Chapter 3. The 500-Denir Wedding (Part 2)

A fierce snowstorm raged across the snowy mountains of Blenheim. Inside the tent, the knights’ gazes were fixed on their lord, seated at the head of the table, reading a letter.

With jet-black hair, pale skin, sharp upturned eyes, and imposing stature, the Duke of Blenheim, Loic Blenheim, exuded an overwhelming presence as the ruler of the North.

Suddenly, the letter in his large hand was crumpled mercilessly.
“Did the marquis agree to the terms?” asked Perel, the advisor seated to his right, cautiously, as if confirming the obvious.

Bang!
The first knight commander, Dmitri, slammed the table across from him.
“How is this even reasonable? Marriage to the marquis’s daughter?!”
“Consider yourself lucky if it’s really his daughter. Rumor has it she’s an illegitimate child,” someone muttered.

Hearing the grumblings of the knights, Perel rubbed his temples with a troubled expression.
“It seems the Marquis is serious. I expected him to at least object over the budget, but it looks like that’s not the case.”

Sending 500 coins had been Perel’s idea. He had assumed that the proud and stingy Marquis would never accept it.

“I had planned to use budget negotiations to prevent the marriage…”

Loic muttered coldly, rubbing his temples with his fingers.
“They’re holding the ceremony in a chapel.”
His low, indifferent tone silenced the knights’ earlier indignation.
“Five hundred coins should be more than enough, then.”

Even so, having the marquis’s daughter’s wedding in a chapel disregarded the bride’s dignity entirely.
“Poor bride,” Perel remarked sympathetically, but the knights clicked their tongues in response.

“What’s so pitiful about it? Haven’t you heard? The Marquis’ third daughter is infamous in the capital as a wicked woman.”

“And isn’t she that fake saint from back then?”

“Still, she was raised as a noblewoman in the capital, so living in Blenheim won’t be easy for her.”

Loic turned his gaze toward Perel, who was speaking for the bride. His eyes were cold as he spoke.

“Who said she’d live here?”
“What? But she’s supposed to be the duchess…”
Loic cut him off firmly.
“Wake up. That woman will never set foot in Blenheim.”

The knights turned to their Lord in shock.
“You don’t plan to bring the marquis’s daughter to Blenheim?”
“How will you refuse her?”
“There’s nothing to refuse.”

Loic ruffled his hair roughly and added, “I’ll just leave her behind once the ceremony ends.”

Perel’s jaw dropped in disbelief.
“Are you saying you’ll abandon your bride?”
“I have no intention of bringing the marquis’s bloodline into my castle,” Loic declared.

“Excellent decision!” Dmitri nodded approvingly.
“Otherwise, they’d swarm in with excuses like maids and escorts. Best to nip it in the bud.”

“Who will you send as your proxy?” asked Hedrick, the deputy commander of the knights, breaking his silence.

The knights subtly looked away. No one wanted to take on the role of attending the wedding on behalf of their lord, especially with the difficult circumstances.

Loic casually scanned the group.
“Perel will go.”
“What? Me?!” Perel shot to his feet, horrified.

Dmitri squinted, uncertain if such a soft-hearted man could handle the task.
“I have plenty of work to do at the castle…” Perel looked around for help, but everyone avoided his eyes.

Hedrick said without emotion, “If you don’t leave tomorrow, you won’t make it in time. If you leave the bride at the altar, the Marquis, or any father, would never forgive you.”

“Lord Duke…” Perel’s face fell, and Loic reluctantly gave instructions to Hedrick.

“You’ll handle the escort. Take a few knights from the first division with you.”

As the knights exchanged glances, Loic threw the crumpled letter into the fireplace.
“Sympathy? Ridiculous.”

The marquis was the man responsible for his parents’ deaths. The idea of being tied to his daughter, even on paper, made Loic want to burn the entire marquis’s house to the ground.

Watching the letter burn to ash, Loic calmed his fury.
‘It’s fine. I’ll wait a little and then divorce her.’

The image of the abandoned bride standing alone at the altar was already erased from his mind.

Finally, the wedding day arrived.

There was a lot to do, but everything was ready on time, and I arrived at the chapel safely.

“The chapel is prettier than I expected,” I thought, glancing around as I walked in.

The stone columns holding up the center lent the interior a serene and solemn atmosphere. Sunlight streaming through the small windows added a warm glow to the statues of saints lining the space.

Walking towards me from the opposite side of the altar was Perel Otis, the duke’s advisor and my stand-in groom. Despite being a fleeting extra in the original story, he was surprisingly handsome.

Standing at the altar, Perel nervously extended his arm. Perhaps it was the pressure of standing in for his lord or the rumors about me being a villainess, but his hand was trembling.

I ignored his shaking and gently placed my hand on his arm.

The solemn voice of the officiant echoed through the chapel.
“We are gathered here today to witness this noble union.”

Though there were no guests except for Perel and my maid, the officiant’s demeanor was still formal, befitting a union between a duke’s and a marquis’s house.

When it was time for the groom’s vow, Perel, looking tense, began,
“I, Perel Otis, on behalf of Loic Blenheim, vow to honor and cherish this union with love and respect for a lifetime.”

“A lifetime? If I’m not kicked out right away, I’d consider myself lucky.”

It was my turn. I hesitated before softly reciting my part.
“I, Annette Freis, vow to honor this sacred union with all my heart and soul, fulfilling the duties of a faithful partner.”

Even though the vow felt insincere in the holy chapel, I delivered it shyly as if it were genuine.

When the rings were exchanged, Perel barely touched the ring with his fingers, as if afraid to make contact with the lord’s wife, and slid it onto my finger.

“It’s not like I have a contagious disease.”

Respecting his discomfort, I returned the favor, carefully avoiding contact as I slid the ring onto his finger.

The officiant solemnly declared,
“By the grace of the divine, this union is sanctified. May love and blessings follow you always.”

And so, I officially married the duke.

It was a bit disheartening not to have even seen my husband’s face, but at least the ceremony went off without a hitch.

Sighing in relief, I removed my veil in the waiting room when my maid, Janet, walked in.

“Just go to the mansion and change there.”

As I struggled to change out of the dress on my own, Janet reluctantly helped, sighing heavily as she adjusted the veil. I slipped into a light blue dress, the easiest to wear among those I had packed, and quickly stepped out of the waiting room.

“Miss! Where are you going?”

Hurrying out of the chapel, I saw the duke’s carriage emblazoned with the family crest waiting outside. By the carriage stood Perel, handing a letter to the priest.

“Please, convey my respects to Her Grace…”

“Perel?”

Hearing his voice, Perel turned, visibly startled, and bowed.

“Your Grace.”

The priest, clearly irritated, returned the letter to Perel.

“Now that you’ve spoken with Her Grace, I’ll take my leave.”

Perel, holding the letter awkwardly, avoided meeting my gaze.

“Perel, are you leaving?”

I asked, but it wasn’t really a question I needed an answer to. It was clear he was trying to avoid me.

“Yes, I’m afraid so. Urgent matters at the duchy require my immediate return.”

Liar. You’re just trying to avoid running into me.

“I received an urgent message on the way here, and…” Perel’s voice trailed off, his excuse sounding as weak as he must have felt.

“That letter—was it meant for me?”

Perel, startled, clutched the letter behind his back.

“…I wasn’t sure I’d get a chance to see you after the ceremony, so I prepared a written explanation.”

“Good thing we crossed paths, then.”

“…Yes.”

It was hard to blame him. Perel had only just arrived in the capital after a week-long journey in a carriage. He likely had to return immediately after the ceremony due to orders from his superior.

‘Was he worried I’d torment him or make unreasonable demands?’

But contrary to the Duke’s assumptions, I had no intention of troubling Perel.

I only intended to follow him.

“Then we’ll leave together.”

“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”

“I mean, I’ll join you and leave for the duchy now.”

Perel’s face went pale, his discomfort unmistakable.

“Now? But…”

“Miss, what are you saying?”

Janet, who had followed me out, raised an eyebrow, more annoyed than confused.

I suppose it is strange for me to suddenly assert myself like this.

While it was bold of the Duke to think I’d meekly stay behind, it was bolder of me to prepare for this scenario.

It was a good call to be ready.

I had packed a small amount of luggage a few days ago. I sold all the jewelry that could be turned into cash and only brought the most expensive dresses. Even among the wedding gifts, those that could be of value were already in my luggage.

“Your Grace, I’m sorry, but I must leave immediately. Perhaps we can arrange a more convenient day…”

“No need. I’ve packed everything I need.”

I gestured toward the carriage approaching us. It was a plain, old hired coach, without a crest or any embellishments. Perel flinched at the sight.

“That? You’re suggesting we take that? And what about the maids?”

Perel sounded genuinely confused.

“The maids…”

I glanced at Janet, who was glaring at me with a fiery expression.

So much for me being the so-called villain.

Just seeing her made it clear how poorly Annette had been treated all these years.

“Honestly, Miss, your hair isn’t platinum—it’s just full of gray. And if your complexion isn’t bright, at least your face could glow a little, but even makeup doesn’t help.”

Even on my wedding day, Janet couldn’t resist her snide comments.

It wasn’t just verbal abuse, either. She’d scratched my scalp hard enough to draw blood while pretending to comb my hair and pilfered jewelry from my room whenever she pleased.

And now she’s embarrassing me in front of the Duke’s aide?

While I regretted not standing up to her before, I had more pressing matters now.

I must leave today, no matter what.

Forcing a smile, I responded, “Given the circumstances, they’ll have to stay behind.”

“Stay behind?! But the Marquis—”

Janet raised her voice but quickly lowered it when she noticed Perel’s surprised reaction.