The Villainess Proposed a Contractual Marriage

A fateful proposition.

Mar smiled slyly, like she was offering a tempting but poisoned apple.

"I'll be blunt. I can cure the Queen's mysterious illness."

"You...! Don't spout nonsense!"

"Judge for yourself whether it's nonsense or not."

Mar firmly grasped the sword blade pointed at her. Blood dripped to the floor as the cut widened. When the blade piercing her flesh reached bone, Mar opened her palm dramatically.

It was a reckless act that could have cost her a finger. But Ronan's eyes were fixed on Mar's rapidly healing finger.

"Do you believe me now?"

"Could this be... the divine power only seen in legends?"

"More precisely, it's the power of baptismal names... but let's not split hairs. My demonstration is complete. Now it's up to King Baskhill whether he'll listen to my proposition."

In that moment, Ronan's thoughts raced.

Whether good or bad, any deal would ultimately result in an alliance with demons. Yet consorting with demons was a grave crime against humanity.

The first article of the Human Defense Council treaty stated:

[Those who collude with demons shall be deemed traitors to humanity, regardless of status.]

[Furthermore, individuals or groups deemed traitors to humanity shall be unconditionally erased from existence.]

As a national leader, Ronan was well aware of the dangers. Nevertheless, humans sometimes let emotions override reason. Ronan, backed into a corner, was no exception.

'If it's just listening... surely there's no harm in hearing her out.'

Ronan's mental scales were tipping.

He could always refuse an absurd proposal. But if it was an offer worth exploiting, he might find a way to slip through the cracks of the Human Defense Council's rules.

His deliberation ended.

"Very well. I'll hear this story of yours."

"A wise decision, King Baskhill."

Mar flashed a harmless smile.

Before continuing, she added one more request.

"However, we need one more person to hear this story."

"Who?"

"The princess of this kingdom, Letitia Baskhill."

---

---

Letitia rushed to answer the discrete summons, forgetting her dignity in her haste. It was unusual for the typically composed Ronan to secretly call for someone.

Upon arriving at Ronan's private office, she found him seated with an unidentified woman.

At first, Letitia thought she might be a candidate for royal mistress. That would explain why Ronan had called her secretly, out of guilt towards his wife. But when the woman removed her deeply pulled hood, Letitia let out a silent scream.

"...... Father...!!!"

"Sit down, Letitia."

"W-wait a moment. That woman is clearly...!"

"I know. Let's sit and talk first."

Letitia was dumbfounded by the incomprehensible situation. To think they were sitting and talking with humanity's mortal enemy who should be executed on the spot.

She had always been taught that demons were fundamentally treacherous and evil. Letitia wanted nothing more than to drag Ronan away and escape.

Meanwhile, the demon woman beckoned warmly to the princess.

"You're beautiful, Princess. Shall we have a pleasant chat together?"

"... Letitia. I know what you're thinking. But just trust me this once."

Though suspicion and anger welled up inside her, Letitia had few options at the moment. So she quietly took a seat beside Ronan, her eyes narrowed.

Mar clapped lightly and smiled innocently.

"Excellent. Let's begin our discussion. First, to bring the princess up to speed... I can cure Queen Lunia Baskhill's mysterious illness."

"... What?"

"Not only can I cure her completely without side effects, I can even improve her condition beyond what it was before."

At this confident assertion, Letitia jumped to her feet and protested.

"Father. She's a fraud not worth talking to. Let's get up and throw this woman out, please? Father!"

"Letitia..."

Normally Letitia's opinion would have been correct, but Ronan had already witnessed a miracle firsthand. So he pulled her back into her seat with a somber look.

"I've confirmed it myself. This woman has such an ability."

"What...?"

"It's true, Princess. Even if it weren't, you could always throw me out afterwards, right?"

It seemed a reasonable point. Letitia pressed her lips together, unable to think of a rebuttal.

"What are your terms?"

"Simple. Give me the purest Baskhill bloodline."

"You mean...!"

The Baskhill bloodline was said to be purest in those with jet black hair and eyes. And among the current Baskhill clan, including both direct and collateral lines, there was only one child with such features.

"You want Letitia... my daughter?!"

"If the one with the strongest bloodline traits is the princess... then 'yes' is my answer."

"Don't be ridiculous!"

Bang!

Ronan slammed the table as if to shatter it. Though he managed to restrain himself enough that it only cracked, his anger had not subsided.

"Letitia was right. This nonsense wasn't worth hearing."

"I don't understand. It's not like I'm asking for the princess as a sacrifice."

"Whatever the case, this conversation ends the moment you mentioned Letitia..."

Just as Ronan was about to dismiss her,

Letitia hurriedly cut in.

"Wait, Father."

"Letitia?"

"You, what's your name?"

Mar answered Letitia's question in a glib tone.

"I am Mar, blessed by the demon god."

"Alright Mar. You seem to want me, so as the person in question, I'd like to hear your reasons."

"It's simple. I want you to be a bridge of peace between humans and demons."

"Explain in more detail."

"Will you enter into a marriage?"

"With who?"

"Become the queen consort to the king of the demon realm. The Demon King's primary wife, of course."

The air in the room froze at Mar's proposal. Neither Ronan nor Letitia could easily move their lips. The surreal suggestion left them feeling as if in a dream.

"... You're lying."

"Pardon?"

"A bridge between humans and demons. That's the only lie in what you've said."

"How do you know?"

"A woman's intuition is sharp."

"I'm a woman too, but I have to agree. Even our demon god rarely grants power as formidable as a woman's intuition..."

Mar neither confirmed nor denied it directly. But it became almost certain that talk of a bridge for peace was false.

"So, Princess, are you not interested?"

"No."

"Letitia...!"

Ronan grabbed Letitia's arm at her unexpected answer. At first, Letitia had been the one clinging to Ronan's arm, but now their roles had completely reversed.

"Father. It's not like I'll die."

"Of course not. Who would dare harm the Demon King's primary wife? We'll provide you with luxury and pleasure to overflowing, if you wish."

"Since the bridge of peace is nonsense, I'll just quietly disappear, right?"

"That kind of approach would work too. It's an easy matter."

Letitia shot a sharp glare at Mar, who was fanning the flames beside her.

"But why me? What's the significance of the Baskhill bloodline?"

"Oh my, you didn't know? It's better if you hear this from King Baskhill himself."

"Father?"

Ronan was consumed by self-loathing. He felt sick that his daughter, who knew nothing, was volunteering to be a broodmare.

But he couldn't hide it at this point.

He finally spoke.

"... The clan of fertility and propagation. That's what they called our Baskhill ancestors."

Though the expression was refined, the reality was different. The Baskhill bloodline's trait was that of a literal stud horse, the only clan capable of interspecies breeding.

In extreme cases, it's said a black-haired, black-eyed male could impregnate cows and horses, while females could conceive children from countless species.

After hearing the whole truth, Letitia clenched her teeth.

"...... I suppose the Demon King is impotent?"

"It's not that. Rather, his power is so immense that no womb can withstand his seed. All twenty of his wives died the moment they conceived."

"So you're pinning your hopes on the Baskhill bloodline?"

"Not hope, but certainty. Your bloodline is surprisingly remarkable. It's no exaggeration to say you're positioned as superior beings among humans."

"The conclusion is that I'll survive, then."

"That's right. Otherwise, even I wouldn't go to such lengths to 'play nice'. If things work out well, you can return to your kingdom as if nothing happened."

"... I see. So that's how it is."

Letitia swallowed hard. Then she quietly expressed her resolve to Ronan, who was staring helplessly at her back.

"Father."

"No. Don't do this."

"I'm going."

"Letitia, please..."

"I'll be fine."

She shared her thoughts as calmly as possible.

"You and Mother gave birth to me and showed me the world. You always loved me. How could I call myself human if I don't repay that kindness?"

"That's what parents are supposed to do. It's only natural."

"We call those who consider difficult things natural 'parents'."

Letitia knelt down. Then she bowed her head to Ronan and bid farewell in a tearful voice.

"So now I too will naturally do what you consider difficult."

"Letitia...!"

"I'll repay all the trouble I've caused you, right here."

She left her final heartfelt words.

"I love you. Mother, Father."

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