Chapter 9

Most commoners were aware that nobles didn’t simply marry each other because they were in love.

Even if it weren’t for political reasons, the union between two families was a process that couldn’t be accomplished overnight. It required at least six months to organize even the most basic ceremony, which included furnishings and wedding presents befitting the two parties’ social standing. Even lesser nobles were adamant about not going against this custom. Thus, it came as a shock when the head of House Cardiego, one of the three great families of the Leinon Empire, announced his marriage.

His loyal butler, Bill, asked, “Your Highness, what do you mean someone proposed to you...?”

“The banquet is to celebrate the arrival of my bride. I’ll hold the wedding as soon as everything is ready. Keep that in mind.”

Duke Cardiego’s expression brightened as he thought of the three-syllable-name girl. Since he’d begun serving him at Cardiego Castle, Bill hadn’t had the pleasure of seeing him smile so softly. The butler congratulated his master, but he was at a loss. He would need more than one body in order to finish everything on time.

As if reading his mind, Lix stated, “Bill, you once told me that it was an honor to work as a butler for the next emperor.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Your glory wouldn’t be realized if it weren’t for my bride. Therefore, I need you to take special care of this matter.”

Lix still vividly remembered the time he had to flee from his uncle’s henchmen after moving to the Cardiego Duchy.

Even though he had been threatened with sharp spears, the memory of that day felt as warm as sunshine because it was the day he met Isabelle. Things would have been a lot different if she hadn’t found him and persistently tried to have a conversation with him.

I might not have worked as hard on everything as I did.

It had been difficult to tame Kielkegor, the king who reigned over the Underworld reapers, but seven-year-old Lix had done it. It was all because Isabelle told him to come and visit her again, and he wanted to keep his promise. It had always been that way. Her desire, greed, expectations, and laughter became his motivation and prepared him for a long fight. Lix had struggled for half a year to bring down his uncle and take control of the family. Eventually, he became the head of House Cardiego, and it was all thanks to the strength Isabelle had given him.

I was going to propose after the emperor’s election.

He challenged the current imperial family after learning that she liked a competent man, but now, it felt like he did it for nothing. That didn’t mean he didn’t like being proposed to, though.

From the very beginning, Isabelle had been more than a friend to him, his life hadn’t started until he met her. He had spent years wishing she would be completely his.

That’s why I have to be with her.

He had already matched everything to her wishes. The trickier her conditions were, the better. That way, he was the only one who could fulfill her desires.

“Decorate the entire castle with lilies and white roses. Also, buy several dresses. Don’t forget the jewelry, gloves, and shoes that go with them.”

“Well, Your Highness. Custom-made dresses usually require the wearer’s measurements. I think we should get ready-made ones...”

“That won’t do. I’ll tell you her measurements, so make sure they arrive on time.”

Bill’s eyes quivered. The duke would give him her measurements? That meant...

He must have already bedded her. So the rumors of him being impotent aren’t true after all.

Bill lowered his head, suppressing his urge to mutter, “My goodness gracious.”

Unsurprisingly, the servants were sensitive to rumors involving their employer. They had to ignore servants from other families who would ridicule Duke Cardiego for his alleged issue in consummating while pretending to be concerned for him.

Our master only loved one woman, unlike other prodigal lords. The rumors were not true at all.

If Lix, who had earned Isabelle’s measurements by doing her laundry, heard his butler’s thoughts, he would smile bitterly and sigh.

“Your Highness, I’ll get the family engagement ring.”

“There’s no need for that. The engagement ring will be newly made, so have the jeweler come see me before the day is over. I’ll do the design myself, so you don’t have to trouble yourself with it.”

Lix then provided detailed instructions for Isabelle’s carriage, down to its cushions and horses, as well as for the interior design of her room and the building where she would stay. Having confirmed that everything was directed to her liking, Lix smiled contentedly.

“I’m not capable of rejecting her proposal, so do your best.”

***

What is this feeling I just got?

The dawn brought a dreary chill with it. Isabelle rubbed her arms, which were crawling with goosebumps. It was dark in her room because no candle was lit.

There was a commotion outside the window, and her ears perked up at the sound. She heard quiet, synchronized footsteps. Then, a shadow loomed in the moonlight, casting its long, dark shape directly into the room. A gasp escaped Isabelle’s lips.

Covering her mouth, she turned toward the window, where a group of masked men were chortling to themselves. She was able to make out their eyes through the holes in their masks and realized she had never seen them before. One man, who appeared to be the leader, pulled out a small gem and pointed it in Isabelle’s direction. Briefly, the blue gem illuminated her eyes.

“That’s the girl. Get her. Cut off her leg if you have to.”

There was no hint of banter in the man’s voice. Before Isabelle had time to react, they began approaching her from all sides. She froze in fear like a child facing a tiger.

Why are these people after me? I’m just an orphan living a quiet life in the temple. What did I do wrong? Lix, I miss you.

Her childhood friend’s face came to her mind as life flashed before her eyes. She couldn’t die like this. Isabelle clenched her teeth.

Bang, crash, thud!

Just then, chains of light spread out from all directions with a roar, and divine energy overflowed from the open door. Isabelle didn’t have to turn her head to see who had arrived.

“F-Father Mateo...”

Isabelle watched blankly as Father Mateo took down the trespassers, beams of light creating a halo behind him. The chain of light from his hand was created using divine power. It was taboo for priests to kill people in temples, especially using divine power, but Father Mateo appeared unconcerned as he shoved the chain of light into their mouths and stomachs, draining the life out of them.

Father Mateo... isn’t trying to protect me, Isabelle thought.

It was a terrible sight, but what was more frightening was the fact that he despised her. When the bodies of the struggling intruders dangling from the chains went slack, his cold eyes pinned on Isabelle, who had sunk to the floor.

What on earth is this girl hiding? I thought it was strange that Sister Maria was protective of her, but… Father Mateo silenced his surging miscellaneous thoughts and grabbed Isabelle’s wrist. Baron Aion had paid a large sum of money to buy the child. After the fall of House Pilsburg, whose members worshipped the goddess Iris and used the power of the earth, the financial foundation of the temple also collapsed. It wasn’t just Father Mateo who would benefit monetarily from this arrangement. If she were to get raided now and die, though, everything would be ruined.

“Isabelle, follow me!”

“F-Father...”

Father Mateo pushed her into a secret cellar. She tried to escape but couldn’t flee past his heavy body.

Why is he doing this to me?

If she wanted to leave the room, she was going to have to hurt him. Isabelle was no fool, she knew that Father Mateo was trying to imprison her. However, she was worried that no one would stand by her afterward if she attacked the priest with magic that she couldn’t control properly.

“I’ll come for you in a few days. Stay put and don’t even think about trying anything funny.”

Father Mateo started to close the thick iron door. At that moment, Isabelle remembered Lix.

If I stay here, it won’t matter whether or not Lix agrees to marry. I’ll be sold to Duke Cardiego either way.

Lix. The thought of his face made her feel at ease. Isabelle was sure that no matter what happened to her, he would always be by her side. She didn’t have to be afraid of being alone.

“You mean you’ll come for me so that you can sell me.”

Father Mateo picked up on the subtle change in Isabelle’s tone. But that was it. She didn’t seem to have enough strength to engage in a physical brawl the way a young man with strong muscles would. Judging from the way she confidently provoked him, she must be hiding magic skills, but he was a priest. If I use divine power to knock her out, her price will drop a bit, but... it would be better than letting her run away and not getting a penny.

Father Mateo clenched and unclenched his fist as he recalled his deal with the baron. He then channeled an enormous amount of divine power and shaped it into a whip. Isabelle’s magic, which she only partially mastered, was clearly no match for the priest’s divine power. Father Mateo issued an ultimatum in a low voice.

“Isabelle, do you think Duke Cardiego will leave the temple alone if you refuse him?”

“The temple is important to me, but I value my life more.”

“The saints will be back from the nearby village soon. They will resent you if they return to a damaged temple.”

“They may resent me, but they will spit on you.”

“How dare you!”

Father Mateo knocked an old stool to the floor with a kick, eliciting a loud crashing noise. It was then that Isabelle decided to disregard Sister Maria’s stern warning about using magic carelessly. Her fingertips flared with a small spark, the size of a match.

Father Mateo had been on high alert after she boldly talked back to him.

He snorted. “Hah, my goodness... I thought you were hiding some kind of great power. Is that all you got?”

Isabelle remained silent.

“I assumed you were at least decent at magic. I wonder why Sister Maria is so protective of you.”

Boom.

The basement shook when Father Mateo swung the whip, and white dust fell from the walls and ceiling. Isabelle clenched her teeth at the demonstration of earth-rattling divine power.

“Gritting your teeth won’t change your skills.”

Father Mateo waved the whip around, and it hit the floor with a resounding crack.

Her body immediately tensed up at the intimidating threat, but Isabelle concentrated and threw the fire she had materialized at him. The small embers rose into the air like dandelion puffs, but they didn’t reach the priest. Father Mateo scoffed again.

“I can’t believe you’re bluffing with magic that you can’t even use. Were you that scared...? Hmm?”

He stopped talking and looked down at his clothes. The hem of his robe, which lay on the floor, was on fire.

“What’s this...? The embers didn’t even touch me...!”

With Father Mateo’s attention diverted, the whip disintegrated into powder and scattered all over the room.