Chapter 009
The day after Theodore took Annette out of the asylum as the Grand Duchess, all the popular newspapers and gossip sheets in the city of Lieder covered the event with identical headlines:
[The Secret Marriage of Grand Duke Theodore to Miss Annette, the Only Daughter of the Late Marquis Cheringen]
The news of the marriage became a scandal, though it didn’t matter whether it was a trivial gossip or a serious issue.
The prominent figures in high society were bored, and the story of Theodore and Annette was perfect for their entertainment.
Under imperial law, even the marriage of a poor rural villager was announced to the entire village, yet a member of the royal family had married in secret?
Theodore had mixed blood from his father, the Emperor, and his mother, a commoner, but he was undeniably the Emperor’s son.
Moreover, his commanding presence and domineering demeanor—which instilled fear in others—resembled that of a royal more than Crown Prince Hugo’s did.
No one acknowledged this, though everyone knew it, because Hugo was the son of the current Emperor.
Ironically, Theodore was treated as part of the imperial family only when he committed something unbecoming of his family’s status, as it was used as an excuse to belittle him.
The aristocrats who attended his first wedding were well aware of how terrifying and fearsome Theodore was compared to the imperial family.
Though it was a failed marriage that never came to fruition, for that very reason, it was unforgettable.
Theodore’s first marriage was to Paula Stadler.
The Stadler family was a rare and respected aristocratic family.
The head of the family was a court noble without a title but with honor instead.
He had built his reputation by setting an example for nobles through his generous giving to the common people.
He stayed away from power struggles and was distinguished by his honesty and virtue, but this fame became a power in itself.
The respect the Stadlers garnered was exactly what Theodore, scorned as the Emperor’s illegitimate son, needed most.
The former Emperor, Theodore’s father, arranged a marriage between Theodore and the daughter of Lord Stadler—one of his loyal subjects—hoping his beloved son would face less criticism.
He believed Theodore could overcome one of his greatest weaknesses if he gained the support of the Stadler family through marriage at the time.
Thus, the marriage was political, and for that very reason, there were those who stood in its way.
Paula Stadler was poisoned at her wedding.
There was a poisoned needle in her bouquet, and she was slowly poisoned from the moment she appeared on the aisle.
The sweat Paula thought was dripping down her skin due to nervousness was her body’s cry for help.
The bride’s expression, which had been a shy smile, turned to one of fear of death after holding the flowers.
She collapsed upon reaching the platform and began bleeding right in front of Theodore, but he didn’t panic.
With displeased eyes, Theodore looked not at the bride, who had become a cold, lifeless corpse, but at the guests’ seats.
He wondered who wanted to stop his marriage and scanned those he deemed suspicious.
Judging by the guests’ reactions, he identified potential culprits.
There were people everywhere who didn’t want the wedding to end safely, and one of them was certainly the perpetrator.
Theodore searched for the culprit with his eyes, a cold smile spreading across his face as he looked at the attendees.
No one knew whether Theodore identified the criminal that day, but everyone who looked into his eyes couldn’t forget the terror.
[The Devil Smiles Even at His Bride’s Death]
The newspapers reported that his cruel smile was his true demonic face.
Theodore’s ruthlessness drew more attention than the identity of the killer who murdered Paula.
The marriage, meant to suppress criticism of Theodore’s character, damaged his reputation even further.
From that day forward, those who saw the deadly smile on his face avoided meeting him face-to-face.
Among them were Cassilia Cheringen and Bjorn Cheringen.
Annette’s aunt Cassilia and uncle Bjorn had seen Theodore’s eyes at the wedding.
Thus, it was incredibly taxing for Cassilia and Bjorn to endure Theodore’s gaze here and now.
Those were the exact eyes of a hunter searching for the culprit that day.
They needed to escape quickly to avoid falling into danger.
Bjorn spoke in a high-pitched voice, as if proving his unease.
“How outrageous! Are you accusing us now or what?”
In the middle of the elegant salon, Theodore appeared suddenly, sat in front of the two Cheringens, and threw words akin to an interrogation.
By manipulating documents related to Annette and investigating those who forcibly admitted her to the mental asylum, Theodore discovered that the culprit was within the Cheringen family.
Of course, Bjorn and Cassilia denied it.
Bjorn’s resistance, in particular, was fierce.
“How many times do I have to tell you to understand? I said I don’t know anything. No matter how much of a prince you are, you can’t accuse a noble of being a criminal without evidence.”
“Lower your voice, Bjorn.”
Cassilia covered her mouth with her fan and whispered to Bjorn.
Attention was drawn to them in the salon.
It was obvious that what happened today would spread through society, as they were prominent nobles in social circles.
“Sister! Our family has just been insulted. Even if he’s a prince, he can’t disregard the Cheringen family’s status!”
“The real insult is the one my wife received in that mental asylum.”
“Didn’t I just tell you we had nothing to do with her being admitted to the asylum?”
As Bjorn’s voice showed no sign of relenting, Cassilia lightly tapped her brother’s hand with her fan.
Only then did Bjorn, startled, look around and realize everyone was watching them with curious eyes.
Instead of Bjorn, who still needed to calm down, Cassilia dealt with Theodore.
“Where is my niece now? I believe a Cheringen daughter wouldn’t stay with Your Highness without attending her father’s funeral.”
Cassilia skillfully shifted the topic, redirecting criticism from the Cheringen family’s complex relationships to Theodore and Annette’s inappropriate relationship.
“She may not compare to the imperial family, but she’s a precious child who inherited Cheringen blood. If she’s truly with you, please return her to her home.”
“My sister is right. The fact that she’s become the Grand Duchess is stranger than her being locked in an asylum. Your Highness will have to return her until we know if the newspaper rumors are true.”
Even Bjorn joined in demanding Annette, but Theodore didn’t accept it easily.
“My wife is in my home, which is now her home as the Grand Duchess. For your information, her safety isn’t guaranteed, so she’s refraining from going out for now.”
“She’s at the Grand Duke’s palace… Are you saying you really made Annette the Grand Duchess?”
“The marriage was held in secret with only the two of us present. The priest who witnessed our union will confirm it for you.”
Bjorn couldn’t hide his embarrassment.
Cassilia always thought her younger brother, who showed his emotions without restraint, was lacking in many ways, but she too would have struggled to manage her expressions without her fan.
That iron-willed man was defending Annette with all his might.
How could Annette escape with Theodore’s help?
How could she become the Grand Duchess and enter an untouchable shadow?
Why did her niece marry a strange man without saying a word to the family?
Cassilia questioned with a firm attitude, but what came back as an answer was a thick document.
It was proof of Annette and Theodore’s marriage.
She examined it closely, but the content was flawless, with no issues in the legal procedures.
“You’re not the type to be unaware that a marriage isn’t established by vows alone. There are significant procedures beyond exchanging oaths in a church.”
Theodore was a Grand Duke who inherited imperial blood.
It was impossible for someone like him to marry simply because he wished to.
Cassilia didn’t believe it at all and remained convinced it was nonsense.
When Bjorn clicked his tongue and openly expressed his displeasure toward Theodore, Theodore laughed and placed something else on the table.
“This… this…”
This time, even Cassilia couldn’t maintain her composure.
“I’m sure you both know what this necklace means. As members of the Cheringen marquessate, you’d know its significance without me needing to explain.”
It was a necklace engraved with a dragon holding a red ruby in its mouth.
Only one person in the empire could use a seal with a dragon: the Emperor.
The dragon holding a gem in its mouth symbolized the Emperor who gifted the necklace.
The ruby represented Emperor Dominic, Theodore’s father.
“I used this necklace on my wedding day with Annette.”
“You’re saying the Emperor’s seal was used for the marriage… Is that what you mean?”
“Exactly. I’m prepared to give everything I have to stay with the Grand Duchess I love more than anything in the world.”
Bjorn thought it was time for Theodore to be admitted to a mental asylum himself.
The necklace bearing the Emperor’s crest was a token of love and a sign of power.
Those who possessed the former Emperor’s necklace could obtain anything they wanted from the next Emperor.
As long as the request didn’t threaten the Emperor’s position or the empire’s foundation, the Emperor had to listen to all demands of the person holding this necklace and grant whatever they desired.
The current Emperor’s resentment toward Theodore stemmed from his inability to harm him because Theodore was the one granted the necklace by his father.
But to think he would use the shield protecting him solely to marry a crazed murderer…
It was far from a rational act.
Yet, Theodore’s face was remarkably calm as he looked at the stunned Bjorn and Cassilia.
“I’ve experienced losing my future wife right before my eyes. I couldn’t risk the same thing happening twice, so I held a secret wedding, and I hope you both understand my position.”
“So you’re really married to Annette… Is that right?”
“That’s correct.”
Theodore’s failed marriage was an excuse to make Annette the Grand Duchess.
It seemed reasonable that he didn’t announce their marriage publicly because he feared the bride might die again during the wedding.
But if one thought closely, there was an illogical flaw in Theodore’s words, but Bjorn, who lacked the quick wit to catch others’ slip-ups, began to falter.
Cassilia was furious at her foolish younger brother in her heart but controlled her nerves and managed the situation on behalf of her lacking sibling.
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Translator’s note:
A title refers to ranks like Duke, Marquis, Count, Baron, etc.
