Chapter 17
The unexpected proposal left Ebony doubting her ears.
She glanced back and forth between the ring box in her hand and the man who had just spoken.
It was hard to dismiss his words as her imagination when the evidence sat solidly in her palm.
Her dazed gaze moved to the man across from her, whose expression was faintly irritated.
Her delayed response was testing his patience. Hastily, she closed the box and placed it on the table, her hands floundering momentarily before settling neatly on her lap.
Ebony, now sitting primly, looked at Diego and smiled subtly.
“Are you agreeing to the deal?”
“Yes. I don’t know what you hope to gain by marrying me, but I’ll play along,” he replied.
With his confirmation, the first step of her plan was a success.
She had finally taken the initial step toward her revenge.
“Alright, then…”
Just as Ebony was about to define the terms of their arrangement, a stern voice interrupted.
Diego leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and his chin on his clasped hands.
“Before that, I have a question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Why do you want to marry me?”
The room instantly grew colder. Ebony’s hands clenched her skirt, trembling slightly.
Diego, sensing that an answer wasn’t forthcoming, was about to withdraw his question when she spoke.
“No particular reason. I just want to escape this wretched hell and take my revenge on those people. You just happen to be the most suitable partner for that.”
The word “hell” came out harshly, her lips pressed tightly together. Ebony inhaled deeply and closed her eyes.
“And, Your Grace, you were once someone’s shining world.”
Her thoughts drifted back to that day—to the woman who had cruelly savored her downfall, her gloating gaze, and the cutting words that stabbed deeper than any blade.
Despite having everything, that woman had driven Ebony to her ruin for the sake of a meaningless title.
Now, looking at Diego, Ebony resolved to destroy that world.
“I just want to bring it all crashing down.”
Diego showed no reaction to her declaration, even as she acknowledged his once-grand stature.
“Does that answer your question?”
His sharp red eyes regained focus, and his expression turned serious.
“I’m curious. If I had refused, what would you have done?”
“Well…”
Ebony took a sip of tea, her demeanor relaxed.
“If the Duke hadn’t agreed, I would’ve approached the Marquis of Saint instead.”
“What?”
“Unlike Your Grace, who has everything, the Marquis would have been more eager for my abilities.”
“You knew I was the best option, yet you would have settled for someone else?” Diego asked, incredulous.
“Yes. When the best isn’t an option, you go for the next best. I don’t have much time,” she explained calmly.
“The Marquis wouldn’t have been as civil as I am.”
“Which is why I waited for the far more gentlemanly Duke Magnus to accept me.”
“Your preparation is thorough.”
Diego found himself smirking at her audacity. She reminded him of Leonhardt. His smirk faded as he steadied his expression.
“So, what’s the next step in your plan?”
“First, let’s draft a contract.”
Ebony picked up a piece of paper from the table. Diego reached for it, pulling a fountain pen from his jacket pocket.
“I’ll write it,” Ebony said, gesturing for the pen.
Taking charge of drafting the contract would give her more control in negotiations. With the pen in hand, she wrote the title at the top: Marriage Contract.
“The wedding will take place six months from now, and the contract will last for one year.”
“A contract term?” Diego frowned.
“Our marriage is only a means for me to leave and get my revenge.
Once that’s done, there’s no reason to stay married.”
Her revenge would take a year and a half at most. After that, there would be no need for their relationship to continue.
She was certain Diego would also prefer a temporary arrangement over a lifelong commitment to a stranger.
“So, you plan to use me and then discard me?” Diego’s voice carried dissatisfaction.
“There’s no need to see it that way…”
“Marriage is the ultimate deal for me. While your involvement with my household is temporary, I would carry the consequences for life.”
“You’ll have no shortage of families eager to marry you again, Your Grace.
Besides, you wouldn’t want to promise forever to someone like me,” Ebony reasoned.
Though her words made sense, Diego still looked displeased. After a long pause, he made a suggestion cloaked as a demand.
“Then let’s do this. Have a child to pass on your abilities.”
“…What?”
“It’s simple. If Magnus’ lineage gains the blood of a spirit user, it would benefit us both.”
Ebony stared at him, realizing he was entirely serious. Marriage was just a transaction for their mutual benefit.
He wanted her powers for the prosperity of the North, while she wanted his status for revenge.
But bringing a child into such a hollow arrangement?
“That won’t work. Once the contract ends, I want no further contact.
A child would make that impossible, so I must decline.”
To avoid complications, Ebony firmly refused. She quickly offered an alternative.
“Instead, I’ll fully cooperate with your household during my stay. We can include this in the contract.”
“Fine.”
Though his face remained displeased, Diego didn’t push further. Ebony began writing the first clause.
1. The contract term is one and a half years. Upon its conclusion, all contact will cease.
However, Ebony Dominique may choose to assist the Magnus household post-contract.
In such cases, all interactions between the two parties are prohibited.
“Next, we should agree to cooperation during the contract period.”
“No objections,” Diego agreed.
2. During the contract period, both parties will actively assist each other for mutual benefit.
The Magnus household may not use Ebony Dominique’s abilities for illegal purposes or actions that would damage her reputation.
Additionally, Diego Magnus must cooperate with Ebony Dominique’s plans when necessary.
If his non-cooperation hinders her plans, he will be held accountable.
“For the third clause…”
Ebony hesitated, glancing at Diego before turning the contract toward herself.
3. Both parties will convincingly act as a married couple during the contract period.
Diego Magnus and Ebony Dominique may not disclose the contract’s existence and must appear as a loving couple in public.
Diego’s brows furrowed as he read the clause.
“What is this?”
“We need to act as a couple genuinely in love.”
“You want me to put on a ridiculous act?”
“It’s necessary for my plans. Remember the clause about cooperation?”
Ebony pointed to the second clause with her pen.
Left with no choice, Diego grudgingly agreed, leaning back in his seat with irritation.
“It’s nothing too extravagant. Just behave affectionately, and it’ll suffice,” Ebony said, signing her name before passing the contract to him.
“So, for one year, please pretend to love me.”
