Chapter 30
“I was trying to find one word that could define Sergeant Isaac.”
Is that really such a difficult task?
“If you’re choosing your words carefully just to spare my feelings, there’s no need. Please just speak honestly.”
Given the time he spent thinking, I expected something grand, but his answer was surprisingly plain.
“An honest and upright man.”
It was a simple phrase, yet it perfectly described my father.
‘So Father remained true to himself even in the military.’
A lump rose in my throat. I inhaled deeply to calm my swelling emotions and asked in a shaky voice:
“Then… how was the end? Did he suffer a lot?”
Johannes’ hand paused.
He dropped his cigarette into a wine glass. The shortened cigarette butt quickly soaked.
I stared blankly at the tobacco company’s emblem printed at the end of the butt.
‘Is there something difficult about this topic?’
From what I’ve observed, it was one of Johannes’ few habits. A moment that exposed the soldier side of him—one that would never be seen in a member of the Schultz family.
He usually hid his emotions well. It was rare to see such behavior—only when faced with unexpected questions, or when he didn’t know how to respond.
Just like now.
But before I could think more about it, he returned to his usual expression.
“I don’t remember well.”
“…What illness was it, exactly?”
“Food poisoning. Possibly cholera in the worst case. The symptoms matched.”
I involuntarily grimaced.
“What do you mean, ‘the symptoms matched’? Are you saying you didn’t know the exact illness? How is that possible? And just food poisoning…? Were there no proper doctors?!”
I couldn’t hold back my emotions—they burst out.
It was utterly absurd.
What was the military doctor doing? If I had been there, maybe he wouldn’t have died such a meaningless death…!
“In harsh conditions like warzones, that’s usually how it goes. People often die from the smallest of illnesses.”
“How can—”
“This time, only the Dochilian army fell. That’s why we lost the war.”
“…What?”
As I stared at him in confusion, Johannes added in an even calmer tone.
“The official reason was tactical failure. The real reason was a lack of military supplies.”
My head felt blank.
Before the war, Dochilia was one of the most successful countries, riding the wave of technological advancement. Trade was active, and it was relatively wealthy.
So how could they have lacked supplies?
I clutched my head in disbelief.
“That’s nonsense. Dochilia was winning.”
Johannes still wore that indifferent expression, as if speaking about someone else’s life.
“Then… did someone embezzle military funds—”
I couldn’t finish the sentence. A thought too horrible to voice had crossed my mind.
I quickly checked the closed glass door, worried someone might overhear. Thankfully, the guests were still enjoying the reception. No one seemed to be listening.
I prayed it wasn’t true, but asked anyway.
“Is that what happened?”
One thought led to another. But the thought I had could never be true.
What if the royal family had used the war to embezzle billions of berks, to line their own pockets? And when the war was lost, they created a scapegoat to take all the blame from the people?
And what if that scapegoat… was the former Duke Schultz?
No matter what, that couldn’t be true.
Johannes said nothing. He didn’t affirm or deny it. He simply picked up the wine glass with the cigarette in it.
From his gesture, I got my answer. I closed my eyes for a long moment before opening them again.
“Why… why didn’t you tell me about something so important?”
My voice trembled.
“Because it doesn’t concern you.”
His tone was sharp.
“How can you say that? He was my father!”
“If we go by that logic, I’d have to reveal unverified information to everyone. Countless others also died in the war.”
So you’ve been carrying this enormous truth alone all this time? I bit down on my rising words.
My vision blurred. I didn’t know if it was from the alcohol or the shock. Maybe both.
As I staggered, Johannes grabbed my shoulder to steady me.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
I brushed off his hand and muttered an apology.
“…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked such things on a day like this.”
Though I was now his wife, it was all in name only.
Even if it weren’t just in name, who’s to say how involved I should be in my husband’s affairs?
Besides, Johannes himself seemed so composed. Who was I to interfere?
As I stood there dazed, leaning on the railing, Johannes spoke again, his tone gentler this time—his sharpness now hidden.
“Dwelling on the past doesn’t help. There’s nothing we can do about it.”
He was right. I understood that. And yet, my heart still felt heavy.
I forced myself to swallow my emotions and changed the subject before things could get worse.
“Yes, I understand. I appreciate your honesty. More importantly…”
I trailed off, glancing toward the reception. A group of noblewomen had gathered by the window, staring in our direction.
“There are quite a few people interested in you.”
Johannes, clearly aware of their unhidden gazes, said matter-of-factly:
“Indeed. But it’s probably not me they’re interested in—it’s what they can gain from me through you.”
I couldn’t read every noble’s mind, but I understood human nature to a certain extent.
There are always people looking to latch onto power. These must be those types—drawn to the still-potent influence of House Schultz.
As I tried to avoid looking toward the door, he added,
“Or maybe they expect something from us.”
“Expect something?”
I frowned. Johannes leaned casually against the railing and tilted his head slightly.
“Right now, it probably looks like we’re fighting. Not an incorrect assumption.”
“That’s not—”
“If not, then why do you look so miserable? Just moments ago, someone was insisting we make things look convincing.”
His brow lifted slightly.
“Maybe they’ll just think it’s a lovers’ quarrel. A brief spat.”
“Perhaps… But at least with Edward Windsor, I could keep my expression in check. Or maybe… do you like Windsor?”
“What?!”
My voice jumped. I quickly schooled my expression, wary of the watching noblewomen.
Was he always like this?
I looked up at Johannes, head slightly tilted.
Lately, I felt like he kept testing me. Or maybe…
‘Is he trying to mess with me?’
No, that didn’t make sense. Why would he want to do that?
Shaking my head slightly, I replied,
“…You’re right. It’s not wise to leave room for doubt on our wedding day.”
A kiss would be too obvious. Looking for something more subtle, I slowly reached up and touched his cheek.
When I smiled sweetly, his expression stiffened.
‘Oh… maybe I overstepped. Maybe he didn’t like how I was acting earlier.’
Running off with Edward Windsor… maybe that’s what made him strangely sharp today.
“I’m sorry. You probably found that unpleasant, but this was the best I could do.”
It felt odd to say such things with a smile, but I didn’t want to leave a bad impression on someone I needed to get along with.
Feeling awkward, I asked him,
“I think I showed them what they wanted to see. So… what now?”
“Why are you asking me?”
As I frowned, he grabbed my hand and pulled me closer.
“I can see everything on your face. And…”
“…?”
“You are now the mistress of House Schultz, Edith Schultz.”
The icy air touched my ears—followed by a warm breath. He gently swept my hair behind my ear.
“That’s your responsibility now.”
“…Ah.”
A small breath of realization escaped.
Mistress of House Schultz. Just moments ago, the title had felt so far away. Now, it was right before me.
It felt like all the alcohol had evaporated from my system.
I was both stunned and disheartened by how one sentence from Johannes Schultz could shift my entire sense of place.
“Is that so…”
Still, I kept my face neutral and replied calmly. As I stepped away from Johannes, I gave the noblewomen a perfectly polite smile—not too much, not too little.
Almost as if they had been waiting, they opened the balcony door and approached.
“Duchess!”
They were different from the other noblewomen—flamboyant and lacking any restraint.
“Duchess, how long have you studied etiquette?”
“You’re so natural, like a born noble. I suppose elegance really must be innate. You and the Duke are such a perfect match!”
Sugar-coated words poured from their jewel-covered mouths. Yet I felt a bit better now than I had earlier.
Maybe Johannes was right—their interest really did seem to be in me, not him.
Wherever there are people who dislike you, there will also be those who like you.
These women seemed to be the latter.
‘At least on the surface, right?’
Sir Gunner once said that even among noblewomen, factions naturally form. So perhaps these ladies were…
‘Lower or middle-class nobility, or from working-class backgrounds. Given the times, you’re not the only commoner among the noblewomen, Madam.’
I didn’t marry Johannes just to giggle with these women, but Sir Gunner said that as Duchess, I had a duty to maintain good relations.
So it wouldn’t hurt to leave a good impression.
As I listened to their chatter, I answered with a polite smile:
“If you ladies are willing, I’d like to invite you to Evanstein Castle sometime.”
“Really?”
“Yes, of course. That’s alright… right, Johannes?”
I was about to ask formally but quickly switched to a casual tone, wary of the women’s reactions.
Johannes looked at me gently. Even the sharp edge in his gaze had softened completely.
He replied in a gentlemanly tone:
“If that’s what my lady wishes.”
A practiced smile formed at his lips.
“…Thank you.”
But before I could properly thank him, the noisy reception fell silent at someone’s shout.
“There’s been a murder! A murder in the middle of the plaza!”
The celebration hall froze instantly. Every eye turned toward the source of the voice.
Mussen, the most peaceful city in Dochilia.
That unshakable title… was broken today, on my wedding day.
