DD 03

Chapter 3

“…The child?”

When he asked about the child’s well-being first, Isilia answered. Luyan nodded and flipped through documents. He was still busy. Her racing heart didn’t feel like her own. Her eyes projected hallucinations like a mad thing. Images of her younger self, and Luyan looking younger than he was now—vague silhouettes that stole her words. Even when he saw her standing by the door, unlike usual, Luyan said nothing. He was the same as always. The only one who had changed was her.

As soon as Isilia entered the room, she scanned it. To check whether that woman might be here. Whether the perfume she used was on the vanity. Whether there were two glasses sitting out. The way she quickly searched was ridiculous. And how ridiculous that she felt relieved knowing they weren’t sharing a room.

“I’m going to hold a wedding with her.”

The words dropped like a stone. Isilia froze. She couldn’t understand what she had just heard. When the meaning finally sank in, her mind refused to accept it. She stared blankly at Luyan. Was this why he called her? Just so the mistress of the Endrianz household could begin preparations… to tell her that?

“The date—seven days from now sounds good.”

“…I love you.”

Her throat tightened, choking her voice. Luyan looked at her. She had blurted the words out impulsively, and Isilia panicked. She had only whispered those words in bed, occasionally, after becoming an adult. She exposed the sincerity she had hidden away—just as she had done when she was sixteen. Something she had guarded carefully spilled out.

He must have heard her. That must be why he was looking at her like that. His pale blue eyes, holding a trace of silver, were fixed on her. The longer he stayed silent, the drier her mouth became.

“I love you.”

It was undeniably sincere. Her husband truly cared for that woman. The girl who had grown into a woman finally received the sincerity she had wished for all those years—yet she revealed it so easily.

So she confessed. To protect that fragile heart she had been guarding from being attacked and torn apart. Her heart pounded so loudly that her ears rang. If Luyan was doing all of this truly because he cared for the other woman, then—

“I love you.”

“I’ll send invitations only to those who should receive them.”

“…….”

Isilia closed her mouth. His elegant fingers continued rummaging through papers. She turned away. Through the slowly closing door, she could see him flipping through the documents. The heavy door echoed through the quiet hallway. When Luyan disappeared from sight, she lifted a trembling hand and touched her cheek. Thankfully, no tears fell. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth from her tightly pressed lips.

“…….”

Lowering her hand, she stared at the door, the barrier between them. It felt like a wall dividing the two of them. Expressionless, she turned and walked down the dim corridor, lost in thought.

Among the nobles of the Padivan Empire, having intimate relations with women despite having a wife was a common pastime. Jordan had been trying to punish them for it, insisting only incompetent men wasted time like that, but long-standing customs were difficult to change through law.

Changing the law would be a different matter.

However, what Luyan asked of her was different. A man holding a wedding with another woman while his legal wife was still alive was rare. Even if everyone knew about his affairs, flaunting it was not considered dignified. Nobles who valued honor kept everything discreet. A concubine would quietly enter the mansion, receive affection, and then either be dismissed or take the wife’s place after she died.

But to hold a wedding while Isilia was still alive—

Did he not understand what that meant?

That he was publicly declaring his heart had left her.

He probably didn’t. He was ignorant about such things. He simply wanted others to see that Marillian belonged to him. And that Isilia was abandoned.

“…….”

He didn’t know.

Back in her room, Isilia sat before her vanity. A woman with luxurious blonde hair and golden eyes looked back at her. Even in a moment like this, her face was expressionless—she let out a dry laugh. Her chest felt tight, as if something was stuck in her throat. She wanted to throw it up, but she couldn’t.

She turned away from her reflection. To survive the battlefield called high society, she had learned to hide her emotions. To avoid becoming prey, she had forgotten how to express herself. In exchange for the honor she had earned through blood and tears, she gave up everything else. Isilia von Endrianz—envied by women and revered by men—became the flower of society.

“…….”

She reached out and shook the bell. Soon, a servant entered.

“Where is the butler?”

“He is in the hall.”

Dismissing the servant, she headed downstairs. The butler was giving instructions to the maids. With a calm face, Isilia approached him. At Luyan’s order to prepare the wedding, he showed a moment of shock before nodding.

Watching his face quickly return to calm efficiency, she smiled faintly. Even if the master had lost interest in her, the Endrianz servants were still respectful. Of course. She was far more reliable than a woman who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Lost in thought, she watched as the butler approached with a troubled expression.

“I apologize, my lady, but seven days is quite rushed. Lady El’s birthday banquet just ended and we are short on hands.”

“Speak with the head maid and hire additional people. It doesn’t matter how much it costs. I know it’s a demanding request, but I want everything completed on time.”

“…Understood. I will do my best.”

After giving him a dismissive reply, Isilia turned away. Everyone would soon be frantic with preparations. For the wedding of the man she loved and the woman he loved.

But—where was Marillian?

She paused. She hadn’t seen her since the day she saw Luyan off two days ago.

“…….”

…Was she avoiding her?

“Where is she staying?”

The butler, keeping his head lowered, answered. His expression briefly showed confusion.

“She is in the guest room.”

Isilia nodded. There was one guest room on each floor. With her status, she would not be given the one on the first floor used by servants. Isilia ascended the stairs. Little El, standing in the hallway, spotted her and ran into her arms. She had become more clingy recently, and Isilia smiled. The tightness in her chest eased. She felt the warmth of the child’s breath against her ear.

“El.”

The child lifted her head. Her adorableness made Isilia speak gently.

“We’re going to have tea with someone. A pretty lady with red hair and amber eyes. Do you remember?”

“…….”

El nodded. Isilia set her down and held her hand.

[Even if she acts mature, she’s only four.]

A friend’s words echoed in her mind. Even so, her daughter was not childlike. She was thoughtful. Because her rare displays of affection were so precious, they warmed Isilia’s heart. She stopped before the guest room. After a moment’s hesitation, she knocked.

Knock, knock. The doorknob turned. Amber eyes widened in surprise. Isilia smiled. The woman collected herself and stepped aside. Only then did she notice the child and looked flustered.

“Lady Enderik.”

“Yes, Lady Endrianz.”

“You asked me to call you by your name before, but since you are not yet part of the Endrianz family, I ask for your understanding.”

“Please speak comfortably. It’s fine.”

“Oh, is that so? Then allow me to start with an apology. I’m sorry for visiting so early and startling you.”

Her gentle tone made the woman flinch. It was obvious. She would be eaten alive in high society. Still smiling, Isilia looked down at her. The warm gold of her eyes met Marillian’s, making the younger woman drop her gaze.

“I had promised El we would have tea, and I wanted you to join us.”

“…….”

“Johan is still asleep, so it’s unfortunate he can’t come. El has been curious about you.”

And so have I.

Swallowing the words, Isilia looked at her. A maid set the tea service. El stared at the woman with curiosity—the first woman brought into the mansion by her father. She had no idea this woman was to marry him. Isilia raised her gaze. When their eyes met, Marillian hesitated, but did not avert her eyes. She was still a noble lady of the Enderik family, after all. Not like the others who stumbled through society. Marillian smiled faintly.

“When did you meet him?”

She flinched at the directness. El looked at her mother curiously. Isilia smiled at her daughter and lifted her teacup. Since El was young, she wouldn’t understand unless someone explicitly said who he was. Marillian finally answered in a low voice.

“A year ago… in early spring.”

“I see.”

Her mouth tasted bitter. That was when Luyan had been busiest. The day they started to sleep in separate rooms. So it hasn’t been long.

Her heart pounded wildly, but her voice was strangely calm.

“How did you meet?”

“…We ran into each other in the imperial palace.”