The Reason for Marriage

Although she was in the middle, Iveca felt like she was living two different lives. The attitude of commoners and aristocrats in life had always differed, although, if she hadn’t come to the Bureau of Investigation, she would have taken it for granted.

“For that, the marriage of aristocrats is, of course, an important strategy. Historically, many families have escaped the crisis through well-established marriages. The weight differs from the beginning as an organization’s employees, who live and end their own lives, are individuals after all. Behind the scenes, beauty, grooming, luxury, and pleasure are a careful calculation that happens because you can’t risk everything on love, and it’s inevitable because of the weight of the family. I don’t think it’s fair for the employees of affiliated organizations or even royalty to ignore the aristocratic children.”

“That’s funny. You are saying those kinds of things even though you are an employee of an affiliated organization.”

“I don’t have a family name to protect. So, I live as my heart desires.”

Iveca answered as ‘Eve Jean’ and smiled. There was something she had to see as she was out of her circle. Living a half-life as Eve Jean, not that she did not understand what Anriq said.

No, she knew it very well since she was young. The era when the third prince became King, which no one expected. Count Esselburn had no heir yet. His five daughters were merely chess horses, only good for marriage.

The bloodline must prosper the blood of the Esselburn family for the next 1,000 years, as it has been for 1,000 years from the days when they were born into an aristocratic family. Ewill might not think that she was his daughter, but he would have wished for her marriage as a woman with the last name ‘Esselburn’, but she ran away altogether.

“Then I’ll be back in two days.”

After looking at Daniel’s long eyelashes once and Anriq’s expressionless face once, Iveca bowed politely.

***

That evening, Iveca, Reina, and Sid had a drink in the largest bar in front of the Royal College of Magic.

“What do you think, Eve? Is he nice?”

Reina’s tongue twisted and asked, giggling. Iveca shrugged her shoulders.

“Well, he’s always the same.”

“No fun. Do you have any interesting information about whether he looks very good up close, or that he is not as good as you think before?”

Sid sighed and looked at Reina.

“Please, Reina. Please refrain from talking behind his back. You know that there might be someone listening.”

“I’m sure the Bureau of Investigation is listening.”

“Shut up.”

Iveca smirked and drank. Every time she saw Sid, she found his low voice and blunt personality interesting, even if it did not suit his boyish appearance.

“Eve, you’ve got to do a good job. Who knew that you’ll fill in the most boring and blunt Kayden’s vacancy and become his closest aide? Tell him something funny with your soft voice. With love and care, as you do with your lover.”

“I will. If that’s the case, I’m an expert. Today’s report… it even said the stakes for the next Queen. Well, I guess even Kings get tired.”

“Oh my, the next Queen? Let’s say you’re a dating expert and you’re whispering next to him about how to handle the aristocrat’s lady. Of course, before that, tell us who she is. I have to put all my money on it.”

Sid looked displeased throughout, but Iveca chuckled as she bumped her glass into Reina’s. Joking about casual relationships with Reina has been one of Iveca’s long-standing hobbies.

Reina said with her eyes shining, “Eve, tell me something interesting about your trip to the countryside.”

“Nothing much. I just only met one cute looking guy who also acted like an immature aristocratic noble heir. I was tired of seeing him often, so I said goodbye forever while I was on tour.”

“What are you sick of? You said he was cute.”

“He didn’t look good for a long-term relationship in the future. I guess I don’t like cute and young men.”

Sid, who always kept silent in his seat when two women chatted, emptied the glass in front of him without saying a word. Iveca continued, resting her chin on her drunken, drowsy drunk face. It was cute to see her stomping around with her slightly loose tongue.

“Should I give you some dating advice?” Iveca held up one of her fingers and gave her a serious look on her face. “Affection is inertia, purity is self-deception, and lust is fantasy.”

Reina giggled and clapped as she spoke emphatically. Sid looked unhappy, but Iveca did not stop.

“If you shut up and meet anyone, it’s all the same, anyway.”

“Shut up and meet anyone, that’s great!”

“Oh, cancel. Not anyone, but someone who’s handsome. If it’s a feeling that’s going to sparkle for a moment.”

Reina giggled and added that she was happy to have Iveca back.

“What the hell happened to you?”

Looking at Iveca, who was being sceptical of her continuous love affair, Sid clicked his tongue with a pathetic face. Iveca shrugged lightly.

“Because It’s good to have a handsome face, if I may.”