~Chapter 04~
Damn it, Collin. Why did he go and do something no one asked for?
Asthan cursed his loyal but clueless butler, who had caused this ridiculous situation.
“I don’t think I need to repeat that I never agreed to this marriage proposal. Even if I had, seven years is a long time.”
“Like how?”
“Like a child growing into an adult, or lovers becoming husband and wife.”
Gloria stared at him thoughtfully and then asked,
“Are you married?”
“No.”
“That’s a relief. But if you’ve been widowed or divorced, please be honest about it. I don’t like finding out those things through someone else.”
She smiled brightly.
Asthan nearly said, “Alright,” before biting his tongue just in time.
What is this woman?
He had assumed she was just some naïve girl he could easily send away, but the more they talked, the more he felt like he was the one being drawn in.
He shook his head, trying to dispel the strange excitement at the way her eyes sparkled.
“How many times do I have to say that whether I’m married, divorced, or whatever—it’s none of your business? Why would I go through with a marriage that offers me nothing?”
“Nothing?”
Leaning back arrogantly in his chair, Asthan nodded.
“I’m saying there’s nothing for me to gain by marrying you.”
Then, he eyed her outfit sharply.
She was wearing borrowed clothes that didn’t even fit her, and she was dreaming of marrying a duke? Unbelievable.
But Gloria stayed calm under his judging gaze.
“I can give you what you want.”
“What do I want? And what exactly is that?”
She hesitated and swallowed nervously.
“Of course, a wise and beautiful wife.”
Asthan let out a dry laugh, but she continued without even flinching.
“A man of your age not being married is rare, even among commoners. Which means you just haven’t found a bride that suited you yet.”
“So you’re saying you’re the wise and beautiful bride I’ve been looking for?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t quite agree with that.”
“You will soon.”
Despite his unamused reaction, Gloria answered with certainty.
…Forget it. She was impossible to shake. Asthan quickly lost the will to continue the conversation.
“If there’s anything you want to ask me, please feel free. I’ll answer honestly,” Gloria offered.
Asthan spoke up.
“Anyway, I get your point. Let’s save the rest of the talk for later…”
He glanced sideways at her and added,
“It’s late. You should get some rest and go back to your room.”
“Thank you for your kind consideration. Good night.”
Gloria stood up and left the office like she’d been waiting for the moment.
“……Ha.”
Left alone, Asthan finally let out the sigh he’d been holding in.
I’d rather deal with a Shikun than this.
It had been a night as exhausting as the snowstorm outside.
Because of the mess last night, Asthan had gone to bed at dawn and woke up late.
He felt sore all over, like he’d had a horrible nightmare.
He pulled back the curtains and stepped down from his bed.
Snow was still falling heavily outside.
The room was freezing—the fireplace had gone out during the night.
He threw on a thick coat and left the room in a hurry.
I should eat first. And tell Logan to get the fire going again.
But just as he stepped into the hallway, Asthan froze mid-step in the living room.
There she was—the woman who had made his night a nightmare.
Sitting on the sofa, wrapped in a cozy blanket, sipping tea, and reading a book like she owned the place.
Asthan let out a laugh of disbelief.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Oh? You’re awake, Your Grace.”
Gloria put her book down as if she hadn’t expected to see him.
“101 Ways to Be a Proper Duchess”
…Unbelievable.
She had no idea Asthan was regretting not kicking her out last night.
“Did you sleep well? The weather’s nice today, isn’t it?” She said cheerfully.
“You must really like weather like this—snowstorms and all.”
He replied grumpily, then pointed at the book.
“And what’s that?”
“I borrowed it from Lady Merriweather. I figured I should learn what it takes to be a proper duchess.”
“What?”
“I’ve never been a duchess before, so I’m not sure how good I’ll be at it, but I’ll study hard so I won’t cause you any trouble.”
“…Forget it.”
Trying to argue would just give him a headache.
He wanted to ask, Who even said you’re the duchess of this house?, but he knew he’d lose that argument.
So Asthan gave up and walked past her.
Oddly, none of the servants were around this morning.
He had told them often—you need to move more when it’s cold. Where were they?
He made a mental note to scold them later, but then Gloria followed him.
“What about breakfast?”
“I’m eating in my room.”
“Not in the dining hall?”
“If you like cold soup, go ahead.”
“I’m not a fan of cold soup either, but shouldn’t we at least eat together if we want to get to know each other?”
“Do we really need to get to know each other?”
“Discovering new sides of each other every day is a joy, but marrying someone you barely know doesn’t seem like a good start to a happy marriage.”
How could she say such cringeworthy things with a straight face?
Asthan turned his head, stunned by her shamelessness.
“Do whatever you want. I’m eating in my room.”
“Then I’ll eat with you—in your room?”
“…What?”
Asthan’s voice suddenly rose.
He barely stopped himself from shouting and clenched his fist tightly.
Stay calm. Yelling at a woman doesn’t make you a man.
“I don’t care where you eat, but don’t even think about interrupting my breakfast.”
“You’re not very good at hosting guests, are you?”
“Guest?”
“Oh, right. I guess you don’t call your future wife a guest. That was a slip.”
“…Hah.”
So this is what it feels like to be speechless.
He had decided to ignore her since they wouldn’t be seeing each other for long, but her shamelessness was too much to bear.
And she wants to be a proper duchess like that? No… that’s not the point.
Just as he turned away, thinking it was better not to deal with her at all—
“You two look great together.”
A voice came from a hallway corner where not even an ant had been visible before.
Logan, wearing a huge smile like he was having the time of his life, rushed over to greet Gloria.
“Good morning, Miss. Did you sleep well last night?”
“Thanks to you. Um, what was your name again…?”
“Logan Merriweather. Please, just call me Logan.”
He winked as he spoke. To Asthan, it looked like an unbelievably pathetic act, but Gloria burst out laughing with delight.
“Nice to meet you, Logan.”
“The pleasure’s mine. If you need anything, just let me know.”
Logan bowed on one knee, and Gloria responded by slightly lifting her skirt in a ladylike gesture.
Unbelievable.
Even that small exchange annoyed Asthan. He cut in, frowning.
“Logan, quit the pointless chatter and go light a fire in my room.”
“A fire?”
“Yeah. I nearly froze to death last night because there was no firewood.”
“The great Duke Schultzmeier, frozen to death? If you were that human, you probably wouldn’t be living like this—ow!”
Logan jumped up as Asthan kicked him hard in the shin with his studded boot. Gloria frowned slightly.
“A violent husband would be a problem. Can’t you just say it with words?”
“I only hit men.”
“Oh, then that’s fine.”
Her smile returned gently.
Asthan raised his voice again at Logan.
“What are you standing there for? Go already!”
“On my way! Oh, and the butler said breakfast is ready and you should come to the dining room.”
“I said I’m eating in my roo—”
Damn him.
Asthan clenched his jaw as Logan dashed off before he could finish his sentence.
“You’re coming to breakfast, right? I don’t know where the dining room is.”
“…Fine. Let’s go.”
