# 1
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The north wind was always cold, especially today. However, Chloe didn't close the window. She opened her eyes wide and leaned forward over the snow-covered window pane.
In the distance, through the falling snow, she could see the balloons flying over the bridge. In some cases, they would move in an organized formation, but now they were lined up to celebrate today's opening ceremony.
A banner was hanging from one of the balloons.
«Thank you for coming to the opening ceremony of the first railway in Eugene - Eric Aslan -»
Marquis Eric Aslan.
He was the focus of the rise of the bourgeoisie - the middle class - and a genius inventor who pioneered the country's development.
and.
'My husband.'
As Chloe struggled with the thought, she slowly took a deep breath and lowered her eyes. Her hands were clasped.
You will marry Baron Aslan.
This is what her father said five years ago after he secretly summoned her.
At first, she thought her father was just joking. Chloe was already engaged to the third prince.
Baron Aslan was part of the bourgeoisie. He was originally a commoner, but earned this title after graduating from the academy. Her father, who hated the “honor” of the middle class, would not arrange her marriage to anyone. So Chloe thought her father wasn't serious about what he said.
But…
Your older brother has accumulated a lot of debt.
What do you mean by religion? How much exactly?
Three million pounds sterling.
Oh, my God!
Chloe nearly fainted. Three million pounds sterling is equivalent to the property's budget for a year. What did her brother do to deserve this huge debt?
“The condition for marriage is to obtain a noble title. I decided to take the money in exchange for the title of Marquis. You know what this means, don’t you?”
Chloe immediately realized that her father was ling her to pay off her older brother's debts.
“But father, I am already engaged to the prince. You should know that breaking a promise with the royal family is tantamount to high treason...”
“You stupid girl! The royal family has already fallen!”
cried the Duke in a sharp voice, and raised his hand as if to strike Chloe on the cheek.
"Listen carefully. The world is changing. New powers are emerging, and they are ruling the world! Baron Aslan is the heart of that new power! He is a genius! The light of this country!"
Her father's face was convulsed as he screamed, like a sinner trying to justify his sins.
Do you think I'm doing this for money? Isn't this marriage for the betterment and prosperity of our country?
That was an obvious excuse. No matter how much control the middle class had, the father she knew would not have abdicated the throne to give one of his sons an aristocratic title.
“So whether you lift your skirt in front of the Baron, or show your chest, just hold on to it. Understood?”
He was just doing it for the money.
He was ling it for money.
“It's always been like this.”
Chloe laughed as she remembered her late father, who died three years ago.
After his death, the duchy collapsed immediately. Her eldest brother, who lost £3m gambling while his father was still alive, was undeterred when he officially became head of the family.
The duchy's esteemed honor has dissipated like smoke, leaving only debts behind.
“He took money from me again not long ago.”
Chloe was repeating the words by heart as she stared at the sky.
His debts now exceed almost four million. No matter how successful her husband is in his work, it is clear that this amount will be a burden on him, even him. Why was her husband supposed to pay off her brother's debts? Chloe couldn't stop wondering.
At that moment, the gate that had been tightly closed opened. She announced the return of her husband, who attended the opening ceremony.
Chloe came down the stairs holding the hem of her layered dress. At a fast pace, but without affectation. As if born with this quality, she quickened her steps, yet maintained the elegance of a duke's daughter.
When she reached the ground floor, she straightened her clothes and stood up straight. Then she greeted her husband, Eric.
After handing his bag to the butler, he looked up and saw Chloe, and in a clear, booming voice, he called out to her.
“Chloe”
Today, his hair was pulled back, carefully styled so that his forehead was visible. Over his white shirt and black jacket that perfectly fit his broad shoulders, the dark navy blue coat that he was also wearing fell to the ground.
She was always amazed by his deep-set gazes staring at Chloe. Even when a shadow of fatigue was cast over her, those eyes radiated an aura of solemnity. His sharp nose and prominent jawline gave him a sharp appearance, which added to the beauty of his features.
A slight smile appeared on Chloe's lips as she looked at his face.
Her husband, who was always handsome. She kept repeating this in her head like a mantra. He was always handsome.
The first time she saw Eric at the academy was more than a decade ago.
On the first day of school, she saw him giving a speech as the student with the highest scholarship.