Apparently, I’m a Poisonous Woman Who Sells One-Night Dreams, but I Ended Up Awakening a Hero’s Devoted Love - Chapter 1.3

“W-wait a minute. That would only bring you disadvantages.”

It was Jerf who was asking for this fake engagement, and ultimately marriage. While Jerf panicked at such an absurd request, Mariadoll held the wine bottle up to the moonlight, looking dissatisfied at the remaining liquid.

“It’s gotten quite low.”

“No, that shouldn’t be our concern right now.”

Shouted at from close range, Mariadoll frowned with annoyance.

She drained the glass of wine that was still more than half full, refilled it, and handed the remainder to Jerf.

“I’ll give this to you.”

“Thank you, I was just getting thirsty.”

Jerf took the wine bottle almost desperately and drank directly from it, pouring it down his throat.

His Adam’s apple bobbed dramatically, and he finished it all in no time, wiping his mouth roughly with the back of his hand.

(So seductive! He’s incredibly seductive!)

The alluring charm that emanated from his rugged face. It wouldn’t be surprising if someone fainted from it.

Mariadoll, who had no immunity to this, kept her expression neutral, but her heart was pounding wildly.

“So, tell me why you brought up this exchange condition.”

“Y-yes. Of course. The territory I govern is a wheat field at the foot of the mountains. We grow some vegetables too, but most of the residents make their living by selling wheat. And unfortunately, disasters have been occurring for the past few years.”

The first was an insect infestation. At that time, she managed to get by using the money from selling the trading company.

The second was an intense heatwave. The wheat withered due to drought just before the summer harvest. That time, she used the money from selling the estate to pay taxes and used the remainder to support the residents.

And this year, it was a flood.

“Since I have no parents, the country won’t lend me money, probably thinking I have no repayment ability. This tiny territory doesn’t even qualify for aid funds.”

One reason the territory’s management has become difficult is the overreliance on wheat as an income source.

If they had grown other crops, they might have managed to get by with those even if the wheat failed.

In that sense, selling the trading company first might have been a bad move.

(But considering the scale of that disaster, I had no choice but to sell the most profitable trading company.)

“Last year, I heard that a certain lord couldn’t pay his taxes and returned the land to the country, and the country raised taxes on that territory. Moreover, since the country governs vast lands, we can’t expect detailed support.”

If she couldn’t pay the taxes as a baroness, she would not only have to relinquish her title but also her territory would become state property.

If that resulted in the residents’ happiness, Mariadoll would have returned it immediately.

“However, if things continue like this, my people will be left destitute. If I had a marriage dowry, I might manage this year. But that wouldn’t be a fundamental solution. The problem is that my land relies solely on wheat income.”

“Indeed, having only one income source is risky for management.”

Mariadoll nodded emphatically at Jerf’s words. Of course, she had encouraged growing other crops, but perhaps due to the conservative nature of the land, few farmers were willing to try new things.

“That’s why I want you to govern the territory. As a ducal house, you must have many income sources besides wheat. Even if the wheat harvest fails, with other incomes, the territory’s management would be stable. You should have the funds to aid residents suffering from poor harvests.”

“Certainly, for a territory the size of Zealand, I can assert that we can provide aid. We would never let anyone starve to death. But in that case, what do you plan to do, Miss Mariadoll? All you’d have left is the art gallery.”

Hmm, Mariadoll sized up the man before her.

(He’s done some research on me, mentioning the size of the Zealand territory and the art gallery. And he’s worried about me. When he asked me to be his fake fiancée, I thought he was selfish, but he seems like a good person.)

He was somewhat elusive and hard to pin down, but what he said made sense.

And she liked that he confidently stated he could provide aid.

“If the residents’ livelihoods are guaranteed, I’ll give up being a baroness and become a commoner. Well, I’m already living like a commoner, so not much would change. The only difference would be not having to hear rumors I don’t want to hear.”

Therefore, it didn’t matter if the engagement was broken off or they divorced due to Mariadoll’s fault.

The world of commoners and the world of nobility are adjacent but separate. Since she would cut ties with high society, she wouldn’t care what rumors spread.

“It seems the real you is different from the person I heard about.”

At his muttered words, Mariadoll tilted her head. At the same time, a wind blew, causing her silver hair, with its softly curled ends, to flutter.

“Ouch.”

“Huh, what’s wrong?”

“My hair seems to have gotten tangled in my earring.”

The earring had a thin chain with a teardrop-shaped pearl at the end. It seemed her hair had caught in that chain.

“Oh, what should I do? I’ll take off the earring but because it’s tangled, I can’t manage it properly.”

Unfortunately, she didn’t have a hand mirror with her.

Relying on her fingertips and intuition, the situation seemed to be getting worse.

“Stay still. I’ll get it off.”

A large, calloused hand approached and touched her earlobe.

Mariadoll’s shoulder twitched, and her previously calmed heartbeat quickened again.

(It’s not just his finger touching my ear. Lord Stanley approached me with this proposal thinking I’m a wicked woman. I have to stay composed here.)

Everything is for the stable lives of my people.

Mariadoll took a small deep breath and waited for his fingers to withdraw.

“…Got it off.”

“Thank you. So, shall we consider the contract settled? I’d like you to prepare the documents if possible.”

“Of course. Do you need a witness?”

“Absolutely. I would prefer Lord Haren, the Marquis.”

Jerf’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Marquis Haren, you were talking with him earlier. Are you acquainted?”

“Oh, you were watching? Yes, Lord Haren has been helpful in various ways. Would you prefer someone else?”

“No, it’s fine. I promised not to interfere with your behavior.”

So, it was decided that Marquis Haren would be the witness.

(Acquainted? What a roundabout way of putting it. If he heard our conversation, he should be able to imagine it himself.)

Of course, that imagination might not be the truth.

“Then I’ll inform Lord Haren myself. I’m scheduled to meet him soon anyway.”

“…I see. Then I’ll leave it to you.”

Jerf stood up. It seemed the discussion was over.

(It took longer than I thought. The carriage should be here by now.)

There was still about half of the dessert left on the plate. Truly a pity. She could have had two, no, three more plates.

But in exchange, she secured the guarantee of her people’s livelihoods. Thinking that, desserts are a small price. She had regrets, but.

(Still, I haven’t found a way to cover the damages from this flood. Maybe I have no choice but to use my last resort.)

That was the method she had truly intended to use only as a last resort.

But if it goes well, in a few years the territory will belong to the ducal house.

Perhaps it’s time to steel myself and use my final trump card.

After arranging to meet Jerf again soon, Mariadoll started walking toward the carriage stop.