"…add one more clause to the contract."
My words fell onto the tea table like a small stone tossed into a still lake.
Baron Alasto froze.
For a very brief moment, the hand resting on the edge of the table stopped completely.
"…What clause?"
His voice lowered slightly. Not irritated. Just curious.
I looked straight at him.
Morning light poured through the large window behind him, covering the Baron's face with a thin layer of pale brightness.
"For the three years of this marriage…"
I locked my gaze onto his.
"…you are not allowed to fall in love with anyone else."
The air in the room seemed to settle.
I caught a flicker of hesitation crossing Baron Alasto's face—so fast it was almost an illusion.
But only a few seconds later, his familiar smile swept that expression away.
He pulled out the chair.
The wooden legs scraped lightly across the stone floor, producing a dry sound.
He sat down across from me.
His movements were unhurried.
Alasto removed one black glove first, then the other. The soft leather rustled quietly.
He placed both gloves on the table.
His bare hands touched. He rubbed them together lightly, as if amusing himself.
Then he leaned back in his chair.
His gaze lifted to me.
My chest tightened slightly.
I truly disliked internal conflicts.
And I disliked even more being compared to someone else.
If he already had a lover…
this fake marriage would only make things awkward for both sides.
Not to mention—
if the matter ever leaked out,
it would become a laughingstock for the entire noble society.
I took a slow breath.
"Then… do you agr—"
I hadn't even finished speaking.
"So you intend to control my heart, Lady Mariel?"
He cut me off.
I bit my lower lip.
Fine.
He wanted to tease me.
But I wouldn't play along.
I let out a very quiet sniff and kept my face as serious and cold as possible.
I simply looked at him.
Without saying a word.
A soft chuckle came from across the table.
Baron Alasto lowered his gaze to the contract.
Then he looked up again and winked at me.
"Lady Mariel… this clause…"
He emphasized every word.
His hands, which had been rubbing together, stopped.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
The smile on his face carried a dangerous kind of charm.
"…does it include not becoming intimate with the opposite sex…"
He paused for a beat.
"…or with the same sex as well?"
I was speechless.
Wait.
Was he saying—
that he had some kind of ambiguous relationship with another man?
Was he that kind of…?
Perhaps the confusion on my face was far too obvious.
Baron Alasto clasped his hands together.
Then he burst out laughing—completely at ease.
"I don't have that kind of… interesting preference, Lady Mariel."
I pressed my lips together.
For the second time in this conversation—
I had been teased by him again.
But this time, his smile disappeared quickly.
Alasto's expression suddenly sharpened.
A cold glint flickered through his eyes.
He folded his hands together.
Both elbows rested on the table.
His gaze locked onto me.
"I can accept this clause."
He spoke slowly.
"…but."
Just that single word.
My heart skipped a beat.
"…don't you think it would be fairer if this clause didn't bind only me?"
His voice lowered.
"Although… I trust in the honor of the Duke's family."
"I trust in the upbringing given by Lord Albus Mariel."
His eyes never left mine.
"You wouldn't do anything improper or disgrace your family name…"
"…would you, Lady Mariel?"
"O-of course."
I answered immediately.
Even though my throat felt a little dry.
"I trust in my own character."
"I wouldn't do anything improper."
A thought flashed through my mind.
What was he doing?
Was he trying to confirm something from me?
Or was he probing for information… about me, or even about the Mariel family?
I didn't take my eyes off him.
I didn't even blink.
Was he planning to add another clause?
Had I missed some trap in the current contract?
My throat felt dry.
I swallowed.
I had always believed I was careful.
But…
was there something strange that I had failed to notice?
"Lady Rosa."
A low, cold voice came from across the table.
I startled.
My eyes lifted from the contract.
"No."
Alasto gave a faint chuckle.
"Lady Mariel."
He tilted his head.
"You forgot one thing."
He stood up.
The chair behind him slid slightly.
Then he walked around the table.
Toward me.
"…Outwardly, this marriage is only on paper."
His voice dropped.
"But in the clauses…"
"there is nothing that says we cannot… touch each other like a real couple."
He stopped right in front of me.
"So…"
he said.
At the same time, he raised his hand.
A wicked smile appeared on his face.
Like the smile of a devil about to toy with its prey.
His hand reached toward my cheek.
True.
The contract didn't forbid that.
Even if we didn't love each other—
outside, we still had to act like a couple.
Holding hands.
Standing close together.
Or even…
exchanging… kisses.
Like a—
like a married couple.
I felt my face grow a little warm.
While my thoughts were still tangled—
his hand continued moving closer.
Only then did I clearly see the palm of his hand.
Two large scars.
They ran across his palm.
Rough.
And unsettling.
I froze.
Those weren't sword wounds.
They looked more like…
burn scars.
As that hand moved closer—
a sudden sense of fear rose inside me.
I trembled slightly.
Then, without thinking, I closed my eyes.
Just for a moment.
I felt his hand stop.
As if—
he had just realized something.
A light breeze brushed past my cheek.
There was no touch.
I opened my eyes.
Baron Alasto had already withdrawn his hand.
Calmly, he put his gloves back on.
Then he straightened.
The sunlight from the window poured in behind him, making it impossible for me to see his face clearly.
I only caught a glimpse—
a faint, sorrowful smile.
Then he turned away.
And walked toward the hall.
"I will have the contract sent by noon."
His voice came from ahead.
"I hope it will satisfy you, Lady Mariel."
"The scar—"
I almost asked.
But I stopped myself.
Asking about his scars…
felt far too rude.
So I said nothing.
I only gave a small nod.
He had turned his head slightly to look back at me.
He gave a faint nod in return.
Then he left.
His back slowly disappeared down the long corridor.
I remained where I stood.
Watching.
Only after he was completely gone—
did I realize I had just let out a long breath.
As if a heavy weight had finally been lifted.
—
At noon.
The butler brought the contract.
I took it.
Thick paper.
A red seal.
And…
the clause I had requested had been added.
Below it was Baron Alasto's signature.
I read through the entire contract again.
Line by line.
Clause by clause.
Everything was fine.
Completely fine.
And yet…
I still couldn't understand
the faint sorrowful smile on his face as he turned away.