Chapter 5

She let out a deep sigh and asked, 

“Your Majesty, why are you so opposed to my relationship with the Commander of the Knight Order?”

“…”

The Emperor, who had just been about to recite the name of yet another unmarried nobleman, fell silent.

After a moment of hesitation, he merely shook his head and said it simply couldn’t be.

She had a vague idea of the reason.

‘Because Eched Astrea isn’t “human.”’

There was no other plausible justification.

The Astrea Ducal family had long been a loyal house that had offered its lands to the Imperial Family.

Despite being a family blessed with divine power and having produced many saintesses, they had chosen to serve the Empire rather than the temple, elevating the prestige of the Imperial Family.

As a result, in the Kentri Empire, the Emperor held more power than the Pope.

Given such loyalty, anyone unaware of the circumstances would struggle to understand the Emperor’s feelings if they overheard this conversation.

Of course, Eched wasn’t truly a member of the Astrea family.

The previous Duke and Duchess had passed away unexpectedly before leaving an heir, and Eched, who had been staying there for some time, had taken over the title of Duke.

All for the sake of protecting the Astrea Ducal family.

The Emperor knew Eched’s true identity, and she, knowing everything, chose to simply accept it.

“It would be better for you to speak with him directly rather than hear it from me.” 

“I’m really fine.”

“Don’t just keep saying you’re fine. Siren said you haven’t returned home since her marriage and is worried about you.”

The Emperor’s eyes were filled with sympathy.

It seemed he pitied her for keeping her distance from her family.

“…Alright.” 

She finally agreed reluctantly.

She left the garden after informing the Emperor that she would take her leave.

Letting the rumors fester had led to matchmaking attempts.

And that matchmaking gave birth to another rumor.

* * *

“They say His Majesty the Emperor is looking for a marriage partner for you, the Grievance Counselor.”

Another rumor began to spread in the palace.

When Pell, ever quick with the latest news, brought up the rumor, she wanted to crawl into a hole.

“Ha. Why not just post a notice saying, ‘Marriage Candidates Wanted for Lady Shaterian!’?”

“That’s a great idea. Should I suggest it to His Majesty? I think posting a notice would help find you a suitable partner.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what?”

Pell tilted his head in mock confusion.

Except for the faint amusement in his voice, his innocent expression was almost convincing.

Annoyed by his deliberate act, Terry glared at him. Pell never missed a chance to tease her.

“It’s my fault for treating you too well. What kind of superior do you take me for?”

“To be fair, you’re not exactly the crazy superior the rumors make you out to be.”

“But I’m not completely different from the rumors either.”

“You’re somewhere in between.”

“…And those rumors. The people in this palace really love their gossip, don’t they?”

“It’s the only source of entertainment in a dreary workplace.”

“Ugh. Forget it.”

Terry had too much work to get through today to waste any more time.

They stopped chatting and focused on their tasks.

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the door to the counseling office. Pell stopped what he was doing and opened the door.

“Who is it?”

“I’m here to see Lady Shaterian… the Grievance Counselor.”

Hearing the man’s voice, she looked up. It was someone she recognized.

That man was definitely…

“Bruf Robberalter?”

He was the second son of the Robberalter Earldom.

They had been academy classmates, and he was now part of the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He was someone she had no connection with, so she couldn’t fathom why he would come to see her.

“Come in.”

“It’s been a while, Counselor.”

“Yes, it has. Please, have a seat. Pell, bring some tea.”

She guided him to the sofa in the corner. The modest counseling office felt a bit shabby.

Sitting across from Bruf on the sofa, she stared at him, making him avert his gaze awkwardly. He rubbed his palms on his thighs, unable to meet her eyes, looking uncomfortable and anxious.

Wait, could this possibly be counseling work?

She exchanged a glance with Pell, who had brought the tea. Pell subtly nodded, as if slightly intrigued.

Gulp.

Terry swallowed nervously and asked cautiously, 

“Do you need counseling?”

“Ah… no, that’s not it. I came to discuss tomorrow’s matter in advance.”

…Well, that was disappointing.

Unintentionally leaning forward, she slumped back against the sofa, unable to hide her disappointment.

Seeing her deflate, Pell smirked and handed her a teacup.

“Tomorrow? What’s happening tomorrow?”

Tomorrow was her day off. A day she planned to spend lounging in bed all day.

“Our matchmaking meeting tomorrow, of course.”

“Cough! Hack, hack!”

Caught off guard, she choked on her tea. Her face turned red as she coughed violently, and Bruf pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.

Then, as if startled by something, he flinched.

What’s with him?

She snatched the handkerchief and pressed it to her mouth. It took a while for her coughing to subside.

“Thanks. I was just so surprised.”

Bruf, who had been standing awkwardly, hesitated before sitting down again.

As she wiped her mouth with the handkerchief, she gave him a puzzled look.

“Why?”

“It’s nothing.”

Although he said it was nothing, Bruf kept glancing at her nervously.

It was then that she remembered.

She had once thrown away a handkerchief Bruf had offered her.

It had been on her way back to class after checking the posted grades.

The weather, her second-place ranking—it was all infuriating.

To top it off, Bruf had approached her.

‘Here, wipe your face.’

‘Ha. Who are you pitying?’

She had snatched the handkerchief and tossed it on the ground.

She had even stomped on it for good measure as she walked away…

Good grief. What kind of person had I been?

“Ahem. So, about this matchmaking meeting—why?”

“Didn’t you know?”

Of course, she did.

However, she hadn’t known that the match was with Bruf and that it was scheduled for the next day.

“If it’s about that matter, you could have just sent someone.”

“I wanted to speak with you personally, so I took the liberty of coming. …Counselor, do you want this matchmaking meeting? Do you wish to marry me?”

Though he tried to appear bold, his face betrayed his nervousness.

He was clearly being cautious, worried about upsetting her.

She responded nonchalantly, deliberately downplaying the matter.

“I don’t want to. I was forced into this, too. Sorry if you were hoping for something.”

“Ah…”

Hearing his sigh, she glanced at him.

Had he been expecting something after all?

But he smiled with relief, as if her words were exactly what he wanted to hear.

“In truth, I came to ask if we could call off this matchmaking meeting.”

“Then why didn’t you just refuse it in the first place?”

“The Earldom couldn’t reject the Duke’s family. Besides, His Majesty personally called for this meeting…”

In other words, he had succumbed to power.

She nodded, signaling her understanding.

“That must’ve been difficult.”

Her empathy made Bruf stare at her intently.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You seem… a little, no, very different now.”

“Me?”

“Yes. If it were the old you, you would’ve called me insolent the moment I walked in.”

“Would I have stopped at just saying that?”

Wouldn’t I have thrown a fit, accusing him of disrespecting the Duke’s family?

“That’s true. Honestly, I agonized over coming here countless times, but it turns out my worries were for nothing.”

“Well, it’s admirable that you mustered the courage to say that. Not that I’m one to talk, but people don’t really change.”

“Is that so? Haha.”

Bruf burst into laughter, though she had no idea what he found amusing.

“Sorry to disappoint you now that you feel at ease, but unfortunately, I don’t have the authority to refuse this matchmaking meeting either. Unless His Majesty withdraws it, I’m in a bind, too.”

“Oh, you don’t need to worry about that. His Majesty promised me. He said that if you treat me poorly, he’ll understand if I call off the meeting.”

“So unless I mistreat you, there’s no way to refuse, huh?”

Bruf nodded in agreement.

If she refused, the Emperor wouldn’t listen. If Bruf wanted to refuse, he’d need a valid reason.

In conclusion, if she caused trouble, the other side would reject her…

“But then I’d just get scolded by His Majesty. How does that benefit me?”

‘What a schemer.’

She could feel Pell’s gaze from where she was working.

Just wait and see.

“You wouldn’t have to enter a marriage you don’t want.”

“Hmm.”

She shrugged at Bruf’s words.

“Isn’t that the same for you, Bruf? Even if this matchmaking meeting falls through, I’ll just have to meet another man. If that’s the case, I might as well go through with this quickly instead of dragging it out. Don’t you have anything else? Something that might tempt me?”

“…”

“Even with my personality, I’m not someone who loses in terms of looks.”

She crossed her legs and flashed a seductive smile.

According to the original story, her appearance was even more beautiful than that of the female protagonist, Anella.

She wasn’t called the captivating villainess who was everyone’s first love for nothing.

Every single time, just a slight smile would make men and women of all ages blush, but Bruf’s gaze remained steady.

“I already have someone in my heart.”

Ah, so that’s how it was.

She grinned, as a brilliant idea came to her.

“Alright. Approved.”

“Pardon?”

“If this matchmaking meeting ends without issue, come to the counseling office. I’ll counsel you. That’s the deal between us.”

“Will that really be enough?”

“What could be more important to a counseling office with zero clients for two years than a client? Oh, and please leave a good review and spread the word.”

Feeling triumphant about securing a client, she glanced at Pell.

When their eyes met, Pell shook his head with a disapproving expression.

‘The lack of clients is entirely your fault, Counselor.’

It was as if she could hear him saying that.

Ignoring Pell’s gaze, she cheerfully spoke to Bruf.

“Shall we make a plan, then?”

* * *

The night before, as soon as she returned home from work, she was practically kidnapped into the townhouse. From early morning, she became a doll for her sister and Kirin.

“Lady, your fair skin makes every dress look stunning on you.”

“These ornaments are perfect. Jewelry should always be bold.”

“Silver pins suit your hair the best.”

“Make the makeup bolder. You absolutely cannot look weak.”

Their disjointed chatter continued endlessly, and with each comment, something else was added to her.

Looking in the mirror, she sighed.

Her heavily made-up face, the excessive jewelry, and the extravagant dress…

It was all too much.

She looked like a nouveau riche trying to avoid being looked down upon by wearing every expensive ornament they owned.

‘Are they trying to make this matchmaking meeting succeed or fail?’

“That’s enough. It’s almost time.”

The appointed time had drawn near.

She pushed Kirin’s hands away from her hair and walked, the clinking sound of her jewelry echoing as they collided.

At the front gate, where a carriage awaited, stood Lord Leheln.

At first, he greeted her with a smile, but upon seeing her, his expression gradually stiffened.

“Lady Shaterian…”

Surprising, wasn’t it? I was surprised, too.

Lord Leheln’s eyes shook violently, and she couldn’t help but wear a bitter smile.

“I couldn’t handle it.”

Accepting his escort, she climbed into the carriage and whispered so only he could hear.

“Terry, don’t be rude. Be kind. Got it?”

“Understood. I’ll be back soon.”

Eager to leave the mansion, she quickly closed the door and urged the coachman to depart.

Practically collapsing onto the soft velvet seat, she muttered.

“Even if I act kind, anyone would run away after seeing this face.”

No matter how much she stared into the mirror, all she could do was sigh.

She looked more fit for a dogfight than a matchmaking meeting.

Her heavily made-up face made her look that fierce.

That’s why she didn’t bother removing anything or toning it down. The worse people’s impressions of her were, the better it was for her.

“Well, not that it matters. This matchmaking meeting is doomed to fail anyway.”

There was nothing to prepare.

She just needed to show them the old Shaterian.

The carriage steadily made its way toward the central district, where the meeting was to take place.