Chapter 11 - Magical (1) (1/2)

Chapter 11 – Magical (1)

“Amethyst Lohikin?”

The duke asked surprised, to which Gen replied immediately. “Count Lohikin’s eldest daughter is now in her twenties. The two of you have quite the age gap of 8 years but since it’s a contract marriage I doubt it will be an issue.”

“No, tell me why she’s the right one.”

He sensed the annoyance in the duke’s voice and realised he was missing out the main point.

“Ah! I hear that the lady is ‘refusing marriage’ itself. But the lady is twenty years old this year. She is nearing the end of her marriage eligible age so I’m sure Count Lohikin is worried. Don’t you think this is very similar to someone else?”

“Me? So how does that make her the right one.”

Gen carefully studied the duke’s reaction and smiled.

If the duke himself didn’t want to get married and was willing to take part in a contract marriage to fool the eyes of others, then she would also feel the same.

There was no better contract than this.

Grasping Gen’s intention, the duke asked the next question.

“So how is it? For her?”

“Oh that… I think it might be best if you meet her yourself during the commemoration party for the Belicean palace. The empress has kindly invited all young noble ladies to the party. I am sure she will be there too.”

“Hmm, a party with all ladies.” After a moment’s delay, he finally said, “I will attend.”

“Really?” Gen sighed in relief as the duke agreed to go but couldn’t help but feel suspicious of his lack of resistance.

“Yes. It’s obviously Belice’s plan. She wants to identify a potential partner for my marriage. So, no matter what, I’ll have to go,”

“That is correct.”Gen sighed again in relief.

Disregarding the intentions, things were going according to plan; he relaxed a bit, satisfied with his accomplishments and was praising himself internally, when the duke spoke smugly.

“I bet my sister Belice threatened you about this.”

“What? She did not.” Duke Skad scoffed and continued, “I know the Belice let you come back in one piece, even after the 58th reply. It is as likely as the sun rising from the west.”

Gen heard the skepticism in the duke’s words and wondered how the two siblings were so alike in their terrible thoughts. Perhaps it was because they were twins.