Chapter 8
The wedding was held solemnly. Aella couldn’t summon the courage to look at Kael, who had his arm linked with hers.
‘Probably until Kael agrees to divorce me… or maybe he won’t even give me a cold glance. No matter what happens to me inside the ducal household.’
Aella squeezed her eyes shut. Just thinking about the people who used to greet her with smiles now looking at her as an enemy, whispering behind her back, made her body tremble like a leaf in the wind.
Kael’s expression mirrored that same trembling throughout the ceremony.
“By this, I declare Kael Hormons and Aella Hormons to be husband and wife before God. You may seal your vows with a kiss.”
When Kael’s large hands touched both sides of her cheeks, Aella squeezed her eyes shut again. The coldness of his lips pressed against hers.
Clap, clap, clap!
Applause echoed through the cathedral, and Aella slowly opened her eyes. Kael stood before her, smiling faintly but coldly.
‘I probably won’t even be able to look at this face anymore.’
She quietly reassured herself. It’s okay. I’ll be fine.
“El, my beloved daughter.”
Aella found the man before her, shedding tears like tiny pearls, utterly repulsive. Even holding his hand made her feel nauseated. Gathering herself, she pressed her lips tightly together and hugged Hans Bluwanz.
“Father, please don’t be so upset. I’m not going far, after all.”
“That’s right. Whenever your father misses you, he’ll come see you.”
Aella merely smiled in return.
“Please take good care of Aella.”
“Of course.”
“El… no, my lady, you should head to the mansion first. I need to meet His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Yes.”
As Aella climbed into the carriage, Kael faced Hans Bluwanz, who was giving him a disapproving glare. He wanted, more than anything, to tear the greedy man in front of him apart, but he restrained himself.
‘I’ll enjoy seeing that anxious face of yours as you watch your precious daughter slowly wither away.’
“Son-in-law.”
Kael smiled faintly as Hans’ voice took on a more serious tone.
“Yes?”
“I ask in advance, do not leave Aella too lonely. She takes after you in many ways.”
“Haha, rest assured. Aella is now of the Hormons household.”
Kael smiled, issuing a subtle warning. He completed a polite greeting and got into the carriage, leaving Hans fuming silently.
‘So that’s why the Emperor wants to see me…’
Aella had once been a strong candidate for Crown Princess. Had her father not intervened, she would have endured the merciless scrutiny of the nobles by the Crown Prince’s side, rather than Princess Roden.
“For whose benefit…”
Kael muttered under his breath as he rode toward the palace, recalling Aella’s fragile body trembling like a leaf with her arm linked in his.
“Damn it…”
Grinding his teeth, Kael tightened his grip on the reins.
The horse’s hooves sped up, and the sharp wind brushed his cheeks, somewhat lifting his spirits. His gaze fixed solely on the approaching palace.
Upon arriving, Kael dismounted and stroked the horse.
“Wait here; I’ll be back soon.”
The smile on his lips vanished instantly as he turned and strode briskly past those greeting him with polite bows into the palace.
“Ah, the Duke of Hormons.”
“I hear you’ve welcomed the Bluwanz daughter as a duchess.”
“What on earth are they thinking…”
“But she hasn’t done anything wrong.”
“Still… she’s that man’s daughter.”
Kael frowned at the unpleasant words echoing in his ears and walked faster into the palace.
Following the Emperor’s aide up the stairs to the reception room, Kael came face-to-face with the person he least wanted to meet.
“The small sun of the Empire, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Yes, Duke. You’ve welcomed the Duchess. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. But His Highness should promptly take Princess Roden as his bride.”
Kael straightened his posture, his polite smile masking the anger directed at the Crown Prince.
Since the prince started it, this was a fair response.
“Haha, yes.”
Kael bowed slightly as the Crown Prince left, following the aide who reminded him that the Emperor was waiting.
Knock, knock.
“His Majesty, the Emperor. The Duke of Hormons has arrived.”
“Show him in.”
Kael entered and attempted to greet the Emperor, but the Emperor had him sit without ceremony.
“Duke of Hormons.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I wish to know the real reason you welcomed the Bluwanz daughter as your duchess. You are a loyal subject of mine, after all.”
“……”
“……”
A moment of silence. The Emperor studied Kael with steady, sharp eyes.
“As you know, I have been engaged to the Bluwanz daughter since childhood. So it’s only natural that I welcome her as my wife.”
Kael’s composed smile seemed confident, but the perceptive Emperor did not fall for it easily.
“Duke, are you aware that your father’s death still causes unrest in the Empire?”
“Yes.”
“And the rumors that his vengeful spirit cries out every night, claiming injustice?”
“Yes.”
“I wonder if you are truly okay with all this. Including your duchess.”
“Your Majesty.”
Kael smiled faintly at the Emperor’s concerned gaze.
“I am grateful for your concern. I will handle everything properly, so you needn’t worry further.”
“Very well. I hope one day to see you both at court.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Exiting the palace, Kael noticed a group of noblewomen arguing with a maid. Normally indifferent, he recognized this maid—she had accompanied Princess Roden.
“What’s going on?”
“Ah! Duke of Hormons!”
“This woman insulted us! How dare a mere maid speak so!”
“Were you not the ones who wronged our princess first?”
“Lies!”
Kael sighed, annoyed by the petty quarrel.
“Azette, stop.”
“Princess.”
It was Kael’s first close encounter with Princess Roden. She carried the elegance of her long royal lineage, but her face looked pale and fragile.
“Your Highness.”
“You’re the Duke of Hormons. My maid caused a commotion.”
“Princess! These ladies openly ignored you!”
“Azette, I said stop.”
“Yes, sorry.”
“Ladies, please step aside quietly.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Kael smirked at the noblewomen’s childish behavior and watched as the princess comforted the maid.
‘She could have just returned to her homeland and given up everything.’
Aella, observing with a hint of pity, met the princess’s gaze.
“You’ve welcomed your duchess?”
“Yes.”
“The Bluwanz daughter?”
“Yes.”
Kael suspected that the princess knew of Aella. The reason the Crown Prince treated her coldly was because Aella Bluwanz was the object of his obsessive affection.
Kael, too, was annoyed by the Crown Prince’s infatuation. He found it foolish that the prince could not easily give up the woman who would be his.
“May only divine blessings be upon the future of the Duke and Duchess.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Kael comforted the sobbing maid, recalling Aella’s frail steps as she walked away.
“Huff…”
Exhaling in irritation, Kael turned and walked briskly away.
Kael had anticipated what awaited at the Hormons estate. A few days ago, those who had welcomed him with smiles now stood silently, bowing their heads.
Stepping forward, the butler Mateo handed Aella a piece of paper and gestured for her to follow.
As she walked, Aella saw Rensi, grinning menacingly as if waiting for prey. When he intentionally brushed against her leg, she stumbled and fell.
“Milady! What are you doing?!”
“I’m fine,” Aella said calmly, holding Charlotte.
She smiled faintly at Rensi, who still watched her mischievously.
“My apologies, Milady. My leg went numb…”
The mockery from around her made Aella clench her fists. She forced a smile and said:
“It’s fine. Please be more careful next time.”
“Yes~”
Despite the long-drawn response, Aella walked on apologetically, following Mateo.
They reached the room at the far end of the third floor.
Click.
Mateo gestured for her to enter. Grateful, Aella stepped inside.
It didn’t look like a room befitting a duchess.
Thud.
Once the door closed and Mateo’s footsteps faded, Kina expressed her outrage.
“This is absurd! The room I used at the count’s estate was better!”
“Kina.”
“You promised to stay quietly by my side, right?”
Nodding with a sulky expression, Kina was hugged by Aella, who comforted her before sitting on the bed and opening the paper Mateo had given.
‘Kael’s handwriting…’
A faint smile spread across Aella’s face as she read the neatly written words.
“What does it say, Milady?”
Aella smiled at Kina.
“It says I just need to stay here quietly like a doll… until I die.”
“W-what!?”
“Still, they will treat me as a duchess in official settings. That’s something, isn’t it?”
Kina could not respond further, watching Aella smile softly.
Meow~
Charlotte climbed lightly onto her lap. Stroking her head, Aella closed her eyes.
‘I’ll get used to it.’
