NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9 - Entering into a Fake Marriage
“I will be Nisha Kyun’s stepmother… How much virtue did I accumulate in my previous life? All those incidents of sexual harassment, power harassment, complaints from Monpe, and endless overtime were probably penance for me to become a mother to a child. But that’s why I have to provide Nisha-kyun with the best possible family environment without any inconvenience. I’ve endured so much hardship up until now, so that he can have a good life… First, I need to prepare some clothes for Nisha-kun! He would look good in anything—high-quality shorts and sock garters… Ah, my precious…”
Brigid was already lost in a daydream, wearing an eerie smile on her face.
The responsibility of welcoming Nisha was entrusted to Brigid.
Diarmid entered the room.
“I’m here to review the contract.”
Brigid began to recite the contract terms.
“The duration is until Nisha-kun enters the Royal Academy… umm, it’s a five-year contract, correct?”
“That’s correct.”
“I won’t love you as a wife… We won’t participate in the first night ceremony. Yes, yes. I don’t require you either.”
For some reason, Diarmid felt slighted by Brigid’s casual tone.
“Attending social events as a married couple… I believe it’s necessary for Nisha-kun to get accustomed to society.”
“Moreover, it would raise suspicions if people believed this marriage was merely a prerequisite for adoption. Even though the church recognizes political marriages, it strictly prohibits sham marriages.”
“…Is this sudden marriage not too suspicious? I’m sure it will seem like we’re marrying solely for the purpose of adopting a child.”
“Then I’ll pretend to be in love with you.”
Seeing Diarmid’s businesslike response, Brigid grew suspicious.
“What?”
“No, can Your Excellency really do that?”
Diarmid nodded without emotion.
(…No, it can’t be possible, right?)
Brigid thought but decided not to press further. Being Nisha’s stepmother was more important than anything else.
“Also, the terms of payment for me are as outlined…”
“In case of divorce, our assets will also be divided. Please review and, if there are no issues, sign.”
Brigid dipped the quill into the ink, as suggested.
She then looked at Diarmid and asked, “Um, Your Excellency, are you sure about this?”
“What are you dissatisfied with?”
“The terms are just too favorable for me…”
“It’s not a significant sum for a Marquis’s family.”
“And… well… don’t you think Your Excellency could marry someone other than me and be loved by a young lady? By marrying someone like that, you could have children of your own and create a happy family. Wouldn’t that be better? Five years is quite a long time at your age.”
“I have no desire for children. Marrying someone like that would only be a hindrance to women who want to have their own children.”
“Why don’t you want children? I can’t believe… Do you prefer men?”
Brigid’s face turned pale. She couldn’t allow Nisha to become a victim of pedophilia for her own desires, even if she was his stepmother.
“No! The situation with my child isn’t suitable for Nisha either. I don’t want to involve him in power struggles.”
“Why did you choose Nisha-kun as your successor then?”
Brigid was relieved by Diarmid’s explanation but found it somewhat baffling.
Even if the child was the older brother’s, without acknowledgment from the mother, the child would be considered illegitimate. Furthermore, the current Marquis was Diarmid, so he should marry and have his own child as the successor.
There seemed to be no reason to stubbornly cling to Nisha.
Brigid couldn’t help but gaze at Diarmid.
(Maybe he can’t love women? He avoids women to the point where he’s known as impregnable. Now that I think about it, I’ve heard rumors of a romantic relationship between His Excellency and the Bishop. I, on the other hand, am quite the opposite… Regardless, it’s certainly intriguing!)
“You’re making baseless assumptions, aren’t you?”
Diarmid scowled.
Brigid shook her head, showing her support by making a fist and pumping her hand against her chest. In her previous life, she had enjoyed reading BL novels.
“No! I’m open-minded! If you’re in a secret relationship, I’ll support you! You can use me as a cover!”
Diarmid sighed.
“It’s not a secret relationship or anything of the sort. The Marquis Frozevitnir family has had silver hair and blue eyes for generations.”
As he spoke, Diarmid shifted his gaze to the emblem of the Marquis’ family hanging on the wall—a silver wolf with blue eyes.
“Other individuals lack the qualifications to become a Marquis. Originally, my older brother was supposed to inherit the title. I’m just filling in for him. That’s why I chose my brother’s son, Nisha, to be the next Marquis. I plan to raise him as a noble and restore his title.”
Diarmid was incomplete as the heir to the Marquis’ house, and his Sacrament of Adulthood was also incomplete. Thus, he had decided not to leave any offspring of his own. Despite the rumors that he was a “celibate” and impervious to love, he had avoided marriage.
“…But Nisha-kun’s mother…”
Brigid hesitated with her words.
“I don’t know who she is. However, she is the woman my brother chose. There’s no doubt about that. Once a man from the Marquis Frozevitnir family loves a woman, he can only love that woman. That’s why we choose carefully.”
Brigid stared at Diarmid.
“Your Excellency… was a good person…”
“What do you mean?”
“I thought you were a domineering, selfish person who disliked nobility. But I can’t believe how much you care about Nisha-kun…”
“Are you making fun of me?”
“No, I truly respect you.”
Brigid said this innocently, and Diarmid’s anger subsided.
Brigid signed the contract.
Diarmid also added his signature.
Each party kept a copy. With that, the fake marriage contract between Diarmid and Brigid was concluded.