Apparently, I’m a Poisonous Woman Who Sells One-Night Dreams, but I Ended Up Awakening a Hero’s Devoted Love - Chapter 2.1

With a gentle plink-plink sound, Mariadoll poured hot water into the teapot, placed it on a tray with two cups, and carried it to the table at the edge of the gallery.

“Thank you. I didn’t mean to interrupt your work, but I arrived earlier than planned.”

Narrowing his red eyes, Jerf reached for a cup.

Mariadoll shook her head as she sat in the opposite seat. “It’s quite alright. We don’t get many visitors coming to the gallery around dusk anyway. Legacy should be back from shopping soon, and then we can go for dinner. I’m already dressed and ready.”

Touching her silver hair tied in a half-up style, she asked, “Is this alright?” only for Jerf to shamelessly reply, “You look beautiful,” causing Mariadoll’s cheeks to flush slightly.

“You really have a silver tongue, Lord Jerf. There’s nothing to gain from complimenting someone like me.”

“I’m just speaking my mind. My fiancée is the most beautiful, intelligent, and kind woman in the royal capital, and also…”

As he continued listing praises one after another, Mariadoll raised her hand to cover his mouth, saying “That’s enough.”

Jerf then grabbed her hand and pressed his lips to the blood ruby ring on her left hand, followed by her fingertips.

“I want to make you my wife soon.”

“…Just a few more months.”

Several weeks had passed since Liza hosted the celebration party for the formation of the painters’ guild, and Mariadoll’s ability, to show dreams of deceased wives had become widely known to the public.

Even those who initially refused to believe such a thing was possible had no room for doubt after seeing Mariadoll’s paintings displayed in the museum.

Those who had previously spread malicious rumors quietly closed their mouths and instead began praising Mariadoll’s ability.

The fact that she became physically unwell after showing dreams meant she couldn’t accept requests from large groups at once, but this was reinterpreted as a beautiful story of self-sacrifice. The fact that the once-called “seductive poison woman” was now spoken of like a saint made Mariadoll rather uncomfortable.

Simultaneously, requests to see dreams of deceased wives were apparently flooding in.

Fortunately, Liza, as the head of the painters’ guild, was managing the schedule to ensure it wouldn’t become a burden on Mariadoll, so Mariadoll felt comfortable leaving it to her.

At the same time, the number of customers visiting the gallery Mariadoll managed had increased, and sales were gradually rising, albeit slowly.

This was an unexpectedly happy miscalculation, and because of it, Mariadoll had been busy lately.

Clemence, who usually helped with various small tasks, had also begun attending the painters’ training school Liza established two days ago. Named the “Liza Academy,” Mariadoll thought it was typical of Liza to boldly use her own name.

Incidentally, Liza’s husband was the second son of a viscount family. After Liza fell in love at first sight and aggressively pursued him, they married, and he inherited another title held by the Haren marquis family: the “Haren earldom.”

Mariadoll heard this as casual conversation during one of the planning meetings for her upcoming art exhibition and nodded with a wry smile, thinking this too was very much like Liza.

“The wedding seems like it’s going to be quite grand.”

Holding the guest list placed on the table, Mariadoll furrowed her brows. It was lined with the names of dukes, marquises, and earls, and even the name of the third prince, Frederick, was written there.

As someone from a humble baron family who had lived almost like commoners, Mariadoll felt like she was the one who didn’t belong at this wedding, despite being the main attraction.

“I actually cut down quite a bit. All the knights wanted to come, so I told them if I had to be fair, I’d have to refuse everyone. Then they said they’d come as guards instead. I told them they’d need another ten years before they could guard me.”

Jerf, known as a hero, had lingering issues with his leg, but his skills remained intact.

Even now, while serving as an instructor in the knight order and being called the “Drill Sergeant from Hell,” he was deeply respected. It was probably true that he didn’t need guards.

“Well, since I’m going to become the Duchess of Stanley, I suppose I must handle this much. Understood. I’ll be fine. Leave it to me, the seductive poison woman.”

It was a year ago when Jerf, having heard the rumors about the “seductive poison woman,” asked her to become his provisional fiancée. Though, he saw through the lie on the very day they met.

“Personally, I don’t want to show such a cute ‘seductive poison woman’ to anyone else.”

(So sweet! No matter what I say, he returns it with sweet words!)

With each well-phrased compliment from his handsome face, Mariadoll’s cheeks grew redder. Watching her reaction, Jerf chuckled gutturally and took a strand of her silver hair, kissing it.

Thump. Seemingly satisfied with Mariadoll’s reaction—turning red all the way to her neck—he smiled, then brought his face closer to her cheek.

Just then, the bell at the shop entrance jingled clatteringly, a sound of salvation.

Pretending not to hear Jerf’s soft tch of annoyance, Mariadoll stood up with a clatter, fanning her flushed cheeks as she hurried toward the entrance.

“Is this the Zealand Art Gallery?”

The question came from a young man with flaxen hair who appeared slightly older than Mariadoll. Glancing around the shop as he entered, he saw Mariadoll rushing over, blinked his black eyes snappily, then smiled nostalgically.

Mariadoll stood before him, answered “Yes,” stared at his fluffy, unruly hair for a few seconds, then widened her purple eyes.

“Could it be…”

“Yeah! I recognized you immediately. Long-time no see, Mary.”

As Mariadoll was hugged tightly, Jerf stood up abruptly behind her, knocking over his chair.

“Mariadoll, who is this gentleman?”

Startled, she lightly pushed against the young man’s chest to separate them and looked back and forth between Jerf and the young man.

“Lord Jerf, I mentioned before that my late father ran a trading company, right? This is Aiden from the Peterson Trading Company in Cortaus, which did business with our Zealand Trading Company. He used to come to this country often with his father, and we’ve been friends since childhood.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Aiden of the Peterson baron family. It’s been three years since my last visit, so I got lost. So, Mariadoll, who is this gentleman?”

Aiden bowed to Jerf, then returned his gaze to Mariadoll, tilting his head slightly as he asked.

Mariadoll stood beside Jerf with a slightly tense expression and gestured toward him with her palm.

“This is my fiancé, Jerf Stanley, the Duke. …I wonder if you’ve heard his name?”

“Jerf Stanley… known as the Demon Star—”

Cutting himself off, Aiden hurriedly covered his mouth with his hand. Seeing this, Jerf frowned with a troubled expression.

Three years ago, Cortaus was at war with this country, Dunbargas.

The war began when Cortaus, facing dwindling coal supplies in its major mines, invaded to seize the coal mines along the border belonging to Dunbargas.

However, thanks in part to Jerf’s efforts, Dunbargas won the war. Cortaus was forced to sign an unfavorable treaty and promise road construction.

While sea routes were often used for exports to countries north of Dunbargas, during winter the seas grew rough, and magnetic field interference rendered compasses useless in several areas, leading to frequent shipwrecks. Dunbargas wanted a land route alternative.

They ordered Cortaus, located directly to the north, to build a north-south traversing road to ensure a safe route for transporting goods through Cortaus and beyond.

As the defeated nation, Cortaus had no choice but to agree, especially when promised coal exports.

The project was a massive national undertaking on top of hefty reparations, so Cortaus’s finances were likely strained, but in the long term, the road development wasn’t a bad deal for them.

Because of this, the project proceeded rapidly, and the road was completed without incident a few months ago.

This had sparked movements to build new relations between Dunbargas and Cortaus, which Mariadoll had heard about through Jerf.

“Duke Stanley, my apologies.”

“No need. I understand how I’m regarded in your country. So, this is your first visit in three years—related to the recent treaty revision?”

“Yes. Until now, only large trading companies permitted by the state could do business with Dunbargas, but with the treaty revision, our Peterson Trading Company can trade here again.”

Though Aiden’s face stiffened momentarily upon hearing “Duke Stanley,” he spoke without fear, which Mariadoll thought must be his merchant blood showing.

“Will you be staying here long?”

“About a week, I think. I heard about your parents. I’d like to visit their graves if possible.”

“Thank you. Then I’ll guide you tomorrow. Where are you staying? Who else came with you?”

As Mariadoll looked outside the shop, a middle-aged man peeked in. Removing his hat, he bowed his thinning head, overlapping with Mariadoll’s exclamation of “Ben!”

“Long time no see. How’s your back?”

Rushing over to give him a light hug. Since that was the common greeting in Cortaus, Mariadoll then turned to Jerf and explained that Ben held a baronetcy and was the vice president of the Peterson Trading Company.

Ben bowed deeply to Jerf in greeting, then offered congratulations on their engagement.

“When we heard of your parents’ passing, we were worried about how you were managing, but hearing of your engagement has put our minds at ease. Lord Aiden seems a little disappointed, but seeing Lady Mariadoll smiling so happily, I hope you receive proper blessings.”

“…I know. You talk too much.”

Aiden turned away with a pout, making Mariadoll chuckle softly.

(Come to think of it, Aiden always treated me like a little sister, even though I’m a year younger.)

They had met many times since childhood and once got lost together in the harbor warehouse district, both ending up in tears.

As they grew older, he always brought gifts whenever they met. Mariadoll smiled fondly at the memory, while Aiden shrugged his shoulders as if giving up.

“Congratulations, Mariadoll. There’s nothing to be done about this. I’ll honestly wish you happiness.”

“Thank you. So your father didn’t come this time? That’s impressive that you’re entrusted with the company’s work to that extent. I couldn’t inherit the Zealand Trading Company, after all.”

“Mariadoll, you’re too kind-hearted to be a merchant. I think you’re better suited to painting as the Duchess of Stanley. Duke Stanley, please don’t mind what Ben said. Or rather, for the sake of my pride, I’d appreciate it if you’d let it slide.”

As Aiden sighed and lowered his brows, Jerf let out a soft huff and extended a hand.

“You’re much more mature than I am. Welcome once again to Dunbargas. It might be odd for me to say this, but I’m glad relations between our two countries are improving. We didn’t fight out of hatred or a desire to destroy.”

“With the road completed and travel between our two countries becoming more active, as a merchant, I couldn’t be happier. The Stanley ducal family has investments in some trading companies, right? Could I possibly meet with the person in charge during this opportunity?”

“Haha, I don’t dislike that merchant spirit. You’re staying for a week, correct? I’ll arrange a meeting during that time.”

“Thank you very much! Well, this is off to a great start.”

With a disarming smile, Jerf also relaxed completely and laughed.

Mariadoll went to Jerf’s side, stood on her toes, and whispered softly in his ear.

“Could it be you were jealous?”

“Yeah. I was surprisingly irritated seeing you touched by another man in front of me. It seems I’m a rather petty man. Are you disappointed?”

“Not at all. I’m happy.”

Mariadoll giggled fufu at this adorable side of her fiancé, who was seven years her senior.

As the two exchanged happy smiles, Aiden interjected with a slightly more serious expression, “By the way.”