CH 9

It was a fact known to commoners that marriage between nobles was not done for something simple like ‘love’.

Even if there was no political purpose, deciding to combine families could not be done overnight. It was important that the marriage didn’t hurt either’s reputation. 

Basic ceremonies took at least six months to prepare.

Low-ranking nobles fret to stay out of the frame, and yet the head of Cardiego, one of the three largest families of the Reynon Empire, suddenly announces his marriage.

Bill, a loyal butler, once again asked.

“Your Highness, you have been asked for your hand in marriage…”

“The banquet is to welcome my bride, who will soon arrive. I’ll hold the wedding as soon as it’s ready.”

The master’s face, reminiscent of the three-letter girl, was so bright.  A smile full of tenderness, that even he has never seen, once he started talking about holding a Cardiego ball.

Bill sent congratulations to his Lord, then became distant. He’ll have to shift his mindset to meet the schedule. As if he had read his mind, Riggs said.

“Bill, you once told me that you were honored to serve the next emperor.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Your glory would not have come true without my bride. I’d like to ask you a special favor.”

Riggs still vividly remembered when he moved to the Duke of Cardiego and ran away from his uncle’s retainers.

Even though he was threatened with sharp-edged spears, the memory of that day felt as warm as a handful of sunshine.

Because it was the day I met Isabelle.

If she hadn’t found me and talked to me so tenaciously, everything would be different.

‘I may have had less trouble than I have now.’

It was difficult to tame Kierkegaard, a king reigning over the underground reapers, but by the age of seven, I did it. 

It was all because the first night we met, she told me to come visit her again. I wanted to protect the next visit she promised me.

It’s always been that way. Isabelle’s wishes, greed, out of the blue expectations, or laughter became motivation for his actions and prepared him for long battles.

It took him half a year to bring down his uncle and take over the family, thus making him the sole head of Cardiergo, simply because she called for strength.

‘I was going to propose after the Emperor’s election.’

In a way, it was not worth challenging the Emperor (after hearing that she wanted a capable man). That doesn’t mean I didn’t like being proposed to.

From the start, Isabelle was more than a friend.  I spent years hoping that she would be completely mine. Life didn’t start until I met her.

‘So I will live with her.’

Didn’t I already fit every condition of Isabelle’s? The more difficult her conditions were, the better. Because I’m the only one who can be what she wants.

“Buy lilies and white roses and use them to decorate everywhere. Also buy several dresses. Don’t forget the jewelry, gloves and shoes that go with them.”

“Well Sir, ladies’ dresses are usually custom-made to their measurements. Off-the-shelf goods are probably…”

“I have no intention of getting ready-made products. I’ll give you the measurements, so don’t be late.”

Bill was greatly shaken. You’re going to tell me her size? That means…

‘I’m sure you’ve gone all the way with the three-letter girl. The rumor about your lower body wasn’t true at all.’

Bill bowed his head, suppressing the urge to mutter, ‘Oh, my’.

Naturally, Cardiego’s employees were sensitive to rumors relating to the Duke of Cardiego, their employer. They’ve been doing it.

How many times have people had no choice but to ignore the rumors, even while pretending to worry about the future of the great Felix Cardiego.

‘Our Lord loved only one woman, unlike other prodigal lords. The rumors were not true at all.’

Riggs, who had mastered the size of her clothes while helping Isabelle with her laundry, was laughing bitterly in his heart and sigh deeply when he realized what Bill was thinking.

“Your Highness, I’ll look for an engagement ring .”

“…I will have a new engagement ring made without using an existing one. The craftsman will be sent over today. I’ll design it myself, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

In addition, Riggs gave detailed instructions on Isabelle’s carriage, including the cushions and horses to pull it, and the decorations for Isabelle’s room and building.

Having checked that everything was directed to Isabelle’s liking, Riggs was soon satisfied. He had a big smile.

“I don’t have the power to refuse her proposal, so do your best.”

***

‘What was that feeling just now?’

At dawn, goosebumps ran down Isabelle’s arm.  Her room was dark because no candle was lit.

Her hearing became sensitive and she felt something noisy coming through the window – quiet, synchronous footsteps. It was not someone heading to their room.

A shadow was squarely cast from the moonlight.

“……!”

Isabelle turned her head toward the window while covering her mouth. Some masked men were giggling to themselves.

Through the window, their eyes met.

One of the men, who appeared to be the leader, took out a small jewel from his arms and held it up in Isabelle’s direction. For a moment, the blue eyes were lit up by the jewel.

“I’m sure it’s her. Capture them alive. You can cut off a single piece of course.”

There was no sign of it being a joke. Before she knew it, she could see their bodies moving closer to her from all sides. Isabelle was struck with fear like a child facing a tiger.

Why are these people suddenly coming after me?

I’ve lived in the temple all my life, without any family.

What did I do wrong?

…Riggs, I miss you.

In the back of my head, I saw my friend’s face… It occurred to me, I couldn’t die like this. Isabelle clenched her teeth.

Kwagwagwang!

At that moment, with a roar, a chain of light stretched everywhere. Sacred energy overflowed from the open door. Isabelle could tell who appeared without turning her head.

“Fa, Father Matteo…”

Isabelle looked blankly at Father Matteo, who was backlit, overpower the intruders. The chain of light that stretched out from his hands was made using divine power.

It is taboo for a priest to kill a man in a temple, even using divine power, but he had no qualms about popping the chains through the invaders.

‘He is not trying to protect me.’

It was a terrible sight, but the scariest thing was how much he despised me.

As the bodies of the struggling invaders drooped in the air, attached to chains, Father Matteo’s cold eyes fell upon Isabelle, who had sunk to the ground.

‘What the hell is this girl hiding? I thought something was weird since Maria was so invested in her, but……?’

Father Matteo put to rest the rising miscellaneous thoughts and grabbed Isabelle by the wrists with a grim touch.

Baron Iron, who was trying to buy Isabelle, bought the child at an oddly high price.

The fall of Pilsburg, which worships the goddess Isis and uses her earthly powers, also serves as the financial foundation of the temple. 

Matteo wasn’t the only one looking for money this way.

But if I left during the raid, and if the girl then dies, I won’t be able to eat.

“Isabelle, follow me!”

“Fa, Father….”

Isabelle caught the image of Matteo dragging her into a secret basement, however, she could not escape from the heavy body of the priest. 

‘Why…’

I have to hurt the priest to get away. Isabelle was no foolish enough not to know that Matteo was now trying to imprison her.

However, if she attacked Matteo, using magic that she could not control to prevent from being imprisoned, she was afraid that no one would remain by her side.

“I’ll pick you up in a few days, so stay here. You’d better not try any nonsense.”

Father Matteo closed the thick iron door. At that moment, Isabelle thought of Riggs.

If I get stuck here, I will be sold to Duke Cardiergo, whether I’m married to Riggs or not.

When I think of Riggs face, I feel at ease. Isabelle could be sure. No matter what Matteo does, Riggs will take her side.

So I don’t have to be afraid that I will be alone.

“You’ll come pick me up. You’re selling me away.”

Priest Matteo noticed that Isabelle’s tone had changed subtly. But that was all.

Isabelle didn’t seem to have enough muscle to try a physical play, as a young man with strong muscles all over his body would know. She seemed to be hiding her magical skills, but he was a priest.

‘If you stun her divine power, the price may drop, but it would be better than letting her run away and not receiving a penny.’

Father Matteo made a deal with the Baron. He clenched his fist and opened it. A great divine force was embodied in the shape of a whip held by his hand.

It was clear that Isabelle’s magic, which at best she mastered, was no match for him who devoted his life to divine training. Father Matteo issued an ultimatum in a low voice.

“Isabelle, do you think Duke Cardiergo will leave this temple alone if you refuse?”

“The temple is precious, but my life is more precious to me.”

“The saints, who went to the next village, will return soon. They’ll come, and they’ll blame you if they see the temple destroyed.”

“If you blame me, I’ll spill everything about the priest.”

“This girl is so…!”

Father Matteo kicked an old stool on the floor. The loud noise broke the silence. Isabelle decided to forget for a moment St. Maria’s admonition that magic should not be used recklessly.

There was a small flame at Isabelle’s fingertips. It was as big as a match. Father Matteo reflexively snorted.

“Huh, I thought you were hiding something, but it’s only that?”

“······.”

“I thought you had some magic powers. I don’t know why Maria would want to protect you.”

Kwagwang!

The basement vibrated when Matteo wielded the whip. Gray dust fell from the walls and ceiling. Isabelle clenched her teeth at the divine power that shook the earth.

“Clenching your teeth doesn’t change your skills.”

Matteo swung the whip around. It whipped the floor and roared.

It was an intimidating threat to her body, but Isabelle concentrated and threw the fire at her fingertips to Matteo.

The small embers flared up like dandelion seeds and fell without reaching the priest. Father Matteo once again laughed.

“I can’t believe you’re bluffing with magic that you can’t even use. Were you very afraid…”

Father Matteo stopped talking and looked down at his clothes. The bottom of the long robes were burning.

“What the… the embers did not even reach…!”

Due to the distraction, Matteo’s divine power whip turned into powder and flew away.