I Thought It Was An Arranged Marriage - Chapter 2

“That dream again. It’s time to break free from it.”

Rosaline wiped the sweat off her forehead. It had been a week since she ‘became twenty again.’ She hadn’t left her room.

To be precise, she had barely left her bed. It took her a whole day to escape the fear of death. Then it took another day to grasp reality, and yet another day to accept that reality.

After that, she spent a whole day lamenting her situation, another day futilely hoping for a different choice, and finally, a day falling into deep despair and resignation.

‘How am I supposed to live from now on?’

Rosaline was truly an ordinary noble lady. She had never learned swordsmanship or magic, nor had she attended any academy. Those were areas for heirs, and she had no talent for them anyway.

The fair but not affectionate Count Marte gave all his children equal opportunities and made them take the same tests. That’s why the second son, the young count, became the heir.

As soon as Rosaline was distanced from the heirship, she received bride training. Because of that, she was well-versed in managing servants, handling family affairs, and allocating internal budgets. But those skills were of no help to her immediate situation. They were only meaningful abilities if she were the mistress of some household.

She died at twenty-one and was now twenty, engaged to Kallen, with their wedding just two months away. It was too late to postpone or cancel the engagement. There was no justification for it.

Kallen’s complicated relationships with other women were not a flaw. Even if she wanted to accuse Amelia, she hadn’t done anything wrong yet. Besides, Kallen would have found another mistress if not her.

Rosaline clenched her fist. She felt pathetic for having lived so meekly until now.

Since her marriage was arranged, she avoided meeting any men other than her family and Kallen Addis. Whether at salons or parties, she only talked to her fiancé and was escorted by him. When he couldn’t attend due to other commitments, she entered holding her family’s hand.

She knew no men other than her fiancé and family. Her friends were also sheltered ladies like herself. She had no options. Thus, the only thing Rosaline could choose was giving up.

‘Yes, don’t expect too much from a political marriage. Kallen is just a man weak to physical pleasure. He doesn’t love me.’

Yet, he neglected even contraception. When she got pregnant, he found a mistress, and when the mistress got pregnant, he found another. There was no respect for her in any of this. Rosaline sighed deeply.

It was easier once she gave up. Kallen was a man who needed mistresses, regardless of their number. She decided to draft a contract, allowing him to have as many mistresses or courtesans as he wanted, but no illegitimate children. Her family would likely support this.

In the end, Amelia’s extreme choice was largely due to Kallen’s instigation and the fact that she got pregnant. It was a situation Kallen could have easily prevented if he tried.

She decided to become a generous and elegant mistress. Then she could live like everyone else.

As she pressed down on her rising sense of misery and moved her quill, a voice interrupted her.

“Miss, it’s Nell.”

“Come in.”

Nell, the butler with slicked-back graying hair, was the head butler of Count Marte’s estate. He was her father’s most trusted right-hand man. Normally, he wouldn’t come all the way here for the third child, who wasn’t the heir. She suspected it was because of the wedding and quickly hid the piece of parchment she was writing on.

“The Count is looking for you.”

“Father? For what reason?”

“It’s not my place to say.”

Leaving behind her curiosity at Nell’s puzzled face, Rosaline left her room. Her upright and elegant walk was the epitome of nobility.

“Miss Rosaline is here.”

“Come in.”

Entering the Count’s office, Rosaline lifted her dress and greeted politely. Their relationship was overly formal for a father and daughter, but that was how it had always been. A fair but not affectionate father, and a polite but not warm daughter.

“The wedding is soon…”

“Yes.”

The Count sighed deeply, an unusual display of discomfort for him. He was always brief and to the point.

The situation itself felt strange to Rosaline. Had he ever called her like this before a wedding? Had he ever chosen his words so carefully in front of her?

“Two months to go.”

Rosaline spoke again, trying to suppress any emotion, convincing herself of her resignation. But her father’s next words shook her resolve completely.

“Your marriage to the Young Marquis of Addis is going to be called off.”

“What…?”

Her delayed reaction was because she couldn’t fully grasp or understand her father’s words. Called off? The wedding was just two months away!

A noble wedding required extensive preparation. Their engagement had a year-long preparation period. With only two months left, almost everything was finalized, with only minor choices remaining. And now, it was suddenly called off? Why?

Seeing the confusion in Rosaline’s eyes, Liam Marte cleared his throat. It was a surprising development for him too.

The Marte Count family and the Addis Marquis family. Although the Addis family had a higher title, both families were equally powerful overall. Kallen Addis was also one of the most sought-after suitors in high society, making the marriage satisfying for both families.

Politically, it was perfect since both families supported the Emperor. Liam believed Kallen Addis was the right match for his daughter, ensuring she retained all the privileges she enjoyed as a count’s daughter. Although he was not affectionate, Liam cared for his children in his own way.

If it had to be a political marriage, Kallen Addis was the best match for his daughter. That’s why he accepted and promoted the marriage despite its political nature. Recalling a recent incident, Liam clenched his teeth.

“It’s too complicated to explain, but there are political reasons involved. The wedding itself is not canceled, only your marriage to the Young Marquis of Addis.”

“So… only the bride will change?”

“Yes. I’m sorry.”

Rosaline nodded in a daze. So, the wedding would still happen in two months. The groom would remain Kallen Addis, but the bride would be someone else. That’s why her father felt sorry and awkward.

Rosaline suppressed the urge to smile. She couldn’t laugh here. Absolutely not. Her father’s next words helped her maintain her composure.

“Even though the fault lies with the Addis family, if this ends here, you could become a laughingstock.”

She wanted to say it was fine. After all, she had spent the past week trying to escape a predetermined future but had resigned herself to it.

“A new marriage proposal has come for you.”

“A marriage… proposal?”

Rosaline blinked slowly. The whirlwind of change was overwhelming. She had just heard her wedding was canceled, and now there was a new marriage proposal. The resignation she had momentarily set aside resurfaced in her heart.

“It’s political as well. And honestly, this match is better than the Young Marquis of Addis.”