Only then did Odette snap out of her reverie.
‘Ah, in hindsight, that was an embarrassing question to ask.’
“Do you love me?” Understandable that Walter would make such a disapproving face.
Had she not immediately explained herself, the atmosphere would have become a bit awkward.
[DASH]Duke, I know you can’t possibly feel that way. I was just asking in case. [DASH]…… [DASH]Since I know it’s not the case, let’s leave it at that. Okay?Odette tried to make amends for her verbal misstep, but for some reason, the more she tried, the more Walter’s mood worsened.
Ultimately, Odette sensed the worsening situation and shut her mouth, putting an end to the uncomfortable topic.
‘At least the atmosphere lightened a bit after agreeing to marriage.’
For some inexplicable reason, Odette could no longer deny Walter’s sincerity.
The moment he spoke of accepting the proposal, she too could read the relief spreading across Walter’s face.
‘But still…’
She remained conflicted, still insecure.
One of the reasons Louis had been a good marriage partner was because he had something lacking.
And Odette could fill that void.
In a marriage with Louis, there was no need to feel guilt or insecure about her place.
But Walter was different.
‘I never heard why he wants to marry me.’
And he brought rather odd terms for what should be a contractual marriage.
From start to finish, a contractual marriage that made no sense.
‘Will he regret desiring me?’
Maybe I’ll be the one regretting holding onto this hand.
Because Walter doesn’t meet even one of Odette’s not-so-high standards.
And if that happens…
“Your Highness, are you anxious?”
“Uh, huh?”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Odette raised her head she had dropped.
Anne-Sophie was blinking her round eyes at her.
“Look at your hand. You’ll sprain it.”
“……Ah.”
Only then did Odette notice the knuckles whitening on her hand resting on the tea table.
She had clenched her fist without realizing.
“Honestly, getting married would naturally make one anxious. Besides, having a husband is even a risk to the heart? I’d be anxious too, worried about my own life!”
Anne-Sophie showed her understanding with a thumbs up.
At that, Odette finally managed a light laugh.
“True, that’s a valid point. Duke Ertman is just too perfect, unlike me.”
“Come on, what are you talking about? You’re a Princess!”
“But I have nothing to offer him. So…it might turn into a similar situation.”
Exactly, this is the issue.
It wasn’t just a feeling of indebtedness, but an obsession that came from living as the weaker party.
The weak accrue debts, and accumulating debts weakens one’s position.
‘I don’t have any cards in my hand.’
No weapon to defend myself.
While she could offer Louis her support as a wife, what about Walter?
“The more I think about it, the less I understand why Duke Ertman would want to marry me. That’s why I’m anxious.”
“Wow, you’re the one who wanted it first? That’s new!”
Anne-Sophie’s eyes sparkled as if hearing an exciting story, dropping a sugar cube into her tea.
“But from my perspective, I don’t understand why you’d be anxious.”
“I don’t have any cards in my hand.”
“But you said the Duke wanted to marry you first, didn’t you? Doesn’t that put you in a better position?”
“……Huh?”
Come to think of it, isn’t that right?
“Ertman Duke must have wanted to marry Your Highness for some reason! So, you don’t need to worry! You already have the Duke on a leash!”
“…I don’t think it’s that simple.”
“Let the foolish man blabber all he wants. Why should Your Highness care? Take this opportunity to pull hard on the leash!”
No, the leash is irrelevant.
‘But she has a point.’
The reason Odette had been anxious until now was because she thought Valter had no reason to desire her.
But could anything happen without a reason?
There would undoubtedly be a reason.
‘And I need to find it to secure my victory.’
Finally, Odette felt she vaguely understood why she had lied in front of Valter.
She had been anxious since then.
Rather if it was for political reasons, or if he blatantly wanted something, she wouldn’t mind.
[Dash]Give me Your Highness.It scared her that she might meet such an absurd condition too easily, making Valter think he didn’t need her.
Upon realization, her mind cleared.
“Thank you, Anne. Your advice was very helpful.”
“Don’t mention it. More than anything, Your Highness is capable.”
“Ah, capabilities.”
Saying so reminded her.
The reason she had visited Anne-Sophie today.
Odette took a fan out of her bag.
She detached the pendant hanging on it and handed it over.
“Thank you for lending me this. I had forgotten to return it.”
“Oh, this! Did you find it useful?”
“No, I didn’t get to use it.”
Anne-Sophie took the pendant and scrutinized it. When she ran her thumb over its round surface, the jewel started to glow.
The pendant was a magical tool, created by processing several magic stones into gem form.
The method of use was simple.
Charge it with magic and transform it.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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