I Think My Husband Might Be a Murderer - Chapter 10

“Miss Prim.”

His sharp gaze slowly traveled back up to my face. A low voice, tinged with boredom, brushed against my ears.

“The workload is determined by me, your employer. It should be clearly stated in your contract.”

Presumptuous. That was what Duke Schultz was implying.

“But—”

“Are you asking me to resolve this?”

Just as I was about to defend myself, he interrupted with a question. It seemed he wasn’t particularly interested in reprimanding me for my rudeness.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“……”

“A practical resolution.”

I clasped my hands politely and carefully chose my words.

“To reiterate, I would like to take on more responsibilities. Preferably physical labor.”

Duke Schultz tapped his intertwined fingers with a slight flick, furrowing his brows deeper as he let out a short sigh in response.

Then, in a voice filled with resignation, he spoke, “That may be difficult. The incoming documents fluctuate, and all tasks have already been assigned. The only remaining role is that of the lady of the house.”

“Then, even that work—”

“It seems you don’t mind being called presumptuous.”

Ah. I realized my mistake and immediately closed my mouth.

Duke Schultz leaned forward slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.

As his deep gaze locked onto mine, I instinctively held my breath, unable to suppress the tension creeping over me.

“You prefer physical labor.”

Lowering my gaze to the floor, I nodded slowly.

“Anything is fine.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Yes, of course.”

“And yet, you have no idea what task I might assign you.”

His words carried an unmistakable implication, making me instinctively lift my head. My brows knitted together.

Something felt different about Duke Schultz today compared to our previous encounters. He was sharper, more refined—yet at the same time…

His clear blue eyes crinkled slightly.

“I don’t believe you to be an unreasonable man, Your Grace. Especially considering your past friendship with my father—”

Before I could finish, he countered with an utterly absurd suggestion.

“How about marriage?”

For a moment, I remained silent, unable to comprehend his words.

Tension hung in the air. It was only after a long pause that I managed to speak.

“What did you just say…?”

“You wouldn’t be called presumptuous, and the servants’ attitudes would change.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t quite understand. How would marriage change anything? Would married employees receive more responsibilities…?”

“Who knows.”

Duke Schultz’s expression seemed strangely amused.

“Regardless, I’m afraid I must decline. I don’t even have a suitor. And my father passed away so recently that—”

“That’s perfect. I was just about to ask you to marry me.”

“Exactly. That doesn’t mean my husband should be—you said what?”

His answer was so outlandish that my previously composed demeanor faltered.

I blinked in disbelief.

As I stared at him, utterly baffled, Duke Schultz nonchalantly continued, “I am proposing to you, Miss Prim.”

His voice was as dry and casual as if he were discussing the weather.

And his expression matched his tone perfectly.

Was this some kind of noble jest? If so, it was in terribly poor taste.

Still, he was my employer, so I forced a smile. My lips trembled slightly as I struggled to respond.

“…You must have been very close to my father. You must be quite comfortable around me to joke like this.”

I had no idea if he treated other employees this way, but my words were meant as a firm boundary—one that stated I would not tolerate such inappropriate jokes in the future.

“It is an honor, Duke Schultz.”

I curtsied, lifting the hem of my dress slightly in an attempt at a noble gesture.

His usually composed expression hardened ever so slightly.

“If my response was impolite, I apologize. But my father taught me to be courteous to my superiors without appearing servile or weak.”

Kindness should be met with kindness, rudeness with rudeness.

No matter how high his status, my father had told me I had the right to uphold my dignity.

Duke Schultz observed me in silence for a long moment—long enough to make me feel self-conscious.

Finally, his sharp voice broke the silence.

“I don’t recall us being close enough to exchange jokes.”

“Pardon…?”

Then why would he propose marriage so casually?

I barely managed to swallow my words.

“I am serious, Miss Prim. It would be best for you to marry me.”

As Duke Schultz had said, his expression was nothing but serious.

I was even more dumbfounded.

“Marriage is an important matter. I don’t believe it’s something one should decide alone.”

I meant, why was he making such a significant decision on his own and confusing someone who had no intention of considering it?

Of course, this was the first time I had seen Johannes Schultz since we last met outside the estate. We had no real connection to speak of…

It wasn’t as if my life was so charmed that I could believe he had fallen for me at first sight.

What was his true motive?

I met his unreadable blue gaze.

“Is this another proposal related to the Schultz Ducal House’s reputation in Müssen?”

If not, there was only one possible explanation I could think of—and it wasn’t a good one.

“Regardless, I refuse.”

He didn’t seem particularly surprised. Naturally, he must have anticipated my rejection.

“Aren’t you even going to ask why?”

“No.”

It was obvious.

I was well aware that some high-ranking noblemen indulged in debauched and promiscuous lifestyles.

That didn’t mean they sought out taverns to satisfy their desires. No, they wanted women who were untainted.

They would take impoverished common women, make them bear their children, and grant them a life of luxury in exchange for pleasure.

And once they were no longer useful, they were discarded.

But to outright propose marriage? That was highly unusual…

I had no idea why he was suddenly bringing up marriage, but perhaps it was some new trend.

I straightened my posture further and spoke, keeping my emotions in check.

“And if this was your intention all along when you hired me… then I will resign immediately.”

There was no need to apologize.

‘I did nothing wrong. If anything, my mistake was being naïve.’

Excessive kindness always comes with ulterior motives. I had been foolish to trust that he was simply repaying my father’s kindness.

“I won’t say that wasn’t a part of it, but you came to me first. And right now, the timing happens to be quite ideal.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Miss Prim wants meaningful work. The only remaining position is that of the lady of the house.”

For a moment, I was at a loss for words.

“Surely that’s not the reason you’re proposing marriage.”

“Of course not.”

His response was plain and unaffected.

“Then, may I ask the reason? Surely it isn’t something as cliché as love at first sight…”

“Miss Prim, I believe I told you—I am not joking.”

“Then why—!”

“I am offering you a deal.”

His gaze deepened.

I couldn’t help but scoff at the absurdity of it all.

He spoke so nonchalantly, as if it were the most reasonable thing in the world. A nobleman suggesting a deal to someone who struggled to make ends meet?

Even a passing dog would laugh at the irony.

“Deals are only possible between equals.”

He had many things he could offer me, while I had nothing at all. After all, I was just a servant hired by the Schultz Ducal Household.

Even now, I was living off his money.

So what exactly could I possibly…

A quiet voice interrupted my thoughts.

“As I’ve said before, I don’t particularly care about the process.”

That was why he had so suddenly asked if I wanted to work at the Schultz Ducal Household.

“I always get what I want, one way or another. That’s why I proposed without unnecessary explanations.”

Because, in the end, things would go his way.

That was why he didn’t bother with detailed explanations now either. But I wouldn’t ask him for one.

I had no intention of accepting in the first place.

“If this made you uncomfortable, I apologize. If you need an explanation, I will gladly provide one.”

I met his gaze with calm eyes.

Even upon a second glance, his were strikingly deep and beautiful. Some called Johannes Schultz the “Jewel of the Baltic Sea.”

It was a fitting title.

I let out a bitter chuckle before replying.

“No, there’s no need. Even if I heard your reasoning, my answer would remain the same.”

For a brief moment, Duke Schultz’s lips, which had been curved in a faint smile, stiffened.

But it was fleeting. In the next instant, his expression returned to its usual neutrality, and he looked away from me.

“I have no intention of forcing you.”

But I had a feeling that, in the end, things would go exactly as he wished.