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“You will take her as your wife.”
It was an intense first meeting. The reaction was reasonable considering this had been the first time he was informed in such a manner after receiving so many marriage proposals.
“… Wife?” Bam
Edmund barely stopped his hands from banging his fist hard on the desk.
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about Marquis Bled.”
Taking his eyes off Daphne and turning his head, he saw an old man holding a cane looking at him with wide eyes. As evidence of his involvement in treason was revealed, Marquis Bled, who was in financial decline, offered Edmund a deal. But it was a blackmail rather than a deal in reality. He talked about Edmund's weakness and told him to take his daughter as his wife.
“You would be in a lot of trouble if I open my mouth. Would that be alright with you, Your Excellency?”
Alec, the captain of the Black Knights, flinched as the marquis kept on provoking them with a grin. But Edmund’s sharp eyes kept the captain’s mouth shut, preventing him from taking action.
It would be impossible to reject someone as cunning as Marquis Bled who confidently asked for a meeting knowing only one of Edmund’s weaknesses. He could have already done something in advance to harm Edmund and killing him on the spot isn't worth considering.
Edmund stopped Alec and asked back with a calm face.
“Although I have no idea what secret about me that you know, I don’t think anyone will believe a sinner’s words, right?”
Marquis Bled’s wrinkled face contorted but he just shrugged his shoulders. “Is that a big deal? Can’t this old man grant his only daughter’s wish? I have to do something about it.”
A wish.
Edmund’s gaze shifted to the side. She was the only daughter among the sons of the Bled family, and the source of all these troubles – the woman who had not raised her head ever since she appeared here.
“Raise your head.”
The woman slowly lifted her head when she realized his words were directed to her.
Her bangs revealed her features as she lifted her face. He had a dull first impression of her, finding it impossible to compliment her beauty. The bones of her thin face stood out as much as her exposed shoulders, making it very natural for one’s gaze to be drawn to her most prominent feature – her eyes.
She was still looking down. When he met her green eyes, “I am Daphne Bled.” Those eyes left a strangely intense impression of Daphne.
That day, the deal was done.
The news of marriage alliance between two families standing on opposite sides, let alone to a close battle, stirred up the high society for a while. Everyone knew that the unattractive bride, Daphne Bled, must have played a part in it. People speculated about the reason behind the marriage. That is, until a fancy wedding in the capital happened.
The wedding of a war hero and the daughter of a rebellious family drew a crowd comparable to that of a national wedding. The splendid and beautiful wedding ceremony led many to believe that there was more to this marriage than what people were led on to.
It was Daphne as expected.
[“Please make the wedding as grand as possible.”]
Daphne and Edmund only went out twice before getting married. Except for their first meeting, the two meetings were for the painting for their wedding, and for Daphne to come to say this – that was all. Edmund didn’t see anything wrong with it and readily went with Daphne’s request.
This wedding should be painted as a perfect union of beautiful true love without any flaws. Because otherwise, it was impossible for two families close to enemies to form a friendship out of the blue.
Five years had passed after that marriage.
“Madam has disappeared.”
Daphne was gone.
“… Daphne.”
She was finally found. She blinked her wide-open eyes. Holding Daphne in his arms, Edmund quickly scanned her face. Why did I forget this face? The small body in his arms trembled.
“Edmund, why are you….”
Edmund couldn’t help laughing at her embarrassed face as if he had come to a place he shouldn’t have.
“Why? You’re asking as if I shouldn’t have come here.”
Daphne bit her lips. She was silent as always.
“Did you think I would just let you go?” Edmund’s hand rested on Daphne’s stomach. “You dare?”
And with that force, he hugged Daphne, feeling through her thick clothes. Daphne’s eyes slightly trembled when she realized what he meant.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
The Madam vanished. To be more precise, she suddenly disappeared with only ten days left until the Young Master’s coming-of-age ceremony.
The maids who first noticed her absence didn’t worry, thinking she’d return soon as she always did. The Madam would occasionally disappear for a day or two, then she would appear again. Initially anxious, they no longer took it seriously after five years. Their day went about the same way even after their Madam disappeared. Because to them, it was worse to have a Madam than to have none.
Time passed just like that.
First day, second day. The Madam didn’t return.
Third day, fourth day. Still, the Madam didn’t return.
Fifth day, sixth day. Little by little, dust started to accumulate in the room of the owner who hadn’t returned yet.
The maids just wanted the Madam to return before the Duke and the Young Lord's return. No matter how much of an empty shell their fake Madam was, they couldn't bear the consequences for her disappearance.
Seventh day. Madam was still missing. Sensing the unusual situation, the maids finally reported their Madam’s absence to the Chamberlain and the Chambermaid.
“Things like this happen often.”
Unaware of the Madam’s disappearance, they remained calm. Rather, they scolded them for wasting their time on this kind of thing amidst the hustle and bustle. The Madam will come back anyway.
Those worried about facing punishment felt relieved. They focused on organizing the gifts to celebrate the coming-of-age of the Young Lord, who was to arrive.
Eighth day. A message arrived at the break of dawn through the blizzard. Receiving the news of the return of those who had left a month ago to subdue monsters, the mansion moved busily in preparation for the return of their masters.
Their return was much earlier than planned. Because of this, the delayed coming-of-age ceremony proceeded without a hitch, and the servants completely forgot about the fact that the Madam still hadn't returned as they were busy moving around.
Ninth day. With the Madam still gone, the owners of the Winter Duchy located in the north returned. It was the day before the coming-of-age ceremony of the Young master. The servants nervously swallowed their saliva at the strong smell of the monster’s blood wafting from far away.
The Black Knights, who protected the entire empire from monsters and the North, were feared and respected at the same time. Their intense presence kept the servants at edge.
Soon, the people adorned with long black cloaks appeared through the harsh blizzard. The most notable among them were the dark-haired man and boy.
“Congratulations on your return.”
The servants bowed and spoke in unison. Duke Winter, the master of the mansion, passed by them and stood still for a moment. Those who were relieved to see him and were about to leave as usual, quickly looked back on the Duke’s demeanor.
“My wife?”
The Duke was looking for Madam – the Madam who still stood tall to greet them when they returned from subjugating monsters even though she received cold stares.
The Chamberlain came upon the harsh realisation that the Madam still hadn’t returned. Damian, the only heir of Duke Winter, looked around, trying to catch a glimpse of his mother. But the person Damian was looking for wasn’t there.
“Where is Mother?”
The Chamberlain involuntarily avoided his gaze and lowered his head when he was asked by the young heir, with a face resembling the Duke.
“Th, that….”
Seeing his evasive manner, Damian lifted the corners of his mouth and let out a dry sarcastic laugh, understanding. Does this mean you won’t come out [and greet us] anymore?
“She’s out again.”
“Yes? Ah, yes, that’s right.”
Well aware of the relationship between the Young Master and the Madam, the servants broke into cold sweat. They expected Damian to make a fuss as usual, but he walked up to the stairs and went to his room.
When the Duke disappeared, the maids rushed to the Chamberlain and Chambermaid.
“What should we do? We completely forgot about Madam.”
When someone suggested that they should tell the truth now, the Chambermaid looked at her with her blue eyes wide open. “Anna, did you forget that tomorrow is the coming-of-age ceremony of the Young Lord?” The maid who was at the receiving end of the Chambermaid’s sharp gaze, shrank. “And it’s not like we lied. Everyone knows that the Madam often goes out.”
Of course, this was the first time that the Madam went out without saying anything like this. The maid, overwhelmed by the Chambermaid’s aura, said nothing more.
“Even though a banquet was already held at the capital a few months ago, you all knew very well that this is an official coming-of-age ceremony and how important this is.” The maids answered ‘yes’ in hushed tones.
“It’s not too late to talk about it after the coming-of-age ceremony had been safely held.”
It was only a day difference after all. In any case, the people in charge of the mansion already said it, so those of lower positions had nothing more to say.
After dismissing the maids, the Chambermaid massaged her throbbing temple. The situation wasn't too serious but it felt ominous for some reason. It still bothered her.
Duke Winter’s vassals would gather at the place where the coming-of-age ceremony would be held, so it would be too embarrassing to show the Madam at such a place. Hoping that the Madam wouldn’t appear until the next day, the Chambermaid busied herself again to prepare for the coming-of-age ceremony.
Tenth day. The morning of the coming-of-age ceremony finally dawned.