Chapter 45
If Reina had walked down the wedding aisle with the happy face of a bride, Aisen would have left for his hometown without hesitation.
But she didn’t.
Her face was pale and lifeless as she passed through the hall.
That’s not the face of a happy bride!
Aisen’s gut told him he was right.
“Lady Reina… didn’t want this marriage.”
But the wedding had already taken place. There was no way to stop it or undo it now.
What on earth should I do?
He kept thinking, but no solution came to mind. Just as despair was setting in, a man approached him.
“Are you Sir Aisen?”
The man wore a black hooded robe, more fitting for a funeral than a wedding. His gloomy air was impossible to miss. Aisen frowned suspiciously at him.
“Yes, but… who are you?”
“I am Iclos, servant of His Highness, Crown Prince Blair.”
“Iclos…?”
Aisen dug through his memory.
“Ah, I’ve heard of you. The Crown Prince’s talented sorcerer.”
“You flatter me.”
Aisen studied him closely. No wonder he had the Prince’s favor—he looked dangerous and capable.
“Why would the Crown Prince’s sorcerer want to speak to me?”
Iclos smiled pleasantly.
“You seemed troubled. I thought I might be of help.”
Aisen sighed.
“I doubt my troubles are the sort anyone can help with.”
Reina—now the Duchess of Lautzen—would leave for the North tomorrow, with Grand Duke Calhail at her side. How could anyone help him in this situation? Aisen shook his head weakly.
“Thank you, but I’ll be fine.”
Iclos, still watching him closely, spoke seriously.
“I hear you were once considered as a marriage candidate for Lady Reina.”
“…Why bring that up now?”
Aisen frowned, suspicious. Iclos quickly waved his hands.
“Please don’t misunderstand. I only mention it because it may benefit Her Grace, the Duchess.”
“Benefit Reina? What do you mean?”
That caught Aisen’s interest. Iclos’s eyes gleamed slyly, like a snake.
“The Empire sends delegations to inspect the provinces regularly.”
“Yes, I know. They come even to the South.”
“Well, a spot recently opened in the delegation heading to Lautzen. If you joined, wouldn’t that help Her Grace?”
Aisen laughed bitterly.
“How would that help? If anything, seeing me would only make her uncomfortable, since we were once matched.”
“Uncomfortable? In this day and age, that means nothing.”
“…”
“Think about it—having someone familiar in such a far, cold place would comfort her. Besides…”
Iclos smiled faintly.
“…I don’t see anyone who would support her more faithfully than you.”
“!!”
Aisen’s eyes widened. He felt as though his secret feelings had been exposed.
“Forget this conversation. Please leave.”
But Iclos called after him.
“Won’t you regret it?”
“…Regret?”
Aisen turned back. Iclos shrugged with a sly smile.
“You should do everything you can. Who knows? Their relationship might crack. If that happens, the Crown Prince could help you.”
It was clear Iclos was tempting him. But knowing Reina’s marriage to Calhail was only a contract marriage made it even harder to resist.
“…Why are you offering this to me?”
Iclos smirked.
“Let’s just say, it’s mutual benefit. We need someone who can keep us informed about the North.”
Aisen’s eyes widened.
“You want me to be a spy?!”
Iclos waved his hands.
“Oh, no, no. Don’t use such dangerous words.”
“Then what else is it?”
“Lautzen is the Empire’s shield. If danger arises, all we ask is that you report it. You’d be helping protect the Empire.”
The words sounded patriotic enough to sway him.
“Protecting the Empire…”
Aisen thought it over. They weren’t demanding constant reports—just if something serious happened. If he didn’t want to, he could always choose silence.
And if he went, he could stay close to Reina, see for himself why she entered this contract marriage. If it truly was because Calhail forced her, he had to find a way to save her.
He clenched his fists.
“Fine. I’ll do it. But it will be on my terms. I won’t act only for the Crown Prince, and I won’t steal information.”
Iclos nodded happily.
“Excellent! Then I’ll inform His Highness that you’ll join the delegation. You’ll need to prepare quickly for the North.”
With that, Iclos vanished, leaving Aisen uneasy but already bound by his decision.
“For Lady Reina’s sake…”
Aisen gritted his teeth and tightened his fists.
[Wedding Night]
The newlyweds’ chamber had been prepared in Reina’s own room. Outside, the wedding banquet was still going on, but Reina excused herself, saying she felt unwell.
No one doubted her, since her face was pale as chalk. Truthfully, she did feel sick—the bad energy from certain nobles made her nauseous just being near them.
“Tomorrow we leave for the North, and you’re still feeling this unwell?”
Amy, tidying the room, looked at her worriedly. Earlier Reina had looked fine, but now she was exhausted and pale.
“…Maybe going North will be better after all.”
Leaving her warm hometown and her parents, the Count and Countess of Pillon, had been hard at first. But she couldn’t live her whole life feeling nauseous. She actually wanted to leave the capital quickly.
“That’s a relief, then. Don’t worry, I’ll be by your side. I mean—Her Grace, the Duchess!”
Amy clenched her fists with determination. Reina smiled but asked cautiously:
“Amy, are you sure you want to follow me all the way to Lautzen? It’s freezing there.”
“Of course! Who else would serve you if not me?”
“I’d be glad if you came, but…”
Reina worried not only about the cold.
“You have your knight, don’t you?”
Amy’s cheeks flushed as she looked away.
“T-That’s… you don’t have to worry about that…”
She fidgeted with her dress, clearly flustered. Reina frowned.
“How could I not worry? It feels like I’m tearing you two apart.”
“Huh?”
“If you go North, you’ll hardly see him anymore.”
Amy’s face turned redder. She muttered quietly:
“Well… my love is helping you more than…”
“What? Speak louder, I can’t hear you!”
“I said you don’t need to worry about that! It’s just… my one-sided crush.”
Amy suddenly looked sad. That expression—like a wounded deer—made Reina fall silent, unable to pry further.
After a moment, Amy forced a bright smile and clapped her hands.
“Anyway, don’t worry about me. You should prepare, Your Grace. Time is short.”
“Prepare? For what?”
She had already been washed, dressed, scrubbed, and oiled endlessly for the wedding. What else could there be?
“Ah, come on!”
Amy pulled out a paper box with a triumphant grin. She opened it, eyes sparkling.
“…What’s this?”
Reina tilted her head, confused.
“Hehe…”
Amy proudly lifted out a silky piece of fabric with shoulder straps.
“Ta-da! Pretty, isn’t it?”
Reina stared, baffled.
Clothes? But… why does it look so strange?
