Chapter 16: The Hidden Contract
“I told you about the curse despite the risks because I believe you have the right to know. At the very least, you should understand why you almost died.”
His sharp eyes gleamed.
“You need to realize just how much danger you’re in.”
“Oh… so you’re saying this for my sake?”
I pouted slightly.
“Well, I don’t think that’s something a husband who tried to kick out his wife within a week of her arrival should be saying.”
The Grand Duke was momentarily speechless, seemingly taken aback.
‘I guess he’s embarrassed?’
“You even made me enter the wedding hall holding another man’s hand, and now, even after I arrived, you haven’t shown your face once.”
“Th-that’s…!”
“And now, you’re pushing me away under the excuse of danger, even though you said touching me doesn’t affect you anymore!”
The Grand Duke fumbled for words but couldn’t find a response.
“Why? Is the curse just an excuse?”
I let my eyes droop, putting on a pitiful expression.
“Do you just want to get rid of me, but I keep clinging on without realizing it?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Or…”
Taking a deep breath, I played my final card.
“Are you disappointed that I came instead of my sister?”
“Sister?”
“You said it yourself.”
I lowered my lashes, trying to look as sorrowful as possible.
“You said you would rather die than marry me, but if it were my sister, you’d be willing.”
“That’s not—! I didn’t mean it like that…!”
His neck instantly flushed red.
“The entire capital’s social circles were filled with that gossip. It was so humiliating that I couldn’t even attend a single ball or tea party until the wedding.”
“I never meant for that to happen.”
The Grand Duke looked genuinely flustered. He hesitantly stood up, his expression troubled.
“My sister, on the other hand, was very pleased.”
“I’ve never even seen the eldest daughter of House Frais. I just…”
“If I return to the capital, what do you think people will say? ‘Of course, she got kicked out—after all, she’s not her sister.’ That’s what they’ll whisper, isn’t it?”
“That’s not true.”
The Grand Duke rubbed the back of his neck, looking utterly lost.
“I’m only worried about you…”
‘Is it working?’
Seeing his face turn pale, I felt my guilt-tripping strategy was having an effect.
Lowering my head, I sniffled.
“…Are you crying?”
“I… I don’t… know…”
I pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at my dry eyes a few times. The Grand Duke’s voice wavered.
“P-please don’t cry.”
Leaning toward me anxiously, he fidgeted, not knowing what to do.
I could hear his restless footsteps pacing back and forth in front of me.
I continued to shake my shoulders, drawing out the moment subtly.
Who knows how much time had passed?
“Ugh…”
Finally, after waiting long enough, I let out a sigh that sounded almost like a sob.
“Do… whatever you want.”
His voice was choked, as if he was struggling to speak.
“What?”
I quickly lifted my head, unsure if I had heard him correctly. The Grand Duke spoke with a resigned expression.
“If you truly wish to stay, then do so.”
“Really?”
A bright smile spread across my face before I could stop it.
“But only for one year. And…”
Noticing the complete lack of actual tears on my face, the Grand Duke turned his head away in frustration.
“I have warned you enough. If something happens to you because of me, don’t expect me to take responsibility.”
“Of course. If I get even a scratch or cause you any trouble, I’ll pack my bags and leave immediately. That sounds fair, right?”
I jumped up from my seat and extended my hand to him.
“Then, let’s get along, Your Grace!”
The Grand Duke stood still for a long time before finally, reluctantly, taking my hand. His expression was stiff, but his grip was surprisingly gentle.
That afternoon, I immediately drafted a contract and took it to the Grand Duke.
“Is this really necessary?”
“Of course! Everything needs to be clear and official.”
No matter what a sponsor promised, nothing meant anything until the contract was signed.
That was a lesson I had learned the hard way in my previous life.
‘It’s no different here. After all, the only reason I became the Grand Duchess of Blenheim, despite having no love between us and not even a proper wedding, was because of a single piece of paper—the marriage contract.’
I handed him my carefully written contract draft.
The Grand Duke looked a little reluctant, but he still accepted the document.
The terms were simple:
- Loic Blenheim and Annette Frais agree to divorce after one year.
- During the marriage, Loic Blenheim will provide Annette Frais with the appropriate treatment befitting a Grand Duchess, and Annette Frais will fulfill her duties as one.
- The exact timing of the divorce after one year will be determined by mutual agreement.
- An early divorce requires both parties’ voluntary consent.
- This contract takes precedence over the marriage vows, and both parties must keep its contents strictly confidential.
“If you’d like to add anything, please let me know,” I offered.
The Grand Duke, expressionless, scanned the contract and asked,
“What do you mean by ‘treatment befitting a Grand Duchess’?”
“Oh… nothing major. But since I am the Grand Duchess, I can’t afford to damage your or Blenheim’s reputation, right?”
“…?”
“That means I need to dress appropriately, not appear too shabby, occasionally show appreciation to the staff…”
“You need a personal allowance,” he interrupted.
“…Yes.”
I had tried to phrase it politely, but in the end, I was asking for money.
I only had about 100 Coins in emergency funds and the wedding gifts from Frais. While I planned to secure my own savings for the future, I needed to cover my living expenses at Blenheim using the duchy’s funds.
Feeling a little self-conscious under his direct gaze, my ears warmed slightly. But the Grand Duke simply nodded as if it was obvious.
“I will allocate a budget for you to manage personally. Whitley will handle the transfers. If you ever find it insufficient, inform me.”
“Thank you.”
As expected of the Northern Grand Duke—he wasn’t stingy.
I had even prepared a justification for the allowance in case he questioned it, but seeing no need, I quietly set the paperwork aside.
“And what exactly do you mean by ‘duties’?”
The Grand Duke raised an eyebrow, looking more puzzled than anything.
“There are responsibilities that come with being a Grand Duchess—managing the household, overseeing the staff, receiving guests. I just meant I would do my best.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
His response was immediate and firm.
“Whitley and I have handled these things so far, and we will continue to do so.”
It was clear: he had no intention of letting the enemy’s daughter manage his household.
But I shook my head.
“No, I want to take responsibility.”
With power comes responsibility.
Conversely, without responsibility, power is meaningless.
If I lived here for a year doing nothing, both the vassals and the servants would see me as a mere guest—someone to be ignored.
And my main goal in Blenheim was to stay as unnoticed as possible.
But if the Grand Duchess did nothing at all, wouldn’t strange rumors start spreading?
Besides, I couldn’t just sit around doing nothing for a whole year. I had already enjoyed enough rest; I was more than ready to work again.
“Don’t misunderstand. You have no responsibilities here.”
The Grand Duke’s gaze was cold as he spoke.
“For the next year, you are merely a guest staying in the castle.”
His tone was firm, as if warning me not to overstep.
I bit my lip in frustration.
Project planning, budgeting, accounting, managing suppliers, years of forced social and negotiation skills—
I was an incredibly capable employee!
And for an entire year, this highly skilled worker was going to be… wasted? Well, not unpaid, but still!
‘Of course, in the Grand Duke’s eyes, I’m probably just an inexperienced noblewoman.’
I hesitated before speaking.
“I will be receiving an allowance, right? I want to do something because I’m taking money from you.”
“That allowance is granted to whoever sits in that position. You don’t need to work for it.”
“But I’m really good at my job…”
The Grand Duke, however, seemed unmovable.
“Fine. Think it over. But I have one condition.”
“What is it?”
“From now on, you’re not allowed to call me ‘Lady’ anymore.”
“…Then what should I call you?”
“Grand Duchess.”
His face clearly showed reluctance.
“If that feels unnatural, you can call me Annette.”
“…”
“Or ‘wife.’ I don’t mind.”
“That’s…”
“Do you prefer ‘wife’?”
“…I will call you Grand Duchess.”
With that settled, we both signed the contract.
It was a satisfying agreement for me.
As for why the Grand Duke suddenly looked utterly exhausted…
Well, that was probably just my imagination.
Thank you ♥️💖