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Chapter 18
“I told my husband I was going to my family’s home, and he said to buy whatever I wanted—so I did.”
Blair said this proudly…
“…Blair, come sit here for a moment.”
Aaron let out a small sigh, grabbed her arm, and hobbled toward the table. Slowly taking a seat, his face was heavy with worry. Blair unconsciously held her breath, sensing the oppressive weight pressing down on him.
“Even though I’m crippled, I’ve heard some news along the way.”
“What is it?”
“They say that recently, the infamous and cruel Marquis Hermann got married. And the person he married—well, everyone’s talking about how she’s a commoner… could that possibly be you?”
So it had come to this. Blair exhaled the breath she had been holding and answered lightly.
“…Yes.”
“Good heavens!”
Aaron staggered and collapsed onto the table, utterly drained. It was true—someone like Blair, who was almost like a daughter to him, had married that devil of a man. The sight before him made the world feel dark and hopeless.
“Master!”
“So you were being threatened! That bastard said he’d kill you if you didn’t marry him? And you had no choice but to marry him suddenly?! That scoundrel!!”
Aaron slammed the table, his voice rising. His eyes reflected a mixture of fear, anger, and guilt.
“I knew something was off. From the moment you said you had to marry suddenly, it seemed too strange. And then you tried to reassure me with such trivial things, taking everything upon yourself. Blair, how scared must you have been?”
“It wasn’t like that—”
“My child, let’s run away right now. Change your name and go hide in some remote countryside… no, even better, let’s go to another country entirely. Then no one will be able to find you.”
Aaron seemed half-lost in reason. His anxious speculations had become reality, and his emotions had burst like a dam breaking.
“It’s not like that! I was never threatened, Master. Please, calm down for a moment and listen to me.”
Blair jumped up, gently patting her master’s back to soothe him. Then she squatted on the floor, meeting Aaron’s gaze directly.
“It’s not like that…?”
Aaron slowly lifted his head at the sound of her voice.
“Yes. I was never threatened. This marriage was my own choice, Master. I wanted to do it.”
“Why… did he offer you a lot of money or something? Did you marry him as if being sold to a rogue? If I hadn’t been in this state, there’s no way you would have made that choice!”
Aaron gripped his empty right sleeve tightly.
Six years ago, he had been attacked by mysterious men for no reason, and it was Blair’s devoted care that saved him. But due to serious aftereffects, he couldn’t work, and he had made Blair struggle from a young age, leaving him with a heavy burden of guilt.
“So you sacrificed yourself again, trying to support me… making it seem like you were sold for money!”
Blair flinched. It was true that she had helped him, but there was a truth she needed to clarify.
“That’s not the case. The Marquis is really a good person, contrary to what people say. He’s not as cruel as the rumors suggest. People who don’t know him just heard his nickname, ‘The War Demon,’ and spread stories about him. You know how rumors can get twisted.”
“…Is that true?”
“Of course! Look at my face, Master. Does this look like someone living under threats and oppression? I ate well, slept well, and was at peace. Thanks to my husband.”
“….”
“He’s considerate of the people around him without being flashy. Even as a high-ranking noble, he doesn’t mistreat his subordinates. He’s surprisingly pure and fun to be around.”
Blair rested her chin on her hands, her eyes sparkling as she spoke. Watching her excited expression, Aaron’s breathing slowly began to calm.
“And most importantly…”
“…?”
“He’s incredibly handsome.”
Aaron let out a hollow laugh. What a fool. Seeing her bright, flushed smile made all his tension slip away. She even joked about that, oblivious to his inner turmoil.
“Blair, joking at a time like this?”
Aaron lightly rolled his eyes and tapped her head.
“See? We’re living happily, so don’t worry. You believe me, right?”
Aaron, who had been hesitant to respond, finally nodded. Blair’s joyful expression didn’t seem forced.
“So, how did we meet…”
Blair started telling the story of their first meeting, mixing in a small lie. Her cheerful voice soon filled the entire room.
Meanwhile…
“His Majesty requested a pre-lunch audience today to report on the Valois territories. Give him my report.”
Douglas, commander of the 3rd Knights of the Bavarian Empire, spoke to the Emperor’s chamberlain.
“I informed His Majesty this morning, but currently he’s discussing important matters with Lord Kassel. He wishes to postpone the audience until the afternoon.”
Douglas’s eyebrows twitched.
“I see. Very well.”
He clenched his fist so tightly it turned red and turned to leave. A surge of anger rose from within. Kassel… Kassel. Once again, he had been outdone by that man.
“Damn it.”
He stormed out of the Emperor’s chambers toward the Knights’ command office.
“Someone would think you were facing an enemy. Are you on your way back from seeing His Majesty?”
Edwin spotted Douglas and spoke. Despite the playful tone, his gaze was calm. They had known each other since their days as capital knights and were comfortable speaking casually in private.
“Ha… when did you get to the palace?”
Douglas relaxed slightly, regaining his composure.
“Just now. Is something wrong?”
Born as the eldest son of the Valois family, he had always been surrounded by people. Though the family wasn’t historically prestigious, it controlled vast lands and prospered commercially, making them a wealthy and influential countly family in the Bavarian Empire.
As heir to such a wealthy family, Douglas had never known want. He was always envied and admired, and his wealth let him have anything he desired.
However, his father was never satisfied, seeking not only wealth but even greater honor. And all that expectation was placed squarely on the eldest son.
Though it was a burden, he was proud of his family and wanted to continue the glory his father had built. But…
“I saw Kassel heading to the Emperor’s palace earlier. Is that why you’re so upset again?”
On his path, there was an unusually irritating obstacle—a person of lowly commoner origin who had risen to the rank of Captain of the Gun Knights.
“Hah… that’s none of your business.”
“If you’re always so sharp, you’ll cut someone with your gaze. Relax a little.”
“You, born with a silver spoon, wouldn’t understand.”
Douglas replied curtly.
He wanted the title of ‘Young Captain of the Gun Knights.’ That would be enough to elevate the prestige of the Valois family, he thought.
When he joined the Knights, he had expected to excel immediately. Before joining, he had trained under a master hired with his father’s money, learning swordsmanship and tactics in advance.
He had been confident—until he met Kassel Hermann.
The Bavarian Knights had an unspoken rule: capital knights, mostly children of high nobles, could use their aura and skill to quickly rise above the commoner-born knights.
But Douglas, entering just after the war, faced Kassel—who had survived and killed top knights in blood-soaked battlefields.
Overwhelming defeat. A word that had never existed in his life—one that should never have existed.
