SOWD Chapter 115

Chapter 115

“Why… would you make such a proposal? I just, I don’t quite…”

“Ah, yes, it must be shocking to you. I’m sorry for throwing it at you so suddenly.”

Laszlo let out a deep breath and began to explain the situation from the beginning.

“As I told you before, there’s a one-month grace period after your pardon. During that time, you’re neither a criminal nor officially reinstated as a member of the Canyon Count family.”

“Yes, I understood that part.”

“So, during that time, you can change your family affiliation. Lady Celestine could have adopted you, but adoption while your parents are still alive is controversial and time-consuming.”

Idel’s gaze gradually steadied.

“So the easiest method was marriage.”

“Exactly. And your partner would need to be someone powerful enough that neither the Canyon Count family nor the Marquis of Winblair could easily interfere.”

“Ah…!”

At that moment, Idel fully understood why Laszlo had requested her pardon now and why he had proposed marriage.

For some reason, Laszlo added a few words like an excuse, as if uncertain.

“Of course, this marriage would be temporary. Once the Canyon family no longer has any reason to reclaim you, and if you wish to leave, I’ll agree to a divorce immediately.”

In truth, this was the best way to ensure Idel wouldn’t be dragged back to the Canyon family.

But Idel slowly shook her head.

“I understand what you’re saying, my lord. But I can’t accept it.”

“What…?”

Laszlo had anticipated she might dislike the idea, but he hadn’t expected a flat-out rejection. In fact, he might have even felt a bit hurt.

“Didn’t you agree to accept whatever I proposed?”

His tone grew slightly stubborn as he asked, lips tightly pressed together. Idel looked up at him with a bitter expression.

“You’re offering to marry me, something you never planned on. I know men have a bit more freedom, but even so—whether it’s a first or second marriage still matters in society.”

“…Me? You’re talking about me?”

“Of course, my lord. You’re someone everyone admires. But having been married to someone like me—tainted as I am—would not be looked on kindly by any noble house. You’ll lose many good marriage prospects.”

When Laszlo realized Idel was rejecting him for his sake, a tight frustration filled his chest.

“If not me… is there anyone else who can get you out of this situation?”

“I… I could just run away…”

“If you disappear during the grace period, the pardon is revoked.”

“Ah! Then what if I commit another crime? That would cancel the pardon and the Canyon family would give up on me.”

“Haa…”

Laszlo sighed heavily, then took Idel’s wrist and led her to the window.

Despite it being winter, the day was unusually bright and clear.

“Look. Isn’t it a beautiful world?”

“Eh? Y-yes, it is…”

“And you want to live in a beautiful world like this as a criminal for the rest of your life? Do you really have to?”

“But just so I can live well, I can’t be a burden to you, especially after all the kindness you’ve shown me—”

“It’s because of that kind of thinking you married the Duke of Lancaster, and got captured for something you didn’t even do. Have you already forgotten that?”

Idel fell silent, just as frustrated as he was.

To be honest, the moment Laszlo proposed to her, she realized a truth she had been avoiding.

‘I… I must’ve fallen for him.’

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so happy about the proposal. In that fleeting moment, she had imagined a wedding with exchanged rings and even sharing a bed with him. Instead of feeling scared or disgusted, it had thrilled her so much her arm hairs stood on end.

‘I want to say yes! Even if it’s temporary, I want to live as your wife!’

But how could she possibly accept it?

Raised solely for the purpose of marrying into one of the Four Great Houses, Idel knew all too well how noble society treated marriage.

If she, a criminal, a maid, a widow, were to marry Laszlo and then divorce him, people would talk when he tried to remarry.

Ladies of noble birth, proper and refined, would never choose him. Even if marriage did happen—forced by the emperor or family pressure—it would take a long time for the bride to open her heart to him.

She couldn’t pretend she didn’t know this. She couldn’t trade his long-term happiness for a moment of her own. Especially now, when she was sure of her feelings.

“This must be my fate. I was born wearing shackles I can’t escape.”

As Idel spoke with her eyes closed, as if giving up, Laszlo burst out angrily.

“What nonsense! That’s not fate!”

“My lord…”

“You sound like a mouse worrying about a cat. You’re worried about my remarriage? Do I look like someone who’d throw away a promise to protect you just because of something like that?”

“You deserve a happier life, my lord! Why would you stain your honor because of someone like me?”

“Hey, Idel! I didn’t propose to you just for your sake—!”

He was just about to argue back when a knock came, followed by Margaret’s voice.

“My lord, Madam Barbara Celestine, the Marchioness Dowager, has arrived. She’s been shown into the drawing room. Shall I tell her how long you’ll be?”

At that moment, silence fell between Laszlo and Idel.

Laszlo took a moment to calm his rapid breathing and replied.

“No need. I’ll be there shortly.”

Then he looked at Idel again and spoke in a low voice.

“Let’s continue this conversation in front of Lady Celestine. Let’s see whose side she takes.”

He grabbed her wrist and led the way.

As he strode ahead like a bull, Idel felt a confusing mix of emotions.

She should stop him… but somewhere in her heart, joy was bubbling up. Yet the etiquette, reason, and social rules she had been taught for so long screamed at her.

“Ungrateful thing!”
“True love puts the other person’s happiness first. How can you only think of your own?”
“You’re a widow! And your former husband was old enough to be your father! What will people think of Laszlo?”

Lost in such tormenting thoughts, Idel didn’t even notice Laszlo walking her all the way to the drawing room by the wrist—or that the other servants had witnessed it.

When they entered the room where Barbara was waiting, the fierce debate they had just shared was momentarily forgotten.

For Barbara—ever the epitome of nobility—was pacing instead of sitting.

“Barbara…?”

Idel was the first to greet her, worried about the older woman’s bad leg.

But when Barbara saw her, she rushed over and hugged her tightly, her leg be damned.

“Idel! Oh, Idel…”

“Barbara! What’s wrong?”

At first, Idel thought she might be overjoyed about the pardon.

But Barbara’s entire body was trembling in her embrace—and it was not from joy.

Though she wasn’t crying yet, her eyes were red and her breath was short, as if trying to hold back tears.

And finally, she let out a scream that was more curse than anything.

“Canyon! Those beasts—they deserve the wrath of the gods!”

Even Laszlo looked startled by her voice.

“Madam, please calm down. What has happened?”

“I knew they were shameless and wicked, but I didn’t know they were this vile!”

Laszlo helped the shaking Barbara to the sofa.

Even seated, her hands trembled uncontrollably.

Idel couldn’t tell whether she should be more shocked by Laszlo’s proposal or by Barbara’s state.

But for now, she poured a glass of water and handed it over.

“Barbara, please. You’ll make yourself ill. Have some water and try to calm down.”

Barbara nodded frantically and gulped the water down, something the always-graceful woman would never normally do.

“I’ve been investigating the Canyon family. I’m sure Count Chrysus has done his own digging, but the more information the better.”

That alone wasn’t surprising. Idel simply nodded, pulling out a handkerchief to gently dab the sweat from Barbara’s forehead.

She was so agitated her forehead was soaked.

“I looked into every relative of the Canyon Count couple—even their distant cousins. I didn’t expect to find anything huge. I just hoped for a minor complaint or two.”

“Their relationships aren’t that great, but the Count’s money makes everyone pretend they’re getting along.”

“Yes, I found that out. But I discovered something far more unusual.”

Barbara took a deep breath, then continued.

 

“Do you know a man named Edgar Langburn?