Episode 43
‘What’s so great about Marius that big sis has to go that far?’
Of course, Marius was handsome, but you couldn’t exactly live off someone’s face…
No, actually, he had a face worth living off. And he had plenty of money to live off without working.
‘Ugh. I lost to Marius.’
“The parties to the oath will be Miss Alice Berchio and the senator. The witness will be…”
“I will be the witness.”
At Marius’s gesture, his assistant Max brought over the documents and a fountain pen.
When François snapped his fingers, the documents and pen floated at an angle in midair as if placed on an invisible table.
“Please review the oath one last time.”
Big sis quickly scanned the document and picked up the pen.
François briefly explained the contents of the oath.
“As long as Alice Louisa Berchio holds the position of Empress of the Empire, she may not use the ability of ‘Ice Tempest’ to harm the Empire. Do you agree?”
“Yes. I agree.”
Big sis answered shortly and signed.
Then a light that had been spinning in François’s hand circled above her and was absorbed into her heart.
Likewise, Marius also finished signing.
Another light circled over Marius and was absorbed into his heart.
And the final remaining light…
“Gasp!”
It split into dozens of strands and was absorbed by the nobles attending the wedding.
Stifled screams echoed through the chapel.
“Since this oath is endorsed by the council, the members who were present at the time are also considered to have sworn it.”
“But this is—”
“You’re not going to claim you forced them without even understanding what a soul oath is, are you?”
Marius’s chilling question carried the warning and weight of someone who could grab the other by the throat.
“With this, the soul oath is complete.”
François gave a slight bow and returned to his seat, and the wedding resumed.
The wedding was grand and splendid, but also a terribly somber event.
So I thought, just a little—really, just a tiny bit—that it would be nice if my two sisters never got married and just lived with me forever.
***
“Sis! Big sis! Is your heart okay?”
As soon as the wedding ended, I ran to find big sis.
Wearing a ring with a large diamond, she welcomed me warmly.
“I’m fine, not even a bit of pain. Were you worried?”
“What if big sis’s chest hurt? That guy was so mean. Boohoo.”
“I’m really fine. It doesn’t hurt at all. Wasn’t it boring? It must’ve been hard to sit still.”
“Do I look like a kid? I didn’t even yawn! Big sis, you absolutely can’t die. If it hurts, you have to tell me. Got it?”
I said it because I was truly worried, but big sis just smiled sweetly and patted my head.
“Okay. I will.”
“You promise. Promise!”
“Then let’s make a deal. Aren’t you hungry? You didn’t even have breakfast. Regina, take Lilliana and go to the banquet hall and make sure she eats something.”
“No! I’ve got something to do here!”
Since I hadn’t granted Marius a wish, I had to get my revenge.
I forced myself to stay next to big sis, but even as time passed, Marius didn’t show up.
‘He must’ve run away because he’s scared of me.’
I’d planned to bite him in revenge, but he must’ve found out and fled in fear.
With no choice, I decided to wait for the next opportunity and let little sis drag me to the banquet hall.
“Hurry up and eat!”
Edgar, who was already eating, patted the seat next to him.
As soon as I sat down, he pushed a plate piled with salmon toward me.
“They’re over there.”
Edgar pointed with his fingertip at one of the tables.
There sat Helen Eldridge and Chris Ruman.
Seeing them instantly washed away the gloomy mood I had because of big sis.
It was time to make them pay for being mean to me last time.
***
“At least it’s a relief that guy seems to be on big sis’s side.”
After the wedding, Emilia checked the oath her sister had signed.
“I thought he’d completely ignore the soul oath.”
Thanks to Marius attaching several conditions to the soul oath, Alice could still use her abilities somewhat freely.
There were limitations, of course, but compared to the beginning when she was leashed like a guard dog, it was much better.
“He wasn’t on my side. He was just trying to hold my leash. He’s not a man I can trust.”
“As long as their interests align, that’s all that matters.”
“……”
If her abilities weren’t restricted, the council would’ve continued to question her qualifications as empress.
Her contract husband didn’t seem inclined to help.
“I didn’t think big sis would agree to the oath so easily. I thought she’d fight harder.”
“I thought about it too, but…”
A faint smile appeared on Alice’s face.
What she said next, Emilia was sure she would never forget for the rest of her life.
“I only cooperated as much as I could because I believed you would develop the cure.”
“Sis…”
“With the emperor’s support, you even got the Tower Master and unraveled the disease in less than a month, right?”
“I’ll find a way even if I have to squeeze every last drop out of François.”
“Good.”
Though she trusted Emilia, Alice was ready to end both Marius and François herself if anything happened to Lilliana.
She just didn’t bother confessing that far.
“Emilia. I know why you came from Trovancha. I’m really sorry… and thank you.”
“Regina and I—we’re adults who can at least earn our own keep now. Sis doesn’t need to protect us, and we made our own choice, so you don’t have to feel guilty.”
“You have no idea how reassuring it is to have you two around.”
At that moment, the maids approached Alice to inform her that her hair needed retouching before the celebration banquet.
“I’ll be off. See you later.”
Alice went in to finish getting ready, and Emilia stepped out of the room.
Just then, she ran into Marius, who had been about to knock.
“Hello, little sister-in-law.”
At the word “sister-in-law,” Emilia’s face twitched slightly.
Pretending not to notice, Marius gave his usual sly grin.
“Hey.”
“Hey? You mean brother-in-law.”
“Sure. Bro-ther-in-law. Let me give you a warning as the sister-in-law.”
“Oh dear. How scary.”
Though he didn’t look the least bit afraid, his tone was exaggerated.
Annoyed, Emilia huffed and said,
“We’re behind my sister. Me, Regina, and Andrea brother. So if you mess with big sis again…”
Click. Emilia stepped one foot closer to Marius.
They were close enough to feel each other’s breath, but the tension between them was anything but romantic.
Emilia was razor-sharp, while Marius looked down at her with a smug expression.
“I’ll curse you so hard not even a high priest could lift it.”
Tap. Her long finger poked right at Marius’s chest.
He chuckled, flashing a row of white teeth.
“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind, so why don’t you go enjoy some champagne, little sister-in-law?”
He smoothly wrapped his fingers around hers, spun her around, and pushed her into the hallway.
Before she could respond, click, he shut the door.
***
Since it was a union between a Trovancha and the imperial family, Regina and Emilia wore Trovancha-style dresses.
Bold colors, ornate patterns, and designs rarely seen in the Empire immediately drew the eyes of the nobles.
“Where’s the youngest?”
“She said she had something to do with the young duke and left.”
“They seem to be getting along. I thought they fought every time they met.”
“They probably fight and make up ten times a day.”
“Really? Well, it’s a good thing she has a friend now. Oh, that guy’s looking at you. Seems like he’s interested. Eleven o’clock. Don’t look directly… but if he asks you to dance, say yes.”
“Let’s go somewhere else and have fun—”
Before Regina could finish, a well-dressed man cleared his throat and greeted them.
“It may be impolite to approach without an introduction, but you’re so beautiful I hope you’ll forgive the offense. I’m Hans Ovitz.”
“…Regina Berchio.”
“Even your name is beautiful. May I have the honor of this dance?”
“Sure. Regina just said she wanted to dance.”
Emilia nudged Regina forward.
Caught off guard, she took Hans’s hand and walked to the center of the ballroom.
As the music began, her brightly colored dress flared dramatically with each turn.
Her golden hair sparkled under the chandelier, and Hans’s smile brightened.
“May I have the next dance as well?”
To the man’s question, Regina smiled brightly and replied.
“What was the bet?”
“Pardon? What do you…”
“You made a bet about me, didn’t you? Was it for money? Or something else?”
As Hans stood there speechless and flustered, Regina scoffed in his face.
Hans’s friends clapped hands with each other as if they hadn’t even tried to hide their bet once the two began dancing.
“Just know I’m letting it slide today because it’s a good day.”
Regina stomped down on Hans’s foot.
The high heel jabbed into his instep mercilessly, and Hans groaned in pain.
She leaned in and whispered in her signature sweet tone,
“Unlike my big sister or Emilia, I don’t care about appearances when I’m mad. Do this again, and we’ll go down together. Got it? Hohohot.”
Fanning herself, she turned away to cool her sweaty face.
Hans stood frozen, blankly staring at her retreating figure.
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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