MHS | CH 04

~Chapter 4~

He hadn’t expected to marry Claire from the beginning.

Cedric had thought he would marry Princess Isabel. That was the condition the Emperor had set when he returned victorious from the war.

It was a deal he couldn’t refuse—independence for the North and all the resources they needed. The North, with snow all year round, required more resources, and for the sake of those who trusted and followed him, it was a necessary deal.

But he never expected he would end up marrying that strange woman he had encountered at the Imperial Palace.

He chuckled just thinking about it. She had followed him so obviously; how could he not notice? Even if it was out of curiosity, the way she stared at him with burning eyes was hard to miss.

In fact, Cedric had met Isabel before.

The Emperor had summoned her in his presence. With her golden hair and golden eyes, she was unmistakably the Emperor’s daughter. Everyone showered her with praise. They couldn’t stop talking about her beauty, claiming it was impossible to look away once you saw her.

“This is my daughter. The most sought-after bride in the Empire. Everyone wants her because of her powers. She is my proud daughter.”

“Is that so,” Cedric responded indifferently. Instead, the strange woman from earlier kept coming to mind. Purple-tinged hair, golden eyes, and that startled expression when she saw him.

“I didn’t expect the Grand Duke to win,” the Emperor said, his eyes darkening. He must have hoped Cedric would die. The Emperor wanted the vast lands of the North, but he clearly had no desire to give up his precious daughter.

Cedric didn’t care who he married, as long as he got what he was promised.

“I’d like the wedding to happen soon,” he said.

Tears welled up in Isabel’s eyes, trembling as though they would fall any second. But she didn’t make a sound and bit her lip hard.

She clearly didn’t want to marry, but Cedric hadn’t expected her to avoid it by offering her sister in her place. He frowned as he thought about Claire’s earlier request for a divorce.

***

I was caught off guard.

Why was Cedric here instead of Kaven? He was standing by the horse, looking at me.

‘Things are already awkward because of the divorce talk.’

He had been so kind before, but now he had turned things upside down.

I scowled and turned my head away.

“I didn’t expect to see Your Grace here.”

“Disappointed, are you? Kaven had other work to attend to.”

“…Then I’ll just come back another time.”

“You talk about divorce, but you’re speaking as if you plan to stay in the North.”

“Well, you’re not going to agree to the divorce anyway, are you?”

Cedric didn’t reply but walked over and lifted me onto the horse.

“I have to go patrol the forest anyway. Whether you like it or not, you’ll have to bear with me today. Unless, of course, you’d prefer to ride alone.”

Sitting on the horse, I was startled by how high up I was and tightly gripped the reins. I had no idea how to ride!

“…I can’t ride a horse.”

“If you can’t ride, how did you plan to come along? You weren’t thinking of riding with Kaven, were you?”

He was right. I had been thinking that if I couldn’t ride in a carriage, I’d ask Kaven to ride with me or at least hold the reins.

“Sigh.”

Cedric sighed at my silence, then hopped onto the horse behind me. I could feel his firm chest against my back, and I leaned forward, clutching the horse’s mane.

“That’s dangerous,” he said, pulling me upright with a sudden tug. I stiffened with nerves as my vision wobbled.

Cedric leaned in behind me, holding the reins, and I froze, feeling trapped between his arms. His breath on my neck made me tense up even more.

“Relax. If you don’t, the horse will get nervous and act up,” he warned.

“Gasp.”

Scared by the thought, I tried to steady my breathing. With both of us on the horse, the knights began to follow behind.

“The forest can be dangerous, so stay close to me. Since you seem to be curious about everything, I’m only taking you this once,” he said.

I pouted at his words. Who asked him to come with me anyway?

Cedric nudged the horse into motion, and I was so startled that I grabbed his hands holding the reins.

“I-I’m sorry!”

“Is it so terrible for you to touch me? If not, I’ll hold you so you don’t fall.”

A firm arm slipped between my side and waist, pulling me close to steady me. His warmth was unmistakable against my back.

Every time the horse moved, I could feel his solid body against me, and my mind began to wander. I could feel my palms sweating, and my nerves were on edge.

After riding for a while, we entered the forest.

The sight of the pure white snow that covered the landscape made my mouth fall open. It was similar to what I had imagined the North to be like, but it was even more beautiful than I could describe.

‘It’s so pretty.’

Why did Isabel dislike the North so much? The magical stones were abundant, and the Grand Duke’s home was even warm. The well-kept garden was beautiful too.

I spent the whole ride admiring the snow on the large trees around us. When we reached the peaceful, silent forest, my mind calmed down.

“Are there animals living in the forest?”

“Probably. I’m sure there are.”

“You haven’t seen any, then?”

“Because of the magical beasts, we usually only come here for hunts.”

There was a reason I had come to the forest. I was looking for a tree that could fully awaken my abilities. It had come to mind when I was wondering what to do in the North.

‘Finding it might make it easier to talk to Cedric.’

If I found it, perhaps I could negotiate better with him. Every deal had a price, after all.

“Magical beast hunting…” I mused, scanning the area around us. Fortunately, I couldn’t sense any movement nearby.

“We finished the hunt before you arrived, so you don’t have to worry,” Cedric said.

“I see. Would it be alright to get off and take a look around?”

Cedric stopped the horse and quickly jumped off, offering me his hand.

“Take my hand and get down.”

“It’s too high.”

I didn’t want to admit it, but the horse was much higher than I expected. His blue eyes glistened and seeing that, I hurriedly grabbed his hand and stepped onto the stirrup to get down.

“Ah!”

But I missed my footing and ended up in his arms. I could only widen my eyes in surprise.

After a moment, he let me go, and I cleared my throat and tried to act nonchalant.

“T-thank you.”

“It’s nothing. You said you wanted to look around, so I’ll guide you.”

I nodded.

The sound of footsteps crunching in the snow echoed quietly as we walked. I started scanning the trees, looking for the one that could help awaken my powers.

If I found the sacred tree, I might be able to divorce Cedric. I had to find it before I suggested leaving, so I quickened my pace.

I focused hard, trying to spot the glowing tree.

“Don’t wander too far. The snow is starting to fall, and there are traps for magical beasts around, so be careful,” Cedric called out from behind me. I nodded and continued to move deeper into the forest. I couldn’t leave without finding it.

I was desperate. Thinking about being abandoned by my unfaithful husband only made me angry. I had to eliminate this factor to feel at ease.

Before long, Cedric caught up with me and asked, “Are you looking for something?”

“Yes. Something very important.”

“You’re new to the North, aren’t you?”

“That’s true, but there’s something I absolutely need to find. It’s a legend I came to know about by chance.”

I smiled awkwardly and tried to brush off the conversation. Finally, I thought I saw a glowing tree further ahead.

‘There it is!’

“Over there!”

Excited, I started to run, but at the same time, Cedric’s voice called out.

Suddenly, I felt the ground give way beneath me, and everything went dark.