If You Want To Possess Me (9 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 16
“…Yes, Father.”
She barely restrained herself from immediately asking what had happened. Since she and Seyard had much to discuss alone, her priority was to take him somewhere where no one could overhear.
“Please escort him to the rear garden.”
Count Bansfeldt gave this instruction to his daughter, then briefly explained his reasoning to Seyard.
“It may not rival the Duke’s garden, but the Bansfeldt garden is worth seeing.”
Of course, this was merely a surface reason. From the Count’s study, the entire rear garden lay clearly visible below—meaning he intended to keep watch over her and Seyard to ensure they did nothing improper when alone.
“I appreciate your kindness. I am quite curious to see this splendid place.”
Clever as he was, Seyard likely saw through the ruse, yet he readily accepted the Count’s suggestion.
“This way, Your Grace.”
After exchanging a brief glance with her father, Kisa led Seyard along the path.
“Oh, Miss! Where are you off to?”
“Hmm, just to the rear garden.”
“…Ah, of course! Please go ahead!”
On their way to the rear gate, they encountered several servants. Each one cast a fleeting glance at Seyard before quickly bowing in respect. The Count must have strictly silenced everyone around him—none of them even guessed Seyard’s true identity.
‘So that’s why he came in an unmarked carriage.’
By the time this thought crossed her mind, they had reached the rear garden. Seyard slowly turned around, taking in the vivid spring blossoms welcoming them from every direction.
“It truly is a magnificent garden, Kisa.”
Not “Miss Kisa”—just “Kisa.” Unlike earlier, this was no act. Confirming they were completely alone, Kisa fixed her gaze on him.
“How did your talk with Father go? Did he give his consent to our marriage?”
At her question, Seyard gently lifted the corners of his lips.
“I’ve laid out some bait, but I can’t be certain how Father will respond.”
“Bait?”
“There’s something of that nature.”
She pressed him a few more times, but each time he skillfully evaded her questions. Perhaps Seyard had offered the Bansfeldt house some significant benefit—land, money—as a condition for their marriage? The thought gnawed at her incessantly.
“Could you just tell me?”
“It’s nothing extraordinary. I merely suggested that House Hiran might offer some modest assistance to your family’s business.”
“Some modest assistance,” he said. If Seyard put it that way, it probably was. In truth, from his perspective, there was no need to pay an excessive price for a political marriage—after all, their union was purely one of mutual benefit.
“Anyway, let’s wait and see. Your father seemed deep in thought.”
Did that mean there was hope? As relief washed over her, Kisa was gently urged by the man to stroll casually—to make their walk appear genuine so the Count wouldn’t grow suspicious.
Side by side, they walked along the garden path.
With the most urgent question resolved, Kisa’s curiosity turned to a more fundamental matter.
“How on earth did this happen? Could it truly be that Seyard was… No, I’m sorry—Your Grace…”
“You may still call me Seyard as before.”
“R-really?”
“Yes, I’d very much prefer it. Honestly, that grand title of ‘Duke’ still feels unfamiliar to me.”
“Ah, I suppose that makes sense. Still, I never dreamed Seyard was Duke Hiran.”
He lowered his gaze, as if in regret.
“I’m sorry. But I never meant to deceive you specifically.”
“I understand. You simply went along with my wish to keep my family hidden.”
“Precisely. And beyond that, I worried you might refuse my proposal if you learned too much about my status or circumstances.”
“Me?”
“I heard you were close with the Princess.”
Ah—so he feared Kisa might prioritize her friendship with the Princess over their engagement. Though, in truth, that was highly unlikely.
Kisa did care for the Princess and served her loyally as nobility, but she had never once felt they were true friends. A real friendship required some measure of equality, which their relationship utterly lacked. At a recent tea party, the Princess had even brazenly exposed Kisa’s private shame.
Kisa couldn’t say for certain why the Princess had done it—perhaps she genuinely believed it was for Kisa’s own good, or perhaps she had hidden motives.
All Kisa knew for sure was that she could never again feel the same naive fondness toward the Princess.
“It’s all right. To gain what you want, you must accept some loss.”
Right now, her foremost goal was breaking off her engagement to Daniel. For that, she would set aside all other considerations.
“Still, when I saw you at our house today, I nearly fainted.”
“How embarrassing.”
“Um… but how did you discover my family? Did I let something slip?”
“Well, actually, on both days I met you at the library, I noticed a Bansfeldt carriage waiting nearby. Few nobles linger long at the library, so it caught my eye.”
“Oh… I see. Even I think it was terribly clumsy of me—rather embarrassing.”
Why hadn’t she considered he might see their carriage, boldly emblazoned with their family crest? Flustered, her face burning, she hastily changed the subject.
“Still, when you first gave me those opera tickets—was today’s meeting already in your mind?”
“Yes. Proposing to someone I hadn’t even met would seem utterly absurd. I wanted to create a plausible point of connection.”
Seyard stopped walking and turned to Kisa with a faint smile.
“Doesn’t it sound rather convincing? A naive young duke, visiting the opera house by chance, sees the most beautiful woman he’s ever laid eyes on, falls hopelessly in love, and proposes on the spot.”
“Huh?”
“It’s a wildly impulsive and reckless decision—but considering my background, it’s not entirely incomprehensible. Most people wouldn’t expect someone raised in a monastery to possess noble refinement. And throughout history, across all eras and places, men have often made rash choices when bewitched by beauty…”
No—that wasn’t the issue. Hadn’t he just declared, with utter calm, that she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen? His tone was so matter-of-fact she’d momentarily thought he was talking about someone else.
“What’s wrong, Kisa?”
Noticing her silence, Seyard tilted his head curiously.
“Just now, you said…”
“Just now?”
Kisa opened and closed her mouth, then shook her head.
“It’s nothing. Please forget it.”
She couldn’t bring herself to ask. Merely recalling his words made her wish for a mousehole to vanish into.
Had Seyard openly flirted like the countless men she’d met before, she wouldn’t feel so flustered.
But his declaration—that she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen—had been delivered with utter simplicity.
Occasionally, someone charming would weave flattery as naturally as water mixing with water—but even then, such compliments usually carried a touch of metaphor. Seyard’s words, however, had been strikingly direct, almost blunt. Had it been anyone else, Kisa would have scoffed inwardly.
“I see. Well then, shall we continue walking?”
She watched the man stride ahead with his usual composed demeanor, wondering what motive lay behind those words. Though of course, his back revealed nothing of his true thoughts.
They exchanged a few more words afterward, all concerning their contractual marriage, but she sensed no romantic tension whatsoever.
“Kisa, shall we first establish a few fundamental principles regarding our agreement?”
They ultimately agreed on the following terms:
First, they would maintain their marital relationship for a mutually agreed-upon period.
Second, once that period ended, either party could request a divorce.
Third, during their marriage, both would faithfully fulfill their roles as spouses.
Fourth, however, those spousal duties would not include any sexual relations.
For now, they settled on these basics and decided to draft a detailed contract together at their next meeting.
Some time passed. Suddenly checking his pocket watch, Seyard said it was time for him to leave.
“If I stay much longer, your father will send someone.”
“Oh, then let me see you to the front gate—”
“No need. The wind’s rather chilly.”
He insisted firmly that Kisa return indoors first.
“Kisa, don’t worry. Everything will work out.”
These were his final words as he watched her head back toward the mansion. She returned to her room, hoping his words would come true.
From her window, she watched the guest depart in his black carriage—watched for a long, long while.
[This is the timeline separator]Four days had already passed since Seyard’s secret visit. Nothing unusual had occurred at the Bansfeldt townhouse.
Daniel remained Kisa’s fiancé, and the Count still hadn’t revealed his thoughts to his daughter.
Once, during a shared meal, she’d subtly tried to probe his intentions—but the Count’s lips remained firmly sealed.
At least one hopeful sign remained: just as Seyard had said, the Count did seem deeply preoccupied with something.
Kisa prayed fervently that his deliberations would conclude in her favor.
But there was one persistent interruption to her prayers.
“Miss! How much longer do you plan to ignore Master Daniel’s gift?”
It was her nanny, who for the past several days had been insisting Kisa try on the dress Daniel had sent. She let out a weary sigh.
“What if your measurements have changed even slightly? You must try it on early enough to alter or replace it!”
“It doesn’t matter. I won’t wear it anyway.”
“Again, again! Acting like a stubborn child! Honestly, what’s suddenly gotten into you?”
Arms crossed, the nanny looked utterly resolved.
“I’ll have no choice but to inform the Count.”
“What?”
“He should know that you’ve been acting strangely lately.”
“No!”
Kisa hurriedly chased after the nanny, who was already storming out of the room. She couldn’t let her disturb the Count, who was undoubtedly preoccupied with weighty matters.
But unfortunately, the Count happened to be walking down the hallway right outside Kisa’s bedroom at that very moment.
“My lord! Please listen—Master Daniel sent a dress, but Miss refuses to…”
The Count stood silently, watching as the nanny spilled every detail before Kisa could stop her. When the nanny finally finished, he replied flatly,
“Let the girl do as she pleases.”
“Certainly! Let Miss do as she ple—”
At that instant, the nanny’s eyes widened in shock.
“W-what did you just say?”
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
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