A Gamble Called Marriage - Chapter 16

Chapter 16

The day was clear. The face of his younger sister, who had come out dressed head-to-toe in the beige tweed skirt suit she said Philippe had given her, was pale. It wasn’t the face of someone who had slept.

They say a single cup of coffee is fine even for pregnant women, but Manon stubbornly refused even a single sip. As Maël prepared toast spread with butter and strawberry jam, he said:

“Are you nervous? That’s common. Don’t worry about it.”

“I’ve been throwing up, and I couldn’t sleep a wink. I feel dazed.”

“Take some anti-nausea medication now. You can sleep in the car on the way to the palace and while waiting. In this state, you won’t even be able to focus on the contract.”

It was advice that came a bit late, but after a moment of hesitation, Manon took it. After eating a piece of toast, she swallowed the medication with the water handed to her.

A navy sedan, bearing the emblem of the Grand Ducal Palace on its license plate, was waiting for them below.

Manon leaned against the car window and fell asleep, and Maël, sitting beside her, checked the time. The designated location for signing the contract, chosen by Philippe’s legal team for security reasons, was one of the reception rooms inside the Grand Ducal Palace.

“They want to intimidate a young girl.”

To Maël, it seemed like a pointless move. All Manon had to do there was read the contract, pick up the pen, and sign her name in the designated spot.

[ I’m leaving for the palace now. It’ll take about forty minutes. ]

Right before departure, Maël sent a message to Dain, who was supposed to meet them in front of the palace. However, instead of a reply, a call came back.

― Maël, what should I do?

“Dain. What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

― Oh, well… I’m at the emergency room right now.

“What?”

― Hit-and-run. It happened this morning on my way to work. I should have contacted you right away, but by the time I came to after the airbag deployed, I was already at the hospital.

“The contact isn’t the issue! Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”

― They’re telling me not to move, but at least all my limbs are intact. But today is the day Manon is signing the prenuptial agreement. I’m sorry for this…

It was Dain who had brought Maël back to Monaco from her internship at a Paris law firm. Having been a part of Maël’s career throughout, Dain was also close to Manon. Hearing Dain’s guilt-laden voice, Maël shook her head, even though Dain couldn’t see it.

“It’s fine if I go alone. It’s not like this is a case that needs a power of attorney or anything. The agreement is already settled, and we were just going to sign it.”

― Still, I’m worried. When I mentioned it to Antoine earlier, he said he’d go in my place. It’s a big deal, after all, and as the firm’s lead attorney, he’ll be an asset to Manon. I’ve already sent the contract to Antoine by email. Will that be okay?

Having another lawyer, especially a lead attorney from a major firm, present could only help, especially when dealing with someone like the Grand Duke’s eldest son.

‘Though I’m not thrilled about him being Charles’ father.’

For Manon’s sake, there was no room to be picky.

“Understood. Dain, I’ll come see you after this is over.”

― No, no, don’t. I’m a mess today. Come after you’ve wrapped up everything, maybe the day after tomorrow. Let me rest a bit while I’m injured. Oh, and after today, don’t go back to the office—just go home after you’re done. Doctor, no, it was just a quick call. I’m hanging up now, okay?

The call ended abruptly. Even though Dain had assured her, the thought of her absence weighed heavily on Maël’s chest.

‘It’s just a contract.’

Maël steadied her resolve as she looked at her peacefully sleeping younger sister. The car moved a little slower, but smoothly, onto the road.

—

Maël supported Manon, who was still groggy and half-asleep, as they walked. There were fewer people around Monaco’s Grand Ducal Palace, where the family actually resided, than usual. During the summer, when the family left the palace for vacation, the place would typically be packed with tourists, leaving barely any room to move.

From the white-uniformed guards conducting their changing of the guard in front of the palace gates, to the panoramic view of the town and the sea, the cannons and ammunition that must have once been real, and the wind blowing in from the cliffs onto the beautifully maintained gardens—it was a breathtaking scene, too beautiful to belong to just one family, a view worth paying to see.

“Brother, who’s coming instead of Dain?”

Still unable to properly open her eyes, Manon asked. Almost simultaneously, a white-haired man standing next to the guards with a tablet approached them with large strides.

“Attorney Munmatié. And His Serene Highness the Prince is also present. Antoine Duberger, at your service.”

“Hello, Attorney Duberger.”

Maël shook the hand Antoine extended. His grip was firm.

If you erased the wrinkles and beard, dyed the white hair, and shrank his build a little, Antoine looked uncannily like her tiresome ex-boyfriend. Manon seemed to think the same as she stared at the veteran lawyer for a long time, prompting Antoine to wave his hand dismissively.

“There’s nothing to worry about. I just finished reading the contract and familiarizing myself with it. Wow, we really put in some work on this. His Serene Highness chose the right brother. No, wait. You picked the right lawyer, and His Highness chose the right firm.”

Like Charles, he had a way of smoothly easing tension with a few slick words in an awkward atmosphere. Manon awkwardly smiled and added, “I’m just thankful for everything.”

“No, really. And with good reason—Philippe’s casino shares, which he received before the marriage, are considered his personal property. Including those in the joint assets is remarkable. For Philippe to give up so much, he must really think the world of His Highness.”

Antoine’s words kept piling up. His claim of being familiar with the nearly fifty-page contract didn’t seem to be a lie. He handed over the tablet he had been reviewing, which displayed the final draft of the prenuptial agreement.

“Shall we go in now?”

After confirming everything, Maël smiled and led the way. One of the palace staff emerged and guided them into the vast palace interior.

Manon, still half-asleep, leaned against him as they walked. Supporting her, Maël passed under ceilings painted with the Twelve Labors of Hercules lining the hallway. Antoine made a comment along the way.

“I heard Attorney Munmatié is close with Charles as well.”

“Ah.”

“It’s good for people in the same field to stay close.”

The intent behind the question was obvious. Antoine’s sidelong glance at Maël was filled with curiosity. The rumor that they had dated and broken up seemed to have made its way even to Charles’ father.

“We’ve both been busy. It’s been a while since we last met.”

“Well, work should ease up a bit. As a father, I wouldn’t want him to lose time to spend with close friends. But as the head of Firm 377, I suppose the stance is different.”

“Summer is just around the corner. I don’t know about the corporate advisory team, but our team gets busier with divorce filings during the summer. It’s time to work.”

At this, Antoine nodded in understanding.

They followed the staff down a corridor to the left, turning into a space where the lavish rooms opened one after another, with no hallways in between. After walking for a while, they arrived at a wide corridor ending in a closed door.

The staff member standing in front of the door spoke firmly, as if the decision had already been made.

“Only one person may accompany Ms. Manon Matie inside. We ask for the other to remain here due to internal security policies of the Grand Ducal Palace.”

It was an unreasonable demand to the very end. Manon, looking terrified, clung to Maël’s suit jacket. Maël was about to step forward when Antoine cut him off.

“Wouldn’t it be better for me to go in? I’ve already familiarized myself with the contract.”

“What? Still, I think I should—”

“I’m more familiar with the other party, so it’ll be easier for me to counter them. I’ve known Philippe since he was in diapers, after all.”

“Brother…”

Manon murmured softly, stopping Maël. Antoine chuckled and patted Maël’s shoulder.

“If they say anything ridiculous, I’ll shut it down firmly. What’s the point of security if strange demands arise? I’ll call Attorney Munmatié immediately. Besides, having the firm’s lead lawyer present will make them nervous and give His Highness more leverage.”

“…Please take care of it.”

Maël conceded, realizing Antoine’s reasoning wasn’t entirely wrong. An associate lawyer was effectively an assistant to a partner lawyer. Their ranks were different. Even if Maël had handled most of the work, Manon’s contract was officially with Dain, not him. Among those present, Antoine was the closest equivalent to Dain.

Maël held onto Manon, who was trembling slightly, and spoke.

“Manon, stay focused and read through the entire contract carefully inside. If they try to add anything new, make it clear you’re against it. The attorney will help you. I’ll be waiting outside. Got it?”

“I… I feel like I’m going to throw up.”

“This is really nothing. Just sign where you already reviewed yesterday, and you’ll be done. You silly girl, okay?”

Normally, she would have been indignant at being called a silly girl, but Manon clutched her tweed skirt and nodded.

When Antoine escorted her, the large door opened. Maël watched their backs as they entered, only sitting on the chair by the door once it closed.

The palace was built around a square courtyard. The central garden exuded the soft fragrance of spring flowers in bloom. As he tapped the floor with his shoes and looked around, his eyes fell on a portrait of the Grand Ducal family, about two meters tall.

On the left sat the serene Grand Duchess, the Grand Duke stood in formal attire, and in the center were two young boys with red hair inherited from the Grand Duke.

“So they want to be part of that.”

The man from the underground parking lot came to mind—a man with cold eyes who had suggested casually that they date because it was “appropriate” in a dusty, dark space.

“Crazy bastard.”

“Who’s crazy?”

Unexpectedly, someone answered his muttered words.