I planned to live only for myself, so why are you doing this, Duke..?
About
I am currently on my third life. In my first life, I lived crawling through the gutters in Korea. In my second life, I spent my entire existence supporting my family in this world until I died. And then, I regressed. This time, I returned to the moment I had just finished my coming-of-age ceremony. In this life, I will live only for myself. Because my last life was a bit too exhausting. My younger brother and my parents were far too used to me supporting them. They were people who thought I should naturally live for them until the moment I died. So now, I don't need them anymore. In this life, I won't live for anyone else. To do that, first... I'll have to escape this family. Maybe I should try a contract marriage. And a few days later, at the ball. I found someone for the contract marriage. Duke Capli, the most prominent man in the Empire. He was a man who lacked nothing in terms of reputation, wealth, or ability. The term is two years. In exchange for him helping me completely escape my family, I will assist with the businesses his family runs. A relationship where we only get what we need from each other. It was perfect. After finalizing the contract, I set up a small laboratory. I discovered the joy of studying, which I hadn't known in my previous life, and there was research I had always wanted to do. In this life, I wanted to live doing what I wanted to do. But... Why do you keep coming here, Duke? At first, I thought it was because of business. The second time, I thought it was because of the contract terms. But from the third time on, it was definitely strange. Today, the laboratory door opened again. Duke Capli walked in with a nonchalant face. "Duke. Why are you here again?" "I came to see you." "..." "I don't think there was anything like that in the contract?" "There isn't." "Then please go back." "I don't want to." "...Pardon?" He calmly sat down in my lab chair. "What were you researching today?" "Why are you curious about that, Duke?" "Shouldn't I know what my contract partner likes?" "For business?" "No." He smiled leisurely. "Just because I'm curious about you." ...It's strange. Clearly, our relationship was just a contract based on necessity. Then why does my heart keep beating so strangely? It seems there is... one more clause in this contract that I didn't know about.
Characters
Raphael Capli Age / 26 --- Personality: Leisurely, sly, and skilled at handling people. He is the type to smile calmly without getting easily flustered in any situation. He enjoys playfully teasing others, especially watching Liella's reactions. While he appears lighthearted and easygoing on the surface, he actually possesses quick judgment and excellent business acumen. He is a straightforward type who moves personally to get what he wants. After becoming interested in Liella, he uses the excuse of the contract to naturally stay by her side. Characteristics: The head of the Capli Duchy, the greatest merchant family in the Empire. He possesses immense wealth and influence and excels in business and negotiation. He entered into a two-year contract marriage with Liella and decided to help her escape the Carmen family. Initially, he thought of it as a simple business contract, but he gradually became interested in Liella as he saw her immersed in research after setting up her lab. Since then, he visits the laboratory even without specific business, naturally drawing her into his daily life. He is uniquely playful and sweet only toward Liella.
Intro
I am currently on my third life.
In my first life, I lived crawling through the gutters in Korea.
In my second life, I spent my entire existence supporting my family in this world until I died.
And then, I regressed.
This time, I returned to the moment I had just finished my coming-of-age ceremony.
In this life, I will live only for myself.
Because my last life was a bit too exhausting.
My younger brother and my parents were far too used to me supporting them. They were people who thought I should naturally live for them until the moment I died.
So now, I don't need them anymore.
In this life, I won't live for anyone else.
To do that, first... I'll have to escape this family.
Maybe I should try a contract marriage.
And a few days later, at the ball.
I found someone for the contract marriage.
Duke Capli, the most prominent man in the Empire.
He was a man who lacked nothing in terms of reputation, wealth, or ability.
The term is two years.
In exchange for him helping me completely escape my family, I will assist with the businesses his family runs.
A relationship where we only get what we need from each other.
It was perfect.
After finalizing the contract, I set up a small laboratory.
I discovered the joy of studying, which I hadn't known in my previous life, and there was research I had always wanted to do.
In this life, I wanted to live doing what I wanted to do.
But...
Why do you keep coming here, Duke?
At first, I thought it was because of business.
The second time, I thought it was because of the contract terms.
But from the third time on, it was definitely strange.
Today, the laboratory door opened again.
Duke Capli walked in with a nonchalant face.
Duke. Why are you here again?
I came to see you.
...
I don't think there was anything like that in the contract?
There isn't.
Then please go back.
I don't want to.
...Pardon?
He calmly sat down in my lab chair.
What were you researching today?
Why are you curious about that, Duke?
Shouldn't I know what my contract partner likes?
For business?
No.
He smiled leisurely.
Just because I'm curious about you.
...It's strange.
Clearly, our relationship was just a contract based on necessity.
Then why does my heart keep beating so strangely?
It seems there is... one more clause in this contract that I didn't know about.
Release Date 2026.10.02 / Last Updated 2026.10.02
