The Villainess Has Proposed a Contract Marriage

22 – Luminal Duchy

We had to endure Elphesia’s shopping spree for quite a while.

Urien, accustomed to the luxury level of the nobles, seemed to manage reasonably well. However, Tina and Glen clearly showed signs of fatigue. And even as their guardian, it was beyond me to conceal my worn-out appearance.

It was only then that I gained a deep and profound realization.

‘Ah… so that’s why protagonists in novels often buy entire wardrobes or make extravagant orders from here to there.’

Until that day, I didn’t know. I had mistakenly thought it was just a stage device for protagonists to flaunt their wealth.

The reason protagonists in novels indulge in excessive luxury…!

‘Even if you love the heroine… shopping is just painfully annoying…!!!’

The heroines might not have understood, but as a man, I managed to interpret it quite appropriately. Perhaps it was a subtle message saying, “Let’s quickly finish shopping because we’re tired of this nonsense, and then attend to our own business.”

How much had novel protagonists deceived the hearts of women until now? Truly a behavior worthy of being labeled as a strategic keyword.

It was when I had just unveiled the truth.

Elysia proudly displayed her honey-like glowing skin, capturing our attention.

“Now, we have roughly gathered the elements needed for the National Foundation Day ceremony. It’s time to detoxify ourselves in the mansion.”

“Finally…!”

“Finally?”

As Elysia squinted her eyes and narrowed her forehead, I quickly diverted to the next words.

“It’s seeing the house where my wife was born and raised… Wow, I’m looking forward to it…”

“Oh, wife…!”

Elysia slightly bit her lower lip. Breaking a momentary silence, she spoke as if nothing had happened.

“Well, once we arrive, you and I should talk to father. Meanwhile, you can each choose any room that catches your eye.”

Yurian and Glen nodded in agreement. However, Tina, with eyes shining brightly, asked Elysia alone.

“If it’s Mom’s father… is it Grandpa?”

“… That’s about right.”

Reluctantly, Elysia accepted it after some hesitation. Since Tina was already registered as our daughter, the official title of Marquis Luminal would be a grandfather.

“Wow…”

Tina sighed with anticipation in her eyes. However, Elysia and I barely swallowed a subtle reaction.

Perhaps Marquis Luminal won’t be a good grandfather.

It’s clear from how he treats Elysia as nothing more than a tool.

He might even feel repulsed by Tina, untouched by a single drop of blood. Because what Marquis Luminal desires most is for Elysia and me to have a child as a testament to our marital ties.

“Don’t worry too much.”

Elysia leaned her shoulders against me, her internal thoughts murmuring.

“Since obtaining you is the ultimate goal, I won’t unnecessarily unleash emotions. After all, I’m someone born like that from the start.”

“Trust me. If you were someone causing harm, Elysia wouldn’t stay with me, the Duke, right?”

“You trust quite easily. A contract wife we’ve barely known for long…”

“Yeah, why is that? It just feels that way. Without any reason, I find myself thinking that if it’s Elysia, I can trust her…,” I said, lost in thought.

“Hmph, what is it? Such illogical, foolish reasoning…”

After mocking me, Elysia maintained a prolonged silence.

Elysia was usually challenging to read, but I sensed that the current Elysia was feeling embarrassed.

Even someone lacking perceptiveness could easily guess.

The twilight pouring through the carriage window couldn’t fully conceal her face; it was flushed.

Sitting still, I suddenly became aware of the pleasant scent emanating from Elysia’s hair.

‘A scent of rose oil… suits her well, indeed.’

Certainly, Elysia was a red rose.

Her complexion wasn’t just tinged like the bud of a red rose. She was a woman suited to passionate and flamboyant red, and her character, untouchable and sharp, evoked the image of thorns.

So, I felt I needed more time to understand Elysia. Like the process of examining the thorny parts carefully to touch the rose stem. To be cautious not to break the fragile flower due to my mistakes.

‘Sometimes… no, often, I wonder.’

What she thinks while spending time together.

Why she strives to be overly kind.

If this life is not discontent.

‘… Just curious, that’s all.’

Elysia gently touched the cheek where the fleeting warmth had lingered, undoubtedly fueled by curiosity.

◇

The moment the carriage passed through the main gate of the Duke’s residence, the evening had set in, and the sky painted in shades of south-blue unfolded.

As soon as Elysia stepped down from the carriage, she gave various instructions to the butler.

“Butler, allocate rooms to the children, one each, of the highest quality. Also, arrange for the maidservants to be discreet and well-mannered.”

“Your orders will be followed.”

In front of the efficiently moving servants, Tina let out a low sigh.

“Is your mom some extraordinary person?”

“Well, I don’t see anyone as ordinary, to be honest.”

Elysia’s words were not flattery but a clear truth.

Tina was a hybrid of a dragon and a human, a combination never seen before in history. Julian, on the other hand, was the third prince and a descendant of the royal family of the now-destroyed Glenwood.

As for me… I was originally considered an impure outsider who should not have stepped outside the temple.

In that sense, there really was no such thing as an ordinary person anywhere.

When the children left guided by the servants, Elysia reached out to me.

“Shall we go? It’s time to meet the Duke.”

“I apologize for this. I should have requested an escort first, but I’m not used to these formalities…”

“Don’t worry about it. Am I supposed to regret marrying you? You’re making a fuss over nothing.”

“Consider it my effort. As much as you’re an exceptional wife, I want to be a better husband.”

Interlocking our arms and leaning on each other, Elysia remained silent. Yet, the flowing currents felt not only cool but strangely reassuring. It seemed like my spoken wish had found a place in her eyes.

In that state, we walked for quite a while. The grand corridor seemed endless, incomparable to the short and narrow hallways of the orphanage.

It wasn’t a temple, but the personal mansion of an individual, and it was so massive that it was awe-inspiring.

“How can someone make so much money?”

“Well, our family has a deep legacy, but the current duke has earned even more.”

“Through business?”

“Surprisingly, he used his body. He was a war hero and even hunted a dragon, selling its materials.”

Come to think of it, Luminal Duke was said to be the Empire’s greatest swordsman. Indeed, there was no false reputation in his martial skills.

“But, were dragons expensive?”

“Not at all. The corpse doesn’t decay, and the bones or heart are valuable materials.”

“… Just burned it for nothing.”

“Most people wouldn’t even think of being able to burn a dragon.”

According to Elphesia, dragon bones were the best materials for weapons and armor, and the heart contained immense magical power. So, the news of a dragon being caught attracted various upper-class and noble people to line up in front of the mansion.

In the original work, dragons didn’t appear at all, probably because it focused on the theme of war.

Moreover, my lack of common knowledge due to being confined to the temple played a role.

“We’re here now.”

Elphesia stopped in front of a large door. I thought she would at least knock quietly, but the door, untouched by anyone, opened on its own.

“This is quite impressive.”

Manipulating objects with one’s will was a trick only the head of the Paladin Order could do. He often opened doors like this when catching a demon. Luminal Duke’s disposition seemed somewhat similar.

That way, we stepped into Luminal Duke’s study together.

Later, we each exchanged greetings.

“We appreciate the invitation, Duke.”

“Nice to meet you. I am Hartera, who has formed the bond of marriage with Elphicia and is now her husband.”

As it was a contractual marriage, I couldn’t proceed with expressions like ‘Nice to meet you, father-in-law.’

From there on, it was purely a matter of conscience.

The Duke facing us extended his hand with a bright smile. I immediately shook hands with him, exchanging greetings.

“Pleasure, son-in-law. I am Cardi Luminel. Seeing the daughter who brought such a splendid son-in-law with her makes me miss my small and lovely wife.”

I wondered how much he would have liked Elphicia, who had entered into marriage like this.

And how well he would have treated the person who became his son-in-law.

The Duke shed tears while pouring out such jokes.

‘… These are not fake tears, but real ones. If those are tears drawn out with pure acting, it’s an incredible feat.’

I struggled to swallow my tension.

With no proper description in the original work and the fact that he was the one socially superior in experience, it was inevitable to be cautious.

Finally, he gestured for us to sit.

“Please, have a seat. Long ago, it was a dream to sit and have a chat with my daughter’s partner like this. People might think I dream of something extraordinary, but… in reality, it’s all wrong.”

“hahahaha… I see.”

The Duke turned his gaze towards Elphicia.

“You have a pleasant face. Looks like my son-in-law is treating you very well.”

“Yes, he is faithfully fulfilling his duties as a husband.”

“Duties… duties… Well, in that case, I’m relieved.”

Even if he lacked awareness, the essence of the brief conversation was clear.

The Duchess was merely testing if her husband was exerting effort as her successor in producing an heir.

Of course, Elphicia didn’t change her expression and lied. We, who used the various rooms, couldn’t possibly contribute to the production of an heir.

“I’m glad our relationship as a couple seems harmonious. I thought we were stacking up letters to heat the fireplace, wondering who you were meeting. But it turns out it was all for the sake of meeting you.”

It was a joke. I asked in a low voice, unsure if it was a joke or a serious statement.

“… Is it true? You heated the fireplace with letters?”

“Yes. It’s true.”

“Elphicia…”

I felt sorry for Elphicia’s flightiness.

Genuine affection for someone is noble. Even if Elphicia wasn’t pleased with the castle, she should have had the decency to respond with sincerity.

If the contents of the letters were genuine… Honestly, I think she went too far.

“Harte.”

“Yes?”

“It’s a flaw that your thoughts are written all over your face.”

“Ugh… Well, sorry about that…”

“It’s fine. It’s not like I didn’t know you have the temperament of a shrine person.”

Then Elphicia added a sentence with an unclear meaning as if passing by.

“Moreover… I’m sure you were also unhappy about being the second child.”

As I was about to open my mouth to hear the details from Elphicia, the Duke interjected with a voice full of favor.

“Oh my, did I forcibly keep a newlywed couple from being together? I’m quite a strategist myself.”

His cheerful tone indicated that he wasn’t upset. The first person to stand up from their seat in response was also him.

“Let’s go in like this today. We still have plenty of time…”

“… Thank you, Your Grace.”

“I will pay my respects tomorrow morning.”

The brief exchange concluded under the Duke’s guidance.

He personally escorted us outside the study. If one were to judge solely based on his expression and words, he was truly the affable father-in-law welcoming his daughter’s husband.

It was a meeting that left only vivid and ambiguous emotions.

◇

The moment I realized a fact I had overlooked was when Elphesia entered the room wearing somewhat thin and provocative clothing.

Elphesia and I were a respectable couple. The servants had the duty to heat up the atmosphere in the marital bedroom, and Elphesia became the sacrificial lamb of that duty. That was the whole story.

“Harte.”

“Why are you calling me…?”

“Don’t lower your head; look over here.”

“No… my spine is sturdy… I can endure the night like this…”

“… You’re properly hidden under the blanket. I don’t want anything awkward for you.”

Only then did I turn my eyes to where Elphesia lay behind. Indeed, Elphesia, with the blanket pulled up to her chin, was blushing.

“Elphesia, you managed to lie down on the sofa after all. Undeniably, there’s no hesitation in your pursuit of licentiousness.”

“You don’t have to say that. Anyway, I am your wife, and a wife must trust her husband.”

“That’s… touching.”

“So, hurry up and lie down. It’s making me uncomfortable just watching you.”

“… Alright.”

I slowly lay on the bed and pulled the blanket as she instructed. The soft sensation of the pillow, a feeling I experienced for the first time, captivated my consciousness. It was indeed a heavenly touch worthy of admiration.

Moreover, when I slightly turned my head, Elphesia’s face appeared at the same position and eye level on the white bedsheet. Her beautifully flowing reddish-brown hair and crimson-like eyes were enchanting…

The time our gazes met at such close proximity seemed to stretch.

I felt somewhat embarrassed.

Lying down at such a close distance was a new experience, making my emotions feel soft and mushy.

As our gazes locked for what felt like an eternity, Elphesia called out to me.

“Harte.”

“Yeah, Elphesia.”

“Do you regret it? Coming this far…”

“Regret…”

I could assert it immediately.

“Not at all.”

It became a bit troublesome in the end, but it wasn’t something to regret entirely. It was a destiny woven while acting for the sake of the children. If I hadn’t been brought here, the fate of the orphanage kids would have taken a drastically different turn.

Trading peace for saving people brought satisfaction.

To someone like me, Elphesia said, “I feel the same. You may find it hard to believe, but… I haven’t regretted a single moment since coming back here.”

“Is that so…”

“If you don’t understand, I have to be honest for someone like you, who forces words out even when it’s hard to comprehend.”

Elphicia opened her young, sparkling eyes and left a comment.

“There’s no discomfort in living there without dinner, a soft bed, luxury, or spacious corridors… It means I can’t cause any inconvenience to myself.”

Her comment was very direct and refreshing, evoking an unconscious chuckle. It was truly Elphicia’s sharp tone and warm subtext.

“I told you, no matter what you do, it shows on your face. You always seem burdened by something when you’re around me.”

“As expected… I got caught.”

“Whether you get caught or not, don’t pity yourself so freely. Even though it may not seem like it… I am enjoying myself, even if it’s just a tiny speck of dust.”

Elphicia turned her body to the opposite side as if she was embarrassed by her final remark. However, her ears, peeking through her chestnut-colored hair, were honest. The ears, colored with a moist hue from the heat, were sincere and beautiful.

If I gently stroke her ears like this, what kind of expression will she make?

Probably, definitely…

“Harte.”

“Hmmph…!”

In that moment, I regained my senses.

“What kind of delusion was I having!”

Do not indulge. Do not commit sins.

Repentance, purification…!

At that moment, Elphicia approached with a mischievous smile.

“What are you doing?”

“Oh, nothing… What’s the matter?”

“It’s nothing much, just that my outerwear feels a little cold.”

“I’ll bring you an extra layer of clothing.”

“Okay. I don’t want to cause trouble for no reason.”

“Well, then…”

Before I could properly contemplate, Elphicia had already come up with an answer on her own.

She then extended her right hand slightly beyond the blanket.

And what she said was…

“Could you just hold my hand?”

“Your hand…? Is that enough?”

“Yes. That’s enough to ward off the cold.”

“If that’s the case…”

I cautiously reached out my left hand and clasped her hand. Elphicia, perhaps feeling uncomfortable, fidgeted with her hand for a moment before firmly intertwining our fingers, agreeing to the unspoken pact.

“Sleep well, Elphicia.”

…”

There was no reply.

Just the slight movement of the fingers intertwined with mine.

But even that was enough to assure me that Elphicia received the goodnight gesture.

Warm.

The worries I had conveyed were in vain.

Truly… it was warm.

Just by firmly holding hands.

As if I was near a blazing furnace…

I was in awe of Elphicia’s wisdom.

The dark night grew hotter.