Chapter 5: Let’s Get Married
Paula could still vividly remember the furious words her academy friend had once spoken.
“The old geezers at the Mage Tower—no, actually, most of those Mage Tower bastards—are so outdated that they think a married woman can’t be a mage. Even though they’re the ones preventing it! I’m going to become the Tower Master and uproot them all, so future generations won’t have to suffer. Besides, work is more important than love anyway.”
“I never imagined you’d get married, Aracilla.”
Paula set down her teacup as she spoke. She was the daughter of the Marquis of Hayden and a fellow academy student of Aracilla.
Back in those days, Aracilla’s extraordinary magical talent had led to her being scouted by the Mage Tower at an early age, allowing her to juggle both her studies and work.
As a result, she had quickly realized the limitations placed on married female mages. By her mid-teens, she had already declared herself a firm believer in lifelong singlehood.
And yet, now she was suddenly getting married. Paula had been so shocked that she had nearly fallen over.
“And to think your partner is Sir Vandermir. You two will make a stunning couple.”
Paula propped her chin on her hand, leaning toward her friend with sparkling eyes.
“But seriously, just how handsome is Sir Vandermir that he managed to win you over?”
“He’s just handsome,” Aracilla replied indifferently.
Just as she was well aware of her own appearance, she also had an objective eye for others’ looks.
And Demian Vandermir was the kind of man who would still be undeniably handsome even if you tripped and caught only a fleeting glimpse of him.
“But he’s a bit annoying. Maybe because he’s a knight.”
“And you’re still marrying him?”
“Looks and personality are two separate things.”
At that, Paula burst into laughter before sighing with slight disappointment.
“Still, I wanted to see you achieve your dream. It’s a little sad.”
“It’s fine. I can always get divorced later.”
“Who thinks about divorce before they’re even married?”
Even as she scolded her, Paula couldn’t help but look at her friend with fondness. It was such an Aracilla thing to say.
“Well, I’ll keep rooting for you to become the Tower Master, no matter what.”
“While you’re at it, support both my marriage and divorce.”
“Ugh, that divorce again. Should I go to the temple every day and pray for it?”
“Yeah. ‘Safe marriage, safe divorce, and a smooth ascension to the position of Tower Master.’ Those three things.”
At the sly response, Paula chuckled and shook her head.
“Surprisingly, that part of you might go well with Sir Vandermir. If you think about it, it’s a meeting between an eccentric and a tenacious one, isn’t it?”
“Tenacious?”
“Sir Vandermir’s nickname is ‘The
Tenacious Knight.’ He left for a foreign country to study alone at a young age and returned as the youngest Sword Master in history. Of course, people say he’s relentless.”
“I see.”
It was the first time Aracila had heard Damien’s nickname, and she nodded.
An eccentric and a tenacious one.
When put side by side, it didn’t seem like a bad combination.
“Ah, look at the time. Paula, I have to go—I have an appointment with Frederick.”
Checking the clock, Aracila got up. She had met Paula briefly before heading to see Frederick.
“Alright. Say hello to Frederick for me.”
“Will do. See you later.”
Leaving the Hayden Marquisate, she made her way to a famous restaurant in the bustling city center.
The restaurant operated strictly by reservation, and her appointment was already seated at the central table on the second floor.
“Frederick!”
At the sound of his name, a handsome young man with golden hair that shimmered in the sunlight and ruby-colored eyes turned his head.
“When did you get here? You didn’t wait long, did you?”
“No, Aracila. I just arrived as well.”
Frederick’s gentle eyes curved as he smiled, his voice soft and measured.
Before she could sit down, he stood up and pulled out a chair for her.
“Oh, as expected of the Crown Prince—your manners are impeccable.”
“Don’t tease me.”
Frederick laughed, a little embarrassed, and returned to his seat.
The two had first met seven years ago at the academy.
On the day of the entrance ceremony, Frederick had gotten lost and wandered around aimlessly until he spotted Aracila strolling leisurely through the campus.
“Excuse me, my lady. Do you know where the entrance ceremony is being held?”
“Over there.”
Aracila, who had been enjoying the sunlight like a lounging cat, lazily raised her hand and pointed at a building.
“Thank you. May I also ask which department and year you belong to?”
“Me?”
Frederick had asked so he could properly thank her later, but Aracila blinked her large eyes and casually replied:
“I’m a freshman.”
“…What? Then why are you here…?”
“I overslept. Just got here.”
“…”
“Well, do you want to go together?”
And so, the two of them became the only latecomers to the entrance ceremony that year—and they became friends.
Later, they were joined by Paula Hayden, and the three of them often stuck together.
Now that they were adults, they didn’t have as much time to meet up, but they still kept in touch and occasionally shared meals.
“Are you still busy with the Tower business these days?”
“Always. There are so many people looking for the next Tower Master candidate.”
Aracila cut a piece of meat and popped it into her mouth, chewing slowly. Watching her, Frederick’s lips curled into a smile.
He subtly pushed his plate toward her and teased:
“It’s an honor that such a busy person spared time for me.”
“Glad you recognize that, Your Highness. Yet again, we successfully maintain our friendship this month.”
They exchanged playful banter, laughing as they talked.
Once the conversation had settled into a comfortable rhythm, Aracila sipped her water and brought up the real reason she had come.
“Frederick, about the ball you’re hosting next week—the one to celebrate the monster subjugation.”
“Yeah?”
“I want to make a surprise announcement there. Would that be alright?”
Frederick, who had just wiped his mouth with a napkin, blinked in surprise.
“You’re coming to the ball? Didn’t you say you weren’t attending?”
“I changed my mind. I have something to say in front of everyone.”
“What kind of surprise announcement?”
“Hmm… I can’t tell you yet. You’ll have to wait and see.”
Frederick had always been wary of the men who approached Aracila. As a friend, he claimed he was worried she might end up with the wrong person.
So, if he found out she was marrying the very knight she had always disliked, he would definitely be suspicious and start digging into it.
“Sorry, Frederick. I want your help, but I don’t want your interference.”
She already had enough obstacles. She didn’t need a friend becoming another one.
Unaware of her true thoughts, Frederick simply smiled.
“If it’s good news for you, then it’s an honor to have it announced at my ball.”
“Well… it’s not bad news. It’s something I personally wanted.”
“What is it, then? Did you achieve another feat at the Tower? Earn another star?”
“I told you, I can’t say yet. Anyway, I just wanted to make sure I could use your ball for the announcement.”
If Aracila had wanted, Frederick would have thrown an entirely new ball just for her.
So naturally, he nodded.
“Of course, even if you are a friend who keeps making me curious. Go ahead.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. As a token of appreciation, I’ll pay for today’s meal.”
“Really? Then I’ll order something expensive.”
“Nope, too late. It’s already over. Time to go.”
Snatching the menu away and hiding it behind her back, Aracila smirked as Frederick burst into laughter.
His smiling eyes held an affection that
seemed a little too deep to be just for a friend.
Aracila bought a new dress for the first time in a long while to announce her marriage.
The rose-colored dress had a décolletage neckline, and its hem was layered like delicate flower petals. The left shoulder and waist were adorned with artificial flowers in a dazzling display.
Audrey was nearly moved to tears, marveling at the fact that her young lady—who always wore robes—had finally purchased a new outfit.
“Ari, are you really going to announce your marriage today?”
Iris, who had been invited to the Crown Prince’s ball along with Aracila, asked as they rode in the carriage toward the imperial palace.
Aracila had at least given her a heads-up about the surprise announcement.
“Of course. By tomorrow, even toddlers will be screaming about it in the streets.”
“Ari…”
“Besides, our parents aren’t attending today, right? No one can stop me.”
Seeing her fairy-like younger sister grin mischievously, Iris let out a deep sigh.
“Who could stop you in the first place…”
As the carriage passed through the palace gates, Iris spoke again.
“Be careful. There will be ladies at the party who like Sir Vandermir.”
“So what? He’s marrying me anyway. If they want to admire him from afar, that’s none of my business.”
“It is your business because just marrying him will make you enemies in high society.”
Iris gently held her sister’s hand and lowered her voice.
“Especially Lady White Marquis. She’s been chasing after Sir Vandermir for years. If you announce your marriage today, she’s going to despise you.”
“That’s fine. I don’t care.”
“That’s exactly the problem…”
As Iris’s worries deepened, the carriage arrived at the banquet hall.
Aracila stepped out, holding her sister’s hand. The attendants at the entrance stared, mesmerized by the two beautiful sisters.
They stood together in front of the grand doors, marked with the imperial crest.
“Lady Iris Hugo and Lady Aracila Hugo have arrived!”
At the attendant’s booming announcement, all eyes in the hall turned toward them.
It was a rare sight to see the Hugo sisters together.
Unlike Iris, who was active in social circles, Aracila was usually holed up in the Magic Tower, making her an infrequent sight.
Even when she arrived alone, she drew attention. But now, standing beside her sister, Iris could feel the overwhelming focus on them.
“Sister, there are so many people here.”
“All the most prominent young nobles of the capital were invited to this ball.”
“Perfect.”
Aracila’s lips curled into a satisfied smile, tinted red like rose petals.
The more witnesses there were, the better. That way, the news of her marriage would spread uncontrollably.
‘Is Sir Vandermir not here yet?’
Aracila casually scanned the crowd, feeling the weight of numerous gazes upon them.
“What a rare sight to see the sisters
together.”
“Truly, the pride of the marquisate.”
Though the two had different maternal lineages, making them look quite distinct, they were both striking in their own ways.
If Iris was a delicate lily in bloom, then Aracila was a radiant springtime rose.
Iris’s beauty was elegant and refined, while Aracila’s charm had an effortless freshness that naturally captivated attention.
“Looks like the Hugo sisters will monopolize all the dance requests tonight.”
“That depends… if everyone here isn’t a bunch of shallow fools.”
As admiration and envy mingled in whispered conversations, a man began making his way across the ballroom toward them.
Aracila’s gaze fell upon him as well.
Under the chandelier’s glow, his silver hair
shimmered like dusted sugar.
Gasps spread through the crowd as people recognized him—especially when they saw whom he approached.
Sir Damian Vandermir stopped in front of Aracila and extended his hand.
“Did Sir Vandermir… just ask a woman to dance?”
“And not just any woman, but Lady Hugo, a mage?”
“What kind of relationship do they have…?”
As Aracila took his hand without hesitation, jaws dropped all around them.
The two of them, an exquisitely beautiful pair, began waltzing at the center of the hall.
It was an astonishing sight in the Setron Empire, where knights and mages were known for their animosity.
Seeing a knight and a mage dancing together was nearly unheard of.
Damian’s hand rested lightly on Aracila’s slender waist as they moved in step.
To an outsider, he appeared composed.
But Aracila, facing him up close, could tell that he wasn’t pleased.
“Are you feeling unwell? If I didn’t know better, I’d think I forced you to dance with me.”
“…I just dislike dancing. Let’s finish quickly and get to the announcement.”
“Ah, sure.”
How difficult.
She didn’t say it out loud, but her eyes certainly did as she shrugged.
Finally, as the waltz ended, she stepped away and searched for Frederick.
For some reason, he was standing among the crowd, staring blankly.
‘Frederick, I’m making the announcement.’
Aracila mouthed the words and gestured toward him.
Snapping out of his daze, Frederick quickly led her to the stage, whispering,
“Aracila… are you close with Sir Vandermir?”
“No?”
They had a contract marriage, but that didn’t mean they were close.
“Then why—”
Before he could finish, they arrived at the podium.
Frederick had no choice but to drop his question for now. Instead, he addressed the room.
“Attention, everyone. Lady Aracila Hugo has an important announcement to make.”
With all eyes on her, Aracila smiled brightly.
“Everyone, I’m getting married.”
The hall erupted into murmurs.
Aracila raised her hand.
“Who am I marrying, you ask? Sir Damian Vandermir over there.”
She gestured toward him.
“I’ll be sending out invitations soon, so I hope you all attend.”
And then, silence fell.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ✧: *. ꕥ .* :✧ﾟ. ───
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