MMHB 12

At this point in time, people still did not know that she was infertile.

It was only after she became Crown Princess and summoned physicians several times that her infertility became certain.

And the Emperor probably doesn’t know his own son is impotent either.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be talking about grandchildren that would never be born.

…And when she glanced up, Resrexion was also wearing a very displeased expression.

He looked as though he found his father’s words utterly ridiculous.

Still, Dolores let out a quiet sigh of relief.

At least I escaped becoming Adrian’s wife.

It had been a bit extreme, but it was a success.

However, what should she do about her future now?

“Dolores.”

Right on cue, the Marquis forced a smile.

But the deep anger etched into the wrinkles of his dry face was impossible to hide.

“Haa… yes… I understand very well that you wish to be joined with His Grace the Grand Duke.”

“……”

“But let us return to the estate now.”

Dolores’s face turned cold.

I no longer have any value as merchandise.

The only reason her father and brother had never laid a finger on her was because they intended to offer her to the Crown Prince.

But that goal had been shattered. She didn’t even want to imagine what punishment awaited her if she returned to the marquisate.

Dolores smiled gracefully.

“No, Father. I will not return to the marquisate.”

“What…? Dolores!”

Forgetting they stood before the Emperor, the Marquis finally raised his voice.

Even the vein at his temple throbbed visibly.

“A daughter must always follow her father’s decision—!”

“Lady Dolly is going to the Lancaster estate.”

Resrexion leisurely stepped between Dolores and the Marquis.

Dolores was not small, yet once he stood in front of her, her raging father completely disappeared from view.

“Your Grace! By what right do you do this? Return my daughter!”

“Why? Thanks to your efforts, the Lady and I are now husband and wife, are we not?”

“……!”

“So it is only natural that a wife goes to her husband’s estate. Isn’t that so?”

Resrexion lightly tapped the Marquis on the chest.

Though it looked gentle, the Marquis staggered back several steps as if stabbed by a sword.

James, who had only been watching nervously, rushed forward to support him.

“F-Father!”

“Well then, Father-in-law, take care of your health and return safely.”

In a theatrical tone of mockery, Resrexion extended his hand to Dolores.

Leaving arm in arm with her “new groom,” Dolores offered a bright smile.

“Your Majesty. Your Highness Adrian. I wish you a beautiful night.”

She decided to ignore Madame Loire entirely.

Perhaps the woman noticed, because the hand holding her fan trembled violently—but Dolores didn’t care.

“Father. Brother. Please take care on your way home as well.”

How delightful it was to see those who once terrified her now seething in helpless fury.

At last, Dolores had escaped the hell of living with leeches.

* * *

Until the moment they left the palace gates, Dolores and Resrexion walked arm in arm with smiling faces.

But the instant they settled into the carriage, the atmosphere turned strictly businesslike.

“When did the world go mad without me?”

Resrexion tossed his blood-stained cloak onto the seat beside him, irritation clear in his voice.

The dried blood made a brittle rustling sound.

“What are they, wild beasts? What even is a kidnapping marriage?”

“Still, it saved me. You returned at the perfect time.”

Dolores shuddered as she recalled the situation.

Truly, if the Grand Duke had arrived even a little later…

If I had exchanged marriage vows with Adrian, not even the Emperor could have easily undone it.

Resrexion nodded.

“Sotis sent word quickly.”

“Sotis? Ah… that must be the one who receives the signal.”

“Something like that.”

Sotis was a member of the Grand Duke’s secret rapid-response unit—and in truth, was assigned to monitor Dolores.

If she made even the slightest suspicious move, he would subdue her.

But there’s no need to tell her that.

Resrexion pressed his fingers to his brow as fatigue washed over him.

Anyone who takes this contract marriage seriously is a fool.

He had only accepted because she possessed enough desperation to attempt suicide.

If she proved useless, he would cut her off quickly.

Especially since she knows I covet the Alaister territory.

Just then, the carriage finally arrived at the Lancaster estate.

The mansion was brightly lit, as if it had been waiting for its master’s return.

Resrexion escorted Dolores down with proper gentlemanly manners.

“Ah. That rascal Edwin is out here.”

“Edwin… you mean Baron Shelley?”

“That’s right. And for your information, he’s the only one who knows this is a contract. Watch your words.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Edwin looked utterly exhausted.

He had followed his lord to suppress Anglesey, then returned ahead of him. On top of that, he had been scrambling ever since hearing the sudden news of the future Grand Duchess’s kidnapping.

“Welcome back, Your Grace! And Lady Roche—”

His breathless greeting stopped short the moment he saw Dolores.

As the seconds ticked by, he clutched his cheeks, dazzled.

“H-Hah…!”

“Sir Shelley? I am Dolores Siena Rochester.”

She gracefully extended her right hand, then quickly corrected herself mid-motion.

“No, ah… Lancaster now.”

“Y-Yes! I’ve heard, Your Grace the Grand Duchess!”

“I look forward to working with you. You’ve worked hard.”

“N-Not at all! Good heavens!”

After hurriedly kissing the back of her hand in greeting, Edwin stared blankly at his lord.

“…From today onward, I will truly respect Your Grace.”

“Did you not before?”

“I did, but now I mean it even more sincerely.”

Edwin looked at Dolores with pure admiration.

“To stand beside such a moon goddess and still speak calmly…!”

Resrexion’s expression twisted further.

Meanwhile, Dolores regarded Edwin’s excitement as one might look at an adorable puppy.

She had already heard far more extravagant praise.

“You have an interesting aide.”

“Not by choice.”

Resrexion shook his head in disgust. One day, he would tie up that overly dramatic mouth.

At that moment, the old butler Bertrand appeared.

“Welcome home, Master. And Your Grace.”

Though he had not long ago been informed, he showed no sign of fluster. Like a seasoned butler, he treated Dolores as the lady of the house with perfect courtesy.

“It is late, so you must be quite tired. I will guide you to the room prepared in advance.”

“Thank you. I suppose I’ll be staying in a guest room for the time being.”

“No, Your Grace.”

“…Hmm?”

“Though we did not know the exact date, we have already prepared an inner chamber for you.”

Pride tinged the butler’s voice.

At his signal, the waiting servants opened a door.

“This way.”

“Ah…”

Seeing Resrexion appear covered in blood, she had not expected much of a room.

At worst, she had imagined a single bed and a small vanity table.

It’s a contract marriage. I shouldn’t expect too much.

But the moment the door opened, she paused at the fragrance filling the room.

The chamber itself was elegant.

White and clean in overall tone, with curved wall moldings adding refined beauty.

The furniture boasted graceful lines.

It doesn’t suit a beast at all.

Blue porcelain vases decorated various corners.

And in them were roses—fresh, as if just picked.

Those are Briand Roses.

Dolores stared blankly at the vases overflowing with roses.

“How did you… prepare so many of these?”

The Briand Rose was a variety monopolized by the imperial family.

Even during her time as Empress, she had never allowed it to leave the palace.

Of course, the Grand Duke is part of the imperial family. If he insisted, perhaps there was a way.

Still, to prepare such fresh flowers exactly when she arrived…

When she glanced at the butler, he merely smiled politely.

As if to say, Where there’s a will, there’s always a way.

“Well prepared. I like it.”

“It is our honor, Your Grace.”

“Where will the Grand Duke stay?”

Even if some of his actions were disagreeable, today she owed him more than once.

It’s only proper to thank him properly before sleeping.

“His Grace resides in the room across the corridor. However, he likely will not sleep tonight.”

“Why?”

“He hurried back to settle the disturbance. There is still much to take care of.”

“Ah.”

Even in such circumstances, he had to work through the night.

Looking out the window, Dolores saw armed men moving busily through the garden lit by torches.

His people.

In any case, discussing their contract tonight was impossible.

Butler Bertrand bowed once more.

“Please rest well, Your Grace. I will attend you tomorrow.”

“…Very well. You’ve done well.”

After preparing for bed, Dolores was finally alone.

She plucked a single Briand Rose and gently touched its petals.

“When I was young… I was so happy just to see this flower once.”

When Adrian picked one for her, she had clutched it in both hands like a treasure.

Where had that innocent girl gone?

After a suffocating marriage, her heart had withered, unable to flutter at anything.

Yet in this mansion, those dried emotions seemed to stir again.

Perhaps this contract won’t turn out so badly after all…?

But her thoughts gradually trailed off.

The overwhelming fatigue mingled with the intoxicating scent of roses and gently pulled Dolores into a deep sleep.