She Was Sent by God

 

 

“If anyone dares to look down on you, please let me know right away,” Laslo said firmly.

 

Agnes just grinned sluggishly without mentioning any names.

 

The door quietly slid open. A servant made a loud announcement that the Duke and Duchess had arrived. The people who were dancing, the music, the laughter, and all the other sounds abruptly stopped. With a straight back, Agnes moved forward. A curious and stinging look was cast upon her.

 

The music, which had been abruptly stopped, slowly resumed playing after the Duke and Duchess had taken a seat. Laslo stood up and raised his glass.

 

“I am delighted to be able to formally introduce my wife here tonight; remember, she is now officially the lady of Estar Castle as of yesterday; treat her as you would treat me.”

 

The knights with long swords replied loudly, “We’ll keep that in mind.”

 

Laslo looked around him and yelled loudly.

 

“Glory to the thousand-year fortress!”

 

“Glory!”

 

As he led the chant, the others raised their glasses and echoed in a loud voice. Everyone seemed to utter the phrase without any doubt

 

Estar is a thousand-year-old fortress.

 

It is said by all that it is an impregnable fortress that has never been breached since its construction. However, Agnes vividly remembers how this fortress was breached and fell.

 

“May I offer you a drink?”

 

Her train of thought was cut short by an amiable voice. In front of Agnes, Zoltan was holding a drink. He was excessively polite, unlike usual.

 

She smiled warmly and extended her empty cup.

 

“Sure.”

 

“Welcome to Estar, Princess.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

In contrast to the booze consumed in the palace, this alcohol was potent distilled liquor. Agnes quietly emptied the cup.

 

After Zoltan had disappeared, the vassals rose one by one to approach Agnes. They offered alcohol and spoke encouraging words to her, wary of Laslo’s eyes.

 

“I never expected to meet the princess here.”

 

“Sir Beller.”

 

With a smile, a familiar face approached her. When she saw him, Agnes was delighted.

 

“I still recall my first encounter with the princess at the palace. At the time, I never imagined seeing you in Estar. By the way, does the princess remember playing ball with Prince Chavolti until your cheeks turned red? You were barely the height of my shin at the time. When I saw the princess and prince at that time, I thought I needed to get married and start a family as soon as possible. It was adorable to see the two of you playing together. Oh, I really ought to get married and have some cute kids so I can play ball with them every day…”

 

“I see you still talk a lot,” Agnes cut off Beller’s endless ramblings.

 

He would talk nonstop for ten minutes by himself if she didn’t do this.

 

“Haha, why would my nature change? Well, this is my wife. We’ve been married for five years.”

 

He gestured to a blonde woman standing beside him.

 

“I’m Christina.” 

 

That was all. Unlike her husband Beller, Christina was extremely quiet.

 

After dismissing the couple, a person she had been looking forward to meeting appeared.

 

“My name is Buschke Hershko, Madam. I primarily stay at the west watchtower and occasionally assist with this and that.”

 

“I see, I heard that you serve as this castle’s advisor.”

 

“I simply lived a little longer and knew a little more than others.”

 

The old woman’s smile was unusually peaceful. Although Buschke spoke in a humble manner, people from other nearby territories would travel to her for advice due to her reputation as a sage.

 

“I learned from a maid that you paid this old woman a visit in the afternoon.”

 

Agnes answered right away, “Yes, I have something to ask you.”

 

Bushke simply smiled.

 

“When are you available?”

 

“Whenever Madam wants,” she politely replied.

 

“Can you visit me tomorrow morning, then?”

 

“I’ll do that.”

 

Bushke offered Agnes a drink before she left. She drank the entire contents of the glass in one go. Her throat was throbbing. She turned her head to look beside her. Because they were sitting so far apart, it was difficult to see Laslo’s face clearly.

 

When you were nearing death, what expression did you make? Did you blame me or curse me? You must have regretted marrying me.

 

It was impossible to imagine his final moments. Laslo, throughout their marriage, resembled a huge mountain. He was someone who never faltered, no matter what difficulties arose.

 

Agnes poured another drink for herself. She felt a slow sting in her stomach and throat. At the same time, her eyes had begun to turn red for no apparent reason. She quickly wiped them away with her hands before anyone noticed.

 

After greeting countless individuals, the evening came. Laslo approached her first and said, “You must be tired. Go back first.”

 

“What about you?”

 

“I still need to talk to the vassals about some issues.”

 

Agnes rose from her seat, nodding lightly.

 

“It’s late, so don’t stay up too late; go to bed at the right time.”

 

Laslo’s expression changed when she spoke gently.

 

“Why?”

 

“No, it’s just been a long time since I heard that after my parents died.”

 

“Then you’ll hear it so much from now on that your ears will hurt.”

 

She didn’t intend for him to laugh, but Laslo burst into loud laughter. The laughter was so loud that other people stared at them.

 

“I’m looking forward to it,” Laslo said, looking Agnes in the eyes.

 

“… look forward to everything.”

 

Agnes avoided looking into his eyes for some reason.

 

She motioned to Ney, who was standing nearby. As soon as Agnes called, she hurried over.

 

“Do you want to return to your bedroom?”

 

“Yes.”

 

They arrived at a crossroads after passing through a long corridor with torches hanging along the walls. Agnes’ bedroom could be found to the right.

 

“Madam?”

 

Agnes paused for a long time and hesitated.

 

“Let’s go this way”

 

“Oh, that way is…”

 

Ney looked at Agnes and hesitated. Laslo’s bedroom was in that direction. The maid was wary because they hadn’t yet spent the night together.

 

“Don’t worry.”

 

As expected, when they approached Laslo’s bedroom, the servant who was setting up the bedding jumped in surprise.

 

“Madam, the Master has still not come back.”

 

“I know. I’ll wait inside. Let me know when he arrives.”

 

“Yes.”

 

The servant retreated. Ney looked around busily and brought some clothes for Agnes to change into.

 

“Do you want me to redo your makeup?”

 

“There’s no need; I’m tired. Take it off now, and go back.”

 

The bedroom was silent and still after Ney had left. The fire that was burning in the room was the only sound. As Agnes relaxed her tense body and felt the warmth of the fire beside her, she slowly began to drift off to sleep. She initially tried to hold it together by pinching her thigh, but eventually she sat down at the table and fell asleep.

 

“…Princess.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Are you awake?”

 

Laslo was standing in front of her with a somewhat awkward expression. It was only then that Agnes realized she had fallen asleep at the table.

 

The candle had burned down by half.

 

“I’ll call your maid. You must have entered the wrong bedroom because of the alcohol.”

 

“No.”

 

As Laslo turned to leave, Agnes grabbed the hem of his clothes.

 

“Actually, I’m here to ask you a question.”

 

“What do you wish to ask?”

 

Laslo turned to face Agnes, who was seated in front of the table. She released her grip on his clothing’s hem.

 

Why did you die for me?

 

What she really wanted to ask was buried deep within her heart.

 

“Please sit down.”

 

Agnes swallowed her dry saliva and offered him the seat in front of her.

 

“What is it?”

 

As if anticipating it would last a while, he pulled out the chair across from her and sat down.

 

“I won’t mince words.”

 

“Please speak freely,” Laslo said innocently.

 

“How come you haven’t visited my bedroom in the last few days?”

 

It is a legal requirement for husbands and wives to spend the night together as a married couple.

 

The two had never spent the night together.

 

“Uh, well, that’s…”

 

Laslo looked bewildered at that exact moment. He appeared to be looking for reasoning rather than providing an honest response.

 

“Am I not good enough? Because I’m young, ignorant of the world and don’t have a dowry?”

 

Agnes exhaled heavily. She had so many flaws that she was unable to maintain her composure and bowed her head.

 

“That’s not it.”

 

Laslo shook his head slowly.

 

“Or do you have someone in your heart by chance?”

 

She couldn’t help but imagine the worst-case scenario, which she tried to avoid thinking about. He wasn’t the type to have an affair while married, but it wasn’t impossible if he had someone in mind prior to this convenience marriage.

 

“What? No way!”

 

Fortunately, Laslo waved his hands and denied it.

 

“Then why not? If it’s not because you don’t like me or have a lover, why won’t you spend the night with me? Don’t you realize this is a major concern for my reputation?”

 

“Princess.”

 

Laslo struggled to open his mouth as Agnes’ voice got louder and louder.

 

“Are you content with this marriage? Is the princess happy about it?”

 

Contentment? Happiness? 

 

The unexpected words struck her heart. She couldn’t figure out why he was asking this.