“I have no intention of doing that.”
Arasila flatly denied it. She sincerely seemed to have no thoughts of canceling the marriage due to the dowry.
“I can give the dowry as demanded. Even though it’s quite a shame, it’s not like I don’t have that much money.”
To Demian, who was silently looking at her, she held up two fingers.
“There are other things I’m concerned about.”
Arasila folded one finger.
“First, do we have to live in the Vandermir mansion after marriage? Let’s just find a new house.”
“That’s not possible. I’ve been away from the duchy for a long time, so my influence within the family is weak. I need to keep at least the Vandermir mansion in the capital under my influence.”
Demian wasn’t insisting on making their newlywed home where he currently lived because he liked it. It was to secure a minimal foothold within the family.
For example, Albert, who is currently working as Demian’s butler, was someone who had served as a butler for generations in the Vandermir ducal family.
After succeeding to the duke’s position, someone like him would be more helpful than anyone else.
“Well, alright. That’s an understandable reason. Then, secondly. If I comply with the demands so easily, I feel like they’ll think I’m a pushover. What do you think, Your Grace? What do you think will happen after giving the dowry?”
Even if this dowry issue was resolved with money, giving in too easily would likely make people look down on her.
Moreover, since the Vandermir ducal family wasn’t financially poor, once the dowry was settled, there would certainly be another attack.
“Besides, with the dowry and all, I have to handle the problems related to the marriage alone. If my family finds out, they’ll certainly oppose it, saying they can’t send me to such a family. They all love me too much.”
This marriage wasn’t a losing one for the Hugo Marquis family and Arasila. There was no reason to marry off their beloved second daughter while enduring unreasonable demands.
Moreover, hadn’t her family originally accepted Arasila’s celibacy?
If it was going to be like this, they would obviously try to persuade her to stay single rather than marry. Arasila didn’t want to add her family’s opposition on top of the ducal family’s opposition.
“Prepare half of the dowry items along with the bride price and house. I’ll take care of the rest.”
Demian, who seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, spoke in a subdued voice. There was nothing wrong with what Arasila said.
They weren’t the type to show mercy just because someone was obedient. Rather, they would use that point to torment more viciously.
To maintain the contract marriage, he had to actively protect Arasila.
“If any problems arise in the future, tell me immediately. I’ll resolve them. You don’t have to do anything, My Lady.”
Demian wanted to make it absolutely clear, just in case Arasila’s mind changed.
But from her, who was slowly preparing to leave, came an unexpected response.
“What do you mean I don’t have to do anything? Aren’t we now comrades in the same boat? We should solve difficulties together.”
It was a careless remark that touched one’s heart. Especially for Demian, who had been fighting alone all this time.
As he unknowingly hesitated, Arasila spoke again.
“And I’m not the type to just sit back and take it. I have to return double what I receive to feel satisfied. Don’t try to take away my fun of crushing people.”
“…I won’t take it away.”
As Demian suddenly felt drained and covered his eyes with his palm, Arasila laughed brightly.
“But don’t worry, I’m not the type to rush in without thinking. I’ll cooperate appropriately within the level I can tolerate.”
“What level is that which you can tolerate?”
“Well, about the level of Your Grace being rude?”
“It seems you don’t have much patience.”
“It’s so abundant that it’s a problem. How will I survive in this world with such a tender heart?”
Demian let out a hollow laugh at Arasila, who was speaking shamelessly without batting an eye.
“I’ll be going now. Next time, keep your subordinates’ mouths shut. And make sure to clean your own ears well too.”
Arasila nodded her head and closed the door with a thud as she left. The remaining Demian muttered quietly.
“She’s certainly not ordinary.”
[This is the timeline separator]The Hugo Marquise had a dream about her daughter’s wedding.
Choosing wedding dresses and accessories in a warm atmosphere, going around together to select the venue, and having cozy late-night discussions about how to hold the wedding.
However, as her free-spirited second daughter was about to be the first among her children to marry, her dream was shattered.
She had to prepare for the wedding urgently as if being chased by creditors, and had to nag her daughter who showed little enthusiasm for the wedding.
“Please show some sincerity. It’s your own wedding.”
The Marquise, who had dragged the reluctant Arasila to the dress shop today, sighed.
“If you show any inadequacy at the wedding, others will criticize you.”
“Then I’ll go and bite them back.”
Arasila’s voice came from behind the curtain where she was trying on the wedding dress. At this childish response, the Marquise grabbed the back of her neck and sat on the sofa.
“Oh my, what should I do with her. I thought Iris would be the first to get married.”
She looked at her eldest daughter, who had come along, with regretful eyes. She had planned to marry off the modest and mature Iris first and keep Arasila by her side.
Currently, the situation was flowing in the opposite direction, which was worrisome in its own way.
“She’s just joking around like that, but Ari will do well, Mom.”
“Yes, I should believe that. Still, now only you’re left to get married. Is there any young man you have in mind? Or should I contact Madam Callie?”
Madam Callie was a famous matchmaker in the capital’s social circles. Countless couples had been born from her hands.
Iris, who hesitated slightly, shook her head with a gentle smile.
“I should start looking slowly now too. If I can’t find anyone suitable, I’ll let you know.”
“Yes, yes. You’ve always done well without being told, Iris.”
“Wouldn’t it be really exciting if elder sister doesn’t get married after this?”
As a mischievous voice flew in, the Marquise’s eyes sharpened.
“Arasila, didn’t I tell you to watch your words? Don’t say things that ruin your sister’s future.”
The area behind the curtain went quiet at the stern warning. She took her eldest daughter’s hand again and said,
“Iris, you’re all I have. You know that, right? I have the highest expectations for you.”
“Yes, I know. Don’t worry.”
“I’m so thankful to at least have you.”
Her youngest son was still too young, and her second daughter had never listened since she was little.
In this situation, if she didn’t have Iris, who was always mature and understood her parents’ hearts well, the Marquise would have been too overwhelmed.
“Mom, please stop pressuring elder sister.”
Arasila said as she appeared wearing the wedding dress after the curtain opened. The Marquise approached her with sharp eyes.
“Then why don’t you try to be at least half like your sister! You don’t listen to your mother but have so much to say!”
“Ouch.”
Arasila, who finally got smacked on the back by her mother, made a crying face.
The Marquise, holding her daughter’s shoulders and standing her straight, examined the wedding dress with a meticulous gaze.
The tube-top neckline dress suited Arasila well with her long, straight neck. The shop assistant pinched the loose waist area with a clip.
“Everything else is fine, but the chest area is too low-cut. Wedding dresses look prettiest when they’re modest.”
“I don’t mind.”
“I do mind, so don’t argue. We’ll look at another dress.”
As the Marquise left with the staff to choose a new dress, only the sisters remained in the changing room. Iris approached her sister.
“Seeing you in a wedding dress makes it feel real that you’re actually getting married.”
“How do I look? Am I okay?”
“Yes, you’re pretty. It suits you well.”
“Thanks, sis. Actually, everything suits me well.”
Iris laughed softly at her sister’s confident response and looked at Arasila with slightly wistful eyes.
“I’m glad you’re really having a love marriage… But it feels a bit strange. You didn’t even tell your sister all this time.”
“I’m sorry, but secret romances are supposed to be kept strictly secret to be more thrilling.”
Arasila lied very calmly and shamelessly. But given her personality, it seemed plausible enough that Iris didn’t find it strange.
“Well, it’s good that it’s not a political marriage. If it had been a political marriage, the person wearing this dress would have been me, not you.”
“Why? I could have had a political marriage too.”
“I wouldn’t have allowed it. How could I sacrifice you to a political marriage?”
At those words, Arasila stared at her sister. She held the same position that she couldn’t sacrifice her sister to a political marriage.
But perhaps because her sister had always lived yielding to her younger siblings, those words felt a bit heavier.
“Then is it okay for you to be sacrificed?”
“That’s not what I meant, Ari.”
“But it is. Otherwise, why should you marry instead of me if it’s a political marriage?”
“You… have dreams.”
Iris gently stroked her sister’s shoulder and answered softly.
“As your sister, it’s right for me to help you achieve your dreams.”
“Don’t you have dreams? You must have them too.”
“…I’m not sure.”
Iris stepped back with a faint smile. Since childhood, Arasila’s dream had consistently been to become a mage.
On the other hand, Iris had grown up without any particular dream. That’s why her sister, who only pursued her dreams, seemed to shine brighter.
“If I had to say, I guess my dream could be to marry well.”
“That’s not your dream, it’s Mom’s dream.”
Iris couldn’t deny Arasila’s immediate rebuttal. As her sister’s expression became complicated, Arasila grabbed her and said,
“You should find your dream too, sis. You’re still young. It’s an age where you can do anything, not just get married.”
Iris was only a year older than Arasila. She could try anything she wanted to do.
‘My dream…’
That was an unfamiliar word for Iris, who had always grown up as a daughter meeting her parents’ expectations and a generous eldest sister embracing her younger siblings.
“Arasila, let’s try on this dress.”
At that moment, the Marquise appeared with the staff, carrying a new dress.
The sisters’ conversation naturally fizzled out, but for the rest of the time, Iris couldn’t properly focus on her sister’s wedding dress shopping.
__________
“Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
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