Home/Please Don't Have Ulterior Motives in a Contract Romance/ch72

Episode 72

"I haven't included any evidence that would concern you, so don't worry."

"...!"

"Surely, even I wouldn't go so far as to sacrifice my own family, Rosaly."

Godwin smiled his usual feigned smile and spoke gently.

Even those words felt like another shackle. Rosaly bowed her head.

At that, Godwin clicked his tongue low and cast a contemptuous glance at his daughter.

How could one of my children turn out like this?

Fortunately, Rosaly was still useful—very useful.

Godwin gestured for her to leave.

"Use that evidence as leverage to secure the engagement you want."

"...Yes."

Rosaly bowed and left Godwin's study.

She entered her room and approached one wall lined with bookshelves.

As she pulled out a book, the bookshelf slid open with a soft sound, revealing a hidden door.

"..."

She entered the hidden space—a room that looked like a laboratory.

With a gloomy gaze, Rosaly surveyed the space.

From one wall lined with countless bottles to papers densely filled with research findings and vials of reagents.

Everything was so lavishly equipped it was more than just sufficient—it was overflowing.

"I shouldn't have started..."

Rosaly let out a regretful sigh and unfolded the document in her hand.

Fortunately, as her father had said, the part she had been worried about was missing.

As he had said, if the Duke saw this, he would find it hard to refuse an engagement proposal.

"Engagement..."

She closed her eyes and imagined herself standing beside him.

The sculpturally beautiful image of Cael came to mind naturally, but the image of herself beside him did not.

But she wanted that man.

She knew he despised her family, and that he would hate her simply for being a Haridview.

But for a noble, political marriage for one's own benefit was natural, and as the head of a family, he would surely understand that.

If they got engaged and married, affection could grow over time.

And she could be the one to give love.

That was what Rosaly thought.

She didn't want him to take a mistress, but if it came to that...

Suddenly, the beautiful woman from her memory came to mind.

The woman with black hair like Cael's and golden eyes, more beautiful than her own sister.

The woman now rumored to be Cael's lover.

"I don't want to give him up."

Biting her lip, Rosaly steeled herself.

The next day, clutching her trembling heart, she headed to the Harkelder Ducal residence.

And the moment she entered the drawing room, she had to doubt her own eyes.

"......"

That woman—sitting atop the Duke's lap.

Rosaly felt as if she were seeing things.

That Duke would act that way?

Suddenly dizzy, she nearly collapsed to the floor. She straightened her back and put strength into her legs to hold herself up.

This didn't seem like the Duke Harkelder she knew.

He was a terrifying man.

Though not violent, he was cruel when he drew his sword, and everyone feared him.

The fierce, blade-like gaze that always seemed ready to cut someone down now held warmth when he looked at that woman.

Is this really the Duke Harkelder?

Did that woman change this man?

Rosaly felt her mind grow cold and her heart calm.

And she resolved to do whatever it took to become his fiancée.

Thud—

The woman named Rielle left the drawing room, her face flushed.

As soon as the door closed, the warmth in the Duke's eyes vanished, replaced by the blade-like gaze Rosaly knew.

"So, tell me why you came all this way."

"......"

Normally, one would exchange pleasantries and ask about each other's well-being after greeting—it was proper etiquette.

But the Duke made it clear he had no time for that and got straight to the point.

Without a word, Rosaly took the document her father had given her and held it out to Cael.

"My father gave me this."

"......"

The Duke took the document and broke the seal.

As he unfolded and read it, Rosaly carefully watched his expression.

But contrary to her expectation of surprise or delight, the Duke showed no change in expression.

"At the last banquet, you mentioned engagement using evidence as leverage..."

The Duke lifted his gaze from the document and sneered at Rosaly.

"I didn't expect you to actually make a move. And sending the very person involved... I'm truly impressed by such shamelessness."

"..."

"I must pay my respects to your boldness in using your own child as a bargaining chip. It's something I could never even conceive of."

At the Duke's scathing mockery, Rosaly's face flushed with shame.

She thought the same as him—but she had been barely holding that thought at bay in a corner of her mind.

"I—!"

"..."

She couldn't accept the situation, and the engagement with the Duke before her was something she herself wanted.

So, enduring his cold gaze, Rosaly spoke.

"I wish to become your fiancée."

She pressed her hand to her chest and pleaded earnestly.

"I know I'm lacking in many ways. But I—I can't say exactly how right now, but if you keep me by your side, I can truly be of great help... And the evidence! I'll find a way to bring you more, without Father knowing, if you agree to the engagement. So—!"

The words she had prepared in her head were gone.

Rosaly desperately wanted the Duke to choose her.

In the end, she didn't hesitate to even offer to betray her father.

But the Duke cut her off with a curt address.

"My lady, I have no interest in political marriages."

"...!"

Coming to her senses, Rosaly looked at the Duke before her and felt a chill down her spine.

His gaze, propping his chin on the back of his hand and piercing through her, made her feel as if she would be beheaded if she spoke again.

When Rosaly fell silent, the Duke removed his hand from his chin and tapped the document on the table with his index finger.

"This information is already in my hands. You went through the trouble of coming, but I'm afraid it was a wasted trip, my lady."

"...Pardon?"

Her father had said she wouldn't reach this far.

But the Duke said he already knew.

And then—

"How much do you think I already know?"

"...!"

The Duke's voice was chillingly cold.

"Tell the Grand Duke that I have already reached his feet. Tell him that I will soon return what I have received."

"Ugh!"

The Duke rose from his seat.

Rosaly hurriedly stood up as well, speaking desperately.

"Your Grace. I—I will do well. I will support you beyond my share, in any way."

"I believe you are under some misunderstanding, my lady?"

"...Pardon?"

The Duke, now standing, furrowed one brow.

And he said coldly,

"I already have plenty of capable subordinates by my side."

"Ah!"

Rosaly covered her mouth with both hands.

She wanted to argue, but having already used up all her courage, she could think of nothing more to say.

Seeing her fall silent, the Duke, apparently seeing no further value in conversation, warned her.

"Then, please deliver my message to the Grand Duke. I wish you a safe return."

As he turned his back coldly and left the room, Rosaly collapsed in despair.

The evidence she had thought would work had failed.

As the Duke said, how much did he already know?

He had shown no reaction to her—he probably didn't know she was involved.

Or perhaps...

Rosaly clenched her skirt, crumpling it, and bit her lip.

She couldn't give up like this.

But how?

Her wandering eyes, searching desperately, suddenly flashed.

Rosaly quickly rose and left the drawing room.

---

"Hmm..."

Nine long ribbons of various colors were lined up neatly on the table.

After examining them closely, I smacked my lips in regret.

"If I'd had a little more time, I could have made a few more..."

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