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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: We're Getting Married
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“I never dreamed you’d get married, Aracilla.”
Paula said, setting down her teacup. She was a daughter of the Hayden Marquisate and Aracilla’s academy classmate.
“You used to sing about how you’d never marry because you couldn’t become the Magic Tower Master.”
Paula still vividly remembered her friend’s furious words from their academy days.
‘Those old geezers in the Magic Tower—no, most of those Magic Tower folks are so old-fashioned, they think married women can’t even work as mages. They’re the ones stopping us. I’m going to become the Magic Tower Master, if only to root them all out and pave the way for future generations. Besides, work is more important than love anyway.’
At the time, Aracilla, with her unparalleled magical talent, had been scouted early by the Magic Tower and was balancing her studies with work.
Thanks to this, she quickly realized the limitations faced by married female mages and declared herself celibate from her mid-teens.
But now, she was suddenly getting married. Paula had been so surprised she almost fell over.
“And to think it’s Sir Vandermir. If you marry him, the picture will be beautiful.”
Paula rested her chin on her hand, leaned towards her friend, and her eyes sparkled.
“But just how handsome is Sir Vandermir for you to fall for him?”
“He’s just handsome.”
Aracilla replied indifferently. She was as objective about others’ appearances as she was about her own.
Demian Vandermir was handsome even if you tripped and saw him on the street.
“But he’s a bit of a pain. Maybe it’s because he’s a knight.”
“And you decided to marry him anyway?”
“Looks and personality are separate.”
At that, Paula burst into laughter, then added with a hint of regret.
“Still, I wanted to see you achieve your dream. It’s a little disappointing.”
“It’s fine. I can always get divorced later.”
“What kind of person thinks about divorce before even getting married?”
Though she chided her, Paula looked at her friend without malice. It was such a typical Aracilla way of thinking.
“Then I’ll continue to cheer you on to become the Magic Tower Master.”
“If you’re going to, you might as well cheer on my marriage and divorce too.”
“Ugh, that divorce talk. Should I go to the temple every day and offer prayers?”
“Yes, for ‘safe marriage, safe divorce, and successful ascension to Magic Tower Master.’ Those three.”
At her glib reply, Paula laughed and shook her head.
“Surprisingly, that side of you might actually suit Sir Vandermir well. In a way, it’s a meeting of an oddball and a stubborn one, isn’t it?”
“A stubborn one?”
“Sir Vandermir’s nickname is the Stubborn Knight. He went to study abroad alone at a young age and returned as the youngest Sword Master. You can’t help but call him stubborn.”
Oh, I see. Aracilla, learning Demian’s nickname for the first time, nodded.
An oddball and a stubborn one.
Lined up side by side, it didn’t sound like a bad combination.
“Oh, look at the time. Paula, I have an appointment with Frederick, so I should get going.”
Aracilla checked her watch and stood up. She had briefly made time to meet Paula before her appointment with Frederick.
“Alright. Give Frederick my regards.”
“Okay, see you later.”
Leaving the Hayden Marquisate, she headed to a famous restaurant in the bustling downtown area.
At a central table on the second floor of the strictly reservation-only restaurant, her appointment had already arrived and was seated.
“Frederick!”
At her call, a gentle handsome man with golden hair that shone white in the sunlight and ruby-red eyes turned his head.
“When did you arrive? You haven’t been waiting long, have you?”
“No, Aracilla. I just got here too.”
Frederick’s eyes softened into a gentle curve. His tone was soft and calm.
He rose from his seat and personally pulled out a chair for Aracilla before she sat down.
“Oh, as expected, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s manners are different.”
“Don’t tease me.”
Frederick chuckled awkwardly and returned to his seat.
The two had first met seven years ago at the academy.
On the day of the entrance ceremony, Frederick, who had lost his way and was wandering alone, coincidentally spotted Aracilla leisurely strolling through the campus. He struck up a conversation, and their connection began.
‘Excuse me, Lady. Do you know where the building for the entrance ceremony is?’
‘It’s over there.’
Aracilla, who had been walking slowly, enjoying the sun like a cat basking, raised a hand and pointed to a building.
‘Thank you. Might I also ask which faculty and year you are in, Lady?’
‘Me?’
To Frederick’s question, posed to properly thank her later, Aracilla blinked her large eyes and said.
‘I’m a freshman.’
‘Yes…? But why are you here….’
‘I overslept and just got here.’
‘…….’
‘Well, do you want to go together?’
And so, the two became friends, the only latecomers on the day of the entrance ceremony. With Paula Hayden joining them, the three often stuck together.
Now that they were adults, they couldn’t meet and play as often as before, but they still kept in regular contact and had meals together.
“Are you still very busy with Magic Tower work these days?”
“Always, you know, there are so many people looking for talent to become the next Magic Tower Master.”
Aracilla put a small piece of meat into her mouth and chewed. A smile spread across Frederick’s lips as he watched her.
He subtly pushed his plate towards her and said playfully.
“It is simply an honor that such a busy person would spare precious time for me.”
“Thank you for recognizing that, Your Royal Highness. It seems we’ve safely maintained our friendship for another month.”
The two exchanged playful banter and enjoyed their conversation.
As the atmosphere matured, Aracilla rinsed her mouth with water and brought up the main topic.
“Frederick, you have that ball next week, the one celebrating the successful monster subjugation.”
“Yes.”
“I’d like to make a surprise announcement there. Would that be alright?”
Frederick, wiping his mouth with a napkin, widened his eyes.
“You’re coming to this ball? Didn’t you say you weren’t coming last time?”
“I changed my mind. There’s something I want to say in front of everyone.”
“What kind of surprise news is it?”
“Hmm… I can’t tell you now. You’ll hear it then too.”
Frederick had always been very wary of the men who approached Aracilla. He said he was worried as a friend that she might meet a strange man.
So, if he found out that Aracilla was marrying a knight, whom she disliked so much, he would likely become suspicious and start digging immediately.
‘Sorry, Frederick. I want your help, but I don’t want your interference.’
There were already plenty of obstacles, and she didn’t want to make her friend one of them.
Frederick, who had no way of knowing Aracilla’s true thoughts, smiled brightly.
“If it’s good news for you, then it’s an honor to announce it at my ball.”
“Well… it’s not bad news. It’s something I personally wanted.”
“What is it? Did you achieve another功績 in the Magic Tower? Did you get another star?”
“I told you, I can’t tell you now. Anyway, you’re saying I can use your ball, right?”
Frederick was the kind of person who would host a ball that didn’t exist if Aracilla wanted it. He naturally nodded.
“Yes, even though you are a friend who makes me feel left out. Please, use it as much as you wish.”
“Thank you, Your Royal Highness. As a token of my gratitude, I’ll pay for dinner today.”
“Really? Then I’m going to order something expensive.”
“No, too late. It’s already over, go home.”
Frederick burst out laughing, watching Aracilla swiftly hide the menu behind her back.
His eyes, consistently crinkling into a smile, held an abundance of affection that was perhaps a bit much for a mere friend.
* * *
For her marriage announcement, Aracilla bought a new dress for the first time in a very long time.
The rose-colored dress with a décolletage neckline had a skirt that layered like flower petals. The left shoulder and waist area were lavishly decorated with artificial flowers.
Audrey was overcome with emotion, saying that their young lady, who always only wore robes, had finally bought new clothes.
“Ari, are you really going to announce your marriage today?”
Iris, who was invited to the Crown Prince’s ball with Aracilla, asked her sister as they rode in the carriage to the imperial palace.
She had, at least, given Iris a heads-up about today’s surprise announcement.
“Of course. By tomorrow, even a three-year-old will be screaming it at the top of their lungs.”
“Ari…”
“Anyway, Mom and Dad aren’t attending today, are they? No one can stop me.”
Seeing her sister, who had a fairy-like appearance, smiling like a mischievous imp, Iris sighed.
“Who would even try to stop you in the first place…”
As the carriage passed through the palace gates, Iris spoke again.
“Be careful. There will be other ladies at the party today who like Sir Vandermir.”
“Why does that matter? He’s marrying me anyway, so what does it matter if they like him on their own?”
“It matters because just by marrying him, you’ll make enemies in high society.”
Iris gently clasped her sister’s hand, who still wore a face that implied it had nothing to do with her, and said softly.
“Especially the Lady of the White Marquisate has been pursuing Sir Vandermir for a long time. If you announce your marriage today, she’s going to dislike you very much.”
“It’s fine, I don’t care.”
“Yes, that’s the problem…”
As the elder sister’s worries for her younger sister deepened, the carriage arrived in front of the banquet hall.
Aracilla held her sister’s hand and stepped out of the carriage. The attendants guarding the entrance gazed, enchanted, at the two beautiful women.
The sisters stood side by side before the heavy doors engraved with the imperial crest.
“Lady Iris Hugo and Lady Aracilla Hugo entering!”
At the attendant’s booming announcement, the eyes of the nobles in the hall simultaneously turned towards them.
It was a rare sight for the Hugo sisters to be together in one place.
Unlike Iris, who was active in social circles like most young ladies, Aracilla was usually holed up in the Magic Tower and rarely seen.
While Iris usually attracted a lot of attention even when appearing alone, she felt an overwhelming surge of attention now that she was with her sister.
“Sister, there are so many people.”
“All the renowned young nobles from the capital were invited to today’s ball.”
“Good.”
Her lips, flushed red like flower petals, curved into a wide smile. The more attendees, the better. That way, the news of her marriage would spread uncontrollably.
‘Has Sir Vandermir not arrived yet?’
Aracilla casually scanned the crowd. The gazes of the surrounding nobles were also fixed on the two sisters.
“What brings the sisters together tonight?”
“They truly live up to being called the pride of the Marquisate.”
The two sisters had inherited traits from their maternal and paternal sides respectively, so they didn't resemble each other much, but they were beauties of different charms.
If Iris was a delicate lily blooming, Aracilla was a vibrant rose of spring.
Iris was elegant, exactly as her appearance suggested, while Aracilla subtly exuded an innocent charm that captivated attention.
“The Hugo sisters will monopolize all the dance requests tonight.”
“Who knows, unless everyone here is a fool who only cares about looks.”
It was while conversations mixed with half admiration and half jealousy were circulating. A man crossed the hall and approached the Hugo sisters.
Aracilla also spotted the man walking regally through the crowd.
His silver hair sparkled like sugar dust in the chandelier light.
Sounds of astonishment escaped the lips of those who recognized the man. It was because Demian, standing before the sisters, extended his hand to the younger sister.
“Did Sir Vandermir just ask a woman to dance?”
“And against the Mage, Lady Hugo…?”
“No, what on earth is their relationship….”
Everyone gaped foolishly as Aracilla naturally took Demian’s hand.
The two, beautiful as a painting, began to waltz in the center of the hall.
It was a rare and unusual sight in the Cetron Empire, where mages and knights were famously at odds.
A knight and a mage, holding hands and dancing.
Demian’s expression was not good as he held her slender waist and moved to the steps.
It wasn't noticeable to others, but Aracilla, facing him up close, could easily discern it.
“Are you unwell? From your expression, it looks like I dragged you out to dance against your will.”
“...I don’t like dancing. Let’s finish quickly and make the announcement.”
“Ah, yes.”
What a fussy person. Though she didn't say it aloud, Aracilla conveyed it with her eyes and shrugged.
When the waltz finally ended, she detached herself from Demian and looked for Frederick. He seemed to be standing among the people, lost in thought.
‘Frederick, my announcement.’
Aracilla mouthed words and gave her friend a meaningful look. Frederick, snapping out of it, led her to the platform and whispered.
“Aracilla, are you close with Sir Vandermir?”
“No?”
They had an agreement for a contract marriage, but they weren't close, so Aracilla answered based on the facts.
“But why….”
Having reached the platform by then, Frederick couldn’t continue his question and instead spoke first.
“May I have everyone’s attention. Lady Aracilla Hugo is about to make an important announcement here tonight.”
Frederick, having gathered everyone’s attention, stepped down from the platform. Aracilla, left alone, surveyed the audience.
Confirming that every single person was looking at her, she smiled brightly and began.
“Everyone, I’m getting married.”
A murmur spread through the hall. Aracilla raised her hand.
“To whom, you ask? To Sir Demian Vandermir, who is standing over there. We’ll be sending out invitations soon, so please all attend.”
And then, silence fell upon the hall.
