"You shouldn't have crossed that line, Elisha. If you didn't want things to turn out like this." A strong arm wrapped around her swaying body, causing her head to spin and a deliberate, sultry sigh to escape her lips. "How did I end up in this mess?" Elisha thought to herself, trying to recall how she got here. This was a situation she had never been in before. She remembered her future, the one where she would become a fake concubine to a cruel man from the same family, doomed to be devoured by him until there was nothing left. A future where the powerful Cartier ducal family was torn apart by a vicious power struggle. To avoid this fate, Elisha had thrown herself at Lucerne, her former enemy in her past life. But now, as she stood before him, she realized there was no turning back. She knew this man, both in her previous life and after her regression. She was well aware of his reputation as the most notorious maniac in the Empire. And yet, here she was, a 20-year-old with a debt of 30,000 gold coins (equivalent to about 15 billion won in Korean currency or 15 million USD). After going back in time, Elisha had become the most capable illegitimate child in the world, determined to avoid a hellish life due to her debt. And so, she had come to Lucerne, offering him all the information she had in exchange for his help. "What do you want from me?" she asked, hoping he would agree to lend her some money and make her his subordinate. "Why should I trust you?" Lucerne's voice was cold and calculating as he listened to Elisha's proposal. But she was prepared for this question. "I'll give myself up as collateral," she replied confidently. Lucerne watched her silently for a moment before finally agreeing to her terms. "Okay, but I'll decide how to deal with the collateral." Elisha nodded, relieved that he had agreed. But then, he surprised her by saying, "First of all, marry me." Elisha's eyes widened in shock. She had not expected their transaction to turn into a marriage contract. "Huh?" she stammered, unable to believe what she was hearing. But Lucerne remained firm in his decision. "You want my help, and I want a wife. It's a fair trade," he stated calmly. And so, Elisha found herself in a situation she never could have imagined. But she knew it was her only chance at a better future, and she was willing to do whatever it takes to make it work.
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