Chapter 08
Cheroan looked puzzled at Melina’s remark that there were additions or revisions she wanted to make to the contract.
“I’d like a clause stating that neither of us will take a lover during our marriage. Of course, it would apply to both sides.”
Even if the marriage began as a contract, Melina had no intention of being betrayed or deceived again. The mere thought of a mistress made her shudder. She had no plans to divorce Cheroan, so she wanted this point made absolutely clear.
“Isn’t that only natural between husband and wife? If you marry, you should be faithful to each other.”
Among nobles, political marriages were common, and so were extramarital affairs. Yet here he was, agreeing so readily—even though theirs wasn’t a typical arranged marriage but a contract marriage.
Compared to the emperor, the difference was striking. Melina felt her heart twist.
“I honestly didn’t expect you to say that.”
“I’m disappointed you think so little of me.”
He frowned slightly, clearly displeased.
“I still don’t know what kind of person Your Highness is. From my perspective, it’s something that needs to be made certain.”
Cheroan’s silver-gray eyes held many thoughts as he gazed at her.
“Even if it’s a contract marriage, I chose to take you as my wife. Isn’t it only natural that I bear the responsibility and duty that comes with it?”
Melina felt strange. She had entered this marriage for revenge and hadn’t expected anything like happiness.
So why was her heart racing?
Could she trust this man? Was she allowed to hope?
“Your Highness, you must keep what you just said. I’m quite greedy, you see.”
He raised a brow as if asking what she meant.
“I told you, didn’t I? I hate it when someone touches what’s mine. Even if I become empress, I will never allow you to take a consort. You’d better be prepared.”
As Melina looked him straight in the eye and spoke firmly, his silver-gray gaze darkened.
“Will you still sign?”
Though the marriage was for revenge, she wanted to test him—to see if she could place her expectations in him.
After studying her with a deep gaze for a long moment, Cheroan finally spoke.
“Let’s proceed with the clause you mentioned included.”
He added the provision about lovers to the contract and signed without hesitation, then handed it to her as if to prove a point. Melina smiled in satisfaction and signed as well.
“We’ll hold the wedding in a month. How does that sound? That’s the earliest possible date.”
“That’s fine.”
“We’ll handle the wedding preparations. You only need to move here a week before the ceremony.”
“I will.”
“Can you dance? You’ll need to at least once at the reception.”
“Don’t worry. I know proper etiquette as well.”
Who was she? She had once been praised as the perfect lady.
At her confident smile, Cheroan regarded her skeptically before looking away.
“I’ll trust you. So we won’t see each other again until a week before the wedding?”
“What do you mean?”
Melina blinked.
“Do we have some other reason to meet?”
Seeing the genuine confusion on his face, she let out a small sigh.
There was so much to do from now on, and he was this carefree already. She was starting to feel doubtful about whether he could pull off their act properly.
“This is just the beginning. There’s so much the two of us need to do.”
She pointed between herself and him for emphasis.
“What exactly is there to do?”
“We have to go on dates! As often as possible before the wedding.”
His face immediately went blank.
“I told you, you have to act well. We’re marrying in just a month despite the difference in our status. And you think we can skip dating? Do you expect people to believe that?”
Nothing was more effective than showing things directly.
They had to make people unable to look away, unable to keep from whispering, unable to help but become enthralled.
“…I see. I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Your Highness, have you ever been on a date before?”
Cheroan hesitated and avoided her eyes.
It was admirable that he couldn’t lie, but she couldn’t help sighing at the long road ahead. He wasn’t young anymore, and even if he had no interest in marriage, she hadn’t expected he’d never dated at all.
“I’ll give you exactly one week from now. Study. About romance.”
At her command-like tone, Cheroan ran a hand over his face and sighed.
“Your Highness, from now on I’m Melina. You must never get my name wrong. And your tone—make it affectionate. Understood?”
Before their first date, Melina busied herself giving Cheroan instructions, unable to fully trust him.
“Before criticizing my tone, perhaps you should fix yours first.”
Startled by the unexpected remark, she turned her head—and froze. His face was far too close.
“How long will you keep calling me ‘Your Highness’? I told you to call me Yan. Have you forgotten already?”
They were so close that she could feel his warm breath each time he spoke. She blinked, tense without realizing it.
“You’re the one who said I need to act well. It seems you’re the one who needs practice.”
As if to ease her tension, Cheroan gently brushed her cheek, the corners of his eyes curving.
But the unexpected touch only made her more nervous.
“Tsk. Mel, you need to breathe.”
When he lightly touched her chin, she finally exhaled.
Embarrassed, she quickly turned her head. Her face flushed like the sunset, and his smile deepened.
‘What was that just now?’
Melina tried to calm her racing heart. The spot where his hand had touched felt hot.
Could someone change that much? His aura was completely different from usual.
Only when she met his playful gaze did she realize she had fallen for his teasing.
She glared at him in embarrassment and indignation, and he responded with a mischievous smile.
“Mel, let’s get off.”
At his suddenly changed tone, she stared at him wide-eyed.
“Your Highness, why did you change the way you speak?”
“You told me to. To be affectionate.”
When she shot him a look, he chuckled softly.
“I didn’t change my tone just for acting, so don’t misunderstand. We’ve signed the contract—aren’t you now my fiancée?”
Melina relaxed, curious about what he would say next.
“So it’s only natural to respect and care for the woman who will become my wife. Since today is our first day as an engaged couple, I thought the timing appropriate.”
She stared at him, taken aback.
She had thought him blunt and sharp, but unexpectedly, he was considerate and attentive. Her heart softened.
“So you should get used to it as well. And could you please stop calling me ‘Your Highness’? I’d prefer an endearment.”
“Then I’ll get used to it too, as your fiancée… Yan.”
When Melina changed her tone and winked, Cheroan let out a quiet laugh.
The carriage stopped, and he escorted her out.
Though she was dressed like a commoner today, her innate elegance showed in every movement.
“Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve seen you in a skirt.”
Now that he mentioned it, she had never properly dressed up to meet him before.
In the past, she would spend hours preparing for a single outing. But she had shown him a murder on their first meeting and even broken into his bedroom in the middle of the night—trying to impress him now felt almost ridiculous.
Thinking that way, she felt more at ease around him.
“Well? Does it suit me?”
She spun once playfully. He simply looked at her.
“It’s not a dress, but it’s better than anything I’ve worn so far, isn’t it?”
When she pressed him for an answer, he smiled softly.
“You’re pretty.”
It was such a simple, unembellished statement, yet her heart fluttered.
“Let’s go.”
As if nothing had happened, he naturally took her hand and led her forward. But he couldn’t hide the slight lift of his lips.
They headed toward the central street of the grand duchy, the widest and busiest area. As they walked along the tree-lined road, rows of restaurants and shops came into view.
But Melina couldn’t focus on the surroundings. She was acutely aware of his hand holding hers.
She had never held hands like this even with the emperor. With him, it had only ever been formal escorts.
Part of her wanted to pull away out of awkwardness. Yet the firm warmth of his grip made her wish to stay like this. The thought flustered her.
‘It’s just acting.’
She repeated it to herself, but she couldn’t stop her heart from fluttering.
“Mel, what are you thinking about so deeply? People are watching us.”
Cheroan whispered, brushing her hair behind her ear.
“Oh my. Did you see that?”
“Was I seeing things? I can’t believe His Highness would act like that.”
“Who’s that woman beside him? I’ve never seen her before.”
Passersby recognized him and began whispering.
Some covered their mouths in shock. Others watched with shining eyes of curiosity. A few gazes were tinged with jealousy.
Only then did Melina come back to her senses.
She should have been showing an image sweet enough to drip with honey, yet she’d been lost in thought. If they looked even slightly awkward, people would suspect them and tear them apart with rumors.
And somewhere nearby, there might even be spies sent by the emperor.
“Sorry, Yan. It’s been a while since I’ve been somewhere so crowded. I got a little flustered…”
She smiled shyly and slipped her arm through his, leaning against him.
Her hands curled in embarrassment, but she endured it, thinking of her goal.
“You told me to study hard, but perhaps you’re the one who needs it.”
Cheroan tilted his head and whispered by her ear again.
To others, it would look like a lover murmuring sweet words, but he wore a triumphant grin.
‘Oh, is that how you’re going to play it? As the head of Temno, I can’t back down from a challenge.’
Even if she kicked her blankets in humiliation tonight, she was determined to fluster him at least once.
“I’ll do better from now on, so don’t worry.”
Rising on tiptoe, Melina whispered into his ear—and then shyly pressed a kiss to his cheek.
