I Thought It Was An Arranged Marriage - Chapter 15

“Thank you for coming, Mother-in-law. You are the second most beautiful person here today.”

“Second?”

Countess Marte playfully raised her eyebrows. The answer was obvious even without hearing it, and no mother would be displeased to see her daughter loved by her husband. Lucas, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, shrugged and wrapped his arm around his wife’s shoulder.

Only the young count’s face twisted. It wasn’t that he was genuinely upset or disgusted, but his brother-in-law’s excessive affection for his sister was slightly annoying. While he appreciated that his sister was loved by her husband, he wished they would choose a more appropriate time and place. Young Count James Marte clicked his tongue inwardly. His mother, noticing her son’s expression, smiled and said,

“It’s a perfect banquet. You did well, Rosie.”

“Thanks to your excellent teaching, Mother.”

The atmosphere was warm and pleasant. As the surrounding nobles, who had been paying attention to the exchange of compliments and laughter, began to gather, conversations naturally shifted to political and business matters, and groups started to form. Lucas, who intended to stick by his wife’s side no matter what, also had to retreat under Rosaline’s stern gaze.

“Luke, there are many important things to attend to rather than staying by my side.”

“Nothing is more important to me than you, Rosie.”

“Luke.”

“I understand…”

Lucas looked back at her several times, as if he still had lingering regrets, but Rosaline was firm. They had already shown enough of their harmonious relationship, and there was no need for them to stay together the whole time. It was better to meet many people and solidify their political standing.

Rosaline smiled gracefully and began to skillfully engage with the noblewomen approaching her.

The banquet, which had started in the early evening, reached a lull late into the night. The elderly had already left before midnight, and even the energetic youth had discreetly disappeared after exchanging secretive glances. The few remaining in the hall were either engaged in serious conversations, trying to connect with influential people, or looking for a partner for some mischief.

‘Maybe I should rest a bit.’

Having been on edge throughout the banquet, worried that something might go wrong, Rosaline scanned the winding down hall and allowed herself to relax a little. It had been a successful event, very successful indeed. She could tell from the expressions of the attendees. Even those who usually had many complaints and enjoyed gossiping seemed to have had a good time, albeit reluctantly. Feeling a sense of pride, Rosaline headed to the balcony.

She had sipped quite a bit of wine while conversing with numerous people. She wasn’t drunk, but she felt slightly tipsy and needed some fresh air. Being naturally quiet and introverted, it was exhausting for Rosaline to be the center of attention at such a lively event, even if she didn’t show it. Nonetheless, she was proud of how well she had managed today. With a sense of accomplishment, she opened the balcony door.

The refreshing feeling from the cold night air was fleeting as Rosaline’s face involuntarily twisted. She thought the balcony was empty, but someone was there. And it was someone she knew all too well.

“Well, if it isn’t the Grand Duchess.”

“Young Marquis Addis.”

It was Kallen Addis. The entire balcony reeked of alcohol, his face was flushed red, and his eyes were completely unfocused from drinking too much.

What a disgraceful sight at someone else’s banquet. Rosaline’s body trembled, and she couldn’t control her expression. She noticed him drinking throughout the evening, not caring about his pregnant wife and making loud noises with his friends. She frowned each time but held back because he hadn’t caused any major incidents, and it wasn’t her place to intervene.

But to drink to this extent? And if he was drunk, he should have quietly gone home. Why was he lingering on the balcony?

“You are as beautiful as ever. Still.”

“You are drunk. I will call someone for you.”

“Your Highness. No, Rosaline, you…”

“Young Marquis. I have never permitted you to use my name.”

Kallen Addis’s flushed face turned even redder, as if it might burst into flames. His overall crumpled appearance looked both aggrieved and miserable. Rosaline swallowed a sigh. She wanted to let it out but knew that provoking a drunk person wouldn’t do her any good, so she held back.

“How can you be so cold to me!”

Even though the banquet was winding down, there were still people in the hall. The mere fact that she was alone with a drunken man on the balcony could lead to scandal, and Rosaline knew this better than anyone. She wanted to get away from there as soon as possible.

But things don’t always go as planned. The sigh she had held back finally came out as sharp words.

“Is there any reason I shouldn’t be cold to you?”

“If things had gone as they should have! You would have been my wife!”

And then I would have been deluded, betrayed, and discarded by you. Rosaline muttered words she couldn’t say out loud to herself. She stared at the man in front of her, who was whining like a tragic hero. It was laughable. Even shamelessness had its limits.

It was true that they had been close to marriage. But that was all. Since it was an arranged marriage, they had only met a handful of times, mostly during tea times with the Marchioness and her mother or at public events like New Year’s balls and victory celebrations.

They had never had a personal meeting or conversation. What was there to be so emotional and aggrieved about? Moreover, she later found out that even at the balls and banquets they attended together, he had been indulging in dirty play while his partner had left early. He had been enjoying secretive night games quite happily.

Kallen had never loved Rosaline, but he took great pride in the fact that she was his fiancée. The white rose of the social circles, noble, chaste, and beautiful. If she had been just a Count’s daughter, she might have become the Crown Princess. But she was destined to be his wife. He flirted with other women, but he didn’t care about that. In the end, he would marry Rosaline Marte!

But now the situation had changed. The young marchioness of Addis came from a mere baron’s family, with nothing but money. No one knew better than he did how his reputation had fallen among his friends and in the social circles. He could feel their mocking glances, even if they pretended otherwise.

‘It’s true that I’ve been associating with noble ladies and unmarried young women. But that’s all the more reason why I, as the young Marquis Addis, have no reason to visit a brothel.’

That day, he felt like he was under a spell. He had never even looked at the slums before, but he was drawn to the brothel as if he was controlled by something. Or maybe someone had brought him there. He couldn’t remember clearly. He just found himself in an unfamiliar place when he came to his senses.

A dirty, smelly, filthy place. Seeing half-naked men and women entwined in twos, threes, or more, he realized where he was. It was a disgusting, nauseating place. Kallen left immediately once he regained his senses. That was all. He had never visited or even looked at the place before or after that incident.

But things took a strange turn. Someone claimed to have seen him there that day, and there was irrefutable evidence. After all, it was true that he had been there. His father was furious, and the engagement was broken off. He was then hastily married to a woman he had never even considered.