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Chapter 6
“Wow!”
An awed gasp escaped my lips.
Flower petals were raining down from the castle ramparts.
Long rows of trees lining the road were adorned with white ribbons fluttering in the breeze, celebrating the Grand Duke’s marriage.
This strange difference from the novel filled me with an odd sense of déjà vu.
The demonic beasts and evil spirits that had once roamed the vast plains beside the river…
The sinister, horrifying landscape I had imagined while reading about the demons’ domain…
It all crackled away like static and disappeared.
Instead, beautiful May blossoms welcomed our procession.
Snow-white fringe trees, acacias, and wisteria bloomed in abundance, while irises and peonies flourished beneath them.
The buzzing chorus of bees, the sweet fragrance of flowers, and the petals drifting into the carriage intoxicated every one of my senses.
Beyond them stretched broad fields glowing beneath the afternoon sun. Across the distant river, the Demon Realm looked almost like a demilitarized zone, lending the scenery an unexpected natural beauty.
Windmills stood atop gentle hills.
A watermill rested by the riverside.
Clusters of tiny cottages completed the idyllic countryside.
The earthy smell of cow manure drifted in from the fields, mingling with the comforting scent of ordinary human life.
People still lived here.
After another two hours of travel, Schlesien Castle finally came into view.
It was magnificent.
A natural fortress built from enormous, sturdy stone blocks.
“The one-way road stretching from the territory toward the river stood atop a hexagonal island with pointed edges, making it closer to the Demon Realm than any other region of the Biatria Empire.”
Watchtowers rose high above the walls.
Around every cannon port, black scorch marks remained, silent evidence of countless battles against the Demon Realm.
The castle radiated unwavering determination—the resolve to defend the Empire from the front lines.
Having conquered what had once been demon territory, its people had lived alongside demons and magical beasts for generations, serving as the Empire’s forward base for campaigns into the Demon Realm.
Because of that, the fortress stood on a strip of land jutting toward the Demon Realm across the river.
It was closer to the Demon Realm than anywhere else in the Empire.
Its very existence symbolized the Empire’s ambition to conquer the Demon Realm.
Even the magical stone cannon ports of Schlesien Castle still bore soot from countless battles.
Julius, Gerald’s father, had conquered this land and stood against the Demon Realm head-on.
He had loved his people dearly and was immensely popular.
Yet he had no heir.
Without hesitation, he passed the Imperial Throne to his younger brother and devoted the rest of his life to protecting the Empire from Karikas—the former Demon Realm.
Most of the territory’s residents were the families and descendants of the knights who had conquered this land.
Emperor Emeritus Julius cherished every one of them like family.
After all, they had willingly risked everything for the Empire’s future.
The people, in turn, possessed a pride unlike that of any other region.
They believed the Empire’s peace existed because they stood here protecting it.
Thanks to Julius’s selfless generosity and impartial rule, they loved Karikas more than anywhere else.
His vassals had become some of the wealthiest nobles in the Empire.
Then, when the Crown Prince was five years old, Julius miraculously had a son—Gerald.
Even so, he never reclaimed the throne.
Guarding the Empire’s front line was too important.
Passing that responsibility down through generations was an honor in itself.
The former emperor had defended the border with unwavering conviction and earned the people’s deepest respect.
Was that legacy still alive today?
As Gerald raised a disciplined hand in greeting, the citizens erupted in cheers.
“Congratulations on your marriage, Your Highness!”
“Our sincerest congratulations, Your Highness!”
They knelt one after another, bowing deeply.
Their loyalty seemed no different from the days of Emperor Emeritus Julius.
I smiled gracefully beside Gerald and waved like a beauty pageant contestant.
The procession seemed endless.
Eventually my cheeks began twitching, and my arm felt ready to cramp.
Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at Gerald.
Without showing the slightest sign of fatigue, he continued smiling elegantly, greeting every resident with flawless composure.
At last, we arrived at Schlesien Castle at the northernmost edge of Karikas.
The magical stone walls reflected the afternoon sunlight in brilliant shades of orange-red, making the fortress appear even more imposing.
As we crossed the bridge spanning the moat, servants lined both sides in perfect formation, bowing respectfully.
So many heroes had died on this very bridge.
At the end of this road…
A demon awaited.
My beloved Alfred had once sprinted down this path with tears of blood in his eyes to fight that demon.
Without realizing it, my expression grew solemn.
Then—
“You tried to take your own life before the ceremony because you wanted to live according to your own will. Then I assume the oath you swore before God wasn’t a lie?”
“…!”
I was startled.
Had he been thinking about that this whole time while smiling at the people?
“As my wife—and as the lady of this territory—will you fulfill your duties to the best of your ability?”
So… he’s finally willing to negotiate?
I gladly accepted.
“Hmm… that will be difficult.”
“…!”
Gerald’s eyebrow twitched.
I quickly explained.
“As your wife… that may be difficult. I still don’t know you, and we aren’t in love.”
“But as Theodore’s mother… and as the lady of this territory… I’ll do my best.”
For the sake of saving my own life.
Gerald’s lips parted slightly in surprise before he composed himself.
“Very well. I shall watch.”
“But if you fail even in that…”
Then I’d die.
“I’ll give it everything I have.”
Gerald looked faintly taken aback.
“Their Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess have arrived.”
With the servant’s announcement, the carriage door opened.
Gerald extended his hand.
I accepted it without hesitation.
At last…
My married life inside the novel had begun.
* * *
However…
“Please undress, my lady.”
Gerald was now sitting leisurely on a small bench beside the bath, wearing nothing but a robe.
That impossibly handsome face looked like it belonged to a Greek statue.
He even had a pair of sponge bath mitts on his hands.
Where was I watching all this from?
Me?
I was…
Standing frozen at the bathroom entrance.
Wearing nothing but a thin, nearly transparent bathrobe.
One arm covered my chest.
The other protected my most private area.
Awkwardly.
Desperately.
…Should I just die already?
Unfortunately…
I was a cursed witch who couldn’t even die.
Sigh…
An involuntary sigh escaped me.
“Are you feeling shy, my lady?”
So this was how he chose to honor my request to use polite speech.
Petty.
Very petty.
Up until we got out of the carriage…
Even during the wedding banquet…
I’d never imagined things would end up like this.
Since it was a Zeier family wedding—
Even that bastard Emperor, who had ordered the murder of a five-year-old child, attended.
Together with Gerald, I had to greet every elder in the family and receive their blessings.
Afterward, we sat together gracefully while relatives—even children younger than me—offered congratulations.
Fortunately, my experience as a temporary teacher who had constantly catered to principals, vice principals, department heads, grade leaders, and homeroom teachers proved unexpectedly useful.
I somehow managed to maintain appearances.
Still…
Living up to the pride and dignity expected of the Imperial Family was enough to leave my throat as dry as a drought-stricken rice field.
And once all the family greetings were finished…
Every single vassal and resident of Karikas came forward to greet us as well.
They all seemed curious whether I would truly fulfill my role as the lady of the territory.
I had servants bring me water.
Unfortunately, it was filled with limestone minerals and wasn’t fit to drink.
So I ended up sipping quite a lot of wine instead.
Then came another surprise.
The bride had to perform a solo dance.
A bridal solo?
Seriously?
Today’s event wasn’t a wedding reception.
It was a full-blown bridal examination.
Fine.
If it had come to this…
I had originally planned to perform “Fireworks” by Bullet Group—a dance I’d practiced after promising my students I’d perform it if the class average exceeded ninety.
But…
The moment I saw the dignified elders of the family watching me…
I searched Sinclair’s memories and instead performed a short segment of the dance she’d practiced.
The instant I did…
Women charged at me like a stampede.
Good grief…
What kind of battlefield was this?
Apparently, just as brides in my world tossed bouquets…
Here, unmarried noble ladies and women of the territory rushed toward the bride during her solo dance to tear off pieces of her veil for good fortune.
They were determined not to miss the Imperial Family’s blessing.
They swarmed me like drowning victims dragging others down with them.
I thought they were going to rip all my hair out.
The problem was that no one else in the Imperial Family would be getting married for quite some time—not until Alfred or Theodore married.
So they fought viciously over every scrap of my veil.
They were literally wrestling over the veil of a woman destined to be torn apart by her stepson.
Would they still fight this desperately if they knew I’d be murdered by Theodore in five years?
Just as I was about to confess the truth…
The one who rescued me…
Was Gerald.
Effortlessly.
As the family elders had said, he truly was the greatest Sword Master in the Empire, rivaling Emperor Emeritus Julius.
I had to admit…
He looked rather impressive.
Seeing his calm eyes eased my anxiety a little.
Perhaps the Great Aunt of House Zeier had been right.
If not for Theodore’s curse, Gerald might have already conquered the Demon Realm.
She also warned me that anyone who revealed Theodore’s curse would be executed on the spot.
My duty was to ensure Theodore never witnessed such a tragedy.
Displeasing the Imperial Family meant immediate execution.
So this is the world they live in.
The realization sent chills down my spine.
If Gerald…
Or anyone else here…
Ever discovered that witch’s blood flowed through Sinclair’s veins…
Would they spare my life?
In the Biatria Empire, the words Demon Realm carried the deepest hatred and contempt imaginable.
Those who lived there were considered worse than beasts.
Creatures to be persecuted.
To be exterminated.
The Demon Realm represented savagery and chaos.
Its people possessed magic.
Long before civilization arose, they had lived across the Therion River that bordered the Empire.
Until fifteen years ago…
Karikas itself—including Schlesien Castle—had been part of the Demon Realm.
Countless witches and sorcerers had lived here.
But they considered themselves too great and too superior.
Instead of uniting to build kingdoms or empires…
They remained scattered and independent.
They saw no need for governments.
In other words…
They were anarchists.
Some occasionally entered the Empire out of curiosity.
Their extraordinary abilities allowed them to distinguish themselves.
Yet if someone betrayed or humiliated them…
They retaliated without mercy.
Turning people into beasts.
Afflicting them with incurable diseases.
Driving them insane.
That was why the Empire feared them, calling them witches and sorcerers.
The moment Emperor Herace ascended the throne…
He ordered the massacre of every magical race living within the Empire.
Anyone found to possess even a trace of mana was enslaved and treated as an untouchable.
That was why the witch’s blood running through Sinclair’s veins could never be revealed.
It would disgrace the entire family.
No wonder they abused her.
No wonder they left those horrifying scars across her back.
But now…
How was I supposed to explain those scars to Gerald?
“My lady.”
Gerald’s deep, teasing voice echoed throughout the bathhouse.
I bit my lip.
