“We don’t know how much time we have left, do we? That’s why I just proposed the most effective method.”
Evelyn had no rebuttal to his words. Even when the Archduke had announced not only sponsorship but also marriage that day, people still viewed them with suspicion.
“I know it was something that couldn’t be helped.”
“It was necessary. You need to be more confident.”
At Elliott’s words, Evelyn blinked.
“Either way, we’re in the same boat now.”
“According to the contract, we’ll trust and give our best as comrades in this alliance called marriage, to defeat the Evil God?”
“Exactly. Now that you’re standing beside me, you can’t shrink back. Hold your head high and square your shoulders in any situation.”
Without waiting for Evelyn’s response, Elliott continued speaking.
“You must walk into the wedding hall looking noble and beautiful beyond all others. And your life afterward must be so dazzling that everyone envies it.”
“That much?”
“Of course. We need to completely uproot the fixed ideas people have.”
Then when are we going to train?
Evelyn’s expression began to turn serious. Defeating the Evil God was becoming increasingly complicated.
“I have to act like a man madly in love to keep people from looking down on you, right? Let me show them a love that can overcome curses.”
“If there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll do it.”
“The best help would be for you to grow strong enough to defeat the Evil God.”
That was another way of saying nothing else was needed from her. Even though she was a hero, there was nothing she could do.
“If you’re going to the north to learn swordsmanship, you won’t have time for anything else.”
“Ah.”
“We just need to each do what we’re best at. You grow strong, and I support you.”
His smooth words made her nod without even realizing it. Helping others and saving the continent.
Doing what needed to be done in silence was what she was best at.
“I’ll do my best.”
“Very reliable.”
Evelyn couldn’t take her eyes off the graceful smile curving on his lips.
“You’re so beautiful.”
Time flew by in the blink of an eye.
The Countess of Barrett’s eyes welled up with tears at the sight of her daughter in a wedding dress.
Thanks to the Emperor’s wish for the Archduke’s wedding to be held in the capital, he generously lent the imperial hall, and the Barrett family had entered the capital several days earlier to prepare.
Though the wedding came about suddenly, they were able to prepare satisfactorily thanks to the Archduke’s support.
On top of that, the Archduke insisted that nothing could be lacking and chose only the most expensive and beautiful items.
Later, it would be known that he had said the wedding should suit a Hero. The Countess of Barrett had poured everything she could into her daughter’s wedding.
“Once you hold the tiara and bouquet, you’ll be perfect.”
Evelyn gazed at the mirror in response to her mother’s admiration. The pure white dress billowed out around her.
With this, I should be fine standing beside the Archduke, right?
She recalled seeing the Archduke last night when he checked his outfit for the final time. Wearing formal attire the same color as hers, he had been breathtaking enough to overwhelm just by standing there.
Even the staff at the fitting room and the servants from the count’s household had been speechless.
“Evelyn getting married!”
Leonel, dressed sharply beside her, took out a handkerchief to wipe his eyes.
“I’m the one who’s happy to have my brother with me on my wedding day.”
Though she felt a bit awkward seeing her brother tear up more than their mother, she was mostly satisfied.
Everyone nearby also had teary eyes.
“Thank you all for everything until now.”
Once today’s ceremony ended, she would head straight for the North.
Her brother was already prepared to take over as heir.
The Archduke had even allowed them to share part of the profits from the diamond and iron mines he had gifted Evelyn, securing the Barrett family’s finances for the foreseeable future.
Thanks to that, Evelyn could say her farewells with a relieved heart.
“Be happy!”
The servants all rushed to offer their congratulations. Despite the rumors of a curse, she had always been kind and gentle.
Now that she was leaving for the North, there was even less to hold them back.
A young lady kind-hearted and passionate enough to trek into snowy mountains for her sick brother—it made sense that she would marry a man like the Archduke who guarded the North.
Cutting through the loud applause of the staff, Evelyn headed for the wedding hall.
“Looks like the Barrett family prepared thoroughly.”
“Well, she’s marrying the Archduke, after all. I’d have rushed the engagement ceremony the very next day out of fear something might go wrong.”
Guests began commenting as they admired the elegant and lavish venue.
“Hey, do you see the Barrett young master?”
Those who spotted Leonel entering the hall lit up. Since the last party, he had been actively socializing more than anyone.
Just like Evelyn, he had striking looks, and his neat and gentle face had stolen the hearts of many young ladies.
“He’s strongly claiming that he wasn’t hurt because of the Barrett young lady, right?”
He had been the most outspoken in saying that the rumors of Evelyn being cursed were false.
He reasoned that if they were true, the Archduke wouldn’t have chosen his sister—an argument gaining traction.
‘Evelyn, cursed? Ridiculous.’
Leonel struggled not to scowl as he looked at the gathered nobles. It was easy to hear whispers about the curse if he simply listened.
Since the wedding was held in the imperial capital, every major figure of the social world had been invited. These were people who had long been familiar with the Barrett family’s situation.
Yet they still brought up the past like it was gossip—it felt disgraceful.
“Don’t worry. Those rumors will vanish soon.”
As Leonel clenched his fist and glared at the guests, the Count lightly tapped his son’s hand.
A smile played on the father’s lips. Leonel cleared his throat and calmed down.
Even with the Archduke’s proposal and the grand wedding, his sister’s stigma wasn’t easily erased.
But once it became known that Evelyn was the Hero, the talk of curses would disappear.
After all, the Hero chosen by the gods couldn’t possibly be cursed.
Until then, he would do everything he could to restore his sister’s honor as quickly as possible.
After waking from his long sleep, Leonel had been heartbroken to hear what had happened to Evelyn from their parents.
He felt sorry he hadn’t been there while his sweet, lovable sister went through such hardships. From now on, he’d grow stronger to be her steadfast supporter—
“Gasp.”
As the ceremony began and the Archduke appeared, Leonel’s thoughts came to a complete stop.
He wasn’t the only one who forgot to breathe.
The Archduke, in a pure white uniform, swept his slow gaze across the audience before calmly walking forward.
A perfectly symmetrical face. A proud expression and long legs. Muscles that subtly rippled with every movement.
People of all ages held their breath and couldn’t take their eyes off him.
“Whoa…”
The hall buzzed back to life, stunned. Was it even possible for a person to look like that?
His already handsome appearance was now radiant in formal attire.
Guests’ faces filled with bewilderment.
“Why did it have to be Lady Barrett?”
Young ladies without fiancés sighed in disappointment. Could marrying the Archduke be possible just by becoming a Swordmaster despite a curse? They were tempted to pick up swords right that second.
“The bride is entering!”
Cutting through the murmurs, Evelyn appeared, and the hall fell silent again.
If not for the rumors tied to the curse, every noble family in the Empire would’ve flooded her with proposals—so people said.
She resembled the gentle and refined features of the Count and Countess of Barrett.
They said she met the Archduke while searching for a legendary herb for her sick brother. That made them even more jealous.
More than the fact she was a Swordmaster, what made everyone envious was that she’d caught the Archduke’s eye and married him.
The nobles watched Evelyn with a mix of longing and admiration.
Just like Leonel, the Count had frozen upon seeing the Archduke but now entered with his daughter, face overcome with emotion.
Once they reached the platform, he gave Evelyn a tight hug.
Then he lightly embraced the Archduke, eyes now brimming with tears, before stepping down.
Evelyn placed her hand on Elliott’s outstretched arm. Her gaze didn’t leave his handsome face.
‘Evelyn.’
His lips formed her name with a faintly exasperated look, snapping her back to herself.
