A Fake Marriage? Sure! …Wait, Is It Actually Fake? Something’s Not Right Here! - Chapter 39

That evening.

Lying on her back in bed, Lidoria gazed at her left hand held up toward the ceiling.

More precisely, at the provisional wedding ring on her ring finger.

Alex was currently turning off the bedroom lights, yet the ring still seemed to glow faintly from within, catching what little light remained.

A gold ring.

With a delicate design modeled after ivy.

Probably something she would never choose for herself. It was that delicate, that feminine. She didn’t think it suited her rough, work-worn fingers at all.

But when actually worn, perhaps because it fit her finger perfectly, her hand looked slimmer than usual.

The ring suited her perfectly. As if it had been custom-made for Lidoria.

(How strange.)

She wiggled her fingers slightly, examining the ring from every angle.

Being with Alex had revealed parts of herself she hadn’t known existed.

She took more pride in her current work than she had imagined. Though she’d initially thought it was “for Finley” and “for the family name,” she now knew those were just excuses.

She never thought living with someone else could be so enjoyable, nor that such a ring would suit her finger.

Though she’d always been uncomfortable with makeup and dressing up, Alex told her she was “beautiful.”

“Do you like it?”

The bed dipped slightly as Lidoria shifted her gaze.

Alex was lifting the quilt to lie down beside her.

Thump – Alex settled his head on the pillow. Though she couldn’t see it, he wore an identical ring on his finger.

“Ah.”

“What?”

Alex had been fidgeting as if unable to find a comfortable position, but he stopped moving and looked at Lidoria.

“When our fake marriage ends, will I have to return this?”

“Huh?”

“The ring.”

Lidoria turned her head sideways.

“In a few years, when our marriage contract ends, we’ll get divorced, right? What happens to this ring then? Should I return it to you?”

“Don’t need it.”

Alex responded with apparent distaste, but Lidoria felt relieved. She took one more look at her hand held up toward the ceiling before carefully tucking her left hand under the quilt.

“Then may I keep it? It’s really beautiful.”

“More like—”

“Yes?”

“About the divorce.”

“We are getting divorced, right?”

This was supposed to be just a fake marriage after all.

They’d even signed a contract.

Though various things had happened and they’d ended up actually marrying, it was originally supposed to end with just the engagement promise.

“What did the contract say about the duration?”

“Three years, wasn’t it? Until Finley comes of age.”

“Three years, huh.”

“It should be three years.”

“…Should we add something to it?”

“Something? Add?”

Lidoria blinked.

The lights had been dimmed to their minimum for sleeping, leaving the room faintly dark as if veiled in gauze.

Beyond, Alex was looking up at the ceiling.

“I want to establish an amendment.”

The section added at the end of the contract. What more could he possibly add? Lidoria blinked and asked.

“What kind of amendment?”

Alex propped himself up on his elbows and looked at Lidoria. His jet-black eyes were fixed directly on her.

“If either party proposes a contract extension, both parties shall discuss it, and upon mutual agreement, the term may be renewed.”

Lidoria mentally chewed over his words.

Contract extension.

“…For how long? Would we repeat the three-year period?”

“Yes.”

Blink blink – Lidoria silently blinked several times.

That would mean.

It’s no longer about the contract anymore.

Wouldn’t that be a proper married life?

Lidoria wasn’t quite sure, but perhaps society would see it differently.

Yet judging by Alex’s utterly serious expression, perhaps society would still consider them a “contract” relationship.

After hesitating, Lidoria finally nodded.

“That’s fine with me. Renewal every three years, then.”

After speaking, Lidoria tilted her head slightly.

“But are you sure about this? You were the one who said living with a woman was troublesome and marriage was a hassle. If I were to say ‘another three years’ for appearances’ sake, you’d have to discuss and extend it each time, you know?”

“…No, this life is more comfortable than I initially thought.”

“Then all the more reason, isn’t it?”

Lidoria looked puzzled.

This differed from what he’d originally imagined. Moreover, his parents were quite proactive about him making a good match.

“Wouldn’t it be better to end the contract after three years and look for another young lady?”

The moment she said it, he clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Hmph – As Lidoria furrowed her brows, Alex sat cross-legged on the bed and roughly ran his hands through his hair.

“I like this life.”

“This life? Ah. This house? The maids are certainly skilled, and it’s close to the market too. The location is perfect. But you know? Since this is the house the Crown Princess prepared for us, when Princess Melissa marries, we’ll have to move out eventually. So, living here is ultimately temporary.”

“I’ll find us a new place soon! One of those ‘luxurious houses’ you mentioned!”

“That sounds wonderful. Ideal, really. Somewhere near the palace would be nice, but I’d hate to give up being close to this market.”

“So, we can add the amendment to the contract?!”

“I don’t mind.”

Oh, were they still talking about that? Lidoria looked at Alex.

“Are you really sure? Won’t it be troublesome?”

Somehow this contract seemed unfair to Alex, which was why she’d suggested it.

But he wore an expression of simmering displeasure.

Or rather, he had become the very embodiment of such displeasure.

“What is it?”

Even though she was trying to be considerate. To put it bluntly, why was he so angry?

“Just wait until three years from now. I’ll make you be the one to bring up the renewal.”

He said it with the intensity of someone issuing a duel challenge.

“Ha… ah? Well… fine, whatever.”

She started to say “it’s fine” but—

Creak

The bed groaned as Lidoria’s body tilted slightly sideways.

Alex’s scent wafted close.

And for good reason.

He had placed both hands by Lidoria’s shoulders and was peering into her face.

“Alex?”

What is it?

The words that followed were blocked by his lips.

Lidoria remained stunned, unable to do anything.

But his lips soon parted from hers.

“Contract sealed. Just you wait.”

He grinned, their noses almost touching.

While Lidoria remained frozen in stunned disbelief, Alex quickly slipped under the quilt.

“Good night.”

His blunt tone finally brought Lidoria back to her senses.

“You…! What are you doing! Pervert! The worst!”

She quickly sat up, grabbed her pillow, and began whacking Alex with it, but he didn’t so much as twitch, acting completely unaffected.

“Unbelievable! The worst! The border is reinstated! Don’t come over here!”

And so the border was once again drawn across their bed.

But their married life would continue for years after this.

For decades.

With contract renewals continuing.

Until death parted them.

The End