Chapter 22:
Evelyn reluctantly accepted the hairpin, her expression sour, and infused it with aura.
Fwaaash!
“Oh, aura!”
“I’ve never seen it so vivid before!”
“She can even channel aura into a hairpin?”
The party hall grew noisy again at the sight of the bright golden aura radiating from the pin.
“With such a vivid and solid aura, how could anyone not be captivated?”
“Ahem. I had no idea Lady Barrett had been hiding such incredible talent.”
The Emperor was genuinely regretful. To lose such a skilled person to the North…
“I suppose all we can do is celebrate the engagement.”
Though it was disappointing, the Emperor preemptively acted to prevent his daughter from interfering.
“Wouldn’t it be better to get married in the capital before returning north?”
When he subtly hinted at the upcoming council meeting, the Grand Duke nodded as if he understood.
Count Barrett and his wife were too stunned by the whirlwind of developments to even think clearly.
Their daughter was getting married—to the Grand Duke!
“Congratulations, madam. You must feel a great burden lifted from your heart.”
Before she could even collect herself, a noblewoman beside her grasped her hand and offered congratulations.
Moved by the kind and warm words, the Countess felt her nose sting.
Wondering if this was really okay, she looked to her husband, whose eyes were also turning red.
They knew this was all to cleanse their daughter’s tarnished reputation.
Even if a calamity like the resurrection of the Evil God was to follow, they couldn’t help but feel elated.
“But wasn’t Lady Barrett cursed? Is it proper to propose just because she became a Swordmaster?!”
Countess Russell cried out, as the situation veered away from her expectations.
It didn’t make sense. A man like the Grand Duke shouldn’t concern himself with a cursed woman.
“I worry the Grand Duke might suffer harm.”
Breathing heavily, she forced a smile.
“Lady Barrett is not cursed.”
Elliot looked around at Countess Russell and the crowd, speaking firmly. How dare anyone call the Hero cursed?
It was fortunate that he gained the Hero through this, but now that she was his, he wouldn’t allow a single blemish on her.
“A curse? Nonsense.”
“What if someone else gets hurt?”
“That’s my concern, not yours. And you’d do well not to be rude to the future Grand Duchess.”
It was a heavy warning.
Feeling the icy aura and tightening pressure, Countess Russell bowed her head.
“I… I apologize.”
Her plan to discredit Evelyn Barrett had completely collapsed, but she couldn’t oppose the Grand Duke.
Those who had mocked and ridiculed Evelyn also fell silent.
Though Countess Russell felt wronged, she stayed quiet like the others, fearful of falling out of favor with the Grand Duke.
Evelyn was amazed at how quickly things had settled. When the Grand Duke declared she wasn’t cursed, no one dared to object.
Everything was perfect—except for the Princess and Rosy glaring daggers at her.
I’ll have to lie low for a while.
“Hahaha. Congratulations, Your Grace.”
With the Emperor’s tacit approval and the Grand Duke’s stern warning, the nobles quickly changed their stance and approached more eagerly.
“I didn’t expect Lady Evelyn to have reached such a high level.”
Evelyn was overwhelmed by the flood of congratulations.
The Princess, perhaps realizing she couldn’t go against the Emperor’s will, soon spoke with a smile.
“A new Swordmaster in the Empire is worth celebrating. As expected, no one can match the Grand Duke’s loyalty to the Empire.”
Her words subtly mocked their marriage as not being about love, but the Grand Duke’s ambition not to lose a valuable asset.
“Could it be only loyalty to the Empire?”
To this, Elliot replied with a gentle smile.
It wasn’t dripping with affection, but his gaze held a faint warmth, which made the Princess’s eyes flare.
Evelyn felt exhausted watching the silent battle between these two. If not for the Grand Duke, she would have wanted to escape.
She had no experience in high society or the ability to smile while subtly stabbing at others.
“Ahem. I always believed Lady Evelyn’s situation was just coincidence.”
One noble cleared his throat awkwardly and spoke boldly.
“A curse? Nonsense. The gods protect our Empire. Such things don’t exist.”
“Oh hohoho. I thought so too.”
Those who had stayed silent were now joining in, acting as if they had always believed in her.
“Wasn’t it a situation where thinking it was a curse was inevitable at the time?”
“If you were so sure, why didn’t you say so back then?”
Two factions quickly formed and began criticizing each other.
“It seems there was some misunderstanding about you.”
Elliot smiled with satisfaction at the nobles’ behavior.
He only needed to plant a single seed of doubt in their minds.
Soon, they would wonder—what if it really wasn’t a curse?
“Then, when do you two plan to hold the wedding?”
One young lady shyly asked.
At her words, the Grand Duke looked briefly at Evelyn before turning to Count Barrett.
“If you give your consent, I’d like to hold it as soon as possible.”
At Elliot’s words, all eyes turned to Count Barrett, who hesitated under the sudden attention.
“She’s only a few years past twenty. It’s a bit soon to send her off so quickly.”
Pushed forward by the crowd, Count Barrett finally opened his mouth.
“I didn’t think the Grand Duke would want my daughter.”
His hesitation made the nobles exchange knowing glances and laugh lightly.
“Wasn’t Lady Evelyn renowned for her beauty since childhood? Of course, the Grand Duke would fall for her.”
“Count Barrett always doted on his children, so it’s understandable he’d feel reluctant.”
With murmurs fading in the background, the Grand Duke spoke again.
“If you permit, I’d like to hold the wedding as early as next month—”
“N-Next month?!”
Count Barrett’s eyes widened in disbelief. Even with a generous schedule, preparing a wedding took six months.
Just the formal attire would take months to craft.
As his resolve wavered, Elliot smiled calmly.
“We’ll take care of all preparations, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Next month, really…”
He wanted to object, but under the Grand Duke’s piercing gaze, the Count couldn’t speak.
“Of course it’s possible! There’s plenty to prepare right away, but that’s not a problem, is it?”
“Of course not.”
The Countess stepped in for her hesitant husband. She would use this momentum to erase the curse rumor once and for all.
Even with Leonel awakened, people still didn’t trust Evelyn. Despite the Grand Duke’s support, some viewed it with dirty suspicion.
She knew it was all jealousy, but the tepid responses had infuriated her.
Thankfully, the Grand Duke had stepped in at the right time.
Her daughter also seemed to understand that if she wanted to shake off the long-standing disgrace, there was no choice.
It was better to solidify the relationship now rather than let others find room to doubt.
“We should pick a good date. Would that be all right?”
“If that’s what the Grand Duke wants, I don’t mind.”
When he turned to her and asked, Evelyn nodded slightly. She had already accepted his proposal in front of everyone; there was no turning back now.
Click.
“I’m sorry.”
The two slipped away to the terrace, away from prying eyes.
Evelyn widened her eyes at his sudden apology.
“Why… Why did you do this?”
She still couldn’t fully believe she was getting married, even if his proposal made sense.
Evelyn looked at him, demanding an answer.
“It seemed like the only way to free you from this misunderstanding.”
There was no pity in his voice—only calm resolve. The Grand Duke looked satisfied, as if doing what had to be done for the Hero was natural.
“I couldn’t just stand by while my Hero was being insulted.”
His chilling tone sent a shiver through her as he reached out and gently touched her cheek.
Evelyn’s brows trembled at the warmth.
“Are you really willing to do all this for me?”
“Of course. I’ll always be with you, for your sake.”
Evelyn thought his words were more terrifying than any temptation. Yet, he was the first person besides her family who genuinely cared for her—and her heart trembled helplessly.
Was it really okay to marry him?
She studied him closely, but he remained calm.
Marriage.
If he ever asked for a divorce later, she would gladly grant it. Once the Evil God was defeated, there would be no reason to stay married—so it was the right thing to do for both of them.
