When someone chose to go to the capital, someone else was busy trying to leave it.

Currently, Asellan, the eldest son of the Antoine ducal house, was waiting for the right time to depart for the Eastern Empire.

“Young master, are you really going?”

The servant nervously rolled his eyes and moistened his dry lips with his tongue.

“I must go. I can’t miss this opportunity again.”

Asellan strengthened his resolve while glaring at the letter from his father in the Eastern Empire as if he might burn it. His voice in response to the servant’s question was confident and determined.

“But will the duke permit it……”

The servant shifted his feet anxiously while carefully expressing his concern.

“I don’t understand why Father dislikes the Elder family so much, but this time I’ll definitely get his permission.”

Asellan was the heir to the Antoine ducal house and ranked fourth in the imperial succession line, making him part of the Empire’s highest echelon with nothing to envy.

Said to most resemble the Teron Empire’s first emperor, he graduated top of his class from the academy, demonstrating his intelligence. With his handsome appearance and gentlemanly attitude, he had ignited the hearts of many ladies.

Though many families and women coveted him as the Empire’s most eligible bachelor, Asellan remained unmoved by any temptation.

This was because he had his own private circumstances.

‘Lavian, this time for sure!’

It was Lavian who had captured the heart of the Empire’s most eligible bachelor.

For a long time, he had begged his father to propose a marriage alliance with the Elder family. However, Duke Antoine firmly refused, and in the meantime, Lavian’s marriage was arranged.

Asellan, a true romantic, was deeply shocked and fell into despair, refusing food and becoming bedridden. Only after a long time did he try to give up on Lavian with a broken heart.

Then came this opportunity.

‘The groom dying on the wedding day—this proves Lavian and I are destined to be together. I won’t let her slip away.’

Asellan crumpled his father’s letter and threw it into the trash bin, strengthening his resolve.

“Young master, the garden lamps have gone out.”

The servant who had been watching out the window reported.

“Good. Let’s go now.”

“But shouldn’t we inform the duchess? Especially since we’re using imperial mages. We should give her advance notice.”

“It’s a long journey. Mother would never easily permit it. It’s better to just go. And though they’re now imperial mages, they were trained with our family’s money. I have at least this much right.”

The Eastern Empire was far, and even using an airship would waste much time. Unable to delay even an hour, Asellan had secretly arranged for mages who had become imperial mages with his family’s support.

Using teleportation magic wouldn’t take them to the Eastern Empire in one go, but it would significantly reduce travel time.

“I hope nothing goes wrong.”

“It will be fine. Certainly.”

Despite the servant’s concerns, Asellan maintained his momentum. He looked at the neatly written note placed in the middle of his tidily made bed.

[My beloved Mother. I am going to Father in the Eastern Empire because I cannot lose Lavian again. I will fulfill my wish and return safely, so please don’t worry.]

Though saying “don’t worry” was more worrying, Asellan either knew this or didn’t as he smoothed back his golden hair, bright enough to illuminate the dark night, and took a deep breath.

The servant picked up the bag and followed behind Asellan.

Asellan moved with unusually cautious steps, unlike his normal self. He looked just like an assassin hiding in darkness.

Thanks to this, in the deep night, he was able to slip out of the mansion without anyone in the ducal residence noticing.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

The very next day after a carriage departed from the Antoine ducal house at a late hour, a black carriage with gold decorations crossed the central road of the Teron Empire’s capital. While there were countless luxurious carriages in the capital, one with this appearance was quite rare.

The eyes of people traveling the rainy streets naturally shifted to the black carriage.

“Master, we’ve arrived.”

Klen, more accustomed to the title “Master” than his own name, extracted his tall frame that had been crammed inside the carriage.

All eyes that had been directed at the carriage now poured onto Klen. His striking appearance and slender yet sturdy frame were enough to steal the attention that had gathered on the carriage.

“I was planning to look around the branch first, but the weather isn’t cooperating.”

“The forecast says it won’t clear until evening.”

Amelia raised the umbrella higher to accommodate his towering height. Klen wasn’t particularly pleased with this but didn’t offer to hold it himself.

“We should invest more in airships. Not having enough seats to travel with a servant is ridiculous.”

“Don’t bother. It’s only because we adjusted the schedule so hastily.”

Clicking his tongue briefly, he casually ignored the glances coming from beyond the umbrella and set his long legs in motion.

“Perhaps because it’s been raining frequently this year, the raincoat package sales have been good. We should have made them for the other doll lines too.”

“That would reduce their exclusivity, so no.”

“You should strike while the iron is hot.”

“More importantly, tell the magic department to reduce defects. I asked for flying fairy dolls, not crawling ones. They’re not doing their job prop—”

Klen was responding gruffly when he turned his head at the commotion coming from behind.

“Master?”

“This neighborhood is full of incomprehensible people in many ways.”

Where Klen’s gaze landed, a woman in a white chemise dress was crouched on the ground, seemingly unaware that her clothes were getting wet.

“She looks like a high-born lady, but what is she doing in this weather? She’s ruining her dress.”

“Do you make a habit of unnecessary worrying?”

“She’ll have a change of clothes without lifting a finger and won’t have to wash it herself, so I worried needlessly. I apologize.”

Klen raised his lips sarcastically, cut off his interest, and continued walking. However, he soon had to stop again. Just as he was about to enter the building, the cry of a kitten was heard.

Both Klen and Amelia instinctively turned their heads. His gaze caught a kitten in what appeared to be an expensive basket, thoroughly soaked by the rain and raising its voice in pitiful cries.

“Go away, Miss! Even giving that filthy thing your basket and handkerchief is too much. Go! Why are you being so stubborn today?”

A woman who seemed to be a maid firmly gripped the delicate lady’s wrist and pulled. Though not short, the lady’s thin frame couldn’t resist the strong force and was dragged away.

“It seems to have lost its mother, poor thing……”

“Miss!”

“Just a moment. Really just a moment.”

The platinum-blonde lady, bright enough to dispel the gloomy weather, was determined to carry out her will. She shook off the maid’s hand, found a spare umbrella from the carriage, and held it over the basket containing the pitifully crying kitten.

At least now it wouldn’t be rained on.

“Oh, really.”

The maid shook her head as if giving up and pulled the lady again. This time she succeeded in getting the lady into the carriage without much effort.

“Busybody.”

Klen muttered toward the rattling carriage as it departed.

At this point, he had no idea that he would soon be face to face with that meddlesome lady.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

After returning home, Lavian had no time to think about the motherless kitten. As soon as she changed out of her wet clothes, she was summoned by her father and headed to the study.

“Your marriage partner will come the day after tomorrow.”

“Already……”

Uncharacteristically flustered by her father’s matter-of-fact announcement, Lavian widened her eyes.

“What do you mean ‘already’? Your name is being associated with terms like ‘widow’ and ‘husband-devouring witch.’ The longer we wait, the more your value drops. Tsk, if he was going to die, he should have at least completed the marriage vows first.”

Count Elder struck the armrest with a grim expression.

Lavian lost her words and could only torment the flesh inside her mouth.

‘I thought I would have some peace for a while, but I shouldn’t have felt relieved. Still, to be put back on the marriage market so quickly…’

While Lavian mourned the death itself, she had secretly felt relieved about not having to marry him. But that wasn’t acceptable. She had forgotten how precarious their family situation was.

Lavian realized once again that she shouldn’t harbor dreams, wishes, or hopes. Such things only break and shatter, leaving wounds.

‘You said I don’t want to die, but want to live happily. Well, you know what? I don’t even wish for happiness.’

The cruelty of blood ties was once again engraved in her bones.

More cruel than strangers viciously gossiping about Lavian were her parents, desperate to sell their daughter again for a high price.

Lavian felt ashamed of her fate—to be sold to yet another person.

“If only you had been born a son. Why did you have to be a girl?”

“I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”

“If you understand, just obey me well. This is all for your own good. I’ve arranged a dinner, so make sure you make a good impression.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know how much effort I’ve put into raising you? Now you just need to do well. Don’t disappoint me.”

“Yes.”

They say it’s for my sake, that I just need to do well…

All Lavian could do now was respond affirmatively.

She struggled to k*ll her emotions once more while submitting to her approaching fate.

“It’s unfortunate that he only has money, but it might be easier to manipulate such men. Don’t let him slip away.”

“Yes.”

“If you understand, you may go.”

Count Elder waved his hand dismissively, as if the business was concluded.

Lavian bowed her head slightly and left the study with an expressionless face.

After walking elegantly without the slightest falter, she leaned against the wall with a sigh. Her stomach ached sharply, and nausea rose.

Why did her insides twist so painfully when she knew she could never be ordinary?

Lavian clenched her teeth to suppress her screaming insides.

‘I wonder how big the age gap will be this time.’

It was an inevitable thought. Whoever it was, they wouldn’t be younger than Marquis Batl, only older. Wasn’t the situation worse than before?

[Rich, elderly, without an heir]

Recalling her father’s requirements for a suitable match, Lavian resolved not to be surprised no matter whom she met, and corrected her posture. She even put on a faint smile.

Though she hated all these circumstances, she deceived herself.

“It’s good. Everything is good.”