Rejecting The Perfect Marriage - Chapter 1
Translator and Editor: Jess and Tea
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Chapter 1
Prologue
In the deep night, the tranquil moonlight filled the room through the large window frame.
A subtle glow adorned the elegant marble table and the velvet sofa, like a painting. However, the situation on the bed was far from subtle.
“No more—”
“I know.”
Before Evangeline could finish her sentence, he stopped. The man slowly raised his head, as if reading her reaction.
His expression was sober, making it difficult to guess what he had been doing just a few moments ago.
“It’s alright?”
“…Of course.”
As she nodded, he withdrew. Although it had seemed he would stay in that position for a while, that was not the case. After checking the time, he swiftly stood and put on the uniform he had thrown on the floor a while ago.
Evangeline silently gazed at him.
Dekarno von Tezen. Although the dawn sun was still low, there was no interruption for her to appreciate the man’s appearance.
The intense, deep-gray eyes typical of the Tezen family were eerily tranquil. His height was a head taller than that of average men, and his broad shoulders seemed to oppress anyone who looked at him.
Indeed, he was a man with an overwhelmingly imposing presence.
“What is it?”
“….”
As he absentmindedly swept his black hair aside, his perfectly defined forehead and eyes were revealed. Evangeline quickly shook her head when his silvery gaze fully fell on her.
“No, it’s nothing.”
“What’s the schedule for today?”
“I’ll go through the backlog of documents in the morning, and there’s a banquet in the afternoon, so I’ll need to meet with people.”
It was good that no unnecessary pretense lingered when talking about such everyday matters.
Dekarno leaned on the table while smoothing the cuffs of his sleeves and frowned.
“Isn’t it bothersome, those things?”
“….”
Those things. In just two words, his opinion on the banquet became apparent.
Given how busy he was with external affairs, it wasn’t unreasonable for him to feel that way. Her lips, which had hesitated as if contemplating something, gently curved.
“I’m fine.”
“Well, that’s a relief.”
“….”
“Do you have anything else to say to me?”
He should have already left the mansion yet stood before her. Dekarno remained remarkably composed despite the mess he had made in bed.
Except for the first night they spent together, when he was somewhat drunk, he had never let go of his composure, not even once.
“Evangeline?”
“No.”
“….”
“I don’t have anything to say. Have a safe trip.”
His eyes narrowed at her elegant smile, but that was it. Casually turning his back, Dekarno had regained the perfect appearance of a nobleman. As the representative of the House of Lords that controlled the empire, countless tasks would be waiting for him today, as always.
‘I wonder what expression he will make if I tell him today is my birthday.’ Evangeline shook off such thoughts with a bitter smile.
No matter how much she thought about it, asking a man like him, “If you don’t mind, would you come to my celebration banquet?” seemed trivial, almost futile.
Focusing on each other’s responsibilities was an unspoken agreement in their impending marriage.
“…Alright, that’s all then.”
With a wry smile, Evangeline moved her lightly dropped shoulders. Now that he had returned to being the perfect Duke Tezen, it was time for her to return to the role of the proud future Duchess.
Ringing the bedside bell, she gracefully instructed a maid as she entered.
“Bring us some food and tea. Oh, and contraceptives as well.”
Chapter 1
It was the union of the century.
Everyone in the social world unanimously praised the engagement of the young head of the Tezen ducal family and the only daughter of the O’Hara county.
It was a match made in heaven, a union between the most powerful ducal family and the count family, who possessed immense wealth.
In Roak social circles, where marriage was often treated as a business transaction, the two were seen as a perfect match, filled with mutual benefits.
Excluding the absence of burning love, that is.
“Happy birthday, Your Ladyship O’Hara.”
“Thank you for coming, Countess.”
“What do you mean? Given our relationship, it’s only natural for me to be here.”
Every guest visiting the ducal residence showcased special closeness with Evangeline, who would soon become Duchess Tezen.
Evangeline, in return, skillfully welcomed the guests as the prospective mistress.
“It’s a small gathering because the late Duchess Tezen’s death anniversary will be held soon. There isn’t much preparation, but please enjoy.”
“….”
Though the words suggested a small banquet, the gathering was truly splendid. A brilliant velvet, reminiscent of Evangeline’s wavy silver hair, extended lengthwise across the ceiling. When hundreds of silver candleholders instead of chandeliers were lit along with the winter-themed ice sculptures, it created the illusion of stepping into a magical castle.
Nevertheless, despite all the decorations, this birthday party was simple, especially when compared to the standards of the O’Hara family, the wealthiest family in the Belize Empire.
“Indeed, quite fitting for the only daughter of the O’Hara family. When you think about it in terms of money… whew.”
“But what to do? Duke Tezen isn’t even present.”
The stronger the light, the darker the shadow. In the midst of the glamorous gathering, some noblewomen began whispering discreetly once their tension subsided.
“Even if it’s a marriage contract for money, if you’re engaged, you should at least show your face on a day like this, especially when marriage is imminent.”
“And Her Ladyship O’Hara is already acting as if she’s the Duchess.”
In the open-minded Roak high society, it wasn’t uncommon for engaged couples to live together even before marriage.
However, for those who sought fault, such facts were meaningless. Even the fact that Duke Tezen was the busiest man in the empire was ignored.
If they didn’t do at least that, their stomachs would ache and churn as if stabbed with a knife.
Evangeline O’Hara lacked nothing; she was the queen of high society. Regardless of status and money, combining all the dazzling decorations in the banquet hall wouldn’t be as beautiful as her.
With long silver hair cascading down to her waist and distinct features that were graceful yet haughty, Evangeline possessed a delicate, almost ethereal, beauty.
Her snow-white skin, akin to porcelain, seemed so frail that it might melt when touched, and her pink eyes held a refined—kind of aloof—presence.
In the predominantly dark-eyed and dark-haired Belize Empire, her rare combination of hair color and eye shade was almost unheard of, to the point where jokes circulated that Count O’Hara might have extracted those eyes in his own mines.
“Now that I think about it, if the count hadn’t discovered the Kaiyrn mines, this marriage might have been quite challenging. Honestly, until then, how could the O’Hara family even dare to compare themselves with the Tezen ducal family?”
“That’s true. Anyway, Miss Evangeline is the one who won the diamond spoon. To smoothly rise to the position of Duchess right after birth…”
“But what for? His Excellency the Duke has no interest whatsoever—ah.”
As the alcohol flowed in, the voices of the people gradually grew louder, and suddenly, they felt a gaze upon them.
It was Evangeline. Unsure of how she would react, one of the ladies smiled awkwardly, sweating nervously.
“I- I apologize. We didn’t mean that. We just meant it would have been even better if the duke had joined us on this joyous day.”
“No, today is better off quiet.”
“You-Your Ladyship.”
“Quiet as if there is no one there.”
“….”
“If it seems like that won’t work out, you might as well just get drunk.”
Her pink eyes folded prettily like a draw, half smiling and half warning.
The frightened ladies automatically shut their mouths. With only the sound of sipping wine breaking the silence, Evangeline turned away, satisfied.
“The wine is excellent today. We should all get drunk on this joyful day.”
“Ha- haha, yes, we should!”
Her devoted followers had observed the situation and raised their glasses with enthusiasm.
Evangeline took a sip out of pretense, but today, her head felt unusually heavy. Even though she wanted to quickly go back and lie down, if she didn’t throw a banquet like this on her birthday, people who wanted to question her family’s wealth would swarm around her like hyenas.
Compared to such chaos, this bit of gossip seemed rather innocent.
“Oh my, Miss Evangeline! Look over there! Someone has arrived!”
“….”
As someone began to make a fuss looking at the entrance, Evangeline raised her gaze. For a moment, she wondered if that man had come, but there was no way he would. He was a man who was always busy and busier.
She shouldn’t harbor any complaints since it was a marriage agreement she knew well.
For the better or the worse, the carriage that came to a stop was from the O’Hara merchant guild, her family.
“Oh my, it looks like the Count sent a surprise gift to Her Ladyship!”
“Father…”
Blinking, Evangeline received a telegram from the servant who rushed in. While she remained composed, those around her were visibly excited.
“I wonder what it is this time? Perhaps the rarest jewel in the world, the Arabelle Diamond?”
“Since it’s her birthday, he must have sent something even more special! Seeing that His Grace sent a letter, could it be documents for the ownership of an island or a deed for a mansion resort? After all, His Grace, the Count, is of that caliber!”
“….”
“Please tell us.”
“What is it, Your Ladyship?”
Those who were raising their voices in excitement eventually turned to the main character, Evangeline.
Reading the message with an expressionless face, she carefully folded it and placed it back into the envelope.
It was, undeniably, a birthday gift like no other she had received before.
[ All the ships from O’Hara Guild, which departed from Addis last month, sank in a storm. ]
It was the news that her family had completely fallen into ruin.
—
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