Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: The Fiancé's Arrival
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A carriage pulled by four white horses with glossy coats was climbing the hill toward Willis Baron's Castle.
Around the carriage, fifteen riders clad in red uniforms exuded an intimidating aura unlike any other.
Judging by their unified knight uniforms, they were undoubtedly the proud Red Rose Knights of the Diel Family.
Behind them trailed three wagons loaded with crates, escorted by twenty cavalrymen, along with fifty infantrymen.
Adding in the travel servants, porters, coachmen, and other attendants, the entire procession numbered well over 120 strong.
All of Baron Willis's household had gathered at the castle gates to greet them. Watching the majestic group ascend the hill, Baron Willis was filled with genuine admiration.
"The Diel Family's prosperity is truly remarkable."
It was a scale unimaginable for a baron like him. The realization that the heir to such a mighty house was heading here to claim his daughter stirred unique emotions within him.
The carriage came to a halt, and one attendant hurried forward to open the door. A clean-featured young man in his twenties stepped down. The handsome fellow brimmed with self-assurance.
Compared to his stature as the heir to a count's family, his gentle and approachable vibe felt all the more endearing.
"Why stand out here? You should have waited inside."
Baron Willis's jaw dropped at the warm reception from Komora, the next in line for the Diel Count family and a knight of renown.
"Hahaha, I trust the journey wasn't too taxing?"
"Hahaha, of course not. With the Red Rose Knights as escort, what bandit would dare?"
"Hahaha, my needless fretting. Come, let's head in."
Laughing heartily, the two entered Willis Baron's Castle.
The impeccably groomed garden and spotless mansion conveyed a dignity unbecoming of a rural baron's estate.
In other words, it smacked of extravagance beyond his station.
'A country bumpkin with lofty ambitions.'
Unlike his outwardly obliging demeanor, Komora inwardly sneered with disdain.
He had come here for one reason alone.
"That said, where might Lady Sophia be?"
"Hahaha, you'll see her at the party shortly. Rest from your travels first."
"My thanks for your consideration."
Komora flashed a grin and entered the assigned room. He plopped onto the bed only to spring right back up.
He kicked the bedframe hard.
"What cheap rag is this for a blanket?"
Rat, vice captain of the Red Rose Knights who had followed him in, chimed in agreement.
"Rural barons are all the same."
Komora pursed his lips in exaggerated disgust.
"Tch, stuck in this pigsty for a whole week..."
After a week at the bride's home and a modest ceremony, he would whisk Sophia back to the Diel Count family for the proper wedding.
"Damn it. What a farce just to snag a concubine!"
Rat flinched at Komora's words and whispered urgently.
"Someone might overhear. Lower your voice, please."
"Tch."
Just as noble daughters faced arranged marriages against their will, so too did noble sons take wives without choice.
Komora had originally been betrothed to a marquis's daughter.
He had informed the Willis family with honeyed words that he was taking the beautiful Sophia as his wife, but in truth, she was destined to be a mere concubine.
Once back at the Diel Count family, whatever the rural barons protested wouldn't matter.
"Ah, where's that wench hiding? I want a taste already."
Sophia seemed to shimmer before Komora's eyes. Rat merely stood in stoic silence.
Young Lord Komora was ideal heir material in every respect.
His swordsmanship rivaled any knight's, and his silver tongue and charisma worked on anyone.
But one glaring flaw: an insatiable lust for women.
The Diel Count family kept it hushed, but he already had four official concubines. One-night dalliances pushed the tally well past a hundred.
Komora couldn't abide any pretty face without dragging her to bed.
Meanwhile, Baron Willis nursed his anxiety in secret. Sophia still hadn't returned from Todun City.
"Ah, nothing's gone wrong, has it?"
Mild, who had risen from his sickbed just days prior, reassured the baron.
"Baldron accompanied her. She'll be fine."
"Ah, please let it be so..."
Perhaps thanks to his ceaseless prayers amid the wait.
Baldron's carriage bearing Sophia arrived at Willis Baron's Castle without incident.
"Oh, my daughter Sophia! Safe and sound?"
Baron Willis rushed to embrace her as she descended, but oddly, she barely reacted.
"Ung? Sophia?"
Upon closer inspection, Baron Willis recoiled in shock. Her eyes were faintly unfocused, her expression half-dazed and unnatural. Yet his fears proved groundless as clarity returned to her gaze.
She soon spoke.
"Has he arrived?"
"Yes. Earlier than planned. The young lord's been wasting away pining for you."
Baron Willis boasted proudly. Sophia nodded impassively and brushed past him.
"I'll go wash up."
"Yes, of course."
Carriage travel notwithstanding, days on the road had left Sophia weary. She couldn't face Komora in this state.
After a thorough soak in a warm tub, Sophia joined the evening banquet. Only the Willis family and Young Lord Komora were present.
Komora's heart ached watching her eat in silence, never once glancing his way—a far cry from her prior demeanor.
"Lady Sophia, is something amiss?"
Sophia offered a feeble smile and shook her head at Komora's courteous query.
"No. Nothing."
Her plaintive tone tugged at the heartstrings, as if she were forcing down her troubles.
"Don't hold back. Speak freely."
Sophia stared at Komora.
Tears brimmed in her eyes, rendering her face pitiably alluring in a strangely seductive way. Komora burned with the urge to spirit her off to his chambers.
"No. It's hopeless anyway."
Komora adopted a grave expression at her words.
"Nothing's hopeless to me. Share your burden. I'll handle it."
Sophia wavered.
"The young lord can't match him."
Baron Willis and Komora both stiffened at her declaration. The baron sensed unease in her invoking "him," while Komora smarted from the slight to his pride.
"Hahaha, now you've piqued my interest. Can't match him? Explain."
Baron Willis held his breath, fixated on her lips. Mentioning Jamie now would doom the marriage.
"There's a knight named Jamie. He served our family."
"Hmm. Continue."
Baron Willis's heart thundered. Was she abandoning the marriage? Unable to forget Jamie after all?
"He fancied me for ages, it seems. Upon hearing of my betrothal to Young Lord Komora, he forsook his knight's oath and fled the castle recently."
"Ungrateful cur."
Komora scowled.
Baron Willis exhaled in relief. Knight Captain Mild sat stone-faced in silence nearby.
"He's blustering about killing me and Young Lord Komora. That's what worries me..."
Komora and Rat alike paled. Openly proclaiming murder demanded more than mere concern.
Komora swiftly masked his unease with booming laughter.
"Puhahaha! What's one puny knight to fear? He's no match for me."
"He's truly formidable."
"I'm stronger."
Their eyes locked. They held each other's gaze steadily. Noting Sophia's persistent fear, Komora relented with an explanation.
"Very well. Trust me or not, I have Sir Rat here."
Rat, vice captain of the Red Rose Knights, enjoyed a storied reputation.
"If Rat so willed, this castle's knights and every soldier charging at once couldn't touch him."
An outrageous insult to the Willis household, yet none could protest.
Mild alone clenched his fists in quiet fury.
"The young lord speaks no falsehood."
Rat replied shamelessly, lauding Komora to the skies. Such was his confidence.
"I need confirmation of his death before the count's estate. Otherwise, anxiety will consume me."
Komora roared with laughter at Sophia's audacity. Visions of those bold red lips moaning in ecstasy set his blood aflame.
"That afraid of him?"
Sophia nodded, eyes brimming with tears.
"Done! His head will be yours. Assign a guide. Rat!"
"Yes, young lord!"
"Fetch his head. No mistakes."
"As you command."
Baron Willis sat frozen amid the dinner table's venomous exchange, speechless.
In truth, none dared speak.
In the heavy silence, Sophia bolted upright.
"I want to witness his death myself."
Komora eyed her with intrigue. So bold a woman? Unfazed by blood... Delicious prospects in bed thrilled him.
"Splendid. I'll join. Witness the might of your future husband."
Komora's whim derailed the meticulously planned party.
Come dawn the next morn, they would march on Todun City.
Post-banquet, the uneasy Baron Willis pulled Sophia aside.
"What madness is this? Sir Baldron said he has no designs on the wedding..."
Gone was dinner's fragility. Venom distorted her features.
"He must die."
"Sophia!"
"Don't stop me. I can't endure without his blood!"
Baron Willis cradled his head. No lovesick outburst over Jamie. His prior assumption had been wrong—utterly wrong.
His daughter regarded Jamie not at all.
Why her fixation on his brother's death gnawed at him. Now, Sophia herself unnerved the baron.