I Adopted a Villainess and Got a Villain Husband

Chapter 26

“Since more contact is better, should we start with a kiss?”

“What a bold idea my wife has.”

Theophanes smiled, seemingly understanding that she didn’t mean it literally.

“You said you needed me because you couldn’t handle the power, right?”

“To be precise, it’s the pain caused by uncontrollable power.”

“Oh, yes. The pain caused by the overwhelming power.”

Daphne corrected herself and looked at him intently. Theophanes nodded, signaling her to continue.

As if expecting this reaction, Daphne let go of his hand. He also loosened his grip and willingly stepped back.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“I’ve been thinking about itthat.”

“I’d like to hear what you’ve come up with.”

“If I can help, doesn’t that mean I can control the cause of the pain?”

“What makdes you think that?”

Seeing the curiosity in his eyes, Daphne started explaining her theory.

“A kiss.”

“Excuse me?”

“I thought about it after seeing you kiss me. So, I wondered if physical contact was the key to relieving your pain.”

“Just from that…?”

“It’s not ‘just’ that. You, Duke—no, Theo—would never engage in such intimate contact without reason. A brief touch would’ve been enough if it were just for a formal vow.”

Theophanes’ lips twitched slightly.

Daphne caught the reaction immediately.

That moment confirmed her theory.

“You know me well, it seems.”

“Not really… But am I right?”

With a resigned expression, Theophanes leaned back on the sofa and nodded.

“You’re right. Physical contact with you soothes the pain. It doesn’t heal me, but it helps calm the uncontrollable power causing the pain.”

“Then, I’d like to write a more detailed contract based on that.”

“You’re finally getting to the main point.”

Daphne grinned and placed a document labeled Marriage Contract on the table.

“I felt we hadn’t properly discussed the details, so I wrote something up.”

Theophanes picked up the document and read it carefully.

We will hold the wedding as soon as possible and have a marriage oath officially notarized.

In five years, we will divorce by mutual agreement. At the same time, Jacquette will be disowned.

2-1. Alimony will consist of returning the dowry. Any financial gains during the marriage will be discussed separately.

After the divorce, financial support for Jacquette will continue until she makes her debut in society.

Unlike Daphne, who confidently proposed the deal, Theophanes’ expression grew more complicated as he read.

He rubbed his temple, deep in thought.

This was unexpected.

“Hmm.”

His lukewarm reaction made Daphne uneasy.

“A deal should be fair, but this one seems…”

“Seems what?”

“Unbalanced. I’m giving my life in exchange. Not to mention, I’m also saving yours.”

Daphne blinked.

He wasn’t wrong.

By agreeing to this marriage, she and Jacquette had secured their safety.

From that perspective, the contract was indeed unfair.

Fidgeting with her teacup, Daphne pondered for a moment before speaking.

“Then let’s add the conditions you want. I promise to help you in any way I can.”

Theophanes thought for a moment before nodding.

“Alright. I’ll add two conditions.”

Two conditions? That didn’t seem too difficult.

“They aren’t anything too demanding. Only things within reason that you can do.”

Daphne nodded without hesitation.

“What are they?”

She had no idea what he was about to say.

“Let’s go on dates.”

“…What?”

“That’s the first condition. The second is that we sleep together every other night.”

“Sleep together? What do you mean…?”

“The second condition is purely for treatment. Since a single night isn’t enough, it would be best to stay close overnight.”

Daphne quickly accepted that explanation.

“You don’t mean anything… strange by that, do you?”

“Of course not.”

Feeling exposed, Daphne quickly denied any such thoughts.

The second condition made sense.

But the first?

It wasn’t strange for a normal couple to go on dates.

But this wasn’t a normal marriage—it was a contract with a set end date.

When she first made her deal with Phantom, the conditions were simple:

Get married as soon as possible with a notarized oath.

Divorce after five years.

Continue supporting Jacquette after the divorce.

Daphne had chosen five years because, in the original story, Jacquette’s biological father, Marquis Himonas, died under mysterious circumstances when she was eleven. Five years would be enough time to ensure Jacquette’s safety.

Five years felt long but wasn’t an eternity.

As long as they played their roles, things should have been simple.

Yet, Theophanes kept crossing unexpected lines.

Why did it feel like she was missing something?

As she mulled over her thoughts, he suddenly asked,

“Do you know what a date is?”

He looked surprisingly serious.

Sometimes, Theophanes’ words had a way of catching people off guard.

Now she understood why Dante always seemed frustrated with him.

“Even if I’ve never been on one, I still know what a date is.”

Growing up in the secluded Himonas estate, Daphne had little to do besides embroidery and reading.

Her father never allowed her to read books on military strategy or politics.

So, most of her knowledge came from philosophy books, general knowledge texts, and the occasional romance novel.

“Part of it is to maintain the image of a loving couple. And since you’ll be living here, wouldn’t it be better if we got along?”

Theophanes said it casually, but a cold glint flickered in his eyes.

Most people wouldn’t have noticed it, but Daphne did.

Did he just want to act like a loving couple?

For some reason, she wasn’t repelled by the strange emotions behind his gaze.

Instead, she felt curious.

“If ‘date’ sounds too burdensome, think of it as Jacquette’s wish list.”

Since Daphne hesitated to answer, Theophanes rephrased it.

In short, they would make a list of things Jacquette wanted to do as a family and count those outings as dates.

Daphne had nothing to lose.

As Theophanes had said, keeping up appearances would benefit her the most.

“Alright. Let’s do it. Let’s go on dates.”

They shook hands and smiled at each other.

Neither realized they had entirely different thoughts in mind:.

‘It’ll just be family outings.’ (Daphne)

‘I should persuade Jacquette to help me.’ (Theophanes)

And so, their rather secretive and suspicious contract was finalized.