TDWO Chapter 25

Anri’s crescent-shaped eyes were barely visible.

Seeing this, Edwin lost his smile.

 

“Hmmm, not great.”

“I’ll just get divorced and go straight to a nursing home!”

 

Ahaha! How exciting!

 

“Then twenty….”

“……?”

 

Anri tilted her head slightly, still with a bright smile.

With a fist was clenched tightly. In 30 years, Anri would be fifty.

In her original era, she would be starting her second life with a trench coat fluttering. But here, that age is not very advantageous.

 

“Or ten….”

 

Anri, with a cryptic smile, tightened her fist even more.

 

“…how about nine years?”

 

She thought it was like 39,900 won.

Edwin, noticing Anri’s unusual expression, showed a hint of amusement in his eyes as he pondered for a moment.

He then made another suggestion, his arms crossed.

 

“Or I could do it in the way I usually handle contracts with the servants?”

“How do you do that?”

 

Despite putting on a professional smile, Anri felt like crying.

It seemed her own life would have to be enjoyed after turning forty.

She had never imagined what she would be like at forty.

Well, she doesn’t need to worry about joints and cartilage just yet.

 

“First, there’s a 3-year probation period. If nothing happens during those 3 years, it becomes a lifetime position, but you can leave anytime after that. Oh, but you need to give notice in the final quarter before you leave.”

 

At that moment, Anri’s expression genuinely brightened.

Though it felt more like dealing with a boss than a husband, it was much more comfortable.

 

“Oh, I really like this! However, can the Duke fire me first?”

“No. If you commit a crime, you’d be sent to prison, but if you need to be dismissed for unavoidable reasons, I’ll write you a recommendation for another household. In your case, you can request to end the contract any time after the 3 years.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

 

Anri was satisfied with this arrangement, as she doubted Edwin would send her off to another house.

Edwin also smiled contentedly at Anri’s cheerful demeanor.

However, inwardly, he had a grim thought.

 

‘Once she experiences life as a duchess, it will be hard for her to refuse, much like being drawn into a whirlpool.’

 

Edwin was confident that Anri would still be in the Duke’s household even after 3 years.

As Anri received the revised contract and refocused on its contents, she came to the section about the wedding.

The wedding date was set to be held “immediately upon acquiring a special license.”

This special license was a marriage permit that could be obtained from the Archbishop of Canterbury, the highest-ranking clergy of the national church.

It was the most expensive form of marriage available in the country.

The cost was roughly equivalent to the annual salary of a high-ranking servant.

It was as if the money one would earn in a year was spent on a marriage license.

Though it seemed excessively expensive and hurried, it was for the wealthy Duke’s family, after all.

Anri’s dowry included Marilyn and the carriage lily that used to come to the ball.

Marilyn and the carriage had already been stored at the Grand Horse Park with Kristan.

Well, if they considered Marilyn as Anri’s dowry and let her live in the Briston ducal residence, then it was a good thing that she wouldn’t have to part with Krstan.

However, when Anri moved on to the next section, her eyes widened in shock.

The section about “physical contact” was detailed in a way she hadn’t anticipated.

 

[Permits customary kissing during the wedding ceremony. Any other light physical contact necessary for a couple in formal settings will be discussed in advance and implemented with mutual consent.]

 

“……Eek?”

A faint cry escaped Anri’s lips.

‘Kiss……?’

 

Anri placed her hands on her cheeks and looked at Edwin with wide eyes.

His expression, suddenly serious and anxious, reflected the surprise of her sudden reaction.

And the lips.

The slightly parted lips, which appeared to be on the verge of reprimanding her, captured Anri’s attention.

 

‘I never thought about kissing!’

 

Anri was startled, unable to blink.

Of course, the wedding kiss was likely to be brief and light, just like most weddings.

Still, Anri felt exhilarated, like a co-star filming a kiss scene with her favorite idol.

She was torn between wanting to scream in excitement or feeling embarrassed and flustered.

Suddenly, Anri turned to the next page of the contract, and once again, a surprising clause was carefully detailed.

 

[To avoid suspicion, the couple must sleep in the same room on the wedding night and at least once a month thereafter.]

“……!”

 

Anri’s hands, which had been covering her cheeks, now covered her entire face.

Same room, same room!

Just sitting face-to-face with Edwin in the study was making Anri feel awkward; now, sleeping in the same room?

“……”

Edwin’s eyes darted around as he observed Anri’s reaction.

What on earth is she imagining……?

It was even more disconcerting to see her face turn red unexpectedly.

 

“Ahem!”

 

Anri suddenly cleared her throat loudly, withdrew her hands from her face, and pretended to calmly review the contract.

Once again, the words on the page were not registering.

Her eyelashes fluttered rapidly, lost in thought.

Feeling Edwin’s intense gaze made her cheeks burn even more.

 

‘Don’t show it! Anri!’

 

Even though Edwin was the same one she adored in her past life, she couldn’t just get carried away and follow him around like a fan……

Then, Anri’s eyes caught a peculiar phrase.

 

[During the marriage, Anri Wentworth shall not meet other men of her own accord. Edwin Askar may meet other women with Anri Wentworth’s prior consent.]

……?

Why can’t I, but Edwin can?

Anri’s expression turned serious.

 

“Excuse me, Duke. I know I said it’s okay if you meet other women, but if that’s the case, shouldn’t it apply to both of us equally? It seems a bit unfair for me to be restricted while you’re allowed.”

“……”

 

Edwin’s eyelids slowly blink once.

The embarrassment that Anri couldn’t hide earlier had completely vanished, replaced by a neutral, round-eyed expression as she looked up at him.

The red hue that had lingered on her round face was now gone, leaving her looking pale and composed.

Anri was a bit stunned by the rapid change in her mood.

 

“……Understood. I’ll make the amendments.”

“Thank you.”

 

Anri smiled brightly.

Even if Edwin was the same person she adored from her past life, unfairness was still unfair.

She needed to stay alert.

Anri carefully reviewed the contract with renewed focus.

The terms regarding marriage and financial compensation were satisfactory.

Anri could borrow money from Edwin as needed and purchase anything required for their married life.

If she wanted to own real estate, such as land or a mansion, or luxury items like carriages or sculptures, she could buy them in Edwin’s name and then transfer ownership to herself with a separate agreement.

Of course, this contract was only valid between Edwin and Anri.

Additionally, Anri would be paid a substantial amount every quarter to maintain her status.

How she used this money was up to her.

Finally, the section on divorce was rather lengthy.

Edwin sank further into the leather sofa, contemplating the issue of divorce.

 

“No matter how I think about it, there seems to be no legal way for us to divorce honorably.”

“……?”

“To protect my honor, I would have to make Anri into an adulteress. To protect your honor, I would have to commit crimes like adultery, murder, bigamy, assault, and other unmentionable offenses.”

 

Husbands could divorce their wives for mere infidelity, but wives could not.

Divorce for wives was only possible if their husbands committed truly heinous crimes.

The thought of becoming such a spectacular criminal, even if only fake, to divorce Anri already made Edwin feel dizzy.

 

“So, should I just die then?”

 

Anri blinked as she alternated between reading the contract and looking at Edwin.

To protect their honor and allow for an easy divorce, Anri would have to be disguised as dead—whether from illness or an accident.

It wasn’t a thought that Anri had completely ignored.

 

“Well, I’ve written it down for now, but we can think of a better solution gradually. It’s not urgent.”

“Right. It’s fine. After all, I can live under a different name.”

“……”

 

Seeing Anri’s bright smile, Edwin looked a bit perplexed.

Even though it wasn’t an actual death, was she really smiling so easily at the thought of her official records being completely erased?

It was a serious matter!

Edwin honestly expected Anri to feel uneasy about faking her death and reconsider the divorce. Maybe she’d want to maintain the marriage and live a double life as a man.

 

“Um, Duke.”

 

Now that Anri had reviewed the entire contract, she folded her hands on her lap and straightened up.

Her eyes sparkled seriously and brightly.

Edwin tilted his head slightly, curious about what she would say next.

 

“Could we add one more line?”

“What is it?”

“That we will not harm the Wentworth family or Anri Wentworth under any circumstances.”

 

Anri smiled gently with just her eyes.

It appeared she needed Edwin’s assurance about her life to feel secure.

Since Edwin was a noble who valued honor and prestige, he would not betray his promises.

No matter how the story might diverge from the original, she needed to ensure her life was guaranteed!

 

“……Pardon?”

 

Edwin looked momentarily stunned.

 

“Do I seem like someone who would harm Anri?”

 

Anri maintained a calm smile, unable to nod in agreement.

 

‘Yes, you really do seem like someone who would harm me.’