Husband Wanted! - Chapter 5

“Oh…?” Sara, standing beside her, let out a flustered gasp.

A satisfied smile crept across Evelyn’s face.

She would have burst into loud laughter if not for the man sitting in front of her. Cedwin Cashtree looked like a man bathed in dazzling light. No, there was actually light glimmering all around him, reflecting off the dented and scratched parts of his shabby armor.

As soon as he sat down across from her, the sunlight streaming through the rear window hit the dents in his armor, bouncing straight into Evelyn’s eyes.

“Please, have a seat,” Evelyn said, hastily shielding her eyes with her hand and gesturing to the chair.

Even after sitting down, Cedwin looked around the room with wide-eyed wonder. “It looked like a complete wreck from the outside, but the interior is quite lavish. It’s like a different world.”

“What? What are you saying? No, please, could you stop moving for a moment?”

Before she could express her rising disbelief, Evelyn quickly covered her eyes again.

It’s so bright, too bright!

“Oh, sorry.” Cedwin unfastened the clasps at his sides. “That must have been bothering your eyes.”

With a few quick movements, he removed his heavy armor, which landed on the floor with a thud. Despite its worn state, his clean, crisp white shirt clung to his well-defined torso. His piercing blue eyes met hers steadily.

“Cedwin Cashtree…”

Evelyn focused her still-dazzled eyes on the documents in front of her.

“…You’re the head of the Cashtree family.”

Where have I heard that name before?

“Yes. I inherited the title after my parents passed away when I was young.”

She quickly scanned the rest of the document.

Unlike the many introductions starting with a strict but kind father and a gentle mother, Cedwin’s résumé was brief and to the point, listing only his qualifications.

“Age 25, graduated top of your class from both the Theological Academy and the Knight Training School.”

Evelyn shot a triumphant glance at Sara, who looked noticeably less pleased.

Evelyn fixed her gaze on Cedwin again, noticing the olive branch emblem pinned to his shirt collar.

“It’s from the Holy See,” Cedwin explained, tapping the badge with his finger. “Only those who pass the formal tests arranged by the Pope can receive it.”

He must have noticed her interest.

“I can also imbue my sword with holy power. Would you like a demonstration?” Cedwin reached for the hilt of his black cherrywood sword.

“That won’t be necessary,” Evelyn quickly waved her hand. What mattered now was not his skill with the sword but his status as someone granted judicial authority by the Holy See.

‘The Papal badge is not something that can be easily forged. If it were fake, it would be discovered soon enough.’

Evelyn’s lips curved into a slight smile.

In this country, there were only two institutions with independent investigative authority: the Imperial Court and the Holy See. Hence, high-ranking clergy and paladins possessed independent investigatory powers, distinguishing them from regular guards or knights of noble families.

Just the kind of person I need! And he graduated top of his class!

So, it makes sense that his armor is in such a condition. After all, paladins are often considered representatives of the divine. While not all religious individuals live up to this ideal, their virtues lie in offering mercy and compassion to others rather than seeking personal gain.

You don’t have to look far for a perfect example—there’s Father Bremen.

“I graduated top of my class from two academies…” Cedwin began, pulling out a handful of documents from his pocket. “I also have these—certificates from various swordsmanship competitions where I placed first.”

Crinkled papers tumbled onto the desk.

“Certificates…?”

These old, crumpled papers?

“Go ahead, open them.”

Urged on, Evelyn reluctantly picked one up.

450th Western Continent Swordsmanship Competition Grand Winner

The date was from three years ago. Evelyn was momentarily speechless.

“It’s a bit worn, but it’s genuine. It’s not a forgery.”

Whether it was a forgery or not… Aren’t these typically displayed in a nice frame?

“I see,” she said, composing herself. “That’s impressive.”

“You flatter me, Miss Evelyn… Oh, I apologize for addressing you so informally.”

“It’s fine. Feel free to call me that.”

“I couldn’t possibly. You might become my employer.”

Cedwin smiled brightly and added, “May I call you Director?”

Hmm. I like him more and more.

The list of 101 reasons why she had to hire Cedwin now had 102. The initial 101 reasons were, of course, because he was a paladin with judicial authority from the Holy See, a paladin, and a paladin.

Evelyn nodded and continued, “Cedwin, could you tell me why you are applying to be my husband?”

It was a rather obvious question but a necessary one. After all, a paladin coming to enter a contract marriage with someone as reviled as herself might have ulterior motives.

“Haha, well, of course…” Cedwin laughed awkwardly, quickly continuing, “I was deeply moved by your company’s philosophy of valuing people above all else.”

…We don’t have such a philosophy.

“As the scripture says, before filling your own belly, ensure others’ are not empty. The lump-sum salary, monthly bonuses, and dignity maintenance allowances… It’s truly a holy principle in practice.”

“……”

Despite the flattering packaging, it was clear he was attracted by the high pay.

“We need more people like you in this world. Imagine how wonderful it would be if that were the case!”

Wow! I hope Sara heard that!

Good, you’re hired!

Evelyn clenched and released her fists in triumph. But there was still one more thing she needed to confirm.

“Cedwin, I am looking for a contractual husband who can assist me in various ways. As you know, the condition is that we will divorce as soon as our goal is achieved.”

Cedwin straightened his posture at this, his golden hair gently swaying on his forehead.

“What kind of assistance are you looking for specifically?” he asked.

“It’s hard to pinpoint just one thing. There will be many challenges in winning the bid for the Erelheim estate.”

“The Erelheim estate…” Cedwin mused.

“Yes. I have decided to enter the bid for Erelheim, but qualifications were an issue. So, to meet the missing qualifications, I am recruiting a husband.”

A brief look of surprise crossed his face before he nodded in understanding.

“Now I understand why you emphasized the other two qualifications and welcomed those with experience in estate auctions. I assure you, I will help you win the bid.”

Cedwin’s smile was bright and confident.

“After the hiring, we will move to Erelheim to gather information on site. Is that acceptable to you?”

He nodded without hesitation. “Of course.”

“And one more thing,” Cedwin added.

“What is it?”

“If there is one thing this mansion lacks, it is a reliable knight. You probably found it difficult to find someone trustworthy. It’s not uncommon for the cat that needs to catch the mouse to desire the fish.”

He’s already assessed that much. Truly a top graduate.

“I can fill that role perfectly as well.”

With such an offer, there was no reason to hesitate any longer.

“Alright, you’re hired!” Evelyn exclaimed, pulling out the employment contract from the side of the desk.

“Let me have it.”

Cedwin grabbed the contract and quickly filled in all the blanks, even before the wax had fully melted over the lamp flame.

The melted wax soon dripped beside Evelyn’s signature. Cedwin watched in silence as she firmly pressed her seal into the wax.

“…Why are you looking at me like that?” Evelyn asked, holding out the wax for his seal.

But Cedwin didn’t reach for his seal; instead, he pulled out several documents.

“What is this…?”

“Now, let’s discuss my conditions,” Cedwin said.

Conditions?

Evelyn’s eyes widened as he continued without hesitation.

“The first is a contract ensuring that my salary will be paid on time. There won’t be any delays, right?”

“Well, that’s… of course.”

“Including bonuses,” he added.

Evelyn took a moment to gather herself and then replied calmly, “I’ve already deposited funds with the Imperial Employment Association. In the unlikely event that your salary is delayed, the association will pay it on my behalf.”

“Good to know,” Cedwin said, his serious expression finally lightening. But he immediately produced a second document.

“And this is…?”

“A contract allowing me to have side jobs.”

“…What?”

Allowing what?

“I have quite a few side businesses.”

Side businesses? A paladin?

Evelyn instinctively scrutinized the badge on his collar again. It really seemed genuine, with its beautiful gold hue subtly shimmering around the edges—definitely an authentic badge from the Holy See.

“Don’t worry. I’ll perform my husband duties properly. I always earn my keep,” he said, still as composed as ever.

“……”

“Ah, and one more thing…”

And what! What else?

“I noticed the job ad mentioned support for leisure activities like yachting and horseback riding.”

He handed her another blank contract.

“I don’t have any hobbies, so I won’t be using that support. Therefore, why not convert it into cash for me? Then I can start immediately.”

“……”

His initially charming smile had turned sly and calculating.

Is he… obsessed with money?

“Pfft.”

A small chuckle came from behind Evelyn—Sara, as if to say, “I told you so.”