Episode 11
The wedding ended in such a whirlwind.
At the reception, they provided splendid food and champagne for the guests, and spent time greeting people from each family.
Although it was called a reception, it was just a very modest event. With only a few guests, and because Apollion, who wanted to return to his territory quickly, the event was scaled down.
The curse-enforcing stepmother, Lady Claire Theabrite, was the owner of a much milder temperament than I expected.
Considering her as a wicked stepmother who had cast a curse, I naturally thought she would insult me or oppress me in front of people.
Instead, Lady Claire took careful care of me, who felt awkward among people. It was a hundred times better than Apollion, who was spending time alone in the distance.
Are they both playing dual roles?
Despite her sinister thoughts, her public image was dignified and noble.
She had hidden her malicious nature behind a gentle atmosphere. Her acting skills could be considered top-notch.
Well, she’s supposed to be a villain after all. Thinking she would act villainous in front of people was too one-dimensional.
Feeling a little relieved, I nervously scratched my cheek. Still, it was good to be cautious.
I worried if Sonode would show up unexpectedly, but fortunately, there was no sign of him.
Finally, a belated sense of relief washed over me.
Yes, it’s the imperial palace after all. Sonode, who didn’t even receive an invitation, couldn’t possibly break through the strict security and enter.
Feeling a weight lifted off my shoulders, I thanked the guests for their blessings and mingled among the people.
* * *
The simple reception ended quickly.
Originally, it was common for noble weddings to have a reception until sunset, followed by an evening party until late at night.
However, since Apollion was the main figure in the wedding, most of the events were omitted.
As most of the people attending the wedding were his acquaintances, they understood the situation well enough. Thanks to that, we were able to quickly conclude the reception without any special incidents.
Ironically, the meal ended so quickly that it was almost regretful to call the imperial chefs and the band. While the band could be excused, it felt like a waste to see so much food left over.
I bid farewell to the sumptuous feast by savoring each and every one of the gourmet dishes I had never seen or heard of before.
I will never forget your hard work that enriched my palate…!
With such frivolous thoughts, I indulged in all the remaining desserts as well.
After that, I exchanged farewells with the people of the Viscount’s family.
Although it wasn’t as strict as the Joseon Dynasty, there was a perception that when a woman married, she became part of her husband’s family, and because the territories of the two families were quite far apart, it would be difficult to meet for a while.
Unlike my calm mother, my father cried like a dam had burst, making it difficult to understand him due to his incessant sobbing.
Even Forte, who pretended to be indifferent, showed tears at the last moment.
Although it had been less than two months, they were people I had grown deeply attached to. If I were to choose the person I had relied on the most in this world, I would certainly choose these three people from this family.
Even I, who had only been together for a few months, felt regret, so how much more so would it be for my family? Thinking about this, my nose inexplicably tingled with sadness.
Before I could show a more pathetic side, I turned away first. I didn’t forget to bid farewell with a promise to visit often.
With that, I headed to the Theabrite territory with my six dedicated servants, including Selena and René.
Whether it was Apollion’s consideration or social distancing, I don’t know, but thanks to him, who generously prepared the carriage, I was able to comfortably occupy a large carriage “alone” and ride.
The Theabrite territory was located to the east of the Empire, and it was enormous in size. So, after riding the carriage for two whole days, we finally arrived at the Viscount’s residence.
To the east of the territory was the vast sea, to the northwest was close to the capital, and to the south faced the Crown Kingdom across the border. In addition, there were a few small territories given by past emperors scattered throughout the Empire.
“You must be tired, so go in and rest quickly. We can talk tomorrow.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Lady Claire smiled warmly and headed towards the mansion located to the north of the estate.
Due to the large size of the Theabrite Duchy’s land, mansions were built in several places to make them easier to manage.
The mansion where Lady Claire resided in the north had the advantage of being relatively safer and closer to the capital, allowing them to be more up-to-date with the trends of the capital.
The remaining mansions totaled two, one in the center of the estate and one on the eastern coast.
The mansions in the estate were practically like huge castles, and Apollion spent most of his time in the mansion to the east, which was closer to the north mansion.
So, I also sent all my belongings to the mansion in the east.
As I got off the carriage, Apollion, who had arrived at the mansion first, was giving instructions to the servants.
He looked startled as if he had seen a ghost when he noticed me.
I approached him, stiff as a board.
“Lady, how did you come to the Pontus Mansion?”
“Pontus Mansion? Oh, so this eastern mansion is called Pontus.”
Nodding my head at the forgotten fact, I murmured.
I had seen it in books, but I didn’t remember it well.
Although I still didn’t know what it meant, I thought it was quite a cool name.
As I approached, Apollion stepped back slightly, distancing himself from me.
But I didn’t mind. I just smiled with the corners of my mouth and didn’t stop approaching him.
Apollion rolled his eyes and opened his mouth.
“Pontus Mansion… It’s… dangerous.”
“Why?”
“Well, it’s close to the sea, so the winds are strong, and…”
“Wow, that sounds refreshing.”
“…It’s not far from the enemy country, Crown.”
“Oh, then the people in the southern part of the estate might be in danger? I’ll have to protect them.”
“…”
“I’m the lady of Theabrite from today on.”
“…”
“And I’m also your wife.”
Heh heh. As I chuckled, Apollion took a deep breath.
“If you like the Pontus Mansion… I’ll move to another residence so you won’t be uncomfortable. I’ll be at the Lunatea Mansion in the center of the estate, so if you need anything-.”
“Are you saying you’ll leave me alone now?”
“…That’s not what I meant.”
“Theabrite Estate is unfamiliar since it’s my first time here. It’s scary…”
“…”
“Come to think of it, didn’t they say there’s a forest of demons near the estate? They won’t come out at night or anything, right?”
“…”
“Surely no assassins sent by the Crown Kingdom will appear…”
“…”
No words? No way? Don’t you have a conscience too?
This is revenge for the forehead kiss!
I stared at him stubbornly with a worried expression.
Contrary to appearance, there was a cunning devil raging inside of me.
Of course, I knew he wasn’t some heartless rogue leaving his wife behind to flee. I knew he was making way for me. I knew he chose to isolate himself to avoid people’s hatred. I knew it all.
But this was his home.
I at least wanted him to feel comfortable in his own home.
Thinking of him living alone, having dismissed all the servants, made me feel a pang of sadness.
It was natural that he would feel more uncomfortable now that a new person had entered his life.
But this was a choice Apollion made himself, and if that was the case, I felt even more sorry for him.
Above all, I hoped that through this opportunity, he would become more confident and upright.
I wasn’t going to force him to take off his mask, nor did I believe in silly rumors about curses.
I just hoped that Apollion wouldn’t avoid me first.
“…”
…And honestly, to tell the truth, there was a bit of sadness about the forehead kiss earlier.
I mean, it’s supposed to be a kiss of oath, but it was so unfair to think about getting a forehead kiss, something even preschoolers wouldn’t do.
Even if we were complete strangers, weren’t we a married couple? Shouldn’t he at least close his eyes and let me kiss him once?
Apollion was one of the top 5 male protagonists in my books. Instead of romance with my favorite character, it was so sad to think about getting a forehead kiss in front of everyone at the wedding.
Even thinking about the scratch on my tender heart, I decided that I would share a bed with him tonight.
According to what I read in books, people in this country considered the night very important.
Some conservative nobles even planted watchers in their rooms to make sure the night was properly observed.
Truly shocking as it was, because there was such a precedent, I could understand how important the event of the night was for a married couple.
But if he even fled from the night, then you’re really…!
Suddenly overwhelmed with sorrow, I glared at Apollion with fiery eyes.
He looked at me briefly before turning away.
“…I understand.”
In the end, Apollion sighed and turned away, and I followed the attendants to the room I would be staying in.
***
I couldn’t help but be amazed by the grandeur and luxury of the Fontus Mansion, which was several times larger than the Viscount’s Mansion.
The aura emanating from the stone building seen from the outside was impressive, but the interior decor was also elegantly magnificent.
It wasn’t too flashy, yet not too eerie either. It was a mansion with just the right amount of antique charm.
With this much space, I felt like you could even raise elephants inside the mansion.
“The mansion is so big, I wonder if we’ll even run into each other while passing by.”
He jokingly remarked, but then stopped in his tracks.
“…Apollion?”
For a moment, it was like a scene from an animation where a high school detective with a small body but a big brain appears, and a flash of insight struck my mind.
“Could it be…?”
Just to explore the interior of the Fontus Mansion, it seemed like even spending a whole day wouldn’t be enough.
The mansion was so large that it had separate quarters for the servants, and unless someone informed you of their whereabouts, you wouldn’t know where anyone was or what they were doing.
From the start, Apollion didn’t seem to have any intention of using the same mansion as me. Didn’t he tell me from the beginning to use a different mansion?
In other words, does that mean he has no intention of observing the night…?
The mansion in the center of the estate was quite a distance away from here, and it boasted the largest size among the three mansions.
For someone who had just returned from the capital and guided a tired body down to the central mansion, only to return to the eastern mansion to observe the night…
It was practically impossible.
As I finished my thoughts, my eyes involuntarily narrowed into a triangle shape.
“…You, thinking such foolish thoughts on our wedding day!”
I walked up to Apollion, who was standing still, and locked eyes with him.
No wonder it felt so calm by the seaside when it should have been windy. Sure enough, the sea breeze that should have been blowing outside was blowing fiercely in his eyes.
I smiled kindly and spoke.
“Where’s the room I’ll be using? Can you show me?”
“….”
“Is it not ready yet?”
“…It’s not that,”
“Then what is it?”
“….”
I shrugged, showing a clueless expression.
“Well, I guess there’s no choice. I’ll just have to stay in the room you’re using-“
“Show her to the room!”
Should have done this sooner.
