Episode 07
“Estelle.”
If Estelle dies while still married to Winterlen, all her wealth will go to him.
‘If she dies and I don’t get the inheritance…!’
The Count’s hand, resting on Estelle’s shoulder, tightened.
“You know how dangerous the North is, right? I’m worried it’ll be bad for your health.”
“But I’ve already accepted the proposal. You know the Duke’s terrible reputation. If I suddenly back out because of health, it’ll cause trouble.”
Canceling this engagement would bring much worse consequences than when she ended things with the dying Count of Blim.
So the only way was for Estelle to marry first and then later divorce while still alive.
“Please don’t worry too much, Count.”
The Count let go, half giving up.
Estelle gently pushed his hand away.
“I’ll live for the sake of my family.”
“…Estelle.”
“You told me to live for my family, didn’t you?”
She would survive—for their downfall.
The Count, who had no idea what she was really thinking, finally nodded.
“Alright. If you feel sick, contact me. If you really can’t stay there, come back anytime.”
Because only if she remains a Bellonsa will her money be his.
“You don’t need to earn money. No matter when or why you divorce, I’ll welcome you back—so don’t feel pressured.”
“Of course. My family is here. Where else would I go?”
Estelle stepped outside, leaving the nervous Count behind.
“Finished talking?” asked Lennox.
“Yes.”
His eyes briefly glanced at her empty hands but said nothing.
Estelle, keeping her distance out of respect for his germophobia, got into the carriage first.
But Lennox didn’t follow.
When she looked at him curiously, he spoke stiffly.
“I have things to do. Go to the estate first.”
“…”
“We must share a room tonight so the marriage is legally recognized. I’ll come before midnight.”
“If it’s just for the wedding night…”
“Yes. We didn’t even have a ceremony. People will talk if we don’t at least stay in the same room for one night.”
But nothing would happen.
Estelle understood and nodded.
Click.
The carriage door shut.
Normally, it would be impossible to reach Winterlen in a single night by carriage.
But by using warp points in major cities, they arrived quickly.
‘So this is Winterlen.’
Buildings were duller than the capital, the scenery dry and grey. Even the sky seemed gray.
But something about it gave her confidence she could survive here.
Correction:
“Ah-choo!”
Sick people shouldn’t come to the North.
As soon as she stepped out of the carriage, Estelle had a bad coughing fit and regretted underestimating the cold.
It was already spring in the capital, but Winterlen still felt like winter.
The grand castle was hidden behind fog and cold air.
While she adjusted her clothes, a maid approached.
“Are you Lady Estelle? The Duke informed us. This way, please.”
Inside, it was warmer.
Estelle looked around carefully. The interior was spotless—so clean it seemed like she could slip if she touched the floor or walls.
“I’ll help you get ready for the wedding night.”
The maids guided her to the bath and helped her soak in warm water, applying fragrant oils to her skin and hair.
It was the fifth time. These wedding night preparations were always long and boring.
‘Will he really come back tonight?’
From their conversations, she could tell Lennox hated people.
Still, sitting alone in the large bed made her nervous.
‘What if he changes his mind and breaks his promise?’
She didn’t trust a few sheets of paper enough to feel safe.
‘It’d be better if something came up and he didn’t return at all.’
But her wishes never came true.
Creak…
She’d stayed up, and finally, the door opened.
A large shadow entered. Estelle flinched.
So did Lennox.
“Ah.”
The room was dim, lit only by a small candle.
He spotted Estelle and blinked in surprise.
“Right, we got married today.”
He mumbled, clearly tired. It was like he had forgotten all about her.
‘It’s been less than a day!’
Unbelievable.
Was he pretending not to care?
“Sorry you had to see me like this. I’ll go wash up.”
But his pale face and tired voice showed he truly forgot.
‘He must’ve been out hunting monsters.’
She could see dark energy still clinging to his body.
Then, he suddenly staggered.
Estelle instinctively reached out to steady him—
Smack!
But the moment her hand touched his, he shoved her away.
She stumbled back, shocked, and their eyes met.
“I—”
He tried to explain.
But before he could, Estelle smiled calmly to ease the tension.
“Are you hurt?”
“…I’ll be fine after I wash up.”
Was he weak because he hadn’t cleaned off the dark magic?
Better to keep her distance from someone with such extreme cleanliness issues.
“Go ahead.”
He hurried off.
Estelle was now sure:
‘I really worried for nothing.’
She wouldn’t even brush hands with that man tonight. No way.
Soon, Lennox returned, now clean.
“Are you okay now?”
“Sorry for earlier. It’s nothing serious.”
He did look better.
“That’s a relief. I was worried I’d be burying another husband.”
She adjusted her robe. It was loose and uncomfortable.
She glanced sideways at Lennox and saw him turn away.
‘Even a cold man like him feels a bit guilty, I guess.’
After all, he had once threatened her with a sword.
As Estelle touched her neck absentmindedly, Lennox took something from his coat.
“I should’ve given this earlier.”
Papers.
Estelle’s eyes caught one word immediately:
Divorce.
He handed her a divorce agreement on their wedding night.
“Here’s the contract too. Sign both.”
Rustle, rustle.
Estelle flipped through the documents: divorce papers, marriage registration, and the contract.
She spoke up.
“I want to add a clause.”
“What is it?”
“If I ask for a divorce first, or die from the curse, or for any reason fail to complete the one year—we give all my wealth to the Duke.”
“…What?”
“If I don’t fulfill the contract, all my assets go to you.”
“That’s a disadvantage for you.”
It was a dangerous clause even Lennox found questionable.
“Your goal is to stay married for one year. Mine is money.”
“…”
“We’re equals. Let’s make the contract fair for both of us.”
It was just a cover.
‘If I die, Bellonsa gets nothing.’
Also, it was insurance.
‘If they find out I was sick, they might say the contract was a scam.’
Lennox wanted a wife who would last a year.
This would prevent him from backing out.
But to Lennox, it still looked like a bad deal for her.
He studied her face, trying to read her thoughts.
Estelle simply smiled.
“Fine. We’ll add it. No changing your mind later.”
“Of course.”
“I’ll show you the updated contract later. Sign these for now.”
Estelle signed, then told him where mandrakes grew.
“In a forest near Centia, in the East.”
“I see.”
He didn’t question her.
‘He doesn’t know yet that it’s a wasteland no one would pay for.’
While she looked over the papers, Lennox sat on the couch.
“I’m leaving early in the morning. Just sleep in the bed.”
“Won’t the couch be uncomfortable?”
“Sleeping with someone else is worse.”
Lennox had insomnia.
Even without his germophobia, he couldn’t sleep with others nearby.
‘If he gets even a little sleep, that’s good enough.’
Lennox closed his eyes.
Then he heard it:
[You’re pathetic. Just die!]
[No, no, no!]
Whenever he touched dark magic, he heard voices—painful cries from unknown people.
Only he could hear them.
‘I’m so tired of this.’
Even after washing off the magic, the voices echoed in his head.
That’s why he staggered earlier. Why he couldn’t sleep.
They were like curses he couldn’t block out.
Lennox frowned in pain.
Then—
“Ah-choo!”
A loud sneeze rang out.
“…Estelle Bellonsa. What are you doing?”
He opened his eyes and saw her—not in bed, but kneeling right in front of him.
