Chapter 8
“I’m sorry. I think I have to quit my jobs.”
When I brought it up, every one of my employers responded with surprise.
“What? So suddenly?”
“It’s hard to find someone as good as you… Aww, that’s such a shame. Can’t you reconsider?”
“No way! Absolutely not! If you’re gone, our ranch is doomed! DOOMED, I tell you!”
I couldn’t explain the real reason for suddenly quitting, so I just vaguely said that something urgent had come up.
Thankfully, the kind uncles and aunties who knew my situation didn’t press further and accepted my resignation.
“You’re such a diligent and good kid, I’m sure only good things await you.”
“Thank you! I’ll definitely come back to say hi once things are settled.”
From the flower shop to the ranch, the restaurant to the tavern—
It took me a whole week to quit all six of my jobs.
‘I guess I really was doing well at work.’
Everyone was sad to see me go and wished me well, which made me feel good.
10 PM. Though it was fairly late, I walked lightly toward the swan bushes in Cosmos Park.
At the bench in front of the swan-shaped bushes, where the necks of two swans faced each other in a heart shape, the Duke was already waiting.
“Duke!”
When I called out, he lifted his head and gently waved at me.
“Today was the last day, right? Were you able to quit everything?”
“Yes. From now on, I’m a free woman!”
“Wow.”
At my declaration, the Duke clapped like it was great news.
“Then shall we really start talking now?”
“Yes. Please tell me what I need to do.”
The Duke nodded and began to speak in a soft voice.
“Like I said before, I’ll introduce you as my fiancée and bring you into the estate. My mother might say some harsh things in the process…”
“I’m fine! I served drunk men at a tavern for five years. I’m a pro at letting things go in one ear and out the other.”
“Still, if she really crosses the line, feel free to talk back. It’s not like you need her approval anyway.”
“I understand.”
If I wanted that envelope of money, it might even be better if the madam thought I was a bit bold.
“I don’t think it’ll come to this, but just in case… she might try to use force by hiring someone.”
“That’s not a concern either. I’m super strong. I used to lift fertilizer sacks like feathers at the flower shop.”
“…Wait, they had a delicate lady like you lifting fertilizer sacks?”
“I was the strongest one there. I arm-wrestled the male workers and won every time.”
“Haha, arm-wrestling, huh… What was the name of that flower shop again?”
Though he was smiling, there was something subtly threatening in his tone.
Sensing I probably shouldn’t reveal the shop’s name, I quickly rolled up my right sleeve and offered my arm.
“I really am strong! Would you like to try arm-wrestling with me?”
“No thanks. What kind of man wrestles with his fiancée?”
Waving his hand as if it were a ridiculous idea, the Duke continued.
“Anyway. The estate is large, and I’ll be busy, so I won’t always be by your side. To prepare for that—”
With a snap of his fingers, the shadow at his feet stirred.
More precisely, a portion of his shadow detached and slipped into my own.
“You remember Shy, the one I introduced before?”
“Oh, yes. She just entered my shadow?”
I bent down and knocked lightly on my shadow, and suddenly Shy’s face popped out.
Startled, I jumped back, and like a mole disappearing into its hole, Shy slipped back into the darkness.
“Shy will keep an eye on you. She can also send me messages. So if you need to tell me something, just tell her.”
“Okay.”
I nodded and peeked down at my feet.
‘…Ah, I can see it.’
Now that I knew someone was in there, I could tell the difference between the Duke’s shadow and mine.
How should I put it—there was a faint feeling of life in my shadow, something hard to explain.
“By the way, Duke, how do I take these ‘bride lessons’?”
“Bride lessons are basically a handover process for becoming the duchess. My mother will likely oversee them—not teach directly, though.”
“What if I mess up and get kicked out?”
“Don’t worry. That won’t happen to you.”
He said it so casually, like it was nothing.
“There’s only one thing you need to worry about. How naturally you can act as my fiancée.”
“How do I do that?”
Before I could even finish asking, the Duke extended his hand toward me.
I blinked, not understanding what he meant, and he let out a soft chuckle.
“You need to take it.”
“…Ah!”
Realizing his intent, I quickly grabbed his hand. Then he gently clasped my hand with both of his, carefully interlocking our fingers.
“When we hold hands in front of others, do it like this. Got it?”
“But I thought when escorting, you just rest your hand lightly on top of the man’s?”
I had read and seen quite a bit.
When I released our clasped hands and placed mine lightly over his palm, the Duke chuckled.
“That’s for formal settings. But we’re trying to show affection in private.”
“Ah, I see.”
“In that spirit, Airy…”
Turning slightly toward me, the Duke rested his arm on the back of the bench and gently stroked my hair.
“Shall we have our first kiss?”
“Yes. Let’s.”
The Duke’s eyes widened.
“You heard me, right? I said first kiss.”
“I heard you just fine.”
He looked genuinely surprised by my response, and I couldn’t help laughing.
Really now, what does he take me for?
I’ve read dozens of romance novels, many of which had contract engagements like this. Kissing and hugging were practically requirements.
‘I’m glad I prepared myself mentally so I wouldn’t freak out when he asked something like this.’
I was grateful I didn’t embarrass myself with a “Ki-k-kiss?!” stutter.
Instead, I looked proudly at the clearly flustered Duke and said confidently:
“If I’m going to pretend to be your fiancée, it’s only natural to hold hands, link arms, hug, and kiss, right? Or did you ask me to play your fiancée without being ready for that much?”
“Right… I must’ve been an idiot not to prepare for that.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. You can start preparing now.”
At my cheeky remark, the Duke burst into laughter.
“Just give me ten seconds. That should be enough.”
“Okay.”
I turned my body toward him, leaned forward slightly, and closed my eyes.
“I’m ready. When you’re done bracing yourself, give me that first kiss.”
Maybe I’d gone too far. The Duke remained silent.
The breeze gently fluttered my hair as I stood in stillness, pondering.
‘…Did I overdo it?’
If he said he wanted to forget this ever happened, it would be a disaster. Grandma was already on her way to the capital…
Then, just as the wind brushing my cheek died down, a warm hand cupped my face.
The rough but firm touch surprised me, and before I could react, I felt someone drawing close—sensed through my closed eyes.
Instinctively, I tensed up.
Maybe he noticed, because instead of a direct kiss, a soft, warm touch brushed lightly past my lips and landed on my cheek.
When he pulled away, I opened my eyes and asked:
“That was the first kiss?”
“For now.”
He pressed his thumb to the corner of my mouth, the spot where his lips had brushed.
It was a playful touch, but somehow a faint heat lingered in the wake of it.
“Since our first kiss happened here… should we say our first meeting was here too?”
“Our first meeting?”
“Yeah. If anyone asks how we started dating, just say we met here and had our first kiss here too.”
“Okay! I’ll say I was so enchanted by how handsome you were, I just had to talk to you.”
“Perfect.”
First meeting, first kiss—both here.
‘Easy to remember. Nice.’
As I quietly brushed the cheek where his lips had touched, I tried to calm my pounding heart.
* * *
The next afternoon.
Dressed to the nines in the gown and accessories the Duke had prepared for me, I stepped out of a grand carriage, holding his hand.
“Y-Your Grace…?”
The servants who had come to greet us were so shocked, their expressions went past surprise into full-on horror as they saw me arm-in-arm with him.
In front of them, the Duke affectionately stroked my hair and declared:
“I told you earlier, didn’t I? That I’d be bringing a very important guest today.”
“Th-the guest you meant…?”
“My future fiancée.”
Now seemingly fully prepared, the Duke naturally kissed my hair.
“Tell the Madam. I’ve finally decided to get married like she wanted—and I brought the woman myself.”
As the stunned servants gawked at us, I swallowed nervously.
Operation: Secure the Envelope of Money.
It had officially begun.
