Chapter 75
“Marriage?”
It wasn’t just the mischievous ones behind the wall who were surprised. The person in question was the most shocked of all.
Pablo trembled, unable to even look at Lloyd.
Minerva, who had thrown everyone into a state of shock, maintained a calm demeanor.
“We’ve already discussed this marriage arrangement before. I don’t think it’s anything to be so surprised about.”
Clink. Minerva elegantly raised her teacup to her lips.
‘Someday, the Grand Duke’s family will discover the cat’s-eye mine.’
Even without Minerva’s help, the cat’s-eye would see the light of day, but the Grand Duke didn’t know that yet.
Cat’s-eye has a strange charm, like a cat’s mesmerizing gaze.
The Grand Duke must have known its allure, which is why he searched for the cat’s-eye mine and eventually succeeded.
But not now.
Minerva was offering an easier path than in the original story.
Not only would she help find the cat’s-eye, but she’d also make money for him, and he’d become the husband of an Imperial Princess.
Then Priscilla could no longer treat him carelessly.
Minerva shrugged slightly with a subtle smile, as if to say, “How about it?”
Her attitude almost made one think marriage was no big deal, but upon reflection, marriage was indeed a big deal.
Lloyd barely collected himself and played the role of a loyal servant, getting angry on behalf of his master.
“Your Highness, no matter what, that method is…!”
“Why? There’s no deal more certain than marriage,” Minerva said calmly without batting an eye.
“Isn’t this the method approved by both my mother and the Grand Duke’s mother? My mother wanted to attach the Grand Duke to me for my authority. Duchess Priscilla must have welcomed me to cover up the Grand Duke’s issues. It was just a story neither the Grand Duke nor I wanted at the time.”
A hint of bitter laughter mixed into her words at the end.
She chuckled, recalling the frustration of that time when avoiding the original story didn’t mean it could be completely avoided, but Lloyd interpreted it differently.
‘She must have rejected the marriage proposal because of Aslan’s real father…’
The man Minerva had loved was no longer in this world.
Lloyd felt as if he had touched a sore spot.
Minerva quickly composed her expression and turned her gaze to the white mask.
“Even if we say marriage, there’s no need to think of it as something grand, Grand Duke. As soon as both our objectives are achieved, you and I will divorce.”
Let’s just take what we need from each other and then go our separate ways.
What convenient words.
Minerva could speak so decisively because she thought she had only met the Grand Duke twice.
But it wasn’t the same for Lloyd.
‘Is this… the contract marriage I’ve read about in novels?’
Thankfully, he had read Ayla’s books in advance. Otherwise, Lloyd might have fainted from shock by now.
How desperate must she be to bury the husband she loved in her heart and propose a contract marriage to the Grand Duke whose previous proposal she had rejected?
He couldn’t begin to fathom her state of mind.
As the silence lengthened, Minerva’s palms grew clammy again, fearing rejection.
But not wanting to appear anxious, she straightened her back and raised her chin even more.
During this time, the two men had lost their words and were just staring at the ground.
Minerva closed her eyes slowly with a small sigh.
When her eyelids opened, the green eyes revealed were not Minerva’s usual eyes that Lloyd knew, but the eyes of an Imperial Princess.
Thinking it meaningless to spend any more time on this, she stood up.
“Let me know when you’ve made up your mind. I expect a prompt reply.”
After hinting not to drag this out any longer, Minerva walked out, her heels clicking against the floor.
Lloyd, who had been in a daze, came to his senses and hurriedly followed her.
“Just a moment, Your Highness.”
“What is it?”
Minerva’s face was tired as she slowly turned around.
Lloyd hesitated for a moment, as she had never shown such a face to him before.
However, not wanting to give her false hope, Lloyd voiced a possibility.
“I understand that marriage seems like the most rational option for Your Highness in this situation. But as you know, the Grand Duke rarely shows himself in official settings. I’m not sure if it will be as helpful as you expect…”
Minerva understood what Lloyd was trying to say.
Even in private settings, he only spoke through his aide.
Most would think it was because the Grand Duke was arrogant, but the more perceptive ones would realize he had some mental issues.
Nevertheless, Minerva needed the Grand Duke.
“I don’t make such proposals to people I think won’t be helpful.”
At her firm words, Lloyd raised his head.
Minerva, looking up at Lloyd, admonished him once more.
“Your master isn’t as pathetic as you think.”
Lloyd couldn’t believe Minerva’s words.
She really thinks that way even after seeing him like this?
Even while thinking she was just being polite, his mouth moved on its own.
“Why… do you think that?”
“He’s trying to break free even though he must be afraid of Duchess Priscilla. He hasn’t given up completely. He took in Aslan and me, even though it will cause him a lot of trouble. Isn’t that brave? He’s already been a great help to me.”
Lloyd was at a loss for words.
Brave? It was the first time he had heard such a description.
Hadn’t he always been running away?
Seeing Lloyd struggling to understand, his expression contorting with effort, Minerva chuckled.
“And to be honest, it’s also for Aslan’s sake. Aslan said she wanted a father.”
“Pardon?”
His voice rose at the unexpected response.
Thinking it was an abrupt statement even to herself, Minerva recalled a memory from just a few weeks ago.
“Do you remember the day you came with an armful of gifts?”
“Yes, I remember…”
Of course he remembered, with the gift he had given to Minerva that day shining right in front of him.
“On the day you left, Aslan told me she wanted a father.”
“Did she… say that?”
He had no idea Aslan had such thoughts.
She had always been so lively, and even when she nearly fell from a tree, she didn’t cry but remained brave.
And she always looked content with just having her mother.
Although Minerva was smiling now, how much must it have pained her to hear those words at the time?
Lloyd felt guilty for asking such a thing, not knowing what to do with himself.
Minerva smiled as if to say it was alright and continued.
“As you know, Aslan doesn’t have a biological father right now. And I’m not married. If Aslan and I return to the Imperial Palace like this, you know what will happen, don’t you?”
Indeed he did.
Lloyd nodded slightly with a pained expression.
No one would know who the father was.
It would leave a huge stain on Minerva’s honor, which would be a major obstacle in her bid for the throne.
Above all…
“No matter how brave she is, if people keep bringing up the existence of her biological father, eventually…”
“Yes. Aslan will be deeply hurt.”
Minerva nodded.
Preventing Aslan from getting hurt was just as important as ensuring her survival.
“There’s only one role I want the Grand Duke to play. Just lend us your name. With an Imperial Princess and a Grand Duke as her backing, who would dare bully my daughter?”
The corners of her smiling mouth trembled slightly.
Minerva looked like she was about to cry, but she didn’t shed a tear.
Seeing that smile, Lloyd felt like he might cry himself and bowed his head deeply.
“I will certainly convey your words to His Grace…”
“Thank you. Then, I’ll take my leave.”
Minerva gave a small bow and turned around swiftly.
Feeling Lloyd’s gaze on her back, she deliberately didn’t return to her room.
She walked down the corridor for a while, then turned a corner.
And stopped.
The loud clicking of her heels suddenly ceased, and Minerva leaned against the wall as if collapsing.
“Hic…!”
After letting out an audible sob, she quickly covered her mouth.
A little later, Lloyd’s footsteps were heard, gradually fading away.
Peeking out slightly to look down the corridor, Lloyd was already gone.
‘It seems my appeal worked well?’
Judging by his words and expressions, things seemed to be going well.
Lloyd, being in the same position of raising a child alone, must have empathized with her.
Playing the pitiful card was Minerva’s last hidden ace.
Minerva slid down to the floor, curling up.
A chuckle escaped her lips.
‘A contract marriage…’
It was such a ridiculous method, even to her.
Who would have thought she’d make such a laughable proposal in her life?
Minerva took off her gloves, now cold from sweat.
Her open palms were pale white.
She buried her face in them.
Sitting there, her shoulders trembled.
‘So, it’s come to this.’
If things went well, Aslan would become the adopted daughter of Grand Duke Eckhart.
Much earlier than in the original story.
Aslan’s circumstances had become similar to the original story.
And she felt betrayed by the person she had just been talking to so casually.
It felt as if time had stopped around her.
After a long moment, Minerva quietly lowered her hands.
Revealing eyes that were terribly cold, Minerva raised her head high, let out one last deep, hollow laugh, and left the place.
