Contract Marriage Interrupted

Episode 8. The Person Walter Has in Mind

 

The incident.

The incident that no one wants to talk about…….

Everyone calls it ‘the incident’ or ‘the Ertmann incident’, which happened about 15 years ago.

It was such a big incident that even young Odette remembered the whole story.

To summarize it in a few words. ‘The escape of the Emperor’s sister and the Duke of Ertmann’.

The Duke of Ertmann was a family that had been loyal to the monarchy since long ago.

Naturally, they had great power and strong ties to the imperial family.

Until Luther Ertmann, the father of Walter, the current Duke of Ertmann, tried to flee with the Emperor’s sister, Layla Celestine.

Actually, Luther had a family through an arranged marriage, and his only son Walter, always won the top prize at a private academy and was a topic of conversation in social circles at the end of each semester.

Therefore, Luther also probably has to suppress his love for Princess Layla and live as the head of Ertman and the head of a family.

At least, even if the princess is not in a situation where she is going to marry in another country.

The Emperor intended to send his sister as queen of the neighboring country, which ignited their love.

It must have been devastating that it served as a driving force for them to confess their love for each other at that time.

In a way, this romantic and unconventional gossip burned the social world for a long time, Odette and Ellie, who lived in the palace, naturally often talked about it.

– The chamberlain told me that the first Duke Ertmann was a very handsome man, and he was young in his mid-thirties, so it’s worth burning up.

– I heard that he’s had a crush on her for a long time?

– So much, so that they both thought of leaving everything and running away?

– What a great love, really.

There was no way of knowing how great their love was and how it ended because not long after,

Luther Ertmann and Princess Layla were never seen again.

Only one thing is certain, the whole Ertmann family was upset by the incident.

The emperor was also angry at the betrayal of the Duke of Ertmann and his sister, whom he believed in.

– Haul these damned fools to the front of the caravan!

– If Erdmann is helping them, lock down the Duke of Erdmann’s house and interrogate everyone involved. If they don’t talk, kill them!

It was unprecedented to treat a prestigious family as big as Ertmann as a common criminal.

The only thing that leaves precedent is that the tip of the knife may be facing another place.

The wary nobles were quick to call for Erdmann’s execution.

Just in time, if it had not been for Luther Ertmann’s father, the previous Duke of Ertmann, Arnold Ertmann, Luther would have been condemed already.

– I will remove the sinner Luther from Ertmann’s list, and return the area of the southern that belong to Ertmann which His Majesty has requested, I will also participate as the commander-in-chief of the Great Battle of Poitiers to prove Ertmann’s innocence.

Arnold had spent his entire life on the battlefield, and his service to the Empire was brilliant.

Moreover, with no one else to lead the war against the Puart Union at this time, the Emperor has to temper his wrath.

 

– All right, I accept Lord Arnold’s offer. Ertmann will not be cleared of the crime until the end of the Great Battle of Poitiers War. Don’t forget that it’s the last mercy I can give.

Not being able to exonerate means that only Ertmann is a dishonorable family.

It meant voluntarily abstaining from social activities and being self-conscious of their actions. 

Fortunately, the War of Poitiers was over in five years and Ertmann was cleansed of their dishonor, but even after that, Luther still did not participate on outside activities, perhaps because he did not want to incur the Emperor’s wrath.

Of course, this was also a big reason why the Emperor had deliberately sent the current Duke Ertmann, Walter, to the battlefield.

The previous Duchess of Ertmann, Luther’s wife traumatized by ‘the incident’ and returned to her family. Walter was the only one who could socialize with Luther.

The Emperor’s mention of the incident was therefore a warning.

A blatant warning that no matter how much the sins have forgiven, he will not allow the Ertmann to have any scandal with the Princess.

“I guess I wasn’t that tight-lipped either. If it happens because we really wants it, what can I do? Even if you don’t like it, sometimes you need to turn a blind eye to it. But more than that, it doesn’t look good for the imperial family’s name to go up and down.”

It might sound like it was only directed to Walter, but it was also a warning to Lizaina and Odette.

‘Two imperial daughters were involved with one  man and caused a scandal.’

The emperor would not be pleased.

Especially if it was an Ertmann.

‘That’s why I didn’t want to get involved with the Duke of Ertmann…….’

Of course, Odette had rejected Walter because she thought he belonged to Empress Katarina’s side.

 

But even if it wasn’t, Odette wouldn’t have chosen Walter.

She could have brought any man in the Empire, even a foreigner.

It was practically impossible to marry an imperial woman because of ‘the incident’.

For Odette, who needed to find someone to marry immediately, Ertmann was the one she had to avoid.

‘Anyway, since your Majesty said this, the rumors will be resolved to some extent.’

With such an authoritive caution, no one, not even Walter, could tell that he had proposed to  Odette.

“……Your Majesty’s meaning is well understood.”

Walter nodded.

But his next words almost made Odette spit out the tea she was drinking.

“If it happens on a regular basis, your majesty will accept it. I have listened well.”

“Cough.”

Odette, who had been choked, unnaturally put down the teacup, but no one cared to ask her of her welfare.

As soon as Walter’s words were over, the Emperor’s face was distorted.

“……I don’t think the Duke understood what I mean properly.”

“I understand correctly. Didn’t Your Majesty say so? What if it happens because you really want it?”

Even if it were displeasing, wouldn’t it be necessary to turn a blind eye to it. The emperor certainly said so.

He just didn’t think it would be interpreted this way, or that anyone would dare to interpret it this way.

“I was very worried that Your Majesty would think unfavorably of Ertmann because of what happened in the past, but thanks to you saying that, I feel much more at ease. As you know, unauthorized relationship is bound to lead to unexpected accidents.”

“So? Are you thinking of causing an accident now?”

“No way. Your Majesty has said that you will embrace it generously with the same tolerance, so is it necessary? Or…….”

Walter’s gaze flickered to Lizaina and withdraw.

“Would Your Majesty not allow the Princess to do what she wishes?”

At that question, the nobles eyes began to waver out of uneasiness, and the Emperor’s bored face hardened.

If someone say something wrong here, the Emperor will be the one who can reverse his words.

Or he could be seen as an unscrupulous man who took all he could from the Ertmann’s merit, and then used his judgment to oppose the Princess’s marriage.

Regardless of the reality, there was a huge difference between what was going on and what the Emperor said.

And Walter had a point.

Instead of answering, the Emperor chose to change the subject.

“……When you say it that way Duke, it means you have some ideas. From what you’ve said so far, it sounds like you have a heart for the Princess. Is that right?”

The Emperor spoke eloquently, like the usual.

The spectator’s gaze immediately turned to Walter.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for the young man’s lips to open.

And then… 

“A person preference usually runs in the family, my grandfather said.”

Walter’s lips opened, smooth as a snake’s.

Slow and soft, as if to deceive the listener.

 

“I didn’t think it was a very credible story, but now I’ve changed my mind.”

“Huh, so Ertmann has a bloodline that’s attracted to Princesses?”

“Wouldn’t it be strange if it didn’t when she’s so charming.”

“Duke. You went out to the battlefield and sharpened your tongue instead of your sword? Your speech is very smooth.”

As the emperor said that, Walter burst out laughing, and eventually got up from his seat.

The Emperor had calculated that if the conversation continued here, the only thing that would come out was Ertmann’s marriage proposal to the Princess, and this would not be good from his point of view.

“My condition is not very good today. Seeing that this kind of conversation takes a lot of energy. That’s enough of the entertainment. All can remain and enjoy the rest of the evening.”

As soon as the emperor left without reservation, the nobles who had been holding their breath began to exclaim in unison.

“I didn’t think so, but my God…….”

“Which of the two Princesses does the duke have in mind?”

“I think it must be the Third Princess, he’s sitting next to her, and he even looked in her direction before he spoke!”

“If it is true that he has feelings for Her Highness Third Princess, then the Fourth Princess seem to have been used.”

Everyone was eager to speculate, not daring to ask the party directly that was in front of them.

The prevailing opinion, however, was that he had feelings for Lizaina.

Considering the situation, a lot of speculations veer that way, so it was natural they had that opinion.

‘It will probably spread throughout social circles in less than a day.’

 

Amidst all the commotion, only Odette sipped her teacup calmly.

It came as no surprise to her that Walter would have feelings for Lizaina.

No one could possibly have a heart for Odette, the weed of the palace.

I know. But…….

‘……why does my mouth feel bitter.’

Is it because the tea has cooled down?

Yes, it must be.

That’s why my vision is so blurry, the tea has cooled so much…….

Odette blinked her blurry eyes and set her teacup down.

No, she thought she set it down.

Clink!

At that moment, Odette’s widened. 

Her vision cleared and she realized what she had done.

It might be the lack of sleep that blurred her vision, so when she tried to put down the teacup, she ended up dropping it on the floor.

‘Why, in this situation.’

As soon as she felt the attention being focused on her, her face heated up with embarrassment. Odette hurriedly got up from her seat and excused herself.

“S-sorry, my hands slipped… I’ll excuse myself Your Majesty.”

She turned to leave before Katarina could respond.

“……!”

For a moment, she felt her body sway and her vision became foggy.