DUMBW 02

Chapter 2

No Way I’m Agreeing to a Political Marriage
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When I got home, it was the same old scene.
At the head of the long dining table sat my father—the Earl, the head of our house.
Next to him, chatting cheerfully, were my male cousins.

“The foundation of domain management lies in being able to see everything through numbers.”
“Yes, sir! I’ll keep that in mind!”

Father spoke with enthusiasm, and the cousins nodded eagerly.

And me?
I sat silently at the far end of the table, spooning up my now-cold soup.
No one spoke to me. No one relied on me for anything.

Even though I’m his only child.
Just because I was born a girl, my right to inherit had been stripped away from the very beginning.

“…Pathetic,” I muttered under my breath, downing the rest of the soup.
Anger bubbled in my chest like boiling water.

At the academy, I’d proven I could beat the boys in combat.
But at home, I was treated as though I didn’t even exist.

That night, my father summoned me to his office, long after the sun had set.
When I opened the heavy door, he was sitting behind his desk, elbows propped up, his expression grave.

“…You called for me, Father?”
“Yes. Sit down.”

I did as told. He fell silent for a while, as if searching for the right words.
Then, in a heavy tone, he spoke.

“A marriage arrangement has been decided for you.”
“…A marriage arrangement?”
“Yes. Your fiancé will be—Sir Saphir, the academy’s magic instructor.”

“WHAAAT!?”

I shot up from my chair in disbelief.
Of all people—him!? That flamboyant teacher!?

“Are you kidding me!? Why would I ever marry someone like—!”
“Silence!”

Father’s roar made the entire office shake.

“You are a woman! You cannot inherit this house! Therefore, your duty is to serve as a tool for political alliance!”

My fists trembled with frustration.
Because I’m a girl… always because I’m a girl.

“…I refuse. I will never marry someone like him!”
“It’s already decided. You have no say in the matter.”

He dismissed me just like that.
I bolted from the room, heart pounding in my ears.

Saphir-sensei… of all people!
At the academy he always teased me, spouted charming nonsense, and now—now this!?

As I ran breathlessly through the hallway, I suddenly collided with someone.
And to my horror—it was him.

Why—why was he here, at this hour, in my house!?

“My, my ♡ What a coincidence, bumping into you at such a late hour.”

With a playful swirl of his robe, Saphir-sensei smiled sweetly.

“What are you doing here?!”
“Oh, darling, I just came to have a little chat with your father.”

“…!”

He knew.
He already knew about the marriage talk.

I stepped back, glaring at him.

“I’ll never marry you! Not in a million years!”

His long lashes fluttered once, twice.
Then—

“Ooh♡ I can hardly wait to see how this turns out.”

He smiled—wide and wickedly delighted.