CHAPTER 05
Idris, who had been watching me with a hint of amusement, suddenly dropped the smile and asked,
“What do I gain by accepting this proposal?”
It was the question of a thorough businessman.
I laid down the first of the cards I’d prepared.
“One of the dowry assets I’ll be getting back after the divorce is a piece of land gifted by my mother. And that land contains a mine filled with magic stones.”
Under imperial law, if a couple divorced, the husband was obligated to return the wife’s dowry.
“If Your Highness helps me, I will supply you with magic stones from that mine—at the lowest possible price.”
Idris was known across the Empire as one of its wealthiest men.
But before that, he’d made a name for himself as a grand mage with overwhelming magical power.
Naturally, he had used his innate talents to build a thriving artifact business based on magic stones.
However, due to the extreme rarity of magic stones, supply could never meet demand, and his business had been struggling because of it.
That was one of the main reasons I’d chosen him as my partner for this “game.”
I had a card he would find hard to resist—magic stones.
“I’ve never heard the Farnese family owned a magic stone mine.”
“Pearls hidden in mud remain unseen… until the earth is turned.”
In my past life, Feydan had sold that very land at auction in a desperate rush to raise money, unaware it held a mine full of magic stones.
Even though I’d begged him not to sell that plot.
And then, when it was revealed that the land held magic stones, he regretted it so much he practically beat his chest in despair.
But in this life, I planned to get divorced before he ever had the chance to sell it—and retrieve the land for myself.
Until then, Feydan must never find out about the mine.
“Your most important card should always stay hidden until the very end.”
Of course, I couldn’t exactly tell Idris that I knew this because I’d come back from the future, so I made up a convenient excuse.
“That seems like an awfully high price to pay for revenge.”
“I’m not just asking Your Highness to pretend to be my lover.”
Oh?
His eyes said it all—curious, questioning.
I revealed my second goal.
“Since we’ll be publicly acting as a couple, I’d like you to invest in my future business ventures. Not all of them, of course. Just the ones you see potential in.”
“Then it sounds like this deal benefits you more than it benefits me.”
“No, Your Highness would stand to gain just as much.”
I replied with full confidence.
‘It might look like a proposal, but it’s really an opportunity I’m offering you.’
Whether he’d take my hand, recognize the future value I could bring, and build wealth with me—or let the chance slip away—was up to him.
Of course, not knowing about my regression or my capabilities, he might think this a ludicrous gamble.
“And besides, I hear you’ve been struggling with the artifact ignition issue.”
At the mention of it, Idris’ face darkened.
Recently, one of his newly developed artifacts had spontaneously combusted and burned down an entire storage building.
‘Though the problem will be resolved soon enough.’
Eventually, evidence will emerge proving that someone had intentionally triggered the explosion.
But for now, Idris had no such proof—so I intended to use this as leverage.
“If a scandal involving us breaks out, an incident like that will be buried in no time.”
People are far more interested in the messy personal lives of the famous than in complicated business issues.
“Then it’ll be you who ends up in the tabloids.”
“I don’t mind. I’d rather be hated than pitied or sympathized with.”
In my past life, Elize used the press to portray me as a villainess and herself as the poor, pitiful first love.
And despite the spin, some noblewomen still pitied me, knowing she had been the one to have an affair.
But if you ask me whether that pity ever helped me…
‘Not at all.’
I’d rather be the villain.
That way, no one would dare to pity or look down on me again.
Instead, they’d envy me, resent me, admire me from afar.
“You’re planning to start a business, right? Then your public image is important. Are you sure about this?”
“I have no choice but to be sure. After all, I’m going to be the woman chosen by the Grand Duke of Delua, aren’t I?”
With confidence, I added,
“Who would dare reject someone like that?”
Idris blinked, surprised for a moment—then burst into laughter.
“Amusing. A game like this… I can’t pass it up.”
It wasn’t the smug, detached smile from earlier.
It was a genuine laugh, from deep within.
And in that moment, I felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
‘That smile… it reminds me of someone…’
Hmm. Maybe I was just imagining things.
As I watched his unexpectedly harmless-looking smile, a faint memory tugged at the edge of my thoughts—
When suddenly, a knock interrupted us.
“Your Highness, may I come in? There’s something urgent.”
It was a voice I assumed belonged to his aide.
“Wait outside for a moment.”
I noticed Idris frown slightly at the interruption and figured now was a good time to excuse myself.
“Then I’ll take your acceptance of my proposal as confirmed and be on my way?”
“You catch on fast. I like that.”
Hearing what I had hoped for, I stood up with perfect timing.
“I look forward to working with you, Your Grace.”
As I stepped toward the door, ready to leave with proper courtesy—
A languid voice called out from behind me.
“Oh, Duchess.”
I turned around, only to find Idris already behind me, having risen from the couch and closed the distance in an instant.
“No, Leticia.”
Startled by how suddenly he was standing so close, I flinched without meaning to.
‘I had a feeling when he was sitting down, but he’s taller than I thought…’
And not just that.
Though his build was slim, he was broad-shouldered and tall—his mere presence looming over me was intimidating.
But I couldn’t afford to back down.
I met his gaze calmly and unflinchingly.
“Yes, Your Highness?”
A satisfied smile curved on his lips.
“When I agree to something, I see it through properly. So…”
With that husky voice, his infuriatingly handsome face leaned in closer.
His golden eyes, now so close I could feel his breath, glanced briefly over my eyes, nose… and then—
Shifted to my neck.
More precisely, the hair by the nape of my neck.
He reached out and gently twirled a strand of my hair between his large fingers, whispering,
“I don’t plan on playing at being lovers halfway.”
Then he brought that strand to his lips and kissed it as he murmured,
“Take care, my love.”
…In that moment, I wasn’t sure if I had chosen the perfect partner for this game—or made a terrible mistake.
After Leticia left, Idris’ aide, Heather, entered the room looking completely stunned.
“Your Highness, wasn’t that the Duchess of Farnese? What was she doing here—”
“What’s the urgent matter?”
“Oh! It’s about the artifact ignition incident. It looks like it wasn’t an accident—it was arson. A witness came forward saying they saw a man fleeing the warehouse at the time.”
“Is that so?”
Even with this crucial clue that could clear his name, Idris kept his eyes on the chessboard.
More specifically, on the lone white queen standing tall on the black side of the board.
“Whoever it was must have been careful to cover their tracks. But I guess they didn’t expect a witness. Shall we publish the suspect’s description in the newspaper and make a public announcement?”
That way, people would know Delua wasn’t to blame, and the situation wouldn’t spiral further.
Heather assumed Idris would agree immediately.
But his response was unexpected.
“No. Catch him as quietly as possible. No one must know.”
“…Sorry? But then people won’t realize the fire was intentional.”
“I’m going to start a scandal.”
At the word scandal, Heather’s eyes went wide.
“A s-scandal?! You don’t mean your scandal, do you…?”
Idris didn’t deny it.
Which, in his case, meant confirmation.
Heather looked completely horrified.
A scandal out of nowhere?!
Idris was always inscrutable, but this was beyond comprehension.
He had never been romantically involved with anyone publicly.
Barely managing to compose himself, Heather asked,
“S-So… who’s the other party?”
Idris picked up the white queen he had been staring at.
“The Duchess of Farnese.”
A curious smile played at his lips as he gazed at the piece in his hand.
