Santana casually brings up the confession he once mentioned.
In response, Estelle feels a deep tension while listening intently.
Santana continues calmly, “I’ve been seriously considering this all along. Not only what you told me but everything you’ve done for me.”
“W-What do you mean?”
Hearing Santana’s words about considering his hard work, Estelle starts feeling a hint of hope, and Santana clearly states, “After thinking it through… I feel that I must repay you for everything you’ve done, in whatever way you desire.”
“Ah…”
Santana’s promise to fulfill her wishes regarding the confession brings a bright smile to Estelle’s face as she realizes what his words mean.
To be honest, Estelle had worried that the chain of events might have ruined her relationship with Santana.
And for her, Santana’s declaration felt like an unexpected, precious gift.
However, while she was rejoicing, Santana added, “But. There is one condition. Do you remember what I mentioned when you confessed, Estelle?”
“Are you referring to that? About you having someone else you like…?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
While she somewhat expected it, it was still hard to hear Santana confirm it again.
He looked at Estelle with seriousness and continued, “I can accommodate any other request you have. But I must insist my first love remains the person I mentioned before.”
“…Sigh…”
Estelle let out a deep sigh in response to Santana’s words.
She could give up everything but that one thing… She could not sacrifice Polena.
And so, Estelle fell into deep thought, silently grappling with the issue.
‘This is really not easy… No matter how devoted I am to Santana, his feelings for Polena are unshakeable.’
Despite all her help and affection, Santana still had an unwavering attitude.
But Estelle had no intention of willingly giving up her position as primary wife.
‘How could I allow a woman of such lowly status to take my place? I could never accept that.’
She remembered that her ancestor, Lady Bertina, who founded the Fernande family, had faced a similar situation.
Her remarkable ancestor wasn’t her husband’s favorite, but she successfully claimed the position of primary wife through status and ability.
With such an outstanding precedent, Estelle started thinking of a way she might secure what she desired.
‘Alright… No matter how much love Santana may have for me, considering her status makes this a complex situation. So…’
After organizing her thoughts, Estelle looked at her fiancé with a gentle smile and said, “I understand what you mean. It would be foolish for me to be greedy for the primary wife position when your determination is this strong.”
“Ah…”
Her behavior seemed to suggest she was willingly accepting his condition, and Santana felt a sense of relief.
But then, Estelle continued speaking, “However, since this is related to marriage, we must consider practical matters…”
“Practical matters… what do you mean?”
Santana asked with a slightly tense voice.
Estelle responded with a tone filled with regret, “It means exactly what it sounds like. You know very well that this world does not function solely on love. Especially in these chaotic times, marrying just because of love would be exceptionally difficult.”
“..Well… that’s true, I suppose.”
Estelle’s remarks carried bittersweet emotion, and Santana was nodding in agreement.
He was the kind of person who normally assessed situations with extreme rationality, and he was well aware of why he had pursued a contract marriage.
Feeling a smirk inside, Estelle spoke with an almost soothing tone, “I completely understand your feelings, and I can support you in this. But even so, you need someone of noble status by your side if you want to strengthen the Heretic Alliance’s position.”
“Hmm…”
If someone like Santana were to declare their marriage to a commoner, it would definitely cause a stir in the Heretic Alliance’s social scene.
In a country like the Dragona Empire, which was more lenient in these matters, it could pass.
But given the emphasis on political marriages and their engagement already set in stone, Santana couldn’t simply push through a marriage with Polena.
What Estelle was pointing out was precisely that, and she said in a tone that suggested she wanted to help him, “In that regard, I have a proposal for you. It’s a proposal that could benefit both you and the one you love.”
“What is it?”
“It’s simple. Just as you had a contract engagement before, this time, you should have a contract marriage instead.”
“A contract… marriage?”
Santana made a strange expression at Estelle’s unexpected suggestion.
Estelle then began explaining her plan to him.
“It means exactly what it says. To the outside world, we will be a married couple, and I will be your primary wife, while in reality, that person you love will be your true primary wife, and I will be treated as a concubine.”
“…Hmm…”
Santana seemed to contemplate for a moment upon hearing Estelle’s plan.
Seeing him like this, Estelle felt relieved that things might go smoothly.
‘It would be practically impossible for Santana to push for a marriage with that lowly woman. Considering that, he will certainly want to take my hand.’
Of course, this meant that in reality, Polena would hold the power at home where Santana’s affection lay.
But Estelle wasn’t worried about that.
Even as a concubine, Polena’s influence would have limits, given her lack of backing.
On the other hand, Estelle, with the strong support of the Rhapsody Region, would naturally gain the upper hand in household matters.
As Santana pondered her clever ploy seriously, Estelle waited patiently for his response, inwardly smiling with satisfaction.
At that moment, Santana, upon hearing Estelle’s proposal, also fell into deep contemplation.
However, within that contemplation was a plan that bore resemblance to Estelle’s proposal but was undeniably different.
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