Shioana's face, filled with vague hope, was flushed with joy.
This was the first time she had thought about the future. She was always like a bush kicked up by the feet in Regbell. What dreams or future could a bush possibly hold?
Shioana, having gotten used to it, never dreamed that there would be a different tomorrow.
"Instead of doing this, I should go to sleep right away."
Shioana lay on the bed with a relaxed expression for the first time in a while, her lips twitching as she needed to fall asleep quickly so she could greet tomorrow morning a little sooner.
The next morning. As soon as the sun rose, Martha entered Shioana's bedroom and pulled back the curtains.
"Miss! Get up quickly!"
"...Martha. Please speak more gently. My head feels like it’s going to explode."
Shioana grumbled as she finally fell asleep late because her heart wouldn't stop pounding. It was difficult to fall asleep easily after thinking about Etienne all night.
"Why are you whining like a baby? There is plenty of work to do, including putting on the dress and packing, so please hurry."
"Martha, what on earth is going on?"
She could sense something ominous in Martha's agitated voice.
"Count Noah has sent a carriage. He said it is a shame that you spent the winter together and ordered that you be brought in immediately. He also mentioned that you would have a new dress made and that you go see the opera together."
"...What?"
It was the first day she started dreaming of a new future with Etienne, and what a bolt from the blue this was.
She had certainly made such a promise, but it fizzled out when she was crushed by a broken branch in the garden.
'I never imagined you wouldn't forget and invite me again...'
As she was thinking of all sorts of reasons to refuse, Martha, who had brought out the dress, added.
"I hear that Madame Veil is ill. Count Noah must not have been able to stop by Regbell either, as he was caring for her. They say Madame Veil is also eagerly looking forward to your visit."
Martha had secretly criticized Count Noah for not showing his face while Shioana was sick for several days.
"...I wonder if Mrs. Veil is sick."
Her brow furrowed at the mention that Count Noah's aunt, Marilyn Veil, was ill.
"Please come quickly. I need to fix my hair, and I have so much to do that I'm short on time."
Martha was making a fuss, excited as if she were getting married right away.
'I feel kind of bad because it feels like I'm lying.'
To Shioana, who grew up without a mother, Martha was not just an employee.
However, she couldn't say anything without a concrete plan yet. She intended to confess the matter between the two of them to Martha only after having a serious conversation with Etienne.
'If I ask you to go with me then, Martha, will you?'
Martha might object at first, but she might eventually take her side.
If she finds out how much she loves Etienne!
Shioana's face was somewhat dark as she watched Martha, who was combing her hair while humming, through the mirror.
Shioana, having finished getting ready, hurriedly looked for Eli. It was to avoid leaving for Highbell by any excuse. Eli, wearing a benevolent expression unlike usual, offered her a chair.
"So, you have finished all the preparations. Do not forget to give my regards to Madame Veil. I would go with you if I were not busy, but it is difficult to make time due to affairs of the estate."
"Brother, as I said last time..."
Shioana, clenching her fists, was about to say she wouldn't go when Eli interrupted her.
"You're not planning to spout nonsense again, are you?"
Eli suddenly changed his attitude to one of threatening Shioana.
'Shioana, listen carefully. This marriage is going to happen no matter what. If you ignore me, I really won't let you get away with it.'
'...All right.'
Shioana clearly remembered the pathetic look on her face when she answered back then, unable to withstand the threat.
"I plan to send a gift instead of visiting."
Despite her brother's subtle threats, Shioana spoke up firmly.
"It is a pity that Mrs. Veil is sick, but we weren't close enough to go visit her."
"It seems my words don't make sense."
A chill wafted from Eli's entire body as he stripped his smile away, and as he raised his hand, Shioana covered her head with both hands. Her body, accustomed to Eli's violence, reacted first.
"Why are you acting so cocky while trembling like that?"
As she bit her lip tightly and couldn't say a word, Eli gave a bitter smile.
"There is something I forgot to mention: Mrs. Veil has invested a large sum of money in our family. But if you bring up something absurd, Father will be in a difficult position, won't he? If his business fails, he might have to hand over this mansion."
"..."
"Then what will happen to all the employees in this castle? Martha, in particular, is quite old, so I don't know which family will hire her."
"..."
"Anyway, just go quietly to visit this time, Shioana. You can do at least that much, can't you?"
At Eli's words, Shioana clenched her fist so tightly that it turned white.
'How can you make such a threat?'
When it seemed she would never listen, he threatened her by betting the mansion and Martha.
Considering the family's financial status as perceived by Shioana, it was highly likely that Eli's words were not a lie.
'I can't possibly make others suffer just to be happy myself.'
What Shioana wanted was a future with Etienne, and she had absolutely no intention of making everyone unhappy like the noble lady and servant in Martha's story.
"I'll just go visit her."
Only then did Eli show a satisfied smile at the answer Shioana gave, with her eyes tightly closed.
***
Marriage in the Caspian Empire was the most sublime ritual. Two souls pledged to become one before the Goddess Diana and the guests.
For that day at least, the bride became the most loved woman in the world, and the groom became the happiest man.
"...Elizabeth, think again."
Standing in the old temple, Eli opened his mouth as if pleading with the woman holding his hand.
"Eli, my love for you will never change, no matter what happens."
The owner of the hand pulling him was Elizabeth Demory. The veil trailing to the floor swayed gently over her pale face.
"However, we cannot get married in such a shabby place without a single guest."
Tears welled up in Elizabeth's blue eyes as she looked at Eli, who was trying to dissuade her from the marriage.
Even though he was a man who cared for her like this, she could not understand at all why Marquis Demory opposed the two of them.
After suffering in silence for a long time, Elizabeth finally opened up to her beloved father.
'Father, I’ve found someone I want to marry.'
When Elizabeth first confessed, the Marquis looked pleased, though worried.
'Who on earth is the man who seized such luck?'
When she actually brought it up, she was so worried that the Marquis might object. However, she felt that she wouldn't be able to live if Eli left her, so she was able to muster the courage.
'I'm afraid he won't meet my father's standards. But I can guarantee that he is a really good person.'
The day after she told him the name Eli Evgenia, the Marquis returned home with a cold expression she had never seen before.
'Where did you meet such a scammer! Break up with him immediately!'
Elizabeth could not even be surprised by her father's reaction, which she had never expected. No matter how much she explained what a good person Eli was, he would not listen to her.
'From today, do not allow Elizabeth to leave the house.'
What she returned to was confinement, but a maid who took pity on her opened the door, allowing her to stand here.
"My love, without you, what use would anyone else be?"
Moreover, she was not the only one making a sacrifice for this marriage. Eli also reportedly did not inform his family of the wedding for her sake, as she would not have a single guest.
"Elizabeth, if that is your heart's desire, I will follow."
The two people walked along the old carpet to the priest who was preparing.
The priest, who had been dozing off, hurriedly opened a book and recited a prayer. After the rather long reading was finished, he asked a question.
"If there is a reason why we cannot become one through marriage in the name of the Goddess Diana, please reveal it here and now. Otherwise, please remain silent forever."
The two exchanged rings, and finally, Eli lifted her veil.
"From today, you are going to be Elizabeth Evgenia."
"...I love you."
Eli lowered his head and kissed her cheek, damp with tears, and a cry of deep emotion flowed from Elizabeth's lips.
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