Brody blinked her eyelids several times at his words. And only a moment later did she open her mouth wide to ask.
“Marriage ceremony?”
“Yes. Given the commotion we’ve had recently, they’ll be requesting an official marriage vow soon. It would be better to get it done as soon as possible…”
Brody nodded her head.
It was her first marriage ceremony ever, both in her past and present life, so she was astonished.
She had known that it would come eventually, even if it was sudden.
It was bound to happen within 3 years, at the latest.
‘A marriage ceremony. It feels so real… becoming a couple… Although it’s just a contract.’
Brody finally broke the silence.
“Your Highness, will you be alright?”
“Are you asking if I’ll be alright? Isn’t it you who should be flustered by this sudden schedule?”
Ertman Duke looked at her with a puzzled expression.
“That is…, it’s your first marriage ceremony…”
At her words, Ertman Duke was taken aback.
“You’re not on your first one, are you?”
Brody furrowed her brows as if to say, what are you talking about?
“No, no, it’s not that. I may have asked you because of my circumstances, but you don’t have to agree. There will be burdens and complications…”
Brody recalled Ertman Duke’s earlier refusal.
He was already so hesitant about having her around, so should they really get married?
“We have a contract.”
Brody explained with a hint of resentment.
“We may have a contract, but this is your last chance to opt out. I feel like I’m being too self-centered. Oh, for example! We could bribe someone to create a puppet husband and just make a marriage vow. Then you could use me as a subordinate or something; it should work.”
“…”
It was an inventive idea. Even a valid one.
A husband was needed only in name; it didn’t have to be Ertman Duke.
However, for some reason, Ertman Duke was irritated. He didn’t like the suggestion.
“That won’t be possible.”
“…What?”
Unable to contain his boiling emotions, he abruptly stood up.
Brody looked up at Ertman Duke who had just risen from his seat.
His cold blue eyes seemed to be smoldering with a strange heat.
‘What’s going on?’
Initially, she had sent him a puzzled look, but soon, her heart started to beat erratically under his gaze.
Ertman Duke gazed at Brody’s blinking emerald eyes and composed himself.
On second thought, his feelings remained unchanged.
He spoke firmly once more.
“That won’t be possible.”
The idea that she might become someone else’s wife, even in name, was intolerable. Even if he were a divorced Duke of the North, he had to be by her side.
He lowered his head and stooped his body.
His face became level with Brody’s, causing her gaze to drop as well.
He knelt before Brody.
He gently took Brody’s hand and said,
“Brody, it’s not that I’m doing this to accommodate you. I want this as well.”
It almost seemed like he was proposing.
Not just his posture, but also his eyes, and his words.
It looked as if he genuinely wanted her.
Confused by Ertman Duke’s sudden emotional outburst, Brody looked at him.
‘Why? I thought his heart had moved away from me?’
Noticing Brody’s flushed cheeks, Ertman Duke felt a sense of regret.
‘I want this too. No, I actually want to spend my whole life with you. It’s a ceremonial marriage due to the contract, but… somehow it’s thrilling.’
He wanted to say it all honestly, but he couldn’t.
Regretting his impulsive actions, he frowned and lowered his gaze.
“You are a useful person in the North. That’s why I’ve made a contract with you.”
“…….”
And then he poured out words that were different from what she had thought.
“Think about it further. I’ve caused all this commotion to bring you here, and suddenly you become someone else’s wife, not mine? How can I convince people of that?”
“Ah… that’s true.”
“Exactly, the river has prepared so glamorously to welcome you. If you hadn’t returned, it would be difficult not to marry me.”
At his seemingly reasonable words, Brody’s lips curled up.
“That’s right. No doubt.”
Ha…, I knew it. But to say, ‘I have no feelings for you anymore. However, I want your abilities for the North,’ while on his knees so sincerely.
Could it be the coldest proposal in the world?
All that remained between them was a contract—it felt like a confirmation shot.
She slowly withdrew her hand from his, her heart bitter.
Have you ever imagined getting married in one day?
Even for speeding, this is the shortest duration ever.
‘Is my imagination lacking? I can’t think of any other reasons to get married in just one day.’
Since morning, Brody had been held by Mrs. Murphy’s hand.
If Mrs. Murphy had been talkative, she would have heard nagging all day long. However, the reticent woman communicated her thoughts with an incredulous expression.
‘Just say something. I also find this absurd.’
The wedding would be held at the place where both lived.
There was no other choice since they had been told to keep the wedding itself a secret.
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
