I Have A Terminally Ill Duke As My Husband (1 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 2
“Mer, what do you mean by that?”
“I said I’ll become a duchess with a six-month term, just as Mother wishes. But in return, if I don’t conceive a child within those six months and leave the ducal household, I want to live independently. After all, according to imperial law, a noble daughter is allowed to live on her own once she reaches adulthood. So please don’t interfere with where I choose to go.”
“D—do you really mean to cut ties with me right now?”
“You already have Lucianne. And wouldn’t it be better for her marriage prospects if the daughter who became a widow stays at the viscount’s estate?”
Mercian watched Penelope’s astonished expression and briefly allowed herself a glimmer of hope.
Even if it were just empty words, she wished Penelope would say, “You’re still my daughter—please come back to the viscount’s house…”
Penelope fell into silent thought after hearing Mercian’s words.
Though she hadn’t told Mercian, the actual contract terms from the ducal household were to find a six-month-term duchess, with a dowry of 250 gold coins and a monthly payment of 100 gold coins during those six months. If no child was born before the duke’s death, an additional 250 gold coins would be given as consolation money.
It was Penelope who had requested to change those terms—asking to receive all 500 gold coins upfront as dowry and have the monthly payments of 100 gold coins sent to the viscount’s household instead of directly to Mercian.
She hadn’t expected the ducal household to accept her conditions, but now that Mercian wouldn’t receive any money herself, Penelope reasoned that Mercian’s presence as a widow could indeed hinder Lucianne’s future—so there was no reason to keep her around.
After finishing her thoughts, Penelope slowly nodded and replied,
“Yes, now that I think about it, that makes sense too. A prestigious family might hold it against her, so since you’re of age, it wouldn’t be bad to live as you wish. Go ahead and handle it as you see fit.”
Of course. What did I even expect from Mother?
Truly, I’m nothing more than a child she never truly cared for…
Though Mercian felt wounded again by that faint flicker of desperate hope, she forced a smile as if nothing was wrong and said,
“So you’re promising me, then?”
“Yes, I understand. Then I’ll proceed with the marriage arrangements right away.”
“…What? Proceed with the marriage? I thought you just meant to submit the marriage proposal?”
“Oh dear! Didn’t I tell you? The marriage proposal has already been submitted. And fortunately, the ducal household accepted it. A steward should be arriving tomorrow, so please refrain from overindulging today and tomorrow. It would be awkward if he saw you and decided to call off the marriage, wouldn’t it?”
Mercian watched Penelope leave the garden with a bright smile, and for the first time, she felt her appetite vanish completely.
The next day.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lady. My name is Cassel, steward to Duke Luan Canoluph. I sincerely apologize for not being able to come in person today, but due to the duke’s poor health, I’ve come on his behalf.”
“Oh, that’s perfectly understandable! Ho ho ho! Everyone in the empire knows how unwell the duke has been. Since you’ve come today to discuss the marriage, there’s no need to feel troubled about sending someone in his stead.”
Penelope greeted Cassel with barely concealed glee as she admired the jewels and dresses he had brought.
Ah, it’s really true—I’m being sold off for money.
Seeing Penelope happily inspecting the gifts, Mercian felt such complicated emotions that tears nearly welled up in her eyes.
If Father were still alive, he would never have allowed such an absurd marriage…
Even if, as Penelope claimed, Mercian would remain unmarried for the rest of her life.
“My lady, are you upset that it was I who came instead of the duke himself?”
From the moment Cassel had introduced himself upon entering, Mercian had been sitting with a dissatisfied expression, so he asked her directly. Mercian shook her head and replied,
“No, it’s just that the gifts are overly generous.”
“I heard that young ladies preparing for marriage usually need many things. If anything is lacking, I’ll gladly send more.”
“No, this is more than enough.”
After all, these things have nothing to do with me anyway.
Cassel quietly observed Mercian, who looked utterly indifferent toward the many gifts he’d brought.
.
.
.
Rumors spread that Luan had been given only six months to live and was seeking a bride on a six-month term to secure an heir.
Countless marriage proposals poured in from noble families across the empire.
Unlike Cassel, who insisted on selecting a daughter from a family matching the ducal household’s prestige, Luan chose the Beannoman viscount’s family—a house that had fallen into decline.
After Viscount Charles Beannoman died in an accident several years ago, their status had crumbled to the point where they retained only their noble title but lived no better than commoners.
Cassel, unable to comprehend Luan’s decision, asked in confusion,
“Are you truly serious about proposing to this family? What about the elder daughter?”
“Isn’t the marriage proposal addressed to the younger daughter?”
“Certainly, the proposal names the younger daughter—but from what I’ve learned, the elder daughter outshines her in every aspect.”
Hearing this, Luan chuckled and held up the marriage proposal.
“Cassel, think carefully. Suppose you had two daughters from a fallen house. Which one would you give away—the beautiful, beloved daughter you cherish deeply, or the slightly lacking one?”
“Of course, the slightly lacking one. But still!”
“Enough. Since I’ll only live six more months, what does it matter? Just go ahead with this daughter.”
But weren’t you the one who scrutinized every single proposal, saying this family’s unsuitable and that one’s no good?
Seeing Cassel’s aggrieved expression, Luan sighed impatiently,
“Send the formal marriage proposal to the viscount’s household tomorrow and arrange the wedding as soon as possible. There’s no point delaying something that must be done. And prepare my funeral arrangements for six months from now.”
“Yes, understood.”
At Cassel’s reply, Luan stood up with a weary expression.
.
.
.
“Oh my! Mother, what is all this?”
Startled out of his thoughts, Cassel looked up to see a breathtakingly beautiful young lady descending slowly from the second floor—like a goddess made flesh.
So this must be the famed lady.
They say she’s the most beautiful noble daughter in the empire—and clearly, the rumors aren’t exaggerated.
But if her elder sister looks like this, the younger sister must suffer terribly in comparison.
Cassel glanced between Lucianne and Mercian.
Both had brown hair, yet they were strikingly different.
Mercian had a slightly plump, girlishly cute appearance, while Lucianne possessed a delicate frame, undeniable beauty, and the aura of a mature woman—enough to captivate anyone’s attention.
Moreover, her grace as she walked stirred an unconscious urge in Cassel to rush up the stairs and escort her by the hand.
“Lucy, come quickly! The ducal household has sent so many gifts for Mer today! Look at this necklace—it suits you perfectly! And this dress too…”
Cassel stared in disbelief as Penelope and Lucianne rummaged through the items meant for Mercian as if they belonged to Lucianne, while Mercian herself paid no attention to the gifts, seemingly used to this behavior.
What’s going on? These are clearly meant for the younger daughter—why are they acting as if these gifts are theirs?
He’d heard rumors before arriving that the viscountess doted especially on her elder daughter, but he hadn’t expected it to be this blatant.
Anyone watching might assume the younger daughter was born out of wedlock.
.
.
.
“So it’s a six-month marriage contract, correct?”
Cassel smiled as he watched Mercian read the contract and asked,
“Yes, my lady. Of course, if you conceive a child within this period, you’ll remain in the ducal household as duchess to raise the child until they come of age and inherit the dukedom. The child’s gender doesn’t matter. If no child is born, you may leave the ducal household after six months as per the contract.”
So if I simply don’t conceive, I’ll be free in six months?
As Mercian read the contract, an unexpected flutter of excitement stirred within her.
“Alright, agreed. When will the wedding be?”
Cassel’s expression turned slightly apologetic as he answered Mercian’s question,
“The duke wishes to hold it as soon as possible, given his limited time. But if you prefer, we can allow more time for preparations.”
What’s the point? Whether I marry tomorrow or a month from now, everything will end in six months anyway.
“No, I’d also prefer to marry as soon as the duke wishes. And—”
“And?”
Mercian glanced at Penelope and Lucianne, who were completely absorbed in the gifts, showing no interest whatsoever in her conversation with Cassel, and then said,
“If no child is conceived within six months and His Grace passes away, I will absolutely leave the ducal household.”
“What?”
Did I hear that wrong?
In truth, Cassel had been worried Mercian might insist on remaining as duchess despite the temporary arrangement, given that this was a legal marriage—even if no child was born.
He’d assumed she’d accept the dowry and consolation money upfront to help her family financially, then settle permanently as duchess…
But she’s just saying she’ll leave?
Is she planning to take the dowry and consolation money, help improve her family’s situation during the marriage, and then return to the viscount’s estate afterward?
Yet judging by how Penelope and Lucianne appeared utterly indifferent toward Mercian, that hardly seemed likely.
[This is the timeline separator]“My lady, since the original contract already specifies a six-month term as duchess, it might not be necessary to state it again.”
“No, please include it explicitly. Who knows—maybe I’ll change my mind later?”
“Change your mind”…
Looking at Mercian’s expressionless face, Cassel was absolutely certain she would never go back on her word.
If anyone were likely to renege, it would be Penelope—who was completely distracted by the gifts and showed no concern for Mercian.
“If that’s what you wish, I’ll include it in the contract.”
“Thank you. Then, are we all done?”
“Ah, yes. But my lady, may I ask—why didn’t you inquire about the dowry or consolation money?”
“Oh, Mother already explained the dowry to me. And as for the consolation money… I don’t really feel entitled to it. The dowry alone is sufficient.”
Does she not realize she’s already been given the combined sum of dowry and consolation money?
Just as Cassel looked puzzled and opened his mouth to speak, Penelope approached with a smile and said,
“I’ve already fully explained the dowry matters, so there’s no need for further details. Please be sure to convey my thanks to the duke for the gifts.”
“Ah, yes, Viscountess. Then I’ll proceed with the marriage arrangements between the duke and your younger daughter. I’ll contact you again regarding dress fittings and other matters.”
After Cassel left, Penelope smiled at Mercian and said,
“Mer, look at all this! They’ve sent so many wedding gifts—it really was a good decision to marry the duke, don’t you think?”
“Mother, don’t forget—if no child is born in six months…”
“Don’t worry. I absolutely won’t hold you back. Anyone would think the viscount’s estate would collapse without you!”
“Mother, stop it! Hasn’t she always behaved this way? Honestly, it’s lucky she even understands her own position. And don’t feel too bitter about me taking all these things. They wouldn’t suit you at all, and besides, once I marry into a good family thanks to these, I’ll give you some travel money for when you eventually leave for the countryside.”
Hearing Lucianne speak so condescendingly—as if everything already belonged to her—while trying on the jewels and dresses as though bestowing charity, Mercian felt anger rise within her. But she suppressed it and replied calmly,
“Lucy, I appreciate your kind words, but I’ll decline. I don’t want anything, so please don’t worry about me.”
“Really, Mer? I’m doing this for your sake as your elder sister, and this is how you take it? How do you plan to survive in the countryside with nothing?”
With nothing?
After receiving all these generous gifts, you’re telling me you won’t give me a single coin for my future when I leave for the countryside in six months?
“What are you waiting for? Hurry up and move these to Lucy’s room!”
Despite Penelope’s sharp urging, Mercian knew that if she stayed any longer, tears would fall—so without another word, she quickly hurried back to her room.
Male lead is reincarnated to save his wife
I’ve also read this one twice already. The female lead is kinda soft and gets embarrassed easily—not really my type, but the plot is definitely worth reading. Hurry up and read it, y’all!
Intro
When Shen Yuan encountered Su Jin again in his previous life, she had already become the Prime Minister of the current dynasty. As for him, the former top young master of the capital, he had long since fallen into the abyss, becoming a singer on a pleasure boat.
After a song ended, he was redeemed and sent to the Su Residence.
Su Jin respected and cherished him, gave him a roof over his head, and bestowed him with warmth. Shen Yuan fell deeper and deeper, but before he could express his feelings, Su Jin passed away.
Shen Yuan died to follow her in death, but instead, he returned to when he was fifteen years old.
At that time, he was not yet engaged, and Su Jin was just a poor scholar.
Shen Yuan gritted his teeth, casting aside all his pride, and thought of ways to coax and entice her every day.
The colder and more indifferent Su Jin was towards him, the more proactive Shen Yuan became.
He was not afraid of being mocked by the world, only wanting to marry his Wife-master early, to hold her hand and never let go for a lifetime.
[Note: This story will not specifically point out the male lead’s reincarnation time point; it’s all in the details. Whenever you feel that the male lead is acting strangely, he has most likely been reincarnated.]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
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