A Chance

Mike flinched at the cold voice. His chest tightened and he was looking for an excuse when she sighed and leaned on his chest.

"You know that I have already broken so many laws to make you count. We should lie low for a few days. If the elders come to know that you are misusing the name, they will find fault in your every work.

You should try to win their hearts. Who knows they might even accept you as a marquis in the future." she smiled nefariously because she knew his eyes were already filled with greed.

He forgot all the anger on her and was already dreaming of taking the position of her father! Ha! What a foolish man.

"You understand what I am talking about right?" her voice softened and she whispered slowly, seductively when he finished but nodded his head.

His eyes are already filled with the dream of being head of the family.

"What do you want me to do?" He asked after a few seconds when her smile widened.

"You should help the elders. Take the benefit of this leave since we can not go on honeymoon anymore." he trembled for a second when she met his eyes.

"The physician told me. You can not... Do it. So, why waste time? Why don't you use this change to improve your image?" she touched his cheeks and looked at him with a loving gaze.

"When they would see that you are trying to help them and learn from them despite being injured, they would realize that you are a hidden gem. And then they will easily accept you. You will do that right?" Like a siren attracting its prey with a sweet melody, her voice made him fascinated.

He was already imagining the cheering voice of the elders when he walked to the position of the head and sat there with an arrogant face.

"Yes, I will do that." He nodded but paused. "How will I do that Lia? They did not invite us." he took a deep sigh.

When the daughter or son of the head gets married, they receive several invitations from the vassal families.

They were invited to attend dinner parties, tea parties, and balls. But they were invited to none.

His family did not exist to organize a ball party for them. But at least, her family could invite them to tea parties. But they did not.

They ignored their marriage as if they did not know about his existence.

"Hmm, that is indeed a pity." She nodded when his eyes darkened.

"But there is a way." She tapped the window with a smirk on her face, "What if you visit them as our vassal." he frowned, not liking the word. He should be the head, why would he settle down as a vassal?

"Since you have been announced as a knight. You have every right to visit the territory and check its matters. You can call meetings with the elders in the name of knowing more about your territory. When they see how hardworking and dedicated you are, they will soften their hearts for you." Mike paused for a second.

"You mean I will be the head of those meetings?" And all of them would work under him. Those old thugs would listen to his commands and follow his words. The thought made him nod with a satisfied look.

"I will do that. As long as it makes you happy, I will do everything for you." he hugged her with joy rising in his eyes but she sneered while hiding her face on his chest.

"I will ask Stefan to give you all the required files you can start with the allocation of the monthly budget and taxes calculation." her whispers left him trembling.

Budget, the money of Taxation! He always wanted to be a noble but their arrogance and power were not the only reason. He wanted to have territory and land so that he could have more and more wealth.

He could use the amount of taxation for his lavish lifestyle. Then, he did not need to ask for money from Lia.

Though she was a good lover, she is stern when it comes to money. And why in the world did he need to ask anyone when he should have the power to spend as per his wishes?

His face filled with disdain but he hid his ridicule before she could notice it.

"I will do my best, Lia. I will not disappoint you." he hugged her again when she nodded. "And I will make up with you for our honeymoon once I get well," he promised when she laughed.

"Oh! You do not need to worry about it. Though, you can not go south because of your injuries. I am still going to visit the south." He paused and tilted his head while looking at her with confusion,

"When I told my father that we are going south. He asked me to buy some grain there. I have already promised him. Now that you are injured and can not travel for long, I do not want to trouble you.

More than that, you have a task at hand." His lips pressed into a thin line when she felt the desire to seal them forever.

"But it has only been three days to our marriage and you are already thinking of leaving me." he frowned, not at all liking the idea when she touched his cheeks softly.

"There, there! Do not sulk, Mike. I am sure you would be so busy counting gold coins that you would not get a chance to miss me. Our lands are the most fertile and we hold the biggest export order for our textiles. I am sure the taxation would be better than last year." he blinked and looked at her, hiding the greed filling his eyes.

"Ha! Those things did not matter to me. But I understand that you have already promised your father. Have a nice trip, Lia."