Inside the office of Marquess Michael, a very heated debate was taking place between their family members. Karl was arguing with his father over his desperate attempt to wed his sister to Leonhart. Though the plan was discussed earlier but seeing Michael's frantic attempts, he couldn't hold back his dismay.

"Father, you do realize that Leonhart is not an easygoing man, right?"

"Yes."

"Then why?"

"What Why?"

"Why are you being so desperate?"

"You think I am trying to be desperate? There will be no second chance if we miss this opportunity." said the Marquess in an annoyed tone. He told Leonhart that he knew about his arrival in the morning, but in reality he had known about it from the very day when the plan was proposed to the duke. He was not physically present there, but getting information about these things was not impossible.

"I know that this is an opportunity, but he is a cunning man. If any of our move fails even in slightest, then he would know exactly what we are planning." Said Karl with a scowl. He had met Leonhart hundreds of times and knew very well about his behavior.

"So, what should we do now? Sit down and enjoy drinks. Huh? Tell me?". Michael was getting angry at his son's too cautious suggestions. His plan was to get in the good grace of Leonhart, the future Duke of Esper, by marrying his daughter. Or was it?

Actually, this simple plan went deeper than that. The man came up with the plan was Duke Arlet, not Marquess Michael, who desperately wanted to remove Leonhart from the so-called game of choosing fiances by the princess so his son could strengthen his spot even more. And in searching for proper chances, he found one.

Leonhart's journey to Esvet was planned beforehand by the Esper duchy and Michael's domain was an integral part in the process, where he would stay for one night. The Marquess also wanted his daughter to marry someone powerful and who would be better suited than the Duke's son himself. If he could successfully establish a relationship between the Marquess's family and Duke Esper, by any means, then it would remove Leonhart directly from the game.

But the Marquess didn't just agree with this plan as he was not that interested in using his daughter to gain something, so Duke Arlet paid him an outrageous sum of fortune with no strings attached. Esper state was far behind in economic growth compared to Arlet's, so every domain, small or big in their realm faced, somewhat of an economic struggle and, with that, the families who controlled those lands, were also getting financially weaker.

So money did its magic, and the Marquess agreed to collaborate with the Duke cause he had nothing substantial to lose. If this plan succeeds, then he would be able to establish a relationship between his family and the most powerful family in the entire empire and, second, he got paid a hefty sum without any conditions, even if this plan failed he would get to keep that money.

It was killing two birds in a stone strategy.

The plan was flawless, but the only reason he was getting desperate, because of the lack of time he had. Leonhart was going to stay in his mansion for one night and the plan had to be executed successfully by any means.

"Lina, you remember what I told you earlier?" asked the Marquess to his daughter, who was sitting on the sofa with her mother.

"Yes, Father."

"Then proceed according to it. We have little time left in our hand."

"Yes..." Lina never wanted to be the part of this grand plan where her family was selling her to a stranger, but what choice did she have?

With that, Lina left for her room, leaving the other members in the office, where the Marquess's voice was heard once again.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

***

James reached the luxurious room, which was on par with the room where he lived in Esper Duchy. Sitting in the carriage with no suspension had taken a toll on his body, as his body was aching all over. So with no second thoughts, he dived in to the comfort of the giant super king-size bed he was provided with.

But to his expectations sleep didn't come quick, but rail of thoughts passed through his mind. The majority were the conversations with the Marquess, who appeared to be desperate about marrying his daughter to Leonhart. But why?

Lina was beautiful without any doubts, perfectly suited his tastes, but he was James, who would inspect each and everything to the last detail and could feel something was not right. Also, for the sake of clarity, he was not interested in marriage right now. Eventually, he would, but for now, he would try to figure out more about his own existence.

And about the man named Karl, whom he had no memory of, but felt a little strange animosity towards him. As if his intuition was telling him that the man was not that simple as he appeared to be.

Knock! Knock!

Soon, a knock on the door interrupted James's thoughts. He expected it to be Sophia, who was here to discuss tomorrow's travel plan, cause she was practically baby sitting him and he knew it but said nothing cause he was useless in anything and everything related to this world.

But to his surprise, it was Lina, who wore a nightgown and once again had a forced smile on her face. James couldn't understand why she was here at this hour, but led her inside room, nonetheless.

He was not some playboy who would have figured out what the real purpose of her coming here. James was an average guy with no experience in any of this field, so he appeared puzzled naturally.

He thought perhaps she was here for a small talk or needed something, but his thoughts were soon faded into nothing as he saw her undressing herself.

"Woooo... Woooo... Woooo... What the hell are you doing?" shouted James with a distorted face, taking a few steps back. His brain wasn't processing the sight unfolding before him.

"I... I am..." seeing James's reaction, Lina was embarrassed by her own action. She was previously told that she had to seduce Leonhart by using her body so he would sleep with her. And by using that, they would be able to establish a relationship with the Esper's. It was not that of a good idea but, she did what she was told to.

Her family had told her to seduce Leonhart but didn't tell how to do it. She used her common sense to figure out a way, and the result was she being naked, cause no man could resist a naked woman and judging by his character, it was plausible. A very embarrassing and idiotic plan, but having no choice, she moved forward.

On her way to Leonhart's room, Lina was nervous and was practically begging for him to not to open the door, but he did and now she was here, totally embarrassed by her own actions. She expected him to jump on her and do the unspeakable things and she would endure it, but he jumped away with a shocked expression. His reaction was not of a playboy, but more like a normal person.

Small tears had started forming in her eyes as she thought how pathetic her behavior was, cause the man she was trying to seduce had jumped a couple of feet in fear.

"Listen... You don't have to cry..." said James, trying to comfort her. It didn't take a genius to understand what the entire plan was.

First, the desperate attempt by the Marquess and now his daughter undressing herself. It wasn't just a coincidence. They were using her as a means to get something and, in this case, it was to seduce him. But Why? Why were they so desperate?

Though it was her fault for agreeing to these stupid plans but James didn't hold her accounted for it, cause seeing her made up smile and facial expression at the dinner table, he had already realised that she was forced to do this and someone else was responsible.

"I... I am sorry. I am really sorry." said Lina in a pleading tone. She was desperately trying to wipe the tears off her sobbing face, but it was not working.

"Ok... Ok... I understand. Now sit down over there." said James, pointing towards the bed and went towards the table where the water was. Just when he was about to sleep peacefully, another problem had bashed into his already cluttered life.

"..." Lina followed his words and sat down on the bed, saying nothing, still in tears.

James came back with a glass of water and gave it to her as he pulled a chair and sat down in front of her at a considerable distance. He more or less understood what the plan was and why they would do that, but did not know who was the mastermind behind it. So he asked some questions.

"So... What's just happened now?"

"I... I am sorry. It's all my fault. I am..."

"I... I understand that. But tell me why you did that?"

"I...I..." Lina couldn't just possibly tell that her family told her to do this. It would ruin their reputation if others find out. But what if Leonhart did something to her? His family was not all talk, they really were the most powerful in the entire empire.

Noticing that she was being hesitant, James asked in a comforting tone.

"Listen, I won't do anything to you. Just tell me why you did that?" He didn't want to intimidate her as he had also heard about Leonhart's tales from Sophia about how scary he could become if he wanted.

"I..."