In Karsten’s study, the only sound was the soft scratching of a quill moving steadily across paper. The ongoing rainy season had caused significant damage throughout the territory. In some areas, homes were so badly flooded that entire households could no longer use their belongings, while in others, fields were submerged, forcing farmers to abandon their hard-earned crops.
This year’s rains had been heavier than usual. Although the White Duchy had prepared for the wet season in advance, the unprecedented rainfall still resulted in substantial losses.
Karsten sat at his desk, racking his brain for solutions to these problems.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. He frowned slightly and looked up.
“Karsten, may I come in for a moment?”
Came his mother’s voice. He shot to his feet. In just a few strides, he reached the door and hurried to greet Meliover.
“You should’ve let me come down to you, Mother.”
“It’s fine. I need the exercise anyway.”
“Please, have a seat.”
Karsten said, quickly ushering her to the sofa. As soon as she sat and he took the seat across from her, Meliover spoke up.
“Lady Sierra and Marquis Etro will be visiting today.”
“What? Why all of a sudden…?”
Karsten’s brows furrowed at the unexpected announcement.
“Mother—”
He began, but Meliover’s expression remained unchanged, as if she’d anticipated his reaction.
Karsten stood up abruptly and turned toward the window.
“Luke, look at me.”
She called him by his middle name, causing him to freeze. When he turned back around, Meliover had risen from her seat, watching him quietly.
He approached her, cautious not to startle her frail frame.
“Please, sit down, Mother.”
As he made to move to the opposite seat, Meliover took hold of his arm and held it tightly.
“I might not know all the reasons you refuse to marry…”
“…”
“But don’t use yourself as an excuse.”
Karsten understood the meaning behind her words, and he sank down beside her with a heavy sigh.
Meliover clasped his hand tightly and spoke softly.
“You’re my precious son, and you’ve done nothing wrong.”
“…Mother.”
“Yes, my dear.”
She gently patted Karsten’s head, just as she had when he was a child. Her touch was as warm and comforting now as it had always been.
“I want nothing more than to see you happily married, to witness your engagement and wedding to Lady Sierra.”
After stroking his hair for a long moment, Meliover squeezed his hand again and continued,
“But I won’t ask for too much. All I want is for you to welcome Lady Sierra properly when she visits today.”
“…”
“Please, Luke. It’s all I ask.”
She pleaded, using his middle name—a request Karsten could never seem to refuse. It was the same reason he’d brought Breti into the house: when Meliover had desperately searched for her daughter, he’d done anything to ease her pain, even if it meant finding someone who only resembled her.
He realized he wouldn’t be able to turn his mother down this time either. With a reluctant nod, he answered,
“All right, Mother.”
“That’s my boy.”
But Karsten added quietly,
“However… I don’t think I can say the things you’re hoping for in front of everyone.”
A shadow passed over Meliover’s face at his answer.
“My dear… is there someone else in your heart?”
Karsten didn’t reply right away, caught off guard by her sudden question. A certain woman’s face flickered across his mind, and he unconsciously furrowed his brow. He quickly shook his head and answered,
“No, Mother. There’s no one.”
“It’s not like that, Mother.”
“Oh, then why…”
“The Etro Marquis’ house…”
Karsten started to explain, but then stopped himself. He didn’t want to trouble her with unnecessary worries.
“It’s nothing.”
“Karsten, it’s your duty as head of the house to marry and ensure the family’s future. I’m proud of how hard you work, but don’t forget the responsibilities you have as the family’s head.”
“…Understood.”
“Good. Now, let’s go down and welcome the guests from the Etro Marquisate.”
She rose to her feet, lightly pulling his arm along with her. Unable to shake off even her faint grip, Karsten allowed himself to be led out.
As he followed his mother, his thoughts grew muddled.
‘Why is it…’
Why had he thought of Breti when Meliover asked if there was someone in his heart? His mind was tangled with confusion.
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The rainy season, which had felt both long and short, had finally passed.
Breti stepped out onto the balcony and let out a deep sigh as she gazed up at the clear sunlight. Just then, there was a knock at the door.
“My lady, it’s Bagi.”
Breti left the balcony and walked toward the sofa.
“Come in.”
With Breti’s permission, Bagi entered the room carrying a tray.
As Bagi set the tray down on the table, Breti immediately noticed the envelope resting atop it and asked,
“What’s this?”
“It’s an invitation addressed to you, my lady.”
“An invitation?”
Still frowning in confusion, Breti picked up the letter. She instantly recognized the seal on the front—it was from the Nox family.
‘If it’s Selenel Nox…’
If her memory served, the Nox family was the count’s house whose daughter was engaged to the crown prince, Fedriol.
Suddenly, Breti recalled Fedriol’s unexpected visit the other day and the mention of an engagement. A sense of unease pricked at her.
“My lady, the guests from the Etro Marquisate have arrived as well.”
“The Etro Marquisate?”
That was the very family in talks for a marriage alliance with Karsten. Breti’s heart grew inexplicably anxious.
‘The young lady from the Etro Marquisate, Sierra, is the one being considered for marriage with Karsten…’
Breti quickly turned to Bagi.
“Is my brother with them?”
“Yes, he’s there with Madam, greeting the guests.”
Breti hesitated for only a moment before quickly getting up from her seat.
“I should go and greet them as well.”
She left her room and descended the stairs, her footsteps betraying her growing unease. Just as she reached the parlor door and raised her hand to knock—
“We would like to hold the engagement between these two young people next month, if possible.”
At the sound of a man’s voice from within, Breti’s hand froze in midair.
Next month? The thought of him becoming someone else’s husband so soon made her feel as if her heart were collapsing inside her chest.
Bagi, seeing Breti hesitate and unable to knock, looked at her with concern.
“My lady, is something wrong?”
“I… I don’t think I belong here.”
Breti quickly retreated from the door.
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Meanwhile, inside the drawing room.
At Marquis Etro Jerron’s words, Meliover glanced anxiously at Karsten.
“Yes, of course. It’s a longstanding engagement, so it’s only right…”
At her words, Sierra looked up at Karsten with a shy expression. Unlike her, Karsten’s face remained unreadable and utterly indifferent.
Since he had entered and exchanged brief greetings, he had hardly spoken a word. Sierra felt a surge of anger at his coldness, but it wasn’t the time or place to show it.
“I would be happy…”
But before she could finish, Karsten cut her off.
“My answer is the same as last time, regardless of how long this engagement has been in place.”
No sooner had he finished than Sierra’s face turned ashen. Suddenly, she recalled what Karsten had said two years ago, when their betrothal had first been discussed.
“I don’t want this engagement. Besides, Lady Sierra isn’t even of age yet, is she?”
On that day, Karsten had made his feelings clear—he did not want this engagement. But Sierra had clung to his next words, hoping that things would change once she came of age.
Forcing a smile, Sierra tried again.
“Your Grace, I am of age now. So…”
“It isn’t about your age, my lady.”
“Then, why…?”
“The problem is that I do not wish for this engagement, my lady.”
Translator
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lavender
People need to stop forcing someone into something they don’t want. I read many political marriage and i hate that. Obsessed with having someone who doesn’t want them…. No no no.