Promise Me a Life With Three Meals and a Nap, Duke

 Real motives and true feelings of the marriage

Then poured out the foul abuse.

What a joke that they’ve entertained him with this level of tea; that he was jealous of their poor tongue; that their judgement was appalling; that my half-sister was too smug and egotistical about her beauty and many others.

I wanted to insert a few things.

That’s true, but I’m the daughter of the said Count – or rather, you’ve come to ask me to marry you, haven’t you? Also…

I don’t think you should be criticizing my family so much in front of me.

Well, Duke Lindbeld’s criticisms were on point, and I, as a family member, knew it best.

The Duke of Lindbeld was perhaps a little satisfied with what he’s gotten out, so he sipped from his cup of cheap tea to calm himself down and moisten his throat.

“Now, let’s get down to business. You’re the only one in this family who seems to be on speaking terms.”

“By all means, please.”

I was glad everything didn’t end with his idle complaints.

“Let me get something straight, I’m not getting married because I want to. I’m only getting married when I realize that I’m at a disadvantage if I’m single.”

He was so blunt.

But I felt more at ease when he set things straight. 

In addition, I had heard about the Duke of Lindbeld’s marriage plight to some extent, but only through rumors.

“Are things finally getting clamorous around you?”

He raised one eyebrow and snickered at the way I spoke.

“It’s not just annoying. It’s depressing. Lately, it’s even a hindrance to my work. Besides, I’m afraid this is going to end up being the most unwanted outcome.”

I wasn’t sure, but he was saying that there was a chance he could end up with someone he didn’t want to marry.

Rather, there was only one possible match for him.

I wouldn’t probe any further.

“You need a good reason to evict a troublesome opponent.”

“Uh… you mean this marriage?”

“It’s impossible to convince someone that they’re not at least better at something than someone else. So that’s where you come in.”

“I understand.”

“I’m relieved that you understood so quickly.”

I didn’t dare to ask who this troublesome opponent was, but something convinced me that she was even a member of the royal family.

The Duke of Lindbeld mentioned my ancient family lineage earlier.

With records of our lineage that traced back to before the royal family, my clan was with historical value on its own.

I didn’t know if it was the pride of the family, but perhaps that was why consanguineous marriages were still practiced today.

Consequently, my mother was not blessed with many children.

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In other words, what the Duke of Lindbeld was trying to say was that I could be an excuse and no one would say anything.

“When it was officially announced that you had been stripped of your title as the Count’s successor, I thought your clan were demented, but that’s how my luck turned out.”

My mouth twitched as I wondered if he had any thoughts about being related to that demented clan.

“So, I want to hear your response. Now, if possible. I’m sorry, but I’m busy and don’t have the time to keep coming back here. By the way, I don’t want you coming to bother me in my office.”

He sized me from top to bottom and expressed exactly what his intentions were.

His motives were downright rude, but I was aware so I dismissed it.

Then, I pondered for a moment.

If I stayed at home like this, there was a good chance I’d end up being treated like a handy servant for the rest of my life.

Or that was exactly what I’d end up doing in an unwanted marriage.

I could see myself being sold for money because I knew there was no future for me here.

Considering that, this marriage didn’t seem so bad.

There were going to be complications that came with being married, though.

“Speaking of which, are you expecting me to play the role of…of a Duchess?”

“No, not particularly. The duke’s affairs are run by the steward and the housekeeper. I rarely participate in socializing because they are too much trouble for me in the first place. In terms of children, you don’t have to bear them.”

“Okay…then, what am I supposed to do?”

“You don’t have to do anything special. Do whatever you want. The Duchess is allotted a yearly allowance for socializing, and you can spend money as you please within that limit.”

I felt that the conditions were quite favorable to me.

I thought…there must be something more to it than those.

As I looked at the Duke of Lindbeld skeptically, he said, as if remembering.

“What do you have in mind?　If we’re going to get married, is there anything you’d like to see happen?”

“There is one thing that I would like to see come true, not if possible, but absolutely.”

“What is it?”

“A minimal way of living with three meals and a nap.”

When the Duke Lindbeld heard what I said without hesitation, he returned to me meaningfully.

“What’s on your mind?”

“I want to enjoy a life of depravity.”

“Interesting.”

I expressed myself, clear and concise.

It seemed that the Duke of Lindbeld was very pleased with my frankness.

“It’s nice that you’re hoping for a life of depravity without demanding for special funds. If that’s the extent of it, I can grant it.”

Rather, the life that was the norm for aristocratic ladies was impossible for me in recent years.

Although I had taken it for granted, it’d actually been difficult.

“So, what’s your answer?”

The final decision lay with me.

But my mind was already made up.

“Let’s get married.”

For the life of depravity that I dreamed of.

I faced His Grace Lindbeld and smiled at him for the first time.

The Duke of Lindbeld then looked at me with wide eyes as if startled for a moment, and then blatantly averted his gaze.

I thought again that he was a rude man, but I quickly withdrew my smile, thinking that a smile like mine might just creep him out.