Chapter 4
While someone chose the path of asceticism, someone else was busy trying to escape the capital.
Currently, Aselan, the eldest son of the Duke of Antoine, was waiting for the right time to leave for the Eastern Empire.
“Are you really going, my lord?”
The attendant anxiously rolled his eyes and licked his dry lips.
“I must. I can’t afford to miss this chance again.”
Aselan glared at the letter from his father in the Eastern Empire with the urge to burn it, his resolve firm. His voice, in reply to the attendant’s question, was strong and determined.
“But… I’m not sure the Duke will allow it…”
The attendant cautiously expressed his concern, shifting nervously.
“I don’t know why Father dislikes the Earl of Elder so much, but this time, I will get his permission.”
Aselan was the heir of House Antoine and fourth in line to the imperial throne—part of the Empire’s highest echelon, lacking nothing in status.
He bore the strongest resemblance to the founding emperor of the Terlon Empire and was so brilliant that he graduated top of his class from the academy. Coupled with his tall, handsome looks and gentlemanly manners, he had ignited the hearts of many noble ladies.
Many families and women sought him as the Empire’s most eligible bachelor, but Aselan was unmoved by any of the temptations.
He had his own reasons.
‘Lavian, this time for sure!’
The one who captured the heart of the Empire’s top bachelor was none other than Lavian.
He had begged his father for years to propose a marriage to the Elder family, but the Duke had sternly refused. In the meantime, Lavian’s engagement had been arranged.
As a romantic, Aselan was devastated, falling into despair, refusing food, and collapsing into illness. It had taken a long time for him to even try giving her up, despite the pain.
And then, a chance appeared.
‘For the groom to die on the wedding day… Lavian must truly be fated to be with me. I won’t lose her again.’
Determined, Aselan crumpled the letter from his father and hurled it into the trash.
“My lord, the garden lamps have gone out.”
The attendant, watching out the window, reported.
“Good. It’s time to go.”
“But shouldn’t you at least inform Madam? And you’re using an Imperial Mage. Shouldn’t she be warned?”
“It’s a long journey. Mother would never give her permission. It’s better to just go. And though they’re called Imperial Mages now, they were trained with our family’s money. I’ve earned that much privilege.”
The Eastern Empire was far away, and even with an airship, there would be much time wasted. Not willing to delay even a moment, Aselan had secretly arranged for mages—who’d received their training thanks to his family—to help him.
With a teleportation circle, he couldn’t reach the Eastern Empire in one go, but it would cut down the time considerably.
“I hope there won’t be any trouble.”
“There won’t be. I’m certain.”
Despite the attendant’s worries, Aselan’s determination didn’t falter. He glanced at a neatly written letter placed atop the tidy bed.
[To my dearest mother. I cannot lose Lavian again, so I am heading to the Eastern Empire. I will return safely after fulfilling my wish, so please do not worry.]
Saying “don’t worry” only made it more worrying, but Aselan didn’t seem to realize. He ran his hand through his luxuriously golden hair that shone even in the dark and took a deep breath.
The attendant grabbed the bag and followed behind.
Aselan moved with an unusual caution—something unthinkable for him on a normal day. He resembled an assassin sneaking through the shadows.
Thanks to that, he managed to slip out of the duke’s estate unnoticed in the deep of night.
—
The very next day, shortly after a carriage had left the Duke of Antoine’s residence under the cover of night, a black carriage with gold embellishments rolled across the central road of the Terlon Empire’s capital.
Though the capital saw countless grand carriages, one with such a distinct appearance was rare.
All eyes naturally turned toward the black carriage moving through the rain.
“We’ve arrived, my lord.”
Clen, who had become far more accustomed to the title “my lord” than his own name, unfolded his tall frame from within the carriage.
The stares drawn to the carriage now turned to Clen. His striking looks and well-built, slender frame effortlessly captured attention.
“I meant to check out the branch office first, but it seems the weather won’t allow it.”
“They say it’ll clear up by evening.”
Amelia raised the umbrella a little higher to match his height. Though Clen didn’t like that, he didn’t take it from her.
“We should invest more in the airship sector. I can’t believe there wasn’t enough space to bring a proper attendant.”
“Don’t be absurd. We rushed the schedule too much, that’s all.”
He clicked his tongue briefly, ignoring the glances sneaking at him from beyond the umbrella, and took long strides forward.
“Maybe because it’s been a rainy year, the latest raincoat package is selling well. We should’ve made some for the other doll lines too.”
“That would reduce their rarity. Not good.”
“You have to strike while the iron’s hot, you know.”
“Tell the magic department to focus on fixing defects first. I told them to make flying fairy dolls, not ones that crawl on the ground. They’re not even—”
Clen was replying curtly when a commotion behind him made him turn his head.
“Master?”
“This city is full of strange folks I just can’t understand.”
His eyes landed on a young woman wearing a white chemise dress, crouched on the wet ground, oblivious to her soaked clothes.
“She looks like a noble lady. What is she doing in this weather? She must have ruined that dress.”
“Do you have a habit of worrying about things you don’t need to?”
“She won’t even have to lift a finger to get a new one or wash it herself. I guess it was unnecessary. My apologies.”
With a crooked smirk, Clen dismissed his interest and continued walking. But he had to stop again moments later, just as he was about to enter a building, when a kitten’s mewl reached his ears.
Both Clen and Amelia instinctively turned toward the sound. His eyes caught a rather fine basket with a soggy, miserable-looking kitten crying its heart out inside.
“Please, miss! That filthy thing doesn’t deserve your basket or handkerchief! Let’s go! Why are you being so stubborn today?”
A woman who seemed to be a maid was tugging the slender lady’s wrist roughly. Though not short, the young woman had a delicate frame and couldn’t resist the force.
“It must’ve lost its mother… poor thing…”
“Miss!”
“Just a moment. Just one moment.”
As if trying to brighten the gloomy weather, the dazzling platinum blonde lady insisted on having her way. She broke free from her maid’s grip, fetched an extra umbrella from the carriage, and held it over the crying kitten in the basket.
At the very least, it wouldn’t be rained on anymore.
“Good grief.”
The maid shook her head in disbelief and finally managed to usher the lady into the carriage without further resistance.
“Busybody.”
Clen muttered as the carriage rumbled away.
At that moment, he didn’t yet know—that he’d meet that meddlesome lady again, face-to-face.
—
After returning home, Lavian had no time to think about the orphaned kitten. She barely finished changing out of her wet clothes when she was summoned to her father’s study.
“Your next fiancé will arrive the day after tomorrow.”
“So soon…?”
Lavian’s eyes widened in uncharacteristic surprise at her father’s indifferent announcement.
“What do you mean, ‘so soon’? People are already calling you a widow and a husband-killing witch. The longer we wait, the more your value drops. Tch. If he was going to die, he could’ve at least waited until the wedding vows were exchanged.”
Count Elder scowled and slammed the armrest.
Lavian couldn’t say anything back. She just chewed her lip silently.
‘I thought I’d have at least a moment of peace. I shouldn’t have felt relieved. And yet, to be thrown back into the marriage market this quickly…’
Though she mourned the death itself, Lavian had been quietly relieved not to marry him. But she’d forgotten—she couldn’t afford such luxury, not with her family’s dire situation.
Once again, she was reminded: she wasn’t allowed dreams, desires, or hope. Those things only ever shattered, leaving wounds.
“Was it that I wanted to die? No… I just wanted to live happily. But you know what? I don’t even wish for happiness anymore.”
Once again, the cruelty of blood relations carved itself into her bones. What others whispered behind her back was nothing compared to her own parents, who were eager to sell her off to the highest bidder once more.
Lavian felt shame in the face of her fate—to be sold off yet again.
“You should’ve been born a boy. Why’d you have to be a girl?”
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”
“As long as you understand, just do as I say. It’s all for your sake. We’ve arranged a dinner. Make sure to leave a good impression.”
“Yes.”
“Do you know how much effort I put into raising you? Now all you need to do is make it worthwhile. Don’t disappoint me.”
“Yes.”
It was said to be for her own good. That all she had to do was behave.
That was all Lavian could say—just, yes.
She braced herself to accept whatever fate lay ahead, trying once more to kill her feelings.
“He’s not rich, but that might be a good thing. Easier to manipulate. Don’t let this one go.”
“Yes.”
“Now get out of here.”
Count Elder waved her off like he was done with a chore.
Lavian bowed politely and left the study with a blank expression. As she walked away with perfect grace, she let out a sigh and leaned against the wall. A dull pain throbbed in her head and nausea crept in.
She knew she could never be ordinary, but why did everything feel so twisted inside?
She clenched her teeth to suppress the rising sickness.
‘I wonder how big the age gap will be this time.’
The thought came naturally. He’d likely be older than the late Marquis Bartel, not younger. Her circumstances were even worse now.
[Wealthy, old, and without an heir.]
Recalling the kind of marriage her father was aiming for, Lavian promised herself she wouldn’t be shaken no matter who she met. She straightened her posture and even forced a faint smile.
She hated everything about this, but she lied to herself.
“Fine. Everything’s just fine.”
