Dear Contract Husband, I Didn't Know You Were Like This? - Chapter 12
Maya couldn’t understand.
‘Is this a test?’
She heightened her guard.
“Firstly, I would like to apologize for making you wait. Was your meal satisfactory?”
Maya realized he was very skilled in conversation.
His inquiry about the meal she had won her over.
A person who takes care of meals is a good person.
Maya grappled with her simple logic.
‘Or maybe I’m just too easy?’
She acknowledged it. Maybe it was both.
With no intention to lie in front of the Grand Duke, whom she needed to build trust with, she answered honestly.
“It was the best meal of my life. You’re lucky to have such an amazing chef. Especially the meat, it melted in my mouth. It’s hunted here, right? It made me want to try hunting myself.”
After hearing her thoughts on his appearance and the meal, the Grand Duke bowed his head, his shoulders shaking slightly.
Then clearing his throat, he added,
“I’m not laughing at you. It’s refreshing to meet someone as candid as you.”
“Being honest seemed much better. It’s better you get surprised now than later.”
Maya smiled warmly.
She knew her behavior was unusual.
The culture of nobility usually dictated that one must speak in roundabout ways—it was a sign of ‘humility’.
Theoretically, Maya knew this. But she didn’t want to.
‘That’s not me.’
She was tired of living a life pretending to be someone else.
“And considering that we’ll have to stick together for the contract, there’s no point in hiding anything.”
Maya’s words momentarily caught the Grand Duke off guard, a flicker of interest in his eyes.
“I’m relieved to hear you enjoyed the meal. I’ll make sure to reward the chef in charge of today’s feast. You can look forward to more such meals during your stay.”
Another reason to look forward to life here emerged.
“That sounds like a great idea. Anticipating delicious food every day is indeed a happy thought.”
His eyes lingered on her, possibly hinting at a future.
“Your being here means you’ve accepted my proposal.”
“Yes, but…”
There was something she needed to clarify first.
“I’m curious about the reason behind your offer.”
Was it really because of a curse…?
If not, the contract she had prepared earlier would be pointless.
The Grand Duke scrutinized Maya, as if curious about her motives.
“Are you asking this to renegotiate the terms?”
Maya quickly shook her head, realizing how it might have looked.
“Not at all. I wouldn’t have come otherwise.”
She just wanted to know if her contract was still valid, or if she needed another approach.
‘I’m not very astute in that sense.’
For straightforward Maya, it was crucial to extract information as quickly as possible and strategize accordingly.
She explained the situation objectively.
“I’m practically unknown, having not even had a debutante ball. There’s no reason for someone as distinguished as you to propose to me. I know that better than anyone.”
Maya presented the situation as it was.
“There must have been better-known families you could have considered. Considering you are the Grand Duke.”
“….”
“But you chose me, someone practically unknown and useless.”
“Are you accustomed to calling yourself useless?”
Taken aback by his unexpected question, Maya was momentarily flustered.
‘Accustomed to calling myself useless?’
She was just stating the facts.
Until her awakening as a swordmaster, Maya was treated as a pariah wherever she went.
“It’s an objective fact, Your Grace.”
Speaking as if it were obvious, the Grand Duke observed her intently.
His deepening blue eyes caught her attention as she wondered,
Why?
Why look at me with such eyes?
Before becoming a swordmaster, her life had been meaningless, void of purpose or value.
‘Right now, I can’t do anything.’
Wasn’t it the same for the Grand Duke? He needed her, hence the proposal. Otherwise, she would have been a stranger to him.
“I see.”
Realizing the contradiction in her words, the Grand Duke agreed readily.
Yet his casual question lodged like a thorn in her mind. Despite giving a correct answer, her heart felt uneasy.
“A long story awaits. Shall we sit?”
