CH 1

Crystal, the youngest daughter of the Rotary family, kept repeating her nanny’s advice in the rattling wagon.

Just order once, Marianne.

No one can nag me to tuck in my pouty lips. That thought drained me of any energy.

Outside the window, trees covered with white snow passed by. In her fading mood, Crystal recalled her conversation with Marianne last night.

– You always have to be conscious of your surroundings. When you relax, you look like a ghost. Last week, a servant, who had gone the wrong way, passed out because she was surprised to see you. She’s a child who’s not even an adult yet, and I felt so bad for her, falling down with her face turning white. That’s why my lady has to keep her head straight.

– Marianne. First of all, I’m Marianne’s baby…

Marianne talked nonstop as she folded her clothes into a large piece of luggage. Sitting on the bed, Crystal let out a giggling type of laughter and looked at Marianne, who had a sullen expression.

Do I have any more heartwarming memories?

It felt like the sadness that made her shoulders heavy was disappearing like the melting snow. It was unfair, but there was nothing wrong with Marianne’s words.

On behalf of Crystal, who was stumped in front of the fainting servant, Marianne woke up the servant and sent her back to the main house. The biggest problem was that it wasn’t the first time this had occurred.

– I know, I know. I know how soft and sweet my lady is. But people often misunderstand you.

The soothing voice made her feel foolishly relieved. Marianne, who had been taking care of Crystal since she was a baby, was the best at handling Crystal.

Crystal had been sick since she was a child and had not been able to get out of the villa. Even within the Rotary family, there were only a few people who had met Crystal.

It was natural that Crystal loved Marianne, who remained her only family member after her mother died.

– But if you were a girl, you’d be fine.

The hand that was folding the clothes stopped. Marianne, who bowed her head, said in a melancholy wet voice. At the same time, even Crystal’s eyes grew wet.

A strong relationship was never not one-sided. As much as Crystal loved Marianne, so did Marianne. It had already been six years since Marianne rejected her boyfriend’s proposal because she was still young.

– I’ll protect you.

Crystal remembered Marianne whispering on the day her mother died. It was a word that held Crystal up, whose world had collapsed.

In the end, Marianne kept her promise. Crystal, who had lost the only shield that protected her, was alive and not dead to this day. It was the result of Marianne’s bloodthirsty efforts in saving her.

– Nanny…

– That’s right! We’ll be fine. What kind of fearless man would harm a lady? He is going to faint!

Marianne exclaimed boldly. Those were the words that made her teary-eyed, get on the bed and hold her hand. Tears fell from her eyes.

As soon as Crystal was about to look away, Marianne held Crystal’s hand with strong force. Warm body temperature was transmitted. It was the body temperature making her realise that they would soon say goodbye at dawn today.

– Nothing will happen.

– I think so.

– If anything happens, run away. Don’t worry about the future, just take care of yourself.

– I will.

With the heart of parents leaving their young child, Marianne pleaded. Crystal answered as she was told. She really wanted to listen to Marianne.

But Crystal knew that reality wasn’t easy.

Today Crystal was getting married to the Pentrine family in the North. She will start as soon as the darkness cleared a little. She had to ride a carriage early in the morning because she should not be caught by anyone.

The Pentrine family was a historic family that had protected the North. Due to their few public appearances, despite their lineage and history, rumours surrounding the Pentrine family spread across the country, so they were famous in many ways.

It was the Northern Grand Duke, Ellian Pentrine, who was more famous than the Pentrine family. A hero who protected the North and a faithful henchman of the reigning king, an ice-cold man who never showed himself to the public.

First of all, he was the one who will become Crystal’s husband. He was so famous that even Crystal, who lived in captivity, knew about him. Crystal didn’t know if this was a good or bad thing…

Can nothing happen to the Pentrine family and the Ellian Pentrin? Would she be able to run away if she faced any problems?

Crystal smiled faintly. It was a smile that cannot hide all of her resignation and anxiety. Marianne, who couldn’t know the fact, said, suppressing the emotional sadness urgently. 

– If there’s a problem, and if he tries to harm you…

– Run away?

– Yes, but there’s something you have to do before you run away!

– What’s that?

– Crack the Grand Duke’s balls!

Marianne stamped her foot. If she wasn’t sitting on the floor, she would have demonstrated how to do it.

– What?

– Between his legs! Like this!

Crystal, who instinctively curled her legs, broke out in a cold sweat.

‘You want me to go to the Pentrine family and not be punished for a fraudulent marriage, but for turning a family member into a eunuch?! Since I won’t be able to run away, you’re telling me to let go of him completely?!’

– Make sure you remember!

Regardless of her reaction, a vein popped up in Marianne’s neck. Her gaze was blazing with fire. Crystal hurriedly nodded under the intense influence.

‘Why do I only remember this?’

‘Since it had been less than 12 hours since I left, my memory has yet to become blurry, but among the many memories, only this one comes to mind.’

The stiff Crystal leaned her head against the wall. A rattling shake was transmitted.

– If there’s a problem, run away. But before that, turn the archduke into a eunuch!

Crystal subtly added one more to Marianne’s advice. She’s never lost anything in her life by listening to adults.

***

“We’re here, Lady Crystal!”

She fell asleep without realizing it. When she woke up, Crystal arrived at the Great Pentrine Castle. A cold wind blew through the open door of the carriage. The cold took her away from her sleep at once and for all.

“Already?”

“Madam, you didn’t know because you were sleeping. We rode without taking a single break, it took a long time to arrive.”

Crossing the centre was Crystal’s last memory. She also vaguely remembered changing the wagon sometime in the middle. It was to prevent the trace of a Rotary.

The Rotary family should not yet know that Crystal left. It must be after Crystal and Grand Duke Pentrine finished talking that they should know where Crystal went.

“Well done, Hans. It was an unreasonable request, but thank you for coming all the way here.”

“Of course. If it hadn’t been for Marianne’s request, I would have denied the request. We haven’t even seen each other for a year or two, so it would disappointing to say no.”

“That’s right.”

The horseman who brought Crystal to the Grand Duke of Pentrine was Marianne’s boyfriend, Hans, who had been rejected by her for six years. As they had been dating for a long time, Hans had also become close with Crystal. He was one of three people who knew the secret of Crystal. 

“As Marianne must have said enough by now, run away as soon as you have a problem… honestly, I’m still not sure if we are doing the right thing.”

“There was no other way.”

“Is it okay to go into the lion’s den to escape the tiger’s den? Ugh, since I’m ignorant, I have to believe that the Lady would have made a good judgment.”

“Yes, trust me. Don’t worry too much.”

According to their plan, Hans had to leave immediately after taking Crystal to the front of the Great Pentrine Castle. However, Hans looked as if he had glue on the bottom of his feet.

“I’m going in now. You should leave now.”

“Yes, but-“

“You two were supposed to finally get married. If you miss this opportunity, do you know when Marianne will give her permission again?”

When Crystal leaves the Rotary family, there was no reason for them to remain in the family. Sooner or later, Marianne and Hans will leave for the East. To a suitable place to escape the eyes of the Rotary family in the south.

And Crystal went into the Northern Pentrine family. If the plan succeeds, she will stay for a while and start the next plan, and if it fails, she will leave immediately. Maybe they will leave for the sky high. Anyway, just by arriving here safely, Crystal bought time.

“Go ahead.”

Crystal gave Hans a light push on the back. Even if it was larger than average, there was still a limit to the strength that a bony arm could exert. The hem of the dress, which wrapped around the fur coat meticulously and showed no skin, fluttered.

“Let’s go together to the castle. Or I’ll wait here. If there is a problem, you can get on the carriage and leave right away.”

“Hans.”

“My lady, please! It’s because I’m so anxious. What if this is the end?!”

“Don’t be silly and go. I will be the one who goes to the first housewarming party for the newlyweds.”

“Madam…”

In spite of Hans’ mournful cry, Crystal turned her back mercilessly. Crystal smiled brightly as she placed her hand on the door as if threatening.

“Goodbye, Hans. I’ll send you a letter.”

Crystal smiled while holding a large bag that reached up to her thighs and looked at Hans with a rare determined look. Hans, realizing that she would never listen to any request, bowed down to her with a face that looked like he was about to cry. Even after Crystal had disappeared through the door, he continued to say goodbye to his young lady in the same posture.

‘Please be safe, my lady.’

Hans wanted Crystal to be safe. To be more greedy, he wanted Crystal to be happy.

Crystal stood on the red carpet that stretched across the floor. When the door closed, the ghostly cold wind stopped. She felt the temperature rise in an instant just because there was no wind.

She heard footsteps walking on the carpet in the distance. Crystal strengthened her resolve one last time.

A thick coat that covered the upper body generously, a dress that made the body look voluptuous without showing through, long hair that fluttered every time you move, and an appearance that felt as harmless as it looked painful.

Crystal Rotary, the youngest daughter of the Rotary family.

Her heart was ready.

A man dressed in a typical butler’s uniform quickly walked closer. His hair combed all the way back was as typical of a butler as his clothes.

“Hello. Are you Lady Crystal of the Rotary family?”

The butler spoke in a confident voice. It contrasted with Crystal’s tearful voice.

It was a voice that felt fresh to Crystal, who had never met a man other than Hans. Hans was too old to compare, and she had never had a proper conversation with her father, the Duke of Rotary.

It was probably a normal male voice.

Crystal raised her lips and smiled vaguely, thinking. She had no one to compare him with, but she knew that it was the closest thing to a young man’s voice she had ever heard. It was also a voice that Crystal couldn’t make.

Crystal Rotary, the frail youngest daughter, who never came out of the annexe due to her frail body…

She was a man.