Chapter 25
Of course, because I still had memories from my past life, I couldn’t be completely shameless. But I was definitely going to use the protection I had, without holding back.
Even if this position as the Duke’s wife was created through a contract.
“Echo, if anyone says something strange to you, tell me or the Duke right away. Got it?”
“Ah, yes…!”
Echo had been listening quietly, thinking it was something she didn’t fully understand. But she quickly replied when I asked her directly.
Good. I nodded with satisfaction.
Times like this made the contract feel even more convenient. As I was thinking that, Helen smiled softly.
“Then I suppose the wedding ceremony won’t be a problem.”
She said it lightly, but something about her tone seemed a little odd. I gave her a questioning look, and she explained.
“There are many types of wedding ceremonies. But the most traditional part is…”
She paused for a moment. Just what was she about to say?
“…the Vow Kiss.”
At that, Echo gasped and quickly covered her mouth. Her ears turned bright red. Hannah, standing next to her, gently tried to calm her down.
“It’s just part of the ceremony, Echo.”
“R-right… of course…”
Echo fanned her red face with her hands, and the maids looked at her with warm smiles.
“…….”
But I couldn’t smile like they did. Not because I didn’t want to kiss.
After hearing about the “first night,” a kiss should be no big deal. I could just close my eyes and do it.
The real problem was that people believed we were “madly in love.”
Even if it wasn’t a passionate kiss, our kiss needed to look natural—like we were truly in love.
But… I’d never kissed Eden before.
Even if I wore a veil, I couldn’t guarantee I’d look relaxed instead of stiff and awkward.
‘This is bad.’
This was the first real challenge in our marriage.
And the second challenge came soon after.
“If you’re done eating, how about moving to another room?”
“Another room?”
“Yes.”
Helen smiled sweetly.
“It’s time for your bridal lessons.”
…Out of nowhere, it was study time.
***
Raeder Merkel, the legal advisor of the Bertenon family, frowned.
It wasn’t because of the mountain of work, or the sudden news about his lord’s “marriage contract.” He was used to his master’s strange orders.
But this was different.
Raeder looked at the woman in front of him.
She had soft purple hair and clear red eyes—definitely a beauty.
Her sharp, upturned eyes made her seem cold, but not evil.
Still, even angels would look like devils if they gave him more work.
Raeder remembered what happened that morning.
Yesterday, he had finally finished a long and difficult task. He planned to sleep in and enjoy the morning.
That was, until Eden came knocking on his door.
Raeder refused to get up. He pulled the blanket over his head and pretended not to hear.
“Hmm…”
“Seems like he’s not here. What should we do, Duke?”
Raeder silently prayed they’d go away.
“Millar.”
“Yes?”
“Break down the door.”
“I’m up! I’m awake!!”
The moment he heard that, Raeder had no choice but to get up.
“Isn’t the urgent work over?”
“It was. But now there’s one more thing.”
“What is it?”
“I want you to personally teach my wife. About the Bertenon family tree, the history of the Empire, that sort of thing.”
People who didn’t approve of the marriage would find any reason to criticize her. The best defense was to show how knowledgeable and confident she was.
Especially things about noble families—only high-ranking nobles knew those little details. And those same people would try to exclude her and Echo in subtle ways.
Of course, Eden would try to prevent that, but he couldn’t control everything.
That’s why he came to Raeder early in the morning.
Normally, Raeder would be shocked to hear Eden call someone “my wife,” but not today. Being forced out of bed was already the worst.
“Why me…? There are other people who could do it…”
“It’s simple. You’re the smartest in the Bertenon household.”
Also, you know what to say—and what not to say.
Even half-asleep, Raeder understood what that meant.
Only a few people knew this marriage was a contract. Having him teach her was the safest choice.
“Be gentle. I don’t want my wife to get scared and run away.”
When Eden said that with a big smile, Raeder got chills and almost pretended to fall back asleep.
Still, it was something he had to do for his lord.
So he gave up his precious sleep and came to work.
But the person who was supposed to be studying seriously… looked completely distracted.
Then again, maybe it made sense. She was going to be the Duchess and would have lots of power. What was the point of learning all this?
“Are you listening?”
Raeder asked, sounding a little annoyed. The woman—Godel—quickly lifted her head.
Her clear red eyes met his.
To be honest, in terms of looks, she could compete with any noble lady. If she had been born into a well-off family, suitors would’ve lined up for her.
But all of that didn’t matter.
She was the daughter of a fallen noble family and had loved her adopted brother. She came into this marriage with a losing hand from the start.
‘Why did he even choose someone like her…?’
Raeder sighed internally. Teaching her seriously would just waste his energy.
“Sorry. I was just thinking about… something else.”
Godel apologized with a guilty look.
Surprised, Raeder raised his eyebrows. He was the family’s legal advisor—she didn’t have to speak politely.
‘…Is she trying to show respect?’
No way. He shook the thought. She had loved her adopted brother and still collected money in his name. Clearly, she cared more about money than love. A person like that wouldn’t respect others.
“…Ahem. It’s fine. You’re learning a lot at once—it’s natural to get distracted.”
Still, his voice softened a little.
“Maybe we should take a break.”
“No, please continue.”
“…What?”
Raeder, who had just started to pack up the books, froze.
“You took time out of your busy schedule to come here. I’m sure you don’t have a lot of free time.”
“…How did you know that?”
Godel smiled lightly and said,
“Isn’t it obvious? A busy lawyer like you wouldn’t normally do private tutoring.”
Most likely, Eden asked him to do this personally. That meant Raeder was talented—and trustworthy.
‘I also heard from the maids that he used to be a commoner.’
A commoner becoming a Duke’s legal advisor? That must have taken a lot of effort. No reason to make an enemy out of someone like that.
‘Who knows? Maybe he’ll help me when I need a divorce later.’
Most importantly… As a former working adult, I knew how precious rest time was.
Now this guy was working overtime to teach his boss’s wife. What a nightmare.
‘I can’t make him hate me already.’
“You took time out of your day. I don’t want to waste it.”
“…….”
“So please, let’s continue.”
