The hair on the back of Daisy’s hands stood up. She recalled Killian’s family history. Killian’s mother died after having suffered a lot during her life because of his father’s infidelity. It was understandable that Killian had such strong feelings against adultery. She recalled the craze over Killian that happened in high society in her previous life at the time. Killian was single, so he wasn’t being unfaithful by meeting women.

“So, neither of us shall have a lover. If you don’t think you can manage that for a few years, tell me now.”

“…That’s not the case. But what if I were to cite that as the reason I don’t want to get married? If I were to say that I can’t settle down with just one man, would you not forgive the debt?”

“That will be the case. It’s your decision. You could pay me back the 15,000 gold coins by working.”

Daisy bit her lip. Her father’s debt of 10,000 gold coins had risen to 15,000 due to the high-interest private loan.

“If you want, I’ll get you a job at the casino. You’re good-looking, so you’d be hired immediately. A casino employee’s salary is twenty gold coins a month, so if we round up the numbers, you’ll only have to work for sixty years, not counting change.”

Killian said sarcastically. Daisy recalled the beautiful female employees working in the casino. For a woman, twenty gold coins was a high pay. But their father’s debt was just so enormous. The thought of wearing a revealing dress and rolling the dice gave her goosebumps.

“That’s not much of a choice.”

“Yes, but it’s a mutually beneficial deal. But let’s be clear. Are you saying that you don’t think you can manage three years? Are you saying it’s not possible to stay with me?”

Daisy knew intuitively that if she were to tell him that she wouldn’t be able to manage three years, Killian would give up their marriage. She also knew that Killian wouldn’t be in a rush to collect the debt. It was also likely that she’ll be able to work at the casino for a few years, and working at a casino was not the same as working in a bar. But between being a casino employee and being a future duchess, it was obvious which one was a better choice unless one was stupid. Furthermore, the role of Killian’s wife was only for three years, four years at the most. As soon as he became a duke and things stabilized, they could get a divorce.

Plus, she’d be earning a lot of money. Daisy’s seen the fantastic compensation written on the contract. It was rather seductive.

‘With that money, I can take good care of Jasmine even until she matures into an adult and settles down…’ Daisy made up her mind and looked up.

“No, I’m not saying that. I don’t want a lover, either. And… I’m open to marrying you, Marquis.”

It was a no-brainer. It was hard enough having a husband; having a lover on top of that would be exhausting to even a higher degree.

“So we have a deal then,” Killian said calmly.

It hadn’t occurred to Daisy that the deal would turn out like this. The deal to settle the debt had turned into a deal that could change the course of her life. Nodding his head, Killian continued, “I believe this is a nice deal. You get to avoid being a debtor, and I get to become a duke. It’s a good deal that respects our values and guarantees a good future for the two of us.”

“You mean both of us being against marriage. You’re right. We’ll be free if we endure for three years or so.”

As Daisy said those words, her heart jumped for a moment. ‘Be free.’ What would be her feelings for this man three years from now? After sharing a bed and spending every morning together? Once married, she might develop feelings for this man. But for now, Daisy’s heart was too weary for love. They would not fall in love with each other.

There was an overflow of countless beauties in Killian’s circle, but not one of them was able to capture his cold heart. Daisy wouldn’t be able to, either. No one but perhaps ‘her’ a few years from now.

Daisy’s heart raced whenever his dark and mysterious eyes of oceanic abyss met hers, but that was all. Daisy reviewed the contract one last time in front of Killian. Only the part regarding children stood out a little, but otherwise, it was a straightforward contract. In her previous life, Daisy had been Allen’s mistress for eight years but still had no children.

‘Could I be infertile…? Perhaps that’s why sex didn’t go well?’

Daisy thought for a moment.

‘Should I mention that to him now?’

Daisy bit her lip.

Shaking her head, Daisy thought, ‘I’m not being fair, but I’m not obligated to tell him since I don’t even know for sure. It’s a failure on his part for not checking everything before making a deal.’ Although Daisy was a noblewoman, she had worked like a slave in Allen’s shop in her previous life. Allen used her to hide his slush funds and had her manage his store and take care of other chores around his shop.

So, Daisy was skilled in reviewing contracts and calculating profit and loss. She also knew how the minds of business people worked. It would be foolish for her to call attention to a possible “blemish” right before closing the deal. It might weaken her position she worked so hard to establish. This was a pretty good deal for both Killian and Daisy. However, if she accepted a few things, the terms were much more favorable to her. Not playing her cards right could change the terms of the deal.

“Well then… all of the important discussions are done.”

Also included in the contract were sections regarding wedding preparations and how many times they should see each other before the wedding. When it came to preparation and cost, the terms were very generous to Daisy to a surprising degree. Not only did the groom pay all of the wedding expenses, but also provided some pre-nuptial maintenance money to the bride. In addition, Daisy was to supply a dowry, but that would be given to her in advance in cash by Killian. Although a dowry was family property, the ownership title of the dowry often belonged to the bride; so in effect, that also was a large amount of money Daisy was receiving at the start of her marriage. Naturally, when they divorce, she would have to leave the dowry behind, so it wasn’t likely that Daisy would be able to do whatever she wanted with that money.

‘He’s not just a nobleman, but a businessman, yet he’s offering me a very generous deal,’ thought Daisy as she smiled bitterly.

“I’m sure you’ve read this in the contract, but we’re to meet once a week until the wedding.”

“Aren’t you busy? I can handle the wedding preparations on my own. You don’t have to take time away from your business.”

Up until the wedding day, Killian and Daisy were supposed to have a meal or tea together once a week. Daisy thought this was either to discuss the details of the wedding preparations or for show as Killian really wanted others to think that their marriage was based on love.

“No matter how busy I am, I can still make time to have a date with my fiancée.”

“Um, wh-what?”

Daisy was stunned. It was so weird to hear the word “date” coming out of Killian’s mouth.

“You go on… dates?”

“I sure do. I’m also going to get married, have a fiancée, and possibly reproduce,” said Killian with a smirk.

Seeing the look on Daisy’s face, Killian asked,

“Do I look like an eight-legged octopus monster?”

“What…?”

“You’re looking at me like I’m a monster that just came out from the ground. Do I look that terrible?”

“No, absolutely not,” Daisy said firmly. If she had to classify Killian’s appearance, it wouldn’t be a monster that rose from the ground but an angel that fell from the sky. Killian was the most beautiful and handsome man Daisy had ever seen in her life.

Allen, the terrible lover in her previous life, had a good face, but looking at Killian, she felt as though Allen’s face was just chaff.

“Okay then, it’s settled.”

Daisy picked up a pen to sign the prenuptial agreement. But just when she was about to sign her name, Killian held the contract in the air and stopped her.

“Wait, just one more thing.”

“Yes?”

“If… it turns out that the contents of my grandfather’s will revealed after his death do not match what you’ve told me, then you better be ready to pay the price.”

Soft hair on the back of Daisy’s hand stood up.

“Yes. I’m sure what’s written on the will be exactly as I’ve said. And I believe Duke Silvesten is in a coma.”

“Yes, he could pass any day now.”

“Right,” Daisy nodded her head. ‘The future won’t change.’ Daisy had faith in the future she had seen. Duke Silvesten wouldn’t wake from his coma until his death. No one could touch the will. With her slightly trembling hands, Daisy signed the agreement.

“By the way, what do you mean by ‘be ready to pay the price?’” asked Daisy quietly after signing.

“You have to take responsibility.”

“Responsibility?”

“Yes, that responsibility is why you’re the one who needs to get married to me.”

“What?”

“I believe you. Let’s say that my grandfather had ‘being married’ as the condition in his will. But what if later it turns out what’s actually on there is different? If I marry someone else, what would I do with her? Even if it ends after three years, it’s still a marriage.”

“Well, that…” Daisy didn’t know what to say.

“So, that’s why you need to marry me, and if you’re wrong, you have to take responsibility.”

Daisy already felt weighed down by this invisible responsibility.

“How would I take responsibility?”

“Well, by working for me for the rest of your life. Unpaid, of course.”

“…”

“Shall we start with that?”

“What…? That is only the beginning?”

Daisy’s mouth dropped. Killian grinned, “I’m kidding.”

“…”

“For now.”

Daisy never realized that “for now” could be such a scary phrase until then.

“You even joke?”

“Sure. Are you going to keep asking questions like that? Should I get used to that?”

Saying nothing more, Daisy thought to herself, ‘I have a feeling that I’d better get used to his sarcasm.’

Killian stood up and said, “You should be going now. I will see you off.”

Killian walked Daisy to her carriage. As they walked through the long hallway, they had a short conversation.

“Let’s skip the engagement ceremony.”

“Yes, of course. No need to make this more complicated. The less complicated and quicker, the better.”

“I like the way you think. I hate long, drawn-out deals that involve a lot of unnecessary details.”

Daisy was slowly getting used to conversing with Killian. Sometimes, he’d say things that threw her off balance, but otherwise, he was direct and succinct—a typical businessman style. Born into a great family of aristocrats, he didn’t have to work for money, but he entered the casino business anyway and became the king of the streets. Was it his grudge against the duke that pushed him?

“But I’m going to send you an engagement gift.”

“Then, I…”

It was customary for the man to send an engagement gift first and for the woman to respond. Usually, the groom paid more for the wedding, but both sides contributed equally when it came to engagement gifts. Daisy felt uncomfortable asking about it directly. Sensing this, Killian said, “Of course, you don’t have to send me anything. But it would be nice if you could wear the engagement gift as often as you can. I’d like you to show the whole world who your fiancé is until we get married.”

“I will.”

Before long, they had passed through the colorful corridor and were standing in front of the carriage. There was a coach ready to take Daisy home. Daisy was surprised that the time spent with Killian felt so short. Time seemed to fly by. Killian even graciously opened the carriage door for Daisy.

“You don’t know this, but…”

“Yes?”

“I only see people off when I’m satisfied with the deal. It doesn’t happen very often.”

Hearing those words, Daisy blinked a few times. Lowering her eyes, she said softly, “For the next three years, I’ll be your collaborator and partner you can trust.”

Killian smiled as if satisfied with her words. More and more, his smile was starting to make her uncomfortable. Every time he smiled, butterflies fluttered in her stomach.

‘Must not develop feelings. This is just a deal for mutual benefit,’ thought Daisy as she looked at Killian.

“That’s lovely. That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard from a woman in my entire life,” Killian responded calmly.

As Killian was closing the coach door, Daisy stopped him and spoke cautiously, “Oh, by the way, I have a request. The engagement gift… well, please make sure it’s something without much value, or send it to me as late as possible.”

“Why?”

“My father…” Her father was someone hungry to take anything of value for gambling or for women. Until Killian could send him away to the facility, she needed to remain vigilant. She felt ashamed for bringing this up and made a sad face without realizing it.

“After the wedding, we’ll send your father to the facility. Until then, I’ll have someone keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t borrow more money or cause trouble.”

“Okay.”

Daisy took a long breath. Still holding the carriage door, Killian continued,

“I was planning to do that anyway.”

“What?”

“Your father gambling away my assets would be problematic, so I was going to send your father away to a facility anyway. So, you’re not being mean to your father or doing anything wrong. You asked me to do what was already in my plans, so don’t worry. I’m going to be the one everyone hates for being the son-in-law who sent away his father-in-law.”

“Oh…”

Daisy’s eyes widened.

“Well then, bye for now,” Killian said softly. Daisy barely managed to nod.

Click. The carriage door closed shut. Daisy felt as though she could breathe again. She leaned back on the carriage seat, but couldn’t stop thinking, ‘Killian… just what kind of person is he…?’

Why did he say that? As if he knew she was suffering and was offering words of comfort to her.

“Does he… show compassion to those he likes working with?”

Daisy put her hand on her chest and made a fist.

A business partner. A man with a new tag was added to her life. A man she never thought could be a part of her life.