Chapter 75………………………
“Marriage?”
It wasn’t just the mischievous kids behind the wall who were startled.
The person directly involved was the most shocked of all.
Pablo couldn’t even bring himself to look at Lloyd, his hands trembling uncontrollably.
In contrast, Minerva—the very one who had thrown everyone into shock—remained calm.
“There were talks of marriage before, weren’t there? I don’t think it’s something to be so surprised about.”
Clink. Minerva elegantly raised her teacup to her lips.
Someday the Grand Duke’s house will discover the Cat’s Eye mine.
Even without Minerva’s help, Cat’s Eye would eventually come to light—but the Grand Duke didn’t know that yet.
Cat’s Eye had an alluring charm, like the bewitching eyes of a cat.
The Grand Duke surely knew that charm too, which is why he sought the mine and eventually succeeded.
But not now.
Minerva was offering a path far easier than in the original story.
She would not only help him find Cat’s Eye but also bring him wealth—and even make him the husband of a princess.
That way, Priscilla could no longer treat him recklessly.
As if to say, “So what do you think about me?” Minerva gave a subtle smile, shrugging lightly.
Her demeanor almost made marriage seem like nothing at all. But no matter how you looked at it, marriage was no trivial matter.
Lloyd barely managed to collect himself, playing the role of the loyal retainer angry on behalf of his master.
“Your Highness, no matter what, that method is…!”
“Why not? There’s no deal more certain than marriage.”
Minerva spoke evenly, without batting an eye.
“Wasn’t this the method approved by both myself and the Grand Duke’s mother? My mother wanted to attach the Grand Duke to me to strengthen my authority. Lady Priscilla likely welcomed it to cover up the Grand Duke’s shortcomings. Neither he nor I wanted it at the time, of course.”
Her words ended with a faint, bitter sneer.
She had laughed at the futility of realizing that avoiding the “original” story didn’t actually mean she could escape it. But to Lloyd, it carried a different meaning.
“Right… she refused the marriage proposal back then because of Aslan’s biological father.”
The man Minerva once loved was now long gone.
Lloyd suddenly felt like he had committed the sin of touching a forbidden scar.
Minerva quickly smoothed her expression again, turning her gaze toward the white mask.
“Marriage doesn’t need to be thought of as something grand, Your Grace. Once both our goals are achieved, you and I will divorce.”
Take what you need from each other and go your separate ways.
Such simple words.
Minerva could say it so cleanly because she had only met the Grand Duke twice.
But Lloyd was different.
“So this is… one of those contract marriages I read about in novels.”
Fortunately, he had read Ayla’s books beforehand—otherwise, he might have fainted in shock.
How desperate must she be, to bury the husband she once loved in her heart, and propose a contract marriage to the very man she had once rejected?
He couldn’t begin to fathom her feelings.
As the silence stretched on, Minerva began to worry that she might be rejected. Her palms grew damp.
Not wanting to appear nervous, she straightened her back further and lifted her chin.
Yet both men stayed quiet, their eyes fixed on the ground.
With a small sigh, Minerva closed her eyes.
When they opened again, the green eyes staring out were no longer Minerva’s usual ones—but the eyes of a princess.
Perhaps deciding further talk was pointless, she rose to her feet.
“Let me know when you’ve decided. I expect a prompt response.”
After subtly warning them not to delay, she clicked her heels against the floor and walked out.
Lloyd, snapping out of his daze, hurried after her.
“Wait, Your Highness!”
“What is it?”
When Minerva turned slowly, her face looked weary.
She had never shown him such an expression before, and for a moment, Lloyd faltered.
But he didn’t want to give her false hope. Instead, he voiced a possibility.
“I understand that marriage is the most rational means for Your Highness in this situation. But as you know, the Grand Duke rarely even appears in public. I’m afraid he won’t be as much help as you expect…”
Minerva understood what Lloyd meant.
To the point that even in private settings, the Grand Duke spoke only through his aide.
Most people assumed it was arrogance. The sharper few might suspect a deeper mental issue.
Even so, Minerva needed him.
“I don’t make such proposals to people I think useless.”
At her firm words, Lloyd looked up.
Though she looked up at him, her words were as if rebuking him.
“Your master is not as pathetic as you think.”
Lloyd couldn’t believe her.
Did she really think that after seeing what she had seen?
He wanted to dismiss it as mere courtesy, yet his lips moved on their own.
“Why do you… think that?”
“Because he’s at least trying to escape Lady Priscilla, despite how terrifying she must be. He hasn’t completely given up. He takes in troublesome people like me and Aslan. Isn’t that brave? He’s already helping me greatly.”
Lloyd was at a loss for words.
Brave? It was the first time anyone had ever said that about him.
Hadn’t he always just run away?
Watching him struggle to understand, Minerva let out a small chuckle.
“And honestly, it’s also for Aslan. She said she wanted a father.”
“…What?”
His voice rose at the unexpected answer.
Realizing it sounded abrupt, Minerva recalled a recent memory.
“Do you remember the day Sir Mente brought her a pile of gifts?”
“Yes, I do…”
Of course he remembered—the gift he had given Minerva that day still shone brightly before his eyes.
“The day he left, Aslan said it. That she wanted a father.”
“…She did?”
Lloyd was stunned.
He had never imagined Aslan thought that way.
She was always so cheerful, even when she nearly fell out of a tree—never crying, always brave.
She had always looked perfectly content as long as she had her mother.
Though Minerva smiled as she said it now, Lloyd couldn’t imagine how much her heart must have hurt at the time.
Feeling guilty for even asking, he didn’t know what to do.
Minerva smiled faintly, as if to say she was fine, and continued.
“As you know, Aslan has no father right now. I was never married. If I return to the palace like this with her… you know what will happen.”
Of course.
With a pained expression, Lloyd nodded slightly.
No one would know who the father was.
It would stain Minerva’s honor heavily, becoming a major obstacle in her struggle for the throne.
More than that—
“No matter how strong she seems, if people keep bringing up her father’s absence, eventually…”
“Yes. Aslan will be deeply hurt.”
Minerva nodded.
Protecting Aslan from that pain was as important as ensuring her survival.
“All I want from the Grand Duke is one thing. Just lend me his name. With a princess and a grand duke as her protectors, who would dare torment my daughter?”
Her lips trembled faintly as she smiled.
Though she looked on the verge of tears, Minerva did not cry.
Seeing that smile, Lloyd’s own face contorted as though he might cry for her. He bowed his head deeply.
“I will make sure His Grace hears your words…”
“Thank you. That’s all.”
With a brief nod, Minerva turned sharply away.
Sensing that Lloyd was still watching her, she deliberately avoided returning to her room.
She walked down the hall for some time, turned a corner—then stopped.
Her loud heels suddenly fell silent as she slumped against the wall.
“Hhk…!”
A sob escaped her lips, and she quickly covered her mouth.
After a while, she heard Lloyd’s footsteps, then fading into the distance.
Peeking down the hallway, she saw he was gone.
Seems my appeal worked, huh?
Judging by his words and expression, things seemed to be going well.
Lloyd, raising a child alone just like she was, must have empathized.
Pity—that was the hidden card Minerva had saved for last.
Sliding down to sit on the floor, she let out a wry laugh.
A contract marriage…
Even to herself, it was such a ridiculous idea.
Who would’ve thought she’d one day make such a proposal?
She pulled off her gloves, damp and cold with sweat.
Her open palms were pale white.
She buried her face in them.
Her shoulders trembled as she crouched there.
So this is how it turned out in the end…
If things went well, Aslan would become the Grand Duke Eckhardt’s adopted daughter.
Far earlier than in the original story.
Aslan’s circumstances would become far too similar to what they once were.
And Minerva felt betrayed—by the very man she had just spoken so matter-of-factly with.
It was as if time had stopped around her alone.
After a long silence, she slowly lowered her hands.
Cold, merciless eyes were revealed.
Minerva lifted her head high, let out one last hollow laugh, and walked away.
