Chapter 6
‘Why didn’t I ask yesterday?’
Ella was deeply regretting not asking about her arranged marriage partner during the dinner with the Duke and Duchess of Mayer the previous day.
Would it have changed anything even if she had asked?
No—perhaps nothing would have changed. But even so, she could have at least thrown a fit, screamed that she would never marry that person.
If I had done that…
Maybe I wouldn’t be here, facing you like this.
…Diasi.
Ella forced a calm expression, trying to hide the betrayal and hatred burning in her eyes.
The man who entered the Mayer family’s drawing room—the agreed meeting place—stared at Ella for a moment, then walked toward her without hesitation.
The sound of a chair scraping against the floor echoed through the quiet room. Diasi sat across from her and met her eyes.
This man, presented as her arranged marriage partner, was none other than the son of the man responsible for the death of her parents.
“……”
“……”
Their gazes subtly missed each other. A maid approached cautiously and placed tea in front of Diasi.
Taking advantage of the moment when the man’s eyes were off her, Ella clasped her trembling hands together under the table.
Though he had changed considerably over the past five years, she recognized him instantly.
The unique arrogance that cloaked him like a veil—it was unmistakable. This was Diasi, her first love.
He radiated the elegance of someone born into nobility, even more so now. Ella’s expression twitched slightly.
As she recalled, even when he was just the heir of a lowly baron, Diasi had carried himself with the elegance and pride of the central nobles.
In her foolish childhood, she had once given her heart to him in a fleeting, girlish crush.
How laughable.
Her mood soured. From the moment she saw his face, a storm of indescribable negative emotions had flooded her—dragging her down like being submerged in deep water.
This meeting had been arranged by the Pope himself. The fact that Diasi had appeared before her meant he had taken the Pope’s side.
Her insides churned.
So you’ve really become the Pope’s puppet…
She should have said something—anything—but her lips refused to part, as if glued shut.
After several failed attempts to speak, Ella, feeling a dryness in her throat, reached for the teacup in front of her.
The high-quality fabric of her new dress rustled softly—the first fine garment she’d worn since coming into this new body.
As Ella remained silent, Diasi finally opened his mouth, eyes devoid of emotion.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Diasi Russell Myers.”
His voice was cold and formal. In the middle of this surreal moment, Ella found herself blankly thinking—it’s strange to hear him speak in such a frigid tone.
She had known him for most of her life. His coldness felt unfamiliar, but she quickly shook her head.
No, this is probably the real him.
A man so blinded by power that he abandoned the person who had stood by his side for twenty years. This cold, arrogant face must be his true nature.
Her fury had oddly subsided since seeing him again. But that didn’t mean her hatred had disappeared.
It was simply… hollow now. That hollowness brought resignation, and resignation gave way to a new emotion.
Self-contempt—for waiting endlessly, unable to accept reality, after being betrayed by someone so undeserving.
What did I ever expect from a man like this?
A bitter smirk played on her lips. As she stayed silent, Diasi’s eyes lingered on her steadily.
Feeling his gaze, Ella finally opened her mouth. Since he introduced himself, it was only proper to do the same.
“…Ella Garrett Mayer.”
She barely managed to say her new name aloud, wondering if she’d ever truly get used to it.
They exchanged a few more words. The conversation was superficial, but Ella learned a few things.
For example, the duchy title once held by Mason had the surname “Myers.”
And for some reason, not long after receiving the title, Mason had handed it over to Diasi and retired to the countryside.
Why?
The Mason she remembered was a greedy man who had even abandoned old friends in his hunger for power.
She couldn’t understand why such a man would willingly give his hard-won title to his son.
But even if she couldn’t understand it, it didn’t change anything.
Now, she had no choice but to marry the son of the man who killed her parents. The man who betrayed her—Diasi.
How can the world be so cruel to me?
It was enough to make her sick.
“How would you like the wedding to be conducted?”
Diasi’s question pulled her out of her thoughts.
Despite the polite phrasing, his expression showed a clear desire to skip all the hassle.
Just like Ella, Diasi clearly wanted nothing to do with this.
If only the Pope hadn’t used that to threaten him, he would’ve never agreed to this meeting—or this marriage.
Ella took a moment to process his question.
A wedding, huh…
“…I don’t particularly care if there isn’t one.”
Her voice, as emotionless as his, floated to Diasi’s ears. His eyes widened slightly, surprised by her answer.
He had expected a pampered princess, spoiled by the duke who doted on her.
I can’t figure this woman out at all.
Don’t most women care a lot about their wedding day?
Since they met, she hadn’t shown a flicker of emotion.
The Duke of Mayer, who supposedly cherished her so much, had hidden her away from the world her entire life.
Why push for a marriage with someone like him now? Probably the Pope’s doing again.
The fact that she was from a family that openly supported the Pope was already enough for Diasi to dislike her.
And he could easily guess why the Pope wanted him to marry someone from that family.
They want to plant someone close to watch me, to get in my way.
Diasi’s lips twisted at the thought—but he kept his expression composed.
He couldn’t afford to show emotion. What if she reported him to her father?
If the Pope learned that Diasi was uncooperative, it could be dangerous. Unfortunately, the Pope still held power over him.
He blinked slowly and asked, “Still, it is a wedding. Are you really okay with not having a ceremony, Lady Mayer?”
“…Do you want a wedding, Your Grace?”
A question returned his question. And not one he could easily interpret.
Diasi tilted his head slightly and crossed his legs loosely.
Do I want a wedding?
Once, he had. He had even imagined the person he’d marry. But it wasn’t the woman sitting across from him.
Expression stiff, Diasi ran a hand through his black hair.
“Of course not. But I don’t particularly want to cancel it either. It doesn’t matter to me who I marry.”
It was the truth. He truly didn’t care who sat beside him.
“I imagine it’s the same for you. Or are you planning to cancel this marriage?”
Ella pressed her lips together tightly.
She had thought about canceling it. If it were at all possible, she would’ve done anything to break off this marriage. She absolutely didn’t want to marry him.
At least, that’s how she had felt when she first saw his face…
But now, a different thought was growing inside her.
Maybe this cruel twist of fate is a blessing in disguise.
Marrying Diasi could make her revenge easier. Having direct access to the enemy would give her more opportunities.
If it’s for revenge, I can endure seeing that disgusting face.
With her mind made up, Ella calmly met Diasi’s eyes. Their gazes locked in midair.
“No. I’m not planning to cancel.”
“Very well. But since you don’t seem particularly invested either, let’s keep the ceremony as simple as possible. You understand that a meaningless ritual is just that—meaningless.”
“Agreed. Since it’s just formality, why don’t we just bring in a priest to witness our vows and end it there?”
Diasi’s eyes narrowed slightly at Ella’s pragmatic suggestion.
A bride-to-be who cared this little about a wedding. She aligned perfectly with his preference for avoiding unnecessary trouble. Not that it would ever make him like her.
If she kept this up—asking for nothing and giving nothing—they could go on living without interfering in each other’s lives.
Satisfied by Ella’s clever stance, Diasi gave a small smile.
But there was one thing he found puzzling.
Wasn’t the Lady of Mayer supposed to be close with her parents?
Why did she seem so against having them at the wedding?
The thought felt off. But that was all. Whatever she thought or felt didn’t matter to him.
“If that’s what you want, I’m fine with it. But won’t the duke and duchess—who adore you so—be disappointed?”
“Don’t worry about that. My parents seem to be quite fond of you, Your Grace.”
Diasi gave her a puzzled look, but Ella ignored it.
They’ll probably be glad to hear there are no guests at the wedding.
She just had to say Diasi wanted it that way.
From how they had treated her, she doubted they’d object to being excluded. They’d likely welcome it.
They hate even breathing the same air as their daughter. They probably want me gone as soon as possible.
From Diasi’s reaction, Ella could tell that in public, her parents acted like they cherished her.
Not wanting to reveal her true relationship with them, she decided to play along.
“The Duke Myers is a great man. He told me to marry quickly and that he wouldn’t interfere in anything. I’m sure he’ll understand. And…”
Trailing off, she filled her eyes with sorrow.
“I couldn’t bear to witness the sadness of my parents as they say goodbye to their beloved daughter.”
“Hah.”
Diasi scoffed through his nose. But Ella remained unfazed by his mocking laugh.
“If you’d like, Your Grace, you may invite your own family.”
At the word family, Diasi’s gaze turned ice cold—for just a moment.
The tension in the air between them thickened once again.
