Chapter 1.5

He couldn’t help but be a damned shameless person. For her life to be peaceful, being the daughter-in-law of the Southern lord would be the most stable upper limit.

In fact, if you really think about it, the Southern social circle isn’t much different, and whether it’s the wife of a Young Marquis or a Young Earl, it would be a thorny path for Lisael just the same. However, having heard the outrageous truth, Miguel refused rational thought and created a rather arbitrary upper limit.

‘Anyway, it’s a relief. Since his scheme has turned into nothing. I could never watch the two of them get along….’

As Miguel was about to return to the lord’s castle to handle his business with relief, his steps suddenly began to slow down. It was because he recalled what business he intended to handle at the lord’s castle.

‘Wait… Herais’s proposal fell through because of me, but if I break off the marriage talks….’

Of course, the probability of Herais’s proposal being successful was extremely low. Both the Herais family and the Cherlin family would fiercely oppose due to the difference in status. But there’s always that one-in-a-million chance.

Miguel, who had been standing still like a wind-up doll that stopped, organized his thoughts for a moment and then started running towards the lord’s castle like the wind.

Bang—

“Father!”

“Oh my! Miguel! Who comes in by slamming the door without any grace?”

“Mother, you’re here too. It’s perfect timing.”

The Earl and Countess of the Dante family, famous for their good relationship, were enjoying a noon tea time in the Earl’s room when they were startled by Miguel’s sudden intrusion. Especially the Countess, who spilled her cup, gave Miguel a sharp look, but he didn’t care.

“What is it?”

“I will marry Lisael Cherlin. It’s best to move the wedding up as soon as possible.”

“Oh…”

The Earl and Countess widened their eyes like carp and looked at each other at Miguel’s determined will. They expected him to insist he wouldn’t do it even if he had to grind his bones, but instead, he asked to move the wedding forward.

Their son was indeed a mysterious one, whose thoughts even parents could not fathom.

“Since it’s your will, we’ll hurry it within a month.”

‘…I’m sorry, Lisa. But there was no other choice.’

The resolve he had made alone as he left the Cherlin family was all in vain. For Lisael, who was about to sacrifice her life, to ease her worries… The firm resolution was all futilely scattered like pollen due to Benjamin’s attempt at a proposal.

Miguel had committed a sin for which he would have to atone to Lisael for a lifetime, but this was one thing he couldn’t possibly yield.

If he broke off the marriage talks and wandered as a wastrel, and heard the news of Lisael and Benjamin’s marriage, he would probably be found dead on the street, clutching his neck with a burst carotid artery.

If Lisael came to know the truth, she would probably choose to pity and take him in rather than see her childhood friend die so tragically. There’s an old saying about giving an extra scone to a hated person….

The cards were already dealt, and the game had begun. With one word from Miguel, the wheel of fate was turning them toward becoming a married couple without hesitation.

*   *   *

And as the Earl said, Lisael and Miguel held a lavish wedding at the largest cathedral in the South in less than a month. The Dante family was the wealthiest among the lords and merchants in the South, which was virtually the hub of trade.

Earl Dante felt elated watching the jaws of noble guests drop at the wedding, which was more splendid than those of ordinary noble families combined. The only blemish was the shabby commoner guests from the Cherlin family.

But even they were provided with the finest formal wear in advance, so the wedding was flawless overall.

Except for one huge flaw.

“Why is that guy’s expression so sour?”

“Exactly. Lisael is even shedding tears at this grand wedding, yet he looks like that.”

The Earl couple, watching their procession from the highest seat, began to murmur under the guise of ventriloquism. Even as parents, they couldn’t bear to watch their son ruin the wedding of the century that his father had arranged with open eyes.

“Now, finally, the bride and groom, please share the kiss of vows.”

Oh, at last, the time had come. What kind of vow kiss should we share? A contract? A backdoor deal?

While Lisael wandered through such idle thoughts, Miguel’s large hand lifted her veil, causing her to flinch.

As the veil hiding her face was removed, revealing Lisael’s beautiful, melancholic eyes, Miguel’s shoulders twitched with guilt. On top of the sin of ruining the bride’s face on her wedding day, he was about to commit the unforgivable sin of stealing her lips.

Lisael’s damp eyelids closed quietly, as if accepting her future.

‘I will atone to you for a lifetime, so forgive me this time too….’

And Miguel’s lips met her small, soft lips. Amidst the cheers and applause of blessings, her sobs were swallowed whole.

*   *   *

After the busy wedding, the inside of the Young Earl couple’s carriage, heading off on their honeymoon, was so quiet that all that could be heard was the sound of the wind. The Young Countess, who would currently be the envy of every noble lady in the South, stared blankly out the window with her expression erased.

The carriage was tirelessly heading towards Grand Town, one of the four villages in the Southern territory, the most famous resort in the South.

Originally, it would have been appropriate to go to a foreign resort befitting the status of the Dante family, but Lisael insisted on refusing, so the destination was changed to Grand Town. Well, foreign high nobles come to Grand Town for vacations, so it wouldn’t look too bad.

Meanwhile, Miguel, seated opposite her in the carriage, was on edge, unlike the calm Lisael.

Looking as if he bore all the worries of the world alone, Miguel’s serious face was contemplating none other than the direction he should take with his wife in the future.

Naturally, the direction of that future should be discussed with the wife in front of him, but unfortunately, he married a woman who considered him her enemy. And it seemed she intended not to say a word to him all the way to Grand Town.

‘Looks like I should be the one to… start the conversation.’

The time of agony began again.

Miguel couldn’t figure out how to approach Lisael in this dilemma. If he suddenly became warm just because they held a wedding….

‘She would think I’m some crazy guy.’

Undoubtedly, Lisael’s reaction would be as cold as his warmth.

‘Then, even after marriage, should I continue to faithfully play the role of a mortal enemy…’

That was something Miguel politely declined. To confess now, it was a dream wedding with the one he longed for. He had inadvertently achieved a future he couldn’t even dare to wish for his entire life.

He had harbored feelings for Lisael for half his life but had never dared to envision a future with her. But being in the same space now, he realized he had longed for this picture for a long time. Selfishly.

‘Yes, a broken relationship can slowly be mended if I make constant efforts.’

Determined to take one step at a time, Miguel first tried to fix his expression. He was naturally far from having a bright expression or a kind impression. His expression was so cold that people would ask if he was upset even when he was just expressionless.

But now, he made every effort to soften the sharp lines of his natural eyes and mouth into gentle curves.

“…What is it?”

As he gazed straight ahead with a very faint smile, Lisael finally responded. Though it was a cold response that made him feel like he had been dropped in the middle of a snowy field.

“Why are you looking at me like that, making me uncomfortable?”

In the social circle, whenever he smiled and opened his mouth, the ladies would burst into laughter as if something was so amusing.

He was practically the best comedian for ladies with just his face, yet she said it made her uncomfortable. It was a reaction hard to pass off lightly.

Miguel’s face stiffened instantly at the shocking response. Satisfied with Miguel’s cold expression, Lisael finally turned her gaze back outside.

‘So, she’s saying I’m not supposed to smile either…’

He had anticipated that approaching her anew wouldn’t be easy, but the sharp thorns on the firmly closed door of Lisael’s heart still pointed sharply at him.

“…It’s been a while since you went to Grand Town, right? Is there anything you want to do when we get there?”

“No.”

“…….”

Their conversations never continued beyond a single exchange.