After the embarrassing yet somewhat strange first night, Kaela woke up to the bright morning sun and quickly tried to regain her composure.
Although it was her first time experiencing such things with Peon, she knew it would only hurt her to dwell on emotions in their one-sided relationship, which had been frustratingly persistent.
‘Remember. He was originally a popular person. He’s being kind because I still have my father and my title is secure…’
As Kaela continued this train of thought, trying to snap out of it, she hesitated. Was the Grand Duke of Lusenford originally someone who changed his attitude depending on the person?
While she was thinking, people came out to see off the newlyweds heading to Lusenford. Peon greeted the Emperor first among them.
“Thank you for taking care of us, Your Majesty.”
“What did I do to take care of you?”
Indeed, he wasn’t someone who usually exchanged such pleasantries with the Emperor. Thump, thump, her heart started beating anxiously.
“Kaela.”
She turned to face her father. Adeo embraced his daughter, who was about to leave for Lusenford, affectionately.
“You’ve been very busy these past few days, haven’t you? Are you feeling alright?”
With all the receptions, banquets, the main ceremony, and even the civil ceremony, the wedding schedule alone lasted for three nights and four days.
Although they said it was scaled down because the Empress had collapsed, the Emperor insisted that it should be done on a royal scale befitting the Princess of Ostein and the Grand Duke of Lusenford, forcing Kaela, who had a weak constitution, to endure a grueling schedule.
Adeo worried about his daughter, who, like her mother, would fall ill immediately when stress accumulated.
“I’m fine.”
With people somewhat distant and Peon engaged in conversation with the Emperor, Adeo seized the opportunity to speak privately with his daughter.
“Kaela. I didn’t have a chance to say this, but honestly, I’m glad you’re marrying the Grand Duke of Lusenford.”
She looked up at her father, who was speaking carefully.
“In truth, I had hoped you would marry someone you love, like your mother and I did, but it’s quite difficult in times like these.”
Adeo’s voice lowered further. It was widely believed that while the Emperor acted proper and played the role of the royal family head when marrying off the Grand Duke of Lusenford, no one knew how he might go crazy after the wedding.
“I don’t mean the Grand Duke is a perfect groom. But he’s certainly the best we could find right now. I never dreamed he would write the marriage contract so considerately of you, almost to an excessive degree.”
“I’m glad you approve, Father.”
“He seems to have a very cautious and decent personality. Above all…”
Adeo looked around and lowered his voice even more so that only Kaela could hear.
“He’s a strong person, isn’t he?”
That statement encompassed everything. Lusenford had military power that Ostein lacked. Even the Emperor, while considering him a thorn in his side, kept the Grand Duke as the strongest shield against the evil dragon Gusalante.
“But as I’ve always said, it doesn’t matter if I like him. You should like him. I hope you’ll be happy there.”
Kaela had been mostly silent these past few days, knowing that after all the tedious traditional procedures and minor events, she would ultimately end up in the frigid Lusenford.
The fact that Peon was a little, no, very strange made her even more anxious. Her fear grew until it eventually disappeared when she thought of death as an escape. Why worry when she was going to die anyway?
“Yes, Father. Thank you for your blessing.”
“I’ve been very worried about what would happen to you if I wasn’t around.”
This worry had troubled Adeo even more after the Emperor had pulled the trigger against him. What would happen to his only daughter? The Emperor, who could hardly be called a brother, would surely not leave her alone.
“I hope you’ll be very happy.”
Every word was filled with worry and love. His watchful gaze was brimming with affection. Kaela knew well that the love her father had promised, to fill the void left by her mother’s absence, continued even now.
Unlike nobles who remarried immediately, her father never remarried and raised Kaela himself. She regretted not being able to show him a happier version of herself.
For Kaela, who constantly worried about when she would die or when her death would least harm Ostein, her father was the only existence that made her hesitate, even slightly, about the thought of dying.
“Be yourself in Lusenford too. You’re wise and intelligent, so have confidence. You’ll do well. Write often. Come down in the summer.”
“Yes, I will.”
Kaela made promises she couldn’t keep as she saw Peon approaching. It seemed it was time to depart.
“Father, you’ll return to Ostein right away, right?”
“Of course. Naturally.”
Adeo knew well why his daughter was so sensitive about his whereabouts.
“You need to stay healthy. Go horseback riding, and please, avoid anything dangerous.”
Before Adeo could answer, Kaela quickly stepped away from her father. Then Peon immediately approached.
“I’ll keep in touch often. Please stay healthy.”
“I’m fine, but I’m worried because she often falls ill.”
At those words, Peon’s cold eyes looked at Kaela.
Was he thinking it was troublesome? Well, it didn’t matter anymore. Wasn’t Lusenford a place where the weak couldn’t survive anyway? Someone sickly like Kaela would quickly perish in the harsh cold and raging blizzards.
Before dying, she had tried to endure with sheer willpower. She believed that if she fulfilled her duties as a Grand Duchess without losing dignity and honor, someone would eventually recognize her efforts.
But not only did no one acknowledge her, Kaela now lacked the strength to endure on the road to Lusenford. It seemed she had exhausted all her energy when she rushed to save her father after waking up again.
“I will pay closer attention and always be mindful.”
“Thank you.”
Peon looked alternately at the Emperor and Adeo, who had come closer.
“Your Majesty and Your Grace must stay healthy too.”
“Don’t worry about us. We’re still vigorous, no matter what.”
“If you permit, I’ll visit often.”
“There’s no need for permission. Come often. Come often and fill your place. The palace will be lonely again when you leave. Adeo is also returning to Ostein.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As soon as the wedding ends, the son-in-law goes north, and the father-in-law goes south. Kaela, who had confirmed this fact several times, was relieved that her father wouldn’t remain in Crania.
“Tsk, tsk, father and daughter will be further apart. Write to each other often, and visit Ostein from time to time.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Go now. The sun will set.”
The Emperor gestured, acting like the groom’s father until the end. The newlyweds, who had paid their final respects politely, boarded the carriage.
Kaela smiled genuinely only when waving to her father. However, as the carriage departed and her father was no longer in sight, she lost her smile.
****
The journey to Lusenford was very long and tedious. It took several days to travel by carriage across the vast Crania Empire.
She thought it would be an arduous, or rather insane, journey to cover such a long distance in just a week. At that time, Kaela had to be supported out of the carriage, half-dead.
The carriage that quickly left Crania rushed forward. The road conditions were relatively good in the capital center. But as they went further north, driving like this was madness.
“Aren’t you cold?”
Even though they married in warm spring, the temperature dropped as they went north. Peon asked Kaela, who was sitting quietly without a word.
“I’m fine.”
