“So, stop boiling inside and answer me. It would be better if it’s on the positive side.”

Cahilin crossed his fingers and adjusted them. Behind the usual relaxed purple eyes, there was a hint of anxiety.

The uneasiness that I might be rejected was hinted at. Regardless of the situation, I felt his genuine desire to marry me.

To topple the original work with Floria as the protagonist, I needed to follow Cahilin’s words and help him marry me to ascend to the throne.”
However, I hesitated to answer. The fear of death was still greater than the guilt, but for some reason, I couldn’t speak.

“…It seems like you’re taking advantage of my sincerity.”

“I said it doesn’t matter.”

“Is it okay for you if I don’t like you?”

“That’s a bit harsh.”

Cahilin responded playfully, holding his heart with one hand, all while gripping my fingers tighter, looking down at me with a considerable height difference.

“If it’s okay with you, let’s get married.”

Cahilin’s eyes widened. Before he could speak, I quickly added a clue.

“Only until you ascend to the throne.”

“What are you talking about?”

Cahilin narrowed his eyes. It was an expression that clearly showed he didn’t like what he heard. I spoke coldly.

“Right now, you need marriage to ascend to the throne, and I need the power to restrain Floria. Our interests align well. So, if you’re okay with it, I want to get married.”

Becoming the prince’s wife could protect me from Floria. Although I could make the maid at the 1st Prince’s palace disappear without a trace, I couldn’t do the same to the prince’s wife of a country.

“But I don’t want to be a queen. I want to live freely outside the palace.”

I felt sorry for using Cahilin, but for him, meeting someone with whom he could share love rather than spending a lifetime with me, who had no feelings, would be better.

I understand that it’s a very selfish thought. However, since the moment of possession, my goal, which was annoyingly entangled with the original work, was always to leave the palace and live safely and freely.

“It’s a mutually beneficial relationship. Disgustingly cold justice.”

Cahilin raised his eyebrows with an annoyed expression.

“Don’t you like it? If you don’t, there’s another way…”

“Who said I don’t like it?”

Cahilin, who cut me off with a sharp remark, stretched his lips for a long time.

“Okay, let’s give it a try. A relationship with a lot of complicated understanding.”

Cahilin suddenly pulled the hand he was holding. In an instant, I was half-embraced, looking up at him.

He smiled with a smirk, and his expression seemed somewhat challenging. My neck felt chilly under the gaze that seemed to be watching a fish caught in a net.

I tried to break free from his embrace, but Cahilin didn’t budge. Instead, his firm grip made me feel like something was wrong.

But now, it was a situation where I couldn’t resist.

“So, is our contract marriage starting today?”

Cahilin revealed his teeth with a grin.

A few days later.

I took a long breath in front of Floria’s visit. My heart still trembled at the thought of what happened inside this room.

Cahilin seemed thoroughly displeased. His eyes showed anxiety as if he was worried about what might happen to me.

As if acknowledging my stubbornness, he held out a ring with a round gem embedded in it.

“A ring with my aura. If anything happens, it will help you once.”
And he also presented a bracelet with a magic that only reacts when he’s with Floria.

The bracelet that I used to be horrified, calling it perverted, was now somewhat reassuring. Thinking that Cahilin would be closely observing my every move while being with Floria, I felt relieved.

“Welcome. I didn’t expect my sister to come first, but I’m glad.”

Floria greeted me as if nothing happened that day. She held my hand, smiled sweetly, and guided me to the table. I quickly knelt down at her feet.

“Why are you doing this? Please get up, sister.”

Floria tried to lift me up, but I remained prostrate.

“Please forgive me, Your Highness. I swear I had no intention of deceiving you deliberately. I just couldn’t bring myself to tell you out of concern that you might doubt me.”

“If you didn’t want to be suspected, shouldn’t you have said more?”

Floria spoke in a laughing voice. However, I couldn’t ignore the fact that her mood was very unpleasant.

“I can’t trust you at all now, sister. It’s so heartbreaking that yesterday, I almost smashed your gem in my frustration.”