Prologue

This is definitely kidnapping!

Emesses, who was at Count Rohkin’s reception room, found herself sitting on a sofa at Duke Scade’s reception room.

And, in front of her was the main culprit behind everything, Alexander Scade, who was sitting there looking unashamed.

But he was an attractive man. Blonde hair that was slightly slicked back like silk threads. Deep red eyes that seemed like it would make one feel ecstasy if looked into it directly.

Not now.

Emesses was staring at Duke Scade with her arms crossed. Paying no attention to her current attitude, Duke Scade opened his mouth.

“Miss Emesses, I have a proposal you might be interested in.”

Emesses was upset at the fact that the Duke ‘kidnapped’ her merely because of a deal he will profit much on. She agonized over and over again about how she can oppose him without offending him.

“Have you ever heard of a contract marriage?”

“Contract….marriage?”

I was so surprised that I unconsciously raised my left brow and gasped.

He suddenly kidnapped her because of a contract marriage?

Emesses began to doubt whether the Duke of Scade was crazy or not.

“Yes, a contract marriage. For your information, I’m a celibate. But I’m at a point where if I don’t get married, I’ll be facing many difficult situations. That’s why I need a lady who would take the role of my fake wife for a certain period of time.”

“Why me? I don’t want to get married!”

“Hoho. That’s the point of this proposal. I don’t want to get married either, but you and I both know well that Count Rohkin won’t leave you alone for the rest of your life. Besides, how long can you avoid marriage? Think of it as some kind of insurance. Work together with me for one year under the guise of marriage.”

Emesses pondered for a moment.

It was definitely a tempting offer.

Count Rohkin’s father is still letting me think about marrying his son, but even if so, I will somehow still get married soon. And, there is no guarantee that I can stop the marriage arranged for me by my parents.

But if I accept the Duke’s offer, I will be able to escape marriage for a year.

“But what about the year after?”

“Do as you wish. You can get a divorce, or help me erase your identity under the guise of an accident. If you help me with that, I’ll be able to pretend to still be in love with you until I die, and stay single.”

“You’re not actually going to kill me, are you?”

“What? I’m not that cruel.”

“I wouldn’t know that. Prove to me first that you aren’t actually trash!”

“What? Trash?”

“Yes, aren’t you one for simply bringing me here without my consent?”

“I understand, but how can I prove it?”

Emesses lamented.

How about writing it? No, even if it’s written and notarized, what good will a document bring after I’m already dead?

There’s no way of knowing if he will keep the recorded documents regarding the secret contract.

…..Yes! The world tree.

In this place, the world tree is said to be the most important thing. The world tree is just like the Emperor, and being a descendant of the Emperor, he too should care about the world tree.

“Then, swear under the name of your ancestors.”

“What…..?”

“It’s said that the royal family is a descendant of a goddess, so make an oath under the name of your ancestors, that you won’t kill me and that you’ll guarantee my life…….”

The Duke of Scade looked at Emesses without saying anything.

His red eyes sank far below the darkness.

Soon, he opened his mouth again.

“I see, then, I swear under the name of my ancestors that I, Alexander Scade, guarantee your life no matter what. Does that satisfy you?”

Emesses’ eyes suddenly widened, showing that she was flustered by his answer.

“How much alimony are you going to give me?”

“You’re asking for alimony? Well, aren’t you a very talented person?”

“If I don’t, how can I live the year after without a penny? By then, I would no longer be the Duchess or a Count’s daughter.”

“That is true. How much do you need?”

Ah! I don’t know the unit and the value of the currency of the Sehar Empire yet. If I had known that this would happen, I should have followed my mother to the bank to help her with her work.

No, no. Why are you still thinking?

Yes, he is the Duke of the Empire, so he must have immense wealth. That can be proved just by looking at this enormous mansion. To maintain it you need a huge budget.

This is an era where money is the most valued anyway. You need money for everything that you do. That was the universal law.

“Hmmm….how about 10 years worth of income and 2 buildings?”

“What? You’ll be my wife for only a year, but you’re asking for 10 years worth of income and 2 buildings? Aren’t you bold?

“You must be mistaken, Duke. I am not in a rush. If you dislike it, you can find another lady other than me.”

I’m afraid of offending him, but I can’t be so easy to sway.

The Duke replied without much concern.

“Okay, I’ll do that.”

Oh, this man agreed! I must say, you definitely live up to your handsome face.

Emesses felt as if she won the lottery, and decided to prepare for the details that will be written on the contract excitedly.

That is because she’ll attain freedom and live in ease after a year has passed.

“That’s good. Let’s talk about the details. First, do we need to sleep in the same bedroom?”

“No need, but there are other people such as the maids who’ll observe us, so we’ll pretend to sleep in the same bedroom from time to time.”

“…..Good. That way they’ll be completely fooled. In addition to that, I want the wedding to be big and fancy.”

“What? That was unexpected. I thought you’d want it to be simple.”

“A grand wedding is every woman’s dream.”

After falling into this world, I decided to do whatever I wanted without hesitation. So, I won’t be bothered by making selfish requirements that I desired.

Suddenly, Emesses said with a smile.

“If you fall for me later and cancel the contract, you’re not a real man!”

The Duke of Scade frowned at her words, which must have been a joke.

“What nonsense is that?”

“Oh, come on. That kind of scenario always happens in most of the novels I have read. Anyway, don’t fall for me and then cling onto me after. I’m leaving without mercy.”

The Duke looked at his blonde hair and spoke emphatically.

“Do you think that kind of scenario will happen with a face like yours?”

“Bastard…..”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing. I must’ve read too many books.”

“Then, don’t fall in love with me and cling onto me either because that will be annoying.”

“Haha. That will never happen.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Have you ever heard of the Sampo generation? Try living in the Republic of South Korea. Then, come and tell me if you already want to get married….

TL/N – Sampo generation is the generation that gives up on courtship, marriage, and childbirth.

However, she couldn’t say those words in this place, so she just replaced them with a possible excuse that makes sense here.

“Hmm. Well, I’m not the type to be satisfied with just one man.”

A dedicated fan of idol groups for 21 years. The performance group that’s in charge of vocals, dance, rap, visuals etc… had just passed by.

“What?! More than one man….?!”

The Duke said, as if he couldn’t believe what she just said.

Emesses glared at him.

“I see…..”

The Duke replied quickly even though he was reluctant to do so.

“Is that all?”

“Yes, I’ll be announcing our engagement right away tomorrow. Then, the wedding will take place in a month. And in exactly a year, we’ll have nothing to do with each other.”

“I understand, but can I ask you a question?”

“No.”

“Hey, I haven’t even said the question yet.”

“So don’t ask.”

“I’ll ask anyway! Why are you even trying to get married like this?”

“Just because.”

“That’s it?!!”

His red eyes shook and flashed, and soon settled calmly, as if he had no intention of revealing his innermost thoughts.

“…For the freedom of my private life and the peace of my sister’s mind.”

“Oh! Regarding the freedom of privacy…You can’t have an affair with another woman once you have announced our engagement until we divorce.”

“What the hell is your impression of me…!”

“Not with any other man then!”

“What? Hey…!”

“You’re cute, Duke.”

Emesses laughed, saying,

“You look so cute when you’re angry. I was just teasing you since you looked so handsome.”

It was undeniable that she had decided to marry him, even though it was a contract marriage. That is because she hated the thought of getting married for real to anyone.

No matter how handsome he is, a man’s face is not everything. The Count’s son is not even handsome anyway.

If I’ll get married to him, I’d rather marry the Duke. Ugly ones are useless.

In that aspect, he was the best. As a woman who’s now living her second life, she had nothing else to be afraid of.

“It’s Alex.”

“Pardon?”

“My name. Call me Alex.”

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“Then call me Emesses too.”

“Alright. Ash.”

“What? I told you that my name is not Ash, it’s Emesses.”

“I know.”

So that’s how a marriage contract was formed between me and the Duke who can’t even say my name right.