“Nanny, I should eat just enough to fit into my wedding dress, right?”

“My lady, you are already so thin, it’s alright to eat more.”

Other noble daughters are deprived of snacks and starved. Our nanny’s kindness was a problem.

‘But I didn’t expect things to progress this quickly.’

On the day Yezar visited, I stamped the contract and planned to carefully tell my father after a few days. However, before I could say anything, everything was already settled.

‘Julieta. I’m sorry for not realizing sooner.’

‘Pardon?’

‘I heard you were in a relationship with Duke Perhaem. You should have told me earlier. This father kept introducing you to those kinds of men without knowing…’

By the time I tried to ask what was going on, the Perhaem Duchy had already finished all the preparations. Thanks to that, the wedding was approaching at a very fast pace.

‘Still, I wanted to go on a trip at least once.’

I felt a bit regretful, but after the divorce, all that would be left is money and time anyway. At least in consideration of the sincerity they prepared…

“Hey, marriage with Duke Perhaem! What is this about!”

“Julieta. This brother is so disappointed that the wedding is so sudden.”

My two older brothers suddenly appeared, opening the door wide open, showing completely opposite reactions.

Wizlet was always chattering next to me, so I was used to seeing him a lot. But it had been a long time since I saw Valentino, who works in the imperial palace.

Looking at his ebony hair and calmly settled green eyes, I smiled brightly.

“Elder brother, you must be busy. What brings you here?”

“I rushed over after hearing that our youngest is getting married. I was definitely only told that all the marriage candidates for our youngest were not good enough. Since when were you in a relationship with Duke Perhaem?”

“I’m sorry. He said to keep it a secret until the marriage or anything else was confirmed. I should have at least given you a hint, elder brother. It’s my fault.”

“Hey, Julieta. Do you not see me?”

No matter what Wizlet said, my gaze was fixed on Valentino.

“It’s alright. It’s still good news. Our youngest is getting married. I thought it was about time, but it’s a bit sad.”

How can he speak so beautifully? Valentino, the next head of the family, was the epitome of gentleness in both his speech and actions, unlike the grumbling Wizlet.

“No, brother! Julieta’s marriage partner is Duke Perhaem!”

“Wizlet. What’s wrong with him? Duke Perhaem has no bad rumors and is very upright. Besides, look at how quickly he wants to hold the wedding with our Julieta. Can’t you see? He loves Julieta very much.”

At that, one of Wizlet’s eyebrows twitched. It was obvious that he had something he wanted to say.

“Valentino. I need to talk to Wizlet for a bit. You must have urgent matters to attend to. Don’t worry about me and go ahead.”

“Our youngest. When did you become so mature… Alright, I’ll get going then. See you later at the wedding.”

“Yes.”

Perhaps because he would soon inherit the title, my eldest brother was very busy. He was also very intelligent, working in the imperial finance department, and it seemed there were many people who needed him.

“Nanny, you can stop worrying about me too and go rest for a bit.”

“Will you really be alright?”

“Yes. It’s fine. You’ve been constantly by my side, saying you won’t be able to see me after I leave for the duchy.”

“I understand. My lady, please rest well.”

After sending off my eldest brother and nanny like that, I looked at Wizlet.

“So what is little brother dissatisfied with that he’s pursing his lips so badly?”

“Is that how you talk to someone who’s worried about you?”

“What’s your point? Hurry up and say it. I’m already busy with wedding preparations.”

“You’re not in a relationship with Duke Perhaem, are you?”

I stopped at those words. Actually, I had expected it. If it was Wizlet, there was no way he wouldn’t know it was a hastily made-up lie.

Father, who rarely stayed at the mansion, or my eldest brother might be fooled, but there was no way Wizlet, who always watched over Julieta, would not notice such a flimsy lie.

“That’s right. I’m not.”

“Hey!”

“Lower your voice a bit.”

Wizlet, who was fuming alone, spoke while calming his anger.

“I know, even if brother who is insensitive to rumors doesn’t. Duke Perhaem has someone he loves. But suddenly marrying you? Do you have something to ruin your life with?”

I was just amazed at how Wizlet reacted more sensitively to my affairs than I did.

“It’s a political marriage anyway. Doesn’t matter who he loves or not.”

Wizlet spoke anxiously at my indifferent words.

“I want you to be happy. Julieta.”

Seeing his actions, how could I not know? I know well. That he wants me to have a married life filled with love. But I’m not really someone who needs love.

“Little brother, I’ve been meaning to tell you since last time. My life’s top priority isn’t love. If I had a passionately loved partner like you, then maybe. If not, I prefer marrying someone who meets my conditions.”

“What if you regret it later? Later, if you come to love Duke Perhaem…”

The eyes that were always fierce drooped down.

“Really. Brother, you’re so emotional despite your looks. When have you ever seen me make a choice I regret?”

“Uh.”

An immediate answer.

“When did I ever! I really can’t say anything. I’ll be happy. So don’t worry.”

“But, Julieta…!”

“Brother Wizlet. You should focus on your fiancée. Your date is soon. If you’re late, your new sister-in-law will hate you.”

At my playful tone, Wizlet also couldn’t help but put his hand on my head. And then he messed up my carefully combed hair by the nanny.

“Ack! What are you doing!”

“Julieta. You must keep that promise. That you’ll be happy.”

“…I will.”

Even as I answered, my conscience pricked me. Because this marriage was a loveless contract. No one else could find out about this fact, especially not Wizlet.

Because he was a precious person who sincerely cared for and minded me, just like nanny in this family.

‘I don’t even know how time has passed. Is it okay to hold a wedding in such a flash?’

Following the preparations made by the duchy, the wedding day arrived. I saw my neatly arranged and tied up red hair. It was a really pretty color, just as Julieta proudly thought in the original story.

‘At a glance, it looks like roses or sparkling rubies.’

Standing in front of the mirror and looking at myself from various angles, I newly felt how pretty I was.

Although not a dazzling beauty, my slightly upturned eyes looked haughty like a cat.

Moreover, the pure white dress decorated with finely crushed jewels, the several bunches of flowers adorning my hair, and the large pink diamond necklace resting on my white neck.

‘I really am a bride-to-be.’

Only now did reality hit me. Honestly, until then, it felt like someone else’s business. As the wedding began and I slowly walked in, I saw the nobles with ties to the family sitting there.

Glancing over, Wizlet seemed to be on the verge of bursting into tears. Father and brother Valentino were also sobbing.

On the contrary, I was vigorous without a trace of moisture. Yezar, standing next to me, seemed similar.

Quietly turning my head and making eye contact with him, I suddenly felt breathless.

‘Why is he so handsome.’

It felt like I understood what it meant for a person to have an aura. As I stood frozen, Yezar whispered in a voice only I could hear.

“Are you alright?”

“…Ah. I’m fine. Duke Perhaem.”

Honestly, I felt it when I first saw him too, but he didn’t hold the position of the official handsome man in the novel for nothing. He was just wearing a neat wedding suit. He was glowing on his own.

“You can stop with that title. Please call me Yezar. Wife.”

As he spoke, his eyes curved gently, which was bad for my heart. The pope presided over the ceremony and said something, but honestly, I couldn’t hear anything. I could only hear Yezar’s voice gently calling out to me.

“La… Lady.”

“Why are you calling me?”

“I’m sorry…”

“Pardon? For what?”

“For you accepting such a rude proposal. You must have wanted to have a loving married life. I was worried that I might be blocking your future path.”

He was such a frustrating person.

“Don’t say that. I agreed because I wanted something too anyway. So, Yezar.”

“Yes…”

“Even if it’s just a formality, close your eyes and vow your love.”

If I truly loved Yezar, my heart would ache, but apart from liking him as a character in the novel, I had zero romantic feelings for him.

And honestly, he looked more pitiful, suppressing his feelings even though he had someone he loved.

After vowing a formal love, Yezar leaned his head towards me. With the gently descending sensation, his trembling was fully conveyed. Perhaps the woman Yezar loves, who is also the female lead of this novel, attended this wedding, so he was trembling like that.

I gently held his hand. Then he opened his eyes in surprise and looked at me. Seeing his unstable green eyes, I smiled and whispered.

“Please take good care of me, Yezar.”

My contract husband.

‘Phew. The time has finally come.’

After finishing the wedding, as soon as night fell, I headed to the bedroom where Yezar was waiting, cleanly washed. Yes, today is the first night! The union of a man and woman who held a wedding!

But there wasn’t much to do. We weren’t a real couple anyway. There was no way we would really spend the first night. Moreover, touching that pure body itself was a sin. So I planned to stay still and entered the bedroom, but.

“Du, Duke. St, stay still!”

As soon as I spotted a black creature presumed to be a bug, I instinctively looked for a weapon to hold. And I tried to draw the sword hanging on the wall like a decoration and swing it, but.

“Lady Orbetian. Can I take your current action as a threat?”

The misunderstanding was instantly dispelled. A cold atmosphere hung in the bedroom where a sensual mood should have lingered.

Is this marriage really okay?