Episode 49. I have a plan
Regardless of what Walter thought, Odette was very confident in her reasoning.
No, she just didn’t believe it, she didn’t doubt that this was the truth.
The reason was simple.
– I think it’s better for Walter to live alone. He’s the type to make his wife shed tears!
As Walter expected, Arnold came to visit and tried to talk Odette out of it.
And of course, there was no way Odette knew how much Arnold had been trying to get Walter married.
So, in Odette’s eyes, this is what Walter’s situation looked like, with even his grandfather opposing the marriage.
‘Maybe Walter…… didn’t have anyone to marry after all.’
She says.
Of course, in front of her were also Cedric and Ellie opposing the marriage.
Especially Ellie, who still had not let go of her suspicions about Walter.
– If Duke Ertman shows even the slightest of any suspicious thing, You must tell me without hesitation, you understand?! Don’t just let it pass!
– Wh- when did I just let it pass…….
Odette blushed and lowered her head, Ellie remained firm.
Thanks to her, there had been quite a struggle just to come and meet Walter today.
If today hadn’t been the day of the marriage announcement party, the struggle might have been even longer.
Ellie was truly…… firm.
– When you move to Duke Ertmann’s, you must absolutely call for me! It’s a promise!
– I’m quite good at interfering without being noticed! I’ll definitely make your married life difficult!
Ellie firmly believed that if she took her eyes off, Odette would be devoured in one bite. Which put Odette genuinely in distress.
However, how can she blame Ellie?
Ellie is just doing it for Odette, the real problem is Walter.
“Neither my maid nor my brother are people who easily express their opinions about others. Especially if it’s on the negative side.”
“They must have said a lot of bad things about me.”
“Well…… Regardless of whether a person is good or bad, there are somewhat standardized criteria that go into what makes a good marriage.”
“There is no need to make it difficult, you’re saying I’m not a good marriage material.”
“…….”
Odette kept her mouth shut for a moment, seeing what she had explained in detail being condensed in an instant.
Of course, it didn’t take long.
“……Anyway, I understand that in such a situation, even your grandfather said you should live alone.”
“Are you saying I have no one to marry?”
“Yes. Am I right?”
Odette’s golden eyes sparkled with confidence.
To borrow Walter’s expression, it was very lovely.
‘Is it normal for ignorance to be this charming?’
When someone spouted nonsense or did something frustrating, wasn’t it normal to feel the urge to get rid of it right away?
It’s weird that he felt the exact opposite way about Odette.
Even though what she was saying is ultimately boiled down to criticizing him.
So Walter did not bother to deny it and just let Odette continue to misunderstand as she pleased.
“To be honest, I couldn’t understand why you made such a condition.”
Love, it’s such an absurd condition.
It wasn’t particularly surprising to Walter that he needed to get married.
After all, the position of the mistress at Ertmann had been vacant for a long time.
However, even if it were an arranged marriage, did he really need to insist on the condition of love?
“I see now, that’s what you needed in order to go through with this marriage, right? an excuse that I was so in love with you that I chose you against all odds.”
Odette gave a small nod of her head, as if she was very satisfied with her reasoning.
“And since I was in a position where I needed to get married right away, there was no reason to refuse your request. If you were going to get married, it would be better to find someone close, so you chose me, Cedric’s sister, who is related to you.”
If Cedric had heard it, he would have lifted the table and asked what that meant.
As he was trying his best to stop Odette, Cedric’s letter mentioning that she was quite close to Walter had the opposite effect.
“I have to become Ertmann’s hostess right now, so I have to be well-educated. However, you couldn’t choose someone with a low status either, so I must be the right one.”
Odette had even calculated that her marriage with Walter could serve as a precaution against Empress Katarina’s unnecessary wooing schemes of Erdmann, However, she felt it was too far-fetched to bring it up at this point and chose not to mention it.
The important thing was that in Odette’s mind, the marriage between her and Walter was very reasonable, Even Walter’s absurd condition of ‘love’ for a contract marriage was perfectly accepted as a valid reason.
“In this situation, you wouldn’t want me to go out and have a scandal with someone else, which is why you have a very strict clause about adultery, right?”
“…… That’s great. That’s all correct.”
And Valter decided not to refuse this well-prepared meal.
After all, it was a welcome situation. Odette had been asking about the marriage conditions and expressing concern about situations where she might want to annul the marriage, so this was actually a relief.
‘It’s not entirely unreasonable.’
He was genuinely thankful to Odette for providing him with a reasonable rationalization.
As Walter clapped his hands a couple of times, a look of satisfied pride crossed Odette’s face.
Part of it was the satisfaction of knowing that her deductions had been correct, but it was more for another reason.
‘I’ve finally figured it out. Why Walter wants to marry me.’
In other words, it also meant that Odette had found a way to gain the upper hand in her marriage to Walter.
‘I never thought Walter would be in a similar situation to Count Clovis.’
Count Clovis, Louis also had no suitable marriage partner, so Odette chose him as her marriage partner.
To find Walter in a similar situation felt like good fortune.
Odette was determined to make the most of the advantage that had come into her hands.
Naturally, she had no intention of listening to the objections of others.
‘I feel a bit sorry for Cedric, but…’
With nothing more weighing on her mind, she was planning to get married quickly.
It’s ridiculous to look for another marriage partner now after having kissed Walter.
‘Moreover, Blake’s actions seem a bit suspicious.’
Since Blake’s sudden visit, he kept asking questions that seemed to be testing Odette.
Or intentionally leaking information that might make her nervous.
– Recently, the smuggling business has been flourishing. Keep that in mind. If you get involved in the wrong way, it won’t be a matter that can be resolved just by breaking the law.
– There’s a rumor that Cedric will be back next week. I don’t know if it’s true or not. What do you think, Odette?
Each question was like stepping into a minefield.
At any moment, if she takes a wrong step, it could reveal her as the source of the information about the palace, and naturally, her abilities could be questioned.
Odette’s exchange of letters with Cedric was far from normal, and she had long eliminated any traces of the secret intelligence network she maintained.
‘At least leaving the palace might provide some freedom from these constant suspicions.’
In that sense, Odette was not pleased with the opposition to her marriage from those around her.
Of course, this didn’t mean that Odette was as carefree about marriage as Walter did.
“We are going to announce our marriage at the banquet tonight and then go to Ertmann’s residence, right, Walter?”
“That’s right, and why do you ask? I’m telling you in advance,we can’t delay the wedding.”
“I don’t intend to delay, I just thought it would be a good idea to hurry up and get married. But your grandfather is against it.”
Odette was so lost in thought for a moment that she didn’t even notice Walter’s eyes widened and then return to their normal size.
Even so, the fact that Walter is going back and forth between heaven and hell in real time thanks to her questions and answers a moment ago.
“If you wish, I will expedite the marriage as much as possible. You don’t need to worry about my grandfather’s opposition.”
“But how can you say that? He is your family.”
“That’s fine. Even if he objects, he’s the one who will say we did the right thing once we’re married.”
“That goes against propriety. If we marry like that, there will undoubtedly be gossip.”
Odette’s words were clearly correct.
Walter, who had the idea of dealing with anyone who spread gossip behind their backs, still couldn’t figure out what the problem was.
Fortunately, Walter really liked his fiancée’s voice, and thanks to that, Odette could continue with the prepared words.
“Getting married like that would be a loss overall, so let’s try to convince your grandfather.”
“Do you think that’s possible?”
“Sure. I have a plan.”
Odette motioned to Walter to bring his ear closer to her.
After hearing the plan, he nodded.
“Good idea.”
And what a way to go.
* * *
Some time later.
In the ballroom where Odette and Walter’s marriage was announced by the Emperor.
Russell noticed that his master’s demeanor was much softer than usual.
“Are you in a good mood, Your Excellency?”
“Isn’t it easier to find a reason to feel bad on a day like today? We just announced the marriage.”
“No…… I don’t think that’s the reason.”
Russell glanced briefly and looked to the other side of the banquet hall.
He could see Odette surrounded by a crowd.
Of course, as soon as the Emperor announced her marriage was over, people flocked to her.
People who previously would not have bothered to approach Odette, now eager to add a few words to her, excited to engage with Odette.
The problem is that thanks to this, Walter ended up quite far away from Odette.
‘People are gathering over there too…….’
Walter always got annoyed in situations like this.
Especially now that he’s separated from Odette.
Russell could only guess one reason why Walter might be in a good mood in such a situation.
“…… Are you in a good mood because taking the Fourth Princess to the Duke’s residence?”
“Everything is going smoothly, so I find it pleasing.”
“But you haven’t convinced your grandfather yet, right?”
“Never mind. Odette has a solution.”
If this method worked, they could significantly advance the wedding date.
Everything was going smoothly indeed.
Except, one thing that Walter didn’t notice.
About who attended this crowded place.
