STM 100

A heavy, black wooden door. Perhaps because it was as simple as Doctor Kim’s office door, I remembered the first time I’d fallen here and met her.

I wasn’t this nervous back then, damn it.

I could more or less predict how Doctor Kim would react, but Tairok was different. I couldn’t guess how he’d respond, and that was what made my stomach churn.

Phew.

I took a deep breath, and the door before me finally moved.

“Your Grace, Adeye Lu has arrived.”

Rick introduced me and turned around. I could feel the look that told me to come in, but my feet refused to move.

Rick, who had been waiting, turned his head. His expression shouted, “why are you delaying? Hurry up, hurry up!” The protest in his eyes brought me back to my senses.

Right, I had to do it quickly. Before Tairok started suspecting me and tried to test me.

Without Mo, I couldn’t even read the documents, let alone decipher them. So, I shouldn’t give him any time to delay the wedding.

It would be best to get a definite agreement as soon as possible. For example, a contract.

Yes, I need a contract.

The word flooded my mind. Even when Tairok got up and walked towards me, I couldn’t even look him in the eye.

That’s why I didn’t notice his expression or the look in his eyes.

Clack.

I heard the door close behind me. As soon as I confirmed Rick’s exit, I bowed at a 90-degree angle.

“Thank you for accepting my proposal.”

My grandmother used to say that a good greeting is half the battle. Hoping it would work, I hunched over and waited for a response, but there was only silence.

I slowly raised my head and was met with a blank expression. Why did he look confused? Did he not expect me to greet him? Thinking back to Lu’s past reputation, my mouth automatically moved.

“I almost died…”

“You’ve come back from the brink of death, but left your awareness behind?”

What are you talking about? I didn’t want to be criticized for that. Only when I straightened my back, aggrieved, did he finally smile. But there was still something in his eyes that said he didn’t like what he saw. In a situation like this, I had no choice but to ask him directly.

“What do you mean I’ve lost my awareness?”

“Don’t you know why I accepted your proposal?”

Well, the reason was obvious. My pride was hurt, so I lifted my chin.

“I know. It’s because you believed I was the true Salvation. That’s why you accepted my proposal, even though you hated it so much.”

The corners of his mouth curved even wider. But it was more like a frown than a smile. It felt bitter, but I didn’t care. I had to strike first. Before he grew suspicious and tested me with the ancient documents.

“Really?”

“Yes. I will definitely live up to your expectations, Your Grace. In return, I also require your promise.”

The smile slowly faded from his lips.

“Promise… That word sounds like you want something from me.”

He tilted his head and stared at me with cold eyes.

“Didn’t you say you proposed because you were enchanted by me?”

He believed that? I tried to reply with a light smile, but I flinched involuntarily under his cold gaze. Perhaps it was my imagination, but he looked quite angry.

Why? Would it hurt his pride if I didn’t actually fall for him?

But that didn’t suit him. Tairok didn’t seem like someone who cared about that sort of thing. Then what?

The problem was that no other reason came to mind. I knew my reason wasn’t the right one. But right now, there was no time to wander aimlessly seeking the truth.

I had to reply to his question. The answer to what I should do here was clear.

In this situation, the answer that would most satisfy him was ‘yes.’ That way, I could hide my true reason and somehow get married to him.

Since I was going to lie about it being the real Salvation anyway, what did one more lie matter?

I knew it clearly in my head, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Lying under his gaze that looked ready to devour me, felt like a cowardly act. And before I knew it I impulsively told the truth.

“No. It was a lie.”

The moment I finished speaking, I wanted to close my eyes.… Damn it, what did I say? I thought, I’m screwed. Now he’d get offended and refuse the proposal.

However, I didn’t want to take back what I said. Lying about being Salvation is one thing, but lying about feelings felt worse.

This time, I wanted to apologize sincerely. I clasped my hands behind my back and bowed my head.

“I’m sorry.”

Marriage is out of the question now…

“Alright.”

Huh? He didn’t sound angry. I slowly raised my eyes to study him, but there wasn’t even a hint of irritation. However, his gaze was intense, almost burdensome.

Why does it feel like he’s looking at prey? He muttered, staring at me.

“But your posture is like a trained soldier addressing his superiors.”

Oh, I must have taken the stance unconsciously. As Tairok had said, I’d only ever apologized to my superiors. The mission wasn’t successful. Several of my unit members died. We couldn’t recapture the shelter.

I guess that’s why habits are so dangerous. I quickly released my hands and let them fall to my side.

“I’m sorry.”

“Because you don’t like me?”

“No, I lied…”

“Why don’t you like me?”

“Why?” The unexpected question caught me off guard, and I blinked. I thought he was serious, but he smirked.

When he smiled, his expression changed to the point where he looked like a completely different person, making me a little off guard. It was enough to make me think he was joking.

“I just don’t feel that way.”

“I see.”

“…Yes.” I muttered again, feeling a little resentful.

“Since the Grand Duke hates me anyway, wouldn’t this be better?”

“Me?”

“Yes. Don’t you?”

I asked back, but he just smiled and stared at me uncomfortably. At least one person was smiling, so the atmosphere wasn’t bad, but strangely, tension was building, making me feel suffocated.

Unable to hold back, I was about to ask him if he was going to marry me or not, when I heard him ask.

“So, why did you want to marry me, even to the point of lying?”

I swallowed dryly, as he suddenly got to the point. The fact that he was asking meant he hadn’t rejected the idea yet. Otherwise, given his personality, he would have resolutely kicked me out.

“There’s one thing I want from the Grand Duke. I want you to promise that as my partner.”

I answered and held my breath for a moment. He’d definitely ask what it was, and I wasn’t sure how to answer. I couldn’t honestly say it was about closing the Eye of Hell.

The best option was to try to divert his attention with a vague answer. But the person before me was no pushover, so I had to use all my wits….

“Alright.”

“… Huh? What?”

“I’ll grant you one request.”

He didn’t even ask what it was? I almost asked back out of reflex, but stopped myself. If he asked “what,” I’d have to answer. But I couldn’t understand it, so I asked anyway.

“Why?”

He smiled gently, seeing me unable to hide my suspicions. But why did his eyes still look so cruel, like a wild beast?

“We’re going to make an oath anyway, so there’s no harm in giving and receiving. But you must also fulfill my condition.”

Ah. Only then did I finally understand it. He planned to demand something big. Damn it, he wouldn’t ask for all of Adeye’s assets, right? I watched his lips part, tense.

“Promise to live faithfully as my spouse, following the rules of my house. That’s my condition.”

“That’s all?”

“That’s all.”

“…”

I could only blink in confusion again.

Why? As my confusion subsided, I started doubting him. But even those doubts were quickly pushed aside by his provocation.

“Are you scared?”

“No.”

I replied, and forced a smile.

“Of course not. I’m not afraid of anything.”

“Then I’ll take it you agree.”

It should’ve been good news. There was no way this wasn’t a win for me. He didn’t even ask what I wanted and already agreed.

But why did I feel uneasy?