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The seat of the Grayshawa Territory—Bota City.

A crucial meeting was underway in the lord’s office, one that would decide the fate of many people.

But it didn’t seem to be going very well.

“No, no, no… It really won’t work!”

Won’t work? What won’t work?

Alice had muttered under her breath, but Lin Ge still heard her loud and clear.

At the same time, a woman with a hood pulled over her head and a little blond hair showing stepped up behind Alice. She leaned down and whispered something in her ear.

Alice’s brows slowly furrowed. Her eyes darted toward Lin Ge more and more often… Until at last, she bit down on her lip in resignation, and her frown eased.

It looked like she’d made some kind of decision…

“You may all leave. We need to discuss the rest in private.”

After sending everyone away except Lin Ge and the hooded woman behind her, Alice fixed Lin Ge with her sharp, hawk-like eyes. Wave after wave of killing intent poured from her gaze, leaving no room for argument.

She made no effort to hide her resentment.

Lin Ge understood. If he were in her shoes, he’d feel the same way.

But what could he do? Things had come to this, and this was the only way forward.

Besides, getting to cling to two beautiful girls was nothing but a win for him. He had everything to gain, didn’t he?

(•̀ω•́)✧

“Let’s get straight to the point.” Alice cleared her throat. Her voice held a hint of resignation, but her expression was cold. “The Emperor’s decree is absolute. The engagement stands, and the wedding is tentatively set for six months from now. Any objections?”

“Yep, no objections.”

Lin Ge hurriedly nodded. What objections could he possibly have?

Actually, when Alice suddenly went expressionless and spoke so seriously, Lin Ge thought she was going to defy the Emperor’s decree and call off the engagement, leaving him with no way to keep living off his big sister’s support.

The thought had made him break out in a cold sweat.

That nearly scared the life out of him.

“Also, our children will inherit the territory someday. That’s already been decided, and you have no say in it. Understood?”

“Understood, understood.” Lin Ge nodded eagerly again. As long as he got to cling to her, she could say whatever she wanted.

“As for what Her Majesty the Queen demanded… This is Rosetti Tresia, my maid. By imperial decree, you’ll marry her too. One man with two wives in the future. Got it?”

“Yep, got it. Got it.”

Not only did he get it, he got it very well.

After going through so many transmigrations, he was already exhausted in body and mind. He’d decided ages ago that this time, he’d take it easy and live off a woman as a kept man.

At first, he’d nearly given up when he’d found himself about to be executed the moment he transmigrated. But it seemed Lady Luck hadn’t abandoned him after all.

One man with two wives in a matriarchal world? Now that was great!

Lin Ge happily sneaked a glance at the hooded woman beside him.

The light was too dim to make out her face, but judging by her silhouette, she was every bit as beautiful as Alice.

Two gorgeous rich girls. Twice the happiness. Twice the support to lean on.

Lin Ge was feeling great again.

But somehow, something still felt off…

There was something strange about the way both women were looking at him…

Was he just imagining it?

“Since we’re all in agreement, let’s talk about our conditions. As long as you accept them, everything will go ahead as discussed.”

“Conditions?”

Lin Ge froze. Alice continued without paying him any mind:

“Our conditions are simple. Everything I just said is off the table. We will not become your ‘real’ wives.”

“Oh, I see. I under—”

Huh?!

What had she just said?

Still reeling from the sudden shock, Lin Ge looked at the two women across from him. Neither seemed to be joking. His easygoing life as a kept man, which should’ve been smooth sailing, seemed to be over before it had even begun…

…….

As he made his way out of the lord’s castle, he passed men and women working around the city.

Every one of them wore a polite smile, bowing and scraping as they greeted Lin Ge with the utmost respect.

But once he was out of earshot, they changed their tune…

“So that’s Lord Alice’s husband. He’s got a pretty distinctive face, doesn’t he?”

“Heh, his face is about all he’s got. Have you heard the rumors about that scoundrel, Young Master Dewitt?”

“I’ve heard them… Wait, you mean he’s the one…?”

“Tsk, what a shame. Lord Alice could’ve had someone much better. But I guess, for a handsome face… he’ll do.”

“Heh. His looks are all he has going for him. Once our territory really starts thriving, who knows? Lord Alice might just divorce him.”

“You’ve got a point. Then people like us, the real talents, might have a chance.”

“Exactly! Hahaha!”

…

Sigh. Having such good hearing really is a pain.

He shrugged helplessly, thinking over Alice’s conditions. They weren’t impossible to accept, but…

“Sigh. My future looks bleak~~~.”

…

…

“Tch. I’d love to gouge that guy’s eyes out. He’s only a little good-looking, and he already dares to look at Lord Alice like that? He’s really pushing his luck.”

“That’s enough. He’s technically our husband, at least in public. Besides… if something really happened to him and Her Majesty the Queen found out, we’d have a hard time explaining ourselves.”

After Lin Ge left, Rosetti let out all her pent-up anger, her face full of disgust.

Alice gently patted Rosetti’s shoulder and said with a hint of guilt:

“I’m sorry, Rosetti… You’ve been dragged into this with me, too. We earned merit by repelling the Demon Clan’s attack this time. I thought I could use Her Majesty’s help to get the count’s side to withdraw the engagement, but somehow it still came to this… And now you’ve been dragged into it as well. I’m sorry. This is all my fault.”

“Please don’t say that, Lord Alice. It’s all that man’s fault. He was so devious, pulling a stunt like that.” Rosetti gritted her teeth in frustration. “We haven’t even dealt with the leeches around here, and now there’s another freeloader to support… If we weren’t so short-handed, I’d have… And the engagement, too. With your strength now, Lord Alice, you shouldn’t have to obey it anymore, but… It’s all the Queen’s fault! And now those people even dare to use their funding to threaten us… Tch. They’re all pushing their luck!”

The angrier Rosetti got, the tighter she clenched her staff. It creaked, and cracks spread through the tiles beneath her feet.

“Our territory is in a dangerous location, and we have to rely on others. If we want it to survive, we have no choice but to agree.”

Alice gave a helpless, bitter smile. A faint trace of bitterness showed in the depths of her eyes.

Then she turned to look out the window at the battered state of the territory.

A cold, desolate wind blew as Alice watched Lin Ge leave below.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, then she called to Rosetti:

“The one bright spot in all this is that, aside from his face, he’s useless. Just keep him fed and comfortable. As long as he behaves, doesn’t cause trouble, and doesn’t go tattling to Her Majesty the Queen… let him be. We stay out of each other’s way. That’s for the best.”

“As you command, Lord Alice.”

Rosetti bowed to Alice, then looked out the window too. The disgust in her eyes only deepened…

—I will never accept a man like that. Never!