You are at the End of the Downfall

Rather than being grateful to the Emperor, he meant it was fortunate for Kaela that things turned out this way.

“Yes, I’m glad I didn’t see it.”

“Honestly, it would be a lie to say it doesn’t bother you. It’s a family with long-standing ties to your future husband, after all.”

Adeo thought it was better that the much-talked-about Monde and Ravalley families weren’t noticeable. If Beatrice, who had ridden on Peon’s coattails into the royal circle, took attention away even at Kaela’s wedding, Kaela would truly be upset.

“Now that it’s come to this, let’s focus on the wedding preparations. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. I’ll do my best.”

But Kaela wasn’t interested in wedding preparations. Whether others called it a once-in-a-lifetime event or not, she didn’t place much meaning on it. So she was just going along with everything, saying “Whatever is fine” and “Yes.”

If beautifully decorating the path to death would reduce or eliminate the pain of dying, she would put her best effort into it, but otherwise, she had no interest.

“Don’t overdo it, Father.”

“You’re too modest for your own good. How can you have so little desire?”

That’s because she had already experienced having everything taken away by the Emperor and struggling to put together a wedding with the meager funds he provided. Although things were different now, she knew well that no matter how well-prepared she was, she wouldn’t be welcomed in Lusenford.

“What would you like as a wedding gift? If there’s anything you want, I’ll get it for you. Just name it.”

Kaela smiled. She didn’t need gifts that would be useless anyway. As she arranged flowers in an empty vase in the study, she murmured,

“As long as you’re healthy, Father, that’s all I need.”

At that answer, Adeo’s face fell as if the world had ended.

“Goodness. I can’t believe my daughter’s sense of humor is so outdated. Kaela! That’s something straight out of ‘Hekercos’ Morals for Children’, isn’t it? Speaking of which, where is that book? I need to burn it. It’s the most useless book in the world.”

The harsh cold of Lusenford had killed even her sense of humor, so Kaela just smiled ambiguously.

“Be greedy, Kaela. It’s just this once! I want to do everything I can for you. In fact, I’d like to give you a nice estate. What use is my health? Your happiness is what’s important.”

Adeo pulled his daughter back into his arms and patted her back.

“They say Lusenford is cold and harsh, but I believe you’ll adapt when you go there. The Grand Duke will support you firmly. If it’s too cold, come out to the estate I’ll give you for a while. Yes, that would be good.”

“I’m fine, really.”

But no matter how much Kaela tried to dissuade him, Adeo wouldn’t stay still. While her father’s behavior was understandable, it was the Grand Duke of Lusenford’s overly enthusiastic approach that surprised, even frightened Kaela.

Starting with abruptly setting the wedding date, everything was rushed. Dress makers, lawyers to negotiate the marriage contract, palace administrators to convey opinions on the wedding scale – they all shuttled between the Lusenford duchy, Ostein family, and the royal palace several times a day.

“It’s because you’re not interested enough.”

“I’m checking all the documents, though.”

“But how can you not even give an opinion on the dress? The Grand Duke sent a ton of fabric to ensure you wouldn’t lack even for a veil.”

Indeed. Why would he do that? Peon was pouring massive funds into this wedding, to the point where Kaela worried unnecessarily if Lusenford’s finances were okay. It was unlike the man who always prioritized military funds.

‘Or maybe it’s a new side of him I never knew.’

Despite being the Grand Duchess, Kaela had been suspected of being the Emperor’s spy throughout her married life. Even involving herself in household matters was extremely difficult.

But Peon was highly respected by his own people. He was kind to people, no, even to warhorses, dogs raised in the castle, and stray cats. Kaela, who had been treated worse than a stray cat, couldn’t understand this.

‘Is it because Father is alive?’

Was Peon showing her proper respect because her title as Princess Ostein was protecting her? Even so, the fact that Kaela was the Emperor’s niece remained unchanged, so why? She couldn’t understand. And not understanding made her increasingly anxious.

“Of course, it’s not the groom’s place to interfere with the wedding dress, but there shouldn’t be anything lacking. But you’re saying you won’t add even a single jewel?”

“Yes, clean and neat silk is enough without decorations, Father.”

Kaela answered absent-mindedly while continuing to think. Could this all be a trap? Peon’s current behavior was impeccable.

He was literally acting by the book. Where had the Grand Duke of Lusenford gone, the one everyone found frustrating because he didn’t know how to bow appropriately? It was as if he were a different person…

“Kaela?”

With a crash, the vase slipped from her hands and shattered. Pieces of broken porcelain scraped across the floor as they rolled away.

“Oh dear. Are you alright? Are you hurt?”

Adeo, startled, quickly moved Kaela away from the broken vase.

“I’m fine.”

Kaela murmured, staring at the shattered vase with wide eyes. She could faintly hear her father calling for a maid. For a moment, a chilling fear swept over her, but Kaela repeated several times that she was fine.

It’s okay. She always had a last resort, didn’t she? No matter how much she tried to understand and survive, nothing would change anyway. It’s fine.

“I’m fine.”

Kaela clasped her trembling hands together. Feeling fear ultimately means wanting to live.

She knew this, but once again today, she gave up. If she wanted to die comfortably, she had to go through with this marriage. She could at least die painlessly in a place beyond the Emperor’s reach.

****

“Please take good care of our Peon, Kaela. As you know, he’s a boy with many wounds.”

But even dying quickly and comfortably wasn’t easy. Before getting married, she had to deal appropriately with all sorts of meddling people.

For example, people like Beatrice Ravalley, who pretended to meet by chance in public view, smiling sweetly while saying, “I know the man who will be your husband better than you do.”

Kaela looked at Beatrice with an indifferent face – the beauty often compared to the full moon, summer roses, and a fresh garden.

Having died once and awakened, some people changed completely, while others didn’t change at all.

“I thought it was the Duchess of Monde speaking. Perhaps it’s because you resemble the Duchess so much, sister.”

Who says Kaela can’t change too? She looked at Beatrice, her husband’s love, with a smile, mentioning someone who had greatly wronged her.

What’s wrong with openly disliking someone you could never beat in your lifetime? It’s not like the Grand Duke of Lusenford would turn to look at Kaela or respect her just because she treated Beatrice Ravalley well.

After all, even if the ugly and stupid Kaela does something stupid and mean again, what does it matter?