Chapter 10
I blinked a few times in confusion, then frowned.
“Do you… want to marry me?”
“If possible.”
He answered without any hesitation. I muttered as if giving up.
“Even if I really proposed because of your money?”
My voice was small, but he did not miss it. He looked straight at me.
“Is that a problem?”
Where did the shy white baby kitten go?
His voice had suddenly become low and firm.
“Many nobles marry off their daughters without asking their opinion, all for the family’s profit. They marry without love for the sake of their house and keep lovers on the side. If money is the goal, isn’t that still a profitable deal? What is wrong with using marriage as a means to obtain what you need?”
I could only blink.
He was right. In this world, loveless marriages were normal. Daisy’s parents were the rare case who found love after marriage.
“When I was young, my wish was to have a friend for just one day. Like in fairy tales, I wondered if a fairy would come while I slept. Every night, I went to bed hoping.”
“……”
“I never even dreamed of marriage. And yet you say it’s just for money. I would bet everything I have to keep you. If there’s something you want, I will give it to you.”
I stayed silent. He didn’t seem to expect an answer.
“You may not care who it is. But for me… it has to be you.”
There was a bitter smile on his lips.
Guilt overwhelmed me. I buried my face in my hands.
Somewhere in my head, a strange voice shouted—
Goal! Perfect shot!
Shut up, conscience.
I already know I’m trash.
Why can’t I just be clearly good or clearly bad? Why am I stuck in the middle like this?
I let out a long, silent sigh.
Then Solard quietly added,
“Of course, that is only my position. If you dislike it, I cannot force—”
“Fine! Let’s do it!”
I cut him off without thinking.
You were the one who tested the waters first. If he said that, I’d become confirmed trash!
“Let’s get married!”
At that exact moment, the carriage door flew open.
Cool air rushed in.
“Miss! You promised! You must not take it back!”
The butler’s eyes sparkled.
Sir, please calm down.
“I won’t take it back…”
“Thank you! I believed in you! Shall we set a date? If you have nothing urgent, you may come with us right now.”
He clasped his hands with a suspicious smile.
“Wait… weren’t you here for an official event?”
“There is nothing more important than you, Miss— mmph!”
Gillein quickly covered the butler’s mouth from behind.
Is this really happening? Is this how marriage is decided?
“Ha… Let me think for a few days. It’s my first time getting married. I need to prepare— Hello? Are you listening?”
“…Ah.”
Solard had, unsurprisingly, spaced out again.
Just a moment ago he was speaking so firmly.
I snorted and jumped out of the carriage.
“At least you didn’t faint today. I’ll see you next time, Your Grace.”
“Y-Yes. Until next time.”
I ran away before the butler could grab me.
When I entered Daisy’s room, she was wrapped tightly in her blanket like a hedgehog.
“Daisy.”
No response.
“Daisy?”
“I thought… I was the only one for you…”
“Please show me your face.”
“How could you not tell me?!”
Her eyes were red and teary.
Why are you still this cute?
I gently wiped her face.
“I didn’t hide it. Everything happened suddenly. You’re my best friend. Why would I not tell you?”
“Hng!”
“You need to speak properly, young lady.”
“Hng!”
She grabbed my arm tightly.
“So what happened?” she asked.
I sat beside her.
“Have you heard of the cursed Northern Grand Duke?”
She nodded.
“The curse doesn’t work on me.”
“…How?”
“Probably because I’m not originally from this world. So it might not work on you either.”
Her eyes widened.
“He has no friends because of the curse.”
“So you wanted to be his friend?”
“No. I heard he’s rich, so I tried to take his money.”
“…What?”
She even cleaned her ears like she misheard.
“Was your dream not to be a rich unemployed person, but a gangster?”
“Oops. You caught me.”
She finally laughed.
It sounded like a joke, but it wasn’t.
“He’s pitiful. No friends. No marriage prospects.”
And originally… he was someone you could have chosen.
I swallowed those words.
“You have many people who love you. Can’t you share me with someone who’s never been loved?”
She frowned.
“A while ago, you said you wouldn’t marry.”
“I ended up agreeing.”
“You talk about marriage like you’re choosing tomorrow’s lunch.”
“Okay, I’ll have lunch with you tomorrow.”
“That’s not what I meant!”
I pinched her cheek.
“You’re getting married too.”
“That’s different! The North is far away! There are no airplanes!”
“Isn’t that hypocrisy?”
She hit my arm lightly.
“I’ll visit sometimes.”
“If you don’t come often, I’ll kidnap you.”
We laughed a little more.
But deep inside, I was uneasy.
Is this really okay? Marriage isn’t choosing a lunch menu.
Still thinking, I knocked on the Count’s office door.
When I peeked inside, I met the Countess’s eyes.
“Selly?”
“Yes…”
She smiled brightly.
That smile looked… dangerous.
Please tell me I’m imagining things.
