Apparently, I’m a Poisonous Woman Who Sells One-Night Dreams, but I Ended Up Awakening a Hero’s Devoted Love - Chapter 1.2

(W-Wait a minute. Did you just say Duke Stanley? Why is one of the three great dukes of this country kneeling before me?)

We should be meeting for the first time. Yes, definitely our first meeting.

His knight’s uniform was adorned with numerous medals.

I recall he once became the vice-captain of the First Knight Order, and during the war with the neighboring country three years ago, he played an active role and was instrumental in leading us to victory. He’s what you’d call a hero.

But I heard that he suffered an injury to his right leg in that war, leaving him with lasting effects, so he now serves as an instructor and is called the Drill Sergeant.

After all, I’m Mariadoll, who knows little about high society.

That’s all the information I have about this handsome man whom everyone in the castle knows.

(He’s kneeling on his right knee when he should be using his left. So, his injury must be to his right leg, I suppose.)

Perhaps this posture is quite difficult for him. And more importantly.

(If people see us like this, who knows what rumors will spread. Just thinking about it gives me the creeps.)

The rumors about Mariadoll that she targets widowers to sell them one-night dreams aren’t entirely false, but there’s nothing shameful about it.

In reality, I just sit by their bedside and hold their hands.

That said, no one would believe such a story, and I don’t expect them to.

But Mariadoll valued that work, and if anything, took pride in it. So, I have no intention of quitting.

I know people call me a wicked woman or a poisonous woman behind my back.

However, given my situation where it wouldn’t be strange if I had to surrender my title due to unpaid taxes, I’ve half-resigned myself to it. If I become a commoner, I won’t have to interact with nobles anymore, so I’ll just let them say whatever they want.

Fortunately, I have no desire to marry, so I’m not seeking a good match either.

And yet.

(Why is a man with high status, reputation, and handsome features kneeling before me?)

Moreover, he’s asking me to enter a contract—to become his fake fiancée.

“U-um. Please, have a seat first.”

Placing the plate piled high with sweets on my lap, I made space for Jerf to sit. Jerf widened his eyes at the plate before sitting down.

“You eat quite a lot for someone with such a slender body.”

“I went through the trouble of borrowing a dress to come here. I should at least fill my stomach before going back, or it wouldn’t be worth it.”

“Then please listen while you eat. I don’t intend to ask for your agreement without explaining my circumstances.”

His red eyes under the moonlight were gentle. Despite his imposing physique, his demeanor was soft and gentlemanly.

(He must be popular.)

Though I studied his face intently, my interest soon shifted to the plate.

Since he told me I could eat, I speared a cream puff with my fork and put it in my mouth. It was bite-sized, perhaps for the evening party, but it contained custard cream and fresh cream and was delicious.

Relaxing my cheeks, I next speared a chocolate cake with my fork.

This one was rich dark chocolate. The chocolate chips inside provided a nice accent.

“Something wrong?”

After swallowing the cake, Mariadoll looked at Jerf with slight puzzlement.

I thought I’d listen while eating, but Jerf was just staring blankly at me without getting to the main point.

Hmm? I furrowed my brows, and then heard a low, bubbling chuckle.

“No, I just didn’t expect you to actually eat while listening, and with such relish. Please, don’t mind me and continue eating.”

Even when he urged me with his eyes, being told that made it hard to eat.

That said, the time when the carriage would come to pick me up was fixed, and I wanted to eat at least one more plate—no, preferably two.

So, I smiled back sweetly and brought the fork to my mouth. Jerf didn’t touch his wine, instead turning his left knee toward Mariadoll.

“Actually, there’s been a marriage proposal for me with Princess Melfi.”

“Congratulations…?”

When I tilted my head, he answered with a furrowed brow.

It seemed that response wasn’t correct.

“I don’t want to have a family. And yet, Her Highness the Princess is too much of a burden.”

The Princess is twenty years old. She’s already at an age where she could be married, but she still doesn’t have a fiancé.

Meanwhile, the knight before me…

“By the way, how old are you, Lord Stanley?”

“Twenty-five.”

“…”

“What’s with the silence? How old did you think I was?”

“It’s fine. Calm men are attractive.”

The furrow in his brow deepened. That response wasn’t correct either, it seemed.

Probably thinking this wasn’t getting anywhere, Jerf began to summarize.

“The marriage proposal with Her Highness was told to me by someone, and it’s not officially decided yet. I was chosen because I hold a dukedom and the title of hero, and I was told Her Highness’s will had nothing to do with it. However, once a royal decree is issued, the matter will be decided regardless of the individuals’ wishes.”

The most common destinations for the Princess’s marriage are ducal houses, followed by marquis houses or neighboring countries.

Given their relatively close age and Jerf being a hero, it’s practically the standard path.

“The average engagement period is one year. What will you do if the Princess doesn’t marry someone else during that time?”

“Preferably, I’d want her to marry someone else. I’d like to say the deadline is until the Princess marries, but that would cause trouble for you too, Miss Mariadoll. How about a maximum of three years, including the engagement period? Of course, I’ll prepare ample funds for the marriage preparations, and when we part, I’ll pay you a settlement under the pretext of compensation, citing my fault.”

Mariadoll blinked her light blue eyes.

Nodding to show she understood that much, she then asked, “So then,”

“Why me?”

“Whether it’s breaking off an engagement or a divorce, it stains one’s name. I’m sorry, but, well, you…”

His straightforwardness suddenly turned hesitant. Seeing him scratch his temple slightly, he seemed aware he was saying something improper. In other words, he’s a sensible person.

“If it’s me, a wicked woman and a poisonous woman, then something like a divorce won’t leave a stain. I have no parents either, so I’m indeed the perfect candidate.”

Moreover, given that I’m from a baronetcy in financial trouble, these are such favorable terms that I’d want to jump at them—though I couldn’t quite say that aloud, so I swallowed it down along with the wine, sending it to my stomach.

Gulp gulp—my slender throat made the sound.

“More,” I said, thrusting my empty glass toward Jerf, who hurriedly poured for me. He’s not just sensible but kind too.

Swirling the refilled glass, I pondered what to do.

I need the money, but even if I receive it, it won’t solve all of Mariadoll’s problems. What would be the most beneficial?

Mariadoll, who isn’t as kind as Jerf, racked her brains at full power in that short time.

“I have two conditions. First, please allow me to go out at night and return in the morning.”

That very thing is the reason Mariadoll is called a poisonous woman. I can’t help but wonder how effective a bulwark a woman like me would be as a fiancée, but this is non-negotiable.

(Well, people have all sorts of tastes. Men who want to be toyed with by a free-spirited woman, or men who feel a sense of superiority in taming such a woman.)

If the man before me were to play a role, it would undoubtedly be the former. I’m sure he could pull it off.

“Understood. Then, let’s say I’m a man who likes being toyed with by a free-spirited woman.”

“I thought so.”

As if hitting the mark, I clenched my fist, and Jerf shook his head with a puzzled expression. Mariadoll opened her clenched hand, smiled sweetly, and held up two fingers as if to cover up.

“Now for the second condition. When we part, please make it an engagement cancellation or divorce due to my infidelity.”

“Your infidelity? That would stain your name even more. I can’t possibly allow that, no matter what.”

“No, I need you to do that. And please demand compensation. I’ll pay it from my territory.”

When Mariadoll proposed the exact opposite conditions of what Jerf had offered, Jerf dropped the wine bottle he was holding with a plop. Watching the spilled liquid soak into the ground, it was, of course, Mariadoll who hurriedly picked it up.