Chapter 12
Please Marry Me
“Brother Leon, I’ve decided to visit the Magnus duchy.
I’ll be taking the manor’s carriage, so there’s no need to worry too much. I’ll be back soon, I’m sorry.”
Evelyn knew it was only a matter of time before her independent decision to borrow Leon’s carriage and runoff was discovered. Before leaving, she quickly wrote a short note and climbed into the carriage.
Fortunately, with the capital’s transportation gates, it would only take a day and a half to reach the duke’s territory.
Traveling alone to the infamous northern lands during winter was intimidating, but thanks to the skilled coachman, she reached the north comfortably.
Now, only one challenge remained:
Getting through the grand gates and stepping foot into the northern territory.
As the carriage slowed down near the snowy road, the guards approached.
“State your affiliation”(It refers to the organization).
“I’m from Sir Leonhardt Dominique’s household.”
The experienced coachman handed over Leonhardt Dominique’s emblem. Evelyn peeked through the curtain, watching the situation unfold.
‘They need to open the gates…’
Luckily, the guards seemed to have been informed, as they opened the gates without further questions.
Once inside, a new landscape unfolded before Evelyn’s eyes. Unlike the houses in the capital, these had a unique architecture. As she admired the surroundings, a grand mansion came into view from a distance.
Her pupils trembled slightly at the imposing sight of the mansion.
‘So, this is the Magnus duchy…’
The mansion resembled the proud and noble aura of the man she’d met that day—Diego Magnus.
The carriage stopped at the gates, where the guards relaxed upon seeing the familiar vehicle.
‘This is the final step. Once I get past this gate, I’ll be able to meet him.’
Thinking the security at the mansion might be less strict than at the northern gates, Evelyn felt a brief moment of relief.
But as a guard approached the carriage to confirm her identity, Evelyn realized she had underestimated them.
“Is this Sir Leonhart’s visit?”
“The visitor is Sir Leonhardt Dominique’s younger sister, Lady Evelyn.”
The guard tilted his head in confusion and checked the visitor list with his colleague. The only listed visitor was Leonhardt Dominique, not his sister.
Knocking on the carriage window, the guard asked for permission to open it. Upon receiving Evelyn’s nod, he carefully opened the door.
“I’ve been informed that you’re Sir Leonhart’s younger sister. Do you have any identification to prove your claim?”
Evelyn presented a pendant bearing the Dominique family’s crest.
The guard, now convinced of her identity, asked for her visit.
“I understood Sir Leonhardt himself was visiting. Why are you here instead?”
“Oh, my brother had an urgent matter to attend to, so I came in his place…”
“Will Sir Leonhardtbe visiting later, then?”
Evelyn broke into a nervous sweat at the guard’s sharp questioning.
She adjusted her tone, determined to appear composed.
“My brother entrusted me with a task. He couldn’t come, so I had to meet His Grace myself. Is that a problem?”
The guard hesitated. According to protocol, he should turn her away, but it seemed unkind to dismiss a guest who had traveled so far.
“Let me inform His Grace,” he finally decided.
Sitting gracefully, Evelyn was served a warm cup of tea.
She alternated her gaze between the steaming tea and the stern face of the man before her. Diego Magnus held a letter in his hand—the very letter she had written, pretending to be Leon.
As his gaze shifted between the letter and Evelyn, a faint smile played on his lips.
“So, it seems you didn’t come here for something related to Leon.”
“…”
“You lied, didn’t you?”
Evelyn flinched as Diego’s words hit their mark.
“Did you write this letter yourself?” he asked directly.
“Yes… I did.”
Surprisingly, Diego chuckled, though Evelyn couldn’t tell if it was mockery or amusement.
“You must have a compelling reason to come all this way to see me.”
“…”
“What’s the reason?”
Though his tone was softer than usual, Evelyn could sense a faint impatience.
Gathering her courage, Evelyn smiled politely and began.
“I thought it would be rude to dive straight into the main topic. First, I’d like to thank you for welcoming me despite the unexpected visit.”
“I see.”
Contrary to her expectations, Diego gave an unexpected reply.
“I needed to speak with your brother anyway. Thanks to you, I don’t have to go out of my way.”
“Oh…”
“If you have any messages for him, feel free to relay them. Or write them down, and I’ll pass them along when I visit.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Diego interrupted.
“…Pardon?”
“I’ll handle it myself. You don’t need to concern yourself.”
Evelyn hesitated, unsure why Diego had mentioned her brother if he didn’t intend to involve her.
Before she could dwell on it, Diego shifted the conversation.
“Now that the formalities are over, shall we get to the point? Why did you come here, Lady Evelyn?”
Sensing his patience waning, Evelyn straightened her posture and met his gaze.
“I know this may come as a surprise, but I came here to propose something to Your Grace.”
“A proposal?”
A flicker of interest crossed Diego’s face.
“I don’t entertain proposals, Lady Evelyn. I’m not the kind to kindly accept things out of generosity.”
His tone grew sharper.
“The only thing I consider is a deal—a fair trade where both sides benefit significantly.”
The word “deal” lingered in Evelyn’s mind.
It was the only way someone like her—a disliked member of the Dominique family—could stand as an equal to Diego Magnus, the ruler of the north.
“I’ll correct myself. I came here to make a deal with you.”
Diego’s crimson eyes lit up with curiosity.
“A deal?”
“Yes, a deal.”
“You think you have something I want?” he asked, a hint of skepticism in his voice.
“Yes, I do,” Evelyn replied confidently.
“Then tell me.” Diego leaned back in his chair, signaling for her to continue.
Evelyn took a deep breath and lifted her head.
“The deal I propose is… marriage. Your Grace, please marry me.”
