8: You’ll Get Used to It

The wedding was solemnly conducted. Aella couldn’t summon the courage to look at Kael, whose arm she was holding.

‘Until Kael grants me a divorce… No, perhaps he won’t even spare me a cold glance. No matter what happens to me in the ducal household.’

Aella clenched her eyes shut. The thought of how the people who once greeted her warmly with smiles would now glare at her as if she were their enemy and whisper behind her back made her tremble like a leaf.

Kael, feeling her trembling, maintained an unchanged expression until the ceremony ended.

“With this, I declare Kael Hormons and Aella Hormons husband and wife before God. You may now seal your vow with a kiss.”

When Kael’s large hands touched her cheeks, Aella tightly shut her eyes. Then, she felt the cold kiss on her lips.

Clap, clap, clap—!

Applause echoed throughout the cathedral. Aella slowly opened her eyes to see Kael smiling coolly right in front of her.

‘I probably won’t even see this face anymore.’

Aella silently comforted herself.

It’s okay, it will be okay.

***

“Ella, my lovely daughter.”

Aella found the man shedding crocodile tears in front of her utterly repulsive. Even holding his hand made her feel sick. Barely managing to calm herself, Aella pressed her lips together and hugged Hans Blueanz.

“Father, don’t be too upset. It’s not as if I’m going far away.”

“Of course. I’ll visit you whenever I miss you.”

Aella simply smiled.

“Please take good care of Aella.”

“Of course.”

“Ella… No, Duchess, you should head to the estate first. I must meet His Majesty.”

“Yes.”

As Aella climbed into the carriage, Kael stood face-to-face with Hans Blueanz, who regarded him with a disapproving gaze.

If he could, Kael would have slit the throat of the greedy pig standing before him right then and there. But he had to restrain himself.

‘I can’t wait to see your face twisted in worry as you watch your precious daughter slowly wither away.’

“Son-in-law.”

Hans’s voice, now subdued, carried a different tone. Kael responded with a smile.

“Yes.”

“I ask you in advance, don’t leave Aella too lonely. You resemble your father in many ways.”

“Haha, of course. Rest assured. Aella is now a member of the Hormons family.”

Kael smiled as he issued his warning. While Hans gnawed his teeth in frustration, Kael maintained his composed smile, politely said his farewell, and boarded the carriage.

‘The reason His Majesty wants to see me…’

Aella had once been a strong contender for the position of Crown Princess.

If her father hadn’t intervened, Aella, not Princess Roden, would have been the Crown Prince’s fiancée. She wouldn’t have endured the torment of being the subject of endless gossip among the nobles while wasting away at his side.

“Who would benefit from that?”

Muttering under his breath, Kael guided his horse toward the imperial palace, his thoughts lingering on Aella’s trembling, fragile figure as she clung to his arm.

“D*mn it…”

Grinding his teeth, Kael whipped the reins harder.

Neigh—!

As the speed increased, the sharp wind brushed against Kael’s cheeks, slightly improving his mood. Fixing his gaze on the approaching palace, he focused solely on his destination.

Upon arriving at the imperial palace, Kael dismounted and patted his horse’s back.

“I’ll be back soon, so stay here quietly.”

Snort—

Kael placed his hand on the horse’s head as it shook its mane, a fleeting smile crossing his lips before vanishing. Turning around, he walked briskly past those greeting him politely and entered the palace.

“It’s Duke Hormons.”

“I heard he married the daughter of Count Blueanz as his duchess.”

“What on earth was he thinking…”

“But what fault does the daughter of Blueanz have?”

“Still, she’s the daughter of that man.”

Annoyed by the whispers echoing around him, Kael furrowed his brow and quickened his pace, entering the palace.

As soon as he stepped inside, he was greeted by the Emperor’s aide, who led him up the stairs toward the reception room. Along the way, Kael encountered the last person he wanted to see.

“Greetings to the Empire’s little sun, His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“So, Duke. I hear you’ve taken a duchess. Congratulations.”

“Thank you. Your Highness should also soon welcome Princess Roden as your wife.”

Kael straightened his posture, smiling as he faced the Crown Prince, who couldn’t hide his anger.

Since the Crown Prince had initiated the provocation, Kael felt justified in his response.

“Haha, indeed.”

After the Crown Prince left first, Kael bowed his head and followed the aide, who urged him to hurry as the Emperor was waiting. They arrived at the reception room.

Knock, knock.

“Your Majesty, Duke Hormons has arrived.”

“Let him in.”

As Kael entered the room, he prepared to greet the Emperor, but the Emperor waved off the formalities and gestured for him to sit.

“Duke Hormons.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I want to know the real reason you married the daughter of Count Blueanz. You are one of my most trusted subjects, after all.”

“…”

“…”

After a brief silence, the Emperor studied Kael, who sat upright and composed.

“As you know, Your Majesty, the young lady of Blueanz and I were betrothed since childhood. It was only natural for me to take her as my wife.”

Kael spoke with a smile on his lips, exuding confidence. However, the perceptive Emperor wasn’t easily convinced.

“Duke, are you aware that rumors about your father’s death still stir unrest within the empire?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know about the strange tales claiming that the soul of the man who died proclaiming his innocence cries out every night?”

“Yes.”

“I wonder if you’re truly okay with things as they are. And what about your duchess?”

“Your Majesty.”

Kael met the Emperor’s worried gaze with a faint smile.

“I am grateful for your concern for me and my wife. I will handle everything on my own, so please don’t worry.”

“Very well. I hope to see you and your wife at court soon.”

“I shall make arrangements.”

After the slightly uncomfortable audience with the Emperor, Kael exited the palace and noticed a group of noblewomen arguing with a maid, raising their voices.

Kael usually didn’t involve himself in others’ affairs, but he recognized the maid. She was one of Princess Roden’s attendants.

“What is going on here?”

“Ah! Your Grace, Duke Hormons!”

“Well, this maid dared to insult us! A mere maid!”

“But you insulted our princess first!”

“Where are you getting such lies?!”

Kael sighed, feeling caught in a troublesome situation.

“Azet, stop.”

“Princess.”

It was the first time Kael had seen Princess Roden up close. She carried herself with dignity befitting royalty from a kingdom with a long history, but her gaunt face lacked any trace of vitality.

“Greetings to Your Highness, Princess Roden.”

“Duke Hormons. My maid caused unnecessary trouble.”

“Princess! Those women openly disrespected you!”

“Azet! I told you to stop.”

“Yes, I apologize.”

“Ladies, please leave quietly.”

“Yes, of course, Princess.”

Kael scoffed at the noblewomen’s childish behavior, watching as the princess consoled her tearful maid.

‘She could just return to her homeland and give up on everything.’

Kael gazed at the princess with a slightly pitying look. Then their eyes met.

“I heard you’ve taken a wife.”

“Yes.”

“It’s the young lady of Blueanz, isn’t it?”

“That’s correct.”

Kael knew the princess was well aware of Aella’s existence. After all, Aella Blueanz was the object of the Crown Prince’s obsessive love, which was why the princess was treated coldly by him.

Kael found the Crown Prince’s inability to let go of his feelings for Aella foolish and irritating.

“May the blessings of the gods be upon you and your wife.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

As Kael watched the princess leave, comforting her still-sobbing maid, her fragile figure reminded him of Aella, who had once limped away in pain.

“Sigh…”

Kael let out a frustrated breath and turned away, walking quickly.

***

As expected, the atmosphere at the Hormons estate was cold when they arrived. Just days ago, the employees had greeted Aella with smiles, but now they stood silently, bowing their heads without a word.

Feeling awkward, Aella was approached by the butler Matteo, who handed her a piece of paper and gestured for her to follow him.

As she walked, Aella noticed Rensi. The maid’s malicious smile, as if she were waiting for prey, made Aella sigh.

Rensi deliberately stuck out her leg, leaving Aella no time to avoid it. She stumbled and fell.

“Your Grace! What is the meaning of this?!”

“Kina. I’m fine.”

Aella, looking at Kina, who was holding Charlotte, pressed her lips together as Kina nodded reluctantly. Aella patted Kina’s shoulder and faced Rensi, who was smiling mockingly.

“Oh my, I’m so sorry, Your Grace. My leg just cramped, and I accidentally stretched it out.”

“Snicker, snicker.”

Hearing the laughter around her, Aella clenched her fists tightly. Then, forcing a smile, she spoke.

“It’s fine. Be more careful next time.”

“Yes~”

Even as Rensi dragged out her response, Aella calmly apologized to Matteo and asked him to lead the way.

The room Aella was brought to was at the end of the third floor.

Click.

As Matteo opened the door and gestured for her to enter, Aella thanked him and stepped inside.

It was a room that didn’t seem fit for a duchess.

Thud.

After the door closed and Matteo’s footsteps faded, Kina finally let out her frustration.

“This is too much! The room I used at the count’s estate was better than this!”

“Kina.”

“My lady…”

“You promised to stay quietly by my side, didn’t you?”

Tearing up, Kina nodded as Aella hugged her, patting her back before sitting on the bed and unfolding the paper Matteo had handed her.

‘Kael’s handwriting…’

As Aella read the neat handwriting, a faint smile appeared on her lips.

“My lady, what does it say?”

Aella looked at Kina and smiled.

“It says I should live quietly here, like a doll, until I die.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?!”

“At least he’ll treat me as his wife at official events. Isn’t that fortunate?”

Kina couldn’t say a word as she watched Aella force a smile.

Meow~

Charlotte climbed onto Aella’s lap, and as she stroked the cat’s head, Aella closed her eyes.

‘I’ll get used to it.’