I Thought It Was An Arranged Marriage - Chapter 6

“I swear. Not to the deity, but to you before me. And on my heart.”

Lucas swore firmly, leaving behind his mixed feelings. He swore to respect her to the best of his ability. To respect her and prioritize her dignity at all times and places. Rosaline, though slightly reluctant, gratefully accepted his promise.

However, Lucas could not hide his fear. Why on earth would Rosaline demand such a thing?

She grew up as the youngest daughter of Count Marte, receiving her share of love and respect. Count Marte was more family-oriented than people knew and cherished his children. In a household where children were pitted against each other to appoint a successor, the siblings’ bonds were not bad. Perhaps because they knew they had earned their positions fairly. Just from that, one could guess that the Count was a decent father.

The siblings were not bad either. Especially the young count of Marte, who, though somewhat frail, was a decent young man. The Countess, though a bit cold, was a good mother. Even if she wasn’t overly lenient, it was known that she never excessively punished her children.

Thus, her life must have been filled with respect and consideration. There should be no reason for her to bring up such words. Did someone do something bad to her? Lucas clenched his fist tightly.

Who would dare?

But.

Maybe.

Lucas forcibly pushed away the sudden assumption that came to mind. It couldn’t be. It had never happened before. But the assumption, once shoved into a corner, did not easily disappear no matter how hard he tried to drive it away.

The experience of not being respected, the experience of not being considered. The thought kept coming back that there was only one such terrible memory.

But he finally buried that assumption deep down. It couldn’t be. He was overthinking it. It was just an advanced worry stemming from not knowing the debauched behavior of her former fiancé. He believed so. He tried to bury the anxiety rising from deep within his chest once again.

* * *

In the office of Grand Duke Bryant.

Noah Livingston, the loyal vassal and current aide of the Grand Duke, observed his lord with a face full of interest. To others, he might have seemed expressionless, but having served him for 15 years, Noah could see his lord’s confused mind.

When he sent a marriage proposal, ordered the preparation of engagement gifts, and extravagantly dressed up to attend the wedding of his prospective fiancée’s former fiancé, his lord seemed happy. He even seemed a bit excited.

When a letter arrived from Count Marte’s household shortly after he left, everyone in the Grand Duke’s mansion sensed it. They sensed that the Grand Duke would return satisfied.

However, the Grand Duke who returned early that evening seemed somewhat out of it. He made clumsy hand movements he had never done before and nearly tripped on the stairs. Even after calling his aide to the office, he barely listened to the report, his eyes filled with confusion as he was lost in other thoughts.

He didn’t even notice when his aide stopped speaking. He didn’t realize that his aide was impudently staring at his face.

“Noah.”

“Yes, my lord.”

It was Lucas who broke the long silence, but that was all. Lucas couldn’t bring himself to speak the words that lingered in his mouth. Not only was it a mere speculation, but even if it were true, it was difficult to tell others.

If his impudent aide were to hear it, he might say the Grand Duke had finally gone mad and demand a hefty severance pay to quit immediately. Lucas just let out a deep sigh.

Noah kept his itching mouth shut. He wanted to ask what had happened, but he knew the Grand Duke wasn’t one to answer kindly. What should he ask to get a proper answer? While Noah was carefully choosing his words, surprisingly, Lucas spoke first.

“The auction?”

“Last night, all the jewels at the Claw Auction House were successfully bid on. We also confirmed that a defensive artifact was listed as a surprise item and successfully bid on it as well.”

“I see.”

Lucas fell silent for a moment. Noah, sensing the mood, kept his mouth shut and waited for his lord’s thoughts to end. Normally, he would have pried for information, teasing just enough not to cross the line, but today he chose silence. That was how different his lord was from usual.

The Grand Duke, who usually didn’t care about others’ opinions, tended to act decisively when something bothered or displeased him. His inherent personality, combined with the ability and power to clean up any mess, made him even more so. For such a Grand Duke to be this troubled, it must be a serious matter. Noah valued his life.

“Let me ask you something.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“How should one respect their wife?”

So it’s about his prospective fiancée! Noah’s mind raced. Since he referred to her as his wife, it seemed the marriage proposal had been accepted, and Lady Marte would soon enter the Grand Duke’s mansion.

While handling matters related to the marriage proposal, he had discreetly inquired about her reputation, which was impeccable. Kinder than the Crown Princess and wiser than the prospective third prince’s bride, there was no one better suited as the Grand Duchess. She was far too good for a scoundrel like Young Marquis Addis. Noah suppressed a smile and asked seriously.

“Did something happen with Lady Marte today? Surely you weren’t rude to her?”

“Rude? Such a thing…”

Lucas, who was about to raise his voice in anger, trailed off. Noah, his aide of 15 years, instinctively realized that his lord felt deep satisfaction with the term ‘Grand Duchess.’ He smiled with satisfaction. Well, this is easy.

“Surely, you didn’t treat the esteemed lady who will become the lady of Bryant as you treat us.”

“Do you think I’m that much of an idiot?”

“I trust you. But respect… Well, if you hand over the financial authority and establish her authority…”

“How do I establish her authority?”

“Well, it’s not like you can treat her as I treat you, Your Highness. Just, you know, speak politely to her, treat her well in front of the servants, and treat her well outside as well…”

Lucas’s lips moved slightly. How should he treat her well? Born as the youngest prince of the imperial family, he received love to the point of annoyance, and after sensing mana, he lived without caring about anything.

Under the Emperor’s protection, he did whatever he wanted and took whatever he desired. He knew better than anyone that he had a bad and indifferent personality, but he didn’t care. He thought kindness and consideration were for the weak.

He closed his eyes and ears, not knowing the value of what was precious. And only after losing it did he regret it. He had done such a foolish thing. So he couldn’t help but be more cautious.

“My lord. A man in love does not confuse his woman. First of all, don’t even look at other women, and spend a lot of money. They say money follows the heart.”

“Money.”

“Yes. Although those who try to solve everything with money seem vulgar, that’s only when it’s half-hearted. If you overwhelm her with overwhelming wealth, it’s clean. The back talk is just out of jealousy.”

Lucas silently agreed. If it were Rosaline, he wouldn’t mind giving her everything. He could even gladly give her the Grand Duke’s position if she asked. But Lucas lacked confidence. Rosaline wasn’t someone who would be swayed by mere money. If she were, she would have already been in his arms.