Chapter 7
As Violette nodded, indicating she understood their intentions, Narsia continued.
“They said they’ll hand over a territory in the northern region to us. You can manage it there and gain experience. There’s still some time before I enter the Tower, after all.”
“So, they want to test me until then.”
“Exactly.”
However, Violette scratched her cheek awkwardly. She sympathized with Narsia’s situation but had no intention of managing the territory on his behalf. Noticing her gloomy expression, Narsia quickly added:
“I know this sounds disadvantageous to you. Once I enter the Tower, it won’t matter if we divorce. Just one year. One year is all I need. Just maintain our marriage for that time.”
“Huh? Divorce is okay? Then what about the family?”
“You’d appoint a representative. Once I enter the Tower, they can’t forcibly take me back. They wouldn’t make me remarry another woman, right? And there are plenty of retainers who want the headship. So it doesn’t matter.”
“You really thought of everything, didn’t you.”
“I was desperate enough to do so.”
One year… Considering the Tower’s public recruitment cycle is four years, it was not much time. But the unexpected proposal made Violette pause, rubbing her chin in thought.
“Anyway, what you’re saying is that if I marry you, I’ll have to manage the territory. That’s even less appealing. I don’t want to work—I want to laze around, that’s why I avoided marriage.”
“True. Since it’s clearly disadvantageous to you, I want to compensate you separately.”
“Compensate? What compensation? You could just find another woman…”
Violette’s reaction to the word “compensation” was indifferent. She lacked nothing. The Marquis of Rascal’s family was wealthy, and her personal fortune, accumulated from countless big wins at casinos, was staggering.
She had no desire for power or wealth, so what could she want? Despite her lack of reaction, Narsia seemed to ponder something briefly.
“You know the Golginus casino? I’ll hand it over to you.”
“Huh?”
Violette’s eyes widened at the mention of Golginus, but Narsia didn’t stop there.
“And if you want, I’ll give you 30% ownership of the Karman racetrack. You like horse racing, don’t you?”
“W-well, yes…”
Golginus and the Karman racetrack! Violette’s mind raced. Even in the well-off Rascal Marquis household, she had never owned a casino or a racetrack.
Entertainment facilities like these required imperial approval and were only permitted to nobles of high rank. Though some private operations existed, Violette could never access them. Golginus, among all casinos in the empire, was the largest and most prestigious.
“So Golginus was Kegrainner-owned…”
“Didn’t you notice despite going there every day? You really only cared about the games, huh?”
“Haha…”
Violette gave an awkward smile. Now, more than ever, she was intrigued by this marriage.
If she could endure just one year, Golginus would be hers! And the Karman racetrack’s share meant substantial income.
‘Managing the territory for a year won’t be easy, but considering what comes after, it’s not a loss. Instead of forcing a breakup and waiting for my father’s nod to rebuild, it might be better to work just enough and enjoy myself. After a year, Golginus is mine! Plus, I have a reason to be at the casino—my father can’t say anything! This is amazing.’
Excited, Violette bit her lip, trying to calm herself. Narsia suddenly chuckled.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Nothing, I just… I think you’re showing the most thrilled expression I’ve ever seen.”
“It’s not that much.”
Despite his words, Violette’s ears tinged red at being read so accurately. Clearing her throat, she shrugged nonchalantly.
“How much management does the territory require?”
“Mostly managing the knights and the residents. There are fewer than five hundred people, so it’s not a large place. There’s no major business running, and an experienced steward has been managing it. You don’t need to worry—no one will starve if you make a mistake. Oh, and you’ve had succession lessons, right?”
“Of course. Who do you take me for?”
Violette frowned, and Narsia nodded slowly, seemingly relieved.
“Good, then…”
Just as Violette was about to give a positive answer about marriage, a name flashed through her mind: Tersso Ortier, the main character of this world and the cause of her delinquent lifestyle.
“Ah, but then Tersso…”
Her expression hardened. Focusing on breaking off the engagement, she had momentarily forgotten Tersso—the very reason she wanted to avoid marriage. She needed to avoid his attention, but Narsia would eventually become an inseparable friend.
‘No matter how much I like casinos, it’s not worth my life.’
Although disappointed, Violette resolved herself and cautiously spoke to refuse the proposal.
“I’m sorry, but no matter how I think about it…”
“Because of Prince Tersso? The man you’re avoiding is the prince, isn’t he?”
Violette, surprised that Narsia knew she was avoiding Tersso, slowly nodded.
“I heard you’ve liked the prince for a long time. I know you’ve been ruined trying to forget him, and I understand why you’d consider marrying me to move on.”
“Huh?”
“I don’t mind if you have a consort. If you want, we can write it into a contract. We’re not marrying for love, so no need to interfere. Even if you haven’t forgotten another man, I won’t care. Of course, immediately creating a consort after marriage is another matter.”
“No, it’s not that I haven’t forgotten Tersso…”
“You were using your married status to show you had forgotten him, and marrying me… isn’t that what you meant?”
Violette finally realized Narsia had misunderstood and frowned slightly. Simultaneously, a sharp thought occurred to her:
‘If I use this correctly, it could help me distance from Tersso.’
In the original story, Violette fell out of favor with Tersso because of her excessive clinginess.
‘And if I marry such a beauty, rumors that I haven’t forgotten Tersso will stop. I am a little worried about them getting close, but I can prevent that.’
She narrowed her eyes, carefully observing him. Narsia’s perfect appearance was enough to counter the rumors. If it spread that she genuinely loved Narsia, Tersso would no longer interfere.
‘Strange… I feel like I’ve had a similar thought before…’
Again, she felt that uncanny sense of déjà vu. As Violette pondered her hazy memory, Narsia spoke quietly.
“But there’s one thing you have to protect. If we marry, you’ll need to show a different side of yourself.”
“A different side?”
“You know about your reputation. During the marriage, I want you to reduce drinking and smoking and stop going to casinos. Can you do that?”
“What?”
Her mouth fell open at his shocking demand. One month, not even, one year?
“Ridiculous. If that were possible, I wouldn’t be living like this.”
“Your parents have expectations. But before we divorce, I’ll let you open a casino in your name, filled with your favorite games.”
“…You really know me well.”
His words were like a devilish temptation. One year, just one year, and all of it would be hers. Seeing Violette take him seriously, Narsia cautiously asked:
“Do you still want to break off the engagement?”
“Hmm…”
Violette stared at him. Between the Tower, territory management, and Tersso, it was a complex mess—but overall, it was a profitable marriage. After calculating everything, she nodded and extended her hand.
“Alright, let’s do it. A contractual marriage.”
Narsia smiled gently and took her hand. Without a shred of love, they decided to use each other to satisfy their respective desires.
And thus, Violette Rascal and Narsia Kegrainner’s secret contract marriage was finalized.
