Chapter 19
It was a shameless answer, but when I thought about it, it wasn’t wrong.
No one dislikes rare things, and I was no different.
“But why does it sound so meaningful?”
And when did he even find out that Echo likes to draw?
As I continued to look suspicious, Eden added,
“Besides, we can’t let Miss Echo hear our conversation, can we?”
He was right. That was also why I let Echo ride in a different carriage. Even if this marriage was based on an agreement, not every conversation should be heard by her.
What he said made sense—but somehow, it only made me more annoyed.
“So,” Eden said, like the introduction was over, “let’s get into the details now.”
He pulled out a small paper from his coat—it was the contract with my conditions.
“It’s short and clear. I understood everything—except one part.”
His gloved finger pointed at the very first sentence:
Eden Bertenon must never hide his passionate love for Godel Hildegard, no matter the situation.
“This line—I’m especially curious about what it means.”
“….”
“Do you want love from this marriage?”
He looked into my eyes. I held his gaze and slowly answered,
“No.”
Eden paused for a second, a little surprised. Then a spark of interest appeared in his blue eyes.
“Then what does it mean?”
“I want us to appear like a loving couple.”
“Why?”
“Because I have a bad reputation.”
I said it as if it were obvious. Eden’s smiling lips tightened into a straight line.
“Being a wife alone isn’t enough. Some people marry for love, but most noble marriages are based on mutual benefit.”
“…”
“I come from a humble background and have nothing. No one will respect me. They’ll assume you were tricked or forced into this. That would stain the duke’s household’s reputation too.”
And they’d label Echo in the same way.
That couldn’t happen. I accepted Eden’s proposal because I wanted Echo to grow up without worries. That meant this marriage had to look like it was based on love. That way, no one would dare harm her.
“If it seems like you really love me, people won’t question anything.”
“…Because nothing is more convincing than love?”
He slowly asked, already knowing the answer. I nodded.
“Of course, people will still gossip. But no one would dare mess with a duke’s beloved wife.”
“That’s why you used the phrase ‘passionate love,’” Eden said, nodding.
His calm expression suggested that he had predicted my answer.
‘He just wanted to confirm it.’
And it seemed my answer pleased him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be smiling like that.
“As you wish, Miss Godel.”
“…It won’t be easy. When I said ‘any situation,’ I meant even inside the duke’s estate.”
That’s where the gossip would spread fastest. To make our act believable, we had to fool those closest to us first.
Eden chuckled, as if amused.
“They all know how to keep secrets. Don’t worry.”
“But still…”
“If they didn’t, they wouldn’t have lasted this long.”
“….”
The serious tone of his words made me go quiet. He watched me for a moment, then smiled brightly.
“Just in case, I’ll act my part perfectly. But a few people close to me will have to know. They know me too well to believe otherwise.”
“That’s fine.”
If they understood his personality, it might even help. I nodded.
“Then let’s proceed.”
“Oh, can I add one more thing?”
Eden raised an eyebrow.
“Another one? My fiancée is quite demanding.”
Still, he looked at me with interest.
“I want to add a clause. If either of us wants a divorce, it must be a mutual decision.”
“…Divorce?”
He frowned slightly.
“Yes. And if the divorce happens because one person did something wrong, they must pay compensation.”
Eden let out a short laugh.
“Divorce, huh… What a fun idea.”
He leaned back, crossed his arms, and muttered,
“There must be a special reason you’re already thinking about divorce.”
He always smiled politely, but now I saw a flicker of irritation.
I knew. He should’ve been the one talking about divorce, not me. But—
“There’s no such thing as kindness without a reason.”
“….”
“The world I know isn’t kind.”
He stared at me like he was wondering how I knew.
‘It’s not that hard to guess.’
Even if he was in a rush to get married, there were probably plenty of women willing to marry the Duke of Bertenon under any condition.
Yet he chose me. That meant he had a reason.
‘And it seems he doesn’t plan on telling me what it is.’
Once he got what he wanted, he’d have no reason to stay in the marriage. Noblewomen would line up to be his next wife. I had nothing.
It would be foolish to think I could stay with his wife forever. So I had to prepare for the end.
Besides, divorce wouldn’t hurt him at all. Suitors would rush to him.
But for me? A divorced duchess with a bad reputation? Who would want that?
I didn’t plan on remarrying, but if I had to live alone, I’d need money. That was reason enough.
Eden stared at me for a long moment, then spoke in a low, unhappy voice.
“You’re thinking about divorce from the start? That’s a bit pessimistic.”
“I’m just being realistic. If I marry ‘for love’ and then get thrown out, imagine how my name will be ruined. I need to be prepared.”
“If you prepare any more, my heart might not survive.”
He muttered something odd and then nodded.
“Fine. We’ll include both: passionate love and the divorce clause.”
He agreed easily, but his face didn’t look happy about it.
…I had a feeling his sulking would last a while.
I cleared my throat and said in a coaxing voice,
“This isn’t a bad deal for you, either. Don’t think of it so negatively.”
“Of course not. I’m one of the most positive people you’ll ever meet. If I weren’t, I wouldn’t still be alive.”
He smirked and said something cryptic again. Before I could ask what he meant, the coachman’s voice rang out.
Looking outside, I saw the grand mansion of House Bertenon. We had arrived.
The gate had opened, and staff members stood outside, waiting.
The carriage slowed. A man who looked like the butler was speaking with the coachman. Watching them, Eden suddenly said,
“These are the first people we need to fool.”
“…You’re right.”
“Some uncomfortable things may happen. You might hear unpleasant questions.”
It sounded like a warning, but I understood what he meant.
In noble families, marriage wasn’t just about unity—it was also about having heirs.
Some people would ask rude questions about our relationship.
But I had lived through the modern world, seen worse. This didn’t bother me.
“That’s fine.”
When I answered confidently, Eden’s eyes narrowed a bit.
“Clear answer.”
“If I don’t have at least this much confidence, I’m not fit to be a duchess.”
“Good attitude.”
Eden gave a small smile and opened the door. Bright sunlight poured into the dark carriage.
“I hope you always stay like this.”
With those words, Eden stepped outside.
“Welcome back, Your Grace.”
As soon as he appeared, the staff bowed.
But Eden didn’t even glance at them. He turned and looked only at me.
“Careful getting down.”
He reached out with a gentle smile.
It was much softer than the fake one from earlier.
The staff didn’t seem offended by being ignored.
‘…So this is how things work in House Bertenon.’
If Echo were here, things might have felt a bit more relaxed. But her carriage hadn’t arrived yet.
