~Chapter 06~
Gloria wasn’t used to reading books, so it didn’t go very smoothly.
Crack, crack—inside the quiet room, the sound of the burning firewood was like a lullaby. As he struggled with the pages that wouldn’t turn, Asthan’s eyelids slowly began to close.
“…Achoo!”
The loud sneeze snapped Asthan out of his daze.
Ahem. He cleared his throat awkwardly, and Gloria gave him a sheepish smile.
Her nose was red—she might be catching a cold. Asthan pulled the servant bell without a word.
“Oh my, the two of you are here together?”
Lady Merriweather rushed into the study, her face brightening.
“Shall I bring you some tea?”
“Hmm. Some warm brandy and a glass of milk…”
“Achoo!”
Just like during breakfast, she was still not dressed warmly enough.
“Liz, skip the tea for now and bring the cloak made from shikun leather.”
“That smelly thing? Don’t tell me you’re going to give it to the young lady?”
The head maid glared suspiciously.
“Then the silver fox scarf…”
“Do you think just a scarf is enough in this cold?”
The head maid shook her head, clearly unimpressed with Asthan’s lack of sense.
“I’ll go see if any of madam’s old clothes are decent enough. Would you like to come with me, miss?”
“Sure!”
Gloria answered brightly and left the study with her.
Once the room was quiet again, Asthan put down his book and started thinking.
Are there even any clothes in this castle that would fit that little lady?
Besides Liz, there wasn’t a single other woman around, so the chances were slim.
His mother’s clothes were too old, Liz’s too big. The only possibility was… wait.
A memory surfaced.
The pink dress from the engagement ceremony ten years ago.
After the engagement was broken off for unavoidable reasons, the dress had been returned with the rest of the gifts.
Since no one could wear it, it had just been left in the dress room.
Wouldn’t it be awkward if that little lady suddenly showed up wearing it?
Still, he had a feeling that if she didn’t know the story, she would definitely choose that dress.
It’s better to say something before things get awkward.
Asthan headed straight to the dressing room.
He could hear the two women talking inside. Without hesitation, he opened the door.
“Liz, that pink dress—”
“Kyaa!”
“…!”
Gloria, apparently in the middle of changing, had only a camisole on. She dropped to the floor, covering herself with her arms.
“What are you doing?! You didn’t even knock!”
“S-Sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
Asthan waved his hands and started backing away awkwardly.
His eyes, unsure where to look, accidentally landed on her back.
What’s that?
Through the thin fabric, he could see marks on her skin—like a snake had slithered across it.
Some were red like fresh wounds, others were old and dark like dried leather.
Whip marks.
With a stiff expression, Asthan walked toward her. Gloria, panicking, raised her voice.
“D-Don’t come closer! We’re not even married yet!”
“What are these scars?”
“Huh? Scars…? Oh.”
Realizing what he meant, Gloria’s face turned pale.
She bit her trembling lip and looked away before speaking with a fake calmness.
“I fell.”
“You fell?”
“I know I don’t look like it, but I’m clumsy.”
How could falling cause wounds like that?
Even a child wouldn’t believe such a lie. Asthan said bluntly,
“They look like whip marks to me.”
“…”
Gloria looked down, embarrassed that he’d seen something she wanted to keep hidden. She looked like she might cry at any moment.
Asthan wanted to ask who did such a terrible thing, but he held back.
Forcing someone to talk about painful memories was just as cruel.
So he asked quietly,
“Just tell me one thing. Was it a man?”
Gloria nodded slightly.
“That’s good.”
“…What is?”
“If it’s a man, I can beat him up without holding back.”
Pfft. Gloria let out a small laugh, her tension melting a little.
She looks better when she’s smiling.
Asthan picked up the coat that had fallen to the floor and gently draped it over her back.
“You’ll catch a cold. Hurry and get dressed.”
[Dear Lady McCain,
I, Asthan von Schultzmeier, have admired you for a long time.
I deeply respect your noble grace, radiant wisdom, and thoughtful heart.
After much consideration, I’ve gathered the courage to ask for your hand in marriage.]
[Our union will bring infinite glory to both families, and I have no doubt that we will write a history of peace and prosperity under the blessings of all. Therefore, I sincerely offer my heart to you and hope you will not reject it, but accept it with kindness.]
Asthan von Schultzmeier
“…What a spectacle.”
Sitting in his office, Asthan sneered as he carefully read the marriage proposal Gloria had left behind.
Noble dignity, shining wisdom, thoughtful heart—was this praise meant for a thirteen-year-old girl?
For any noble family, such a childish letter could easily be dismissed as some crazy person impersonating the Duke of Schulzmeier and sending a marriage proposal.
No wonder he hadn’t received a single reply even after sending it to thirty places.
This meant that Gloria McCain, who had come all the way to Schultzmeier Castle relying on such a ridiculous letter, must have been in a desperate situation.
He set the proposal down and recalled Gloria’s back.
Even someone who had fought in countless life-or-death battles like him couldn’t help but frown at the truly horrific—no, there were no words but “horrific” to describe those wounds.
Perhaps that’s why she had tried to act so nonchalant.
Asthan drank a shot of hot brandy to soothe his bitter mood.
“If I find out who did this…”
He clenched his teeth and pulled the bell rope.
The old butler, noticing his master’s discomfort, quickly knocked on the office door.
“Did you call for me, sir?”
“Come in.”
Colin entered the office, carefully observing Asthan. Asthan handed him the marriage proposal.
“Since you sent this, you must know what it is, right?”
“It’s the proposal that the young lady brought.”
“Yes. Why did you send a proposal to the McCain family, with whom we have no personal connection?”
“Well… It’s been a while, so I’m not entirely sure, but I believe we selected families that were of a rank suitable for the Duke’s family and who had unmarried daughters and then sent out proposals.”
“Is the McCain family such a prominent family?”
“They’re not widely known in high society, but they’ve been a legitimate family since before the Empire was founded.”
“Hm.”
“Also, the Count has a reputation for being a man of great character, so I thought his daughter would be a suitable match for you, sir. However…”
Colin trailed off, glancing at the door. After confirming that no one was listening, he continued.
“Shortly after sending the proposal, we received word of the Countess’s death, and after sending a message of condolence, we didn’t contact them again.”
“I see.”
If the proposal was sent shortly before her mother’s death, Gloria would have been around thirteen at the time. Losing her mother at such a young age must have been terribly hard.
Feeling a sense of shared experience, Asthan continued with a bitter tone.
“She must have been very lonely, growing up without her mother and with just her father.”
“Well… I heard he remarried recently.”
“Remarried? Who to?”
“I’m not sure about that.”
Asthan frowned.
It was a fantasy in stories to think that someone who wasn’t related by blood could have a happy family.
Her attitude, never mentioning her wounds or family, left room for much speculation.
“A man with such a great reputation doesn’t even know what his daughter has gone through.”
“He probably doesn’t. The Count passed away six years ago, after all.”
“Hah.”
With another piece of bad news, Asthan clicked his tongue. His suspicions were turning into near certainty, but there was still one step left to confirm.
“Find out everything about the McCain family. What caused the Count’s death, who inherited his estate, how Gloria McCain lived after his death. Don’t miss anything—do a thorough investigation.”
“Understood.”
After giving his orders, Asthan poured himself another drink. As he was about to bring the glass to his lips, Colin cautiously spoke.
“Sir, have you developed an interest in the young lady?”
“That’s not it.”
“It’s fine if you’re being honest. To my old eyes, she’s a lovely and decent person.”
“I told you, I’m not interested in women.”
“Please, try having a serious conversation with her. Who knows? If you build a connection with her…”
“That woman doesn’t know my secret.”
Asthan coldly interrupted Colin’s words. The old butler’s eyes filled with pity.
“My curse ends with me.”
“Your Grace…”
“I don’t want to drag anyone into it.”
