TDWO Chapter 20
by xxsienna“Miss Anri.”
He looked down at Anri with a cold, unfeeling gaze, tilting his chin slightly.
Dancing two songs in a row was hard work, so she didn’t do it often.
But with such a skilled man as her partner, she felt strangely comfortable.
After assessing his abilities, she decided to let herself go for a moment.
The way he pulled and spun her felt like riding a fun ride—subtly enjoyable and strangely addictive.
“I wanted to see Kristan, but the Wentworth estate is too far.”
The man’s gaze, which had been observing Anri, grew more serene and chillingly deep.
For a moment, Anri’s eyes sparkled like clear jewels.
Was he aiming for Kristan?
“Since we’re here together today, please feel free to see him whenever you can.”
After finishing her words brightly, Anri spun around under the man’s arm.
But then the man’s hand suddenly tightened as he pulled Anri closer.
Oh?
With a slightly startled feeling, Anri looked at the man again, who had changed markedly from just a moment ago.
“…….”
He gazed deeply into Anri’s eyes, as if he could see through her.
In his grasp, Anri felt the kind of strength unique to men that she could never match.
To him, it was just a bit more pressure, but to Anri, it felt significant.
A sudden, chilling tension enveloped her.
She envisioned the upcoming movements in her mind.
The second song was about to end soon.
As they danced, they placed their hands on each other’s shoulder blades and shoulders, drawing a large curve as they glided across the hall.
Anri did not turn her back on him again.
Yet beneath the man’s indifferent and cold gaze, there was a persistent, intense energy.
As if he were about to say something important, something decisive.
Eventually, he spoke with a clear and strong enunciation.
“Oneday, I will bring Kristan here.”
“…….”
“Instead of that, how about we just get married?”
Anri looked silently at the man.
There was not the slightest hint of a smile from either Anri or the man.
This was his second marriage proposal.
The man, who had always seemed cold and unfeeling, like black ice, now exuded a different atmosphere.
As he held Anri’s hand tightly, his black eyes seemed sticky and oily, like petroleum.
‘And it might be the last proposal.’
If he couldn’t make her his fake Duchess here, he would likely give up and find someone else, right?
Anri’s eyes shimmered like the surface of a pink lake.
Could the man really fulfill all of Anri’s wishes?
‘……I have something I really, really need.’
As they focused on each other, the second song came to an end.
However, Anri and Edwin did not let go of each other.
Even in the brief, chaotic moment before the next song, they held onto each other’s hands and bodies.
Anri needed time to think, and Edwin was more than willing to wait.
Others might glance at them curiously, but there was no time or reason to care.
As it turned out, Anri was right.
“Mother! Look over there!”
At one corner of the hall, Candice jumped up.
A subtle wave of whispers spread through the crowd, pointing toward one spot.
Wondering what was happening, Catherine followed their gaze and spotted a familiar face.
‘No, when did Anri come here?’
After a moment of surprise, Catherine screamed, her voice rising to the ceiling as she recognized her partner.
It was none other than the Duke of Briston, Edwin Askar.
Before the first song had even begun, Catherine and Candice were already in a state of shock.
The nobleman, whom they had known as Kristan’s owner, was introduced as the Duke of Briston.
He seemed extraordinary!
But she never imagined he would be such a high-ranking and famous figure.
While she had speculated about which noble might own Kristan, the Duke of Briston hadn’t even crossed her mind.
She thought it was utterly impossible to randomly encounter someone like him on the street.
In fact, she unconsciously dismissed the idea that it could be the Duke of Briston.
“Good heavens, if my eyes aren’t cataract-ridden, isn’t the person dancing with Anri, the Duke of Briston himself?”
Catherine was astounded.
But it wasn’t just Catherine and Candice who were surprised.
Among those gathered in the hall, everyone who spotted the Duke of Briston and sensed the subtle tension with his partner was torn between hiding their astonishment or revealing it.
Then the third song began.
Edwin and Anri moved perfectly in sync with the music, as if they were dolls in a music box.
Dancing three times in a row with the same partner was quite unusual.
It didn’t happen often.
Perhaps it’s the first time for him as well?
This time, unlike the previous two songs, the music flowed with a deeper and more poignant melody.
However, the tempo was unrelenting and fluid, as if they were skating on ice.
It was a song that, despite its subtlety, required a lot of physical stamina—much more than a song that required overly energetic dancing.
…This isn’t some childhood Antarctic exploration penguin game from her past life.
Anri’s dress twirled like an overturned lily, maintaining its circular shape without overlapping.
Yet he remained as composed and stiff as when he first descended into the hall.
Lost in deep and significant thoughts, Anri’s mind felt dazed, as if floating in the air.
This moment might be when Anri’s life turns upside down.
“I want to become the Duke’s Andromeda, too.”
Anri finally spoke up, gently gliding down and back up.
Edwin’s eyes fluttered a little.
“But.”
Before he could feel reassured and satisfied, Anri quickly added a conjunction.
His eyes flickered again.
“But?”
Edwin leisurely asked back and spun Anri around twice, positioning her behind him.
When Anri finally returned to face him, her right hand clasped his left hand.
Anri smiled brightly.
“Would you mind lending me your name?”
“……?”
“As you know, I can’t own even a horse in my own name.”
Only then did Edwin understand what Anri was implying.
She wants to own property, but she can’t legally possess it as a woman, so she wants to borrow his name.
“Of course, why not?”
“Duke, you already have many possessions, so you wouldn’t be interested in a flea’s liver, would you?”
Anri smiled brightly.
In truth, if she only needed to borrow a name, it didn’t have to be from the Duke specifically. Her father, or any of her relatives, could suffice.
But she didn’t trust any of them. She couldn’t trust them.
The only valuable thing she had was a painting gifted by that man, and she felt like she might lose even that.
No matter how much Anri used the man’s name, it would only be a private agreement between her and the other party.
It wasn’t a legally protected contract.
Still, the Duke had already shown a clear intention to be financially generous to Anri.
He’d already given her an expensive painting.
“Well, that’s true.”
“And I’m not sure what you think, but could you also consider a divorce a few years down the line?”
“……divorce?”
Edwin’s eyes wavered subtly at Anri’s unexpected proposal.
Anri circled around under his lifted arm, then returned.
“I feel that trading my entire life for something, no matter the price, seems reckless. There might be someone I truly want to marry in the future.”
“……Hmm, of course I understand.”
He spoke after a brief pause.
It was something Edwin hadn’t thought of.
Who could have predicted that a marriage proposal would lead to a suggestion of divorce?
It was a complicated proposal.
However, Edwin, who needed a bride urgently, couldn’t afford to concern himself with future possibilities.
Moreover, as Anri says, asking for her life would be a violation of her human rights.
‘In a kingdom where slavery is being abolished…’
It seemed inappropriate for Edwin, who had supported the abolition of slavery, to desire Anri’s permanent registration.
Given the current buzz about slavery, it was a topic that naturally came to mind.
Anri spoke up.
“It’s not exactly the same, but apparently all slaves are being freed now.”
Seeing Edwin’s hesitation, Anri gently broached the topic.
Since they both agreed on the contract, it was crucial to negotiate the terms.
Anri and Edwin were living in the midst of change.
The kingdom where Anri lived would soon legally prohibit slavery altogether.
Although there were still countries where slave ownership was legal, Anri knew better than anyone that it would soon be banned everywhere.
‘But should I really commit to a lifelong contract with a man I don’t even love?’
Anri pretended to be upset.
Edwin, who was caught off guard by her sad expression, gave a short, nervous laugh and responded willingly.
“Yes. If you want, I can set a time period.”
Even if it’s just for a limited time, it’s unlikely that he’ll have another chance to meet someone like her.
Fortunately, Anri was pleased.
“Thank you! And may I ask a few more things?”
A cold smile appeared on Edwin’s lips.
“Go ahead.”
“I’d like to borrow money from you—not as a loan, but as an investment. Of course, I’d like to share the profits as well.”
“Profits?”
What was this about? Nonetheless, Edwin nodded.
“It’s fine if it’s just an investment, but what do you plan to do…?”
“Nothing that would bring the Duke’s reputation into disrepute, thankfully.”
“Well, as long as it’s not an illegal activity like gambling, it’s acceptable.”
Hooray!
I might become a millionaire now.
Anri twirled around joyfully, thrilled at the prospect.
She could use her art knowledge from her past life to make a fortune!
Edwin was both bewildered and amused as Anri spun around happily before he could even reach out to her.
What could she be so excited about?
“And lastly.”
It seemed there was more.
Feeling both anxious and very curious, Edwin wondered what she would say next.
