Gold Coin and Freesia

“Are you serious?”
“Of course. We talked about the contract earlier, right? Let’s write it. I promise never to bring up your ex-wife again.”
Cordelia volunteered to draft a contract prohibiting any mention of his ex-wife. It was a sincere apology.
“Thank you for your kindness.”
Edwin, sensing her sincerity, expressed his gratitude.
“Bring me some paper and a pen.”
Cordelia ordered a maid to bring the necessary tools. Soon, the maid returned with a pen and paper.
“Write down what you want.”
Edwin took the pen handed to him and began writing neatly on the paper. Cordelia watched as he crafted what could be called a prenuptial agreement or a premarital contract.
Edwin Tride and Cordelia Mayor Rochester (hereinafter Princess Cordelia) document their agreed-upon terms before marriage.

“Please tell me your requests.”
After writing down his own simple condition, Edwin asked if she had any.
“Allow me to visit the palace whenever I want.”
“Of course. That is your right.”
Edwin immediately wrote it down as if it was nothing significant.
“Can I spend money as I wish?”
“That’s difficult.”
However, he refused her next request.
“No matter how much money the Tride company makes, it would be hard to allow unlimited spending.”
Before Cordelia could feel disappointed, Edwin’s face showed he was joking.
“…Don’t joke around.”
When Cordelia scolded him with a pout, Edwin laughed softly.
“You should have all the good things in the world. Buy anything you want. I’ll support you with my personal funds if needed.”
Though the contract was meant to reassure Edwin, it seemed to benefit Cordelia more.
“Alright.”
Cordelia tried hard to keep her lips from twitching. She didn’t want to appear too excited.
“Anything else?”
Edwin asked as if he would agree to anything. Cordelia pondered for a moment.
“Promise you won’t have any mistresses or lovers.”
Facing his well-crafted face under the warm sunlight, a worry suddenly arose. She had heard many stories of wives suffering due to their husbands’ infidelity.
“If I did, the royal family would come after me.”
Edwin lightly dismissed her concern and wrote it down.
“Only give your best to me.”
“Naturally…”
“And don’t let your lingering feelings for your ex-wife cause me pain. If you’re troubled by those feelings, my promise not to mention her would be meaningless.”
The corner of Edwin’s serene expression slightly faltered. How naive did she think he was? Cordelia raised her chin.
“Understood.”
Edwin added it without resistance.
“And don’t force me to get pregnant or have children until I agree.”
“Pregnancy and childbirth?”
Edwin looked visibly shaken, the pen trembling in his hand.
“I don’t like kids. They’re noisy and unruly.”
“…”
“And being pregnant would ruin my figure.”
Cordelia spoke honestly, ignoring his reaction. Her beauty and flawless figure would fade eventually. She wanted to enjoy it while she could.
“…”
Edwin was silent for a moment.
“But we can’t avoid having heirs forever. When the time comes, if I agree, then…”
Cordelia added the future possibility, watching his reaction.
“Losing your beauty would indeed be a national tragedy.”
Soon, he accepted her condition, seemingly unbothered. Cordelia felt conflicted.
“Is that all?”
“For me, yes.”
“Then…”
“But what if someone breaks the contract?”
She pointed out an unlikely scenario.
“How about granting one wish, whatever it is?”
“Anything? Even demanding a title or a divorce?”
“Yes, anything.”
Edwin’s proposal was light-hearted. He had no intention of breaking the contract or deceiving Cordelia.
If someone breaches the contract, the guilty party must grant the other person one wish, no matter what it is.
Cordelia looked at the prenuptial contract. It felt too detached for a couple about to marry. As she hesitated, Edwin signed his part without any delay.
It was too late to hesitate now. Cordelia signed her name on the paper Edwin handed her.
Edwin Tride, Cordelia Mayor Rochester.
Two names were now side by side.
***
The very next day, Cordelia and Edwin’s marriage announcement graced the front page of the weekly newspaper.
“Did you see the article?”
“Yes! What on earth is going on?”
Princess Cordelia, of the most noble lineage, and commoner Edwin had secretly fallen in love and decided to marry. Initially opposed by the Rochester royal family, they eventually consented due to Cordelia’s declaration that she would never marry anyone else but Edwin.
The country was in an uproar. Despite the declining power of the royal family, it still had a long and illustrious history. Suddenly announcing a marriage between a princess and a commoner was shocking to everyone.
Members of the upper and lower houses were astonished for different reasons. The upper house was appalled by the royal family’s degradation by marrying a commoner, while the lower house was shocked by the royal family’s audacity to address the issue head-on.
However, there was a common judgment among them.
“The world really is turning upside down.”
The Rochester royal family had lost its mind.
“Did they have any prior connection?”
“The article says they met during a visit to the palace for a supply contract.”
But among the noble ladies and young women, the political aspects were less discussed. Instead, they talked about the romance.
Months ago, Edwin visited the palace for a supply contract and met Cordelia when her shoe heel broke, and she was in distress. The moment he saw her golden hair and blue eyes fluttering in the spring breeze, he was smitten. He lifted her gently with his strong arms and bright smile, capturing her heart.
“Everyone wondered who Princess Cordelia would marry, and now she has the most handsome man in Rochester.”
Few who knew Cordelia believed the romantic story. Most thought Cordelia fell for Edwin’s looks.
“There must be many disappointed suitors.”
“Indeed. Many young men wanted to marry Princess Cordelia.”
Cordelia was the only princess of marriageable age, making her a prime candidate for young men seeking royal honor. The king had been fiercely protective of her, not wanting to give her away easily.
If the king had foreseen this, he would have found a suitable match earlier. But who knew his protectiveness would lead to a romantic marriage with a commoner?
“And many wanted Edwin as a lover.”
If they had known, they would have kept Edwin out of the palace.
“Not a noble, but…”
The noblewomen in the parlor fanned themselves, gossiping.
“And with that face and body, who wouldn’t want to keep him?”
Countess Eston sighed wistfully, having once approached Edwin and been rejected.
“He’s charming as a lover, but the princess deserves more.”
Having a lover was common among nobles, but Edwin had politely rejected the Countess with a kind smile. He had nothing to lose, but she still felt a lingering disappointment.
“True, he’s officially single, but he was married before. And he has no title. The royal family lowered its standards.”
Marrying a commoner still felt like a blow to their honor.
“Even if they’re deeply in love now, won’t the princess regret it later?”
It was well known that the king and queen adored their daughter. They must have given in to her wishes, but it might come at the cost of Cordelia’s future tears.
“Yes, indeed.”
The Rochester nobility prepared to watch the anticipated fall and fiery end of this romance with great interest.