For My Birthday, I Was Gifted Five Husbands - Chapter 27

Hearing that, Eugenie felt a slight sense of relief…but her brow furrowed with an insatiable curiosity.

Contracts, contracts, contracts. What kind of deal had he made that allowed him to lavish the compensation for 1,875 struggles on this dubious marriage?

“Duke, when exactly did you meet my mother?”

“…”

“Was there anything my mother could have done to assist you?”

Could a woman who caused chaos every day because of her husband have also been of help to the Duke while away at the borders?

But the Duke shook his head.

“I cannot disclose that information right now.”

“And the reason…?”

“Conditions must be met before I can share it with you, as was established in our contract.”

At the Duke’s response, Eugenie’s brows furrowed once again.

The conditions were too significant for even the mighty Duke to disregard. A peculiar contract.

Her mother’s final letter had had no content.

‘I thought so before, but it must surely be a magical contract.’

Indeed, magic users had existed in this Empire long ago….but they kept everything about themselves shrouded in secrecy. As a result, magic had naturally faded away, becoming just a relic of a long-past history.

‘The only remnants of magic in our time might be the magic ores?’

Magic ores had historically served as a powerful driving force in the Empire’s daily life. However, even that precious material was now dwindling.

‘Except for the Schroeder family, the Empress’s maternal line.’

That’s why Eugenie was researching how to secure a new source of power to replace the last remnants of the magical era.

…Regardless, Eugenie once again pressed the man before her.

“So, what are the conditions that need to be fulfilled? Am I allowed to know?”

“It’s what I mentioned regarding the five of us.”

Though the Duke spoke calmly, there was something betraying him in his neck and earlobes. Perhaps it was his naturally pale skin; even a hint of embarrassment would flush his face brightly. It was almost enough to make the observer feel embarrassed too.

“What I mean is that we….must fulfill our duties as Lady’s… husbands.”

“…”

“Even beyond this first night.”

It sounded like she needed to have more s-x for him to reveal the details. Or it seemed to stem from Eugenie’s already corrupt thoughts.

Her gaze wandered, unbidden, across the Duke’s upper body.

The wild lines of his physique were barely concealed by the sleek black shirt. With every word he spoke, his Adam’s apple moved slowly, and the veins on the back of his hand, which wrapped around the small teacup, were prominent.

Eugenie had never realized she could be so easily excited, but the more she looked at him, the thirstier she felt.

‘His lower body is hidden by the table, so I can’t see…’

Just as she was about to plunge deeper into more indecent thoughts, his hand, which had been wrapped around the teacup, slowly moved toward her. The Duke lightly grasped Eugenie’s left hand and whispered in a low voice that made her feel a bit bashful.

“Madam.”

“…?”

Eugenie blinked in confusion.

‘Is he calling someone? Could it be me?’

To her surprise, it was indeed true. The Duke’s neck and even the area around his eyes and earlobes had turned a shade of red.

“Although we haven’t known each other long, I will strive to be a good husband to you.”

“Ah…”

“Even if it’s not just for the sake of the contract, I would appreciate it if you could gradually become more comfortable with me.”

“Th-that… yes.”

Eugenie’s response grew softer with each word.

She had always thought of herself as rather shameless, and that her feelings toward the opposite s-x had dulled because of her mother.

‘My feelings for Peter were more like… um.’

It was more of the wonder and gratitude from knowing someone liked her.

Yet, hearing the Duke speak so bashfully caused her heart to swell, like pouring thick cocoa into her chest.

“Y-yes. Even if this is a political marriage, I suppose it would still feel like this. I won’t think too hard about it, Duke.”

“Percival.”

“Pardon?”

“I would like you to call me by my first name.”

“…”

Suddenly feeling parched again, Eugenie silently gulped down the cold tea. This moment felt even more embarrassing than the first night, which had begun with her touching Alfred’s manhood.

‘Perhaps I might spend my first night like this too.’

With a face flushed in stark contrast to his imposing appearance and the family reputation, she felt overwhelmed….

At that moment, the Duke picked up a small box from the side table next to the sofa.

“Madam, I’d like you to accept this in advance.”

“What is this…? Is it alright to open it?”

“Of course.”

“What’s inside… Oh.”

Eugenie opened the box without thinking, only to stop abruptly at the sight of the jewelry inside.

From any angle—above, the side, or straight on—it was unmistakably a dog collar.

Made from exceptionally tough leather with a silver chain attached, it was an odd object.

It seemed more fitting for a hunting dog than anything else, which left her wondering if the intended recipient was, heaven forbid…?

Calmly, Eugenie closed the lid of the box again.