Chapter 20
‘The condition for inheriting the dukedom is the marriage itself.’
Even if a scandal broke out after the wedding and we separated, that would be a divorce, not an annulment.
That’s why she caused a scene in front of the Duke — to erase the marriage completely, to make it as if it never existed.
‘Ideally, she must have hoped the Duke himself would step forward and annul the marriage. It would’ve been even better if he’d flown into a rage, shouting about fraud.’
Once all the seals were stamped, the marriage contract became legally binding — the only way to nullify it was exactly that.
I gave a bitter smile.
“And then after that, she probably planned to kill me — a carriage accident, or something similar.”
Vanerinne was that kind of woman. She had both the power and the malice to make it happen.
“Here, take this first.”
What he handed me was a small medicine bottle.
“It will help your digestion.”
“Thank you.”
I really did feel sick, so I took it without hesitation. As the reddish liquid went down my throat, its distinct bitter taste spread sharply over my tongue.
Normally, the bitterness alone would make me gag, but perhaps because my stomach hurt, it actually felt refreshing.
When I finished the bottle, Cerulean neatly handed me something to cleanse my palate. I gave a sheepish smile.
“The food was really delicious, but I was so nervous I couldn’t even tell if I was swallowing it through my mouth or nose.”
Just managing to eat in that situation was an act of sheer willpower.
‘It wasn’t because the food was bad, I swear.’
Feeling oddly compelled to explain myself, I rambled on. Cerulean replied in his usual calm tone,
“You did very well.”
That kind of encouragement wasn’t like him.
I widened my eyes and looked at him. He raised his hand as if to pat my head, then stopped midway and awkwardly clenched his fist.
“As I said earlier, Kalima is a skilled mercenary. Don’t worry. No matter what happens, he’ll protect you.”
He was referring to what I’d said before — about a possible carriage accident.
The way he sincerely responded to every word made me smile. I asked lightly,
“So that’s why you assigned him to me?”
“There are… several reasons.”
S-several? Had I already faced multiple life-threatening situations without realizing it?
Feeling a chill, I instinctively wrapped a hand around my neck — and then I realized the feeling wasn’t unfamiliar. It had been the same back then — years ago, when I was suddenly accused of attempted murder and dragged away.
That sense that everyone had their blades pointed at my throat, waiting for me to make a mistake.
‘No one listened to me back then.’
If anything, they were annoyed that I kept insisting on the truth.
The answer was already decided — they just wanted me to nod so it could all be over. The longer I resisted, the more they acted as though I were a nuisance.
‘They were just waiting for me to give in out of exhaustion.’
Until that incident, I had an odd faith in the world — that good people would be helped and find happiness, while the wicked would eventually be punished.
But reality was different. To those who interrogated me, it didn’t matter whether I was good or evil, guilty or innocent.
They needed someone to blame. And they waited for me to nod.
Remembering that made my chest tighten painfully. My breath came short and uneven.
“…That wasn’t me.”
The words left my lips before I knew it. I should have felt relieved — but instead my chest felt even heavier. I cleared my throat and repeated more firmly,
“I didn’t do it.”
Cerulean’s bright blue eyes gleamed like glass beads. In a quiet, steady tone, he said,
“I believe you.”
“I…”
“You don’t have to force yourself to speak, Edel. I believe your words.”
His words made my eyes sting. It was the greatest comfort I could have asked for. Cerulean placed his large hand gently on my shoulder.
“I do not make empty promises. Tomorrow, I’ll request a reinvestigation at the Imperial Palace. Don’t worry — the truth will come to light.”
“Cerulean…”
Yes. At least now, unlike back then, I wasn’t alone.
I shook off the gloomy feeling and smiled brightly again.
“Thank you, Cerulean. You really lifted my spirits.”
And it wasn’t an empty thanks — my trembling hands had steadied, and my heart felt lighter. Nothing about reality had changed, but it didn’t seem quite as unbearable.
Cerulean shrugged.
“I didn’t say anything special.”
“But I said it’s thanks to you. You’re supposed to say, ‘You’re welcome.’”
“I…”
His serious face made it easy to guess what he was about to say. Grinning playfully, I teased,
“You can’t say something you don’t mean, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
He nodded slightly. I clenched my fists with renewed determination. Having someone who believed in me helped cool my emotions and clear my thoughts.
“For now, please wait a little before requesting that reinvestigation.”
“Wait? Why?”
“Because it might end up fueling the scandal ourselves.”
Of all the scenarios Vanerinne might have planned, the worst would be falling right into her hands — turning the situation into a public spectacle ourselves.
If we rushed to reopen the case, the old accusations might gain new traction.
I rubbed my chin thoughtfully.
“The Duchess brought it up, but she won’t start a public smear campaign too hastily. I’m not the real culprit, after all. If the case gets reexamined, she’ll be the one in trouble.”
“That’s… possible.”
His calm answer made me burst into a laugh.
“I feel good — knowing you believe whatever I say. I couldn’t talk like this before because no one ever believed me.”
Vanerinne’s image had always been flawless — an angel in human form, kind to those of lower birth, a woman too pure to even understand deceit. No matter how loudly I shouted that she was the real culprit, no one listened.
But now — for the first time — there was someone who did.
“I’m really grateful, but aren’t you a little too trusting? What if I really was the villain?”
He met my teasing look with unexpected seriousness.
“Didn’t I tell you from the beginning? Because you and she are connected by a bad fate, I decided to trust you. I’ve trusted your words since then. You’re the first person I’ve met who spoke ill of the Duchess.”
So he’d trusted me since the very start. I chuckled and lightly grabbed his arm.
“Then I guess we were destined to meet, huh?”
He didn’t even blink.
“As you would put it — we’re a perfect match.”
“Oh, impressive! You’re learning fast. Excellent student.”
He made a small, almost imperceptible grimace at my teasing, then lifted his head to look toward the garden.
A cool breeze stirred his hair, briefly revealing his handsome forehead before fleeing shyly away. The lights from the mansion traced soft lines along his sharp nose and calm eyes.
I stared at him for a while, then asked blankly,
“You’re smiling right now, aren’t you?”
“…Excuse me?”
He frowned, as if confused by the question — looking almost like an embarrassed child. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I think I’m starting to figure out your expressions. You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“Am I?”
He tilted his head. His thick hair fell forward, casting shadows across his face. After a moment of thought, he looked up at the sky again.
“Well… if that’s what you say, then let’s go with that.”
There was a faint smile tugging at his lips again — and I found myself smiling along with him.
Maybe it was the medicine, or maybe it was his calm presence — but the discomfort had completely faded, and the breeze tickling my forehead felt wonderfully cool.
Baroness Sage noticed something was wrong when Vanerinne’s steps grew quicker and quicker, dragging Charles along as they neared her room.
By the time they arrived, he was practically being pulled off his feet. The baroness, sensing trouble, dismissed all the maids nearby.
The moment the door shut, Vanerinne began throwing everything she could get her hands on.
“AAAAAAHHHH!”
An expensive table toppled over, sending all the objects on top — jewels, inkwells, trinkets — crashing to the floor. Black stains spread across the new carpet as glass shards scattered.
‘It’s starting again…’
Baroness Sage’s face turned pale. The young and beautiful Princess Vanerinne was, to her, nothing short of a tyrant.
From the days she’d served her as a lady-in-waiting in the Imperial Palace, up to now — when her weakness bound her in eternal loyalty — nothing had changed.
“Why is he doing this all of a sudden? Marriage? Now of all times?! He’s never cared about such things before! He’s always lived as if he didn’t exist!”
Her sharp voice filled the closed room — words that should never be uttered before the Duke.
“Please don’t be too upset, Your Highness. It must be a passing whim.”
Laura trembled as she spoke — she knew better than to stay silent and risk worse punishment later.
“Maybe it’s because he has feelings for Young Master Charles! Giving a commoner wife to the Duke’s adopted son — anyone can see it’s sabotage!”
Normally, such words would have soothed Vanerinne. But right now, they were poison.
“Do you not know Paul Rook? Do you think whimsy suits that man?”
Vanerinne’s glare was razor-sharp as she turned toward Laura, who sucked in a terrified breath.
