Married To My Fiance's Brother

 

Episode 1

 

My husband died.

 

To be precise, the person who was supposed to be my husband died.

 

“He died in an explosion. They couldn’t even find a piece of his body, let alone his clothes.”

 

It was late at night when my father called me after I had finished getting ready for bed.

 

It was a bewildering and horrifying piece of news. But what was even more bewildering was what my father said next.

 

“However, the royal family has proposed a marriage alliance with the second prince.”

 

“…What? Father, what are you talking about?”

 

Just the news of my fiancé’s death had already left me speechless with shock.

 

But what is my father talking about now? I was at a loss for words, and could only cover my mouth with my hand.

 

“It’s simple. From the beginning, you were meant for Prince Ezar.”

“Your marriage has been arranged with Prince Khalid… You should accept it.”

 

“No, Father. How is that even possible? They are completely different people.”

 

“They may have different personalities, but they look exactly alike. They are twins born on the same day.”

 

My father stood by the window in his moonlit study, looking out. Then he turned to me with a sigh.

 

“You’re not going to object now, are you? You’re not too young to know the expectations of our family.”

 

“That may be true, but…”

 

“Anyway, it’s settled. You should be prepared to visit the palace soon for the funeral.”

 

My father gestured for me to leave, saying it was late. I had no choice but to walk down the corridor with a troubled expression. Candles were lit at regular intervals on the long walls of the corridor, but my vision was still dark. Or maybe it was just my mood.

 

It was no wonder, considering I had just heard the news of my fiancé’s death.

 

“Khalid…”

 

I muttered to myself as I walked down the quiet corridor with no one around.

 

My grandfather bought a title, and in society, we are considered fake nobles.

Our family, unlike the one called “La,” has noble blood running through our veins.

 

However, due to a long-standing war from several generations ago, the imperial finances were in a dire state.

 

Mountains of debt and ongoing small and large-scale regional wars across the empire.

 

About ten years ago, the current emperor, unable to bear any more debt, made a difficult decision.

 

Although it lacked legitimacy, he decided to join hands with our family, which was overflowing with wealth.

 

There’s a saying to strike while the iron is hot. The current emperor immediately proposed a marriage alliance with our family.

 

At the time, I was just 10 years old and knew nothing as I held my father’s hand and went to the palace.

 

And just like that, I was engaged to Prince Ezar, who was also just a clueless 10-year-old.

 

“It’s already been 10 years.”

 

Fortunately, Prince Ezar was what people call a “perfect fiancé.” He had a splendid appearance and elegant manners befitting a noble, and not once did he cause any trouble with other women.

 

Even when others criticized our family behind our backs, he never flinched and even scolded those who were rude to me.

 

I graduated from the noble education institution, Barkalia, with Prince Ezar and his twin brother, Prince Khalid. Even when we studied together, Prince Ezar and I got along well due to his kind nature.

 

But with Prince Khalid, well…

 

We had an awkward and uncomfortable relationship. Our personalities clashed often, and above all, he had a firm belief that my father sold him to me for money.

 

Of course, it wasn’t entirely wrong. But… honestly, wasn’t I doing the same thing, selling myself to Ezar for power?

 

However, whether Khalid knew this fact or not, he always showed a harsh and grumpy attitude towards me.

 

Of course, now that Ezar is dead, the situation has changed.

It was a long story…

 

But now, I have to marry someone I don’t even like. I have to form a bond with my future spouse.

 

A lonely feeling suddenly overwhelmed me, and my eyes began to sting. It felt like I was left alone in the world, and the feeling washed over me like a wave.

 

But no matter how I feel, isn’t this too extreme? I stopped in the hallway and covered my face with both hands.

 

Then, the image of Ezar, the last person I saw before everything turned dark, came to mind.

 

“When I come back, I’ll formally propose to you.”

 

Ezar called me to a garden full of lilacs, which I loved, just before he left on a journey. He wasn’t particularly interested in flowers.

 

But when I casually mentioned during my time at the educational institution, Barkalia, Ezar managed to remember and planted an enormous amount of lilac flowers in the garden of the prince’s palace.

 

He had promised that if I became the princess, he would ensure that I could enjoy the beautiful garden every day.

 

I remember the memory of his silvery hair shimmering in the wind, and his eyes, resembling amethysts, gazing straight at me.

 

At that moment, my heart pounded as if it were racing. I had been by Ezar’s side for a long time, but it was only at that moment that I finally realized.

 

I was in love with Ezar.

 

“The damn wars, wars, wars…”

 

Why did it have to be Ezar who went off to war and died? That Khalid guy has gone off to war several times and always returned unharmed.

 

I have no time to mourn Ezar, as everything seems to be progressing without me.

 

I couldn’t bring myself to speak up in front of my father. I couldn’t bear the thought of marrying anyone other than Ezar.

 

I already knew that my wishes wouldn’t matter in this marriage proposal. But I hated it. I hated it so much. I only want Ezar.

 

Before I knew it, my eyes were filled with tears.

 

Whatever happens, in the end, this is my life. Why can’t my wishes have any influence on the decisions that determine my life?

 

I wiped my eyes. But I couldn’t stop the tears that had been held back in my study from flowing.

 

Each step I took felt like carrying a heavy burden. Suddenly, I found myself sobbing.

 

I just wanted to see Ezar one more time, even if it’s just for a day. But the reality was cruel to the point of being chilling. I was forced to marry a man other than Ezar, following my father’s wishes.

 

“A life like a marionette.”

 

I murmured in self-pity and wiped my wet cheeks. Tomorrow was Ezar’s funeral.

The funeral was held at the royal temple located in the capital. As the prince of the country had passed away, there were countless mourners.

 

From the beggars on the streets to the people of the royal family, the area around the temple was packed with people.

 

However, the central throne, where the deceased should have been placed, remained empty as he hadn’t left a single trace.

 

“I still can’t believe it. Ezar… leaving us like that.”

 

“I feel the same, Your Highness. Every morning, I wake up wondering if I’m just dreaming.”

“Renata.”

 

Standing by the emperor’s side at the funeral, I listened to the archbishop’s prayer. Emperor Hikallis II seemed even more haggard than when I had last seen him.

 

Towering over others with his large stature, his golden hair streaked with silver, and sorrowful violet eyes, he bore a striking resemblance to Ezar, except for the appropriate wrinkles around his eyes.

 

As if sensing my gaze, Emperor Hikallis II momentarily paused the archbishop’s prayer and gently patted my back, as if to comfort me.

 

Oh, what’s this? Wait, I feel like I’m about to cry.

 

I forced a smile and shook my head, indicating that he need not worry.

 

The emperor had often looked after me like a daughter since I was young, and over the long span of ten years, he had grown fond of me. It had started as an exchange between noble families for money and power, but over time, he had developed a genuine affection for me.

 

After all, I was supposed to marry Ezar and become a part of the royal family. Of course, that fact hadn’t changed, except that the person I was supposed to marry was no longer Ezar.

It was a time when hymns echoed through the lofty and grand temple.

 

My father, standing beside me, subtly nudged my shoulder, signaling that he wanted to keep me close to Prince Khalid without the emperor noticing.

 

“Your Highness, I’ve been feeling concerned for a while now.”

 

“What is it? Speak up.”

 

“Where on earth is Prince Khalid…?”

 

I knew what my father was getting at, so I asked. At that moment, Emperor Hikallis II’s face darkened for a brief moment.

 

“Even at a time like this, you’re being lazy. Since you’ve come to the temple together, he must be somewhere around here.”

 

“If it’s alright, may I go and look for him?”

 

“Go ahead. The basic funeral procedures are almost finished now.”

 

“Then, with your permission, I’ll take my leave first…”

 

I bowed my head respectfully towards Emperor Hikallis II, raising it again, only to be met with a worried voice pouring out like a torrent.