~CMWDD 06~

Chapter 6

“This champagne smells of tangerines. I like it.”

At Kikoselia’s words, Sokor nodded.

“I’d say a single sip might cost about two gold coins.”

Sokor, having a father poorer than his late uncle, the former Count of Armeniaca, had developed a habit of converting everything into money.

This costs that much, that costs this much.

In his mind, it was all about money.

“You still speak with the tone of a bourgeois, don’t you?”

Reacting to his usual manner of speech, Kikoselia set down her champagne glass and, calmly yet with a slight displeasure, twitched her lips.

Sokor smirked and looked at her.

“It’s because I like a life where I can drink something like this every day.”

Kikoselia glanced around unnecessarily and spoke up.

“Of course, that’s understandable. But that’s already a past from a year ago. You need to get used to it.”

“Naturally, we should get used to it. Both the wife and I should live like true royal nobles.”

“Indeed. Naturally.”

“By the way, regarding Olentia… it seems she’s about to appoint a lawyer.”

Sokor had not forgotten Olentia’s steadfast gaze. His cousin would indeed endure the courtroom battle.

It was crucial to prevent the fact that their family was a mess from becoming known. If it got to court, living with any face in the Bonus Empire would become extremely difficult.

At that moment, Kikoselia clenched the napkin on her lap and spoke.

“The Marquis of Luxus will likely find a partner this spring.”

Sokor forced himself to recall the Marquis’s merits.

“He’s quick with numbers and easy to communicate with.”

Kikoselia smiled slyly.

“Yes. The Marquis of Luxus is a man driven by material desire. That’s why he immerses himself in new ventures, turning the world upside down. Since the head of the family is frequently away from home, he needs stability. That role falls to the female head of the household. And once married, he can gain the young lady’s vast fortune. For the Marquis, it’s a double gain. Of course, he won’t get all of it, but still.”

Kikoselia was planning an arranged marriage using Olentia, who had inherited a massive fortune. She had told the Marquis that they would make sure Olentia was married off, so they could share her wealth.

All the money invested and multiplied with Olentia’s inheritance… Kikoselia had no intention of giving it up.

Sokor felt the same.

Although he found the thought of Olentia being with the Marquis somewhat strange, he agreed with his wife’s plan.

Sokor took a bite of the avocado tartare served as an appetizer and said,

“It’s fortunate that the Marquis of Luxus is completely smitten with Olentia. At least her appearance is acceptable.”

Recalling Olentia’s pale cheeks and stunning platinum hair, Sokor laughed lightly, his small eyes narrowing as his cheekbones lifted.

At the mention of appearance, Kikoselia pursed her lips.

“There are plenty of beautiful young ladies in the Bonus Empire. Olentia catching the Marquis’s eye was purely luck. The Marquis is practically the only house comparable to Armeniaca, aside from the Grand Duke’s family. So it’s fortunate for the young lady as well.”

Even knowing the Marquis’s debauched reputation, Kikoselia spoke this way.

Count Sokor tilted his head for a moment.

“Status-wise, yes, but the rumors aren’t exactly favorable. I should have a deep conversation with him sometime.”

“Is that really necessary? Bringing him into the family before marriage…”

“Would it be a problem?”

“The problem… would be the young lady herself. Her impulsive actions, her sarcastic tone—if she were a servant, you’d want to crush her. And if she ever displeased the Marquis…”

“My wife, even between us, do not speak carelessly. She is not someone to be treated like that.”

Sokor’s voice was firm.

Kikoselia hesitated briefly, then put on a playful mask over her expression again.

“That was unworthy of a countess. I’ll be more careful.”

“Please do.”

“Anyway, before Olentia appoints a lawyer, I hope Archbishop Werbu grants the special marriage permit. Time is urgent.”

Kikoselia’s excitement rose at the thought of ruthlessly using Olentia.

Sokor was in the long gallery of the Armeniaca estate. The narrow corridor displayed the family’s beautiful art and sculptures.

Paintings and sculptures depicting the deeds of their ancestors, who had divine power, were dazzling. Many captured sunlight or created white spheres.

‘Armeniaca’ in Latin means apricot tree, known in the Bonus Empire as a tree that wards off spirits. Thus, the Armeniaca lineage had many born with divine abilities. Though around a century ago, those powers had disappeared completely.

Still, their ancestors’ feats remained in art, decorations, and architecture. Even Bonus Cathedral housed paintings of their deeds. Though Olentia could hardly feel the significance.

Approaching Sokor, who seemed to be contemplating the ancestors’ feats in the artworks, Olentia asked,

“The special marriage permit… did you apply for it yourself?”

Her question was brief, her heart earnest.

Sokor slowly turned to face her, releasing his hands from behind his back. Olentia instinctively hid her right arm, adorned with a bracelet, behind her. Somehow, she felt it must not be seen by Sokor in this moment.

Sokor peered at her hidden right arm and smirked.

“Why hide the Pieta? Afraid I’ll take it?”

Olentia replied calmly.

“You haven’t returned the inheritance. There’s no law saying you wouldn’t take this bracelet, a gift from my father.”

The Pieta bracelet had been a sacred gift from her now-deceased father when she was young. He had made great achievements discovering the divine land of Cassandra, where he had found this bracelet.

Could the bracelet allow communication with the celestial gods?

Made of white opals glowing in various colors, it featured a few turquoise Larimar gems with a net-like pattern as points of decoration. It had a neat yet elegant charm.

Olentia had never imagined the bracelet could allow communication with the gods.

But when she was twelve, she had nearly fallen down the stairs, and the bracelet’s power saved her, allowing her to hear the divine message:

[Be careful, Maleng.]

After that day, the entire household was in chaos. Only Olentia, by chance, became the contract holder of the bracelet’s power. Her father did his best to keep it secret, and thankfully, the truth had not leaked.

Rarely had the divine voice been heard since.

Still, Olentia considered the Pieta bracelet as precious as her own life, never taking it off. In a way, it was her father’s greatest inheritance.

As Olentia stepped back with a determined look to protect her bracelet, Sokor moved closer.

“Scared? Afraid the bracelet’s contract might change someday? I’d be better than you, wouldn’t I?”

“Don’t belittle me. This bracelet was found with my father’s life on the line. It’s mine. Contract change? I don’t think that will ever happen.”

“That could be. But the former count is dead.”

‘Your uncle is no longer by your side. You’re alone.’

When the Armeniaca Count died, Sokor had said exactly that.

It had been less than five years since her parents passed.

Yet hearing Sokor openly say someone had died brought hot tears to Olentia’s eyes.

She had no desire to cry, not at all.

But when one’s insides are rotting, how can impurities not come out?

Through blurred vision, Olentia spoke firmly to Sokor.

“No need to ask you more about the special marriage permit.”

“…”

“You’ve become utterly vile.”

Olentia then walked out of the long gallery.

She had a dream.

Seeing her husband wearing a Bauta mask confirmed it.

Even knowing it was a dream, Olentia clung tightly to him. Being a dream, there was no scent, only a feeling of warmth.

Why does it feel so good? Why is it so comfortable and happy?

Even though the husband in the dream never showed his face. He always appeared wearing the mask and never removed it himself.

Even in the first dream, it was Olentia who removed it.

But now, in the dream, her masked husband gently stroked her hair and said,

‘Were you satisfied?’

‘W-what? What do you mean?’

She realized only now that she was completely naked. Startled, Olentia covered herself with the blanket. Seeing her flustered, he removed the mask himself. His long, pale fingers lifting it made her feel as though she were watching the most beautiful play in the world.

She was captivated by the husband’s face, which she had not seen in so long.

It was a face of divine wonder. Straight, neat eyebrows, smoothly contoured nose—fantastic.

Especially his red eyes, like sunlight, roses, and rubies, imprinting themselves in her mind.

Then she heard:

“In the bedroom, I will remove the mask, my lady.”

A sweet voice melted her eardrums.