Chapter 1 – Broken Engagement (Part 7)

“If you marry me, I’ll provide you with whatever support you need to achieve your desires.”

It was an offer too enticing to easily refuse. Reubellina pondered it seriously. 

Her decade-long love had been shattered, and Tartenon’s words were irrefutably true. 

She knew it herself that this broken engagement was more disastrous for her than for Inferno.

People who loved to gossip would focus on the fact that the great Duke’s daughter was abandoned by the Prince, rather than listening to her side of the story. 

In high society, she would be ostracized, unable to escape the whispers and stares. She might be forced into an unwanted marriage for the sake of her family. That was the fate of noblewomen.

She could remain in the Duchy and become a Duchess, but no one would support a Duchess surrounded by scandal. The Asillious family’s reputation would be dragged through the mud.

‘The North.’

Reubellina had never left the capital where the Asillious Duchy was located. The North was a cold and unfamiliar place to her, and she had never imagined she would ever live there.

‘But still, maybe… it’s not that bad.’

Perhaps, as Tartenon suggested, going to the North would be better. There were no good memories left for her here. All she had were memories of betrayal and mockery. The person she had wholeheartedly devoted herself to had abandoned her, and those who circled her seeking favors would turn against her.

She was torn. It was all too sudden.

It was only yesterday that she had been informed of the broken engagement by Inferno. Thus, it wasn’t possible to immediately agree to Tartenon’s proposal for a contract marriage today. 

She needed time. Time to sort out the chaos in her mind.

However, the problem was Tartenon. As the Grand Duke of the North, a region regularly invaded by enemies, he couldn’t afford to be away for long. He doesn’t have much time to really spend in the capital.

‘He might have to leave immediately.’ 

Though it would be understandable for him to press her for an immediate decision, Tartenon remained silent. His calm gaze was fixed on her, and when their eyes met, Reubellina felt an inexplicable tension and swallowed dryly.

Tartenon whispered to Reubellina, who continued to ponder.

“You have plenty of time. I’ll be staying in the capital for a while.”

“Isn’t the North a busy place?”

“Since His Majesty has personally summoned me, I can’t easily return to the North. Unless another excuse arises.”

Reubellina instinctively understood that the “excuse” he spoke of was their contract marriage.

Keeping his gaze on her, Tartenon reached into his pocket. In his hand was a small note.

“If you ever make up your mind, this is where to find me.”

The small note bore an address.

[235 Sylvestre Street.]

It was a place where only the wealthiest in the capital, primarily merchants rather than nobles, resided. Reubellina hadn’t imagined that Tartenon’s residence would be in such a location. She glanced at the note, then at Tartenon, then back to the note.

“Sometimes, it’s important to stay in places where one won’t easily be noticed.”

“Like hiding a tree in a forest.”

“Exactly.”

Tartenon smiled slightly. 

Since it was a place where wealthy people lived, it wouldn’t be strange for a noble to come and go. Tartenon had even considered such details when securing his space in the capital. The more she thought about it, the more meticulous Tartenon seemed.

While Reubellina was lost in thought, staring at the note, Tartenon stood up without saying a word. She was too dazed, staring at the note, to think of seeing him off. Suddenly, she sprang to her feet as he was slowly leaving the reception room.

“I’ll be waiting for your contact there.”

Tartenon said, leaving the room without looking back.

Reubellina stood there, watching his retreating figure, then sank back into her chair. With a thud, she sat down, her unfocused eyes fixed on the reception room door.

She needed time to think. A lot of time.

***

“Reubellina!”

Her thoughts were interrupted by the Duke, who rushed into the reception room as soon as Tartenon had left. Though she wanted to continue her contemplation and make a decision here, returning to her chambers was now impossible.

‘How could I have forgotten about Father?’

The conversation with Tartenon had been so shocking that she had forgotten that the Duke had not yet gone to the imperial palace. 

As soon as the Duke saw Reubellina’s face, he immediately interrogated her.

“What happened? What’s going on? Why did the Grand Duke come to see you?”

“It’s nothing, really.”

“Nothing?!”

“We just happened to run into each other at the banquet last night, and he brought something I had dropped.”

“You?”

“Yes.”

Normally, Reubellina is very careful with her things, so he was suspicious when she said she dropped something, but the Duke couldn’t question her. Sensing that she was hiding something, the Duke decided it was time to back off.

“It really was nothing.”

“If you say so, then I suppose it is.”

“I’m tired. I’ll go upstairs.”

“Alright, go on.”

As Reubellina left the reception room and ascended to her room on the second floor, the Duke watched her worriedly until she disappeared from sight. Unaware of the Duke’s concern, Reubellina entered her room and locked the door behind her.

When she was sure no one could enter, she flopped down on her bed. As she closed her eyes, the memories of yesterday came back to her more clearly.

‘Of all people, why did it have to be him, the Grand Duke of the North?’

He had heard all sorts of remarks and harsh words from Inferno. Not only that, he was the one who had caught her when she was about to fall and prevented her from rolling on the floor.

She remembered the feel of his solid chest when he was beneath her.

‘It was broad and warm.’

For a brief moment, Reubellina had felt a sense of protection from him. And that feeling felt strange.

She had never felt protected when she was with Inferno. Inferno had said that she should strive for his favor as he was a member of the Imperial Family. She had never heard him say he would protect her as a woman.

In passing, she had heard a fleeting remark about Tartenon having silver hair and blue eyes. However, his face was so beautiful that she couldn’t immediately think of him as the Grand Duke of the North.

The Grand Duke of the North that Reubellina had imagined was a rough and muscular man. But Tartenon was different.

‘He was a beautiful man.’

Yes, the word “beautiful” suited him well. While she couldn’t see any bulky muscles, he had a quite solid body. His silver hair, swaying in the wind, and his sapphire-blue eyes were like gems.

In the darkness of the corridor, his eyes were so deep in color that at first glance they appeared navy blue. In the light of day, they shone as beautifully as if they reflected a clear ocean.

His prominent nose was sharp enough to slash, and his icy gaze could freeze anything that stood in his way.

‘But when he smiled, it was different.’

It was only for a moment, but when he smiled, the long curve of his eyes softened into a rounded arc. His captivating smile was like that of an ice fairy from the North who lured people.

Despite his towering height, he exuded an aura of intimidation, but strangely enough, even at the moment when she might fall and hurt herself, he had put his hand behind her head to prevent her from hitting it on the floor. The gap between his actions and his demeanor made her heart flutter.

“No! This isn’t right!”

Reubellina shook her head as she lay on the bed.

“This isn’t the time to be like this.”

She bolted upright, pondering what to do next, and that pondering continued late into the night.

***

“My Lady, it’s Sandy. I’m coming in.”

Sandy whispered outside the door of Reubellina, who hadn’t come out of her room all day since yesterday. Determined, she had brought the key, resolute in her mission to get Reubellina out of the room today no matter what.

She couldn’t just stand by and watch the precious young lady of the ducal estate remain in her room and sigh. Her refusal to come out of her room and eat brought the chef to tears.

The chef, whose greatest pleasure was in seeing the young lady enjoy his food, decided that if Reubellina wouldn’t eat, he wouldn’t eat either, so he began to fast with his fat body.

It wasn’t just the chef. The butler felt the same way. Since Reubellina wouldn’t come out, he had ordered an untimely full cleaning of the household, preparing for when the young mistress would finally emerge.

The head maid had tried all sorts of ways to get into the room but was met with Reubellina’s resistance. When all attempts failed, Sandy stepped up.

With a determined expression, she turned the key, encouraged by the other servants who were cheering her on with fists clenched in fighting poses. As the door clicked open, Sandy peeked her head inside.

“…What’s going on?”

Reubellina’s voice was hoarse, as she hadn’t been eating or drinking properly. Sandi approached her, eyes brimming with tears.

“My Lady!”

“Yes, I am your lady. What’s going on?”

“…”

Seeing Reubellina’s condition, Sandy covered her mouth, her resolve growing stronger.

‘No matter what, I’ll get Her Lady Reubellina out today!’

“The designer from the atelier contacted us. She needs to take your measurements for the dress again.”

“The dress?”

“Yes.”

Reubellina thought for a moment at Sandy’s words.

‘Ah yes, there was that.’ 

After the banquet, with the decision for her marriage to Inferno and her entry into the Imperial Palace for education and training, she needed a dress that would not make her look inferior to the other noble ladies.

“Tell them I’ll go next time.”

“They said you have to come today. New decorations are coming in, and the madam said she’d set aside the special ones for you.”

“Do I really have to go?”

Sandy cleared her throat at Reubellina’s question. This was an important moment. Knowing Rebellina’s nature, if Sandy asked her to leave, the more Reubellina wouldn’t want to go out.

“Then shall I say you’ll go next time? The other ladies’ dresses might get those latest decorations, but since you said that, next time…”

“…”

Reubellina knew why Sandy was speaking like that. It was none of her business what the other young lady’s dresses might be decorated with, but she appreciated Sandy’s effort to get her out. She also noticed the worried faces of the other servants peeking through the door crack.

Seeing the concern of the ducal servants, Reubellina smiled faintly and spoke slowly.

“Alright, then I’ll go out.”

“That’s a good idea, I’m sure you’ll feel much better than you are now if you go outside and get some fresh air!”

“And it’ll be even better if we buy something pretty, right?”

“Of course!”

Reubellina didn’t mind Sandy’s enthusiastic nosiness. Smiling brightly, she told the servants to prepare for her outing, and soon the maids came rushing into the room. Under their bustling hands, Reubellina soon found herself standing in front of the renowned Scheh’s Boutique, the most popular and expensive dress shop in the empire.