The people at the Ostein Duchy townhouse were shocked to see the duke’s daughter return with the Grand Duke of Lusenford in a terrible state. When had she even left?
Given the circumstances, it was clear she had run away because she didn’t want to get married. She had even stolen and worn a maid’s clothes, her face was hastily smeared with dust and ash, and she was carrying a considerable amount of jewelry and money.
However, the Grand Duke of Lusenford immediately silenced the butler.
“Nothing happened today.”
His weighty words and resolute gaze were enough.
The townhouse staff, who only wished for the princess’s well-being, also knew that keeping their mouths shut was the top priority, so they locked their tongues. However, this story had to reach the ears of the master of the Ostein Duchy.
After the Grand Duke of Lusenford left, Kaela, who silently received her bath without a word, returned to bed and even took some bitter medicine.
She didn’t repent, but she didn’t cause any more trouble either. She just sat quietly, as if calmly waiting for some terrible end to approach.
Or perhaps she was waiting, prepared for her father to scold her.
“Kaela.”
It was a time closer to sunrise than sunset. Just before dawn, when pitch-black darkness enveloped everything, Duke Adeo de Chasser of Ostein entered his daughter’s bedroom with a candle. His calling voice was just affectionate, without a trace of anger.
“Did I wake you?”
The father sat beside his daughter’s bed as she shook her head. The daughter who had run away for the first time in her life was brought back by the man who was the reason for her escape.
Adeo looked at his daughter, whose face had become lean and had been ill for days, and asked:
“What can I do for you?”
Kaela, who didn’t have the strength to move a finger after overexerting herself with a body that was in a coma for three days, shook her head. She didn’t want anything from her father.
“Do you dislike getting married?”
Adeo asked very carefully.
“Or do you dislike the Grand Duke of Lusenford? Should I go find a new groom for you?”
Kaela laughed helplessly at those words, as if hearing a joke.
“It’s alright.”
Her hoarse voice whispered, mixed with wheezing breaths.
“I’m sorry for causing you worry. I won’t do it again.”
“Kaela.”
Adeo closed his eyes for a moment.
“You must have really hated it to do such a thing. You’ve never rebelled or said anything unpleasant before.”
Kaela suddenly had the strange thought that she was able to run away because her father was still alive.
Yes. This new life was meaningful just because she had done something she hadn’t done before dying. She didn’t ask for much.
“Like any parent, I wanted to find the best groom for you. But I think I was too picky, and you seemed to have no thoughts on the matter, so we’ve ended up here while dawdling.”
Kaela, who had never had a conversation about marriage with her father before, barely lifted her hazy eyes to look at him again.
“He may not be the best groom, but he’s the best we can do. I’m sorry I have to say it like this.”
Kaela shook her head.
“But if you still don’t want to get married, I’ll try my best to help. We can make up any excuse.”
“No,” Kaela shook her head. “I was wrong. I won’t do it again.”
As his daughter kept her head down and repeatedly apologized, Adeo sighed deeply instead of feeling relieved.
“I’m sorry, Kaela. I was too complacent.”
He had been complacent in trusting his brother, and complacent in respecting his daughter’s wishes about marriage without making any decisions.
How desperate must his daughter have been to collapse? A vague regret washed over him that he should have prepared some measures in advance. No, he shouldn’t have expected the Emperor to have any human qualities or common sense.
The Emperor seems to believe that if he performs good deeds and so-called ‘good actions’ for the Empress, who is in a prolonged coma, she will wake up. That’s why he keeps pushing the Grand Duke of Lusenford and Kaela together.
“Because I had a love marriage, I believed you could too. I was so naive. I’m sorry.”
Adeo blamed himself over and over.
“I hate to say this, but the Grand Duke of Lusenford is a decent person, as you said. To be honest, I was relieved. The Grand Duke is loyal and honest. And he’s strong.”
His daughter’s face remained expressionless as she heard these words. Adeo muttered bitterly.
“That’s enough to trust and rely on for a lifetime. And you have me, don’t you, Kaela?”
She reached out and took her father’s hand. Adeo held it tightly, covering it with his other hand.
“I’ll be more alert from now on. Don’t forget that you have a strong family to back you up. You’ll always have a place to return to.”
“Father,” Kaela looked down blankly and lowered her head even more.
“I’m sorry for doing something so stupid. I… I’m very stupid and don’t know how to do anything properly.”
“No, why are you saying such things?”
“Really, I don’t know how to do anything. Someone as stupid as me won’t know how to be the Grand Duchess of Lusenford.”
“Kaela, Kaela. You’re my daughter, but you’re a very smart girl. Why are you suddenly saying this?”
Adeo patted Kaela’s shoulder in confusion, but she thought she knew her place well.
“So, if you hear that I’m not doing well there, just pretend you don’t know about your incompetent daughter.”
That way, at least her father could survive.
“What nonsense you’re talking!”
But Father, I’ve experienced how stupid I am for the past 4 years.
****
Was there any way to avoid this marriage? More precisely, was there a way for the marriage to be cleanly annulled, without damaging Kaela’s honor, and moreover, avoiding anger from both Ostein and Lusenford?
Peon forgot sleep and devoted himself to finding a way, but he kept coming to the conclusion that it was impossible. Kaela, who had deflated after her predictably failed attempt to run away, probably knew this too. The precious Duke of Ostein’s daughter had no choice.
And the Duke of Ostein knew this as well.
“You’ve come.”
“Greetings, Your Grace.”
In this situation, Peon could never refuse a summons from the Duke of Ostein. No matter how busy he was, if the Ostein family called for him, Peon had to make time to go.
“Thank you for handling the matter quietly. And at the same time, I’m sorry. We showed you an unsightly scene.”
When Adeo heard that Peon had brought Kaela back from her attempt to run away, he didn’t show it to his daughter, but he was dizzy with shock. Of all people, Peon knew about Kaela’s escape attempt – it was as good as handing over a weakness before the marriage even began.
“Not at all. I consider it an honor to have been there.”
Adeo looked at Peon, somewhat surprised by the word ‘honor’. This inflexible and stiff Grand Duke never spoke carelessly.
“Are you sincere?”
“I am.”
Even though Adeo was gentle and ordinary, he had some eye for people. Peon was now sincerely saying that it was an honor to serve a lady as a knight. A laugh of disbelief escaped Adeo’s lips.
“It seems you quite like my daughter?”
The man who wouldn’t dare to apply the expression ‘like’ to Kaela hesitated for a moment.
“I’m not qualified to say such a thing. The princess is such an excellent noblewoman that I dare not even look up at her.”
“You can’t even look at her? My goodness. Your modesty is too extreme.”
“It’s the truth.”
