Episode 8

I realized anew that when people are extremely angry, they become speechless and tremble. Still, I ignored it and unfolded the invitation.

“We’re having the wedding at a cathedral in Betra. The reception will be outdoors. It’s April, so the weather should be nice.”

The gaze that reached me was harsh enough to sting, but after meeting him several times, I had become accustomed to the Duke’s murderous nature, so this was nothing to me.

“For your information, you weren’t invited to the wedding. I’m uncomfortable with it.”

He put the invitation back in his pocket and continued speaking. The Viscount’s eyes were bloodshot.

“I don’t think you would want to go to the wedding of a useless daughter like me.”

“Yes, how could you do this! Are you betraying the father who raised you?”

It was hilarious to see her change her stance and start yelling at me. When I didn’t budge, my grandmother stepped in.

“Hey. Don’t you know that your father has been trying so hard to establish a connection with those people? If he invites you to the wedding, you won’t even know each other!”

Even while I was dumbfounded, it was difficult to think of a way to use me.

But the little mother’s children did not change their stance as quickly as she did.

Camilla stamped her feet in shock at the unbelievable reality. Zenobio jumped to his feet and paced around like a dog desperate to poop.

“Crazy! This is ridiculous! How could she marry a duke? Isn’t she just bluffing around, deluded into thinking she’s going to become a government official?”

Without further explanation, I took out the invitation card I had been keeping in my bosom and unfolded it. They had been trying to deny it, but when they saw my name written on the card, they screamed again.

“Ah! You’re marrying a nobleman of higher rank than me? Who are you!”

“No, I told you I’m older than you.”

Camilla rushed at me like a monster, trying to tear my hair out.

It was Anna who stopped it.

“Miss! If you have a conscience, stop!”

Anna, stepping forward with courage, immediately grabbed Camilla’s wrist and twisted it. There was a loud crunch.

… … Our Anna is stronger than I thought. While I was thinking that, Zenobio intervened between them and roughly pulled Anna away.

“Where on earth would you put your hand on a maid? Do you want to get kicked out without even a letter of recommendation?”

Anna glared at them with a sharp gaze. She showed no sign of fear.

“Anyway, I’m going to follow Miss Viola.”

It wasn’t that Anna wasn’t dressed up, but something unusual. Instead of her usual maid uniform, she wore a straw hat and coat. Anyone could tell she was ready to go on a long journey.

Anna, who had packed her bags early as I had instructed and came out with both hands full, took out her resignation letter from her bosom and threw it into the Count’s face.

“As of today, I will quit being the writer’s maid.”

“Those, those are a pair!”

My grandmother grabbed the back of my neck. I sent Anna out first, then gently lifted her skirt and greeted her politely.

“Your Majesty. Your Grace. My cousins. I am leaving this terrible Starace family.”

He turned around with a clear, innocent smile.

I’m no longer afraid of people like you. You can no longer ignore me. With that in mind.

“Let’s never meet again.”

“Viola Starace! I’m going to strike you off the family register! You’re not my daughter!”

I paused. Their gazes, a mixture of jealousy and hope, landed on my back. I felt it all. So I answered without looking back.

“Do as you wish. I intend to live as a member of the Vetra family from now on.”

If you break it, it’s fine with me.

He winked one eye and kicked open the door to the writer’s house.

So, that day, I broke away from my family without any regrets.

It was the moment when I finally escaped from the cave where I had been trapped for over twenty years.

***

We had a quick toast with the wine Anna had prepared in the carriage and leaned back comfortably.

“Miss, where are we going?”

“The Duchy of Vetra.”

“……I was skeptical, but it was true.”

“It’s true. I’m marrying the Duke.”

Anna was half delighted and half bewildered that the plan had succeeded.

“A contract marriage? I don’t think I’ll ever understand the world of the high nobility.”

“Maybe it’s better not to understand.”

In fact, I, like Anna, was secretly bewildered. One day, thanks to a mysterious voice I heard, I learned about the world and my life changed.

‘I don’t know what happened yet, but I guess it’s a good thing, right?’

In the meantime, the carriage ran and ran until it entered the Duchy of Vetra.

Perhaps it was because we had only been driving for a couple of hours from the capital, but the air had changed quite a bit.

As I gazed out the window, I was inwardly astonished. It was because the massive canal that ran through the city center stretched like a blood vessel.

The streets along the canal were bustling with life. Shops of all sizes were plentiful, and people were bustling about.

The air is much better than in the capital, and there is even more green space.

“Madam, look over there!”

The atmosphere changed with each street the carriage passed by.

Some places were filled with fairytale-like houses built in the vibrant colors and styles of a century ago, while others had a neat, yet quaint, modern feel.

This is a vibrant water metropolis with many faces.

I fell in love with the city at first sight.

And when I arrived at the Duke’s residence, Duke Vetra, Ezekiel, who was at the top of the city, greeted me in front of the mansion.

“Are you here?”

He lined up the butlers and servants, walked over lazily, and kissed the back of my hand.

“My wife.”

His eyes, as blue as the clear sky, closed gently.

For a man who exuded a dangerous air, his demeanor was very affectionate.

Seeing his face up close forced my shrinking heart to open.

“Hello, my husband.”

At that time, we probably looked like a very beautiful couple-to-be.

Why, isn’t life a comedy when seen from afar, but a tragedy when seen up close?

And as is often the case with life, it’s difficult to categorize the genre until the play gets to a certain point.

***

“Wow, this is so much fun.”

The townhouses in the capital were pretty, but the manor house in the dukedom was even better.

Every time I passed by the magnificent space, delicately decorated in bright tones, I couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

It was a luxury that the writer, who was always struggling with money shortages, could not even think of.

I felt like I was flying, having left my family and started a new life.

That’s why I didn’t even notice that the Duke was walking ahead of me without matching my pace.

Anna walked away carrying her luggage, glancing at the Duke before returning her gaze to me. She seemed to have something to say, but was holding back.

If it was urgent, I would have said something right away. With that thought in mind, I attempted to make small talk with the Duke.

“I saw the streets on my way here. People were so vibrant, it felt like the estate was well-managed.”

I was planning to increase my sense of intimacy by giving various compliments.

“It must be thanks to Your Majesty that you have done so much.”

Then he added, hitting his chest.

“Now, as Betra’s successor and Duchess, I will take good care of the estate.”

“There is no need for that.”

A cold voice suddenly came in.

“yes?”

“Since it’s a one-year contract anyway, there’s no need to do that. I’ll just take care of the work.”

“but…….”

“That’s enough. Let’s not bring this up again.”

Ezekiel cut me off firmly. His already cold face and tone combined to make me feel slightly hurt.

“Uh. Um. Okay. I’ll put that aside for now.”

Before Ezekiel could say anything, I struck the player.

“When do we write the contract?”

“Right now. Drop off your luggage and I’ll write up the contract. It’s the most important part.”

We were shown to a cozy, spacious room. Anna’s room was right next to mine.

“You can come and go through the small door in the middle. There’s no need to come out into the hallway.”

Usually, a husband and wife share this kind of room. It looks like Anna and I will be sharing it.

“Unpack your bags and come to the reception room.”

He left those words behind and disappeared. He kept pressing his heart over his clothes, as if something was bothering him.

As the door closed, the tension eased. Anna and I collapsed onto the bed and chair, respectively.

“I did it. I did it!”

“Congratulations! You’ve finally entered the Duke’s household!”

At first, we were both out of our minds with the excitement of a new beginning.

“Miss. No, I guess I should call you Madam from now on. What do you think of the Duke?”

“A little cold and rough……?”

Judging by her reaction, Anna seemed to feel the same way.

I rolled my eyes for a moment, then thought of the peacock who seemed strange and asked him a question.