Please Let Marriage Be Your Payment!,
Chapter 54 —
“…It really isn’t the right time for Count Miles to be attending someone else’s wedding.”
At this point, the problem wasn’t about saving his son anymore. Count Miles had to prepare himself—if it came down to it, he would abandon his son just to secure his own survival.
If he made even the smallest mistake, he would be branded as someone who supported the Assassin’s Guild. Compared to that, his reckless son’s safety was meaningless.
“So that’s why you gave Harry Miles thirty million Larc?”
The question carried the meaning: “Did you set him up on purpose because of me?”
And of course, that was exactly why. Ireneia remembered everything Harry Miles had done to Leonard in the past.
From the moment she accepted Leonard’s love, everything of his became hers too. She carried not only his heart but also his pain. That gave her the right to take revenge as well.
The only one who could take that right from her was Leonard himself—the Leonard who had died and disappeared. The present Leonard, with no memory of the past, had no such right.
So Ireneia boldly clung to Leonard’s arm and spoke with shameless confidence.
“Don’t you dare say it wasn’t necessary. This is all Harry Miles’ fault. He’s the one who took the money even after you told him you’d already paid off your debt. He’s the one who ran to the gambling hall because he believed in some foolproof winning method….”
“Wait. I think you misunderstood. I wasn’t blaming you.”
“Really?”
Ireneia tilted her head slightly and looked up at Leonard.
He gently freed his arm from her hands, then wrapped it around her waist and rested his forehead against her shoulder.
“You did it for me.”
The mercenaries who had trained Leonard lived by one rule: “Your revenge should be carried out by your own hands.”
Of course, when Leonard had been young and too weak to protect himself, they had stepped in to take revenge for him. But once he grew strong enough to defend himself, they stopped.
“You… the more I get to know you, the more I think you’re really…”
“Really?”
As Leonard trailed off, Ireneia quickly pressed him to finish.
Just as Leonard parted his lips to speak—
“My Lord Marquis, His Highness the Second Prince has arrived!”
“Ah, damn it.”
What terrible timing.
Grinding her teeth inwardly, Ireneia made Leonard look at her in shock. It wasn’t just the vulgar word—it was the way she spat it out like a mercenary would.
Maybe I only notice because I used to be a mercenary myself.
Shaking off the thought, Leonard straightened and offered his hand to Ireneia.
“Since His Highness came personally, we should go welcome him.”
“I’d rather throw him out…”
Letting out a long sigh, Ireneia put on the most reluctant expression, but still allowed Leonard to escort her forward.
Being late on purpose, fine, I could forgive that.
But the timing? Unforgivable.
She had been seconds away from hearing something sweet—something charming, irresistible, romantic. And now it was all ruined.
Even as she approached the Second Prince, Ireneia cursed him over and over in her head. But when she finally stopped before him and curtsied, her gesture was the height of elegance. Her smile was radiant.
“It’s been a long time, Your Highness. Have you been well?”
“What if I haven’t been well? Are you going to make me medicine?”
Before Leonard could even greet him, the Second Prince snapped at Ireneia with irritation.
She was less upset by his rudeness than by the fact that he ignored Leonard completely.
So, he didn’t want to come, but was forced to. That’s it.
Seeing more and more guests watching the exchange, Ireneia widened her eyes in feigned surprise.
“Oh my! So you’ve been unwell? No wonder His Majesty said that since you would attend our wedding in his stead, he would send his gift through you. I was wondering why His Majesty himself could not come!”
With just a few words, Ireneia exposed the fact that the Second Prince had only come as an errand boy—and late at that.
Several guests caught on and leaned toward their neighbors to whisper while sneaking glances at the Prince.
“You insolent…!”
The Second Prince’s face turned red as he tried to yell, but his attendant quickly clamped a hand over his mouth.
“Your Highness, please remember—you are here representing His Majesty!”
Thankfully, the Prince had enough sense left to calm down. He glared at Ireneia with barely controlled anger but forced his voice to sound composed.
“As the Marchioness said… I’ve been unwell lately, resting to recover. I only just regained my health, so the Empress asked me to come as a distraction and deliver this.”
Pretending his house arrest was just “rest,” he held out his hand. The attendant placed a box into it, which he passed to Ireneia almost carelessly.
“Take this gift from the Empress with gratitude.”
“I am deeply honored. May I open it here?”
“You may.”
Ireneia opened the box at once. Inside lay a necklace: a black jewel at the center, surrounded by diamonds glittering like a chandelier.
“My goodness, what a beautiful necklace!”
“The Empress said she wants to see you wear it very soon.”
“Of course, with pleasure. Please convey my thanks to Her Majesty.”
Ireneia hugged the box with delight.
“Please also tell her I’ll come visit within a few days.”
“No, that’s not… what I meant.”
The Prince’s brow twitched. He hesitated, then bluntly spoke.
“In a week, the great railway opening ceremony will be held. The Empress will be too busy to see you before then.”
“Then I shall greet Her Majesty on the day of the railway ceremony.”
“Yes, exactly.”
He nodded too quickly, as if waiting for that answer.
Leonard silently watched his face, sensing something off. But Ireneia only smiled brightly.
“Yes, I’ll make sure to wear this necklace that day.”
Her eyes sparkled as though she truly looked forward to it.
That night.
There’s definitely something wrong.
Even while pouring hot water over himself, Leonard’s frown did not fade.
From the very beginning, it was strange that the Second Prince offered to come in the Emperor’s place.
He couldn’t forget the way the Prince had looked at Ireneia—like a pyromaniac striking flint, thrilled by the sparks.
He’d seen the same look before: the day the Prince pressured him to auction off the Raise Messer.
Could he have tampered with that necklace? But it’s an imperial gift…
If the Prince really was plotting something, what was his goal? To drive a wedge between the Emperor and Marquis Blair?
But what could he possibly gain from that? Whether it succeeded or failed, if the scheme was uncovered, even he couldn’t escape the Emperor’s wrath.
…Thinking alone won’t solve it.
The hot water was making him dizzy anyway.
Tonight was their wedding night. If he fainted in the bath, it would be the greatest humiliation.
Leonard rose from the tub and dried himself.
Wedding night…
Just thinking the words made his face heat up.
Must be the bath… I stayed in too long.
Making excuses to himself, he stood at the door to their bridal chamber. He could feel Ireneia’s presence waiting inside.
Clenching and unclenching his fists nervously, he finally took a deep breath. Then he cleared his throat loudly, so she’d hear, and slowly opened the door.
“Lynn.”
“What took you so long? I almost fell asleep waiting.”
Ireneia sat on the bed, hair damp and loose, wearing only a bathrobe.
Leonard froze. He had imagined her waiting at the table, sipping wine. He hadn’t pictured this at all.
The wine’s still there on the table… so she didn’t drink it?
His eyes wandered there helplessly, avoiding her.
As if she knew exactly why he had turned to stone, Ireneia smiled mischievously and patted the space beside her.
“You’re not planning to stand there all night, are you?”
“Unfortunately… that’s not one of my talents.”
Why not? I wish it were.
Muttering under his breath, Leonard slowly walked toward the bed. His steps were stiff and awkward, like rusty hinges—yet somehow charming.
The moment he sat down, Ireneia pushed his shoulder playfully, knocking him onto the bed.
“What’s this? Letting me push you so easily? Aren’t you being too defenseless?”
“On my wedding night… what defenses should I have against my own bride?”
Flat on the bed, Leonard let his eyes trace the silver strands of her hair brushing his cheek. Then, in a swift move, he grabbed her waist and rolled over, pinning her beneath him.
“Didn’t you once say you liked rough men, my wife?”
“My husband still has a long way to go before he becomes the kind of rough man I like.”
“Then I’ll start by kissing you.”
Ireneia whispered as she pulled him down by the back of his neck. Their breaths blended into one as their lips met.
Chapter 54 is a repeat of 53