I Became the Madam of The House - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

It was none other than Gael Von Zenat who came without a sound. Archel can see his knight was staying alert behind him.

“You don’t look like an invited guest.”

Gael’s cold voice rang coldly. Archel bowed her head and began to speak.

“Greetings to Your Highness Duke of Zenat.”

“What’s worse, the beach wasn’t your purpose,  I was your purpose…”

Gael squinted his eyes and furrowed his eyebrows. The eyes of the two people met at last.

Archel opened her eyes wide when she saw the appearance of his intense dark-blue pair of eyes. Those eyes remind her of the darkness of a deep sea.

Those eyes were covered by his jet-black hair. Between his black hair, his eyes gleamed while examining the two strangers in front of him.

“…”

He was a sailor ever since he was young so his skin was rather tanned. Therefore, it was difficult to spot his figure among the beach setting behind him.

He was holding the sword handle for a while with a tough and powerful grip. He seemed capable of twisting the necks of the two at any moment.

Still, she can’t open her eyes. No, it was impossible to not be intimidated by his menacing presence.

He was a vicious person in the first place. A ruler who can suffocate people with only his stare, voice and aura alone.

The ruler of the eastern sea.

“I’m the Countess of Leire, Archel De Leire. This is my brother, Michael De Leire.”

At her introduction, Gael’s eyes were nailed at her and her younger brother subsequently.

“For what purpose, you came here privately without any appointment?”

He was being thoughtful indeed, but it was apparent that he saw them as an uninvited guest. It’s only normal that he thought so, because they intruded his personal moment.

Archel slowly breathed in. Her beating heart was almost hearable in her ears.

The purpose of her visit was clear, but she was constantly worried in the carriage about how to communicate it properly.

“I’m here to make a deal.”

She closed her mouth tightly for a moment, then continued to speak in a calm voice.

“By any chance, I was wondering If Your Highness needs Leire’s sea territory near the island, and,”

As if he found it intriguing, Gael slightly tilted his head while listening to her shaky voice.

“I came here to see if you are interested in a loveless and boundless marriage.”

The deal must be established no matter what. Or else, Leire will be ripped into pieces by their greedy relatives and they both will face a devastating ending.

In that sense, the best option is to come with the best appeal in making a deal. This is while she is still capable of retaining control over the situation.

Gael’s lips curled up at her words. Now his mind seemed to drift somewhere.

“Leire, Lady Leire…”

According to the book he was a prodigy, so the whole information about her would flashed in his mind  just by hearing her name alone.

“Not long ago…”

Instead of resuming, he slightly nodded and shut his eyes. It was how a noble expressed their consolations.

Archel, who greeted him first, cast an expressionless gaze on him.

Apparently, by this time, The Duke of Zenat was also suffering from his relatives who wanted to secure a position in the dukedom by gaining his favor.

There were even those people who desperately attempted to send courtesans to his chamber using the hands of the vassals.

Those foolish people somehow trying to coax the young duke to dominate the seas with his own hand.

Of course, Gael Von Zenat wasn’t interested in marriage at all. Love doesn’t help him conquer the sea at all. That’s what he believed.

“It’s true that I’m a little envious of the island and territory owned by Leire, but it’s not urgent enough for Zenat to seize the sea of another family, lady.”

His words came like a cold wind. Archel nodded slightly. Of course, it wouldn’t be easy. Because he didn’t expect that the first word she says to him would be a marriage proposal.

If he was such an idiot, she wouldn’t even come to him all the way here and asked him to make a deal.

If he was such a foolish person, she wouldn’t put Michael and her future on the stake in order to make a deal with him like this.

“I know. But rather than not having the sea owned by Leire County at all, it would be more beneficial to have one.”

Now it’s time to bet on a winning move. Gael laughed at her words. It seems like he still assumed that she was a naive young lady.

“Of course I do. I’m saying that the sea trade routes of Zenat do not affect Leire sea territory. As you already know, the trade route contrary from your territory in the west is already occupied by Zenat.”

Archel already knew about the presence of that trade route known as Zenat’s biggest income source and nodded.

“Yes I know. But i’m speaking about something else, Your Highness.”

“Something else?”

Archel took a tiny breath. Gael’s unshakeable gaze seemed to constrain her. After making up her mind, she opened her lips once again.

“Zenat is looking for a bride.”

“…”

“But you don’t want to accept the marriage with lowly courtesans coerced by your relatives. Your Highness wants to meet the bride that fulfills your requirements. Obviously.”

Gael’s lips went up a little when she said ‘Lowly courtesans’. Seeing his expression, she wondered if he was somewhat pleased.

Archel took her breath again and continued her words. She felt less nervous when she started speaking.

“I know that Zenat doesn’t want a bride. It would be as hard as picking up the stars in the sky to find the one who can comprehend everything and keep her mouth shut.”

Gael’s eyebrows, which had not moved at all so far, slightly flinched.

“It sounds like you’re signifying that the Zenat Family holds a weakness.”

“No, that can’t be a weakness.”

“I know there’s a reason why you require the sea of Leire.”

She uttered in a calm voice. She’s referring to none other than his pirate job. Zenat’s secret family business.

Even when there was a ship delivering valuable material, there are times when the sea of Leire County that was bulged out in the middle of Zenat’s territory, obstructed their way several times and caused great damage and loss.

Nevertheless, it became problematic for pirates to cross over into the territory owned by aristocrats.

Also, it would be absurd for the Duke to go against the Count and took over his sea territory for no reason.

For The Duke of Zenat who became the protector of the east region during the day, and a pirate during the night, the sea of Leire was like a deadly blind spot.

“…”

Gael’s lips were shut tightly. Michael clasped her hand tight. Their instinct of danger was ringing.

Archel was also terrified.

‘What will Gael Von Zenat do when someone who knows his secret comes?’

Of course, he would slash their throat and shut their mouth eternally. It will be the fastest and simplest solution.

Before he could even think to sway his sword, Archel lifted her one hand and opened her mouth. It was a declaration of submission.

“So I’m here to make a deal with you in exchange for Leire’s sea territory.”

Gael slightly furrows his brows, and Archel proceeded to speak.

“I can give you the sea of Leire. Because I don’t need the sea anyway.”

Leire was already self-sufficient with its land revenue. It doesn’t matter if the sea-route did not function properly because the sea area was overrun by pirates.

“Please marry me, instead.”

Archel said calmly. It wasn’t a romantic proposal.

‘But I can be the bride that suits his desired condition the most.’

“I don’t love you. My goal is not love, I just need a shield to send Michael to the academy and guarantee our safety.”

She caressed Michael’s head and then looked up to Gael again.

“I have no intention of barging into your room like what those lowly courtesans do. Just until Michael graduated from the academy. We just have to stay married until then.”

With Michael’s abilities, he could become a wizard within a few years after graduating from the academy.

“After that, let’s get a divorce.”

Archel continued.

“Even when we divorced, I didn’t intend to take back Leire’s sea territory.”

This marks the whole deal. Gael, who was silently listening, asked.

“I know what happened in the County, but I’m sure your family’s finances aren’t so bad so that you can’t send him to the academy by yourself.”

“Of Course.”

“Then what is your reason for giving all your family assets to me?”

Gael’s voice sounded rather emotionless. Archel knew it was a sign that he was interested.

“I’ve promised to protect my brother.”

She looked down at Michael. Michael was looking up to her with his eyes wide open when he heard the statement.

Archel did not tell him anything. Moreover, in the original story, Michael was the kind of person who would do anything for the sake of the female lead more than Archel.

But she will surely give Michael another chance to become a marvelous wizard instead of die young.

‘I’m content if my brother is doing well.’

“…”

Archel thought in front of the silent Gael. It’s not like she doesn’t have other plans after divorcing anyway.

It is now year 991 of the imperial calendar.

Archel knew that in year 995, a large gold-mine was discovered in the southwest forest, and the family near the site were sitting on a pile of money.

If she bought the land that is still cheap now, she will be settled for the rest of her life. Archel concluded her words in a calm voice.

“You need our sea and I need a strong shield to protect me and my brother. Is there any perfect deal more than this?”

‘There’s no love, but it was a perfect marriage.’

“Of course, I know that I don’t meet the condition necessary to become the Duchess. So we don’t have to bother with the wedding vows.”

She meant that she didn’t care about how he would become her guardian. Though, if they do not marry,  she will need to take another method to gain the right to control Leire’s sea water.

‘I can meet those conditions.’

“Of course under those conditions, the County’s island that I would inherit will also belong to Zenat.”

“No, I’ll take it.”

Gael blurted out a word. Archel did not understand what he was saying at that moment. Then Gael came a step closer to her.

Archel was completely covered by his shadow. With a scarlet sunset shone behind him, he smiled coldly.

“I have no intention of letting go of the prey who came into my domain.”

His subdued threatening voice was evident. Archel opened her eyes wide.