I followed my father into the study. It was a place I loved, with the smell of paper, ink, and my father's scent.
I looked around and sat down at my father's desk, as if to have a casual conversation. He shook his head, seemingly unable to stop me.
“Lyla, do you know the rumors about Grand Duke Dukezan?”
“Yes, I know. He’s the Northern Grand Duke, cursed to turn into rock by eating people.”
My father wasn't one to enjoy gossip that belittled others. But when it came to his daughter, his perspective changed.
At first glance, Kaiser appeared to be a handsome and polite gentleman, but he was a total trash, obsessed with alcohol and women.
But my father didn't know that Kaiser was a bright, shining apricot. So he would have wanted my husband to be Kaiser, not Julian, who was called a monster.
“You heard rumors, but I wonder why... You chose him.”
Because Julian is my savior. Because he alone knew when I was in the swamp.
But this was merely an emotional reason. I had to prioritize reason over emotion.
"There's something I want to accomplish. And to achieve it, I need the power of the Grand Duke of Dukezan."
“Is it something you want to achieve? May I ask what it is?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
My father groaned in frustration. He had always granted me whatever I wanted. Knowing that, I never asked for anything too unreasonable.
But this time it was different.
"Father, I really want to marry His Highness the Grand Duke of Dukezan. There hasn't been a woman willing to marry him yet."
“No.”
I was asking too much of my father, and he was rejecting me.
It was the first time such a long silence had passed between us. I finally nodded. Since it seemed unlikely my father would waver, I had to step aside for a moment and plan for the future.
“I’ll think about it some more.”
At those words, my father smiled brightly, as if he was genuinely happy.
"Thank you, Layla. I truly appreciate it. Please know that your father cares for you."
“I always know.”
I smiled bitterly. I knew my father was doing it for me. But sometimes, not backing down is also a virtue of a knight.
Returning to my room, I checked the family seal I'd snatched from the study. It was indeed stolen.
From the start, it was clear that persuading my father would be difficult. So, as soon as I entered the study, I decided to steal the seal. Since my father didn't suspect me, the task was easy.
“Ugh... I really don’t feel good.”
But without the family seal, we couldn't exchange marriage proposals. I sat down and began drafting a letter containing my proposal.
Clang!
There was a loud clash of swords. The youngest, Adam,'s sword vibrated violently. I didn't take advantage of the gap and struck Adam's wrist with my hand. Adam eventually let go of his sword and grabbed his wrist.
“Ugh, it hurts so much.”
“You have to protect your wrists.”
The long-awaited training was refreshing and enjoyable. I grinned at my brother's teasing. Adam, seemingly unwilling to continue, sat down on the training ground.
"Sister, why are you so grumpy today? Don't you want to break off your engagement with Marquis Amber?"
Adam asked with a tearful face. His wrist must have been sore, but he seemed worried about me. I shook my head, shivering as if I was getting goosebumps.
“Absolutely not.”
"That's also strange. Why do you suddenly hate Marquis Amber so much? I agree that he's inferior to you."
I found it endearing that my younger brother spoke with such confidence, so I bent down and pinched his cheek. Then I picked up the sword and handed it back.
Adam accepted the sword with both hands, grateful, but he still seemed unwilling to continue training.
“By the way, what about Ruin?”
“My brother is not feeling well.”
Adam spoke urgently to my casual question. I opened my eyes and looked at him.
“How bad is it? I need to see him.”
“Who, sister!”
Adam grabbed my leg. It was only a quick glance, but my brother, who was already caught lying, seemed cute, but also quite naive. The people of the capital were lying every time they opened their mouths.
The Count of Winsley, who lived in the borderlands following his father, a Count of War, remained unswayed by others and remained upright. I smiled bitterly and squatted down in front of Adam.
“What’s going on?”
“I can’t say.”
Adam clenched his jaw, his resolve evident. I could have abandoned Adam and gone to Ruin to check, but I didn't want to. I stood up and aimed my sword at Adam.
"Then let's duel again. The winner gets to do whatever he wants. How about that?"
Raised by a father known as the empire's greatest swordsman, we three siblings often resolved our differences through duels. Adam swallowed hard and then stood up.
“This time, you can’t lose your mind like before.”
"Of course."
After straightening my posture, I crossed my swords again. Adam clenched his teeth and lunged, as if he really didn't want to let me go.
But swordsmanship, swept up in emotion, always tends to falter. I deflected his sword a few times, then aimed it at his neck. It happened so quickly that I burst out laughing.
“Shall we go together to see if Ruin is really sick?”
I said teasingly and turned around. My high-tied hair felt incredibly slow as it followed me.
It was because a man leaning against one side of the training ground was staring intently at me. I awkwardly fiddled with the sword at my waist before walking toward him.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duke of Dukezan.”
I made the excuse that I wasn't wearing a dress and bowed to her in a knightly manner. In my previous life, I had valued myself more as a lady, but in this life, I wanted to treat myself more faithfully as a knight.
“This is Layla Winsley.”
Unlike my previous life, this time I was able to name the Winsley family. So delighted was I that I smiled broadly and answered without realizing it. I wiped the sweat running down my chin with the back of my hand and looked up at the man.
“Julian Dukezan.”
Julian gave his name. Did he think it was polite?
I smiled faintly and looked back at Adam. I thought I knew why he'd tried to stop me, and why Ruin wasn't there.
Through the open door of the training ground, I could see the family, seemingly at a loss. It seemed they had been trying to block Julian's entry.
“I apologize for the late greeting.”
"That's enough. It seems your family didn't tell you. They're preventing you from seeing me."
Julian spoke without any hesitation. It was obvious what my family would do to him.
It was almost funny to imagine the whole family struggling, unable to cling to Julian or stay away from him.
“Please forgive my rudeness. My family still thinks I’m a glass doll.”
“I just saw the duel, and it was far from a glass doll.”
“Right?”
“La, Layla! No, Your Highness.”
My father hurried inside. It seemed he was about to start the second round. He bowed to Julian, then grabbed my arm and pulled at me, putting more distance between us. It was clearly a gesture filled with caution.
It was unlike my father, who always valued manners. I looked at Julian with the most polite smile I could muster.
"Our daughter is still far too young to be married. And look at her coming to the training grounds in broad daylight. She's still a childish brat. She's far from being a worthy companion to Your Highness the Grand Duke."
“They say the Count is more proud of his daughter, who has been knighted, than of his other sons, but it seems that is not true.”
Julian's cold voice left his father speechless. It wasn't that he was intimidated by the Archduke. It was more likely that he was embarrassed by his own words.
"That..."
My father closed his eyes tightly, then opened them again and tried to continue speaking.
Seeing him work so hard for me made me feel bad. It was especially so because my father, who was so proud of me, was also proud of me. Julian was looking at me as I gazed at him.
“Layla Winsley.”
Julian's voice was very low. But it wasn't creepy. Rather, it was elegant, like a deep-toned instrument, befitting his half-naked appearance.
“I would like to ask for an explanation.”
No matter what anyone said, Julian was the Empire's sole Grand Duke. His imposing stature matched his height. He was so tall that you had to crane your neck to look up at him. The crimson glow in his eyes, peeking through his mask, was enough to terrify even a child, let alone an adult.
The body uncovered by the mask was covered by a cloak, but the neck, between the mask and cloak, was slightly visible. The skin, even at first glance, was not human. It was rough, like rock, and had a grayish tint.
Despite this, the exposed half-face looked remarkably handsome. I hadn't noticed it before, but looking closely today, I realized it.
His nose was sharp, his eyes deep and splendid. His heavy eyelids made them appear as if they were filled with sorrow.
But all of that was obscured by the other half. I found myself staring blankly at him.
Julian called me again, urging me on.
“Layla Winsley?”
"Yes?"
“I asked for an explanation.”
Suddenly coming to my senses, I cleared my throat. A surge of tension suddenly washed over me, but I took several deep breaths and tried to appear as confident as possible.
“Oh, I sent you a marriage proposal for Your Highness the Grand Duke. Your Highness, will you marry me?”
I knew it was against etiquette for a lady to propose right away.
But I absolutely had to marry him. I needed the strength to protect my family. I knew it was a sudden decision, but I proposed with all my heart.
What should I do if he refuses? What kind of persuasion or threats would work? I was clenching my fists, agonizing over these things.
“Yes.”
Julian answered without hesitation. Behind him, Adam collapsed, his legs giving out. My father, standing nearby, also slumped in shock. My mother, unable to come closer and standing outside the door, covered her mouth with both hands and let out a silent scream.
Throughout the entire process, Julian's eyebrows furrowed once, then settled back into place. My father was about to say something, but I quickly interrupted.
"Then, would it be okay if we could talk in the living room alone? I'll be back soon after changing clothes."
Julian nodded. I hurriedly ran to my room, wiped away the sweat, and changed into a light dress. Time was running out, and Anna, who was serving me, was getting a little carried away.
"My lady! You must wear these earrings with that dress... Ah, but what if His Highness the Grand Duke finds you too beautiful? The lady will cry... But since you are appearing before His Highness the Grand Duke, you must be polite..."
Anna was fussing about something, as if she were busy. I pushed her aside and hurried over to where Julian was. Julian and his family were still having an awkward conversation, muttering something in the air.
I greeted Julian once again.
I expected Julian to lead the way. But he stopped in front of me and extended his right hand, almost like a gentleman escorting me.
“What are you doing without catching it?”
I looked around and sat down at my father's desk, as if to have a casual conversation. He shook his head, seemingly unable to stop me.
“Lyla, do you know the rumors about Grand Duke Dukezan?”
“Yes, I know. He’s the Northern Grand Duke, cursed to turn into rock by eating people.”
My father wasn't one to enjoy gossip that belittled others. But when it came to his daughter, his perspective changed.
At first glance, Kaiser appeared to be a handsome and polite gentleman, but he was a total trash, obsessed with alcohol and women.
But my father didn't know that Kaiser was a bright, shining apricot. So he would have wanted my husband to be Kaiser, not Julian, who was called a monster.
“You heard rumors, but I wonder why... You chose him.”
Because Julian is my savior. Because he alone knew when I was in the swamp.
But this was merely an emotional reason. I had to prioritize reason over emotion.
"There's something I want to accomplish. And to achieve it, I need the power of the Grand Duke of Dukezan."
“Is it something you want to achieve? May I ask what it is?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
My father groaned in frustration. He had always granted me whatever I wanted. Knowing that, I never asked for anything too unreasonable.
But this time it was different.
"Father, I really want to marry His Highness the Grand Duke of Dukezan. There hasn't been a woman willing to marry him yet."
“No.”
I was asking too much of my father, and he was rejecting me.
It was the first time such a long silence had passed between us. I finally nodded. Since it seemed unlikely my father would waver, I had to step aside for a moment and plan for the future.
“I’ll think about it some more.”
At those words, my father smiled brightly, as if he was genuinely happy.
"Thank you, Layla. I truly appreciate it. Please know that your father cares for you."
“I always know.”
I smiled bitterly. I knew my father was doing it for me. But sometimes, not backing down is also a virtue of a knight.
Returning to my room, I checked the family seal I'd snatched from the study. It was indeed stolen.
From the start, it was clear that persuading my father would be difficult. So, as soon as I entered the study, I decided to steal the seal. Since my father didn't suspect me, the task was easy.
“Ugh... I really don’t feel good.”
But without the family seal, we couldn't exchange marriage proposals. I sat down and began drafting a letter containing my proposal.
***
Clang!
There was a loud clash of swords. The youngest, Adam,'s sword vibrated violently. I didn't take advantage of the gap and struck Adam's wrist with my hand. Adam eventually let go of his sword and grabbed his wrist.
“Ugh, it hurts so much.”
“You have to protect your wrists.”
The long-awaited training was refreshing and enjoyable. I grinned at my brother's teasing. Adam, seemingly unwilling to continue, sat down on the training ground.
"Sister, why are you so grumpy today? Don't you want to break off your engagement with Marquis Amber?"
Adam asked with a tearful face. His wrist must have been sore, but he seemed worried about me. I shook my head, shivering as if I was getting goosebumps.
“Absolutely not.”
"That's also strange. Why do you suddenly hate Marquis Amber so much? I agree that he's inferior to you."
I found it endearing that my younger brother spoke with such confidence, so I bent down and pinched his cheek. Then I picked up the sword and handed it back.
Adam accepted the sword with both hands, grateful, but he still seemed unwilling to continue training.
“By the way, what about Ruin?”
“My brother is not feeling well.”
Adam spoke urgently to my casual question. I opened my eyes and looked at him.
“How bad is it? I need to see him.”
“Who, sister!”
Adam grabbed my leg. It was only a quick glance, but my brother, who was already caught lying, seemed cute, but also quite naive. The people of the capital were lying every time they opened their mouths.
The Count of Winsley, who lived in the borderlands following his father, a Count of War, remained unswayed by others and remained upright. I smiled bitterly and squatted down in front of Adam.
“What’s going on?”
“I can’t say.”
Adam clenched his jaw, his resolve evident. I could have abandoned Adam and gone to Ruin to check, but I didn't want to. I stood up and aimed my sword at Adam.
"Then let's duel again. The winner gets to do whatever he wants. How about that?"
Raised by a father known as the empire's greatest swordsman, we three siblings often resolved our differences through duels. Adam swallowed hard and then stood up.
“This time, you can’t lose your mind like before.”
"Of course."
After straightening my posture, I crossed my swords again. Adam clenched his teeth and lunged, as if he really didn't want to let me go.
But swordsmanship, swept up in emotion, always tends to falter. I deflected his sword a few times, then aimed it at his neck. It happened so quickly that I burst out laughing.
“Shall we go together to see if Ruin is really sick?”
I said teasingly and turned around. My high-tied hair felt incredibly slow as it followed me.
It was because a man leaning against one side of the training ground was staring intently at me. I awkwardly fiddled with the sword at my waist before walking toward him.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duke of Dukezan.”
I made the excuse that I wasn't wearing a dress and bowed to her in a knightly manner. In my previous life, I had valued myself more as a lady, but in this life, I wanted to treat myself more faithfully as a knight.
“This is Layla Winsley.”
Unlike my previous life, this time I was able to name the Winsley family. So delighted was I that I smiled broadly and answered without realizing it. I wiped the sweat running down my chin with the back of my hand and looked up at the man.
“Julian Dukezan.”
Julian gave his name. Did he think it was polite?
I smiled faintly and looked back at Adam. I thought I knew why he'd tried to stop me, and why Ruin wasn't there.
Through the open door of the training ground, I could see the family, seemingly at a loss. It seemed they had been trying to block Julian's entry.
“I apologize for the late greeting.”
"That's enough. It seems your family didn't tell you. They're preventing you from seeing me."
Julian spoke without any hesitation. It was obvious what my family would do to him.
It was almost funny to imagine the whole family struggling, unable to cling to Julian or stay away from him.
“Please forgive my rudeness. My family still thinks I’m a glass doll.”
“I just saw the duel, and it was far from a glass doll.”
“Right?”
“La, Layla! No, Your Highness.”
My father hurried inside. It seemed he was about to start the second round. He bowed to Julian, then grabbed my arm and pulled at me, putting more distance between us. It was clearly a gesture filled with caution.
It was unlike my father, who always valued manners. I looked at Julian with the most polite smile I could muster.
"Our daughter is still far too young to be married. And look at her coming to the training grounds in broad daylight. She's still a childish brat. She's far from being a worthy companion to Your Highness the Grand Duke."
“They say the Count is more proud of his daughter, who has been knighted, than of his other sons, but it seems that is not true.”
Julian's cold voice left his father speechless. It wasn't that he was intimidated by the Archduke. It was more likely that he was embarrassed by his own words.
"That..."
My father closed his eyes tightly, then opened them again and tried to continue speaking.
Seeing him work so hard for me made me feel bad. It was especially so because my father, who was so proud of me, was also proud of me. Julian was looking at me as I gazed at him.
“Layla Winsley.”
Julian's voice was very low. But it wasn't creepy. Rather, it was elegant, like a deep-toned instrument, befitting his half-naked appearance.
“I would like to ask for an explanation.”
No matter what anyone said, Julian was the Empire's sole Grand Duke. His imposing stature matched his height. He was so tall that you had to crane your neck to look up at him. The crimson glow in his eyes, peeking through his mask, was enough to terrify even a child, let alone an adult.
The body uncovered by the mask was covered by a cloak, but the neck, between the mask and cloak, was slightly visible. The skin, even at first glance, was not human. It was rough, like rock, and had a grayish tint.
Despite this, the exposed half-face looked remarkably handsome. I hadn't noticed it before, but looking closely today, I realized it.
His nose was sharp, his eyes deep and splendid. His heavy eyelids made them appear as if they were filled with sorrow.
But all of that was obscured by the other half. I found myself staring blankly at him.
Julian called me again, urging me on.
“Layla Winsley?”
"Yes?"
“I asked for an explanation.”
Suddenly coming to my senses, I cleared my throat. A surge of tension suddenly washed over me, but I took several deep breaths and tried to appear as confident as possible.
“Oh, I sent you a marriage proposal for Your Highness the Grand Duke. Your Highness, will you marry me?”
I knew it was against etiquette for a lady to propose right away.
But I absolutely had to marry him. I needed the strength to protect my family. I knew it was a sudden decision, but I proposed with all my heart.
What should I do if he refuses? What kind of persuasion or threats would work? I was clenching my fists, agonizing over these things.
“Yes.”
Julian answered without hesitation. Behind him, Adam collapsed, his legs giving out. My father, standing nearby, also slumped in shock. My mother, unable to come closer and standing outside the door, covered her mouth with both hands and let out a silent scream.
Throughout the entire process, Julian's eyebrows furrowed once, then settled back into place. My father was about to say something, but I quickly interrupted.
"Then, would it be okay if we could talk in the living room alone? I'll be back soon after changing clothes."
Julian nodded. I hurriedly ran to my room, wiped away the sweat, and changed into a light dress. Time was running out, and Anna, who was serving me, was getting a little carried away.
"My lady! You must wear these earrings with that dress... Ah, but what if His Highness the Grand Duke finds you too beautiful? The lady will cry... But since you are appearing before His Highness the Grand Duke, you must be polite..."
Anna was fussing about something, as if she were busy. I pushed her aside and hurried over to where Julian was. Julian and his family were still having an awkward conversation, muttering something in the air.
I greeted Julian once again.
I expected Julian to lead the way. But he stopped in front of me and extended his right hand, almost like a gentleman escorting me.
“What are you doing without catching it?”
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