IWMHWD 67

Chapter 67 – The Husband’s Funeral
January 6, 2024

Hearing those words brought a tiny bit of relief. She shouldn’t have felt glad thinking about Lydia, but somehow, it made her feel slightly at ease.

“I’ve told you over and over, magic is a discipline—”

“—That isn’t enough for a lifetime, yeah, yeah. Ugh, I’ve heard that so many times I could grow calluses in my ears. But what does that have to do with getting married?”

“What do you mean, what does it have to do with it? If I get married, I’ll have a wife and a child, right?”

“I suppose so?”

“Then my life’s priorities would change. And I don’t want that.”

His answer wasn’t quite what she expected. She thought he simply didn’t want to get married because it would be a nuisance in his life.

“That’s unexpected.”

“What is?”

“I thought even if you did get married, magic would still be your top priority and you wouldn’t really care about your family.”

“What, do you think I’m some heartless monster? If it’s my wife and my child, of course I’d devote more time to them.”

Those perfectly normal words coming out of Leonard’s mouth felt strangely awkward. Cordelia closed her mouth, feeling slightly embarrassed. She worried she had overstepped her bounds.

“I didn’t realize you weren’t thinking about marriage at all. And here I was, getting ahead of myself…”

“…Well, it’s not like I’m completely against the idea.”

“You’re the kind of person who’d stay single for life and devote yourself entirely to the study of magic. I was presumptuous… I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t say I’d be single forever. If, by chance, a woman I truly love appeared…”

“No! I’ve made up my mind. I feel sorry for Lydia, but I’m going to help make sure you never get married. You’re destined for great things, Master. Marriage? Unacceptable!”

Cordelia’s declaration was so firm, it left Leonard momentarily stunned. But she didn’t notice.

“I’ll stay single too, just like you, Master.”

“You’ll stay single?”

“Yes. After experiencing marriage once, all I learned was how awful it can be. I have no intention of getting married again.”

“…Really? I mean, marriage isn’t all bad.”

Leonard found himself torn between two thoughts: was it better for Cordelia to never marry and stay by his side forever, or… should she become his wife?

“I’ve lost my mind. I’ve finally gone crazy.”

“Me? I don’t think I’ve gone that far yet.”

“I wasn’t talking about you.”

For a moment, he imagined a baby nestled in Cordelia’s arms—one who looked half like her and half like him. He shook his head. He really had lost it, probably from lack of sleep lately.

Thankfully, at that moment, the carriage arrived at the Atilley townhouse. He got off first, then offered his hand to help Cordelia down.

That’s when Alex rushed over, looking unusually urgent.

“Master. An urgent message has come from the palace.”

“The palace? What’s going on?”

Instead of answering, Alex handed him a letter sealed with the silver deer insignia. Leonard opened it absentmindedly, but his expression quickly hardened as he read. Cordelia peered up at him and asked curiously,

“What is it? Did something happen?”

“Maximilian has escaped from prison.”

“Lydia.”

Her one and only sibling, Rozenbluh, entered her room. The maids who had been helping Lydia dress respectfully stepped back.

Lydia looked at Rozenbluh through the mirror.

“Blay, what’s wrong?”

“You’ve seemed down these past few days. I was worried.”

“I’m not down. I’m just the same as always.”

“You haven’t touched the piano you love, and you’ve stayed in your room all day. You even skipped your meals.”

“I just… had some things to think about.”

She gave a vague smile as she fiddled with her earring box. Rozenbluh stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“What are you thinking about? Is it because of the marriage?”

“…Huh?”

“Don’t worry, Lydia. Just like our late parents said, I’ll make sure you marry someone who will truly cherish and love you. You deserve nothing less.”

“Blay…”

“So please, forget about Leo.”

“…”

“Leo may be our friend, but you know very well he wouldn’t make a good husband. I want you to be happy, Lydia. I want you to live without worries, loved by your husband.”

His words were sincere.

Like many noblewomen in Ersche, Lydia’s future depended greatly on the man she married.

That’s why Rozenbluh couldn’t support Lydia marrying Leonard. Objectively or subjectively, Leonard was not someone who could make his sister happy.

“But how?”

“…”

“I’ve been in love with Leo for over ten years. Everyone in Ersche’s society expects us to marry. Even His Highness asked me the other day—when’s the wedding? And now you’re telling me to marry someone else?”

“You’d marry a man who makes you unhappy just to save face?”

She knew Rozenbluh was right. Still, admitting it wasn’t easy.

Maybe her feelings for Leonard weren’t love, but stubbornness. A refusal to let go of something she thought was rightfully hers.

But knowing something in her head didn’t mean her heart would listen.

“I’ll marry Leo. I don’t care if I’m nothing but a wife in name.”

“Lydia. You’re an Elfenbaum. Why would you settle for that?”

Rozenbluh looked utterly baffled. Lydia clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms.

“…Leo has Cordelia now.”

“Cordelia? What does she have to do with this? She’s already married.”

“Leo, who always swore he’d never take on a disciple, took her in. So what difference does marriage make? One day, he’ll change his mind and marry someone else, and I’m just supposed to watch?”

“…Sigh.”

Rozenbluh sighed from behind her.

“Leo is—never mind. We’ll talk about it later. Where are you going again tonight?”

“…To Embley’s ball.”

“Have a good time. Don’t stay too late. You heard, didn’t you? Maximilian escaped from prison.”

“Yeah. They still haven’t caught him? I thought he couldn’t even use magic.”

“That’s what makes it more suspicious. Without any magic, how did he break through such heavy security and escape the palace? And how is he still on the run? The capital’s already crawling with soldiers.”

“Don’t worry. It’s not like I’ll run into Maximilian.”

“Still, be careful.”

He kissed her lightly on the head and left the room. Once he was gone, the maids returned to finish dressing her.

“You look so beautiful again tonight, my lady.”

“Thank you, Lisa.”

Lydia arrived at Embley’s ball alone, without an escort.

Normally, a woman entering a ball alone would be gossiped about—clearly unpopular—but Lydia Elfenbaum was different.

People quickly gathered around her.

At twenty, she was the most eligible bachelorette in the marriage market. Her beauty, noble Elfenbaum bloodline, and a dowry larger than most noble family fortunes—she was perfect.

Rumors swirled that she would marry Atilley, but without an official engagement, nothing was set in stone.

“Lady Elfenbaum. Would you do me the honor of sharing a dance?”

“I’m sorry. I have a bit of a headache.”

Lydia, overwhelmed by eager suitors, escaped into the garden. Embley’s garden was a maze, and once you entered, people rarely found you.

Lydia walked deep into the garden, where the music and chatter faded into the distance.

As she wandered, a figure in a cloak passed by. At first, she paid it no mind—but something about the person’s stride was familiar.

“…Maximilian?”

She had known Leonard long enough to be familiar with Maximilian as well. She could recognize him by his gait alone.

The cloaked figure paused, then slowly turned around.

“Oh my god.”

The clouds parted, revealing the moon—and his face. He looked paler and gaunter than the last time she saw him, but it was unmistakably Maximilian.

“How did you get here?”

“Lydia. Long time no see.”

With his usual smile, Maximilian began walking toward her. Instinctively, Lydia stepped back.

“Don’t come any closer.”

“A shame. I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

Casually, he drew a dagger from his cloak. The blade gleamed in the moonlight. Lydia turned to run, but Maximilian caught her after only a few steps. She struggled, but she couldn’t match the strength of a grown man.

“I’ll scream. Even if you kill me, you’ll never escape.”

“Let’s see about that.”

The dagger flashed toward her.

Lydia screamed with all her might—but no miracle occurred. No one came to save her. She closed her eyes tightly, bracing for the pain.

“…You’ve got something useful on you, huh?”

With a loud clang, the dagger bounced away. He tried again—same result.

Lydia gasped for breath. A faint glow pulsed from the bracelet on her left wrist. A protective charm Rozenbluh had given her.

Maximilian’s face twisted in frustration. If he still had magic, he could’ve crushed that trivial protection spell. He looked around.

If he couldn’t silence her with death—
Then only one option remained.