ICM Chapter 122

“Is the review finished?”

 

“Hmm, review.”

 

Drushia stroked his chin with his hand, drawing out his words. Looking at the documents in his hands, the corners of his mouth naturally curved upward. It was a completely different attitude from Ashika, who was conflicted about whether to laugh or cry.

 

‘How did things end up like this?’

 

The order was all wrong. On the first day of visiting the Talion estate, she had taken over the duchess’s bedroom, and then in a whirlwind, she had signed the marriage vows without even a proper ceremony. From the beginning, the two had been entangled with each other as if bewitched, and when they came to their senses, they had become husband and wife.

 

Facing Drushia, who was grinning broadly, Ashika felt the urge to cover her face.

 

“For now, I’ve drafted a prenuptial agreement based on the demands sent by Duke Igraine. Would you like to review it now?”

 

“Please give it here.”

 

Kalf handed Ashika the pre-prepared document form.

 

Originally, high-ranking noble marriages involved exchanging prenuptial agreements in addition to marriage vows. After a process of coordinating both parties’ demands, a final contract would be completed, followed by the wedding ceremony. Since this process usually took more than six months, the actual marriage required quite a long time.

 

Especially in cases like this where both parties were the sole heirs of their families, marriages rarely came to fruition. This was because complex issues arose, starting with designating the heir among future children.

 

Being such a rare case, the prenuptial agreement was all the more important. Ashika and Drushia were now drafting the prenuptial agreement they should have prepared before marriage.

 

Weive had sent the contract conditions first, worried that Ashika might be manipulated by Drushia in this deal.

 

“What does Young Duchess Igraine think?”

 

Drushia looked genuinely curious. Given what he had observed so far, it was understandable to be concerned. Ashika quietly let out a sigh.

 

“…He’s given up.”

 

A chuckle escaped from Drushia’s lips. Laughter came out even though it wasn’t a situation to laugh about.

 

Ashika buried her face in both hands. Her face was getting so hot that she couldn’t bear to lift it.

 

Weive had been so dumbfounded that when he called Ashika in, he stared blankly for a long time, unable to speak. When he finally opened his mouth, he asked only one thing.

 

[Do you also consent to this marriage?]

 

Watching Ashika nod with sparkling eyes, Weive let out a long sigh. It was already a done deal. In this situation, powerful protection for Ashika was more urgent than old emotions.

 

“I’m sorry for pushing things through without permission.”

 

Drushia said this with a completely unapologetic expression.

 

“It was a blank signature. From the moment you handed over the signature, you gave me all authority.”

 

“Still, how could you…”

 

“Do you perhaps not want this marriage?”

 

The face that had been wearing a smile hardened stiffly. Even if that were the case, he didn’t seem to have any intention of backing down.

 

Ashika shook her head. Of course, if he had asked beforehand, she would have definitely opposed it. Not because she disliked it, but because it would burden him too greatly.

 

Drushia’s expression relaxed again. As if he didn’t care about whatever Ashika was worried about.

 

“I’ll shoulder all the burden.”

 

Drushia firmly dismissed her concerns.

 

“What you’re worried about won’t happen. So please brighten up your face?”

 

“Rushia, this marriage is a loss for you.”

 

He was a man who always prioritized his own interests above all else. What benefit could this deal possibly have?

 

“I got what I wanted. So this much is nothing.”

 

That’s you, his intense blue eyes seemed to say as they gazed persistently at her.

 

Ashika’s face heated up again and she turned her gaze away.

 

This whole situation felt so unfamiliar. Just a few days ago, she had been struggling in the mud, but with her unimaginable marriage, all her real-world worries had simply vanished.

 

Julma and Kalf, the aides for both sides, also had expressions of deep emotion. Even Kalf, who always maintained his composure, looked somewhat dazed as he gazed at Ashika.

 

Over the past few years, the two had sat across from each other at the negotiation table countless times. Who would have thought it would lead to marriage negotiations?

 

“If there’s anything you want to modify, say it now.”

 

Drushia’s voice brought her back to reality. Ashika soothed her flushed face and began reading through the prenuptial agreement. Due to her fluctuating emotions, the words didn’t properly register in her eyes.

 

However, there was content that made Ashika’s eyes widen.

 

“If the child born is an only child, Igraine takes priority? You’re saying you agreed to this?”

 

“Duke Igraine said it was a clause he absolutely couldn’t compromise on. Well, I don’t have any major complaints either. I’ll work hard to ensure there are no problems.”

 

“No, that’s not something you can just work hard at…”

 

“Of course, if you don’t want it, don’t force yourself. Though I’d very much like to work hard at it.”

 

What kind of working hard was he talking about? Ashika hastily covered her face with the contract. Julma turned away with an embarrassed face, and Kalf also cleared his throat and averted his gaze.

 

Even after making everyone uncomfortable, Drushia remained composed.

 

“But I added a conditional clause instead. Read below that. If there are two or more children, my choice takes priority. Either way, whichever child becomes a knight will be Talion’s heir.”

 

Though he spoke casually, this contract was absolutely disadvantageous to Drushia. Reading the following clause, Ashika’s eyes widened even more.

 

“What is this clause? ‘Mistresses or lovers are not permitted between both parties’?”

 

Good heavens, did marriage contracts even include such content?

 

Seeing Ashika’s surprise, Drushia’s eyes narrowed.

 

“Why are you surprised? Isn’t that natural? If you had even the slightest thought of that, don’t even dream of it.”

 

“No, I’ve never even dreamed of such a thing…”

 

There was no need to speak with such a frightening expression. Actually, more terrifying than the content about mistresses or lovers was the conditional clause attached below.

 

If this clause were violated, instead of divorce, the violator would immediately transfer their title to their children and forfeit all rights to the family. The person who committed adultery would be completely absorbed into the other party’s family.

 

‘What kind of punishment clause is this? It’s strange.’

 

The contract seemed somewhat odd. It was puzzling what purpose this contract was written for.

 

“Don’t ask me to remove that clause. There’s no compromise.”

 

“Well, since I won’t be keeping a lover, let’s move past this.”

 

Ashika carefully read through the contract.

 

“But why is the residence issue like this? Four months a year at Igraine, and the rest at Talion territory – the difference is too great.”

 

Now that she had regained her senses, Ashika was no pushover either.

 

“Talion has the duty to be responsible for the border region. Right now grandfather is there, but someday I’ll have to do it.”

 

“Then let’s arrange for each of us to stay in our respective territories for certain periods.”

 

Drushia’s eyes shot up sharply.

 

“No! Absolutely no separation.”

 

“That’s not separation.”

 

“If a married couple lives apart, that’s separation, what else would it be? Do you want to be away from me? Now that we’ve even filed the marriage certificate, are you already getting tired of it?”

 

One corner of Drushia’s mouth curved up. The expression he showed whenever there were differences of opinion at the negotiation table over the years. The spine-chilling smile that appeared when something had rubbed him the wrong way.

 

“No, why are you putting it that way? I’m just saying we should move based on efficiency.”

 

“Is that damn efficiency more important than me?”

 

She thought he was joking. But the expression glaring as if he would devour her was serious. If she answered wrong, it seemed like an even worse aftermath would follow.

 

‘He was originally a man who held grudges.’

 

She had almost forgotten because he had been acting affectionately for a while. The fact that in family matters, Drushia had always manipulated Ashika.

 

‘For now, let’s not touch this.’

 

“Since both grandfathers are currently present, let’s discuss this again later.”

 

Ashika picked up a pen and wrote the amendments on the side. The conversation didn’t end there.

 

“The wedding is next month. The date is too rushed.”

 

“We’re already married. There’s no reason to delay the wedding.”

 

Drushia didn’t want to wait a month, let alone a week. If he had his way, he wanted to kidnap her right now and bring her to his room.

 

Unaware of this, Ashika became serious about the wedding date.

 

“If you’re not going to move it up further, I can’t compromise.”

 

“Is there any clause here where you could compromise?”

 

“Probably not?”

 

His mood seemed to lighten immediately as Drushia answered with a cheerful smile. It was a shameless answer that didn’t match his gentle smile.

 

But Ashika couldn’t openly object. Since Drushia had compromised on the most important issue, the rest were matters of little importance.

 

“Is the review finished now?”

 

“Let’s rewrite it with the revised content and send a letter.”

 

“Why do we need letters for something like this? Let’s finish it here. Kalf.”

 

“Yes, Your Grace.”

 

“Rewrite it according to this content. And you there, was it Julma? Please draft the contract as is right now.”

 

Julma looked back at Ashika with a reluctant expression. Ashika also nodded while letting out a deep sigh.

 

While the two aides drafted the contract with the same content, only the scratching sound of pens could be heard in the reception room. Drushia didn’t take his eyes off the document while the contract was being completed.

 

When Julma handed over the completed document, Ashika had a strange expression.

 

“Aren’t you going to sign?”

 

Drushia, who had been holding his breath, urged her. As he slid the ink bottle over while watching, his blue eyes felt particularly deep and large.

 

‘Is it really okay to do this?’

 

Since the marriage vows had already been completed anyway, there was no backing out. When the contract with both their signatures was finally completed, Drushia exhaled a tense breath.

 

While he had arbitrarily created and filed the marriage vows, this marriage contract was signed entirely by Ashika’s will. It was a signature that revealed her intention regarding the marriage.

 

The corners of his mouth gradually curved upward. Drushia couldn’t suppress his smile. The woman who had kept trying to run away had voluntarily taken his hand of her own will.

 

Drushia opened his mouth with a satisfied smile.

 

“Now we are bound by the same fate.”

 

Wherever that end might lead, they were together now. That was enough, Drushia thought. Because of this reassurance, Ashika let out a sigh of relief.