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chapter 1
“I hereby declare that these two are now husband and wife.”
The guests cheered for the bride and groom, the stars of the day.
“I love you, Riel.”
“I love you too, Rei. I love you.”
The bride and groom, whispering their love to each other, briefly exited to change clothes.
“Ah, wasn’t she a truly beautiful bride?”
“Indeed. I thought she was just some noble whose name I’d never even heard, here to refuse a match arranged by the royal family, but apparently not.”
“A match arranged by the royal family?”
“Oh, you didn’t know? Her Majesty the Empress personally arranged a meeting so her nephew could be matched with her.”
The surrounding people gasped, quickly covering their mouths with fans to hide their surprise at the lady’s words.
“Could that be why no one from the royal family attended the wedding?”
“Perhaps.”
“Well, it makes sense. After all, she refused a match personally arranged by the Empress. Truly, they must be deeply in love.”
“Oh, of course. Didn’t you all see the look on Duke Baraota’s face? That intensity of expression couldn’t be feigned.”
The guests eagerly began discussing just how much the bride and groom loved each other.
“Someone might think I’m being sold off.”
The one who spoke was none other than today’s groom, Duke Baraota. Yet even he didn’t look like a groom on his wedding day.
“Don’t worry. I’ll do well outside.”
Yuriella said, turning her head away from Duke Baraota. If she didn’t, she felt tears would immediately spill.
“Yeah, if you do well outside, there’s no problem. That was the agreement from the start, after all.”
The word agreement made Yuriella bite her lips.
‘Agreement… yes, it was an agreement. But…’
“Let’s go. The guests will be waiting.”
Duke Baraota extended his hand to Yuriella.
“Yes, let’s go.”
Yuriella took his hand, and together they moved toward the ballroom where the reception was being held, their faces wearing bright smiles.
“How noisy.”
With a hint of annoyance, he prepared to dance. As soon as his hand touched Yuriella’s waist, her breathing grew uneven from tension.
Noticing this, Duke Baraota met her gaze and calmly led her through the dance.
“They really make a beautiful couple.”
“Indeed.”
“And the Duchess of Baraota, isn’t she exceptionally elegant for someone from an unknown viscount family? Look at her dance skills.”
“True? I was so distracted by the Duke’s presence that I hadn’t even noticed.”
The guests were completely captivated by Yuriella’s graceful dancing.
Before long, the song ended, and the dance of the Duke and Duchess concluded as well.
“Riel, congratulations on your wedding again.”
“Sis, congratulations on your wedding!”
After the first dance, the couple was supposed to greet the royal family first, then their own family. But since no royals attended, Yuriella’s family came forward first to offer congratulations.
“Thank you all. How’s the party?”
“It’s perfect. Thank you, Duke, for even thinking of our outfits.”
Reina, the eldest of the four sisters, spoke on behalf of the siblings.
“But we can’t monopolize today’s heroes forever.”
“Reina’s right. Go enjoy yourself. We’ll be enjoying the party too.”
Bliss, the second sister, winked playfully.
“Reina…”
“Hm? What is it?”
“Something good will happen to you today. Don’t miss that luck.”
Yuriella’s sudden comment left Reina confused.
“What do you mean? Something good will happen? Did you have a dream?”
“Yes, a long dream… felt almost real.”
Yuriella said something cryptic and moved to greet other guests at the wedding.
“Riel, don’t you think something’s off?”
“Yes, I’ve felt that way since this morning. Suddenly staring at us with such a distant gaze… as if seeing someone who had died and come back.”
Bliss suddenly widened her eyes as realization struck.
“Reina… could it be?”
“What?”
Bliss couldn’t say it in front of the youngest, Daisy, so she gestured toward her.
“Daisy, sorry, but could you get us some drinks?”
Reina quickly sent Daisy to fetch the drinks so she and Bliss could speak privately.
“What were you going to say?”
“Our marriage… Riel must have known everything, right? We suffered that, and yet she gets to marry the one she loves. And not just anyone, but a Duke of the Empire.”
“Is that related to something good happening? Well, maybe for Riel, since she’s such a kind, gentle girl.”
“Right? But she shouldn’t feel sorry for us. It’s all because of that awful father. Actually, I can barely call him ‘father’—it’s all his fault.”
Bliss shuddered at the word ‘father.’
Their father, Viscount Longo, after losing his wife in an accident, sank into drinking and gambling, wasting all his wealth. He even sold his daughters to cover gambling losses, indifferent to their fate.
“No one would do that if they were truly a father. Especially to young Daisy…”
Reina’s voice was firm, unwavering.
“Yes, and Daisy would never have survived that.”
“Exactly. That’s why Riel’s marriage was hope for us. Knowing our younger sisters wouldn’t have to endure such marriages… it was joy.”
“Moreover, Duke Baraota helped us escape that hell. Without Riel, we’d still be living unworthy lives there…”
Reina patted Bliss on the back in consolation.
“Later, we should talk to Riel properly.”
“Yes.”
Meanwhile, Yuriella was showing a gentle demeanor with Duke Baraota for the guests.
“Seems like something strange happened today… maybe a weird dream?”
“Yes… a dream I never want to see again.”
From afar, they appeared to be chatting tenderly, but in reality, it was far from it.
“Why say something about a dream that could never happen? Does she not realize she could be accused of being a witch?”
“The dreams were so vivid. Everything felt real. And don’t worry, I’m no witch.”
Yuriella almost spoke further but clenched her lips.
“Indeed. If you were a witch, you’d never have left that prison.”
Duke Baraota’s words reminded her of that time.
‘Ah, that’s right. If I’d been accused of being a witch, I would have been executed.’
She had once killed her father in anger because he sold off her younger sister, Daisy, after also having harmed her older sisters. It wasn’t premeditated, but an accident during an attempt to stop his violence while he was drunk.
‘When I was in prison, resigned to everything, Rei approached me. He had a proposal.’
“What are you thinking about?”
“Just… this and that.”
Yuriella said, scanning the party hall.
‘It must be around this time…’
“Lady Reina Longo, I fell in love at first sight.”
A man knelt before Reina, suddenly confessing his heart.
“See? I said if you expect something good, something good might happen.”
“Is that good? If you knew who that man was…”
Yuriella already knew.
“Of course. Geno Vitale. The youngest of the Vitale viscounts.”
“Then you know he’s just a boy who hasn’t even had his coming-of-age ceremony.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t matter. He’s a good person.”
Duke Baraota frowned for some reason.
“He’ll definitely be a good protector for you.”
Yuriella looked on, smiling at Reina and Geno.
“Oh, the wedding must already be over. Even though I came as quickly as possible…”
The one who suddenly blocked their way was none other than the empire’s crown prince. Upon seeing him, Yuriella’s night-sky-colored eyes wavered.
‘The crown prince? Didn’t he say he wouldn’t attend my wedding?’
“Your Highness, you said you wouldn’t attend due to urgent matters, didn’t you?”
“That’s true. But I was curious about the woman who would become Duchess Baraota…”
The crown prince’s gaze lingered openly on Yuriella.
“Also… I had a strange dream…”
At the word dream, Yuriella’s eyelashes trembled. She looked extremely uneasy.
“Riel? Are you unwell?”
“Just a little dizzy. Nice to meet you, Your Highness. I’m Yuriella Baraota. Sorry for the delayed greeting.”
“Congratulations. I’ve attended many weddings, but I’ve never seen such a beautiful bride. But the Duchess doesn’t look well; you should rest.”
“…I’m afraid I should leave first.”
Yuriella was guided back to her room by Duke Baraota.
“Maybe meeting so many people suddenly made you dizzy. Rest.”
“Yes… sorry. On such an important day…”
Duke Baraota left for the ballroom.
Alone, Yuriella hugged her knees.
“This can’t be… The crown prince remembers everything? That’s impossible.”
Knock. Knock.
“Who is it?”
“Riel… it’s me.”
Yuriella buried her face into her knees at the crown prince’s voice.
‘No. This is a nightmare. I must still be dreaming.’
“Riel… you remember everything too, right? That I loved you… that everyone at the ducal estate died…”
