Since My Time is Limited, I’m Entering A Contract Marriage

Chapter translated by Gon.

 

Etisha looked closely at Kaiyen’s face. It was close enough to make her forget that she was in his arms right now. If she breathed, she could touch him, and she could hear his pulse.

 

‘She can even see the Duke’s thoughts…….’

 

Etisha stared calmly into Kaiyen’s eyes. In addition to the icy coldness, there was another emotion simmering in those dark, ringed pupils.

 

Etisha caught a brief feeling, but it wasn’t aimed at the coachman or the Heinz family.

 

‘Who is this revenge against……?’

 

Etisha didn’t have the answer, but it seemed to address the question Kaiyen had asked earlier.

 

” Duke.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I’m…… not sure.”

 

Etisha had done nothing so far. She hadn’t even been able to leave the Heinz family, much less cut ties with them and seek revenge.

 

“With the Heinz, I didn’t have time to think about what I really wanted.”

 

But from now on, it will be different.

 

“With the Duke by my side, I’ll think about it, one step at a time.”

 

“…….”

 

“First, cutting the ties. And…… revenge is next.”

 

“…….”

 

“Will that not answer your question?”

 

Kaiyen loosened his grip on Etisha’s arm. As they pulled away from each other, Kaiyen’s eyes dropped back to their original cool temperature.

 

“No. That’s a good enough answer.”

 

Kaiyen ended the conversation without further explanation. Etisha didn’t bother to ask why he had asked her that question.

 

The carriage arrived at the Wintel estate, and Kaiyen left first, politely escorting Etisha out.

 

The Duke’s grip on Etisha’s hand was subtle, but noticeably more careful than before.

 

* * *

 

“Is this the villa……?”

 

Etisha exclaimed in pure admiration. The mansion under the night sky was far too majestic to simply be called a ‘vacation home’.

 

“Oh, my God. Isn’t it bigger than Viscount Heinz’s main residence?

 

Even in the darkness, She could see the magnificence: the sprawling grounds, the well-maintained gardens, the grand four-story main house and outbuildings.

 

She can’t imagine what the Duke of Wintel’s real home in the north would be like if he had a mansion this large as a vacation home.

 

“It was commissioned by His Majesty.”

 

Kaiyen answered bluntly. Etisha was even more surprised at that.

 

“His Majesty?”

 

“He gave me a house and told me to come to the capital more often.”

 

“Ah, I see. It would be such a waste to leave such a mansion empty.”

 

“Miss Etisha seems to like the house.”

 

“What? Of course…….”

 

“If you like it, you can have it.”

 

As Kaiyen opened the door to the mansion and entered, the servants came forward to greet their master, as if they had been waiting for him, and were surprised to find the young lady standing at his side.

 

This was the first time the Duke had ever invited a woman to his mansion.

 

But it was Etisha, not the servants, who felt the most surprised.

 

” What?.”

 

“Yes. You can have the mansion.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Etisha was genuinely surprised.

 

Such a huge mansion, a gift from the Emperor, if converted into money, would be worth at least a million gold. Maybe even more than two million gold.

 

“It’s unnecessary for me. It was a gift from the Emperor, so I have no reason to get rid of it. If it were a gift to the duchess, I’d have justification and a reason to dispose of it.”

 

“No……. But to give me a mansion so suddenly, you must be joking.”

 

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

 

“…….”

 

“I am serious.”

 

Duke Kaiyen took off his coat and handed it to his servant and looked at Etisha, his eyes serious without a hint of laughter.

 

Seeing that, Etisha was at a loss for how to react.

 

‘I wonder if this mansion has been a problem for the Duke, and since he needed a reason to dispose of it, should I accept it gratefully instead of refusing?’

 

While Etisha was organizing her thoughts, Kaiyen spoke up.

 

“I don’t mind if you sell the mansion, I don’t mind if you gift it to someone, it’s up to you.”

 

“Ah…… so.”

 

“Sure, you can keep it and dispose of it when you want. You’re going to have to live in this mansion until you get down north anyway, so it’s not like you can do anything about it right now.”

 

“Okay…….”

 

Hearing that, Etisha made up her mind.

 

“Okay, I’ll take it. It’s a bit much, but it’s not unreasonable for a wedding gift.”

 

Even a nobleman would not give a mansion as a gift, but Etisha decided to overlook such a small thing.

 

‘Because he’s Duke Windell.’

 

Windell was a Duke.

 

The only Grand Duke in the Ignivan Empire.

 

‘I’m sure Windell’s wedding gifts are not the same as those of a common nobleman……. I think it’s best to let the Duke do as he pleases and leave me alone.’

 

But Etisha didn’t know that.

 

The word ‘wedding gift’ hadn’t been mentioned anywhere in their conversation.

 

That a gift for Etisha hadn’t even been mentioned yet, and that the mansion was just another gift in passing…….

 

Knowing nothing, Etisha obediently responded to Kaiyen.

 

“Then, I’ll accept it gratefully, and I’ll think about how to dispose of the mansion.”

 

“As you wish, without further delay, I will give you a copy of the plaque and documentation of the mansion’s ownership tomorrow.”

 

“Yes, my duke.”

 

Etisha, who had suddenly become the landlord, or rather, the owner of the manor, took off her coat and handed it to the servant.

 

She followed Kaiyan into the center hall. The inside of the mansion looked even more gorgeous than the outside.

 

“How beautiful it is inside.”

 

Whether it was gold or gemstones, the sprawling central hall glittered with gold and silver. The glittering chandeliers hanging from the ceiling looked like they had been pieced together from every moon and star in the sky.

 

‘A mansion like this will be mine.’

 

Every painting in the mansion was a masterpiece, and every sculpture on display was a work of art.

 

The mansion was like one giant work of art.

 

‘I wonder if the Duke is unimpressed by this mansion.’

 

Etisha looked at Kaiyan’s expression as he stood beside her, which had remained the same since the beginning.

 

It was then that Etisha had a small realization.

 

‘Ah. Maybe Duke Kaiyan isn’t as ruthless and cold as rumored, but rather a little less emotional.’

 

Rumors abounded that the Northern Kaiyan was a brutal monster on the battlefield, capable of blowing off a man’s head without batting an eye.

 

They were said to be so cold-blooded that even if they were stabbed, not a drop of blood would escape…….

 

But the Kaiyan Etisha had seen was anything but.

 

‘When I saw him up close in the carriage, he didn’t seem cold at all, just inexpressive and blunt, so I guess the rumors got out of hand. He’s actually quite thoughtful.’

 

Etisha shook her head to herself.

 

In her mind, Kaiyen had been very good to her from the beginning. Whether it was because she was about to become the Duchess of Windell, or because she was about to die, She didn’t know, but it was true.

 

‘Duke Kaiyen is a very nice man…….’

 

Etisha concluded lightly.

 

If the servants following her had heard this thought, they would have been horrified.

 

“The servants will show you to your room, and if you need anything else, you can speak to the maid in your chamber.”

 

“I understand, my duke.”

 

“Then, I will see you tomorrow.”

 

Duke Kaiyen walked down the hallway. The sound of his regular footsteps trailed behind him.

 

Etisha was escorted by the servants waiting behind her to a guest room on the second floor.

 

For a room reserved for guests, it was much larger and nicer than Etisha’s room at the Heinz mansion, especially the balcony.

 

Etisha stood on the balcony for a long time, looking out over the garden. Despite the darkness of the night sky, she couldn’t take her eyes off the moonlight and the twinkling stars.

 

The mansion, the distant sky, everything seemed to belong to her.

 

* * *

 

The next day, morning.

 

Etisha woke up from a deep sleep, feeling completely refreshed.

 

“Ah, I’m refreshed.”

 

It was the second day of the International Festival.

 

The founding ceremony of the Ignivan Empire lasted for 3 days, and the first day was just like a small party as a concept of the opening ceremony.

 

The real festivities would begin on the second day, and the royal family would show up to the party on the second day.

 

And on the third day, the festivities would get wild, with everyone drinking and dancing. The curtain would come down and the festivities would come to an end.

 

This was done to honor the history and achievement of the first emperor, Ignivan I, who united the empire in just three days.

 

“May the day pass safely.”

 

Etisha slid out of bed, pulling back the cozy covers. Too scared to think about washing her face, she heard a knock at the door and the voice of her maid.

 

“Lady, are you awake? It’s Marin, the maid. I’ve brought you some water to wash your face. May I come in?”

 

The maid’s voice sounded slightly shaky and urgent as she spoke.

 

“Yes, come in.”

 

Etisha gave her permission, and the door cautiously opened. The maid, Marin, with a frown on her face, approached Etisha with a basin of water.

 

“Miss, I think you should wash up and go to the parlor.”

 

“To the parlor?”

 

“The Duke has called for the designers. The most famous dress designers in the capital, jewelry designers, and even a shoe designer……. They are all waiting for Lady Etisha.”

 

“What……?”

 

Etisha blinked her eyelids slowly.

 

“Duke Kaiyen called the designers, and they’re waiting for me?

 

Etisha didn’t understand the situation, because there was no reason why Duke Kaiyen would do that for her.

 

“If it’s a wedding gift, I’ve already been given a mansion, so what’s the point?

 

In addition, it wasn’t just a day when all the high-nosed designers gathered in one place. Since the well-known designers all run their own salons separately, it was not easy to invite them to a house.

 

But to gather three of them in one place…

 

“Well, I should get ready quickly and go down.”

 

At Etisha’s words, the maid, Marin, moved quickly. Etisha, with Marin’s help, put on her dress and finished her makeup, then left the room.

 

“Let’s go to the reception room. I’ll ask for guidance.”

 

“Yes, Miss Etisha.”

 

It was time for the designers to find out what was happening in the reception room, what requests they had received, and why they had appeared.