# 6
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A short silence followed.
Ian seemed to be seriously considering whether he had misunderstood what he had just heard.
“Will you fix me?”
His tone was incredulous, as if he couldn't believe what he was saying.
I nodded quickly, closing my eyes. “Yes, you heard right. I will fix you.”
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“You seem to be a lost cause, Your Highness. You have reduced the flower of the social world into a mere specter of an empty duchy in just two years.”
“A lost cause...”
His facial expression showed that he was confused. I couldn't help but enjoy. Was this enough to leave him speechless? His words were much worse.
But then again, being a prince turned duke, he was probably used to hearing only complimentary and polished words from those around him.
She lightly ignored his gaze and smiled cheerfully.
“Oh, don't worry. I'm not asking for much. I just want you to meet the minimum politeness required of you to maintain my dignity as a duchess.”
Don't worry – I'm not interested in getting close to you either. I'll polish and straighten you, then step aside gracefully, all for Diana's sake.
I nodded toward the paper I placed in front of him, as if I was daring him to read it again.
"I saw what was written there. They call me a shell, a ghost. Some even say I'm just furniture sitting in the duchy."
Even I had to admit that the comparison to furniture was a bit exaggerated.
“I have endured it so far out of respect for Your Highness and my father, but I cannot bear it any longer.”
Ian lowered his gaze to the paper filled with all kinds of rumors.
“And honestly, this isn't just my problem, is it?”
While I focused on my reputation, the Duchess's reputation also reflects on the Duchy itf. If there were too many rumors about Eloise, it wouldn't be good for the Duke either.
Of course, Ian was of royal blood and a favorite of the Emperor, so the scandal around his marriage wouldn't harm his honor, but…
“If this continues, the disadvantages will definitely outweigh the benefits.”
Whether it was because of my assertiveness or something else, Ian, who had been staring at me silently, finally spoke up.
“Since when did you start caring about things like this?”
“The capital has been loud enough about this. Even if I close my eyes and ears, it's hard not to notice.”
I threw a snarky comment his way and turned my head.
“Well… honestly, I don’t plan on prolonging this. So let’s set a time frame of exactly one year.”
I raised my finger.
"If my reputation doesn't change after a year of effort from you, it's not entirely your fault. In that case, I'll give up and sort it out."
“What do you mean by ‘resolved’?”
“I mean, I'll live quietly, like a mouse. Or, if you prefer, I can grant you a divorce. In fact, that might be more convenient for both of us.”
Ian frowned at my sudden announcement.
“Divorce?”
“Yes, after all, what you need is someone who can maintain the position of Duchess, right?”
"You're the distinguished Duke, so you have plenty of options. If you're tired of me and don't want to continue this marriage, I'm more than willing to step aside."
I elegantly expressed my desire to get out of his life.
"She has already gained status and prestige from this marriage. So, it doesn't matter who plays the role of Duchess as long as she can handle the duties."
"Ah, but not like this. You've reduced the social butterfly I was to mere furniture in the Duchy. Do you think it would be different with someone else?"
I pointed out his misdeeds again, and he hesitated.
"So, let's try it for a year. If my reputation doesn't improve after that, we'll end it."
“Who knows, after we part, you may find a woman more suitable than me to be the Duchess.”
Everything I said was with Diana in mind. Regardless of the outcome, Ian and I will proceed with our divorce within a year, and Diana will become the new Duchess.
“In short, my annoying request will only last one year.”
I looked at Ian, as if to say, “You have to accept this.”
Even though I presented it as a challenge, no matter how you look at it, Ian had nothing to lose from this offer.
You'll get free rehabilitation, and I'll leave quietly when the time comes. Where can you find such a good deal?
“Before I am a duchess, I am a human being with dignity. I do not want to spend the rest of my life with these shameful descriptions. So, I hope you will cooperate with me.”
“I cooperate…”
Ian muttered under his breath. After rolling his eyes for a moment, he asked, “So, do you have a specific plan for this year?”
His tone suggested he was teasing me, just to hear what I had to say. I answered immediately, as if I had been waiting for this question.
“I'll need to finalize the plan, but I have two initial suggestions. First, you have to behave like a proper husband in public. And...”
“Secondly, you must set aside a certain amount of time each week for… mental training. I mean, to spend time with me.”
He nodded. “Spending time with you?”
“Can anyone change without doing anything? Of course not. You need focused training. Like I said, you are a lost cause as you are. Think of it as a kind of class.”
“This is the minimum I ask.”
I had to completely fix his mindset before Diana came back. If I pester him half-heartedly about changing his behavior, he will surely revert to his old ways after we part, and Diana will suffer even more.
To prevent this, I intended to stick to him like glue and teach him everything from A to Z.
Didn't someone once say that South Korea's overcrowded education system is the most ineffective way?
Instead of hoping that this man will reform himf on his own, it may be more effective to forcefully instill in him the necessary qualities of a male protagonist.
I will teach him exactly how the hero of a romance novel should behave. After all, I had read over 100 romance novels – I was an avid reader.
He paused for a moment, speechless, then asked with his mouth slightly open, “Are you serious?”
“Does it look like I have time to waste on jokes at this time?”
I answered him rudely.
Ian, who was gently tapping his finger on the desk, closed his mouth.
Maybe he was balancing trouble with responsibility at this point. As far as I knew, Ian Cloud, although an idiot, was not unreasonable.
The answer I was expecting came soon enough.
“…Just one year, then.”
“Yes, I don't ask for more.”
“Whether your reputation changes or not, we will be back to how things were in a year.”
No, we're getting a divorce.
Without realizing my true intentions, he picked up the desk calendar and leafed through it.
“Weekend evenings should work.”
Arrange a business meeting, right?
“Evenings are a bit short. Let's spend the whole weekend. Of course, if you have other plans, I will try to reschedule, but please let me know at least three days in advance.”
How did our marriage become so dry and functional?
Ian frowned slightly at my request.
“That would be a waste of—”
“Should I start reciting all the rumors I've heard about myf?”
“…Well, one day a weekend then.”
Nice try.
In fact, I never intended to monopolize the entire weekend. My original goal was to secure just one day.
Ask for double what you want, and let the other party negotiate for what you actually need.
'Did you understand? This is the art of negotiation.'
She smiled triumphantly.
“Great, I'll see you at the weekend.”
When I turned to leave the study, I stopped.
“Oh, right.”
I gave him a bright smile.
“I will leave this paper as a gift to you, Your Excellency. Read it whenever you feel bored.”
“Goodbye then.”
I raised the hem of my skirt slightly in a polite gesture and walked out of the office. The puzzled look on Ian's face when she left was priceless.