The Grand Duke Who Wants Me Dead Is Surprisingly Kind - Chapter 5

Chapter 3.1

“I would like to propose a contract marriage.”

Once she had spoken, the rest wasn’t difficult. Anais met the Grand Duke’s gaze with her clear violet eyes and continued.

“I know that marriage is unavoidable due to imperial decree. But when this marriage no longer holds any value, I hope for a divorce.”

“….”

“When the contract period ends, I’ll disappear from your life completely.”

After finishing her words, Anais held her breath and waited for the Grand Duke’s response. She had expected him to be nothing but satisfied, but unexpectedly, he seemed stunned, as if struck by shock. He remained silent for a long time, unable to respond.

Finally, after a prolonged silence, he murmured,

“So you’re saying you’ll leave me…”

His voice was unexpectedly hollow, almost as if it carried despair.

Just as she noticed the faint redness around his eyes, like a reflection of his crimson irises, the Grand Duke asked in a strained voice without taking his gaze off her.

“…Is that really what you’re saying?”

Watching him, Anais found herself repeating the question that had been rising in her mind since earlier.

‘…Is this man really the one who is supposed to kill me?’

Even though she had seen him offer her the poisoned tea with her own eyes, she found herself thinking such a foolish and unbidden question. The Grand Duke from her dream and the man in front of her were completely different, but Anais decided not to dwell on it further.

Prophetic dreams always came true.

Just like the night she had learned of her mother’s death.

If she wanted to desperately avoid the future waiting for her, she had to keep her distance from the Grand Duke and set up safeguards.

“Yes. Please consider the contract marriage and let me know your decision. It won’t be a loss for you either, Your Highness.”

However, despite Anais’s words, the Grand Duke remained silent for a long time. An awkward silence stretched between them, and the wind that had been swirling around Anais shifted, sweeping toward the Grand Duke instead.

The fiercely moving warm breeze swept over him.

Whoosh.

From head to toe, he was stirred by the wind, and even his eyes wavered. Anais, who hadn’t taken her gaze off him, furrowed her brows, unable to grasp what he was thinking.

Eventually, growing impatient, she broke the silence.

“If you agree to the contract marriage, I’ll gratefully accept your proposal when the time comes, Your Highness.”

“…Ah. I-I’ll consider it.”

The Grand Duke, looking somewhat disoriented, dropped his wavering gaze downward. Sensing that he needed time to think, Anais spoke calmly.

“For now, I’d like this proposal to remain between just the two of us. I’ll be waiting for your response.”

“…By any chance.”

As she moved to leave, he called out in an urgent voice, stopping her.

She paused and sat back down, waiting for him to speak. The Grand Duke, seeming somewhat nervous, asked an unexpected question.

“…Do you dislike me?”

“N-No! That’s not what I meant at all. I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression.”

Startled, Anais quickly responded. Even though she detested the death he would bring, she had never intended to antagonize him.

“Hah. That’s… a relief, at least.”

Only then did the Grand Duke exhale softly, his lips curving into the faintest smile. The smile of a man who seemed as though he had weathered an endless, snow-covered winter was surprisingly warm.

‘…What is the Grand Duke’s true nature?’

As Anais found herself lost in thought, he spoke again, his expression turning serious.

“In that case…”

However, before he could finish his sentence, an abrupt voice cut in.

“Anais, here you are. I’ve been looking for you for quite some time.”

The unexpected intrusion abruptly ended their conversation.

“….”

At the sound of her father’s voice, Nectar Orelcian, Anais instinctively clenched her hands tightly beneath the table. Before she could even turn around, he strode up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

Thud.

The unexpected touch made Anais flinch slightly. As her face paled, Nectar’s voice, dripping with false geniality, slithered into her ear.

“My, what brings His Highness the Grand Duke here with our Anais?”

However, the Grand Duke acted as if Nectar didn’t even exist, keeping his gaze solely fixed on Anais. Then, with a much colder expression than before, he offered a polite farewell.

“Then, I’ll visit again soon, Lady Anais.”

As if their business was concluded, he rose from his seat and departed without hesitation. At the sight, an incredulous sound escaped from Nectar’s lips.

“Huh?”

Unable to hide his displeasure, he sharply turned his head and caught sight of the document Anais was holding.

“Oh-ho. The imperial seal… so it’s an imperial decree! Haha. Hand it over.”

“….”

Anais’s expression darkened further as the letter was snatched away from her by her father. At that moment, the Grand Duke, whom she had assumed would walk away, instead drew closer to where she stood.