Chapter 8: The Humiliating Marriage Proposal
He was the most respected sword in the Empire, a renowned swordsman with a legendary reputation at a young age, and the Emperor’s right hand—a man who brought great honor to his noble house.
It was the birthday banquet of Duke Carniel, held grandly in the Imperial Palace under the Emperor’s orders.
The air was festive and warm, filled with congratulations and luxurious gifts for the young duke.
But behind the smiles, many nobles wore subtle expressions of anxiety—especially those loyal to the Emperor, known as the Imperial faction.
“Did you hear the rumor going around the salon?”
“Tsk, I did. But come on, how could that be true? Of all families, the Count’s? Everyone knows how bad their relationship is.”
“Oh, you only know part of the story. Don’t forget what kind of person that Count is. He’s rude enough not to even fear His Majesty!”
“And his daughter is said to be just as nasty. A carbon copy of her father!”
“My goodness. Is there really someone worse than that man under this sky?”
From the emperor’s pale face at the high table, it was clear these worries weren’t just in their heads.
But the person in question still hadn’t arrived.
The very Count Grace who had boldly refused the Emperor’s personal invitation.
“If only he didn’t show up…”
Yet, just as someone whispered that, a servant loudly announced the arrival of Count Grace and his daughter.
The soft music playing in the hall suddenly felt chilling.
“Oh my, I didn’t expect such a warm welcome. How embarrassing, Your Majesty.”
The Count entered with an arrogant smile, showing no respect even before the Emperor. He was the leader of a group of rising nobles, who built power through wealth gained by any means and through shady connections.
“I deeply apologize for being late to Your Majesty’s banquet.”
His words, though said lightly, broke every rule of noble etiquette.
How could he be this rude?
But then the attention turned to the Duke—Carniel himself.
The guests gasped as they felt a heavy and deadly aura radiating from the Duke.
His violet eyes glared coldly at the Count.
“Did you bring that face I hate as a birthday gift?”
The words were sharp and full of anger.
Many nobles shrank back from the heavy killing intent in the room.
And yet, the Count only smiled—as if he enjoyed the Duke’s fury.
“Oh dear, you always wear such a terrifying expression.”
Despite clearly being tense, he didn’t back down.
“But today, I don’t think you’ll be able to turn me away so easily.”
Then, he turned to the visibly shaken Emperor.
“Your Majesty, if I may, I wish to offer the Duke a gift I prepared. May I have your permission?”
“A… gift, you say?”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Everyone knew it wasn’t really a gift.
Could the rumor actually be true?
The Emperor looked nervously between the loyal Duke and the traitorous Count.
“But Count, I don’t believe that’s something I can decide…”
The Count smiled wickedly.
“Then perhaps I’ll make my request another way. I wish to use the wish granted to me by the late Emperor!”
Thud.
The air grew even heavier.
The Emperor looked shaken, and the Count leaned in with a devilish whisper.
“For the unity and peace of the Empire, I believe this union between houses would be very meaningful, Your Majesty.”
He was clearly trying to make it impossible for the Emperor to say no.
Some nobles even thought the Duke might draw his sword and strike the Count down right there.
But noble power wasn’t just about strength.
Duke Carniel was one of the strongest in the world, but he had many responsibilities.
He had loyal followers, and his lands were tangled with trade and influence from the Count’s family.
“Surely you won’t refuse this gift?”
The Emperor’s trembling hand revealed his helplessness.
“Then may I present it?”
The Emperor glanced at the Duke, guilt in his eyes.
The Count grinned, and the Duke closed his eyes in fury.
“With great pride, I present the most precious jewel of House Grace.”
Someone stepped forward from behind the Count.
Click.
Under the bright chandelier, golden hair shimmered into view.
Click.
Elegant footsteps and flowing skirts accompanied the appearance of a girl with jewel-like green eyes—so stunning that for a moment, people forgot she was the infamous Count’s daughter.
“I present my daughter, Eleanor, as a gift to House Carniel.”
Oh no.
The guests went pale at the words.
* * *
‘It’s okay. Breathe, Eleanor.’
This moment never happened in the past.
Originally, the marriage between House Carniel and House Grace came after a long and painful struggle full of disgrace and silent battles.
Eleanor’s stepfather used every trick he could to force the marriage.
In the past, Duke Carniel, the strongest knight who would never kneel to any blade, had to bow to political reality.
Because wars between lands weren’t fought only with swords.
But Eleanor had made up her mind.
She had no intention of repeating the slow and messy events of the past.
For a month, she had pushed her stepfather.
‘Father, what do you think would happen if you proposed the marriage using the late Emperor’s wish at the Duke’s birthday banquet?’
The Count was tempted.
In the past, he humiliated the young Duke and used the wish in the end anyway.
This time, he was just moving faster.
‘This is for my own benefit.’
When the Count stepped aside, Eleanor moved forward.
She could feel every gaze pierce her like an arrow.
This was not how her debut had gone in the past.
No one would dare steal the spotlight from the Emperor and the birthday guest at a royal banquet.
“I am Eleanor von Grace.”
She gave a graceful curtsy but spoke briefly and rudely.
People whispered—like a father, like a daughter.
Then their eyes shifted.
The man beside the Emperor.
‘Ten years ago… you.’
Eleanor smiled slightly.
When she had first returned to the past, she was shaken to see him again.
Because this man had once stolen her heart and soul completely.
His cold violet eyes were disturbingly familiar.
For a moment, she wondered if this new life was just an illusion.
‘No.’
He wasn’t her husband yet.
Not the man who had crushed her with his cruel looks and cold indifference.
Even though his surprised eyes now seemed unfamiliar—less cruel, less cold.
Even though recognizing her brought anger and hate to his gaze.
She clenched her fists.
‘In this life, I won’t expect anything from you, Kylus. Not even kindness.’
She lifted her chin and met the Duke’s deadly gaze.
“Yes. I am the gift offered to the Duke.”
Her soft voice made the Duke’s aura even heavier—he was furious enough to kill her.
Eleanor wanted to laugh but held it back.
“What is the meaning of this?”
The Duke’s voice was low and trembling with rage.
The Count grinned widely.
“Exactly what it sounds like.”
It was a mocking smile.
He gestured toward Eleanor like showing off a jewel and said:
“I propose a union between our families. Duke Carniel, please take my precious daughter, Eleanor, as your wife and treasure her.”
“…Ha.”
The Duke’s eyes blazed with hatred, as if he wanted to tear everything apart.
And yet Eleanor smiled sweetly.
She straightened her back, feeling his anger grow stronger.
‘Don’t be afraid, Eleanor.’
It wasn’t just her imagination.
Unlike the frightened nobles, Eleanor felt her own tension fade as she looked at this Duke Kylus.
He was different.
‘You’re not the same man from ten years ago.’
He wasn’t as terrifying.
And she could read his emotions better than before.
That’s why he would waver.
He could be shaken.
The stone had already been thrown.
