20. Ah, I Lost

The contents of the contract are as follows:

First, Eleanor Ashford agrees to fulfill her duties as the wife of Grand Duke Cassius, including matters within the bedroom.

Second, both Eleanor Ashford and Grand Duke Cassius must act professionally and refrain from involving emotions, in other words, love is prohibited.

Third, if either of them falls in love, Grand Duke Cassius must divorce Eleanor Ashford.

Fourth, Grand Duke Cassius must not engage in political intrigue that could endanger the Ashford Duchy.

Fifth, if Grand Duke Cassius is involved in political intrigue that could endanger the Ashford Duchy, their marriage will be considered void.

Sixth, although Eleanor Ashford is willing to perform her duties as a wife, including within the bedroom, she refuses to bear heirs.

Seventh, if Grand Duke Cassius desires heirs, Eleanor Ashford permits him to take a concubine to obtain heirs.

Eighth, Eleanor Ashford will not interfere in Grand Duke Cassius's personal affairs if they are unrelated to Ashford Duchy, and vice versa.

If any of these rules are violated, the marriage automatically becomes void, regardless of how long the marriage has lasted, resulting in Grand Duke Cassius losing any rights over Eleanor Ashford, and they will each lead their own lives without interfering with each other.

Ellie glanced at Cassius, who had finished reading the contract. She was quite surprised by the intensity of his gaze.

Cassius shot a sharp, knife-like look at Ellie.

She swallowed hard, struggling against her fear.

Cassius stood up and crumpled the paper. "Do you think this makes sense?! The contract you've written describes a business relationship!" he shouted.

Being alone with a stranger who was currently her fiancé, especially while he was angry, wasn't a good idea.

However, Ellie maintained her composure to avoid appearing weak, then said, "Indeed, that was my intention.

"From the start, this marriage was not our desire, so I will establish clear boundaries that neither you nor I can cross. I will respect you as my husband, as long as you respect me as your wife."

Cassius grinned as if mocking her. "Is that so? Then what about allowing me to take a concubine? I don't care if you don't want children, but you're asking me to impregnate another woman just for heirs? I believe I've already told you. I am a man of dignity!" Cassius thundered.

Cassius's anger seemed irrational. The contract she had written was the result of weighing the pros and cons for both sides.

"If I don't want to have children, then who will inherit Caspian Grandduchy?"

He approached Eleanor's face and spoke in a low tone, almost chilling. "That will be my concern. I didn't expect you to care so much about my Duchy, willing to watch your husband bed other women just for an heir!"

Ellie flinched, the Cassius before her was very different from the one she saw at the party.

As far as she knew, many nobles had children with mistresses because their wives couldn't bear children.

Then, their wives would adopt the children born from the mistresses to prevent them from being labeled as illegitimate and to secure the inheritance of the father's title.

She genuinely didn't understand why he rejected the idea. As long as he respected her in public, even if he had a mistress, it wouldn't be a problem for her.

Also, a child is an unnecessary variable if someday she had to leave him.

'Why is he angry? Could it be...?'

"Answer honestly, do you like me? And don't try to answer with ambiguous words."

"...."

Did he like her? Cassius himself didn't know what he felt.

At first, he was only interested in the girl who was so different from the rumors in front of him, but then he spent time with her and discovered that she couldn't be swayed by anything.

Whenever he looked into her red eyes, as red as blood, he was always captivated.

There was something in her eyes that couldn't be explained.

It was as if this woman had experienced many bad things in her life, yet she still stood strong.

Was it attraction? Love? Or just curiosity? Cassius himself didn't understand what he felt.

As Cassius remained silent, Ellie's heart grew restless awaiting his response.

On one hand, there was hope in her heart, but on the other, she didn't want it to happen.

It would be very painful if they lived as a loving husband and wife, only for Ellie to leave him in the end.

'If I were alone in this world, and if this man told me he loved me, I'd jump into his arms immediately, even if I didn't understand these feelings.'

'But now I have a father, friends... I have a family I never had in my previous world. For their sake, I'll sacrifice anything, even my own heart,' Ellie thought, a stormy look in her eyes.

Cassius was confused about how to respond to Eleanor.

He was sure that if he answered 'Yes,' Eleanor would not open her heart to him.

She would become a puppet with a body he possessed but not her heart.

Finally, Cassius reluctantly opened his mouth, as if it would never open.

"No."

Those words were like a knife piercing Ellie's heart.

'Ah... I guess I have become a fool.'

From the pain she felt when hearing his answer, Ellie finally realized and admitted to herself what she truly felt.

Ellie held back the hot tears that wanted to escape her eyes.

'I love him? Me? How can it hurt this much, even though I haven't known him for long? This is absurd!'

She had lost.

Whoever surrendered their heart first was the one who lost. Ellie smiled sadly.

"If that's the case, this contract won't harm you at all. So please, sign it."

"Before that, I'd like to discuss points four and five."

Ellie glanced at the paper on the table and quickly read it.

She furrowed her brow and then asked, "What's the matter with these two points?"

"How can you be this naive? Whether I'm involved in politics or not, in the end, my mere existence is a threat to the Emperor.

"Even if I avoid politics or even move to Silvercrest and swear to the Emperor to never set foot in this capital again, he won't rest until I'm dead."

Ellie fell silent as she listened to Cassius' explanation. He was right, Cassius' very existence was a danger to the Emperor.

Before Ellie could think further, Cassius continued, "And also, you're very naive if you think the Emperor won't touch Ashford Duchy. Whether you marry me or not, as long as Ashford Duchy has forces, the Emperor won't let you live peacefully.

"No sovereign in this world feels safe when their subordinates possess an army that could potentially threaten their throne. He will try to forcefully take control of Ashford's forces, even if it requires using brutal methods."

Cassius delivered a barrage of facts one after another.

Deep within Ellie's heart, she was already aware of this.

However, before she could ponder on this matter, her mind had been consumed by confusion about her feelings for Cassius over the past few days.

'I already have a way out for that. I just have to leave this country with my family when the throne struggle heats up. Although it won't be easy. Father cares too much for this nation.'

Instead of revealing her inner thoughts, Ellie merely responded, "Just sign it if you want us to have a good relationship after marriage."

Quickly, Cassius took a pen and ink and signed it.

"Are you satisfied?"

"Thank you, Your Grace. I just wanted to discuss this, I will take my leave now. You don't need to escort me out." Ellie stood up, slightly bowed, and left him alone.

"... You won't be able to escape from me. When the wedding ceremony takes place, you'll belong to me, Eleanor Ashford. And I'll never lose what belongs to me," Cassius muttered. His eyes gazed menacingly in the empty room.

Cassius thought about the contract brought by Eleanor. Upon reconsideration, most of the contents of the contract were for the benefit of Ashford Duchy and Cassius.

Se hadn't included anything advantageous for herself.

"Are you so afraid that I will use your father to destroy that old fool (Emperor)?" He laughed as if it was hilarious and ridiculous.

"I'm not that pathetic, my dear wife," he murmured.

He had built his own forces, it took a long time to gather people like them who would give their loyalty to Cassius.

He didn't need the old Duke Ashford's troops, even though their experience in war was remarkable.

And he knew he would succeed in obtaining what should rightfully be his.

His throne.

His possession.

Failure was not in his dictionary.

Therefore, Cassius didn't understand Eleanor's fear.

Eleanor just needed to sit quietly, and Cassius would present the highest crown to her.

He could even take revenge on his foolish cousin, who had wasted her.

Thinking up to that point, his mood turned sour. Whenever he was in a bad mood, he would go to the dungeon to torment the prisoners sent by many people to kill him.

Then Cassius hurriedly changed his clothes and walked towards the underground prison.

In the corridor, he met Theo. Cassius passed by him without paying attention.

"Hey, wait! Where are you going?"

"To the underground."

"Haven't you met your little wife? Then why is your mood getting worse? Last night, after returning from the party, you went straight to the underground prison to torture one of the prisoners, and–"

"Theo, do you want me to sew your mouth shut?"

"No."

"Then shut up."

"You should stop your habit of torturing people when you're in a bad mood. What if your wife finds out? Wouldn't she be horrified?"

"She will never know."

Cassius said it as if he swore to never let Eleanor know about his darker side.

"Hmm, suit yourself. Amber is ready, should I send her to your wife?"

Cassius halted his steps.

"Let's go there."

"Where?"

Cassius really wanted to punch him if he wasn't his friend.

"To the damn guild, you idiot!"

"Aren't you going to the underground?"

"Theo, you've only got one life. You'd better take good care of it." Cassius snapped sharply.

"I was just kidding, haha."

With that, they headed to the guild to wait for Eleanor's arrival.