“Well, alright. Tell me how you plan on making me a duke. If it sounds good, I’ll not only write off the debt but also consider compensating you.”

Daisy unpacked something from her luggage.

The Registry of Single Women in Year 885.

“Here it is.”

“…What?”

Daisy unfurled the registry she had purchased with a large sum of money. She had to sell her dresses and accessories to buy this for the negotiation.

“This is a list of this year’s unmarried young ladies. They say Lady Celine is excellent at embroidery, Lady Vers is known for her composure, Lady Leslua is virtuous and hard-working, Lady Miria is in a rush to marry…”

“Wait, Lady Philbern. What are you doing?”

“I’m introducing these women to you.”

Killian’s squinted his cold, blue eyes in confusion. Daisy smiled as if unaffected.

“Getting married is the way to get the title. I’ll make sure you can get married.”

“Lady Philbern, if you’re messing with me…”

“I’m not asking you to fall in love, just get married.”

“What?”

“You don’t have to fall in love. You just need to get married. This way, you can become the duke without getting your hands dirty.”

Daisy looked him right in the eye and revealed all the facts that she knew about the duke’s will that was going to be made public in three years—that the title would be given to a grandson who’d been married for more than three years.

“…Incredible, so the will says that the title of duke will only be given to a married grandchild?”

“Yes, Marquis.”

“Is there any other condition?”

“No. You just need to get married right now.”

Killian briefly looked over the Registry of Single Women, which Daisy had bought with a large sum of money. He turned the pages as if looking for something. After nervously observing his eyes for a while, Daisy opened her mouth, “If you don’t like any of these young ladies in here, I know a good candidate for a bride.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes, she meets all the conditions that you require. Her family has no power, she’s open to an arranged marriage, and she likes you. Not the best personality, but she’s not the type who’d betray others.”

“Are you talking about yourself, Daisy?”

“…What?”

Due to the marquis’s unexpected question, Daisy went blank as if she had been hit on the head.

“Well, no. My sister, Rose...”

The next moment, Daisy was shocked by Killian’s expression. He made a face as if to say, ‘Who’s that?’

Daisy had never seen a man make that kind of face at the mention of Rose as if he hadn’t noticed or remembered Rose who was one of the most beautiful women. Feeling timid, she continued, “You know, my sister, the blonde…?”

“Oh.” Killian seemed to have a vague recollection.

Daisy had a reason for mentioning this. In her previous life, Rose had fallen in love with Killian at first sight. She did marry another wealthy nobleman but died of love-sickness as she couldn’t forget Killian.

There were countless women in the capital who had a crush on Killian, this intimidating yet handsome and captivating man, and Rose, one of the most beautiful women, had also fallen victim to this man’s charm. It was incredible that Rose died like that.

“Well, she’d be free since I can get her in exchange for your father’s debt,” Killian said cynically and sarcastically.

“I guess your sister is a better candidate for a bride than you since you’re recommending her right away.”

“Yes, well… I can’t compare.”

“I don’t think there’s that much of a difference.”

“No, we’re in completely different leagues. I’m against marriage.”

“What?” Killian looked as if he had been punched. “What’s your goal, then?”

“I’m going to settle my family’s debt and become rich so that I can live on my own. I don’t need a man.”

Killian’s expression reflected even deeper interest. He rubbed his index finger and thumb together once. This was something he did when he became genuinely interested in something.

“What are your thoughts on love?”

“I don’t believe in it.”

“And marriage?”

“Can I be honest?”

“Of course.”

“I can’t see myself getting married if I had a lot of money. Why would I?” Daisy said firmly.

Killian de Essel grinned at such a firm answer. His blue eyes twinkled softly with new interest.

“So, if you had enough money to live alone comfortably, you wouldn’t get married?”

“Probably not. I think so.”

Daisy meant it. In her past life, Allen had taken her body, mind, and her ability to work while she waited for him to propose to her. And in the end, she was tragically killed as a result of love. She wanted to have nothing to do with love and marriage. If a man could abuse her that much in a relationship, how much more tiring would it get in a marriage? Daisy wanted to be happy in this life. She just wanted to enjoy her life, free from complicated emotions.

She won’t allow men to control her in this life. And if she were to get married, she would only get married when she was ready. Marriage was a choice to be made when one was financially stable and abundant.

Killian nodded as if he understood, “Okay, got it.”

“Um… you do believe what I’ve told you about the will, right?”

“Didn’t you tell me to believe it?” Daisy blinked her eyes. She found it a little curious that Killian believed her without any questions when she told him what was written on the will. It was not like Killian, who was suspicious and meticulous about things.

“It sounds like what my grandfather, Duke Silvesten, would do. It makes sense to me. And there was also that incident.”

“An incident?”

“That is none of Lady Philbern’s business, is it?”

“Ok, then …what about my family’s debt…?” Daisy asked right away.

“Let me think about how I should compensate you. Go home for today.”

Daisy started to feel anxious. What if he changes his mind about writing off their debt? Daisy didn’t have any money left.

Killian looked up. “You may leave now. I’ll send someone tomorrow.”

She nodded reluctantly. When Killian told you to go, you had to leave. Daisy turned around and left Killian’s office.

‘Things will work out fine. As long as there’s no debt, I have a chance. I can live a better life.’ Daisy tried to think positively as the carriage took her back home, but she couldn’t completely get rid of her anxiety.

‘Do I trust people too easily?’

The money for the dowry that Killian gave her was the reason that she didn’t believe Killian was a bad man, but she wondered if she’d trusted him a little too hastily.

***

Daisy fell asleep and woke up late the next day. Yesterday’s negotiations with Killian had exhausted her mind and body more than she expected.

Even though she fell asleep quite early, she woke up later than usual. What made Daisy open her eyes was the loud noise coming from downstairs. Someone on the ground floor was shouting something. Soon she realized that it was Rose’s voice.

“Sister, wake up! Daisy!”

“What’s going on, Jasmine?” asked Daisy, rubbing her eyes.

Unlike Jasmine who was dressed neatly for the day, Daisy was still in her pajamas. Her deep brunette hair was spilling over the pillow.

“Big sister, what have you done?” asked Jasmine, her face tinged with shock and fear.

“What?”

“Marquis Killian de Essel…”

“What about him?”

“Has proposed to big sister.”

Daisy nodded as if she understood. She thought when Jasmine said “sister”, she meant Rose. So, Killian decided to listen to her advice, Daisy thought.

“Well, that’s great. You mean to Rose?”

“No, to you, sister. Marquis Killian de Essel proposed to you!”

“…What?” Daisy’s eyes grew bigger. She felt as though she’d been hit over the head.

***

Daisy went out to the street and grabbed a wagon.

“To the casino of Marquis Essel, please,” she said to the coachmen.

“Are you going there alone, Miss?” asked the coachmen looking at her like she was out of her mind. Killian’s casino wasn’t a place for a single woman to go alone. But Daisy nodded firmly, so he soon started to head toward the casino.

The world was changing fast, but in a conservative aristocratic society, the right to accept the proposal still rested with the father. Her father would accept the proposal. Without a doubt, he would give away his second daughter Daisy to settle his huge gambling debt. No matter which way he looked at it, it was a favorable deal that her father wouldn’t be able to refuse. Daisy’s head started spinning.

Why did Killian propose to me?

‘For convenience…?’

Out of everyone in the capital who were of age to marry, the Marquis Killian de Essel was one of the two people who had no interest in romance or marriage, the other being Daisy herself. Killian wouldn’t want to be bothered with having a romantic relationship or having a wedding, so in exchange for the money owed, he might take a bride who would require no effort from his side. After all, his grandfather’s will had just one condition: marriage with a woman. It just had to be a real marriage. She was grateful that he believed her and was taking action.

‘But why is he doing this to me? There are plenty of other women he could marry.’

The carriage came to a stop. As she looked at the huge casino in front of her eyes, her heart started to beat faster.

‘Would even a man like Killian de Essel change once he’s married?’ wondered Daisy pessimistically. He was a dangerous man, a man who killed other men. As she considered a life full of conflict, her lover and foe Allen’s disgusting face came to her mind. At first, Allen approached her with a good facade and acted like a nice person, but everything changed once he had her.

‘Oh, I don’t want to be controlled by a man again...’ Daisy shook her head. It would be the same with Killian. No matter how attractive, handsome, and incredibly charismatic he may be, he was a man, after all. Daisy didn’t want anyone to become the master of her life.

“I’m here to see Marquis Killian de Essel.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No, not really...”

“Then I can’t let you in. He has many visitors asking to see him,” the casino gatekeeper said coldly. Daisy frowned. What to do?

“He would let me in if you tell him that his business partner, Daisy, is here to see him.”

“I’m sorry, miss. The marquis doesn’t like women, and he doesn’t do any ‘business’ with women. There’s no way I can let you in,” the gatekeeper blocking the VIP passageway didn’t seem like he was going to budge. He seemed to have seen a fair share of women chasing Killian and wanting to get in. Daisy bit her lip. ‘Do I have no choice but to give up and wait for the marquis to come and see me?’

Daisy turned around, but soon she shook her head.

‘No, I have to act now if I want to change things.’

If her father were to accept the proposal today, there’s nothing she could do to change that. Her father wouldn’t even ask Daisy what she’d thought. He would gladly sell her soul if he could. Daisy faced the gatekeeper again and said clearly, “Please tell Marquis Killian de Essel that his fiancée, Daisy, is here to see him.”