Chapter 2
I. Because I said let’s do it together
A few months ago, in the reception room of the Lehire family.
“I’ll do it.”
Screeeech—
A metallic sound, like a fork scraping against a plate, came from the teacup she had just set down on the saucer.
The fingertips of a man who seemed like he wouldn’t bleed even if pricked by a needle twitched. A faint crack, like fine porcelain fracturing, ran across his face—a face so perfectly sculpted it could have been carved from marble.
“……”
Herman froze in place for a moment, steadying his breath.
He blinked once—those long, alluring lashes of his fluttering more elegantly than any noble lady’s—brushed back a few strands of his black hair that had slipped loose, and even took a second to confirm that the reception room he was sitting in was indeed still the Lehire family’s.
‘This is reality, then.’
In that case, he must have misheard. Having reached that conclusion, Herman schooled his expression back into calm indifference.
But that attempt was instantly ruined by the next words that dropped like another stick of dynamite.
“I’ll marry you.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Esina Lehire.”
Herman’s thick eyebrows arched sharply. Lifting his gaze from where he sat on the sofa, he saw a woman standing boldly across the table, her eyes curved into a dazzling smile.
Her crimson hair swayed like waves beneath a frilly bonnet. Her peach-blossom cheeks made her look every bit the dreamy maiden. And her soft green eyes sparkled gently under the light.
Even while seated, the difference in their eye levels wasn’t glaring—but if he stood up, it was obvious his gaze would drop considerably. Her hands were so small they could only be described as dainty, and the feet in her dress shoes looked almost precariously tiny, as if one might wonder how she even balanced on them.
She was, in every sense, the very picture of a harmless, delicate, and soft noble lady.
‘Especially since she’s my friend’s little sister.’
It was hard to imagine loving her—as a woman—any more than that.
As if aware of his thoughts, the woman meeting his gaze curled the corners of her eyes into a sly smile. She straightened her shoulders and pushed her chest forward—an oddly bold yet provocative pose. The plunging neckline of her dress naturally drew attention.
But instead of reacting honestly, Herman responded with a practiced, charming smile—the kind that had won the admiration of countless women.
“You must have misunderstood the situation. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear what you just said—”
“Nope. I heard every word perfectly.”
Esina shook her head decisively, cutting him off. The small frills pinned to her bonnet swayed like little bells. Herman’s eyes flickered to those distracting scraps of fabric before he spoke again.
“Are you confessing to eavesdropping on a private conversation in this very reception room?”
“Yes. I heard everything through the crack in the door.”
“That’s hardly ladylike behavior.”
“But you need someone like that, don’t you? A woman who’s not ladylike—someone downright wicked.”
Before Herman could retort, Esina continued nonchalantly, counting off on her fingers.
“Disgusting enough to make your family disown you on the spot for bringing her home.”
“……”
“Lazy, vain, materialistic, someone who tosses a wife’s duties straight into the trash—”
Without pausing for breath, she listed off the traits, folding and unfolding her fingers five or six times before finishing with a bright smile.
“That kind of wife.”
And truthfully, it was exactly what Herman had just told his friend, Roger Lehire.
“I need a wife.”
“What?”
“Someone so disgusting that this insufferable family would want to cut ties with me the moment I bring her home.”
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