"Find me a handsome nobleman with a strong and handsome physical appearance, smart but not a cunning one, and most importantly, he must be willing to sign a prenuptial agreement," Lady Helena said to her butler. "I need an obedient and loyal husband."
***
The day before ….
The atmosphere in Duke Henry Arkwright's room was tense. That night, the rich and powerful nobleman would announce to his two orphan granddaughters the requirements to become Duchess of Eastland. The position that Lady Helena, Duke Henry's ambitious granddaughter, had always wanted.
Another case was with Lady Liana, Lady Helena's cousin. Lady Liana even asked her grandfather to immediately give the title to Lady Helena. "Grandfather, I don't want to get the Duchess title. As long as you are healthy and Helena is happy, that's enough for me, grandfather."
Hearing Lady Liana's statement, Duke Henry felt deeply moved. He wanted to give this title directly to Lady Liana. However, he did not want to do injustice. He still wanted to test the true abilities of his grandchildren. Couldn't just rely on his personal feelings.
It was different with Helena. She didn't like Liana's behavior, which she thought was a sycophant. Was it true that the woman wants to act like a good girl so that everyone likes her? Helena would not be fooled by the mask of Liana's kindness.
"Eyesore!" muttered Helena softly so no one heard the curse she aimed at her cousin. She smiled a sinister smile. After all, she didn't want to make an even worse impression in front of her grandfather.
"Both of you have to compete for leadership of a branch of the Arkwright Hotel chain and be the foremost," said Duke Henry as he glanced at his beautiful granddaughters. "In addition, both of you must be married within this year."
Helena's face tightened. She looked displeased but didn't want to show weakness in front of her grandfather and cousins. Meanwhile, Liana was shocked. She just wanted to marry her true love. Didn't want to rush into deciding to get married just because of pursuing an inheritance.
That was how the requirements were made. Duke Henry's granddaughters left the grandfather's room with their frantic thoughts. Liana suddenly returned to Duke Henry's room to ask for consideration. "Grandfather, I don't want to get married before meeting my true love. At this rate, I lose, grandfather! Please just hand over the title of future Duchess of Eastland to Helena directly!"
The grandfather sighed. His eyes closed briefly, then stroked Liana's hair lovingly.
"Liana, my sweetheart. I want you to get married soon. I will not be rest assured if you two are not married yet. If you two meet a good man soon, I will feel relieved and die peacefully," replied the grandfather. Insisted. "Find your husband because you have to!"
In this world, where was there a deadline to find true love? How ridiculous. Helena witnessed the heartwarming dialogue with a sneer on her lips.
There was no true love in the noble's life in the Altara Kingdom. They married to maintain social status. A good man means a nobleman with a good reputation. Their handsome face and kindness were just a bonus.
The princes of Altara Kingdom sounded like a good choice. But in Helena and Liana's case, they wanted to keep their land and power. Both are orphans and have no siblings. If they marry the princes of Altara, the palace would take over the duchy. It meant, if one of them married the prince, they would automatically lose their rights to inheritance.
After dismissing her maids, the blonde-haired lady came into the room and slammed her tall, curvy body hard on the double king-sized bed covered in white satin cloth. She combed her long hair with her slender fingers, sighing. "Why is that old man so happy to make life difficult for me?"
She pursed her lower lip, then blew air into her bangs. Her emerald green eyes expressed a slight loneliness and sadness.
Helena once had a lover, Benjamin Adamson, the third son of Marquess Adamson. He looked ideal for her match. However, she didn't want to take him seriously since he was a player. She caught the man flirting with the gentle and innocent Liana several times. Who wanted a husband like that? That was why she decided to end their relationship, even if the other party didn't want to.
"I am a woman but my ability is so perfect. Let alone Liana, no gentleman in Altara is my par," Helena murmured. "Why is he always hesitant to take me as his heiress?"
Helena was an independent woman who thought she didn't need a man in her life. She was good at anything. She was so smart and talented. She was good at swordsmanship, and she was also one of the best young entrepreneurs in the country. She was as good as the young Duke Henry. She was even better than her late father.
Getting married at eighteen years old was not the lady's dream because she did not want a husband to come into her life to control and restrain her potential.
Suddenly, a cunning idea filled Helena's head. "How about I find an obedient nobleman to be my husband!" she muttered softly while staring at the ceiling of his room which was pure white like a cloud. "Sounds good, doesn't it?"