Chapter 3.1
The Baltinart Grand Duke’s mansion was so extravagant that it made one’s jaw drop.
The transparent, smooth marble floors stretched endlessly, and the ceilings were dizzyingly high, while the corridors extended so far that their end couldn’t be discerned.
Every visible corner was adorned with luxuriously opulent items, almost to an overwhelming degree, yet the servants, accustomed to moving through the mansion, paid them no attention.
Such was the extent to which the extravagance of Baltinart’s mansion felt like a natural part of everyday life.
Upon entering the mansion, Rosena felt the atmosphere was entirely different from the Barony of Leilia, and she stiffened without realizing it.
Rumor had it that every person employed by the Grand Ducal House of Baltinart was an expert in their field.
Recalling this fact, Rosena unconsciously straightened her posture, pulling in her chin to stand upright.
Gazes, both known and unknown, landed on her from all directions.
‘They’re trying to figure out what kind of person I am.’
This might be considered natural from the perspective of servants who will soon welcome the new lady of the house, but Rosena didn’t think it would end there.
She had a strong feeling that they were assessing whether she was a worthy lady of the house.
Rosena smoothed down her arm. Unlike the Barony of Leilia, the Grand Ducal House of Baltinart, with its established hierarchy, gave off a cold impression.
Rosena, finally feeling the reality of having set foot in the Baltinart mansion, felt a mix of tension and calmness.
“Are you suddenly nervous?”
“A little.”
“There’s no need. There’s nothing you should feel nervous about.”
Unlike the audacious demeanor she had shown in the garden, Cassian spoke soothingly to Rosena’s stiff and nervous expression.
Surprisingly, Rosena felt a strange sense of relief. She had thought he would be arrogant, but it seemed he wasn’t entirely so.
“Yes, I understand.”
“This way.”
Upon arriving at his office, Cassian opened the door and gestured for her to enter first.
Rosena awkwardly stepped inside. Then, she opened her eyes wide in a slight surprise.
‘Huh?’
Cassian’s office, while clearly luxurious at a glance, seemed almost modest compared to everything they had passed through so far.
“Please, have a seat.”
“Yes.”
Rosena awkwardly looked around before sitting on the sofa and fell into thought for a moment.
She now understood how dumbfounded Cassian, who had lived a life of splendor, must have been when he arrived at the Barony of Leilia.
Even the best reception room in Leilia Barony couldn’t compare.
That’s why, from the moment she stepped into the mansion, Rosena had wanted to ask Cassian. What exactly did you give up and decide to endure to make this marriage happen?
Because seeing it with her own eyes made her realize how absurd this marriage truly was.
“Young Lady.”
“Yes?”
“What are you thinking so deeply about?”
Rosena stared blankly at Cassian, who was now sitting across from her. Her resolve not to be curious about his circumstances vanished instantly, and a dangerous curiosity suddenly reared its head. He held a few sheets of paper in his hand.
“Nothing. But what are those?”
“A prenuptial agreement and a marriage registration form.”
“…Oh.”
Rosena’s blue eyes, which had never seen a marriage registration form, blinked blankly.
“Is this your first time seeing them?”
“Yes. I never expected to see them either.”
“It seems you had no intention of marrying.”
“It might sound strange, but I didn’t.”
As Rosena nodded in response, Cassian suddenly smiled softly.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Glad about what?”
“Since a young lady like you decided to marry me, isn’t it extremely fortunate for me?”
“…”
“I’m curious what suddenly changed your mind.”
Rosena was silent for a moment, unable to answer the question. Then she gave a generic answer.
“Couldn’t there have been something in the Baltinart family that changed my mind?”
“I see.”
Cassian didn’t press her on the vague answer.
There would be plenty of opportunities to find out why Rosena decided to marry, and there was no benefit in displeasing her at the moment.
They hadn’t yet signed the prenuptial agreement and the marriage registration form.
Wedding preparations would begin once the necessary documents were ready.
“You must be tired from your long journey, Young Lady, but please forgive my rudeness in presenting these documents first. His Majesty tends to be needlessly laid-back and temperamental.”
“…Excuse me?”
“We might not get approval right away.”
There was also another variable to consider, which is why Cassian wanted to expedite the documents.
He knew it was impolite to Rosena, who had traveled so far, but thinking of that “difficult man,” he had no choice but to hurry.
‘Recently, something else has been keeping him busy. He probably won’t act up, but just in case…’
Rosena didn’t need to know that much. Cassian smiled softly at Rosena, who still looked bewildered and unsure how to react. Then, he gently pushed the prenuptial agreement towards her.
“First, let’s discuss this. I’m sure you must have a desired married life. A smooth agreement would be best, wouldn’t it? Our wedding is less than two weeks away now.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Rosena accepted Cassian’s proposal with a still bewildered expression. She didn’t suspect what contents that proposal might hold.
* * *
‘What did I just hear?’
From the mouth of the Grand Duke Baltinart, known to serve the Emperor more closely than anyone, words that were almost like insults to the Emperor flowed out smoothly and naturally.
She even found herself worrying if anyone outside had heard.
Rosena barely managed to compose her expression, cleared her throat, and drank the tea the maid had brought earlier.
The familiar aroma of the tea was one she usually enjoyed. It wasn’t a common tea…
Surprised, she looked up at Cassian, who shrugged his shoulders.
“You will soon be the Grand Duchess of Baltinart, so the servants should at least be familiar with your preferences. Shouldn’t they have this level of preparedness?”
“…I see.”
Seeing him avoid answering, knowing full well that was not what she had intended to ask, it seemed he had done some background research.
It wasn’t surprising, as she had already expected it. However, implicitly guessing something and directly experiencing it were two different things.
He would have already investigated everything he was curious about, so there was nothing more to ask, but Rosena decided to make it clear. She planned to spend at least the next five years with this man, destroying magical tools, and it would be problematic if she had spies attached to her during that time.
“If there’s anything you’re curious about, please ask me, Your Grace. This is a bit…”
“I apologize, Young Lady. I didn’t do it because I had other intentions.”
“Yes, but if it had been someone else, they might have misunderstood.”
“I will be careful. From now on, you will tell me what I am curious about, so that won’t happen.”
Rosena didn’t believe him. She knew even without using her abilities. The day Cassian would ask her what he was curious about would probably never come, or it would be in the very distant future.
Because all the information about her would already be in his hands.
‘Or he might find out separately without my knowing.’
In Rosena’s opinion, Cassian didn’t seem like someone who easily trusted others.
Preparing for an important guest by knowing their preferences beforehand was a common practice everywhere, so she might be overthinking it. But based on her observations of Cassian Baltinart so far, he didn’t trust Rosena Leilia.
It was only natural. He was in a situation where he had to bring an unfamiliar woman, a complete stranger, into his most private, vulnerable space as his wife.
He had undoubtedly thoroughly investigated Rosena’s relationships, leaving no stone unturned.
Moreover, there seemed to be no opening to exploit. Despite wanting a foolish wife, he showed no signs of carelessness or condescension.
‘This situation is too unfair!’
The problem was that she knew absolutely nothing about Cassian. And she couldn’t just stick to such a busy man like glue, asking him every single thing…
‘Indeed, it’s best to approach those around him.’
Rosena immediately thought of Ted. He was the butler she had become most familiar with in the mansion.
Cassian, noticing that Rosena was again lost in thought, tapped the table lightly.
“Rosena, we haven’t even started the main topic yet. What are you thinking about so deeply while I’m in front of you?”
“…Ah, the prenuptial agreement.”
Rosena quickly snapped out of it and lowered her gaze. The prenuptial agreement lay neatly in front of her. Next to it was another paper with detailed notes, presumably prepared by Cassian.
What’s this?
As Rosena read the contents of the paper with a puzzled expression, her expression quickly turned to one of shock.
“W-w-what is this?!”
“As you can see, it’s a set of proposed plans to fulfill the conditions you requested.”
“Exactly!”
“Is there a problem? If there are conditions, then of course there needs to be a plan to implement them.”
“Why do we have to pretend to be lovers?! I didn’t tell Your Grace those terms of the contract hoping for something like this!”
“You didn’t?”
Cassian retorted as if he hadn’t known that. His red eyes went to the special provisions where Rosena’s desired terms were written.
Rosena flinched.
At the time, she had tried her best to phrase things indirectly to avoid misunderstandings, so she hadn’t noticed. But looking again now, it was clear they could easily be misinterpreted as requests for an affectionate newlywed life.
Cassian chuckled, watching Rosena’s lips just twitching.
Unfortunately, Cassian had no intention of backing down. This marriage would inevitably stir rumors.
So Cassian had decided they would play the part of a passionate couple, diverting people’s attention in a provocative direction to prevent them from even guessing the existence of the will.
It had been absurd even when he first read Rosena’s conditions.
“I thought that was the kind of married life the young lady desired. Choosing my clothes every morning, having to ask permission for overnight stays, and being faithful to the family. Isn’t that an ideal marital relationship in anyone’s eyes?”
“…”
“I like that too. There’s no reason to refuse. You haven’t forgotten why I proposed to you, have you?”
Cassian’s lips curved slowly upwards, and Rosena felt the world spin around her.
‘Father!’
The person who came to mind at this moment was undoubtedly Baron Leilia, who had given her advice. But since she had gone to him for advice herself, Rosena could only bite back tears.
What could she do? It was a mistake, if anything, to have overlooked the fact that her father was a hopeless romantic.
“Th-then, cancel…”
Rosena hastily spoke, then bit her lower lip.
Cancel what? Given that he had already prepared the documents with such determination, it was practically certain that Rosena’s opinion wouldn’t be accepted.
Come to think of it, it was strange that Cassian had accepted such absurd conditions.
‘Is it not just about getting married, but also about appearing like a loving relationship too?’
Because of that, all sorts of thoughts came to mind. At any rate, if they looked affectionate to others, nothing could be more perfect, so there would be no downside for Cassian.
‘In fact, there’s no downside for me either.’
It was obvious that a Grand Duchess from a mere barony would be looked down upon in society, so shouldn’t she at least have the title of a wife deeply loved by the Grand Duke?
No, to avoid being treated coldly by the servants of the Baltinart mansion right now, that would be better.
Cornered, Rosena quickly concluded. Fine, let’s give it a try.
“…But do we really need to share a room?”
“Why wouldn’t a married couple need to?”
“…”
“This is the married life I desire, Young Lady.”
Rosena was at a loss for words. No one would believe that this was the married life the Grand Duke Baltinart desired.
The cold-blooded man who seemed least interested in family actually desired such a faithful family life!
‘There’s a limit to shamelessness!’
Rosena secretly glared at the man, whose every word was a lie, and drank the cold tea. Her feet were numb. The special provisions she had written seemed to have not just backfired, but brought disaster.
‘This man must be doing this all because of some secret I don’t know.’
No matter what, she felt she had to uncover that secret. Otherwise, Rosena would be stuck honoring those embarrassing clauses forever.
Things like having to call each other by name, showing simple affection when necessary, or sharing the same bedroom!
Finally, Rosena’s hand trembled as she signed the prenuptial agreement.
“Oh, and the Grand Ducal servants already know we’ll be sharing a bedroom.”
“What?!”
“It’s a rather boring place, so rumors spread quickly.”
Yeah, right. If that were true, news of their marriage preparations would have already spread throughout the capital and caused a stir.
The fact that it was still quiet, even though wedding preparations were in full swing, showed how tight-lipped the servants at Baltinart mansion were.
Yet, look at his shamelessness.
He was clearly trying to cut off her escape route, implying that since the family already knew, there was nothing she could do.
Indeed, anyone in the position of a Grand Duke would have to be shameless, whether they liked it or not.
Cassian said soothingly to Rosena, who still looked sullen.
“Didn’t you say you liked my face?”
“Yes?”
“I’m very busy, so I’ll have little time to see you normally, Young Lady. So, you should diligently look at me even when I sleep.”
“You!”
Rosena jumped up as a long-forgotten memory resurfaced. She threw etiquette aside and, not missing the moment Cassian’s lips were about to open again, quickly covered them.
She could feel the warmth of his lips against her palm.
Her ears burned, and her entire face must have turned bright red.
“What are you saying in broad daylight? I swear I didn’t know the Baltinart family heirloom meant that!”
“Then why did you mention the heirloom?”
“…”
“If you don’t want to possess me within my family, what is it that you desire to possess?”
“…”
“Rosena.”
Rosena flinched, startled by the sudden call of her name, and her shoulders trembled. As she awkwardly tried to step back, Cassian gently grasped her wrist, as if to prevent her from doing so.
“I wish all of Rosena’s attention was mine.”
“…”
“Because I tend to be very jealous.”
“…”
“So, please start calling me by my name soon. Isn’t a husband a closer relationship than a butler?”
Cassian released Rosena’s wrist and smiled softly.
‘…He probably knew. He already knew I wanted something too.’
Telling her not to divert her attention elsewhere was Cassian’s own warning. He would give her money and honor through marriage, but she shouldn’t desire anything beyond that. That was the reality, yet why did he always make her misunderstand with every word he said?
Rosena looked down at her palm, which still felt hot, and clenched it.
“The Baltinart estate consists of the main building and four annexes, my Lady.”
Rosena, momentarily distracted by yesterday’s events, snapped back to attention as a gentle voice pierced her ears.
The person currently guiding her through the mansion was Helia, who would now serve as Rosena’s personal attendant.
Just yesterday, after finishing her business with Cassian and practically fleeing his office, she had encountered Helia waiting outside.
Helia had introduced herself with impeccable etiquette and then guided Rosena to her assigned room.
Today, too, after finishing a hearty meal in the dining room on the first floor of the main building, guided by Helia, Rosena was currently being shown around the mansion.
The strange thing was… even though they were clearly walking together, only Helia’s footsteps were inaudible, excessively light.
‘She’s not an ordinary person.’
Rosena was certain she wasn’t just a mere maid. No matter how prestigious the Baltinart family was, no maid should be able to move without a trace so flawlessly.
‘She’s watching me.’
Rosena narrowed her eyes and looked at Helia’s feet, then quickly wiped her expression and smiled softly. Helia, who had been walking ahead, tilted her head and looked back.
Rosena waved her hand, saying it was nothing, and then asked.
“If there are four annexes, are they all used by people employed by the Baltinart family?”
“No, that’s not it. We only use two. The East Annex and the West Annex.”
“Still, that’s a lot, isn’t it? The annexes look quite large even from the main building.”
“Yes, a lot of people work for the family. But I don’t know the details myself. For an organization with the intelligence to move an empire, even internal affairs must be kept secret.”
“I see.”
“As you know, everything the Baltinart family handles is confidential. And that means many enemies are targeting His Grace.”
“…”
“Soon, Young Lady, you will also be under the protection of the Baltinart family.”
Those words implied that Rosena herself could be in danger. Her expression hardened at the difficult statement, and Helia smiled brightly.
“Don’t worry too much, my lady. We will do our best to ensure nothing you fear happens. The atmosphere has become a bit dark, shall we go somewhere brighter?”
Helia said cheerfully, turning right from the entrance to the second floor of the main building.
Suddenly, the surroundings brightened, and through the white windows, a cozy-looking garden came into view.
As they walked along the artificial spring, tables and comfortable chairs were arranged.
All of them were designed with magic.
“The second floor is mostly for guests who visit the family. There’s a library on the opposite side of the garden, which holds more books than most royal libraries.”
“That’s amazing.”
“And the third floor is exclusively for the Grand Duke and Duchess and their direct family, so it’s currently off-limits to you. Overall, it’s not much different from the second floor, but it’s a private area, so I can’t share any more details.”
“Yes, I understand. I get it.”
Rosena nodded, feeling that this much guidance was sufficient. The internal structure was not as complex as she had thought, so she didn’t have to worry about getting lost.
Come to think of it, Cassian’s office was also on the second floor of the main building. It seemed he had placed it on the second floor to avoid the inconvenience of having to ask for permission every time he entered the third floor.
As they left the garden and headed for the library on the opposite side, Helia spoke as if she had just remembered something.
“Oh! If you happen to encounter servants on the third floor later, please feel free to treat them comfortably, as their identities are all confirmed.”
“Yes, I will.”
Helia looked quite pleased, though Rosena wasn’t sure why.
In fact, Rosena had more questions about the annexes.
“By the way, Helia. I have a question, may I ask?”
“Yes, of course. What is it?”
“Earlier you said only two annexes are used, right? So, who uses the remaining South and North Annexes, and when?”
“Ah.”
Helia’s eyes widened as if she hadn’t expected to be asked that. Her eyes darted around awkwardly, hinting at discomfort.
Her lips opened and closed repeatedly, hesitating.
“If it’s difficult to answer, you don’t have to tell me.”
“No, my lady. You’ll find out eventually anyway. The South Annex is mainly used when the Grand Ducal family hosts parties. And the North…”
Helia, who had arrived at the library and opened the door, smiled softly as she closed the door when Rosena entered.
“No one is allowed to enter without the family’s permission, my lady.”
Rosena instantly understood upon hearing that.
Just like the closed entrance Helia had just shut, she would not have the right to enter the North Annex even if she became the Grand Duchess.
Meanwhile, as Rosena was being guided through the library.
Cassian was walking down a path lined with solemn statues of former Knight Commanders, men who had once protected the Agzent Empire.
He was currently heading to the place where the most noble human in the Empire resided.
The knights recognized Cassian and simply bowed in acknowledgment, allowing him through without question.
After passing through all the gates, he stopped upon arriving at the audience chamber.
A knight in golden armor stepped aside and bowed.
“His Majesty?”
“He is inside. Do you have an appointment with His Majesty?”
“Yes.”
As Cassian affirmed, the knight announced the Grand Duke Baltinart’s arrival.
Soon, a relaxed, clear voice came from inside.
“Come in, Grand Duke.”
Simultaneously, the door to the audience chamber opened with a thud.
As the door opened, a man with long silver hair lounge lazily in the main seat, came into view.
Despite his impolite posture of resting his chin on his hand and waving, an innate elegance radiated from him.
Cassian’s brow furrowed at the somewhat frivolous demeanor of the Emperor, Ian Setianne Agzent.
“I greet you, Your Majesty.”
“Is this the first time I’ve seen you since the coronation? You’re too cold, Grand Duke. At this rate, I won’t even remember what you look like.”
“Doesn’t the fact that I have no business seeing Your Majesty mean that the Empire’s well-being is bright?”
As Cassian drew a clear line, Ian sighed. There was nothing more time-wasting than dealing with a boring person.
“So, why have you come to see me? Keep it short, Grand Duke.”
“I’m getting married.”
Ian’s eyes and mouth widened, and a long silence hung in the audience chamber.
Then he blurted out, in a tone unbefitting an emperor.
“You’re lying.”
“…”
“Is there really someone brave enough to decide to marry you?”
“Why would I joke about such a thing with Your Majesty?”
“…Then it’s true?”
Ian’s gaze slowly moved to Cassian’s hand. Discovering the envelope in his hand, the Emperor gasped in surprise.
As expected, the unnecessary conversation dragged on, and Cassian’s patience thinned. Despite his obvious displeasure showing on his face, Ian ignored it as usual and asked.
“Who is this remarkable young lady who decided to live with the Grand Duke? Which family does she belong to?”
“You told me to be brief.”
“Permission granted to elaborate. I must reward the lady who took this burden off my shoulders.”
Seeing the playful curve of his lips and his sparkling red eyes, it seemed he had no intention of granting approval easily again. Eventually, Cassian’s expression cracked.
“Let’s see.”
Ian received the crumpled document envelope and hummed, pulling out the marriage registration form.
However, after a short while, the Emperor’s eyes, which had been reading the documents with interest, wavered.
“…Where is the Barony of Leilia?”
“You’ve probably never heard of it. It’s a small family in the south of the Empire.”
“That countryside where the Marquess Deckermand is?”
“That’s right.”
Ian, who had been asking questions for a while, let out a hollow laugh.
To think that Cassian Baltinart, of all people, was going to marry a young lady from a barony whose family name he had never even heard of, a family that had to be explained in detail just to know where it was located.
Unbelievable.
A completely ridiculous marriage.
“Am I… really allowed to accept this, Grand Duke?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m asking if these documents are legitimate? No hidden issues?”
“…”
“In other words, I’m asking if this isn’t the result of blackmail, is it?”
As the implication, Cassian’s lips twisted upwards.
What did he take him for? It wasn’t blackmail or kidnapping. However, it might soon become that way.
Divorce.
Yes. Cassian had no intention of divorcing willingly. More precisely, he had no intention of being divorced by Rosena first.
“Ah, speaking of which, I’d like to ask the former Emperor to officiate my wedding.”
“…Crazy.”
“Is he still recuperating in the countryside?”
At that, Ian finally swore under his breath.
There was nothing wrong with the marriage registration form, and yet the Grand Duke wished for the former emperor to grace the wedding. There was nothing more bizarre than that.
Ian’s lips moved as if he had something to say, but he eventually just massaged his forehead instead.
“Fine, it’s the Grand Duke’s marriage, so I won’t say anything. There are more serious problems right now.”
Ian sighed deeply, his red eyes gleaming coldly as he spoke.
“How’s the tracking of the Temple going? Any leads on the ones behind it?”
The word ‘temple,’ whose traces could no longer be found in any historical record, came from the Emperor’s lips.
Cassian replied impassively.
“We are currently tracking them by releasing bait.”
“I see.”
“But Your Majesty, why are you so wary of deranged fanatics obsessed with ancient myths?
Ian curled his lips coldly.
“Because they are what I must fear most.”
However, Cassian could not comprehend those words.
Among the many things that challenged imperial authority, was it fanatics that the Agzent Imperial Family had to be most wary of?
