t you say before that people who appear disciplined suddenly engage in unpredictable actions?”

The Emperor chuckled mischievously, nodding his head.

“Yes, I did say that. But let me tell you. Although I don’t know about others, my younger brother wouldn’t do such a thing.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s right. He has no inclination for deviation.”

That dull and consistent life made him feel uneasy.

“The only form of deviation for that child was pretending to be a commoner.”

He obtained a new imperial citizen registration card.

He also cast a spell to make certain facial features appear different from his actual appearance.

Afterward, he disguised himself as a commoner knight and joined the Emperor’s personal knights.

Of course, Dylan was still Dylan.

Every day at this time, he came to report on terrorist organizations.

Every day after lunch, precisely at noon.

“Come to think of it, it’s time for my younger brother to arrive.”

Coincidentally, the clock tower’s bell rang, indicating noon.

And as if waiting, the door to the dining hall opened cautiously.

Dylan Kyeong, no, Grand Duke Castilla, opened the door and entered.

“You’ve arrived. Look, Master. My younger brother is so disciplined.”

“I see.”

But today, Dylan had a peculiar expression on his face.

“I have something to tell you, Your Majesty.”

Dylan didn’t approach with his usual demeanor.

The Emperor’s jaw trembled nervously.

“Sit down and speak first.”

Could it be that he had obtained a clue about the terrorists planning to assassinate the nobles?

Come to think of it, recently Dylan achieved the feat of killing the vanguard of the Red Castle, who had established themselves in the Imperial Palace.

Perhaps the time had come to declare an end to terrorism.

The tense Emperor lifted his glass and took a sip of water.

Dylan, who sat down neatly, began to speak.

“I, I got married today.”

Pfft.

Water spurted out of the Emperor’s mouth like a fountain, without passing through his throat.