Chapter – 05
Edwin R. Elantz. His name carried a multitude of implications. Sixth in the line of succession to the throne, Margrave of Elheim, Count of Lancard, Count of Reneil, Viscount of Ulster, and more. Burdened with glorious titles that shared the very history of the Empire, he was a reliable strategist guarding the imperial borders. His three knight orders were famous for the significant contribution they made to the current Emperor’s ascent to the throne, after he had eliminated all his siblings.
He spent most of the year in Elheim, but as the Emperor’s birthday celebration drew near, he would enter the capital and stay for a season in a luxurious mansion bestowed upon him by the Emperor. While his conspicuous political movements had quieted since the Emperor’s coronation, it was impossible to deny that he was one of the most powerful men in the Empire.
He had turned thirty this year—a man of languid, beautiful features with dazzling blonde hair and deep violet eyes. Despite possessing every quality that would make anyone salivate, the Marquis had remained mysteriously unmarried. Considering his age, it was strange enough to make people wonder if he had some fatal flaw. A few years ago, he had even rejected the Emperor’s offer to give him his daughter’s hand in marriage.
There was no alliance as solid as marriage. Men eager to hold his hand by marrying off their daughters scoured his surroundings for any scrap of information. When they failed to find any openings—no visits to courtesans, no secret trysts—all sorts of low-grade rumors began to circulate.
Some said Marquis Elantz was actually interested in men; others claimed his genitals were too small and he wanted to hide them, or that he was a eunuch. Eventually, the rumors grew even more depraved, suggesting he was a murderous demon who had lived his life on the battlefield and could only be aroused by the sight of blood.
The stories claimed he reached climax only by beating women until they were covered in bruises and then strangling them, or that he was a necrophiliac. At this point, those who had been desperate to push their daughters toward him hesitated. While daughters were often treated as pawns for alliances, it seemed there was a lingering reluctance to marry one’s own blood to a man followed by such hideous rumors, no matter how great the profit.
As public interest faded, the rumors died down to a moderate level. No one knew where they had started. Regarding the Marquis, who never responded to the rumors tarnishing his beautiful face, some questioned if his silence meant they were true, but those whispers also soon subsided.
Yet, there were those who refused to give up chasing profit despite the hideous rumors. Duke Ingram was one of them.
Nadia felt a sense of futility at how suddenly such a life-altering event had been thrust upon her. Of course, the Ducal couple had never reflected Nadia’s will when making decisions concerning their daughter, but her vague assumption that she had another year or two left was shattered completely.
It was dizzying enough that her wedding was only a month away, but the fact that the groom was Marquis Elantz was even more shocking.
He was twelve years older than Nadia, and while she didn’t believe the rumors were entirely true, they were certainly rampant. Moreover, she had only ever seen him from a great distance during the Emperor’s birthday banquet; she had never even exchanged a word with him. Furthermore, marrying him meant Nadia had to leave Quern, where she had lived her whole life, and go to Elheim.
A month was far too short to prepare for all of this. What did my father receive in exchange for this marriage? A meaningless curiosity rose, only to vanish without a trace.
Nadia had no choice but to nod quietly. Even if she rebelled against a decision already made, nothing would change. It had always been that way. If her relationship with Asil had been as it was before, she might have tried to struggle somehow, but now she lacked even the motivation to try.
It had already been over a week since she had stopped going to meet him without a word. The thought that he might still be waiting at their usual spot bothered her like a hangnail, cluttering her mind.
The impulse to run out right away and check if he was waiting for her popped up at unexpected moments, but she was able to escape it thanks to the hectic preparations for the rushed wedding.
She was so busy there wasn’t a moment to blink, but she was actually grateful for it. Under the supervision of the Duchess, whom she barely saw once a week, Nadia was surrounded by three times as many maids as usual, receiving treatments from head to toe. She also fitted dozens of new dresses, including the wedding gown and evening gowns, ordered matching shoes and various accessories, and confirmed the wedding gifts sent by the Marquis, as well as the engagement ring she was supposed to have received, though the ceremony itself was skipped.
She didn’t know how the days passed. Until the morning of the wedding dawned a month later, nothing felt real. A sense of floating, as if she were watching a play depicting someone else’s story from a distance, made her dizzy every hour.
On the fateful wedding day, Nadia woke up before sunrise. After a long bath using plenty of expensive fragrant oils, she replaced breakfast with a cup of tea and a single cookie.
Several maids busied themselves drying her long, thick hair and brushing it until the ends shone. A few particularly skilled ones braided strands of platinum thread into her hair and pinned it up stylishly before placing a magnificent crown decorated with diamonds, sapphires, and fresh flowers on her head.
Listening to their flattering words that she was so beautiful she didn’t even need heavy makeup, she was lightly made up and dressed in a dazzling pure white wedding gown. Nadia stared blankly at the mirror reflecting her image.
She met the eyes of a woman who looked beautiful but hollow. After she had stared at the mirror without moving for a long time, a maid placed a veil on her that reached down to her knees.
Only when she climbed into the carriage heading for the ceremony did she find a moment to breathe. Realizing anew that nothing could be undone now, she stared silently at the scenery passing quickly outside.
Nadia bit her lip. A month should be enough time for him to forget a woman he was just “having a bit of fun” with. Nadia felt she was okay now, too. Thinking of him no longer brought tears. Her chest felt empty, but her relationship with Asil had merely been a catalyst to realize that void existed in the first place, so in the end, it was fine.
However, the thought that this wasn’t right kept rearing its head. Every time it did, she covered her mouth to prevent the thought from escaping. There’s no turning back. I can’t do anything.
The weather was clear without a single cloud, and a soft breeze carried the suffocatingly intense scent of roses in all directions. Her eyes fell upon marble statues that looked as if they might come to life at any moment, and the white anemones and blue roses that decorated the surroundings densely.
Walking across an incredibly long carpet with elaborate embroidery, surrounded by nobles dressed more flamboyantly than usual, Nadia felt relieved she was wearing a veil. No one would be able to see her expression.
It was far from the wedding she had imagined while reading romance novels or listening to the songs of bards—weddings filled with the excitement of a happy future. This was a ceremony with a groom she had never spoken to and where her own will had not been reflected at all. She wondered if she would feel wronged or sorrowful, but there was only a slight tension and fear. It was thanks to her quick resignation.
Having finally reached the front of the altar, Nadia took the hand offered by the Marquis, who was handsomely dressed and wore an expressionless face.
The Emperor, who had been actively involved since the preparation stages of this marriage as if to show everyone who his most trusted person was, surprised everyone by stepping forward to officiate the ceremony himself. Standing in a place of honor to receive the marriage vows from the Emperor—a figure who had been infinitely distant to her—Nadia felt no inspiration and simply let time flow by in a daze.
The ceremony was long and tedious. While she barely endured all that time, the night deepened, and even the reception reached its end. Throughout that long duration of walking together, kissing, and dancing, Marquis Elantz did not say a single word to Nadia.
As she mechanically followed the schedule, his gaze was so indifferent that it was actually a relief. He didn’t seem like the madman she had feared, and she thought it might be for the best if they could lead a quiet married life, being moderately indifferent to each other.
While Marquis Elantz wore a smile that was clearly for public display and ignored the nobles, she stood quietly beside him like a wax doll.
Whether it was a relief or not, the nobles’ attention was entirely focused on the Marquis. Seeing the Emperor’s blatant favoritism once again, they seemed to have developed the stomach to overlook the grim rumors.
The Marquis openly showed his annoyance, but despite his arrogant attitude, no one displayed any signs of discomfort.
The sight, which looked like predators fighting over prey, made Nadia, standing beside them, tired. Her head was incredibly heavy from the many ornaments pinned into it, and having stood in her shoes all day without eating properly, her feet ached and she was hungry. But she didn’t show it. Pretending to be fine was her specialty.
“When I offered the Princess, you didn’t budge, so I thought you intended to live alone forever, but I see that wasn’t the case.”
“The Princess was five years old at the time.”
Only when the Emperor appeared did Marquis Elantz finally open his mouth, which had been shut tight like a clam. The Emperor chuckled unusually and patted the Marquis on the shoulder. It was a very friendly gesture. After chatting and joking with the unmoving Marquis about trivial matters, the Emperor finally seemed to notice Nadia and offered his greetings.
“Lady Ingram… no, the Marchioness of Elantz now. Congratulations. You are dazzlingly beautiful, as befits the protagonist of today.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor lightly kissed the back of her hand and gave a playful wink. Nadia bowed slightly and lowered her head, hoping the Emperor would turn his attention away from her.
“Do you like the party?”
“O-of course. I am simply overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s grace.”
“I’m glad to hear that. You look tired; you may go to your room and rest first.”
Seeing Nadia’s bewildered face at the sudden remark, the Emperor placed a hand on the Marquis’s shoulder.
“I have prepared a room for you to stay in at the palace. Alan will guide you. I’ll send Edwin over in a little while.”
The Emperor and the Marquis left without even waiting for Nadia’s response. Although Nadia was a bit taken aback, she did not refuse when the Emperor’s attendant approached to guide her to the room. She had wanted to leave the banquet hall anyway because she was exhausted.
