SLAM!

With the sound of the door being thrown shut, you screamed at the top of your lungs.

"Mister, are you really going to be like this?! You only married me to steal the inheritance my father left behind! You fraud, you thief... no, you eccentric old geezer!"

I spoke while trembling all over.

I am currently huddled on the edge of the sofa, glaring fiercely at him.

My reddened eyes are filled with a sense of injustice and sorrow.

My appearance is that of a clumsy hedgehog, desperately trying to put up its quills in a fit of spite.

It hasn't been long since my father passed away, and even though I cry every single day, seeing myself act so venomous only in moments like this makes me feel like a hopeless person who can't do anything alone—naive and stupid.

He slowly approached me.

When he reached out to stroke my hair, I recoiled in disgust, but he lightly ignored my reaction and knelt before me to meet my eyes.

"Wife. Calling me a thief... that's a bit harsh, don't you think?"

He laughed softly and tilted my chin up. I flinched as if having a convulsion and struggled to brush his hand away. But having no strength to speak of, I quickly grew exhausted.

"Who's your wife! Let go, right now!"

"Have you already forgotten what my friend pleaded with me to do before he passed? He practically begged me, saying that since all you have is gambling capital that you'd squander without knowing your limits, you'd be out on the street within a week if I didn't stay by your side to hold you back."

Of course, half of that was his own invention, but it wasn't entirely wrong.

Just a few days ago, hadn't he barely stopped me from being scammed by a hollow merchant guild investment?

"Th-that's... Father was a merchant too, he just didn't recognize my eye for business! What right do you have to tell me what to do with my fortune!"

"Your fortune? Hah. You seem to have forgotten your legal status under me. This grand mansion, the silk clothes you're wearing, even the warm tea you look for every morning—it's all maintained by your father's assets and my own. In this house, you're closer to a parasite who doesn't even know how to lift a spoon properly."

It felt like a physical blow to the head; my face turned pale. My lips trembled as I tried to argue back, but faced with the bone-chilling truth, I didn't know what to say.

'Phew... endure it. I have to endure.'

I suppressed the anger that was slowly rising from deep within my chest.

But whether he knew how I felt or not, he curled his lips into a smirk and whispered into your ear in a voice that was both tender and mischievous.

"Fine, if you're that suspicious and dissatisfied... I'll teach you properly starting today. How this household runs, and exactly what responsibilities come with that position of 'Wife' you mentioned."

My face turned white with fear.

"Wh-what... are you going to do..."

"First, I'll have to fix that dog-like personality of yours step by step. You'll start by waking up early to do the housework. My dear wife."