CHAPTER 02
“Cough.”
Clea covered her mouth and widened her eyes.
Startled by her suddenly elevated view, she placed her hands on his shoulders to push him away.
‘…Is this what Clea Lino truly wants?’
For whatever reason, Grand Duke Dittroy had personally touched her. It was bewildering, but perhaps not a bad situation after all.
‘And honestly… it’s kind of comfortable.’
Her stamina wasn’t being drained.
Though she would continue to cough up blood until her stamina recovered, at least it wasn’t decreasing just from walking.
Having finished her calculations, Clea relaxed her body.
‘Maybe alcohol was too much…’
They had made a promise, so she figured she should have at least one drink…
But who knew what might happen if she did? Clea brushed her face with her palm, contemplating.
“If you’re unwell, you should be examined by a physician.”
“…Haha.”
Clea laughed awkwardly and looked away.
If it were a disease that could be cured with treatment, she would have done so already. The problem was that this body couldn’t be fixed so easily.
“This isn’t a laughing matter. You seem to cough up blood often. If it continues, you’ll die.”
“……”
Stung by the accurate observation, she turned her gaze away.
Well, the condition she planned to propose to him also hinged on this body being close to death.
“It’s a chronic illness I’ve had since childhood. I have a weak heart, so when I overexert myself, I sometimes can’t walk properly. I recently stopped taking my medicine briefly, and it got worse… but I’ll be fine once I take it again.”
“Is that so? Even though you’re coughing up blood?”
“Oh, this… the physician said it was just bad blood coming out. I’ve lived with this illness for 23 years—it’s nothing new. I’ve been fine until now, haven’t I?”
Clea casually let the lie roll off her tongue.
Of course, it made no medical sense to be coughing up blood from a heart condition.
She only realized that after speaking.
But in this era, not many people were well-versed in medicine.
Grand Duke Dittroy, too, nodded without much suspicion.
Besides, if it was a chronic condition she’d had since childhood, it didn’t seem like something he should interfere with.
If it hadn’t been a big problem for 23 years, he assumed she could handle it herself.
He brushed the matter aside.
“Let’s finish this tedious talk quickly. It’s a 20-minute ride to the Grand Duke’s mansion.”
“Please marry me.”
“I’ve already declined that offer. If this is just a continuation of that conversation, I’ll take you back home.”
He replied with a bored expression.
Clea shook her head urgently.
She’d finally secured a chance to talk—she couldn’t waste it now.
“I don’t mean for life!”
“What?”
“I just need you to live with me as if we’re truly married for six months.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Grand Duke Dittroy frowned and asked again.
Clea took a deep breath. Fortunately, her coughing had subsided now that her stamina had recovered.
“I’m proposing a six-month contract marriage with Your Grace.”
She spoke with firm eyes. The corner of the Grand Duke’s lips twisted.
The scoff that escaped clearly conveyed his disbelief and astonishment.
His gaze said it all—he regretted coming.
“I’ll take you back to the Count’s residence.”
“After six months! I’ll leave with the divorce papers in hand. Just live with me like a real married couple for that time.”
“Ridiculous. What benefit is there for me? Do I have any reason to agree?”
He crossed his arms and threw a sharp look at her.
The sheer force of his murderous gaze pressed down on Clea like a crushing weight.
[Aura of intimidation has been activated. You cannot endure the opponent’s killing intent. Organ activity limited to 80%.]
Damn this wretched body!
Breathing was physically painful now. Clea clenched her fists tightly.
“I’ll give you all of the Lino family’s fortune—and the entire territory. If you don’t believe me, I’ll even draft a contract.”
Clea met his gaze, forcing herself to speak calmly to avoid raising her voice.
Grand Duke Dittroy’s expression became strange.
Even putting aside the wealth, the Lino lands held numerous mines. Many coveted the rights to them, which the Lino family tightly controlled.
“You want to marry me that badly?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s say I accept the fortune. You said you’d divorce me in six months. Then what will you do after that?”
“…I’ve made some rough plans. Besides, it’s not like I can use that money anyway.”
She—or rather, this body—would be dead soon.
As long as he kept the promise for half a year, she intended to die quietly somewhere alone.
Not that she’d tell anyone that.
“Is it because women can’t inherit titles?”
“Ah… well, that too.”
Her vague answer made his eyes narrow slightly.
She didn’t seem to love him that much.
‘Is she scheming something?’
Whatever it was, there was nothing she could take from him.
‘We’ve been having trouble with weapons and armor production—this could be good.’
If he could monopolize the mines, the Grand Duchy’s storage would be well-stocked.
Even with lowered tax rates, governing the territory would be much easier.
No matter how he saw it, this was a deal that heavily favored him.
Grand Duke Dittroy didn’t deliberate long.
“Fine. If you write a contract recognized by the Imperial Family or a similar authority, I’ll agree.”
“Please also include in the contract that you’ll maintain a proper married life for six months.”
“I promise.”
“Then it’s a deal… I look forward to working with you.”
Finally, Clea relaxed, having received his confirmation.
“Let’s talk more at my mansion—over the drink you brought.”
“Yes.”
Exhausted, she leaned back against the carriage seat. Then she opened the window and looked outside.
‘…Honestly, even lasting six months is a stretch.’
She had about five and a half months left.
‘He’ll be even happier if I end it early.’
With that thought, she fixed her gaze on the dusky scenery and slowly closed her eyes.
The carriage sped down the paved road, carrying the two of them.
“…Ugh.”
Her body shook. Her head was spinning.
Feeling something rise up inside her, Clea reflexively covered her mouth and opened her eyes wide.
“Finally awake? You slept so deeply. We arrived more than twenty minutes ago.”
“Ah… I’m sorry. I must’ve been more tired than I thought.”
Clea quickly smiled to hide her panic.
Winning his favor came first. It would be disastrous if he changed his mind because of her attitude.
[HP 1208 / 1210]
Her stamina recovered rapidly when she slept. The problem was, she sometimes slipped into sleep so deep she couldn’t control it.
She was starting to understand what the Demon King meant when he said, “Your body is breaking down.”
“Can you walk?”
“Yes.”
The carriage was parked right in front of the mansion, and her stamina was nearly full, so 400 steps wouldn’t be an issue.
With a much lighter expression, she jumped down from the carriage—ah, no…
“Gah—!”
It wasn’t that high, so she jumped down like she used to—but her insides twisted painfully.
Clea clutched her stomach in agony and quickly lifted her head.
[HP 808 / 1210]
Cancel. Cancel. Cancel everything.
She took it all back!
She couldn’t walk. Two steps and she’d be coughing up blood again.
If she drank alcohol in that state, the red wine would taste like actual blood. A blood-wine disaster.
“Acting Count Lino, are you alright?”
Flooded with worst-case scenarios, Clea turned pale.
Standing stiffly in place, she twisted at the waist to look back.
Then she beamed brightly.
“Carry me, Your Grace.”
“…What?”
“You’ll be doing it often from now on, so you’d better get used to it.”
She said shamelessly.
The Grand Duke, arms crossed, looked displeased for a moment—then noticed her trembling legs and sighed briefly.
“If you’re marrying me, I recommend finding a physician first.”
He picked her up effortlessly.
Feeling the firm strength in his muscular arms, Clea’s eyes widened slightly.
Still in his arms, she looked up and studied his face carefully.
His striking silver-gray hair and red eyes suited his infamous reputation as a war fanatic.
Toned muscles, pale skin, sharp features—and honestly, even his low, resonant voice was nice to hear.
He wasn’t overly bulky for someone called a battle maniac.
Nor was he particularly huge. Yet the parts of him that touched her while being carried were packed with muscle.
‘Is this what they mean by a fruit packed full to the core?’
With such a silly thought, Clea closed her eyes.
Grand Duke Dittroy looked down at the woman peacefully closing her eyes in his arms and let out a chuckle.
Her body was weaker than a crawling infant, yet her guts were huge.
Closing her eyes so shamelessly while relying on him—his brow furrowed.
