Translator: Nox
Chapter 3
* * *
Grand Duke Ludeviel Excepcion officially declared his marriage to Odelia Cardel.
That day, the entire empire was in an uproar.
Was it a political maneuver? Coercion?
Was there some grand conspiracy hidden?
All sorts of rumors circulated.
Ludeviel's notoriety was that great.
He was an undisputed war hero, and every battle he commanded ended in victory.
However, none of those who fought alongside him called him a hero.
A ruthless commander who could cut down even his own subordinates without hesitation if necessary.
For him, neither cause nor honor was anything more than a means to an end.
Some days he would execute all the prisoners, other days he would let traitors go unharmed.
Why?
Because every choice was made not out of emotion, but based on thoroughly calculated gains.
Ludeviel Excepcion.
Like an emotionless war machine, his name left behind only the result: victory.
So, once the Grand Duke Excepcion had made up his mind, no one could stop this marriage.
Not even the prestigious Cardel family.
"Grand Duke, how can you commit such an outrageous act? This is no different from abduction! Return my daughter!"
Duke Cardel protested indignantly, but...
"Abduction? If you think it's abduction, you can formally raise the issue in court."
"..."
"Then everyone will know where and how I encountered her..."
"..."
"Is that what you want?"
Duke Cardel gnashed his teeth in anger, but ultimately had no choice but to retreat without retrieving Odelia.
Amidst the hushed whispers of onlookers, the wedding proceeded with lightning speed.
Duke Cardel and Gawain, the family's heir, sat in the audience without a word.
However, their pale complexions and stiff expressions were enough to reveal their feelings.
They had lost the Purifier that had sustained the family so futilely.
Nevertheless, they had no choice but to remain silent.
The family's honor, glory, power, face...
They had to protect what they had painstakingly built up with lies for hundreds of years.
"In the name of God, these two souls have become one. May they bring forth love in suffering, and hope in despair."
The High Priest, having read the final verse, raised his hands above the heads of the bride and groom, blessing their marriage.
Uniquely, the exchange of rings was omitted.
Because an old silver ring was already on his left ring finger.
A clean design that shone subtly with silver.
It was too simple a ring for a Grand Duke to wear.
'Could it be... that he has someone he cares for?'
If so, it made sense.
Among so many noble young ladies, it was a question why he had chosen 'Odelia' of all people.
He was looking for a suitable fake wife to avoid family pressure.
As a Princess of the Cardel family, her status would not be lacking, and since she was known to be sickly, she would not need to engage in external activities.
Moreover, her situation was not good enough to haggle over the terms of a contract marriage.
In the end, it was another play.
A supporting role on the stage, to protect the Grand Duke's true love.
'...Well, it's not so bad.'
It was something to be grateful for, rather.
At least she could escape the family before she died.
So, she shouldn't be disappointed.
"Finally, a demonstration of love to God..."
No sooner had the High Priest's words fallen than a firm hand lifted her chin.
In the brief eye contact, she saw no emotion whatsoever.
A formal kiss.
As the emotionless kiss lingered, Odelia closed her eyes amidst the cheers.
* * *
After the funeral, she didn't know how time had passed.
When Odelia suddenly came to her senses, she was in the conference room.
'When did I get here again?'
Her memories were fragmented.
"This is an absurd will!"
"Aren't they strangers once they're divorced? Besides, they had no children between them. How will the succession be handled!"
"To suddenly hand over the Grand Duchy to someone without the approval of the Council of Nobles or a legitimate heir designation is unprecedented!"
"No matter that she's from Cardel, she hasn't even left the family estate before marriage due to her poor health! We have no choice but to question her health and capabilities."
The conference hall was utter chaos.
None of the vassals were quiet.
They shook documents, veins bulging in their necks, and slammed their fists on the table with angry faces.
But Odelia sat in her chair, letting all the commotion pass her by.
The surrounding sounds were just a muffled echo.
Tap, tap—
"Princess. Princess!"
Then someone snapped their fingers in front of her eyes.
A man in black mourning clothes said with cold, dead eyes.
"Are you listening?"
Marquess Belgrave.
Among the vassals of the Grand Duchy, the one with the most powerful political influence.
Odelia, who had been lost in thought, replied a beat late.
"Ah... I didn't hear you."
"..."
"Could you say it again?"
The Marquess, who had been unable to speak for a moment, sighed.
He said in a low, stiff voice, as if suppressing his annoyance.
"According to His Grand Ducal Highness's will, all authority, from property, land, fortresses, mansions, trading company shares, to titles, will be transferred to Odelia."
"Is that so."
"Of course, you are welcome to refuse if you do not wish to accept. Morally, that would be a decision that everyone could understand."
It sounded like they would interfere by any means necessary if she didn't refuse.
"I will give you time to think. Please make a decision as soon as possible."
With those words, the Marquess stepped back. The vassals followed him.
The noisy conference hall became quiet.
Odelia regretted coming here.
'What glory and wealth would I enjoy?'
In fact, she had no interest in titles or property.
But the reason she had rushed here as soon as she heard the news that her fake husband had died was...
The reason was...
'...I don't even know.'
Odelia leaned back in her chair and sighed.
When she closed her eyes, she still saw him lying peacefully among the white flowers.
It was then, as she tilted her head back and ran her hands over her face.
"Princess."
When she opened her eyes, the aide who had brought her here was standing there.
With his eyes reddened, he handed her a box.
"As per His Grand Ducal Highness's will, I have been keeping this memento separately... but I thought it would be best if you, Princess, took a look at it yourself one last time."
Odelia accepted the small box he offered.
It was very light.
"He told me never to open it. He repeatedly instructed me to bury it deep in the ground and never let it fall into anyone's hands."
"But you disobeyed."
"I will gladly accept the punishment for that sin."
Even though he seemed loyal, it was like Edwin to quietly disobey orders he didn't agree with.
Odelia carefully opened the box.
Inside was the ring that Ludeviel always wore on his left ring finger.
"Why this?"
It wasn't something that needed to be delivered separately with such seriousness.
Odelia picked up the ring, which bore the clear marks of time, and fiddled with it.
She felt strangely moved.
Odelia had thought, seeing this ring, that he must have a hidden lover.
With a complex and subtle feeling, she fiddled with the ring and looked down at it for a long time, when suddenly, she felt something engraved on the inside of the ring.
'An inscription?'
Puzzled, she held the ring up and read the letters.
At the same time, her eyes widened.
[ODELY]
Her name was engraved on the faded ring.
