As expected, Hildebalt put up fierce resistance.

However, it dissolved just as quickly when faced with Delphius’s wealth.

The very next day, he arrived at the Hildebalt estate bearing part of the dowry.

Thirty minutes. That was all it took for Delphius to win over Count Hildebalt. By the time less than an hour had passed and he rose to leave, the title had already changed — from ‘sir’ to ‘son-in-law’.

“What does it matter what that old man thinks? If you’ve decided to marry the young Lord Lukehart, then as your father, I will naturally support you.”

Those were the words of Count Hildebalt himself, spoken as he clasped Ilenia’s hand after Delphius had departed.

It was, in truth, nothing less than full approval.

With both families’ decisions settled, events advanced with startling speed. And once again, the unexpected revealed itself.

It was none other than the Duke of Lukehart.

And before him—an unlikely bride. Worse still, one shrouded in unfavorable rumors. Some form of rebuke had been anticipated, even prepared for.

Yet all expectation proved meaningless, for the duke gave his consent without hesitation.

The young lord had shown no interest in marriage until now, though his age pressed dangerously close to the limit. But with Delphius himself speaking the word marriage, his interests aligned frighteningly well with Hildebalt’s own—to hasten the union and claim the remainder of the dowry.

The days grew unbearably busy. Once even Count and Countess Hildebalt began lending their efforts in earnest, the household slowly followed suit, one by one acknowledging Ilenia’s place.

Not every rumor could be silenced, however.

“Isn’t it worth admitting at least one thing—that our lady knows how to charm a man? First the count, and now the young lord? Impressive.”

“She must have used her body to seduce him. How vulgar.”

“A change in circumstances doesn’t change the person.”

From beyond the door came raised voices, interspersed with laughter, undoubtedly intended for her ears. But Ilenia paid them no attention. Instead, she turned her palm over.

Between her reddened fingers rolled a simple band. It was a silver ring, worn and dulled with age, scratched and flawed, lacking any true shine. She rubbed its surface gently and reverently.

Her thoughts took her back to where they had always belonged. Mrs Kurdy’s left ring finger. She wore it with a radiant smile.

On the day they parted ways, Mrs Kurdy suddenly took it off and gave it to her daughter. The deep mark etched into her skin showed that she had never once taken it off.

“Mama, this is…”

“Take it.”

“But—”

When her daughter tried to hand it back, Mrs. Kurdy shook her head firmly. She pressed the ring into her daughter’s hand and clasped it tight.

“Eat well, live well, wherever you go… I know my daughter, sharp and steadfast since childhood, will do just fine. But remember this above all: if you are happy, then we are happy. Family is one body, no matter the distance.”

“Mm… I’ll remember. Always.”

Ilenia held the ring close against her chest. She could almost still feel the warmth of her mother’s hand as she had passed it to her.

Her parents had been freed.

But in place of money, her life itself had been pledged—now belonging to Delphius.

And just before sealing their agreement, he had laid one more condition upon her.

“I have no interest in prying into messy family matters. But you must never forget—your parents, now and always, are Count and Countess Hildebalt.”

“My parents are not the kind to spread idle words.”

“We’ll see. That isn’t something you can ever truly know.”

“Are you insulting them right now?”

“I’m pointing out your surroundings, Lady. Do you really think you can evade detection completely on your own? Without anyone to trust or any connections to rely on, how can you be sure that this sordid scandal won’t resurface?”

“…”

“It would be wise to make a decision. Will you meet them face-to-face, even if it’s through prison bars? Or will you never see them again in exchange for their complete freedom? If so, they would need to move elsewhere. I would look after them in their old age myself.”

There had only ever been one choice.

If they left now, she would never see them again.

Ilenia forced a smile, as though to shake off Delphius’s words.

“You know me. I can live well anywhere. This time too, I’ll endure it. I’ll overcome, just to prove it…”

‘No… I can’t. I need to see them, carve their faces into my eyes just a little longer.’

She fought desperately to hold back the tears that blurred her vision, but the ache swelling through her face could not be stopped.

“I… I’ll be truly happy…”

“You are the proud daughter of the Kurdy couple, never a source of shame wherever you go. Always keep that in mind.”

“I love you, my daughter.”

First her mother and then her father pulled Ilenia into their arms with a firm embrace. At last, the tears she had held back broke free. Hugging their backs, she let herself weep without restraint.

Perhaps it was the warmth of their affection after being apart for so long that made the sorrow cut deeper. The tears refused to stop. For a long while, she held her parents tightly, as if trying to imprint their presence on her entire body.

“Hhhk…”

The empty corridor echoed with her broken sobs. The faint sounds of her cries could be heard through the crack in the door.

It was the last time. Clinging to the memory of her parents’ faces, which she would never be able to yearn for again, she cried until her chest ached.

······ ✦ ✧ ✦ ······

“It is nearly time to depart, my lady.”

As the early morning sun bathed the room in pale gold, Ilenia turned her head toward the knock at the door. The motion set her white veil trembling, and with each rise and fall of her chest, the delicate lace and embroidery seemed to ripple with life.

When she lowered her head, the ornate jewelry fastened to her shimmered and gave a soft, chiming clink. She placed the letter she had been holding onto the desk.

It bore no sender, no recipient. And yet the single sheet that had mysteriously appeared on her nightstand had delivered its message with perfect clarity:

[We are pleased to inform you of the favourable outcome of the case.]

Just one line. But it was the only line she had ever truly needed.

“Thank goodness… Mama, Papa…”

Pressing the paper tightly to her chest, Ilenia whispered, her voice trembling between relief and joy.

‘Don’t cry. You mustn’t cry.’

She carefully lifted her eyelids, the makeup she had worn since before dawn glimmering faintly. The tinted folds of color on her lids overlapped into a graceful finish.

‘The other side has kept their promise, so now it is my turn to keep mine.’

Ilenia held the letter to the nearly spent candlestick. The flame flickered a few times before swiftly consuming the paper.

Her fearful face was visible through the darkening sheet, flickering in the light. She drew in a quiet breath.

It was time to act perfectly.

Soon, the carriage took her to a chapel on the outskirts of the town. Although it was less ornate than the chapels in the capital, it was no less impressive in terms of scale or tradition.

Ilenia fidgeted with the bouquet in her hands. As the guests arrived one by one and filled the air with soft murmurs, none of them came to see her.

The few who did appear from House Hildebalt had not come for Ilenia herself, but for the woman about to become Lady Lukehardt. Even then, Count Hildebalt kept them at a distance, fearful that her true self might be exposed.

It did not matter. Solitude, if anything, gave her space to steady her thoughts.

She clasped her trembling hands tighter, the sporadic shaking betraying the nervous tension she had tried so hard to suppress.

She was stepping into an unknown world, one offering no certainty. The weight of her ignorance constricted her lungs until she could scarcely breathe.

Click.

The door opened and a draught blew in as the maid who had been assisting her left, leaving the bride’s waiting room quiet once more.

It was Countess Hildebalt.

Perhaps she had come to say something, yet she remained silent for a long while, merely letting her gaze sweep the room.

When her eyes fell on the disheveled bouquet, she clicked her tongue and retied the ribbon.

“…Really, it would have suited your station better to marry that old man.”

Her tone was casual, even indifferent, as she spoke.

“If he died early, the fortune and the broad estate would have been yours. At least your old age would have been secure.”

“What is it you are trying to say?”

“You will regret marrying the Lukehardt heir.”

The Countess tightened the knot on the ribbon and rose with composed grace. Unlike Ilenia, whose skirts always ended up creased and untidy when she stood up, the older woman rose without a hitch.

“Think carefully about why a man like him would marry someone like you.”

A shadowed gaze followed her, heavy and cold.

“That will be your only lifeline.”