ETDO Chapter 1

“You must behave yourself so that you please the Duke!”

These were my mother’s words on the day I left my hometown and home as if being sold off. As if there was nothing more important in the world, she reiterated this to me over and over again.

Staring blankly at my mother’s hollow eyes and gaunt cheeks, I eventually lowered my gaze to the floor. Even at the moment when her only daughter was being handed over to some duke she had never met—like a piece of cheap furniture, I couldn’t find even a hint of concern in her.

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No, in fact, it would be more accurate to say that she didn’t have the energy to care. My mother was literally on the verge of collapse. With lifeless, empty eyes, she was precariously enduring each day.

The peaceful and monotonous life of the Earl George Seymour’s family had been completely shattered a long time ago. This was because my alcoholic father had squandered his vast fortune through gambling.

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His gambling addiction, which he had kept under wraps while my grandfather was still healthy, began to spiral out of control as soon as he inherited the earldom. He literally sold everything he could to fund his gambling. Not satisfied with that, he even borrowed from illegal loan sharks and even wagered his own daughter as collateral, only to lose everything.

When our mansion was about to be seized, my father suddenly took us and fled in the middle of the night. Our aimless life in hiding, moving from place to place, continued for several years. And those nightmarish days ended with my father’s death, discovered as a corpse in a cheap inn room one day.

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“In return for settling all the debts left by the late Earl Seymour, His Grace the Duke of Beaufort has taken over all rights.”

I chewed my lips as I thought back to the words of the Duke’s lawyer. “All rights to all debts” included me as well. In other words, even the right to dispose of me had been transferred to the Duke.

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‘He’s probably just an old lecher looking for a young second wife to carry on his bloodline.’

I bit my lip hard, lest any tears should fall. My chest felt heavy as a stone at the thought of what that old man might do to me, claiming ownership over me.

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At a blossoming age when I should have been dreaming of marriage, I hadn’t even seen a single marriage proposal. I hadn’t even had a debutante ball, even as I was nearing the end of my eligible years, because my father was too busy being hounded by debt creditors.

What sane man from a respectable family would want to marry the debt-ridden daughter of a gambler? Especially one who couldn’t bring a dowry, to boot.

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That was all just possible in novels.

I ran here and there to protect my mother, the only family I had left, but instead, we only sank deeper into the mire of debt.

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“If you agree to repay the debt through marriage, the Countess and Lady Seymour will be freed from all debts and granted their freedom. If you wish, the Countess may continue to reside at the Earl’s mansion, with the Duke of Beaufort covering those expenses as well.”

“You’re saying you’ll make the debt disappear if I just get married? Is that true?”

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“Yes, that’s the condition, as stated in the contract.”

“Why? I don’t know the Duke. Then, what happens if, for some reason, the marriage cannot be continued in the future?”

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“Then the contract will be void, and the Seymour family will be obligated to repay the debt to His Grace the Duke of Beaufort.”

“All I have to do is stay married? Doesn’t that sound like a deal where you’re at a disadvantage? Is this some kind of fraudulent contract?”

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“Haha! Not at all. Lady Seymour simply have to live happily ever after with His Grace.”

Live happily ever after. 

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Could that really happen? Whatever the future may hold, my mother and I needed to survive for now. Thus, I signed the contract without hesitation.

I sighed quietly. Even the plush cushions and luxurious interior of the carriage sent by the Duke’s household couldn’t make me feel completely at ease.

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Click-clack, click-clack.

The gradually slowing carriage finally came to a complete stop. Only then did I snap out of my thoughts and come to my senses.

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My heart pounded like crazy. 

Oh, what do I do? 

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I haven’t finished preparing myself mentally. I gripped the hem of my dress tightly with trembling hands.

Before I could decide what to do, the door burst open with the sound of footsteps. A man with gray hair, dressed in a black uniform, bowed his head towards me.

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“Welcome, Madam! We welcome you to the Duke of Beaufort’s estate!”

My eyes widened in surprise at the unfamiliar title.

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Madam, my goodness.

Behind the butler’s head, the magnificent mansion stood tall, displaying its majesty. The front and side stairs of the building were lined with servants in uniform. It felt a bit excessive for a welcome, but the overwhelming presence of the Duke’s household made me break out in a cold sweat.

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Trying to compose myself, I stepped out of the carriage. My legs, which had been sitting all day, trembled involuntarily. The man bowed deeply and greeted me.

“I am James, the butler of the Duke’s household. His Grace is already waiting for you in the study.”

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James gestured politely towards the stairs leading to the main entrance. I started to walk, following his gesture.

Are they looking down on me because I’m a bride sold off for debt? Seeing as they didn’t even come out to greet me when I first arrived. I was secretly hurt, but I tried my best not to show it. I stared straight ahead with a blank expression.

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“Please come this way, Madam.”

The gray brick building seemed to grow larger as I ascended the stairs. It was a medieval-style building with a heavy atmosphere, interspersed with small, round, pointed towers. Numerous lights illuminated the outside as dusk began to fall, making it as bright as day. As I reached the entrance, the male and female servants bowed in unison and shouted loudly.

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“Welcome, Madam!”

As my face paled slightly from the pressure, an elderly woman knelt gracefully before me. She had sharp eyes, her hair perfectly slicked back, and she wore a simple high-necked dress.

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Slowly nodding my head, I secretly put strength into my trembling legs. 

Wow! This is no joke. 

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I clicked my tongue inwardly as Mrs. Wilson continued speaking.

“You must be tired from your journey, so I’ll have a hot bath prepared for you immediately.”

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My stiff lips finally loosened. I quickly pictured a familiar scene of hot water with soap bubbles rising in the tub. The thought of the blissful relaxation it would soon bring made me feel better.

“But, before that, I will escort you to His Grace. Please follow me.”

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At her next words, the corners of my lips instantly froze like a winter lake. The moment came for me to learn the truth about what surprising gift fate had in store for me.

Life is a series of equivalent exchanges; there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Having lived a life plagued by debt creditors, I knew this better than anyone. And so, I quietly followed Mrs. Wilson as she walked ahead.

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The servants lined up on either side whispered amongst themselves, glancing at me with curious eyes, but I pretended not to notice. After passing through a long corridor, Mrs. Wilson stopped in front of a door with ornate patterns carved in relief and knocked gently.

“Your Grace, Madam has arrived.”

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I gulped. The few seconds it took for a reply to come felt as if it were an eternity.

“Bring her in.”

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A deep, soft voice resonated like an echo in a cave. Mrs. Wilson opened the door of the study with a click and stepped aside. She bowed her head slightly to me.

I hesitated before stepping forward, taking a deep breath in the open doorway. Beyond the door, where I couldn’t fully see, my unknown future awaited.

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There was no turning back now. My life was now essentially mortgaged to this Duke. There was nothing I could do, no matter what insurmountable situation arose. After taking one long breath, I stepped inside with resolute steps.

The highest quality carpet underfoot enveloped my feet softly. The bookshelves on the walls were filled with neatly organized document folders, and a heavy mahogany desk occupied the space in front of the large bay window.

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The last rays of the setting sun poured in through the window. Blinded by the intensity of the afterglow, I blinked slowly. The inside, bathed in the brilliant red light, appeared somewhat hazy because of the dusk.

Huh? Is no one here? Where did the person who answered earlier go? 

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Turning my head, I saw someone sitting neatly on a sofa covered in luxurious red silk, looking towards my direction.

Why aren’t they standing to greet me? 

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As I was wondering, I flinched at the sight of a cane in the man’s right hand. However, after seeing the face of the cane’s owner, my eyes widened even more than before.

‘Ah! Oh my…!’

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I swear I had never seen such a beautiful man in my life.

My mouth gaped open without me realizing it.

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His bright blue eyes and golden hair, like molten gold, were like the incarnation of an angel. His broad forehead, high nose, and distinct features, harmonizing perfectly on his milky white skin, were truly graceful.

As I stared, mesmerized, the soft, deep voice I had heard earlier flowed out from his red lips.

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“Welcome, my wife!”

I stopped dead in my tracks, stunned by the bombshell statement dropped by this complete stranger. 

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This man is my future husband?

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