Chapter 9 - The Past 0 (1/2)

Translator: Blushy

Editor: delishnoodles

It was a month later that I first met my marriage partner.

My marriage partner was the one who wanted to meet, and that man consented because I learnt enough about etiquette and culture not to be embarrassing in public.

However, the fact may be that he couldn’t go against someone of higher standing.

That man had my marriage partner invest in his business in exchange for one of his two daughters, and he chose me without hesitation.

His beloved daughter wouldn’t be the one who would be held hostage, the detestable girl would be.

Of course, I remember that day… the day when I first met Orpheus more vividly than when I was ordered to marry him.

That day was also a cold afternoon.

However, the weather was good, unlike a month ago. There were no clouds in the sky, and the bright sunlight shone in the parlour.

That man had said that my marriage partner not only had money, but was also good-looking, and he was undoubtedly right.

Earl Rosenstein, Orpheus Dimitri von Rosenstein is a handsome young man with black hair and blue eyes, and he had a melancholy aura.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Earl Rosenstein.”

“Call me Orpheus. Please let me call you Ophelia, too.” He smiled lightly and replied in a friendly way when I greeted him while admiring his handsome appearance.

“Then, I’ll do that,” I answered and felt somewhat uncomfortable.

If I look closely at Orpheus’s smile, I could see that it didn’t reach his eyes.

His mouth was drawn in a bewitching arc, but his blue eyes were cold.

He shot an icy glance, which was appropriate for his eye colour, my way.

I couldn’t feel any goodwill coming from him, and his eyes made me feel the complete opposite of that.

――― What is he not satisfied with?

That man told me to stay silent about being a prostitute’s daughter.

So, he probably hadn’t told Earl Rosenstein either.

The reason why I’m disliked is probably not because of that.

Is it my impression? Or appearance? Or perhaps both?

I’m not a beauty.

I prepared myself to some extent, but I felt horribly miserable when I actually saw him look at me like this.

I don’t care if the servants of the house hate me, but it was different when it came to my future husband.

I pulled back my stiff smile so that he wouldn’t hate me more and stood still while that man and Orpheus talked.

Then, when it felt like an infinity had passed, Orpheus said, “Could I talk with your daughter alone?”

“Ah… I don’t mind… What about you, Ophelia?”

“Can you have a proper conversation?” ――― That man glared at me and said.

Honestly, I was worried about being alone with Earl Rosenstein, but I can’t refuse. “It’s fine,” I nodded, and that man walked past me. He whispered in my ear, “Don’t say anything unnecessary,” before leaving.

“He’s a strict father.”

Orpheus smiled wryly.

“Did you hear him?” I asked, and he replied, “My ears are good.”

“Most importantly, your father’s voice is a bit too loud.”

“I’m very sorry for showing you something ugly.”

“Don’t worry about it. Your father is probably just worried about you.”

I sincerely thought that it was good that my head was facing down since I couldn’t maintain the smile on my face.

That man was worried about something else, but I endured this because I would be in trouble if this marriage fell through. I smiled again and lifted my face.

Our conversation continued.

He had excellent conversational skills, and he was also a good listener.

I was weary because he had asked a lot of personal questions, but I had already prepared the answers in advance, so I couldn’t accidentally slip up.

“By the way, I have something to tell you,” Orpheus abruptly said when the conversation came to a pause.