Chapter 7 — Marriage Contract
So that was it after all.
The color drained from Elodie’s face.
What does he mean by “destroy thoroughly”? Does he only mean my social reputation? Or… is it something else…?
She swallowed dryly.
Because of the thoughts that came to her mind—thoughts too difficult to ask about—she found herself avoiding his eyes.
In her previous two lives, in her two marriages, she had never once shared a proper marital night with her husband.
That was because Duke Castiel had loudly announced this condition for his daughter’s marriage:
“If a man wishes to become the husband who will take care of my precious daughter Elodie for life, then he should have at least that much patience. On the second anniversary of the marriage, after Elodie’s purity has been examined, I will officially recognize him as my son-in-law and heir.”
Gont wrapped even such an inhuman demand—speaking of his own daughter’s purity test—as if it were for her sake. But Elodie knew the truth. If needed, he simply wanted to remarry her later for a high price once again, without defect.
That condition made her married life even worse.
Her husband could not endure a cold marriage without a proper relationship, and in many hidden ways, he pressured and tormented her.
“That damned purity agreement of the great Castiel family is driving me mad. Once two years pass, I’ll crush that noble purity without mercy. Look forward to it.”
Was that what the husband from her first life said while drunk? Or was it the second?
Fortunately—or unfortunately—Elodie had escaped at least that humiliation.
Because she had ended her life before reaching her second wedding anniversary.
And the same had happened in her second life, after she was brought back against her will.
Leonis, who had been silently watching her deep in thought, finally spoke.
“Why? Do you not think you can endure it? How disappointing. I thought you were a bolder woman than that. After all, you tore my shirt and stole my lips first just now.”
He touched his lower lip and looked at her lazily.
So that was what he meant.
Elodie flinched and clenched her fists tightly.
What should I do? Can I really handle this?
“Of course, if there is a better option for you than me, you may choose that instead.”
Leonis saw her fist tighten until her knuckles turned white, then added with a small smile. He looked like a man who already knew she had no better choice than him.
“The contract period will be two years. If we remain married only for that long, I will give you a clean divorce after that.”
He said it lightly, as if two years would be enough time to trample the honor of the Castiel family—and as if he had no intention of taking responsibility for her for life.
In this era, divorce was a terrible disgrace for a woman.
But to Elodie, who no longer had any dream or fantasy about married life, it was a welcome offer.
He says he’ll divorce me after two years… I should be thankful instead.
After that, no one will pressure me to marry again. Maybe I could rent a small house in the countryside and live there with Mother.
If that happens… I can endure a two-year contract marriage.
A divorced woman would be cut off socially and never be able to return to high society.
But that did not matter to Elodie at all.
The only thing important to her was—
“What you said about waiting until my mother’s condition improves… was that true? If you keep only that promise, then I will accept your proposal.”
“Of course.”
Leonis nodded, then glanced at her.
“Is there anything else you want? Once this is decided, there will be no taking it back. Even if later you ask me to extend the contract period, or say you cannot divorce…”
“That will never happen.”
Elodie answered without even the slightest hesitation.
Leonis let out a faint laugh.
For some reason, his expression looked a little bitter. But soon he answered as calmly as before.
“I see. Well, I also…”
“Then… may I ask, how long are you willing to wait? I still cannot be sure about Mother’s condition…”
He said he would wait, but surely he could not delay forever.
From her painful past life, Elodie had learned the answer to her mother’s treatment. But since her mother had already become very weak, she had no way of knowing how much time her recovery would need.
She grew anxious.
“Well. It is not as if I am in such a hurry that we must hold the wedding tomorrow.”
Leonis shrugged.
“As long as Duke Castiel does not secretly send you off to another marriage without my knowledge.”
“That… won’t happen. In this situation, no one else will offer the kind of dowry my father wants badly enough to marry me.”
“Oh.”
Leonis answered as if he felt sorry for her.
But his voice held no real feeling at all, so Elodie looked at him with slightly sharp eyes.
“That is fortunate.”
When he met her eyes with a smile, Elodie quickly turned her head away.
Why had her heart suddenly started beating fast at such rude and far-from-kind words?
But what truly surprised her was what came next.
“Then, once the Duchess has recovered enough, please contact me. We can discuss the wedding after that.”
Unlike the others, who rushed her into marriage the moment she accepted their proposal, he seemed willing to adjust everything to her situation.
That moved her more than she expected.
Get a grip. He is not doing this because he truly cares about me. He proposed because he said he wanted to ruin me for revenge. He is only satisfied because he got what he wanted.
Elodie forced herself to stay calm.
Maybe, because of everything that had suddenly happened, he had proposed on impulse—but still was not prepared for married life with her.
In truth, she felt the same.
Just a few hours earlier, while preparing for her birthday party, she could never have imagined that out of so many suitors, she would end up choosing Leonis.
She still needed more time herself.
And for her mother too.
Yes. Right now, I must focus only on helping Mother recover as quickly as possible.
That is the goal of this life.
As Elodie hardened her resolve, Leonis spoke his farewell.
“Then, I will leave for today. From now on, I will visit often.”
Visit often?
Elodie quickly lifted her head.
“To greet Duke Castiel, who will soon be my father-in-law.”
That made sense.
So he meant he would come to threaten Father.
Elodie understood.
“And also, I cannot feel at ease wondering whether my lovely fiancée might tear another gentleman’s shirt in the meantime.”
Leonis added playfully, giving her a wink.
“What? Do I look like the sort of woman who would do that to just any man?”
“Oh, is that so… That is fortunate. So you are not the kind of lady who acts that way without feelings, on impulse, with just anyone. Then I can leave with peace of mind.”
Leonis nodded with satisfaction and walked out of the room.
Elodie’s face turned pink.
Feeling annoyed that she had somehow been caught in his words again, she hurried after him.
Then—
hurried footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway.
“Something terrible has happened! The Duchess… has passed away.”
A servant came running and delivered the news.
