Chapter 45
It was not an exaggeration but a fact. Unmarried noblemen and women had many restrictions on their behavior, but after going through the ceremony of marriage, it was an old tradition of the Empire that they were no longer bound by such restraints.
“So, take this opportunity to get the whole marriage thing over with. Then, after that, make me your official mistress. If you do that, I’ll stay by your side without a single complaint.”
Even though my face was plastered with dissatisfaction and anger, I quietly looked at his handsome face and gently stroked his fine black hair.
Acting the part of a maid in heat, now transitioning into a maid aiming for the position of mistress, made cold sweat bead on the back of my neck.
“Get married, Young Master. But just keep up appearances with her in public, and let your true love be with me, alright? You have to help me so I can stay here safely for a long, long time.”
His gaze, which had never collapsed like a fortress, began to waver ever so slightly from the moment I said I would stay by his side for a long time.
Because I had stayed with him for so long, I knew. I knew just how desperately Claude longed for a great and perfect love.
That’s why, rather than betting on Claude’s attachment to me, I staked everything on the affection he so desperately wanted from me.
The undivided attention from someone, warm care, unconditional love. Very ordinary forms of happiness and exchange of feelings that had always been lacking for him.
No one in this world wants to lose what they have in their grasp.
Maybe, because I understood his desperation better than anyone else, I decided to use it. After all, I was someone who also had something I did not want to lose.
“Are you saying… if I just get married, you’ll stay by my side for the rest of your life?”
And those who are desperate for something inevitably become susceptible to irrationality.
“Of course. Why else would I be doing this?”
In the end, as he began to slowly cave to my words, I lied with dry lips.
After a long back-and-forth, I finally got the answer I wanted.
“If you’re going that far to say it…”
Though his expression was still far from pleasant, he eventually raised the white flag.
“You made the right choice. Thank you, Young Master.”
I kissed his sulking face again and again, and before I knew it, he was collapsing into my arms as if nothing had happened.
The most difficult, and yet the easiest, operation of my twenty-three years seemed to have ended in success.
* * *
Once Claude’s heart was swayed, everything proceeded rapidly.
The Duke was greatly pleased with my accomplishment. As if everyone had only been waiting for the groom’s permission, the wedding between Lady Swinden and Claude progressed in the blink of an eye.
Before long, the mansion became busy preparing for a grand banquet. But just as all the servants were mobilized for the wedding preparations, I had to devote all my energy to soothing the young master’s sudden case of marriage blues.
The preparations for the wedding went smoothly, but even on the morning of the ceremony, I had to play the role of caretaker, coaxing and comforting the disgruntled groom.
“I’m only doing this because you told me to… but I still don’t know if this is really the best, Ayla.”
Even as he was dressing in his formal attire, Claude complained.
“Just trust me, Young Master. I’m telling you, this is the right thing.”
“……?”
“Claude.”
“…Yeah.”
“What did I tell you before?”
“That all of this is for our future.”
“And what did I say you had to do?”
“That I have to just grit my teeth and get it over with.”
I nodded sternly.
It was ridiculous to act so strict, like a governess, but given how unusually obedient he was behaving, I was sure he was secretly enjoying this situation.
“Since I’m being so obedient, shouldn’t I get a reward or something?”
The way he slyly hinted at what he wanted left no doubt about it.
Rather than finding him annoying, I found him so cute that it made me realize how deeply I’d fallen for him. It was a bit despairing, honestly.
“There’s nothing left I can give you. You’ve already taken everything I have.”
This was probably the most truthful thing I’d said in recent days. I’d already given him both my body and my heart. There was nothing left to give.
At my nonchalant answer, Claude’s face turned red, and he whispered his true request.
“Just hold me once. That’s a huge reward for me.”
My ears grew hot at his adorable words.
Except for the fact that the man who would soon walk out that door would become another woman’s husband, he looked absolutely perfect in his wedding attire.
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