I WAS surprised to wake up and see Diether holding a bouquet of red roses while standing in front of my bed.
The child’s face is as red as the flowers.
[Cute.]
“I don’t think I’ve thanked you for saving my life yet, but Mother said it’s better late than never,” Diether said shyly. “Thank you for saving me, Celeste.”
I feel bad for taking credit for Sonata’s hard work, but I need to survive.
“And thank you for defending me from Don.”
“You’re welcome, Lord Diether,” I said, smiling while accepting the flowers from him. “What happened to Lord Don?”
Diether sat on the chair beside the bed. “Mother asked Don to leave the estate. From now on, anyone from House Baldwin is banned from coming here.”
Good riddance.
“Don blamed his inferiority complex for his behavior,” Diether explained. “He also said he tried to manipulate me into thinking that he’s the only person who cares about me in order to control me like a puppet. He’s probably aiming for my inheritance.”
[Yep, and that bastard did worse in the novel.]
“I… had a long conversation with Mother after she kicked out Don,” Diether said nervously. “Mother apologized for being neglectful of me all this time. She then promised to be a better mother to me.”
“Have you forgiven Lady Eleanor?”
He nodded, his face lighting up. “Mother already apologized and promised to treat me better, what more could I ask for? I’m just happy that there are at least two people now who are grateful for my existence.”
I smiled and nodded. “Good for you, my lord.”
Diether looked at me, his face flushed and his eyes bright. “Celeste, I heard Mother brought you here to be my wife.”
“But don’t you hate me?”
“I did, but it was more because of Don’s influence,” Diether confessed. “However, now I know you’re not here to steal my mother away from me. In fact, you’re the bridge that connected us together.” He smiled charmingly. “Thank you for coming into my life, Celeste. You’re my lucky charm.”
BADUMP.
No, my heart did not just go ‘BADUMP’ for a child!
“This time, I want to be your lucky charm,” Diether said shyly. “I heard you lost your inheritance to your relatives. My mother and I can’t help you with that because my father forbade us from meddling with your family affairs.”
Of course, the Grand Duke would refuse to help.
[After all, the Montalis are the relatives of Lady Eleanor’s ex-lover.]
“But Mother made a deal with Father. I don’t know what the deal was, but Father allowed us to get married.”
[Lady Eleanor probably threatened her husband with divorce.]
“If my name could be used as your protection, then feel free to use it until it no longer serves you purpose,” Diether said, then he offered his hand to me. “Celeste, shall we get married?”
I immediately grabbed Diether’s hand. “Let’s do that, Lord Diether.”
Diether kissed the back of my hand, and I may or may not blush.
***
I’M NOW fourteen years old, and still happily married.
I spent the last two years establishing my position as Diether’s wife. Thanks to my cheerful persona, everyone in the mansion fell in love with my charm.
[I used to make a living in acting cute, after all.]
The only people I didn’t manage to charm were Grand Duke Daniel Hexford (Diether’s father) and the vassal families. It’s because they can’t accept a commoner as the successor’s wife.
Hence, to ensure that I won’t get kicked out unprepared, I went to a dessert shop called ‘Candyfloss’ and meet Carmine– a flamboyant woman in her mid-twenties with flaming red hair.
‘Candyfloss’ is secretly an information guild, and this woman is the head.
“I won’t ask how you found me,” Miss Carmine said while lighting up her cigarette. “I’m more curious about what the future Grand Duchess Hexford wants with my guild.”
[Sorry, Sonata. I’ll use the same trick you used to strike a deal with Miss Carmine.]
There’s only one reason why she chose Candyfloss: this is the same guild that helped Sonata run away from her biological family in the novel.
“I’m going to run away from House Hexford in a few years, so I’ll need a new identity and a hiding place later,” I said bluntly. “If you arrange that for me, I’ll tell you how to destroy your father’s guild, ma’am.”
***
CELESTE Montali was fifteen years old when she died in the novel.
It happened when Diether lost his mind after Lady Eleanor took her own life. Since Diether had always been jealous of his wife whom his mother loved more than him, he killed her the moment his mind snapped.
But it turned out that Diether was drugged by Don Baldwin that night, hence Diether actually didn’t know what he was doing then.
So, the hero wasn’t punished by the law.
[It’s hard to punish the future Grand Duke anyway.]
Fortunately, I already got rid of Don Baldwin. Even so, I’m still nervous now that I’m fifteen.
“Young Lady Celeste?”
Sir Albert, the Grand Duke’s personal knight, blocked my way.
[Where are my servants…?]
I smiled to hide my nervousness. “Yes, Sir Albert?”
Sir Albert smiled coldly, then he raised his hand. “Good night, young lady.”
***
WHEN I opened my eyes, the first thing that greeted me was Grand Duke Daniel Hexford’s cold face.
Wow.
[Diether really got his good looks from his dad.]
Of course, this isn’t the first time that I saw the Grand Duke in person.
[Father didn’t attend our wedding, and he’s barely home since he’s always working in the palace. But every weekend, we’re forced to have lunch with him. Despite that, I still get impressed by his visuals.]
“Divorce my son.”
Okay, that snapped me out of my daydream.
I sat properly, my knees touching the ground while my hands are tied behind my back.
[I can tell I’m in a shabby warehouse, but why would my father-in-law bring me here when he has many other empty villas?]
“I’ll buy you a noble title and compensate you well after the divorce.”
[I know the Grand Duke would give me a hefty amount of money, but I don’t want to get on Diether’s bad side.]
“Father–”
“I found a better match for my son,” Daniel Hexford said, cutting her off. “She’s the only lady suited to become the next Grand Duchess.”
“Father, I can’t divorce Diether yet,” I said weakly. “Not yet, at least.”
My father-in-law was about to ask something when, suddenly, the door burst open.
“Father!”
My husband arrived, a blood-covered sword in one hand.
[He’s fuming.]
“How dare you do this to my wife, Father?” Diether yelled angrily, grabbing his father by the collar. “Is it not enough to torment Mother that you have to hurt my innocent wife, too?!”
[I’m not exactly innocent, Diether…]
“I wouldn’t have resorted to this had you divorced your wife when I told you to do so.”
“Stop it, Father,” Diether said, his jaw clenching hard. “I will NEVER divorce my wife.”
I flinched.
[But we need to divorce later, Diether.]
“Son, attend to your wife first.”
It was my mother-in-law who had just arrived.
“Celeste, are you alright?” Diether asked, kneeling down in front of me. He dropped his bloody sword on the floor and untied me. Then he gently took my hands in his, frowning while looking at the ugly marks around my wrists. “You’re hurt…”
“I’m alright, Diether,” I assured my husband before he goes ballistic. “It doesn’t hurt much.”
Diether looks like he’s about to cry, then he nuzzled his face against my shoulder as if he doesn’t want to show me his vulnerability. “I’m sorry, Celeste. I failed to protect you. If something bad happened to you, I would never forgive myself…”
“It’s not your fault, Diether,” I said, wrapping my arms around my husband’s shaking shoulders. “I’m fine, so don’t cry.”
SLAP.
I was startled by the loud sound that echoed in the room.
Lady Eleanor slapped Daniel Hexford on the face– hard. The Grand Duke’s cheek quickly turned red, but he didn’t budge.
[Omo…]
“I will not divorce you since we have an agreement, but I can’t live with you anymore, you cold-hearted bastard,” Lady Eleanor said callously. “I’m leaving you– and I’m taking Diether and Celeste with me.”
***
CASNIA ISLANDS.
It’s our new home.
The Grand Duchy of Verwin, the territory that belongs to House Hexford, occupies the Alaree Peninsula. It’s one of the three peninsulas in the Alson Continent where Zerua Kingdom is located.
Casnia Islands still belongs to my father-in-law, but it’s okay since it looks like the Grand Duke has no intention of following us here.
[As the king’s younger brother and aide, Father needs to stay in the Royal Capital anyway.]
“Celeste, are you okay with this place?”
I turned to Diether.
We have toured the island all day and, right now, we’re watching the beautiful sunset while sitting on a boulder by the beach.
“I’m worried you might get bored since life is slow here,” Diether said worriedly. “Moreover, I’ll be returning to the Academy soon, so…”
I smiled and patted his shoulder. “Diether, I heard this island has a subtropical climate.”
“That’s right. What about it?”
I grinned, remembering how Sonata made Casnia Islands the center of tourism in the entire kingdom. “My dear husband, I think it will be possible to grow coconut trees here.”
In the novel, Sonata discovered a small island where coconuts could grow fast…
… and found the next Saintess.
“Do you want to plant trees?” Diether asked excitedly. “It’s good to have a hobby, my dear wife.”
Ah, he thinks I just found a new hobby.
[This ‘hobby’ of mine will lead you to the Saintess that will help you in your career later~]
“That’s right, I found a new hobby,” I agreed with my husband, grinning. “My dear husband, once I succeed, I will support you and Mother financially so that we don’t have to depend on Father anymore.”
Diether, who probably thought I was joking, laughed. “Then I’ll be a good house husband, my dear wife.”
That promise may or may not have made my heart skip a beat.
***
IN JUST three years, I became the richest woman in the Zerua Kingdom.
All the businesses I started while copying what Sonata did in the novel became a huge hit. Thanks to that, I finally paid what I owed Miss Carmine. Most of all, I have enough savings to run away from Diether.
But that’s not the only reason why I’m eager to leave the family now.
“Are you crazy, Diether?” I complained between gasps. It’s not easy for me to breathe since I have a fever. “The king summoned you to the Royal Palace!”
Tonight is the night Sonata’s adoptive parents are being honored at the Royal Palace. The heroine’s adoptive parents were war heroes who died during the recent war against Corrupted Monsters.
[In the novel, Diether and Sonata’s love story began after Diether “accidentally” consoled Sonata during the memorial service.]
“How can I leave my sick wife?”
“I’m not dying, Diether. If you leave now, you can still make it if you use a portal–”
“No,” Diether said, cutting me off. “I’m staying.”
“Why…”
I trailed off when I realized I didn’t want to hear the answer, but it’s already too late.
“Are you asking because you really don’t know?” Diether asked cheekily, kissing my forehead. “You can’t be that dense, Celeste.”
Of course, I’m not.
[Diether is in love with me.]
I shut my eyes tight.
[I’m so sorry, Sonata…]
***
THE midnight Diether turned eighteen, the gift I sent him was the divorce paper I signed in advance.
And then I, Celeste Montali, completely vanished from his life.
Sonata Florin, you’re the heroine of this world– so Diether Hexford belongs to you.
***
SONATA closed the diary that Celeste Montali had left for her.
[I don’t remember you, but congratulations on running away, Celeste.]
“You can’t use this room, Lady Sonata.”
Sonta raised her head and looked at the man standing in front of her. “Does this room used to belong to your first wife?”
Diether clenched his jaw, but he didn’t deny it.
“Then do you want your new wife to use a guest room and become a laughingstock?” Sonata asked, smiling as she stood up. “Lord Diether, if you can’t treat me like your wife, then at least give me the basic respect I deserve. It was you who asked me to marry you, remember?”
Diether avoided her gaze as if he was denying reality.
[Celeste Montali, this is Diether Hexford now– he’s already twenty-one years old, yet still in love with you.]
This was how Sonata’s married life started after the heroine vanished.
[And this unholy marriage began a few months ago…]
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