Adopting the Male Protagonist Changed the Genre - Chapter 13

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 13

Did I mishear something?

However, the identity of the dark blue envelope that Penandel had placed on the table looked too ominous to deny.

I opened the envelope’s seal with trembling hands.

As expected, it was a marriage proposal.

But it looked somewhat… like a blank contract.

Thanks to synchronization, my face remained expressionless, but my mind was extremely complicated.

I could understand a marriage proposal. Yes, they would covet my dowry.

But divorce?

“After one year, once you safely inherit your dowry, you need only transfer ownership of the Herington Mine to Baluashten. His Grace desires only the Herington Mine, nothing else will be demanded.”

Suddenly, an exclamation mark appeared above my busily spinning thoughts.

The Grand Duke’s proposal precisely hit exactly what I wanted.

It’s called a dowry, but it’s money I can’t even touch until I get married.

Moreover, this kingdom has a damn law that ‘the bride’s dowry becomes the couple’s joint property.’

The Grand Duke was saying he only wanted one mine, despite having the opportunity to take half of my dowry.

Curiosity stirred in me, so I decided to subtly probe the knight before me.

First, it seemed good to find out if the rumors about the Grand Duke were true.

“What kind of man is the Grand Duke?”

The knight opened his mouth as if he had been waiting.

“His limbs are intact.”

“…”

“He is skilled at hunting magical beasts, values discipline, and responsibly completes his assigned tasks.”

“Not that useless information. What about here?”

I cleared my throat and tapped my cheek with the tip of my fan.

It would be a bit awkward to ask outright if he was handsome.

“Is there specific information you desire?”

No, why is this guy so clueless?

If you came to arrange a marriage, you should explain his looks, income, all the capitalistic details clearly.

Unlike his intimidating first impression, he was strangely clumsy.

“What does the Grand Duke look like?”

“His hair is black, his eyes are blue, and his nose and mouth are both properly attached.”

Is this guy possibly an AI?

“I mean, is your master handsome?”

“Hand…”

“…?”

“Handsome… perhaps?”

A question? He’s asking a question here?

For the first time, Penandel showed signs of confusion. I couldn’t see his expression, but I was certain.

“…It’s difficult to explain. I believe you must have heard rumors about His Grace.”

Right. Of course I have. The rumors made him sound like the worst tyrant. Is he going to say it’s all a misunderstanding?

Here, following the cliche, it’s all false rumors, and the Grand Duke is devastatingly beautiful and cold to others but warm to his woman!

“They are all true.”

“Good. I’ll decline His Grace’s proposal. Also, never, absolutely, definitely don’t think about arranging marriages for other people again.”

I shot up from my seat.

Although the deal with the Grand Duke didn’t work out, I had thought of a way to secure my fortune.

‘I should propose deals to other nobles about how much I can take before leaving them.’

Just as I turned my back on Penandel.

“There’s one last thing I’d like to ask.”

His voice came from right behind me.

When I hurriedly turned around, the man’s solid chest was already right before my eyes.

Even from a distance, I thought he was a huge man, but looking up at him from close range, he wasn’t just huge but overwhelming.

His entire body was sleekly built like a carnivore, packed tight with well-formed muscles that I could feel even through his clothes.

Before I could push him away in surprise, Penandel’s black-gloved hand gently grasped my chin and lifted my head.

Behind the mask, his shadowed eyes seemed to harbor some sinister secret like a spring in an unknown cave.

The moment I discovered some ominous energy in those dark blue eyes that couldn’t be expressed in human language.

“Where did you get this necklace?”

I realized he was paying attention to the choker around my neck.

And also what kind of state I was in, half-embraced by him.

I swung my fan forcefully to shake off Penandel’s hand.

He obediently stepped back several paces.

My heart was pounding.

Like master, like servant – for a moment I thought he was going to shake me asking how I dared refuse His Grace’s proposal just because he was ugly.

The gaze looking down at me was that cold.

‘He’s completely unpredictable.’

I fingered the choker around my neck and asked without lowering my guard.

“Why do you ask that?”

“…The design suits my taste.”

I quickly moved another step away from Penandel.

The choker that had struck Penandel’s fancy was Belinda’s daily accessory that I’d been wearing since I woke up in bed on my first day of possession.

Though not flashy, the delicate lace and bright red ruby pendant made it obviously feminine…

This is his taste? A lace choker on that manly, thick neck…?

“Would you consider selling it to me?”

And he’s persistent too!

“I refuse.”

I headed for the door as if fleeing before Penandel could pester me further.

Behind me, Penandel’s words continued.

“I plan to stay in the Royal Capital for a while. If your answer regarding His Grace’s proposal changes, please contact me at Baluashten Manor in the Royal Capital.”

Through the closing door, his low voice echoed.

“Please take care of yourself.”

Like his masked face, I couldn’t tell if what was contained in that voice was a warning or concern.

* * *

The lights in the study of Blanche Manor showed no sign of going out even late into the night.

Schubel took out the will he had been examining all day and looked at it again.

“The old man was quite clever.”

His voice even contained admiration.

A dowry – it was a move he hadn’t anticipated.

This meant Schubel could neither send his dear sister to a convent nor make her disappear in a disguised accident before marriage.

“Master, I’ve brought the materials you requested.”

The aide visited the study carrying a pile of documents.

Finally, Schubel’s gaze moved away from the will.

“Master…”

“Haven’t I now officially become the ruler of the Blanche Family? As I desired…”

“Yes, exactly as you’ve longed for so very long.”

Schubel continued speaking while writing a letter without hesitation.

“Except for that stupid wench with nothing but noble blood stealing gold from my pocket.”

Though his expression was extremely calm, the aide noticed the anger contained in those words.

Soon Schubel sealed the letter and pressed it into the aide’s hands.

A purple envelope sprinkled with pearl powder.

It was a letter to be sent to the Royal Palace.

“Now that the succession of the title is confirmed, I need to seriously discuss business with the Royal Court. I should take this opportunity to ask if His Highness the Prince has any interest in welfare projects.”

“Welfare projects, you say?”

A lukewarm response followed.

He knew well that neither Schubel nor the Prince had any interest in welfare projects.

“Yes, if there were substantial funds that would soon be returned to society, wouldn’t His Highness the Prince take interest as well?”

The aide didn’t bother to ask about the hidden intention behind those words.

He simply gave a brief bow and hurried off to send the letter.

After the aide withdrew, Schubel, now alone, turned his gaze to the portrait of the previous Marquess hanging on one wall.

Though it bore a gentle expression, Schubel felt the portrait was looking down at him with displeasure.

“To think you’d hold me back even after death. Was Belinda truly that precious to you, Father?”

A twisted sneer escaped him.

He willingly looked up at the Marquess in the portrait and whispered.

“I won’t let things go according to your wishes, Father.”

After all, you’re nothing more than a corpse already dead and buried in the ground.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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