Chapter 3: A 500-Danir Wedding (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 3: A 500-Danir Wedding (2)
The snowy mountains of Blenheim were engulfed in a blizzard.
Inside a military tent, the knights' gazes were fixed on their lord, who sat at the head of the table reading a letter.
He had black hair, pale skin, and dark eyes set beneath sharp, upward-slanting brows. With a massive frame that exuded an overwhelming sense of pressure, he was the ruler of the North: Grand Duke Loik Blenheim.
Soon, the small piece of stationery in his large hand was crumpled mercilessly.
"Did the Marquis agree to the terms?"
Perel, the aide sitting to his right, asked while carefully gauging his mood. It was more of a confirmation than a question.
Slam!
Demich, the captain of the 1st Knight Division sitting opposite him, struck the table violently.
"Does this make any sense? Marriage to that bastard Marquis’s daughter!"
"It would be one thing if she were his real daughter. But the rumors that she’s illegitimate are everywhere."
Listening to the knights' grumbling, Perel massaged his brow with a troubled expression.
"It seems the Marquis has truly made up his mind. I expected him to accept the proxy, but I was certain he would object to the budget."
Sending a mere 500 Danir had been Perel’s idea.
He had judged that the Marquis, who was notoriously prideful and stingy, would never accept such a pittance.
I intended to stall for as much time as possible using budget negotiations as an excuse, but...
"He says the ceremony will be held in a chapel," Loik muttered, leaning his head against his fingertips. His voice, languid yet chillingly cold, instantly quelled the knights' rising tempers.
"I suppose 500 Danir is more than enough for that."
Even so, she was technically a lady of a Marquis’s house. To hold a wedding in a mere chapel was a decision that showed absolutely no regard for the bride’s dignity.
"The bride is the only one I feel sorry for."
At Perel’s regretful tone—feeling guilty that the lady was suffering because of his idea—the knights clicked their tongues in unison.
"You pity the strangest things. Haven't you heard? The Marquis’s third daughter is the most notorious villainess in the capital."
"Besides, isn't she that famous 'Fake Saintess' from back then?"
"Still, a lady raised in the capital is coming to live in Blenheim. It won't be easy for her to adjust."
Loik tilted his head sharply toward his aide, who was tactlessly defending the bride.
"Who’s living here?"
"Pardon? Well, the Grand Duchess..."
Loik cut Perel off firmly.
"Tell her to keep dreaming. That woman will never set foot on Blenheim soil."
At those words, the knights all turned to look at the Grand Duke.
"Do you intend to not bring the Marquis’s daughter to Blenheim at all?"
"How do you plan to refuse her?"
"Refuse? There's nothing to refuse."
Loik swept his bangs back roughly.
"I’ll simply return the moment the wedding is over."
Perel’s jaw dropped.
"Are you saying you’re going to abandon the bride?"
"I have no intention of letting the Marquis’s bloodline into my castle. Not even a drop."
"That’s a grand idea!"
Demich nodded in agreement.
"Rats would have swarmed in using every excuse—maids, guards, you name it. It’s best to nip it in the bud."
"Who will you send as the proxy?"
Hedrick, the Vice-Captain of the knights who had been silent, finally spoke up.
The knights quickly averted their eyes.
Not only would they have to stand in for their lord’s wedding, but they would also have to be the one to leave the woman behind in the capital. Regardless of their anger toward the Marquis, it was a task no one wanted to touch.
Loik scanned the room and spoke indifferently.
"Send Perel."
"What? I—I can't do that!"
Perel sprang from his seat as if launched by a spring.
Demich narrowed his eyes. He looked uncertain about whether such a task should be entrusted to a man known for being the softest heart in all of Blenheim.
"I have so much work to do at the castle..."
Perel looked around for help, but everyone was busy staring at the ceiling or the floor.
Hedrick spoke impassively.
"You’ll have to leave tomorrow to make the schedule. If the bride is stood up at the wedding, no father—not even the Marquis—will sit idly by."
"Your Highness..."
Looking at the tearful Perel, Loik reluctantly gave Hedrick his orders.
"The Vice-Captain will handle the escort instead. There’s something I need done while you’re in the capital. Pick a few men from the 1st Knight Division and take them with you."
As the knights' expressions split between relief and despair, Loik tossed the crumpled letter into the brazier.
Pity? Ridiculous.
The Marquis was the enemy who had driven his parents to their deaths.
The mere thought of being legally tied to his daughter made him want to storm the capital and burn the entire Marquisate to the ground.
Watching the letter turn to ash in the flickering flames, Loik slowly forced his rage to subside.
It’s fine. I’ll just wait a reasonable amount of time and then divorce her.
The image of a sorrowful bride holding a husbandless wedding in a lonely chapel was erased from Loik’s mind in an instant.
*
Finally, the wedding day arrived.
Time had been tight, and there was much to do even on the day of, but I managed to arrive safely at the chapel with everything prepared.
The chapel is actually quite pretty.
I glanced around the interior of the small building as I walked.
Supported by stone pillars, the chapel felt clean and serene. Sunlight streaming through the small windows added a touch of warmth to the statues of the Saintess lined up here and there.
From the opposite side of the altar, Perel Otis—the Grand Duke’s aide and my proxy groom—approached. Even though he was an extra who had only been mentioned in passing in the original story, he was quite a handsome man.
Standing before the altar, Perel cautiously offered his arm.
Poor man. Whether it was the pressure of acting as a proxy or the rumors of me being a villainess, his hand was trembling uncontrollably. I did my best to ignore the shaking and lightly rested my hand on his arm.
Soon, the solemn voice of the High Priest echoed through the chapel.
"We are gathered here today for the noble covenant of love between these two."
Perhaps because it was a union between a Grand Ducal house and a Marquisate, the High Priest’s attitude was extremely respectful, despite the lack of guests other than my maid and Perel’s companions.
When the High Priest signaled for the groom’s vow, Perel spoke with a face full of tension.
"I, Perel Otis, acting on behalf of Loik Blenheim, swear to fulfill my duties of love and respect for a lifetime as an eternal companion."
A lifetime? I’d be lucky if I’m not kicked out immediately.
"I, Annette Frais, understanding the meaning of this sublime union, swear to fulfill my duties as a faithful partner for a lifetime with all my heart and soul."
I felt a bit guilty making a false oath in a holy chapel, but I performed my role with a demure voice.
Even during the exchange of rings, Perel held the band with just his fingertips, as if he didn't dare touch his lord’s wife.
Good grief, it’s not like I have a contagious disease.
However, out of respect for him, I also took care to slide the ring onto his finger without letting even a single hair on my hand brush against him.
"Having formed an eternal bond before the holy Goddess, may your journey ahead be filled with love and blessings."
The High Priest made his solemn proclamation.
"I declare that these two have entered into holy matrimony and are now husband and wife."
I was finally married to the Grand Duke.
The fact that I didn't even know my husband’s face was a bit bittersweet, but at least the ceremony was over without a hitch.
I entered the waiting room and let out a sigh of relief as I removed my veil. My maid, Janet, followed me in.
"You should have just gone back to the mansion to change."
As I struggled to change out of the dress by myself, Janet reluctantly lent a hand. While the half-hearted maid tidied the veil, I changed into a light blue dress I had brought—the easiest style to put on—and immediately left the waiting room.
"My Lady! Where are you going?"
Hurrying out of the chapel, I saw a carriage bearing the Grand Ducal seal. Perel was standing in front of it, handing a letter to a priest.
"If you could please explain it well to Her Highness the Consort..."
"Sir Perel?"
As I trotted toward him, Perel bowed his head in visible panic.
"Your Highness."
The priest, looking relieved to be rid of the task, handed the letter back to Perel.
"Since you have seen Her Highness yourself, I shall take my leave."
Clutching the letter, Perel avoided my gaze awkwardly.
"Sir Perel. Are you leaving already?"
It was a question, but I didn't really need an answer. It was obvious to anyone that Perel was trying to make a run for it.
"Yes. I apologize, but something has come up in the Grand Duchy, and I must return immediately."
Liar. You were trying to bolt before you ran into me.
"I received an urgent message on my way here..."
Perhaps realizing how pathetic the excuse sounded, Perel’s voice trailed off.
"Was that letter intended for me?"
Perel slightly hid the hand holding the letter behind his back.
"...I didn't think I would have the chance to see Your Highness after the ceremony, so I intended to ask for your understanding in writing."
"It’s a relief, then. That we didn't miss each other."
"...Yes."
Perel, who apparently had time to write a letter beforehand but no time for a brief greeting, couldn't bring himself to lift his head.
Right. How could this be your fault?
Perel had traveled for over a week by carriage and only arrived in the capital yesterday. To leave again without even a moment to recover from the journey was surely due to his superior’s command to return the moment the ceremony ended.
Did he worry I’d hold him back and harass him, or make unreasonable demands?
But contrary to the Grand Duke’s expectations, I had no intention of harassing Perel or making demands.
I was simply going to follow him.
"Then let us depart together."
"Pardon? What do you mean by that?"
"I mean I am going to the Grand Duke’s castle right now, following you."
Perel’s face turned pale with shock.
"You mean... right now? But..."
"My Lady, what are you talking about?"
Janet, who had followed me out, arched her eyebrows. Her tone wasn't one of confusion, but rather a 'who do you think you are to make decisions' kind of nuance.
Well... I suppose it is strange for someone who couldn't even breathe without permission to suddenly find her voice.
The Grand Duke, who ordered his man to tuck tail and run to avoid the bride, was quite a piece of work, but I was even more impressive for preparing for such a shallow trick.
I’m glad I looked into this beforehand.
I had packed my essential belongings days ago.
I had sold every piece of jewelry that was worth anything and converted it to cash, and I had only packed the most expensive dresses. Among the wedding gifts displayed in my room, anything valuable was already tucked away in my luggage.
"Your Highness, I apologize, but we are in a great hurry and cannot afford any delay. Perhaps on a better day in the future..."
"There’s no need for delay. I’ve already packed my things."
I gestured toward a carriage that was just arriving. Perel flinched when he saw the old, hired carriage without a seal.
"You mean to ride in that? Then what about the maids?"
He asked, sounding utterly bewildered.
"The maids..."
I glanced at Janet standing beside me. Her eyes were burning as if she wanted to devour me.
'Villainess,' my foot.
Just looking at the maid in front of me told the story of how much of a hollow shell Annette’s life had been.
— "To be honest, My Lady, your hair isn't platinum blonde; it’s just graying. If your hair color is dull, your complexion should at least be bright, but no matter how much we dress you up, your face just doesn't pop."
I had to listen to the maid’s sarcasm even today, on my wedding day.
And it wasn't just verbal abuse.
Janet would pretend to comb my hair while scratching my scalp so hard it left scabs, and every time she left my room, one of the few pieces of jewelry in my box would disappear.
Even so, to humiliate me like this in front of my husband’s aide whom I’ve just met?
It felt unfair that I had never once snapped back at her because I was trying to live quietly, but there was a more pressing issue now.
I have to follow him this time.
This moment, as Perel was leaving, was perhaps my only chance to get out of here.
I forced my stiff lips into a smile and spoke.
"Given the situation, I’ll have to leave them behind."
"Leave us behind?! The Marquis...!"
The maid started to raise her voice, but lowered it slightly when she saw Perel’s startled eyes.