STLECM 03

CHAPTER 03

Every time Etisha displeased Larienne, Larienne would slap her. Still, Etisha considered herself lucky—Larienne only pulled her hair and slapped her.

‘At least she doesn’t whip me like Father does…’

When her father took up the rod, he would call it “discipline” and beat her legs so badly they turned purple, leaving her unable to walk.

Compared to that, Larienne’s slaps were bearable.

‘When was the last time I got slapped? Was it at my birthday party last year?’

Etisha reflexively flinched, bracing for the impact. But no matter how long she waited, the sharp sting never came.

‘What? I was sure she was going to hit me.’

Etisha slowly opened her tightly shut eyes—and saw Duke Cayenne holding Larienne’s slender wrist.

It didn’t seem like Cayenne was using much strength, but Larienne cried out in pain.

“Ahhk!”

Standing protectively in front of Etisha, Cayenne spoke in a low, calm voice.

“What’s all this commotion?”

His icy glare pierced Larienne. A ruthless and merciless war hero. His presence matched his title—The Sword of the North.

Unfortunately, Etisha couldn’t see the cold fire in his eyes, blocked as she was by his broad back.

“D-Duke Wintel?”

Larienne flinched and looked up at him.

Black hair, black eyes. She’d heard countless rumors about the Duke of the North, but this was her first time seeing him in person.

He rarely came to the capital, and when he did, he avoided the frivolous parties Larienne loved to attend.

The two had completely opposite circles of activity.

“Does your family not believe in education? Such violent behavior… You’d be more at home in a back alley.”

Cayenne muttered coldly. Larienne didn’t understand why he had suddenly stepped in but responded casually.

“I’m Heinz. Larienne Heinz, Your Grace. My arm hurts—would you mind letting go?”

“I shall. But there won’t be a second time.”

He released her with a warning. Larienne blinked in confusion and asked playfully,

“What do you mean, ‘no second time’?”

“If you ever raise a hand to Lady Etisha Heinz again, your arm won’t remain intact.”

“W-What…?”

Larienne stared at him, her smile fading.

The fact that Duke Wintel even knew Etisha’s name was shocking enough—but to see him defending her? Unbelievable.

“Your Grace, what are you talking about?”

But Cayenne didn’t explain. He turned his gaze from Larienne, as if she were of no further concern, and looked at Etisha.

“Lady Etisha. Are you all right?”

“Yes, Your Grace. I’m fine.”

“Has it always been like this? Is this why you wanted to go to the North?”

Despite the uproar, Cayenne remained composed. He already had a good idea of what her family was like.

“…”

Etisha didn’t answer. But sometimes silence said more than words. Her expression said enough.

“Pathetic.”

Cayenne muttered, eyes falling on a scratch on Etisha’s arm. He clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“The North? You’re going to the North? Tisha! What is this nonsense?”

Larienne suddenly shouted, having overheard their conversation. The nobles around them began to stir, equally confused.

“Could it be… Lady Etisha is getting married?”

“If she’s going to the North, it might be true.”

“But still—no way. That’s absurd.”

The buzz in the ballroom grew louder. The entire party’s attention had shifted to this one scene.

It was rare to see the infamous Larienne Heinz fighting with her sister, and now the Duke of the North had stepped in—how could anyone look away?

“You’re going to the North?! Tisha, look at me and say it. Where do you think you can go, huh?!”

Larienne screamed, full of obsession. Her eyes burned with greed. Even as she tormented Etisha, it was clear she had no intention of letting her go.

‘Everyone’s watching. If this keeps going, Duke Cayenne might get caught up in this mess.’

Etisha stepped in, intercepting her sister’s rant.

“That’s between me and the Duke. You don’t need to know, Sister.”

“What…? Between you and the Duke?”

“Yes. So stop it already.”

“Don’t lie! When have you ever met the Duke of Wintel?! You two have never even spoken before!”

As the shouting escalated, Duke Cayenne quietly spoke.

“Lady Heinz.”

Just those two words, yet the atmosphere changed entirely. His presence was overpowering. His high status and striking looks helped, but even without them, Cayenne naturally dominated any room he entered.

As proof, Larienne visibly froze the moment he said her name.

“W-What is it… Your Grace?”

Larienne stammered, but Cayenne wasn’t even looking at her. His gaze had remained fixed on one person from the beginning.

Etisha Heinz.

Overshadowed by Larienne, many had forgotten—Etisha was also a daughter of House Heinz.

“Lady Heinz. Regrettably, the agreement we made earlier must be nullified.”

His dark eyes dimmed further.

“Ah…”

Etisha sighed. Their hard-won marriage contract was now broken.

‘Of course… If I were him, I wouldn’t want to marry into a family that acts like this. If he marries me, he becomes related to the Heinzes…’

Though disappointed, Etisha respected and understood Cayenne’s decision.

Even if she could never find a groom with better credentials, her main goal—leaving her house—could be achieved in other ways.

‘Maybe I’ll just run away. Abandon my noble title and live as a commoner, wandering through fields and mountains…’

As Etisha’s thoughts shifted in a new direction, Cayenne spoke again.

“I’ll have to make the announcement now, instead of on the last day of the Founding Festival, two days from now.”

His deep voice was firm and resolute.

“Pardon…?”

“Our marriage announcement.”

Etisha gasped, eyes wide. Cayenne took her hand and led her to the center of the ballroom, where all eyes were on them.

On Etisha’s left hand was a ring.

When Cayenne infused it with his magic, the symbol of Wintel glowed brightly, releasing radiant light. The light formed a ring around them, swirling in the air.

“Lady Etisha Heinz shall become my wife, bearing the name of Wintel, not Heinz. Any who tarnish her honor will be tarnishing mine—Cayenne Wintel’s—and by the name of the Divine, this is our eternal vow.”

Etisha’s mind went blank with shock.

An immediate wedding announcement?

They had skipped the engagement entirely. And to make such a declaration without a notary present—this was unheard of.

The influential nobles present at the Founding Festival were all gaping.

“W-What is this?”

“It’s real…!”

But the most stunned of all was Larienne Heinz.

“W-What?! M-Marriage?!”

She stammered, too overwhelmed to speak properly. Her face twisted with disbelief.

“Lies…”

Larienne’s cheeks were red. Her eyes, too, were puffy. Shaking like someone who had just been struck, she bit her trembling lip and denied reality.

“No way… Tisha? My Tisha… married? To Duke Cayenne Wintel? Why? Tisha’s not even healthy—she’s sick…”

“Sister.”

“That’s right. She’s not in good health…”

Larienne suddenly went silent.

Etisha tensed. She feared her sister might expose her incurable illness on the spot.

“Sister! Enough. Please stop. I’m going to marry Duke Wintel. Even you have no right to interfere.”

Etisha wouldn’t care if people found out she was terminally ill—but Cayenne might.

If it became public that the new Duchess of Wintel had Quama disease and was terminally ill, there would be trouble. His retainers might pressure him to find another wife.

“Listen closely. I will become Duchess of Wintel. I will leave this house.”

Etisha tried to remain rational as she shook off Larienne’s grasp. But Larienne wasn’t listening to reason.

“No, Tisha. You’re making a mistake. It’s because you’re not in your right mind.”

“What…?”

“You’re not normal. You’re sick. Your mind is affected—clearly. That’s why you’re dreaming this delusion about marrying Duke Wintel!”

“What are you saying…?”

“Oh, my poor little sister. You were always such a foolish, adorable girl. How did you end up like this? I’m so sad. I can’t let this go on. It’s too scary. You need to be locked in your room again. That’s where you belong.”

This was no longer sane.

There was no accepting Larienne’s absurdity, no point continuing the conversation. And if she blurted out Etisha’s diagnosis, it would be disastrous.

As Etisha struggled with what to do, Cayenne, who had silently held her hand, finally spoke.

“Larienne Heinz. If anyone here is not of sound mind, it is you.”

“W-What…?”

“I said Lady Etisha will become Duchess of Wintel. I also said that dishonoring her is the same as dishonoring me. And yet you still do not understand your mistake?”

Larienne had declared Etisha abnormal. Insane.

That was a clear insult.

With a voice sharp as ice, Cayenne put an end to the chaos in one word:

“Leave.”