Chapter 10
In the way their eyes met, there was a shared understanding—
They both realized the other had dropped their fake politeness.
I knew it.
She had expected it, but it seemed Ian Crawford also had no intention of marrying.
Diana waited long enough, then spoke first.
“You’re not answering.”
“……”
“The fact that you can’t answer immediately… is proof that we shouldn’t get married.”
“……”
“The good thing is, I don’t want to marry either. So let’s stop saying things we don’t mean.”
At some point, Ian’s expression had turned completely blank.
With his forced smile gone, the atmosphere fell silent.
Like the power had suddenly gone out in the middle of the night.
“So you’re saying you don’t want to marry, so you won’t… and I’m the same?”
Ian finally spoke.
“That kind of talk is just childish, don’t you think?”
The moment he dropped all pretense—
The air changed.
“Miss Diana. For nobles like us, marriage is business. It’s a contract where both sides exchange what they want.”
The effect of the “narrow-eyed villain” opening his eyes was intense.
It felt like the temperature had dropped several degrees.
Diana shivered without realizing it.
“We are both backed by our families. Do you really think personal feelings have any place here?”
Ian leaned back elegantly, crossing his legs.
The way he tilted his head reminded her of a mafia figure from a noir film.
…She expected it, but the change was drastic.
Even the slight curve of his lips now clearly showed mockery.
If he normally suppressed that expression, his acting skills were truly impressive.
“Or do you believe your personal whims hold that much value?”
“…You speak very kindly.”
Diana replied calmly.
“Should I thank you for finally dropping the act?”
“Even if it’s an act, providing the necessary level of courtesy is a gentleman’s virtue.”
“If you know so much about being a gentleman, why did you threaten me?”
“Virtue is not obligation.”
Ian looked oddly relieved, as if he had no intention of upholding any chivalry.
“To be honest, this situation is unexpected for me as well. You—”
He let out a short laugh and paused.
“…After that first meeting, you still sent me an invitation as if nothing had happened.”
What was that? He definitely changed what he was about to say.
Diana narrowed her eyes at him, but Ian ignored her gaze.
“So I assumed you were the same kind of person as me.”
“The same kind?”
“Someone who can smile naturally for the sake of their goals and choose pretense over emotions when necessary.”
Is that supposed to be a compliment?
“I thought perhaps I could maintain a marriage built entirely on pretense with someone like that.”
“Are you serious? That’s the worst mindset for a husband.”
“If that’s how it sounded, that’s unfortunate.”
He didn’t sound sorry at all.
Ian had a natural talent for saying things he didn’t mean.
“In truth, I did consider the Wellington family as a potential match. But you seemed too uninteresting to be worth choosing.”
“And now?”
“You’re at least enough to keep me awake.”
…So he was good at sarcasm too.
Of course. A villain wouldn’t lack talent in that area.
Given how skilled he was at lying and mocking, it was no surprise he was also good at threats.
Ian Crawford was far more sharp-tongued than expected.
“Enough small talk. I’ll decline your proposal. It’s not very appealing at the moment.”
“But the casino—”
“I don’t care what kind of training you’ve had. Your abilities are unproven.”
He steepled his fingers and glanced at her.
“If I’m to act as your fake lover, I need a more reliable benefit than help with a casino. Only then would it be worth it.”
“…”
So this was the limit.
She had managed to bring things to the negotiation table—
But this was as far as she could go.
I have nothing to counter that.
He wasn’t wrong.
Diana had knowledge and training—
But compared to Ian, who was set to become the next prime minister, she had achieved nothing yet.
Even the incompetent subordinates he complained about probably started out confidently.
Objectively, she wasn’t much different from them.
What do I do …?
She clenched her fists.
What could she offer him?
Should I switch tactics and threaten him instead?
No—that would likely get her killed before she even left the estate.
Then what—
“But since your proposal is interesting, shall I add a condition of my own?”
“…A condition?”
Unexpectedly, Ian offered her a lifeline.
“Write a will. Right here, in your own handwriting.”
“…What?”
“A will. Yours. Date it one year from now.”
He continued calmly.
“State that you trust Ian Crawford’s character, and grant him authority to manage your family’s assets.”
“Wait—”
“That he will return them to the royal family and use part of them for charitable relief.”
He didn’t stop.
“It doesn’t have to be detailed. Your signature and handwriting are what matter.”
He was openly suggesting forging her will.
“If you can write it now, I’ll accept your proposal.”
“…”
Diana was speechless.
What kind of insanity is this?
Write a will handing over everything—to someone who threatened my parents just days ago?
What would happen next?
What guarantee was there that he wouldn’t kill her and her parents afterward?
What if he didn’t use the money as promised?
He had practically admitted he might alter the will later.
This is insane.
She stared at him in disbelief.
What exactly was she supposed to trust?
“…Ah.”
Then—
In a flash, she understood.
I see.
Those pomegranate-red eyes seemed to ask:
Can you do it?
Can you trust the man who just threatened you?
Of course not.
That would be impossible.
Because—
He didn’t trust her either.
He’s testing my resolve.
This might be her first—and last—chance.
If she refused, she might be killed at any time.
Realizing this, her mind cleared.
“…Give me paper and a pen.”
“…”
For the first time, Ian’s smile faltered slightly.
He handed her a quill and paper, watching her closely.
Are you serious?
His gaze seemed to ask.
***
Scratch. Scratch.
Her hand moved steadily across the page.
She didn’t rush.
She didn’t scribble in panic.
She wrote calmly—
Strengthening her resolve.
To survive.
To escape this terrifying “cursed doll” of a man.
***
“Ian.”
She set down the pen and called his name.
“Do you know why people say, ‘Take everything I have, just spare my life’?”
He didn’t answer.
He simply read the still-wet ink on the page.
“Because life really is worth that much. And I don’t miscalculate things like that. I know what matters most.”
“Your life?”
“No. Opportunity.”
And with it—
The trust she could gain from a villain.
“I’ll pay the price of the opportunity you’ve given me. I’ll stake my life and trust you.”
“…”
“So now it’s your turn.”
Her original plan—to avoid any involvement with the villain—had completely failed.
But one thing had succeeded.
She had stripped away his mask.
“Please do your best to act as my fake lover.”
Her blue eyes shone like a lighthouse—
Bright, unwavering, impossible to extinguish.
Only Ian Crawford noticed that.
“Very well. I accept your proposal.”
His smile returned.
“The term will be one year. Your condition is to restore the casino from the brink of collapse.”
His smile—
Sharp like a blade.
Predatory.
Dangerous.
Diana steadied her trembling heart.
“For that time, I will act as the kingdom’s perfect lover, Diana.”
There was no turning back now.
