Chapter 2

“Today, the Duke of Winderton will be visiting Scarlett Castle.”

Contrary to my expectation that I would marry without ever even seeing his face, I actually got to meet the Duke of Winderton.

“You’re beautiful, Lirie.”

When I appeared in the pale pink dress I’d been told to wear, my father nodded in satisfaction.

“Wait here for the Duke of Winderton.”

“Yes, Father.”

He made me stand in front of the castle gate.

He believed that a gentleman like the Duke would never just pass by a lady waiting at the entrance.

Thanks to him, I was forced to stand in the middle of the hot summer garden, waiting for the Duke to arrive.

Whenever I started to sweat, the maids appeared as if by magic to dab my face and touch up my makeup. If my cheeks started to flush, an attendant would quickly come and shade me with a parasol.

It felt seriously uncomfortable, as if every servant and resident of Scarlett Castle was pressuring me into marrying the Duke of Winderton.

“Huh…?”

In the distance, I saw the Winderton carriage approaching, flanked by two white horses.

The carriage pulled up swiftly and stopped, and when the door opened, a large man stepped down.

Brilliant golden hair that seemed to drink in the sunlight, black eyes that inspired fear in others despite his neat appearance, pale skin that might have looked sickly if not for his solid, powerful build.

‘Wow…’

His immaculate attire and the watch on his thick wrist only added to his gentlemanly image.

“…..!”

I was sure he’d greet me, even if it was a marriage neither of us wanted. He had a reputation for being the gentleman of all gentlemen. But to my surprise, the Duke of Winderton ignored me completely and strode right past into the castle.

‘If I just let him go, Father will be furious.’

I had no choice but to stop him, if only to avoid my father’s wrath.

“Duke Winderton!”

I knew it was rude, but I couldn’t help but call after him.

“…What is it, Lady Scarlett?”

Only then did the Duke stop and turn to look at me, his expression cold as ice.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Duke Winderton. I’m Lirie Scarlett of House Scarlett.”

I was sure I’d already made a mess of it, but this was my first meeting with the man I was to marry—I wanted to do it right.

“Pleased to meet you, Lady Scarlett. I am Edward Winderton, Duke of Winderton.”

He extended his hand to me, and I took it.

‘He’s even more impressive than I expected.’

As we walked together, I couldn’t help glancing at him.

I’d been told he was the best possible match for any lady, but I never imagined he’d be this flawless.

“Do you want this marriage, my lady?”

The Duke’s question shattered the silence between us. I hesitated, but answered as if it was nothing.

“You’re the man every lady desires. I’m honored to be marrying someone like you.”

He said nothing in response.

The atmosphere turned cold again, so cold it felt as if I’d frozen in place.

“It seems your part is over now, Lady.”

As soon as we entered the castle, Duke Winderton let go of my hand he’d been escorting.

“Ah…”

Because he’d let go so abruptly, my hand fell awkwardly to my side.

He walked away without a backward glance, as if his part was done.

I told myself I’d have to get used to his coldness in this forced marriage, but it still hurt just the same.

***

The subject of my marriage came up again that evening at dinner in Scarlett Castle, after Duke Winderton had already gone.

My father looked over his children with satisfaction before turning to me at the far end of the table.

“Congratulations, Lirie.”

But it wasn’t me who replied—it was Kion.

“Is the wedding date set, Father?”

“Yes. Lirie, you’ll be the most beautiful and noble bride in all of Lucenster when the flowers are in full bloom.”

Everyone but me smiled with satisfaction at Father’s words.

“Have you met the Duke of Winderton?”

“Yes, Father.”

At the mention of the Duke, my fork and knife paused in midair.

“Lirie.”

“…Yes, Father.”

“Don’t let your guard down after the wedding.”

His words left me breathless. I carefully put down my utensils, worried I might choke if I tried to eat in that state.

“Duke Winderton is the most sought-after groom in the land. It’s only natural that others will envy you for marrying a man like that.”

Father’s words were long and grandiose, as if he were giving a speech, and I hated every moment of it.

“It’s a political marriage, so don’t expect love—just devote yourself to producing an heir.”

How could those be the only words he had for his only daughter? Even as I listened, I couldn’t hide my sense of emptiness.

“Even if the duke takes a mistress, it’s the same for you.”

“I understand…”

Father went on without a care, but the faces of all his children, myself included, soured.

‘No wonder…’

Telling me not to mind if my husband takes a mistress—he was probably thinking of my late mother as he said it.

My poor mother tried to prove her worth in this heartless place called Scarlett Castle and died in misery.

Father never loved her. It was nothing for him to meet other women and bring in mistresses.

He’d married her only to have a child with imperial blood from the start.

Not a single soul in this place was ever on my mother’s side.

She lived that way until her dying day.

“Father.”

I was thinking of my late mother when a voice even colder than Father’s interrupted.

“Kion…?”

It was Kion who cut him off.

His expression, always cold, was twisted as if he were looking at something disgusting.

“Lirie is well aware of all that. There’s no need for concern.”

“Ahem, is that so…”

Kion might have despised Father, but as the heir to Scarlett, he didn’t risk provoking him and instead agreed.

“Of course, Father. Our good Lirie wouldn’t be ignorant of such things. Right, Lirie?”

Diden was the same. He asked with a gentle voice, but his gaze was icy cold.

Feeling the choking pressure of Kion’s and Diden’s stares, I gave the answer they wanted.

“Of course. There’s no way I’d ever do anything to bring shame to Scarlett.”

After hearing my firm response, Father finally stopped talking and resumed eating.

“Um… Father, may I be excused? I didn’t finish the tapestry I was working on earlier.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Leaving the table before the meal was over was improper, but Father happily gave me permission.

After all, weaving a tapestry was the most basic part of bridal training.

As soon as I left the dining room, Betty, who always attended to me, followed and chattered beside me.

“Shall I bring the loom if you’re going to work on the tapestry?”

“No, there’s no need. What I’ve done so far is enough.”

The truth was, I’d only said that to Father so I could escape the table.

What I really needed wasn’t a loom to make me the perfect bride—it was rest.

“I just want to rest, Betty.”

The moment I entered my bedroom, I collapsed onto the bed.

It was improper, but with no one watching, I didn’t care.

“My lady, if Madam had seen you marrying the Duke of Winderton, she would have been so happy.”

I could only give Betty a weak smile at her words.

‘Mother would have objected to this marriage.’

Unlike Father or my brothers, Mother cherished me.

She knew the pain of a political marriage better than anyone, so there’s no way she’d be happy to sell her only daughter off like this.

“The Duke will come to love you, too, my lady.”

“…Do you really think so?“

“Of course, my lady. You’re so beautiful—there’s no way you wouldn’t be loved.”

Betty’s words, though never to come true, only made me turn my head in silence.

Even my own flesh and blood saw me as nothing more than a doll.

For a man bound to me by political marriage to love me was a hope that could never be.

“I really wish that were true…”

But I couldn’t bear to crush Betty’s hopes.

So I let out a lie that didn’t even match my heart.

‘No, maybe that’s not it. Maybe I did want it, even knowing it could never happen.

It’s a political marriage, but maybe somewhere deep down I’d begun to hope that, even if we didn’t love each other now, with time we could find happiness together.’