Daisy stared at Killian innocently, yet she spoke clearly and with conviction. Stunned, Killian laughed out loud.

“So, what if we’re equal partners? Do you have additional requests?”

Killian was open to increasing the amount of alimony Daisy would receive in the event of a divorce and had prepared a second proposal just in case. An emerald mine was in the edited document, and out of a few stores Killian had under his name, he was going to give one of them to her and, if she wanted, even a share of profits from the casino.

“As you said, if you divorce me within three years, I can’t become the duke. If I give you the right to divorce me, it wouldn’t be an equal deal but a losing deal for me. You can’t ask me to compromise that much.”

“But…”

Daisy understood perfectly. As long as there was debt, the deal wouldn’t be on equal terms. If she was going to accept his terms, she needed to get some leverage.

Daisy was afraid of this man. Men often changed after possessing a woman. Perhaps not all men were like that, but Daisy had been a mistress of a horrible man in her previous life. Allen, who had turned her into a mistress, was cruel to her.

‘You are so stupid.’

‘You have to do what I tell you.’

‘You’re making me act like this because you don’t turn me on as a woman.”

Thinking of Allen’s words still made her blood boil. She wasn’t in love with Allen. Their relationship was just exploitation.

It would be the same with Killian. But for some reason, she thought it would be even more painful if Killian were to say such abusive things to her. But why? Because he’s a more dangerous man? If Killian were to look at her like she was worse than an insect—the way Allen used to—she would have a harder time dealing with it than when she was with Allen.

“I don’t want to be in a relationship that I can’t leave no matter how badly I get treated. Don’t want to be stuck in a bad cycle.”

“…Tell me in detail what kind of treatment you want. Even though I cannot grant you the right to divorce me, we can modify the terms of the deal.”

Daisy took a breath. Killian was surprisingly understanding. She began cautiously, “Okay, I have a few requirements.”

“…I’m listening.”

“First, I’d like you to send my father away, somewhere far, so he won’t be around me or my sister Jasmine,” Daisy said with firm eye contact. She resented her father. He tried to sell her and her sisters. He had no love for his daughters. He supported Rose whom he considered most valuable, but wasn’t nice to Daisy who was worthless in his eyes.

Out of the sisters, Daisy was treated the worst growing up. She was blamed and punished for everything, even for things her siblings did. Rose disrespected Daisy following their father’s lead. Because of the way she grew up, Daisy had ended up with a guy like Allen. She never wanted to live like that again.

Even if she were to put that aside, there had to be an end to their father getting more loans by using his daughters as collateral.

‘Would Father stop after I settle his debt by marrying Killian? In that dream-like memory of my previous life… He had even stolen all of the dowry money Killian had given to each of us. Once I’m married to the marquis, how much more money would he try to extort from me? Horrifying…”

Just the thought gave her the shivers.

At that moment, Killian had a strange expression on his face. His captivating blue eyes changed. It was a look that was difficult to read—neither pity, nor sympathy, nor understanding.

“Okay, I have a place in mind.”

Killian must have unconsciously craved a cigarette at that moment. He picked one up and then put it down as he continued, “there’s a good facility in the countryside. It’s a mental health facility that’s open to aristocratic families only. It’s funny that I’m saying this since I run a casino, but your father’s gambling addiction needs serious treatment. I could tell right away.”

“…Yes.”

“Of course, I’ll make sure he won’t be allowed to leave the facility at will. Don’t worry. It’s not a place where they treat patients harshly, and the facility is quite luxurious, so he would live like an aristocrat. But, unless his gambling addiction is under control, he won’t be able to get out there.”

“Thank you.”

A relief washed over Daisy’s face. She wondered if she was being too cruel to her father but quickly made up her mind.

‘I won’t let him ruin my life the second time. If I leave it be, he’s going to eat away at my life. I don’t want to deal with his loans and debt.’

“Anything else?”

“Please treat me like a human being. When you get tired of me, please consider me like air. No swearing or hitting. No throwing things, not even light shoving. Oh, and no screaming in my ears.”

In actuality, there was a lot more than that. She hated being demeaned, humiliated, or forced to work long hours. But Daisy mentioned the bare minimum just so she could be sure that Killian wouldn’t treat her like Allen did.

Killian frowned lightly, “I am not the kind of villain who bullies women. I am a better villain than that.”

Daisy felt a little relieved after hearing him say that. If Killian had said that he wouldn’t do such things because he was a nice man, it would’ve made her nervous. But he was being rather honest, so what he said seemed more trustworthy.

“And I don’t think you’re the type of woman men get tired of easily.”

“What?”

“…Never mind. Anything else?”

“If you are going to have a mistress, please limit it to just one. I don’t like men who sleep around with many women.”

“…”

Killian nearly choked.

“Are you out of your mind?”

This was the second time a woman made Killian ask this. He had never been interested in a woman before to ask such a question.

“When there are many partners, it increases the chances of one getting STDs. And—”

“Do you know what you are saying? I don’t need a mistress.”

“But men change,” said Daisy with a worried expression. Daisy had her reasons for saying what she did. Killian was telling the truth too, and Daisy knew that he had little interaction with women. This would continue, perhaps for a while, but Daisy knew what would happen in a few years. For reasons unknown, when he became Duke Silvesten in a few years, he started going to parties and meeting women. He didn’t go crazy or anything from what she’s heard, but the fact that Killian, a man with zero interest in women, started socializing with women at all was a big surprise to everyone.

The high society world fell into a frenzy, and an unexpected hunting season ensued. Any woman who dined with Killian or had any small interaction with him went crazy for him. And whenever Killian moved on to the next woman, a huge fight would break out between the two women involved, causing a big drama. The women spared nothing and utilized any means and methods necessary to win. Oddly enough, none of the women ever resented Killian. In the end, there was a woman who appeared to be the winner. Recalling that memory, Daisy smiled bitterly.

Anyway, Daisy didn’t want to be involved in fights like that. Just the thought of it tired her out.

‘A man of Silvesten’s bloodline, the fatal attraction.’

Also, a man like him was most likely to change once his eyes opened to women. The more ascetic, the easier he would fall for women. The fact that Killian wasn’t promiscuous was a concern for Daisy too. How long could a man who oozed that much masculine energy and charm keep it under control?

“I really don’t want a mistress. I do not covet women. I’m rather offended.”

“Oh…”

Daisy stayed quiet for a second, then quietly asked,

“Then… do you expect sexual relations between us?”

“Of course, all married couples have sex. Do you expect a stork to bring you a child?”

Killian added sarcastically with a smirk.

“But you said children are not required.”

“I don’t want children, either. But what I want is for us to be a real married couple and have a genuine married life until I become a duke. Once I receive the title of Duke, we’ll get a divorce whether you want it or not; but until then, no one must question the integrity of our marriage. My half-brothers are looking for any reason to take me out. I don’t want any interference until I inherit the title.

“Oh…”

Daisy tightened her lips.

Daisy didn’t have much sex with Allen in her previous life. Even when they tried, it didn’t always work.

‘It’s because you can’t turn me on,’ Allen blamed it on Daisy.

‘You’re frigid.’

‘Who’d put up with you if not me?’

Allen had several women. He’d say it was because Daisy wasn’t good enough. Daisy believed it at the time, but now she realized it was ridiculous.

Daisy wondered if Killian expected his wife to give him sexual pleasure. And what if it didn’t go well like it didn’t with Allen? Would he be disappointed? Would he say that it’s a breach of contract?

‘No, even if that’s the case, that’s his responsibility, not my concern. He’s the one who drafted the marriage proposal without checking.’

Come to think of it, Daisy had never been very interested in men. Killian made her heart beat faster and made her body heat up, but that was because she feared him. Or was her body reacting because he was so good-looking?

Daisy shook her head.

“Please… include everything as a memorandum.”

“Really? Including the part about the mistress?”

“Yes, a mistress is fine—just not multiple women.”

Killian looked at her as if he didn’t understand, but he soon nodded, “Okay.”

Daisy inhaled deeply. Daisy didn’t trust men. The only thing she could trust was herself. Daisy was planning to publish the contract in the newspaper if Killian were to violate the terms. She would not enter this marriage empty-handed. This document would be her weapon of last resort.

Observing Daisy, Killian wondered, ‘What kind of environment did she grow up in? How old is she?’

She looked and acted like an innocent young girl, but her concerns and ways of thinking seemed as though she’d already been through everything, from scammers to garbage men.

‘Who is this girl?’

Killian tilted his head a little, feeling a deepening interest. ‘Oh,’ just in that moment, something flashed in his mind.

It didn’t seem like she had an aversion to sex. On the contrary, when she looked at him, her cheeks seemed to flush as it happened to many women. Killian was sensitive to others’ reactions. He was aware of the desires others felt for him. He just chose to ignore it.

If not aversion to sex, what could it be? Daisy seemed worried like something was troubling her. Killian could guess.

“…If you’re worried about your past, I don’t mind one or two,” Killian said softly. “I don’t care about things like that, and we’re making a deal. It’s not like this is a love affair.”

“What?”

“I won’t get angry even if you’re not a virgin.”

At this, it was Daisy who got stunned and blinked.

“Do you… really mean that?”

Even though the times were changing, the chastity of noble girls was an absolute requirement for marriage. Daisy was taken aback by Killian’s shocking remark. Of course, Daisy was pure. Her previous life could be considered as having an experience, but in the present day, she was a virgin.

“The…” Daisy pursed her lips, contemplating whether to claim that she was a virgin or not. Did she really need to? She didn’t want to be concerned with things like that anymore. What Daisy was worried about was something else. “But,” Killian continued with a change in his facial expression, “if you’re trying to tell me that you’d like to see other men, I’m absolutely against it. I despise infidelity. I’m grateful that you allowed me to have a mistress, but if you see another man after we get married, you don’t want to find out what would happen.” Clearly, Killian was being sarcastic.

“…”

“If you cheat on me… under any circumstance, I absolutely would never forgive you. And the man will find out what hell is like.”