UTPT Ch 3

“Then, may I review the terms of the deal?”

Doyoon picked up the prenuptial contract and unfolded it. Since this was more of a business contract than a marriage, he needed to examine the document thoroughly while maintaining his act as a fool. Accepting it too easily would only raise suspicion.

The contract terms were simpler than he had expected. Han Changwon’s family promised him unlimited divination readings for as long as the marriage lasted. In return, they demanded financial support to maintain their dignity as imperial in-laws.

“Since you will now be an imperial in-law, we’d like to add a clause regarding security.”

“Security?”

“Yes. Even if the imperial family exists in name only, incidents can still occur at any time. It would be best for you to receive imperial security protection.”

One event was engraved in the memory of every citizen in this country—the sight of the emperor collapsing after being shot by the security chief on National Foundation Day. Even though the imperial family held no real power, that incident had cemented the perception that they could be in danger at any moment.

“…….”

Han Changwon furrowed his brows deeply, as if displeased. Anyone with a brain would realize this wasn’t about protection but surveillance. However, refusing was not an option.

Imperial in-law security was a condition that could not be rejected outright. To refuse would be tantamount to admitting an intention to commit acts the imperial family wasn’t meant to see. It could also give the impression that they considered the emperor’s assassination a trivial matter.

“…Understood.”

Doyoon casually skimmed over the financial compensation, which made it seem as though they were obsessed with money. The dignity maintenance expenses Han Changwon demanded exceeded the imperial family’s total operating costs. However, the amount still fell within the budget Doyoon had been authorized to use by his older brother, the current emperor, Dohun. Expanding the company and paying more taxes seemed inevitable.

The other clauses were not particularly unfavorable—except for one. Lee Doyoon placed the document on the coffee table with a sharp thud and pointed at the clause he found incomprehensible.

“A divorce or annulment for reasons that arose before the marriage is strictly prohibited…?”

“It is an expression of trust.”

Han Changwon flinched but remained firm in his stance.

“Fifteen years’ worth of dignity maintenance expenses as alimony in the event of a divorce? With inflation factored in?”

“If Your Highness were to request a divorce, yes. Normally, assets are divided about equally in a divorce.”

“That only applies to couples who have been married for over twenty years.”

“As a father, I simply wish for my daughter to have a stable and lasting marriage.”

Utter nonsense. Doyoon suppressed a scoff and wet his lips with the tea someone had quietly placed before him. The warm green tea was at the perfect drinking temperature, easing his irritation just slightly. As he lifted his head, he caught sight of someone silently yet swiftly retreating into the kitchen.

Han Changwon’s lies were disgusting. But more than that, the fact that he was sitting here reviewing such a prenuptial contract and conversing with someone like this was even filthier. Still, he had expected all of this. There was no reason to be upset now.

Han Changwon was selling his daughter for money. Doyoon had his own motives… As for the daughter, who would be turning twenty in just a few days, he had no idea what she stood to gain from accepting this marriage.

…Was it money? That couldn’t be it. After the marriage, all of Han Yihyun’s living arrangements and lifestyle would be entirely Lee Doyoon’s responsibility.

“Even if Han Yihyun is infertile or has some physical issues… correct?”

“That’s right.”

“And if Han Yihyun requests a divorce, how will you compensate for that?”

“That won’t happen.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“Because she is my daughter.”

“Even if I’m infertile?”

“Of course.”

What was he thinking? More clearly than ever, Lee Doyoon realized that he and this situation were utterly incompatible.

“And why should I believe that?”

“Then, is there something Your Highness wants?”

“It would be the same—15 years of free divinations.”

“Well… if that’s what you want. We’ll provide them free of charge for 15 years.”

“This sounds like a no-exchange, no-refund policy on a product.”

Han Changwon, accustomed to dealing with fox-like politicians, slithered like a snake, his eyes gleaming wickedly. He truly embodied the image of a shaman who had inherited the divine spirit of a thousand-year-old manshin¹.

Since all clauses were mutually binding, it meant that regardless of any physical conditions or past circumstances, divorce was strictly prohibited. Ridiculous.

Doyoon didn’t care at all about Han Yihyun’s past or appearance—his purpose for this marriage was already set in stone. However, the one thing he could not accept was raising another man’s child.

“She isn’t currently pregnant, is she? An illegitimate child is out of the question.”

“…Well then, we can add that clause.”

Han Changwon accepted it with surprising ease. Doyoon stared at him for a moment, his black pupils glinting, then continued reading through the rest of the contract. There were hardly any provisions about actual married life—just endless clauses about money.

Han Yihyun… Doyoon briefly thought about the name of the person at the center of this contract yet entirely excluded from the conversation.

Until recently, it had been known that Han Changwon had one son and one daughter. Then, suddenly, another daughter had appeared. She wasn’t even an adopted child—she had been on the family register all along.

They claimed that in their family, twins were considered taboo, so they had hidden and raised the girl separately. That girl was Han Yihyun, the one included in this contract.

Had that so-called taboo disappeared now? Of course not. The eldest daughter had already been sold to another family, and the eldest son had to inherit the lineage after receiving the divine spirit, so he couldn’t be sold off. After exhausting their other options, they must have set their sights on the one daughter they had left.

“As long as there are no illegitimate children, I have no intention of seeking a divorce either.”

Smiling faintly, Doyoon set the contract down. Han Changwon and Han Suhyun’s delicate faces tensed slightly. Even ordinary people sometimes struggled to hide their fear when they saw Doyoon’s smile, and these two looked even weaker.

“By the way, you’re not even going to show me my future wife’s face?”

“The child is very shy around strangers.”

“Even with her future husband?”

“There are no major issues, so it would be best for you to see her at the wedding.”

That only made it sound as if there was something wrong with Han Yihyun. Doyoon furrowed his brow slightly before lowering his gaze back to the contract. Infertility, physical issues… What reason was there to use such words when marrying off a daughter who was only nineteen? It had to be one of the two—or perhaps both.

“There’s no need for a separate formal meeting then.”

Doyoon flipped open the contract, marked the sections that needed revisions with his fountain pen, and stood up.

“Would it be acceptable if we send the revised contract?”

“That would be fine. Then, as for the wedding preparations…”

“I’ll send someone.”

He had no time to waste on a wedding that was nothing more than a performance. Even if it was a royal marriage, he planned to keep it as simple as possible—invite only family and take a few photos to use as press material.

With a brief nod, Doyoon tucked the contract away and stepped toward the entrance. As he put on his shoes and turned around to offer a final courtesy, he noticed a small-framed housekeeper standing between Han Changwon and Han Suhyun.

Was she trying to greet him? Finding it odd, he watched as the figure, her face entirely hidden by long hair, fidgeted nervously before extending a hand. In that small, thin hand was his fountain pen.

“Oh, thank you.”

When he extended his hand, the other person dropped the fountain pen into his palm. Then, as if having completed a task, she bowed several times before turning away, dragging her right foot as she disappeared into the kitchen.

Her worn-out skirt, a relatively clean apron, white socks slipping down to her ankles, and thin calves stood out.

“Well then, I’ll see you next time.”

With a final, appropriately formal farewell, Doyoon opened the front door and stepped out of the stifling space, thick with a nauseating stench. As he closed the sturdy door behind him and took a moment to catch his breath, tugging at his tie, a loud voice rang out from inside, followed by the sound of something covered in leather being struck.

Even the lawyer, who had maintained a neutral expression and silence until now, widened his eyes in surprise.

“…What was that sound?”

“Who knows.”

Not wanting to concern himself any further with this household, Doyoon stepped down onto the stone stairs, which bore clear traces of a gardener’s work. He didn’t like to judge people solely by their faces and expressions, but both Han Changwon and Han Suhyun, despite their delicate appearances, gave off the impression of being quite adept at cruelty.

“She must be hideous if they won’t even let you see her face.”

“That has nothing to do with the contract anyway.”

At Doyoon’s firm response, the lawyer cleared his throat a few times before falling silent.

As Doyoon left the estate, he gave the lawyer a few additional instructions.

“You’ll handle the contract revisions.”

“Yes, that’s why I came.”

“Is the contract between me and Han Changwon?”

“That’s correct.”

“Can we change it to Han Yihyun?”

“Technically, the contract should be between you and Han Yihyun, since she is the one getting married.”

“Then revise it to Han Yihyun. By the time the contract is signed, she’ll no longer be a minor, so it should be fine.”

“Yes. If there are any other revisions needed, let me know today, and I’ll apply them.”

“Will do.”

After sending away the person who had accompanied him as both a watchdog and a lawyer, Lee Doyoon briefly looked up at the massive mansion. Was this what they called a “shadow ruler”? A shaman family that had supposedly manipulated the political world, skillfully maneuvering between politicians…

He had never once imagined he would be involved with such people, but in the end, it didn’t matter. It was even more disgusting than he had expected, but Doyoon resolved to play along, just like a tongue inside a mouth. Of course, sometimes, like a tongue ulcer, it would cause pain to its owner.