“Lady Kristin is still getting ready,” Lenci said.

“Just a little more patience….” Cindy chimed in, addressing Duke Raphael, who had come to the count’s estate.

He glanced around the estate briefly before speaking to the two maids.

“Thank you for taking such good care of my Kristin.”

“Oh, no need to thank us, Your Grace. It’s our duty,” Lenci replied, flustered.

“You’re far too kind. In truth, Lady Kristin takes such good care of us. We’re truly grateful to her,” Cindy added, blushing shyly.

As Duke Raphael spoke, Lenci and Cindy beamed, their cheeks reddening.

Before long, they noticed Kristin descending the stairs from the second floor. The two maids immediately rushed to her side.

Kristin had already informed them to pack her usual belongings, saying she only stopped briefly at the Edith estate.

Knowing their lady had been under constant threat, they had long suspected she would remain at the duke’s estate for safety. In a way, they were relieved she would be staying in a safer place.

Still, their unease about Kristin’s well-being was something they couldn’t easily shake.

Sensing their worry, Kristin spoke to Lenci and Cindy.

“This weekend, I will marry the duke at his estate.”

“What?”

“A wedding?”

The sudden news caused Lenci, who had been packing a bag for Kristin, to drop it onto the floor in shock.

Lenci had assumed her lady was simply visiting the duke’s estate. Hearing that Kristin would be marrying him left her utterly stunned.

The thought of parting with the lady she had served for so long filled her heart with sadness.

But then she recalled hearing about the letter from the judiciary prohibiting Kristin from getting married.

Kristin had mentioned it herself, and now, here she was, announcing her wedding to Duke Raphael.

Something felt off, prompting Lenci to lean in and whisper to her mistress.

“Lady Kristin, are you getting married? I distinctly remember you mentioning that marriage was forbidden,” Lenci said, her sharp memory and keen intuition evident.

Kristin smiled softly at her and then whispered gently into her ear.

“I’ll explain everything later when I return to the viscount’s estate. But for now… just know that you might not see me for at least a week. And no matter what happens, don’t be too alarmed. I’ll be fine.”

“Huh? My lady, are you not planning to do something dangerous?”

Lenci tilted her head, confused by Kristin’s cryptic words.

Kristin bent down to pick up the bag Lenci had dropped and turned her gaze toward Duke Raphael.

“Shall we go then, my future duchess?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Lady Kristin, please take care of yourself,” Lenci called after her.

“Will we be allowed to attend the wedding? We’d love to see how beautiful you look and help you however we can.”

“Of course, you and Cindy are welcome to come to the duchy anytime,” Kristin replied warmly.

Kristin wanted to tell them that the wedding was a sham. But aside from Duke Raphael, no one could know the plan’s details. Keeping this secret was paramount.

Instead, she put on a cheerful front, bid them farewell, and secretly instructed the butler and headmaid to ensure that Lenci and Cindy would not attend the wedding.

It wasn’t out of mistrust but out of concern. She couldn’t bear the thought of them being hurt if anything went wrong

“Please take care of the viscount’s estate, Alberto. I’ll return when this is all over,” Kristin said to the butler.

“My lady, why do you say such things?” Cindy asked tearfully.

“Even if you’re getting married, you’ll still return to visit. But the way you’re speaking—it’s making me uneasy.”

“Now, now,” the butler interjected. “We mustn’t question the lady’s decisions, Cindy.”

Kristin waved her hand dismissively, assuring them all was well. She smiled at everyone, then followed the duke out of the estate.

As the carriage pulled away, she looked at the viscount’s estate, knowing she would only return when everything was resolved.

—

“How do you feel, Kristin?”

“Pardon?”

Duke Raphael Rodney had been watching Kristin intently. Her forced smile hadn’t escaped his notice.

He knew her well enough to recognize when she was holding something back. Despite her composed exterior, there was something on her mind.

To ease the tension, he spoke again, this time playfully.

“Shall we stop by the Begonia Café for some desserts? Last time, you rushed off, and I didn’t get to try those intriguing sweets. I’ve been thinking about them ever since.”

“Your Grace,” Kristin murmured, her lips curving into a faint smile as she nodded.

Time was running out, but Duke Raphael’s casual suggestion wasn’t entirely without purpose.

Stopping at the shopping district before heading to the duchy wasn’t just a whim. It was a calculated move to spread rumors about their impending wedding.

Kristin had already sent invitations to the same nobles who had written her letters. This time, the invitations would also be sent to the imperial palace.

“I can’t help but worry about the plan. You never know what might happen,” Kristin said softly.

“Really? Is that what you think, Kristin? I don’t feel that way at all,” replied Duke Raphael, his tone steady.

Kristin turned her gaze from the carriage window to meet his eyes, and for a moment, their shared silence spoke volumes.

Then, Duke Raphael gestured toward the pocket watch necklace hanging around Kristin’s neck.

“With this pocket watch, we can foresee what’s ahead. We also have the testimony of the young soldier. Isn’t that enough?”

“Even so, I can’t help but feel uneasy. I believe it will all work out, but…”

“At least until the fake wedding, I just want you to be happy by my side,” Raphael interrupted gently.

“I couldn’t make that happen before. I regret that I didn’t propose right after your debutante ball and waited a year to send my letter. What a fool I was.”

Kristin chuckled at his words, her smile softening her expression.

“It may be a fake wedding to deceive everyone, but we are here now, preparing for a wedding together,” she said. Then, after a brief hesitation, she added, “And, Your Grace…”

Before she could finish, Raphael turned his head toward her, and Kristin leaned in to kiss his lips gently. Slowly, softly, and tenderly.

“Kristin…”

“I’ve come to understand my feelings for you, Your Grace,” Kristin murmured.

“So from now on, I’ll express them openly. You asked me to spend these moments happily by your side, so I hope you’ll do the same. Be happy with me, at least until this plan begins. Afterward, we may have to part for a time.”

“Understood. Just in case, I’ve already prepared a new coffin for myself—a sturdy one, at that,” Raphael replied with a hint of humor.

Neither the imperial Princess Rebella nor the emperor knew what was coming. Soon, they would hear news of the wedding and likely respond with fury, sending soldiers to the duchy to strike again.

Raphael planned to don specialized armor and endure their attacks while putting on a convincing show. Special red dye had been prepared to simulate his wounds.

The spectacle would culminate in the declaration of his death, with a full funeral to follow. This deception and Kristin’s protection under the duchy’s private forces formed the first phase of their strategy. Hence, the new coffin was a necessity.

“Why do such things happen to us, Your Grace?” Kristin asked, her voice heavy with emotion.

“Perhaps it’s fate’s way of making me realize how important you are to me,” Raphael replied, his lips curling into a slight smile.

“Your Grace…”

Raphael laughed softly, then shifted to a more serious tone.

“Once I’m in that coffin, it’ll end that chapter. Rebella will turn her attention to the state of the Union Empire, while the emperor will likely try to seize your diamond mines. But we have the other letter from the Pope. Keep it safe. We’ll send it to the press tomorrow.”

When they had met Pope Henry Edward, Raphael had ensured they received a second letter for publication, in addition to the one addressed to the emperor. This redundancy was intentional.

The letter bore the same date as the emperor’s and served as proof. If the emperor tried to deny receiving a letter, this second one would expose his lie.

The emperor should have already issued orders based on the Pope’s correspondence, but no such orders had come, and that discrepancy would soon play a critical role in their plan.

The unexpected events signaled that even the emperor saw Kristin and Raphael as unwelcome threats.

“Well then,” Raphael said calmly, glancing at the scenery outside the carriage window.

“Before returning to the duchy, let’s pick up the ceremonial outfits and some desserts today. Tomorrow, we’ll begin executing the plans in earnest, Kristin. Also, I need to have a word with the aides who’ll oversee my staged death.”

—