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

Chapter translated by Loulou.

 

As Etisha entered the drawing room, three pairs of eyes turned to her.

 

‘Oh, it’s them.’

 

The famous designers turned out to be people she already knew.

 

‘They’re the ones who used to shower Larienne with gifts.…… .’

 

It is said that designers need a muse to inspire their work.

 

And Larienne, the eccentric figure in high society who attracted everyone’s attention and created scandals one after another, was the perfect candidate to be a designer’s muse.

 

‘They’ll be surprised to see me.’

 

Vivian, the fashion designer. Lucy, the jewel craftsman. And the shoemaker, Nigel.

 

Larienne would sometimes send Etisha on errands to the salon.

 

<Tisha! Go and pick up the dress I ordered from Vivian. Oh, while you are there, stop by Nigel’s and get the shoes too!>

 

Most of the time there was plenty of time left until the deadline.

 

So, naturally, the items weren’t completed yet, and Etisha had to return home empty-handed several times.

 

In those moments, Larienne would mock her, and ask, <What? You couldn’t bring it because it’s still being made? That’s nonsense. If I told you to bring it, you should have brought it! You should have brought it even if you had to threaten them to finish it on the spot.>

 

‘After experiencing that a few times, everyone started to look down on me and ignore me….’

 

As a designer, if you want to sell the clothes you make, you will ultimately have to cater to the customers’ preferences.

 

The customer here was Larienne, not Etisha. Furthermore, the clothes Etisha herself wore were dresses Larienne has grown tired of and thrown away, so no matter how well they looked on Etisha, it wouldn’t boost sales.

 

‘In the end, it was Larienne who brought them money; I was just the maid. There were even times when I was left waiting at the door, not even allowed into the salon.’

 

All of this didn’t happen a long time ago.

 

No, those were incidents from one or two months ago.

 

‘… … .’

Etisha lifted her head and stood tall, straightening her posture.

 

As she entered the drawing room with a dignified posture, the three designers who were looking at her were visibly taken aback; just like she expected.

 

They all stared at her with impolite gazes.

 

“Everyone,”

 

Etisha passed by them and took the seat at the front.

 

“It’s been a while. I hope you’ve all been well.”

 

Although Etisha offered a simple greeting, none of the designers could respond to it. They were all in a state of jaw-dropping astonishment upon seeing her.

 

“Lady Heinz?”

 

“How did Lady Etisha Heinz end up here…?”

 

“Could it be that Duke Windell’s request was for Lady Heinz..?”

 

Looking down at the three designers who were muttering among themselves, Etisha casually replied.

 

“I heard that the three of you were brought here by Duke Kaiyen. Have you been waiting all this time to show me something?”

 

“Ah…”

 

“I’d like to start by asking what kind of commission Duke Kaiyen has entrusted you with. Who will explain it to me?”

 

At her request, the designers rolled their eyes.

 

The news of Etisha Heinz and Kaiyen Windell’s marriage was announced just yesterday, which means only the nobles who attended the founding party knew about it.

 

The designers, oblivious to everything, were too busy trying to read Etesha’s expression.

 

‘How did this happen? Why is Etisha Heinz at Duke’s villa?’

 

‘To be here this early in the morning… Did she spend the night here?’

 

‘Could it be that Lady Etisha Heinz is Duke kaiyen’s rumored mistress? No, that can’t be true. What on earth is going on?’

 

The designers’ thoughts were clearly visible to Etisha. And as they kept mumbling, unable to say anything, Etisha sighed.

 

“Well, if you all have nothing to say, then I shall take my leave.”

 

As Etisha showed signs of standing up from her seat, the designers’ faces took on a bewildered expression.

 

“No, Lady. That’s not it… We are merely here at the behest of Duke Windell. That’s… “

 

“I don’t quite understand what you’re saying. Please elaborate.”

 

“Well, Duke Windell made a request. He said that he needed clothes, jewelries and shoes for the founding day festival.”

 

“… … .”

 

“We… naturally thought Duke Kaiyen was commissioning items for himself…”

 

Finally, it dawned on her.

 

The reason these arrogant people hurriedly gathered was because they mistakenly thought the Duke was the client.

 

“I see,” Etisha smiled subtly.

 

Instead of dismissing them, she added,

 

“It appears you were all expecting Duke Kaiyen, not me. However, this commission is for me. Perhaps the Duke has another gift in store for me.”

 

After all, Etisha was supposed to be a smokescreen.

 

A glamorous smokescreen meant to conceal the true mistress.

 

Therefore, there was no need to feign humility in this situation.

 

‘My role is to proudly pretend to be the Duchess of Windell; she reminded herself.

 

So, Etisha lifted her chin up and put on a dignified look.

 

She was worried that it would be awkward to try appearing arrogant after being a doormat all her life, but as she mimicked Larienne, whom she had observed all her life, it proved to be rather easy for her to pull off.

 

“You all need to make me a dress, some jewelries, and a pair of shoes.”

 

“…”

 

“I will not tolerate any mistake. And I cannot afford to waste time. I need something to wear to the second day of the National Founding day ceremony that will be held tonight.”

 

“Oh, Miss…”

 

“Furthermore, you must present a masterpieces worthy of Windell’s name. Anyone who don’t have the confidence to do so can walk out of here right now.”

 

Etisha flawlessly imitated Larienne.

 

No, she displayed an even more effective and dignified demeanor than Larienne.

 

Larienne, being herself, couldn’t help but reveal her immature character through her speech and actions. However, with Etisha, a solemn weight could be felt.

 

‘This can’t be… … .’

 

The designers trembled in astonishment at Etisha’s words. They couldn’t believe that the protagonist of the commission was none other than Etisha Haines, and the demand to create a masterpiece to be worn that very night was shocking.

 

“Why are you all so surprised? With the use of magic, nothing is impossible.”

 

Etisha looked down upon the designers.

 

Creating a masterpiece befitting the Windell name within a day was undoubtedly an immense request.

 

However, it was not entirely impossible.

 

By infusing magic into the materials, production could proceed at a much faster pace, and the subtle hues of magic would imbue the artwork, resulting in a special masterpiece.

 

All the designers present in this place were production-class magical ability users who could infuse magic into materials.

 

Because of this, they were able to become renowned designers, making a name for themselves in the capital. They even had the audacity to look down upon Etisha, a noblewoman.

 

Regardless of field, all famous people in the Ignivan Empire were capable of using magic. Those people could easily accomplish tasks that ordinary people without magic like Etisha would not even dare to attempt.

 

‘But that also has its limits… … ,’ Etisha thought.

 

And sure enough, Vivian, the clothing designer, responded with a hesitant gaze, “However, we cannot deplete our powers! If we pour out all of our magic at once instead of using it gradually, we won’t able to work for at least six months.”

 

Like she said, being a magic user didn’t mean possessing absolute power. Firstly, one needed to have magical energy to use their abilities.

 

Magical energy accumulated gradually within a person’s body, and once it was completely depleted, no matter how skilled they were, they wouldn’t be able to use their abilities for a long time.

 

They would be ordinary until their magic replenished.

 

“Alright then. I understand that miss Vivian is refusing the request.”

 

Etisha looked at Vivian with a smile on her face, exuding a sense of ease in her voice.

 

Since she was soon to depart for the north, Etisha didn’t need to about people in the capital.

 

And seeing how nonchalant she was, the three designers gulped nervously. Suddenly, they were seized with fear that they had made a grave mistake.

 

‘What’s with her changed attitude? Could it be true that she truly is the Duke’s  mistress?’ one of them thought.

 

‘I have no idea what’s going on. But if we accept the commission, we’ll have to close the salon for six months . The risk is too great;’ another one said inwardly.

 

‘If I had known it would come to this, I wouldn’t have treated her like I did before. Why now of all times…’

 

The three designers were completely lost, unable to come to a decision.

 

On one hand, they feared upsetting the Duke and Windell, but on the other hand, they felt reluctant to squander the magic they had painstakingly accumulated.

 

‘Damn it, I don’t know what to do.’

 

They were literally sweating.

 

Just then, servants entered the parlor with tea and pastries. The aroma of rich hibiscus tea and custard cream cookies filled the air.

 

Etisha leisurely sipped her tea, enjoying the chaos.

 

At that moment, a polite voice was heard from outside the parlor.

 

“Lady Etisha.”

 

A low, sensual voice.

 

Duke Kaiyen’s.

 

“I’m coming in.”

 

“Oh, Duke. Please, come in, ” Etisha answered.

 

The designers’ expression, which were already tense, turned pale as Kaiyen made his entrance.

 

And without sparing them glance, he approached Etisha right away, holding a thin document and a small plaque in his hand.

 

“Please accept these.”

 

The plaque and document contained the ownership rights of this mansion.

 

“I was a bit delayed as I wanted to thoroughly assess the property. It turns out that the ownership rights to this mansion also include the ownership rights to the surrounding land.”

 

“Land… I see. That’s impressive.”

 

“Anyway. As soon as you place your hand on the plaque, it will become yours.”

 

Following Kaiyen’s instructions, Etisha placed her hand on it, and the  hexagonal-shaped plaque faintly glowed, recognizing her.

 

And just like that, the ownership had been transferred.

 

“It’s settled then. From now on, Lady Etisha is the owner of this mansion.”

 

The designers, who overheard Kaiyen’s words, held their breath. They glanced at each other, wondering if maybe they had misheard, only to realized that they were all wearing the same astonished expression.

 

‘Mansion? Land? All of it belongs to Etisha now…?’

 

It seemed too excessive to hand over all of this to a mere mistress.

 

In that moment, Lucy, the jeweler, caught sight of Etisha’s left ring finger. It hadn’t been visible underneath the opulent layers of her dress, but on her finger was undoubtedly a ring bearing an eagle, the emblem of Windell family.

 

‘Oh my god!’ Lucy exclaimed in her head.

 

It would have been shocking enough to hear that Etisha Heinz was the duke’s secret mistress, but she turned out to be the person who would become the Duchess….

 

Lucy, who was quick to assess the situation, stood up abruptly and bowed towards Kaiyen and Etisha.

 

“It is an honor to be given this opportunity, Duke Kaiyen, Lady Etisha.”

 

“….?”

 

“I will do it. If you entrust it me, I will create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece worthy of Windell’s reputation!”

 

Next to her, Nigel, who looked like a corpse, stood up as well, saying, “”I, too, will use every last bit of my saved magic, if need be, to create the most beautiful pair of shoes in the entire empire!”

 

With the situation unfolding like this, Vivian felt as if she was about to die. But she couldn’t just sit there quietly.

 

“P-please forgive my rudeness… If you would allow me… I will do my best to complete a dress that perfectly suits Lady Etisha.”

 

The three designers were now all pleading desperately. It was an unexpected turn of events.