Chapter 15 : A Marriage of No Return
Chapter 15
The carriage en route to Evanstein Castle was oppressively quiet.
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, tense at the mere rustle of my collar.
My gaze flickered toward the man seated across from me, one leg crossed, his expression listless as he stared out the window.
Was this truly the same man who had just proposed to me?
“Miss Edith Prim, I formally ask for your hand in marriage.”
Duke Schultz had acted like a man truly in love.
“I must be insane.”
Yes, I had to be. No matter how desperate I had been, how could I have made such an impulsive decision?
“But then again…”
There hadn’t been any other option. Even now, were I in that situation again, I would make the same choice.
While staring at him, as if in a trance, our eyes suddenly met. I snapped out of it.
He was handsome enough to steal a person’s breath. Not just in looks—he was imposing in stature and carried the strong frame of a soldier.
Even if I had accepted his proposal based on appearance alone, no one would have found it strange.
“Is there something you wish to say?”
Duke Schultz asked, eyes locked onto mine. Gone was any hint of the earlier boredom.
There was plenty I wanted to say. Plenty I was curious about.
Part of me still wondered if his actions were born of pity.
It would be a lie to say I wasn’t grateful for his help… but if that help came from pity, I didn’t want any of it.
My pride was a miserable thing.
“I mean no offense, Your Grace, but… was your proposal merely a way out of that situation?”
He narrowed his eyes faintly at my calm question.
“I was sincere. And you accepted.”
“I must have lost my mind. At the time, I just…”
I trailed off, unable to articulate. Still, I’m sure he sensed I wished for it to be undone.
“There were many witnesses. Most of my men saw it. And you, Miss Prim, accepted while knowing that.”
His chin lifted ever so slightly.
“My name and my family’s honor are at stake. I trust you’re not suggesting I retract such a commitment.”
His cold blue eyes fixed unwaveringly on mine.
There was no sign of concession. I cleared my throat and spoke again.
“I honestly don’t understand. Why would someone as perfect as you propose to someone like me, who has nothing?”
“Because you don’t have nothing.”
I blinked. It sounded as though he meant I had something he needed.
“I have no parents, no dowry. There are many women far better suited—”
My tone was calm, but my voice trembled. I clutched my skirt tightly.
“And yet you believe there is something to be gained by marrying me?”
“Of course.”
“And this… gain, it’s something only I can provide?”
Was that why he chose me?
Johannes Schultz gave a firm nod.
“So it wouldn’t be wrong to say you need me, Edith Prim. And that I can accept this improbable marriage without guilt?”
“Exactly.”
I pressed my lips together.
So I wouldn’t be the only one benefiting from this arrangement.
Was he lying? Maybe. But his eyes held nothing but calm sincerity.
The matter of marriage—something so serious—had been settled in an instant, leaving me with an odd feeling. But from the moment Father died, marriage had never felt like an option anyway.
No matter how peaceful Myssen was, a woman alone could never live freely.
The days of being protected by Father were long gone. I was alone. Always vulnerable to danger. There was no guarantee I wouldn’t face a similar situation again.
This marriage might be the one chance I had to secure my safety.
Even if he realized later that I had nothing to offer, the regret would be his.
Yes—let the pieces fall as they may. He was the one who proposed. I had asked multiple times if he was sure.
Only a fool would let such a sparkling opportunity slip away.
With a neutral expression, I nodded.
“Very well. Since you have saved me, I will do my best in return.”
Outside, evergreen trees and barren branches blurred past the window.
The servants were already lined up outside Evanstein Castle, waiting for the carriage.
It slowed gradually and came to a stop beneath the massive eagle crest.
Just as the Duke reached for the door, I grabbed his hand.
“Um…”
“Is something wrong?”
His brows rose elegantly. I answered quickly.
“Won’t the staff be startled? I mean…”
If their master stepped out with a woman—one who used to work among them—I’d be shocked too.
Seeing my troubled expression, he replied.
“They won’t be.”
And he was right. Even as I descended the carriage holding his hand, none of them so much as blinked.
“I’m afraid I must bring you some unpleasant news. It may be difficult to return home for the time being.”
Lord Fret delivered this after returning to Evanstein Castle once the aftermath was handled.
“All the dailies, weeklies, and even special editions are filled with stories about you and the Duke.”
I had expected as much. With so much noise, there was no way it wouldn’t make the headlines.
I asked calmly, “How long will it take?”
Even if people didn’t recognize Duke Schultz’s face, seeing that many naval officers surrounding the house would leave little doubt about who was inside.
“Hard to say… but at least ten days, I imagine. Don’t worry, the Navy will manage the house.”
The lack of certainty made me uneasy, but I had no other options. I nodded slowly.
“Thank you. I’ll leave it to you.”
Winter had arrived in earnest, and light snow now drifted through the air. It had been ten days since I came to Evanstein Castle.
As Lord Fret predicted, the articles came daily.
First: A commoner girl burdened with debt is visited by Banux.
Second: Johannes Schultz makes a public appearance. In front of her house.
Third: He leaves with the girl.
It was the perfect plot for a serialized novel.
Newspapers ran all sorts of stories, most tying the Duke and me together.
A lending company tried to sell off a woman, and the Duke appeared just in time to take her away. Perhaps she was his secret lover.
She’s not a secret lover… but they are soon to be wed. Not far off.
Naturally, journalists didn’t miss the chance to run such a juicy story, and it snowballed from there.
“She’s incredibly beautiful,” some wrote. “She seduced the Duke,” others claimed.
Soon, gossip about my background spread like wildfire.
Our story filled the papers for days.
Most of them praised the Duke’s good heart and heroic deeds. Still, I couldn’t help but feel strange.
The noble Duke who fell in love with a poor, orphaned girl.
Rumors of his alleged embezzlement disappeared, and all eyes turned to his supposed romance.
Only then did I begin to understand why he had chosen me.
A woman with a pitiful enough backstory to stir sympathy but also knew her place.
Easy to manage.
Yes… that’s me. It must’ve been hard to find someone like that quickly.
I wasn’t upset. I’d already received more help from him than my story was worth. I had no reason to complain.
Though, I didn’t enjoy seeing my father’s name in the papers.
As for the servants, I had expected rejection or scorn—but they were kind. I grew close to many of them.
Nothing else had changed.
I continued with the tasks given to me, and my future husband remained incredibly busy.
The only difference was Lord Fret, who was so consumed with court cases and my training that he looked thinner by the day.
“As I mentioned before, your etiquette is nearly perfect. There’s no need for further instruction. His Grace had no complaints, either.”
He said this as I looked out the window at the falling snow. I turned to face him.
“You’ll just need to familiarize yourself with some dances.”
“I already know a few. My father loved to dance.”
“That’s fortunate. May I ask how many you’ve learned?”
“Quadrille, waltz, polka, mazurka, and polonaise.”
Lord Fret looked surprised, then nodded.
“Then you don’t need lessons in dance either. Assuming you’re still proficient.”
“I don’t know about perfect, but I used to dance often with Father when I was young. I had no friends or distractions.”
I spoke plainly, and Lord Fret’s expression softened slightly.
He seemed to look at me with a touch of pity.
“Oh, and one more thing. From today onward, His Grace will be joining you for meals.”
