# 6
### Chapter Six
Harold paused for a moment before speaking.
“Did you really understand what I said?”
“You're saying if you're betrayed, it won't end up worth ten times the thousand gold coins.”
“…So, you answered so cheerfully even though you understood?”
Harold waved his fingers near his ear, a gesture that seemed to say, “Are you crazy?”
“Yes. I would never betray you, Duke.”
Diana's voice was confident and steady. The more she insisted, the darker the shadow on Harold's forehead grew.
Diana scratched her cheek.
It would have pleased her if he had believed her at once, but she was not going to force him to trust her. Considering their current relationship, him treating her like this was actually surprising.
'If I just act like myself, maybe Harold will gradually adapt to the new version of me?'
“Okay, I'll go in now because I'm tired.”
Diana showed a bright smile and thanked him again before leaving.
Left alone, Harold ran a hand through his hair and laughed to himself.
Diana, who was grateful even when he took her old clothes and smiled brightly at him, was a side of her he had never imagined, like a wild cat driven into a corner.
“...She really does things that are not like her at all.”
Harold squeezed his eyebrows, unable to take his eyes off the door for a while.
* * *
I was looking at the newspaper Anna had given me.
[BREAKING NEWS! Who is Duke Harold Besen's fiancée!?]
In less than a day after the wedding was announced, we were the talk of every newspaper in the capital.
Unlike typical noble weddings, they did not reveal the identity of the bride.
'He's coming soon.'
Even if it was a fake marriage.
I folded the newspaper and handed it to Anna.
“I need to go see the Duke.”
Thinking about the fake marriage made me realize that I had to go take care of Harold.
Frequent touching was essential, even if hand-holding was not very effective.
I needed to heal him quickly to get the remaining half of the money.
“…Huh.”
Thinking about the five thousand gold coins I received in advance made me feel happy.
'I should invest that money in real estate.'
The ten thousand gold coins I was going to get from Harold was a good amount, but it seemed like I would need more money to buy a fake ID and live comfortably in another country.
'You never know when something might happen.'
The moment I entered this world, I was exposed to cold, hunger, and all kinds of dangers.
And that changed me.
I learned how important money is, even when I was previously content and happy with my situation.
Moreover, even if the main story ended, I still had knowledge of the side story.
The side story was taking place three years later, and I remembered every detail of the novel from the moment I got caught.
'It would be a waste not to invest when I have the answers right in front of me.'
I arrived in front of the office. As I opened the door slightly, I froze at the sound coming from inside.
“Duke! How can you suddenly announce that you are getting married without introducing me to anyone?”
...Oh. That voice.
I peered through the crack in the door, recognizing the voice as a familiar voice from Diana's memories.
'So, it's Amanda, Kayden's mother.'
She was Harold's stepmother, the second wife of the late Duke. I was sure after seeing her white hair and luxurious dress.
“Should I have heard about this from the newspaper?”
“We're not close enough to share good news, are we? Mom.”
“However, I am your mother, right?”
"Let's be honest. You're afraid your inheritance will be divided."
Amanda exploded in anger, and Harold responded with a cold smile.
“You should be honest. You're only getting married because you don't want my son Kayden to inherit everything after you die.”
“Oh, that's definitely terrifying.”
I took a step back as the tension between them rose.
'Should I come back later?'
As I was about to quietly close the door, Harold's dark blue eyes crossed mine.
His almond eyes narrowed.
I smiled embarrassed and lowered my head, indicating that I would leave.
“But marriage is not about inheritance. Hmm. Let me introduce you.”
I quickly raised my head. Harold walked confidently towards the door.
While I was frozen in place like a turtle, he gently opened the door.
He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and called my name gently.
"My dear."
...Excuse me?
For a moment, my mind went blank, but I was brought back to reality by the warmth of his gaze resting on my head.
"I'm sorry, honey. I didn't realize we had a guest."
...that's what I should say, right?
"Why are you apologizing, my love? There's a rude person barging in."
Harold gently ran his fingers through his hair. That gentle smile, which I had never seen before, was unsettling.
"This is the one I like. I won't bother introducing since you two already know each other."
“Huh, Duke. You should have brought another woman instead, so I would have been a little more honest.”
Seriously, I was surprised when I suggested to Harold a week ago that we pretend he fell in love and proposed to me.
But Harold wasn't pretending to love me for no reason.
He took off his gloves. His hand intertwined with mine.
“It's annoying that our fervent love is questioned, my dear.”
“A-You two are holding hands...?”
Amanda's face turned pale in shock.
It was widely known in high society that Harold did not touch women.
It was Amanda who spread that rumor.
“It is frustrating to have our private time interrupted by an unwelcome guest.”
Harold confirmed to Amanda, who couldn't believe it, by rubbing my hand across his cheek.
I was the only one he could touch without hesitation.
Anyone could see that Harold loved me deeply.
"Don't be too upset, darling. I showed you a lot of love this morning too."
I reached out with my free hand and gently caressed his cheek.
Harold's thick eyebrows twitched slightly.
But he quickly regained his composure and pulled his lips into a deep smile.
He gently held my chin with his hand.
“If the love we shared this morning isn't enough, what should we do?”
Um, Duke...? Your face gets a little too close...?
I shook my head lightly, thinking it would be best to stop here.
But Harold didn't stop. My breath stopped and I felt trapped.
"Enough! What are you two doing in front of an adult?"
Amanda screamed, her face turning red.
"Oh. Mom, you're still here?"
"duke!"
“Sorry. When I'm with people I love, I tend to lose track of my surroundings.”
With every word Harold spoke, Amanda's face became redder.
It was surprising that she could get even redder than she already was.
Her sharp purple eyes shifted to focus on me.
“Miss Diana, come talk to me for a moment.”
“I can't do this, mom.”
Harold undid the first button of his shirt.
“I'm kind of in a hurry now.”
“…! What in heaven’s name are you doing!”
He undid the second button, smiling charmingly.
“If you don't want to be embarrassed, you should just leave.”
The tempting collarbone that was exposed through the opening of his shirt caught my eye.
At that moment, Harold's hand moved to the third button.
“Ah…! Miss Diana, let’s talk again soon.”
Finally, Amanda left the office, holding the back of her neck.
Harold turned away from me.
Oh no, I quickly gathered my thoughts and looked up from his collarbone.
Our eyes crossed—embarrassed.
“Ma’am, are you a pervert?”
"No! I'm just visually sensitive!"
“It seems the same to me.”
“It's different. So please, close your clothes, Duke.”
I complained at his voice, which was teasing me a little.
Fortunately, Harold quickly closed his clothes.
“But if we get married, we will need to change the way we address each other.”
“Sure. If we keep talking to each other like that after we get married, people will find out. My dear.”
Hearing him say “darling” with a seductive smile was more than I could bear.
“…How about just using our names?”
“Of course. I can’t call you ‘sweetie’ or ‘sweetheart’ in public, after all.”
"Yes."
Hugh. This is convenient.
* * *
After two weeks.
Today was Harold and I's wedding day.