I Became the Villain’s Wife

It was because the family had no income from their business at all.
They have steady income, including their owned agricultural land and textiles.
But the problem was their immaculate debt.
The hole for all the suffering Selena was facing.
Hadn’t for their debt, the Baron couple along with Selena, who were frugal and knew exactly their place, would be able to maintain their livelihoods.

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However, the amount of money they had to pay back snowballed so much that no matter how much they tightened their budgets and saved money, they couldn’t pay it.

It was the result of the Imperial people’s way of thinking that money is power, and the cruel reality that no attention was given to aristocratic families which had fallen to the point that they have to sell the family or one of the family.

Of course, they also had another option.
In particular, it was usually chosen when there was a marriageable woman in the house.

Marriage business.

The poor Baron’s family, which was falling down every day, was also a stern aristocrat in the past.
Selena’s proposed partner was actually a wealthy merchant from a commoner who had the luck in his side and succeeded in his business in his late days.
In fact, the marriage business was prevalent due to those people who seek higher status in this way.

The problem was that the marriage proposal was to have Selena as his third wife.

A young noblewoman was about to get married.
If the first love of the Crown Prince appeared like that to him, the story would become obvious.
His relationship with Selena , which had just begun, will fall and was only a flower garden in his mind.

But after the early days of their love, when flowers and butterflies flew, Selena’s family affairs would come to light when he came to his senses.
So, what will Ikshid choose? Indeed, even with everyone’s opposition, it might be even possible to make their marriage a success.

Eun-woo had to do something.
Of course, it was hard to predict what would happen if she made actions- whether it would be big or what.
The options were narrow to begin with.
But when was it this wide?

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Eun-woo kept pace with Selena, who started walking slowly again.
It took her time to say this question to Selena.
It also took more courage than she thought to bring it out.

“Selena, have you had any difficulties lately?”

Eun-woo quickly intercepted Selena’s answer before she shook her head.

“Because for me, I have some worries lately.”

“Worry about what?”

Selena responded immediately.

“As you know, the renovation of Miller’s mansion has been delayed.
My brother is busy inside and outside, so he doesn’t have time to worry about the housework.
The Duke is fairly hectic too, and it happens all the time, so I’m used to it, but….“

“You must be lonely.”

“Well, Selena, you always visit me, so I don’t have time to be lonely.
However… “

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Eun-woo swallowed her breath as she watched Selena calmly waiting for something to come out of her mouth.
She put bait into the calm pond.

“I certainly wish someone would stay with me at the duke’s house to help me with my studies.”

Eun-woo added quickly.
It was clear what she was trying to say, but her lips opened slowly again.

“As you know, I’m not very knowledgeable… Of course, you, Selena, take the class with me, but it’s always only for class….
It’s very important to have a companion for studying, right? So what I want to say is….“

“Do you want me to stay with you and help you study?”

It was Selena, indeed.
Eun-woo smiled awkwardly at Selena’s precise way of speaking.

“Well, so to speak.”

“For instance, you want me to be your companion in studies.“

Selena spoke seriously.
Eun-woo answered hastily before the atmosphere got more awkward.

“It’s a long way from the Baron house to here… I always thought it must have been hard for you to come all the way here for me.
Please think about it at least once.
I’ll try to make sure you don’t feel uncomfortable while you stay here.”

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Eun-woo examined Selena’s expression closely.
Selena’s neat face didn’t change much.
Eun-woo then wondered what she was thinking.

It was very common for a powerful aristocratic family to select and keep their child to have a companion among the lower noble families.
Of course, in this case, Eleanor’s parents were not present, so she personally invited a companion while studying.

However, having companionship was not just a noble maiden or bachelor staying in a prestigious family and taking care of their studies.
Rather, the concept of doing companionship was stronger.
Usually, families who were offered to have companions have a good reputation, but they often suffer from insignificant power or financial difficulties.

Of course, cases to have appointed companions because they were simply close to a more powerful family than them weren’t the only thing.
Mostly, their parents truly wish that the children will make decent and true friends in the circle of nobles.

In doing so, it had the advantage of not only making friends that they wanted for their children, but also being able to perform charity activities that eases the mouth of a needy family at the same time.

But that wasn’t the only purpose of Eun-woo.
The ultimate reason for having Selena as her companion was because of the dowry Selena needs.

When a woman before her marriage was taken as a companion, it was often the case that the family who asked for her, supported her dowry in the future.
This is because the biggest problem of the poor family was the cost of their daughter’s wedding.
In this case, it provided a reason which allowed her to be deeply involved in the marriage issue of a woman who was offered a companion by the authority of a higher family than them.

It was a little shallow, but it was not easy to find a better way to postpone Selena’s marriage.
If Selena becomes her study companion of the Marquis family, there is a justification that she does not have to enter the third wife of an old merchant immediately.
This is because there was a high possibility of getting a much better position with the support and dowry to be sponsored in the future.

This would have been an excuse to postpone the hasty marriage between Selena and the Crown Prince.

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Selena was not unaware of this.
Even if she did not expect a marriage with the crown prince, she would have guessed that this proposal would sufficiently prevent an unhappy marriage that took place immediately.

Then, Selena spoke.
It was a careful answer as much as Eun-woo’s polite request.

“Well, I’m honored.”

Selena added hesitantly.

“But I wonder what the Duke thinks…“

Eun-Woo blinked.
She thought for a moment why the duke was mentioned.

When Selena saw Eun-woo’s vague expression, she was a little silent and then spoke again.

“Well, Eleanor.
This job… I suppose the Duke has given you permission.”

Eun-woo smiled and stiffened on her spot.