The Arrogant Duke Buys the Devoted Love of the False Saintess - Chapter 10

The Duke’s proposal was a godsend for Lily.

She didn’t fully understand what being a lover entailed, but if all she had to do was love the Duke, she was determined to suppress her dislike of nobles and give it her best shot.

Though Lily had never been in love herself, she was well-versed in the gossip of the common folk. She prided herself on living a life surrounded by tales of passion and drama. After all, most commoner conversations revolved around romance.

Her aversion to nobles was a trivial matter in comparison.

She was even in a “bring it on, romance” kind of mood.

All of it, of course, was due to the massive debt.

Lily needed money, and she needed it now. Letting the orphanage be shut down was no laughing matter.

What concerned her wasn’t the terms of the deal, but the actual amount she would be paid.

“Um, you mentioned naming my price, but what would the specific amount be…?”

“Since we are purchasing the love of the ‘Blessed Mother,’ we have prepared a sum befitting that,” Daebeck stated matter-of-factly.

When Lily mustered her courage and stated the amount of Anshim’s debt, the Duke tilted his head.

“Is that all you need?”

That amount? An amount three commoners couldn’t repay in a lifetime? Even though it was enough to buy most of the orphanage’s land, located as it was on the outskirts of the capital?

“I would be delighted to serve you, Lord Damian,” Lily said, her peach-colored eyes sparkling as she smiled.

In that moment, all her previous worries and disgust vanished.

She was in a state of loving Damian (or rather, his money).

She tried to maintain a benevolent, loving smile. It might have been a bit too dazzling, though.

And so, she signed the prepared contract.

She could write her own name, but the contract was full of difficult words. Without an explanation, Lily wouldn’t have understood a single bit of its contents.

—Or so she pretended.

It was a contract involving a vague job description and an enormous sum of money.

She knew that if she made even one blunder, the orphanage’s survival would be jeopardized in an instant.

Daebeck explained everything meticulously, and so far, he hadn’t said anything incorrect. She was endlessly grateful that she had pestered Heinrich into letting her receive an education. Thanks to that, she could somehow understand the convoluted legal terms in the contract.

Of course, she knew the two men had no reason to deceive her.

She had come intending to sell herself. Even if she were killed, Lily wouldn’t hold a grudge against the Duke. (She’d definitely hold one against Anshim, though.)

She had firmly resolved that if she died, she would surely find him and haunt him.

There was just one clause regarding the contract’s penalty for breach that gave her pause. Or rather, the amount made her shudder.

But Lily deliberately maintained her facade of ignorance.

After all, the penalty wouldn’t apply unless the lover contract was terminated.

Since they were seeking Lily’s devoted, motherly love—broad, deep, and somehow gentle—and since they chose a commoner instead of a noble lady, she guessed they probably also wanted the sweet interactions typical of lovers you see everywhere.

Lily was a hard worker, and when it came to a job, once she received payment, she intended to fulfill her duties properly. This time, with such a high reward, she was more motivated than ever.

She had overcome everything so far with sheer willpower and grit. She felt positively determined to see this through.

“What does ‘contract duration until evaluation completion date’ mean?”

Lily, who never intended to be anyone’s lover for life, didn’t mind there being no set term, but as a job, it was problematic. ‘Evaluation completion date’ probably meant it depended on Damian’s feelings, but she wanted to know roughly how long they were anticipating.

“Ah, that’s just a formality written into the contract. In reality, it’s until the Duke grows bored. I don’t think it will be very long, given his somewhat capricious nature. Please consider a maximum of one year.”

So, he acts on whims and discards things once he’s bored.

A short duration meant she wouldn’t have to worry about the penalty. But having the contract period be vague on paper was somewhat concerning.

“If it’s written as one year, and the Duke changes his mind, it might disadvantage Lady Lily. Since the contract term hasn’t expired, it could become possible to demand payment of the penalty, for instance.”

“You wouldn’t…?” Lily started, flustered, thinking he was suggesting something so malicious.

But Daebeck gently shook his head. “We wouldn’t. However, it could be interpreted that way. Therefore, wouldn’t it be more convenient for both parties to leave it ambiguous?”

Though hesitant, Lily managed to convince herself.

She could only hope he would grow bored quickly.

The wealthy truly were inscrutable.

To casually pay such a fortune for what amounted to a game of pretend lovers, like playing house.

Though in this particular instance, Lily was immensely grateful.

However, signing an unfamiliar document was nerve-wracking. Just the thought of writing on such high-quality paper made her hand tremble.

And the fancy glass pen didn’t help.

As a result, her awkward handwriting became even more awkward, but when she finished, Lily was filled with a sense of accomplishment.

“Well then, the contract is now in effect. We look forward to working with you, Lady Lily. We have prepared a room for you here. You may move in anytime. When would you like to start?”

The contract explicitly stated they would live together.

Though, it was a consideration because the busy Duke wouldn’t be able to meet her otherwise, so Lily would have most of her time free. She was told she could live her normal life during that free time, so her daily routine wouldn’t change much.

“I need to return to the orphanage once to explain things to the children first, so starting tomorrow would be best.”

“Understood. Shall we send a carriage for you tomorrow?”

“No, that’s quite alright. Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

Brimming with triumph, Lily took the contract and the check, and left Damian’s mansion behind.