* * *
Fortunately, I was spared from a ridiculous death.
“Ugh.”
However, when I opened my eyes, I grimaced in pain.
What is this? Where am I?
This is… a mill?
I was lying on a pile of straw in a well-maintained mill.
“Are you awake?”
Startled, I jolted upright, only to groan with a throbbing headache.
“Don’t overexert yourself. You’ve suffered a contusion.”
Who is this woman? Around my age, a woman in white clothes was looking at me.
While wrapping bandages around my ankle, the woman said, “You had a carriage accident, right? Fortunately, nothing’s broken.”
“Ah, is that so? But…”
Where is this place? And where is Carl?
As I looked around, the woman smiled softly. “Looking for your husband?”
“…”
What?
As I stared blankly, the woman kindly informed me. “Your husband went to get some food.”
“Pardon?”
“He should be back soon.”
My husband? Who? Wait, could it be! Have I been possessed into another body?
I quickly grabbed my hair to check. White hair. This white hair color was exclusive to the Windsor family’s doll syndrome patients. So, this body is definitely Danae Windsor, but…
“Your husband is so handsome. I’ve never seen someone that good-looking before.”
“…Excuse me, but who are you?”
“Ah, I’m Natty. I met your husband earlier. He has such a nice voice. I’m envious.”
“…”
I felt increasingly bewildered.
Who is this woman? And who is this husband she’s talking about? I only have a despicable fiancé, but not a husband.
“Ah, look, he’s coming in now.”
Just then, the mill’s door opened. I tensed up, looking towards the door.
Who could my husband be?
The man entering was extremely handsome. Gentle and soft features, fair skin, tousled platinum hair…
“Un…” I was about to say, ‘Uncle?’ but…
“Dana.”
Carl called my name first.
“Dana. You must have waited long.”
Then, at the speed of light, he approached and stuffed a baguette in my mouth. “Eat first. Let’s talk after eating.” He nearly blocked my mouth with the bread.
I, with my mouth full, watched Carl thank Natty.
“Thank you for taking care of her, Natty. When did my wife wake up?”
What? I nearly choked.
“Ju-Just now.” Natty, blushing, stuttered. “I-I-I’m glad I could help.”
“Haha, I’m the one who’s grateful. Thanks for treating her.”
“Then, i-if you need anything, just call me.”
“Thank you.”
I watched Natty, completely smitten with Carl, leave reluctantly. Thud, as the door closed, Carl approached with a serious face.
“I’m sorry, Dana. Are you okay?” He brushed the breadcrumbs off my lips and sighed. “How’s your body feeling?”
“Uncle, what is all this—”
“Shh!”
He shoved another piece of bread into my mouth.
“Those people think we’re a married couple.”
“…”
“If they find out we’re not, they’ll kick us out.”
I glared at him but chewed the warm, soft bread.
The situation was clear. There’s only one reason for Carl’s sudden act of playing a married couple. So, this place is…
“A land of heretics.”
“Yes.” Carl nodded gravely. “Heretics are living in Kaltusa.”
* * *
The people who worship the Moon God. The heretics had a unique culture. Everyone had to get married when they turned 18. And the chief decides who they’d be with.
Everyone marries the person chosen by the chief at 18. If someone refuses to marry- Execution or exile. It’s either one of the two.
In other words, if you’re an adult and unmarried, you’re not treated as human. Moreover, they fiercely practiced the belief that a husband and wife are one entity and couldn’t accept them traveling apart.
If a married couple wanted to live apart. It’s either being executed or exiled. In this case, they weren’t treated as humans either.
So, to treat me, Carl had to pretend we were a couple. I sighed.
Heretics living in Kaltusa, a ghost town abandoned by the empire’s people? Did they migrate from the southern continent to here?
Strictly speaking, they don’t belong to this land. They have no right to drive out Carl and me. In fact, we, as citizens of the Besman Empire, had the right to stay in Kaltusa.
“There was no time to argue since I needed to treat you first.” Carl seemed to feel very sorry for me.
“That woman earlier, Natty, is a doctor. Thanks to her, we were able to treat you, and I got the medicine for first aid.”
“I see.”
“I’m sorry, Dana. I really am.”
Of course, he’d feel sorry. After all, I was hurt because of him. I gave him a pointed look with that meaning. But…
No, no. Don’t forget my purpose for coming here. In any case, wasn’t I successful in luring Carl to Kaltusa?
Just then, the door swung open.
“Carl, how is your wife doing?”
“Ah, Chief.”
Chief?
Carl welcomed the man with a friendly smile as he walked in. He was a middle-aged man wearing pure white clothes, with a wrinkled face and a kind smile.
“Would you like some bread? The villagers are gathering for a meal. Would you care to join us?”
“No, my wife is unwell, so she needs to rest for now.”
“That’s a pity. I wanted to share some grain wine with you.”
Did they already become friends? The chief seemed to have taken quite a liking to Carl. He’s indeed a charming person when it comes to socializing.
A moment later, the chief’s gaze shifted to me, who was behind Carl.
“I am Natan, the chief of this village. I heard you were injured, so feel free to stay here until you recover.” He said this as he carefully examined me sitting on the straw heap. His face was calm, but his eyes seemed rather unpleasant.
“Thank you, but my wife is a bit shy around strangers.” Carl naturally blocked Natan’s view, shielding me from his gaze. “My wife needs rest, Chief.”
“Is that so? From what I can see, she doesn’t seem to be seriously injured.” Natan made a pointed remark and patted Carl on the shoulder. “Think about what I mentioned earlier. Even as outsiders, you’re welcome to join the ritual. The ritual will continue for a few more days.”
With that, Natan left the mill.
“Is he the chief?”
“Yes. Funny, isn’t it? Occupying a ghost town and pretending to be the chief.”
“But what was he talking about just now? What ritual?”
“Well…”
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