OUR MALE LEAD

OUR FEMALE LEAD

(....)=THINKS *...* = ACTION TAKEN "..."=SAID

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[FEMALE LEAD POV]~Setia Poine

(February, this was the time i graduated from academy and wanted to apply for government

official exam. However...The problem was that I belonged to a knight family in ruins.)

[flashback]

-Setia, its time for you to pay us back for rising you.

-there are two methods for a knight families like us to maintain our status

we must distinguish ourselves in battles

or

earn the favor of noble family we served

my father chose the second option

he struggled to maintain his knighthood.

i couldn't really stand my father.

he was piling up debt trying to win the favor of those high in society.

father was against me becoming a knight...so i found a way to enter the academy on my own.

i worked a a part time job to pay for rent.

while my family was busy spending money that wasn't their.

their debts continued to pile up and they decided to sell me to harem to pay off their debts

[PRESENT - EMPLOYMENT AGENCY]

(I wish i knew a way to pay back my family for rising me...today looks like fail too)-Setia

*glances at the entrance as unrecognisable man enters*

(is he a hunter?)Setia

"Setia! There seems to be a job for you!"-says the receptionist

"really..?"-Setia

(could it be..)-Setia

"you can go straight up to managers office."-says the receptionist

"yeah i will do that" -Setia

**walks upstairs to the manager office.*  *

(who is he?)

...

[MALE LEAD APPEARANCE!-MEIRE LUNARIA]

(wait..right isn't he the guy from academy who was one year ahead than me and he was famous for being at the bottom of his he scored zero in all his exams because he carelessly forgot to give all his exams.)-Setia

"did you hire me?"-Setia

*says softly* "that's right."-Meire

(my new boss?)-Setia

"have a seat,i heard you were in a dire needs of funds"-Meire

"news travels fast..."-Setia

"let's see you majored in government administration...you were a plural major,even.you also studied business,trade and real estate,correct?"-Meire

"i did."-Setia

"hmmm...lady Setia."-Meire

"yes?"-Setia

"how much exactly..you know about me?"- Meire

(his voice lacks confidence...)-Setia

"i don't know much about you lord."-Setia

"i am sure you know enough.look, i have too much money on my hands."-Meire

(its good thing that you're loaded.)

"well..you're also a count aren't you"-Setia

*says softly*"that's right."-Meire

"let's cut to the chase.i need someone component by my side lady Setia .as you already know i am not

very clever."-Meire

"i would like you to manage my family assets\, lady Setia."-Meire *grin on face*

"does that mean..."-Setia

(he needs a personal assistant?)-Meire

(good,i can totally do that.)

"manage my family assets, as my wife."-Meire

.....

[PREWIEW]

"manage my family assets as my wife."-Meire

...

[continued ]

"...excuse me?!"

(although Meire is a count he is still considered a terrible husband material)-Setia

(i am sure being the countess of the lunaria would be hundred times better than being sold off to a harem but, i do

hate dummies.)-Setia

(i can't possibly marry the count-)-Setia

"of course, it would be a marriage in contract only."-Meire

*sigh* "oh i see"-Setia

"but wouldn't you need a real wife at some point ,my lord?"-Setia

"then why would you want a fake marriage?"

*glances at her lips for a mini second then back at face*-Meire

"i know you are at the age to settle down and start a family.And i am sure you might have plans of having children too"-Setia

“Children are not part of my current plans.” -Meire

“…that was a very immediate answer.” -Setia

“They would complicate the contract.” -Meire

“Ah. Right. Because apparently even your fake marriage comes with terms and conditions.” -Setia

“It does.” -Meire

“…you already prepared them?” -Setia

“I prepared them before asking you.” -Meire

(he prepared a marriage contract before even knowing whether i would say yes? how absurd can one man be?!) -Setia

“You really are unbelievable, my lord.” -Setia

“I have been called worse.” -Meire

“I can imagine.” -Setia

(terrible husband material. absolutely terrible.) -Setia

Meire placed a folded document on the table between them with the same calm expression he used for everything, as though proposing a contract marriage was no different from discussing the weather.

“You will have authority over the household accounts, staff management, and social correspondence under my name.” -Meire

Setia blinked.

“…you’re giving me that much power?” -Setia

“You are competent.” -Meire

“Is that your way of complimenting people?” -Setia

“It is an observation.” -Meire

(that definitely was a compliment. and somehow it is even more annoying because he said it with that expressionless face.) -Setia

“And what exactly do you gain from this arrangement?” -Setia

“More than a wife i currently require a business partner.” -Meire

“oh i see.” -Setia

(that makes sense.) -Setia

Setia looked at the folded contract in silence.

(he has given me a proper offer… clear terms, clear conditions.) -Setia

There was little to object to, which only made deciding harder.

“If i refuse?” -Setia

“Then nothing changes.” -Meire

His answer was simple. No pressure, no insistence.

“…i said i will think about it.” -Setia

“As you should.” -Meire

He rose and walked toward the door.

Setia’s eyes returned to the contract.

(being his wife is one matter.) -Setia

(but being his partner… that is another.) -Setia

At the doorway, Meire paused.

“Choose wisely, my lady.” -Meire

He said it calmly… yet somehow it sounded as though he wanted her to choose in his favor.

Setia frowned.

(or perhaps… i imagined that.) -Setia

Setia stared at the closed door long after he had left.

The room felt quieter than before. Heavier, somehow.

(choose wisely?) -Setia

(as though there is a right answer.) -Setia

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