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Chapter 15
The carriage heading toward Evanstein Castle was unusually quiet.
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. Even the slightest brush of my collar made me tense.
This time, I glanced at the man sitting across from me, legs crossed. His gaze out the window held a trace of boredom.
Was the person who just proposed to me really the same man?
“Miss Edith Prim, I formally propose to you.”
Duke Schultz had behaved like a man truly in love with me.
I must be crazy.
There was no other explanation. Even hanging off the edge of a cliff, how could anyone make such an impulsive decision?
Well…
There had been no other choice. Even if faced with the same situation now, I’d probably make the same decision.
As if in a daze, I continued observing him until our eyes met. I snapped back to reality.
He was a man handsome enough to steal someone’s breath. Not only that, but his towering figure and well-built, soldier-like body added to his imposing presence.
Even if someone accepted his proposal based solely on his looks, no one would think it strange.
“Do you have something to say?”
Duke Schultz asked, meeting my gaze. There was none of the earlier boredom in his eyes.
I had plenty to say. I had many questions.
Honestly, I still wondered if his actions came from pity.
Of course, his help was welcome—but if it was out of pity, I wouldn’t want any of it.
It was my ridiculous pride speaking.
I opened my mouth.
“Duke, forgive me for asking, but was your proposal earlier just a spur-of-the-moment response to the situation?”
He slightly narrowed his eyes but remained calm.
“It’s sincere. You accepted, Miss Prim.”
“I must have been a little crazy at the time… I just—”
The words wouldn’t come out properly. Either way, he seemed to understand that I wanted to treat it as if it hadn’t happened.
“There were many witnesses. Most of my men saw it, and you accepted knowing that,” he said, raising his chin slightly.
“I trust you’re not trying to back out now, when my and my family’s honor is at stake.”
His pale blue eyes calmly held my gaze. Seeing no sign of him wavering, I cleared my throat and spoke.
“Honestly, I don’t understand. Why would someone as perfect as you propose to someone like me, who has nothing?”
“You don’t have nothing.”
I blinked in surprise. It sounded as if he believed I possessed something he needed.
“…I have no parents and cannot bring a dowry. Surely there are women with much better prospects than me.”
My tone was calm, but my voice kept trembling. I gripped my skirt tightly and continued.
“And yet, you say you’d gain something by marrying me?”
“Of course.”
“And that’s something you can only get from me, not anyone else.”
So that’s why he proposed.
Johannes Schultz nodded.
“May I take it that you mean you need me, Edith Prim? That I can accept this ridiculous marriage without guilt—”
“Of course.”
I closed my mouth firmly.
So it wasn’t just me receiving help.
I wondered if he was lying, but his eyes were calm and truthful.
Although deciding on such a serious matter like marriage so quickly felt strange, I had already believed that marriage was not for me ever since my father passed away.
No matter how peaceful the city of Musen might be, living alone as a woman was difficult.
The days when my father protected me were gone. I was alone and always exposed to danger. There was no guarantee that a situation like earlier wouldn’t happen again.
Thus, this marriage was my chance to ensure my safety. Perhaps a chance that would never come again.
Even if he later realized I had nothing to offer, the regret would be his, not mine.
Yes, let it be. He was the one who proposed, and I had asked several times if this was truly okay.
Missing this sparkling opportunity would be foolish.
I nodded with a blank expression, hiding my true thoughts.
“Then it’s settled. Since you saved me, Duke, I will do my best in return.”
Outside the window, evergreen and bare trees passed by in a blur, leaving no time to rest.
At the gates of Evanstein Castle, the servants were already lined up to welcome the carriage carrying Duke Schultz.
The carriage gradually slowed, stopping beneath the towering eagle statue.
As Schultz reached for the door handle, I quickly grabbed his hand.
“I…”
“Is there a problem?”
His neatly arched eyebrows rose. I quickly explained.
“Won’t the servants be surprised? I mean…”
If one of the servants saw their master getting out with a woman who was one of their coworkers, I would be startled too.
I frowned, showing my unease, and he said,
“That won’t happen.”
Soon, I understood what he meant.
Even though I got out holding his hand, no one seemed surprised at all, just as he had said.
“I’m afraid I have bad news. Returning home may be difficult for some time.”
I heard this when Sir Fret returned to Evanstein Castle after finishing his business.
“All newspapers—daily, weekly, monthly—are full of stories about you and your master… Special editions, published only for major news, have also flooded in.”
I had expected articles since the commotion had been huge.
So I asked calmly,
“How long will it take?”
Even if people didn’t know Johannes Schultz’s face, seeing so many navy soldiers surrounding the house, it wouldn’t have been hard to guess who was in the carriage.
“Hmm… it will take at least ten days. Don’t worry; the navy will manage your house.”
I felt uneasy without a firm assurance, but I had no choice, so I nodded slowly.
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
Winter had fully arrived, with snowflakes beginning to drift through the air. I had been staying at Evanstein Castle for ten days.
As Sir Fret had said, newspapers continued to pour out articles daily.
First, a poor woman burdened with debt was found in Banuks.
Second, Johannes Schultz appeared publicly, in front of that woman’s home.
Third, he brought the woman out with him.
Perfect material for a novel.
The press wrote various stories, mostly linking me with Johannes Schultz.
Some claimed that a loan shark company tried to sell a woman, but Duke Schultz appeared and took her away. Perhaps a secret lover?
Not a secret lover… but soon to be married. Pretty accurate.
The journalists wouldn’t miss such an interesting story, and the story became increasingly exaggerated.
The woman was said to be stunningly beautiful, and she had supposedly lured Duke Schultz.
Soon, rumors about me also spread.
As a result, newspapers were filled for days with stories about me and Johannes Schultz.
Most stories highlighted the duke’s good deeds and kind heart, but it still felt strange.
A poor woman who lost her father falls in love with a duke.
Occasional mentions of embezzlement disappeared, and people’s attention focused solely on Schultz’s love story.
Only then did I somewhat understand why he wanted to marry me.
A woman with a relatable story that might inspire sympathy, yet intelligent enough to understand the situation.
Someone easy to guide.
That’s exactly me. It would be hard to find someone like this otherwise.
But I didn’t mind. I had already received so much help that I could leverage my story. I simply went along with my choice.
Of course, mentioning my father annoyed me.
There were no issues with the servants. I thought they’d reject me, unaware of the situation, but their behavior didn’t change, and we got along well.
Other than that, nothing had changed. I continued my tasks, while my future husband remained extremely busy.
The only noticeable change was that Sir Fret, despite being busy with legal matters, was also educating me, leaving me thinner than before.
“As for etiquette… as I mentioned before, you’re almost perfect, so there’s no need to learn anything new. Your master didn’t object either.”
I was looking at the snowy scenery outside the window when Sir Fret spoke. I turned slowly to look at him.
“You’ll just need to brush up on dancing a little.”
“I know a bit of dancing. My father enjoyed it, so we danced often.”
“That’s good. May I ask how much you know?”
“I know quadrille, waltz, polka, mazurka, and polonaise.”
Sir Fret looked surprised, then nodded.
“…No need to learn dancing either, assuming you perform them perfectly.”
“I’m not sure if perfect, but I used to dance with my father as a hobby when I was little. I had no friends or other entertainment.”
I said calmly, but Sir Fret’s face showed a faint grimace. Somehow, he seemed to look at me a little pityingly.
He said,
“Also, from today, meals will be taken with your master.”
