Chapter 20 (1/2)

Translator and Editor: Lea and Ishy

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Chapter 20

The situation was already considerably lopsided.

“Take your time,” Lennox said as he leaned leisurely against the chair. I could hear his pen scratching against the paper of our marriage contract.

“We have plenty of time anyway,” he mocked me.

I glanced at him before focusing on the chessboard again.

‘I have no hope after this…’

I sadly looked at my white knight, that was heroically killed and kicked out of the battlefield.

In particular, it was a big mistake to lose both bishops.

I opened my mouth only after I moved the Queen to the right, blocking the path of the black pawn.

“It lasts until our conditions are met. After that, I’ll be glad to tidy it up for you.”

“Your conditions are to provide safety from the things that threaten you. Correct?”

I nodded my head. “In return, I’ll eliminate whatever disturbs Your Grace.”

Lennox’s handwriting began to be embroidered in the contract. I expected the letters to have a hard and angular shape, but he had surprisingly smooth handwriting. He was brief in writing the framework of the contract since it was clear what we wanted from each other.

“Now then, we need a few consultations for our smooth marriage.”

“I agree.”

One of his eyebrows slightly rose to my swift answer.

“Perhaps you have any requests in mind?”

“I do, but depending on what it sounds like, Your Grace might feel uncomfortable. If I’m being honest, I’m not sure I can say it… Ah! So mean!”

Lennox aimed for my precious knight with his pawn.

However, if I were to save my knight, the black Queen who was waiting behind would immediately aim for the King.

I had no choice but to let him have my knight block his pawn.

“It’s fine, so tell me.”

This time, Lennox’s knight fell back and was poised for an attack.

“I don’t have any other intentions, so I hope Your Grace doesn’t misunderstand.”

“What are you trying to say?”

I swallowed to relieve my dry throat.

“I don’t wish to interfere with Your Grace’s private life, but I want you to include a clause that says you will be faithful to this marriage during the contract period.”

Did he get what I meant?

Shifting my eyes, I added, “Your Grace can be loyal to his contract partner, right?”

I was frozen stone under his shining but cold gaze.

“Do I seem that brazen to have an affair while I have a wife?”

“I just want some reassurance.”

I pretended not to hear his question and caught his Queen with mine.

“If so, you shall have it willingly.”

Straight away, his black rook knocked over my queen.

Somehow, I felt a corner of my heart relax.

“As your husband, I promise to repay your faith and trust.”

Lennox, who sounded frustrated but firm, added,

“But the same goes for you.”

I was following the pawn’s path to defend with a rook when my finger stopped.

When I raised my head, he was looking at me.

I was a little agitated under his unshakably still gaze.

But his voice made it better, “don’t think about neglecting your duties as my wife.”

“Of course. I promise to be a faithful wife,” I nodded enthusiastically.

I must’ve tried very hard to express it with my whole body, because the stiffness from his face was slowly disintegrating.

“Then we move on to the next topic, the item given to you with your right as the mistress of the house.”

I was confident about this. “I’m not interested in the power of a duke’s wife. I have no intention of exerting influence within the family.”

“…Are you serious?”

Lennox narrowed his eyes as he asked.

“I find that hard to believe.”

This was unusually rare, so I could understand.

“I mean it.”

I decided to nail him with my faith.

Trust was the most important thing in contracts.

“Our marriage is temporary. Our contractual relationship only needs what we decided to exchange.”

“…”

I had no desire to intervene in the family’s complex struggle for power. I would live quietly as if I wasn’t there, and leave when our contract ended.

A safe and peaceful life. That would be enough.

“After our divorce, Your Highness would be in search of his real wife.”

“…”

“In order for it to happen, it would be better if I leave as little traces of me as possible in the Duchy of Kravant. Isn’t that right? I don’t want myself to be hated by your future Duchess.”

As I finished talking, I realized that Lennox had become quiet at some point.

I said no more, and the conversation was broken off.

We ate each other’s pawns one by one, and our pieces cluttered over a few more meaningless movements.

‘Did I say something wrong?’

No matter how much I thought, I couldn’t figure out what I said wrong.