Chapter 1.3
After graduating from the academy, Rosena, who had completely settled down in Baron Leilia’s territory, was enjoying the happiest days of her life.
“It’s heaven, pure heaven.”
No one told her what to do, and she didn’t have to worry about what others thought.
Furthermore, after graduating from the academy, her status as a baron’s daughter turned out to be the perfect condition for living a life that was “quiet, long, and unnoticed.”
“Lady Rosena, you’ve graduated from the academy, what are your plans now?”
“To eat well and live well all by myself?”
“…Pardon?”
If she used her abilities well, it seemed like it was only a matter of time before she’d make a fortune.
Rosena smiled faintly, harboring rather materialistic thoughts. Normally, a noble lady her age would have a fiancé, but…
Perhaps because of the strong rumors during her academy days, no marriage proposals came her way.
‘Honestly, that’s a relief.’
Nobles of the Agzent Empire were forbidden to marry outside their class and had an obligation to continue their family line. Although it was an obligation, it only applied to high-ranking nobles. In the case of noble families in the frontier, they were relatively free from such obligations as long as they didn’t disrupt the social order.
Rosena had decided long ago that even if she found someone she loved, she wouldn’t marry. Fortunately, she hadn’t loved anyone to the point of suffering throughout her life, so it seemed she could stick to her resolution.
‘Father said he doesn’t regret getting married, but…’
To be honest, Rosena lacked confidence. She thought there would be no man in this world who could fully accept her secret. Who could possibly handle such a dangerous secret?
And she couldn’t live a lifetime hiding it from her husband either. If she married and had children, it would naturally be revealed.
If a man she could truly dream of marrying appeared, wouldn’t he be a very innocent and pure man, one who wouldn’t reveal even a speck of dust?
Yes, Rosena liked straightforward people.
Someone whose inside and outside were transparently the same.
But dreams and reality cannot be the same. Such a man would be problematic as a husband. Rosena thought rationally.
Wouldn’t it be a blessing if he didn’t ruin the family?
“…Wait, why am I worrying about this right now?”
She was being unnecessarily serious when she didn’t even have anyone to marry. Rosena realized her situation and covered her face.
But then…
“What? You said a marriage proposal came in from where?”
“They said a marriage proposal came from the Grand Duchy of Baltinart. It hasn’t been long since the former Grand Duke passed away… It’s a bit strange that they are rushing like this. They said they want to hear back quickly.”
It seemed the time had come to seriously consider things.
“…What’s the reason for the proposal?”
“They said it was love at first sight.”
Who would have known she’d be discussing marriage with a man who shamelessly spouted lies from the beginning!
Baron Leilia truly looked relieved and chuckled lightly.
“Isn’t it a relief that a marriage proposal came in?”
“Father!”
“Marriage is also an obligation for nobles of the Empire. Wouldn’t it attract attention if you avoided it too much?”
Baron Leilia seemed to think this marriage proposal wasn’t bad. In fact, he seemed to like it.
Rosena was suddenly puzzled by his unexpected reaction.
Her father wasn’t someone interested in power struggles such as connections with the Grand Ducal family…?
“…This is too much of a lie, Father. Don’t you think so too?”
“It is strange. Very strange.”
“……”
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“…It’s nothing.”
Baron Leilia agreed with Rosena’s opinion, nodding his head. For a moment, Rosena felt a little off. Why? She had received agreement on her opinion, but why did she feel so offended?
Rosena felt quite uneasy but decided to let it go for now.
‘Love at first sight?’
That kind of reason was only something you hear in childhood. Nowadays, even low-ranking academy students evaluate each other’s family background, what kind of carriage they ride, or where their mansions are in the capital before deciding whether or not to be friends, and an adult man proposing with such a line?
Besides, we haven’t even properly met, right?
“Why would the Grand Ducal family be so desperate to propose to me? And so urgently? Are they saying they want to get married within a month?”
“Isn’t it true that humans can’t predict the immediate future?”
Baron Leilia’s blue eyes sparkled as he looked off into the distance.
This was the beginning of an event that would soon shake the Agzent Empire.
* * *
Cassian savored the name that remained like a fragment in his memory.
“Rosena Leilia…”
It was definitely that name.
“Rosena Leilia? Who’s that?”
During his academy days, Cassian first heard rumors about Rosena during his final semester.
The rumors quickly spread through the boring academy, especially among the young nobles who were more interested to play than study, even the smallest rumors would spread to all grades.
“Apparently, she scored even lower than commoners this time.”
“Than commoners?”
All tests were tailored for nobles, so how bad must she be to be outranked by commoners?
At the time, Cassian briefly found it interesting, but his interest quickly faded. There was no use in knowing such a noble anyway. They would likely never cross paths.
However, in this situation, Rosena’s name came to mind.
“…Your Grace, with all due respect, isn’t she completely unqualified?”
“What do you mean? She’s perfect.”
“Look at her academic records. How can someone like this be the Grand Duchess?”
It was questionable whether she could even hold a conversation at a gathering of noblewomen. The Grand Duchess was the hostess of such gatherings…
It was obvious how much she would disgrace the family without even seeing it.
“He should have just been buried with you, Ted.”
“……”
“Then none of this would have happened.”
Ted decided to keep his mouth shut. No matter what he said, Cassian’s cold gaze and sharp tongue came back at him.
“To think the day would come when I’d have to write such nonsense about love at first sight myself. Whoever’s fault it is, their talent is truly remarkable, isn’t it?”
“……”
“Who else in the Empire is preparing for marriage and divorce at the same time besides me?”
Cassian looked down at the divorce papers. The papers were filled out so densely that all the other person had to do was sign them. This was the first time he’d extended this kind of courtesy in his life.
Many things were becoming ‘firsts’ in Cassian Baltinart’s life recently.
“…Um, but will Baron Leilia accept this proposal? I hear he dotes on his daughter to the point that everyone in the territory knows it.”
“If he dotes on his daughter, he’ll naturally accept. Unless he plans to let his daughter live alone her whole life.”
According to the reports Cassian received, Rosena Leilia had never received a marriage proposal after graduating from the academy. Noblewomen who did not marry were at risk of losing all their assets due to their relatives, who would claim they had not fulfilled their noble duties. This was especially true when there was no heir to inherit the title.
They must have thought nothing of such matters because they were a minor noble family.
Cassian twisted the corner of his lips into a smile.
“And the more I see her, the more I like her. The fact that she has absolutely no outstanding qualities.”
“……”
“It’s intriguing.”
Ted made a tired expression.
Cassian, who had been checking the report that came in at dawn, closed his tired eyes.
“Baron Leilia is quite the capable man. You can tell just by how he’s managed his territory for decades without any support from the imperial family. The businesses he’s worked on so far have also been quite prosperous.”
“I agree. His accomplishments are too consistent to be attributed to mere luck. But why are we suddenly talking about Baron Leilia when we were discussing Lady Leilia?”
“Foolish Ted.”
He explained it this far, and he still didn’t understand.
In other words, Baron Leilia was sharp. The barony wasn’t short on territory operating funds, so he could have hired more tutors to improve his daughter’s grades, but he just left her as she was?
‘The Baron’s daughter can’t really be foolish.’
Cassian chuckled. She entered the capital academy as the top student, and within two years, her grades plummeted to an unbearable level. In Cassian’s view, it was clearly intentional. Rosena Leilia had been aware of her place from a young age.
And that was the kind of wife Cassian needed. That’s why he revealed his hand by suggesting marriage within a month.
Though it was well-packaged with the pretense of “love at first sight,” like all noble marriages, this proposal clearly took the form of a transactional marriage.
‘If there’s something they need, they’ll accept the proposal, and if not, they’ll refuse.’
And Cassian was confident. He had never seen a person who didn’t show greed towards the Baltinart family.
Cassian leisurely checked the desk calendar. It was a heavenly stroke of luck that a lady from a mere baronial family could become a Grand Duchess and that her humble family would instantly become the center of attention in society.
“Two days. I’ll get a positive answer within two days.”
However, Cassian’s prediction was completely wrong.
Even worse…
“Huh?”
With all due respect, I prioritize my daughter’s wishes above all else. I will decline this marriage proposal. However, if Your Grace’s earnest feelings remain unchanged, please feel free to visit Baron Leilia’s territory at any time.
…He was thoroughly rejected.
And that wasn’t all. They challenged him to try and persuade his daughter’s heart with his own ability if he still wanted to marry her.
With a single letter, the final decision-making power for the marriage proposal had completely shifted to Rosena Leilia.
“What kind of…”
“What’s wrong, Your Grace?”
Ted flinched and stepped back when he saw the letter crumpling horribly in Cassian’s hand. It was déjà vu.
What? The Baron is known for not being greedy?
‘He’s a nine-tailed fox in disguise.’
He offered a deal, and instead, a bigger trap was laid, provoking him.
And against the Baltinart family, no less.
Ted alternately looked at the crumpled paper and Cassian’s face, then swallowed dryly with a look that said, “No way.”
“Your Grace… you weren’t rejected, were you?”
“Prepare to go to Baron Leilia’s territory, Ted.”
He had let his guard down. For Cassian Baltinart, of all people, to lose control.
A predator always gives its best, even when hunting small prey.
To make things worse, the Baron’s family poked at Cassian’s already bruised pride one more time.
Cassian looked down at the crumpled letter and smiled coldly. Experiencing the humiliation of his fate being entirely in another’s hands was enough with his own kin, the former Grand Duke Baltinart.
Given this situation, he would definitely marry Rosena Leilia even if he had to find a weakness and use it as a threat.
