I Became the Madam of The House - Chapter 5

“Then do you think I won’t marry you?”

At his remark, Archel was momentarily taken aback.

“That’s not it.”

That’s not what she meant. She was only being careful because there might be noisy rumors that won’t benefit her and her soon-to-be husband.

Gael smirked and opened his mouth as if he had read her thoughts.

“Or maybe…does it seem like the bride of the Zenat family would be easily put down by those crap just because of small flaws?”

Archel opened her eyes wide in bewilderment. It was certainly a vulgar expression for a nobleman to use. Gael laughed at her reaction.

“The one who’s going to be my bride said that she knew my secret, but to be surprised by these little words,”

He then picked up the teacup again and opened his mouth, “What would you do if I said I would cut off the heads of those rude bastards and wipe the deck with their blood?”

It was indeed an abusive word beyond vulgarity.The book also revealed that Gael Von Zenat was raised in a rough environment, but she didn’t know it was this bad.

Archel quietly fidgeting her lips, and Gael laughed again.

“Anyway, don’t you want to marry to obtain something from this family?”

This time he’s using his nobleman manner again. Archel nodded slightly and he continued to speak, “Then take it and go for it. What’s the use of worrying about rumors?”

As if to show everything under his control, his hands stretched out towards the ceiling and clasped in the air.

“Those petty things aren’t worthy for the bride of Zenat. Maybe that’s why you wanted to become one.”

His black pupils fell from Archel to Michael.

“And if your pretty brother wanted to go to the academy,” He seemed to be lost in thought and spat out his words lightly, “I’m afraid that Temila Academy wasn’t good enough.”

“…Temila Academy, you say?” Archel opened her eyes wide in bewilderment. It’s Temila, you say?

She thought that if Michael could enroll in any academy, his talents would blossom regardless. It was because he was born with a natural talent to absorb mana even if he stays still, and he was a genius who could memorize the magic pattern once he saw it.

But Temila?

In the book, Tamila is described as an academy that is only attended by nobles. It’s a place where even a child who doesn’t have talent, could somehow find their talent. What’s more, Temila is famous for its Wizard Education, and the wizard that graduates from Temila already made their name known all over the continent. That’s why Temila was highly prestigious. It was also a place that didn’t easily receive any contact from nobles, and even if they did, it would take months to reply.

Moreover, it was clear that they would have to go through a lot of hassle to send messages from Zenat territory in the far east to the academy in the middle of the continent. Of course they would also demand tuition fees equal to the noble’s several-year worth of budget.

“It’s almost time for Temila’s graduation, so they will accept freshmen soon.”

Such a grandiose place was being said casually by Gael. That means he’d send Michael as a freshman this semester. He said not to worry about not being able to contact Michael, or about not meeting the standards of admission.

“…If it’s Temila.” No matter how she looks at it, it feels like she was being tangled in it. She’s sure that she was the first one to suggest the deal. In order to not get entangled like this, she was trying to score a deal in an equal footing. It wasn’t as easy as she thought.

Besides, Temila is the most sought-after academy. But Archel took a deep breath and shook her head.

“You don’t have to send him there. If only he could go to Liroa Academy, that’s enough.”

The Liroa Academy wasn’t famous in the entire continent, but it was the best academy in the Khan Empire, where  Zenat Dukedom and Leire County are located.

It’s nothing compared to Temila, but it’s enough.

“So you’re not fond of Temila Academy?”

Gael tilted his head slightly. Archel shook her head. As she took a slow breath, the oxygen circled in her head. She felt all the reasons gradually coming back to her.

“Temila, of course, is the best option. But Zenat’s spending would be too high, including the connections and tuition to get into Temila this semester.”

She’s not worried about Zenat’s finance. Zenat’s family business, which has been handed down for generations, was enough to make Temila’s tuition look like a penny. But the problem was Leire’s debt. As long as the debt is incurred, the debtor is forced to be dragged around unilaterally. That situation was a no-no. Somehow, she had to find her completely sturdy position in Zenat. Not simply as the bride of Gael Von Zenat, but also possesses the name of Countess Leire and Archel Von Leire.

So when she got divorced, she had to regain her family and become independent. By the time the deal is over, it means they should become a complete stranger. It was only possible with a proper discussion.

“In short, it sounds like you don’t want to be in debt.” Archel nodded immediately at Gael’s words, “That’s right.”

Gael’s smile deepened at the answer.

“By any chance, haven’t you heard about my rumor?”

“Rumor…?”

There are too many rumors. From the eastern outlaw, having a secret bride, a sea-robber, even the rumor about him being the demon of the sea.

Which of those countless rumors are you talking about? Archel was worried about what to answer.

Gael suddenly touched the desk and approached her. Their gaze met within a breath.

“Do you think I won’t get them from you?.”

“The contract marriage has already begun, Ms. Bride.”

He whispered.

“I only do business that would benefit me. .”

***

Three days have passed since Archel and Michael had been at Zenat’s mansion.

Do you think I won’t get them from you?

Archel could not forget the low voice that was full of arrogance. Insisting on rejecting his offer on the spot meant that you were questioning his ability. It’s the prestigious Temila anyway. It can’t be anymore better for Michael if he can enroll.

The debt…I don’t know what the hell he can get from me, but Gael seems confident to get it.

In the end, it was three days ago that they ended in agreement.

“…”

In the meantime, Archel unwittingly listened to the rumors in the social circles. She thought there must be a story about Lady Leire who went to Zenat’s estate and disappeared. But so far, there have been no rumors about Leire County.It seemed that there was no rumor circulating while she was still in Zenat’s mansion. Usually, the rumors in society are very fast, so it was strange.

It was when a few days passed just like that again. A white carriage arrived in front of Zenat mansion.

“…It’s here.”

Archel sighed as she looked down at it through the window. Michael approached her with his eyes wide open.

“Is it not good?”

Michael tried to look at the window. Archel said while lifting him up to look up the window.

“It’s not good.”

“Then shall I get rid of it?”

She had no choice but to be stunned at his remark. How does a child know what it meant to get rid of people?

So being too smart could be a problem…Archel shook her head.

“No. These are people that Michael couldn’t beat.”

Because from the looks of it, it must be from a noble family. She thought so at first. But soon Archel opened her eyes wide at the sight of the people getting off the carriage. It was the first man who got off the carriage. He didn’t look like a nobleman. The man’s hair was shimmering under the sun and he held a folder in his hand. He was decently dressed, but it wasn’t something that a noble would usually wear.

“…Who is that?”

She murmured quietly. Michael was held in her arms, he extended his body to the window sill and looked down with grim eyes. Even when those two people were watching like that, they couldn’t find the correct answer. Then the man walked into the mansion guided by the butler.

Definitely not a nobleman. Who could it be?

Not long after her question, the answer arrived.

“Miss Archel De Leire, The Duke is looking for you.”

The maid who was outside the door called her in a polite but formal manner. Then Archel stood up.

Should I leave Michael?

She doesn’t know why Gael called her, and what did he want to discuss…

As she contemplated, Michael held her hand tightly. As if he doesn’t want to be left alone. His pure eyes were turned to her.

It was then.

“Michael De Leire was told to come together.”

“Michael too?”

Archel opened her eyes wide.

She doesn’t think that Gael has much to talk about with Michael. At best, it would be about the academy discussion that came out a few days ago…

…No way? Wasn’t it only a few days passed since he contacted them?

She couldn’t find the answer and walked with Michael. And then she followed the maid to the drawing-room, and she realized that it was really true.