ILTDAMH|CHAPTER 100

Chapter 100

“……”

Marican lifted her head, her eyes full of curiosity at Viseluc’s words.

“I’ve done a little research on you,” Viseluc said, watching her carefully.

“The evaluations from the Marquis’ household always describe you as lazy, idle, and gluttonous, but the people of the Duke’s household say you are kind and warm to everyone, that you love the Duke deeply, and are an extremely devoted wife.”

At Viseluc’s words, Marican couldn’t help but recall Penelope and Lucianne, who had likely spread terrible rumors about her, and a bitter smile crossed her face.

Viseluc glanced at her for a moment before continuing.

“And the Crown Princess described you as someone with strong justice, honesty, and gentleness. That made me even more curious—what is your true self?”

My true self…

Depending on who is looking, perhaps all of it could be considered true.

Marican took a sip of her tea and smiled gently.

“I believe that what everyone says is true in a sense. People tend to see only what they want to see in others.”

Viseluc stared at her, surprised. He had expected Marican to make excuses for the comments from the Marquis’ household, yet she replied with such calm composure.

“They see only what they want to see…”

“At the Marquis’ household, nothing I did ever satisfied them. Whether I succeeded or failed, even the smallest flaw was exaggerated and used as a tool to criticize me. The only thing I could do was eat. It helped me relieve stress. So, in the eyes of the Marquis’ wife and daughter, I was lazy, idle, and greedy, just as they said.”

“And at the Duke’s household?”

“After I married, I knew I would leave within six months, so I didn’t want to clash with anyone there. My aunt said I looked healthy when she first met me, and that pleased her. So I wanted to treat everyone well, including my aunt. Even though my family criticized me, the people at the Duke’s household saw me warmly as I was. So, although it’s a little embarrassing for me to say, I think that’s why they felt that way.”

Viseluc studied her for a moment before asking again.

“Then why, after leaving the Duke’s household when he died, did you come back? Was it, as Lady Beano said, that you were pretending to hide to torment the Duke, only to surrender when he found you?”

Marican recounted everything to Viseluc, from leaving the Duke’s household, her chance meeting with Zelda, settling in Phenomenon Village, to the day Ruan came looking for her, without omitting a single detail.

“Was that so? Then I suppose you were angry when the Duke reappeared. Betrayed, perhaps.”

Marican nodded slowly.

“Yes, at first I was. I was angry at being deceived and felt betrayed, but at the same time, I was honestly grateful that he was alive. I truly hoped he would find a noblewoman suited for him and live happily.”

“But the Duke must have insisted on being with you, even after death,” Viseluc said, recalling how Ruan searched across the empire for Marican.

“…Yes…”

“Then why return? Did you cling to the title of Duchess?”

Marican shook her head at Viseluc’s question.

“No. If he hadn’t appeared, I would have spent my life in Phenomenon Village. I truly enjoyed that life. But having him by my side made me realize something.”

“What is that?”

“That despite my hatred for him, I still love him. And I cannot live without him.”

“And if I opposed your marriage to the Duke, what would you have done?”

“Huh?”

“At the ball, the Crown Princess said you were of the same status as her kingdom’s royalty. But do you truly think one pendant makes someone royalty? And without the approval of King Alomande, it’s ridiculous. Even now, I could forbid your marriage to the Duke.”

Marican smiled lightly.

“If Your Majesty does not permit my marriage to Ruan, then you would be losing the empire’s most capable general.”

“Losing a general? Are you threatening me?”

“No, Your Majesty. But given Ruan’s character, if you refuse to allow it, he would likely abandon his dukedom and marry me instead.”

“Abandon the empire for a woman?”

Viseluc thought he understood Ruan’s determination, yet he had not expected Marican to say it so boldly. He studied her with newfound interest.

“No, Your Majesty. I do not mean abandoning the empire. I mean that no matter what happens, Ruan and I will marry. I will never give up on him, no matter what.”

An unexpectedly daring young woman.

Viseluc thought he could understand why Ruan was so enamored with her.

“Hahaha, you are truly an amusing person. Most young ladies would stumble over my questions, but you answer confidently without trembling.”

“No, Your Majesty. Honestly, I’m so nervous right now that I’m not even sure what I’m saying.”

“Well, for someone like you, that is quite the answer. I will stop troubling you now. Drink your tea comfortably. It’s best enjoyed warm.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Viseluc watched Marican sip her tea with a gentle gaze.

“Now, let’s get to the point. The reason I called you here today is to discuss your marriage to the Duke.”

“My marriage to Ruan?”

Viseluc’s expression turned serious.

“Honestly, I need your help.”

“My help?”

“Yes. As you’ve probably heard, there is no family supporting the Crown Princess at the moment. Partly because she is a foreign princess, but mainly because the Dowager Empress gave her no real authority. With the Dowager Empress gone, no family is willing to ally with her.”

“But I’m hardly someone who could help the Crown Princess…”

Marican recalled the recent incident at the dish shop and realized what Viseluc was worried about. She had yet to fully enter society, so she thought she would be of little assistance.

“Of course, you alone may not help much. But at the ball, the Crown Princess declared you as her sworn sister. That unofficially makes you royalty of Alomande. If I treat you as Alomande royalty so you can marry Ruan at court, the situation changes.”

Marican’s eyes widened at Viseluc’s unexpected proposal.

“Marry Ruan at the royal palace? But Your Majesty, as you said, I am royalty in name only.”

“Didn’t I just say it? The moment I treat you as royalty, you are royalty. And by marrying Ruan as the Crown Princess’s sworn sister, the Duke of Canolup household officially becomes her in-law family.”

“In-law family?”

“Yes. This would give the Crown Princess the strongest in-law support in the empire. The court’s treatment of her would change, and you, as part of Allomande, would be protected from the nobles’ mistreatment.”

Marican fell into thought.

Viseluc was correct, but could she truly agree to a palace wedding? While it would benefit Petrica, it was not a decision she could make lightly.

“I’ll think it over, Your Majesty,” she said cautiously.

A remarkable young woman. Most would have leapt in joy at such an honor. Perhaps the Duke’s household’s praise was more accurate than the Marquis’ after all.

“You are free to think, but do not refuse—for both the Crown Princess and yourself. There is still time; consider it well.”

“Even hearing that is an honor, Your Majesty.”

Marican bowed, rose from her seat, and left. Viseluc sipped his tea and muttered to himself.

She is more steadfast than I thought. No wonder the Duke is so smitten.

***

“Wife!!”

“Ruan, what are you doing here?”

Marican, leaving the audience chamber, was surprised to see Ruan pacing outside. He scanned her intently.

“Of course, I came to fetch you.”

“This early? My work isn’t finished yet; I’ll take the carriage I came in.”

“Carriage? Wasn’t it the Duke’s carriage?”

“The palace sent it. It will wait for me on the way back, so don’t worry about me. Go ahead and work.”

“What do you mean? My work is already done. Don’t worry.”

“So soon? Less than two hours since you arrived at the palace…”

“As you know, I’m still on vacation. I can rest until the end of this month.”

“Ah. Then…”

“Marican!”

“Your Highness!”

“Oh? Why the formality? Have you finished your talk with His Majesty?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Then let’s go to my palace and have some fun.”

Princess Petrica grabbed Marican’s hand, pulling her toward herself.

“Your Highness’ palace?”

At Marican’s reply, Ruan pulled her back into his arms.

“No. Your Highness, I am returning with her to the Duke’s household.”

“What are you saying, Duke? It’s the end of the year; there’s so much work piling up. Shouldn’t you go help? Everyone’s waiting for you. Do you expect them to think you’re neglecting work to play with her?”

Ruan looked flustered at Petrica’s words.

“Oh, no, that’s not it.”

While Ruan hesitated, Petrica tugged Marican toward her.

“See? The Duke is a loyal servant of the empire. Now, Duke, go attend to your duties. Marican, follow me.”

Marican looked at Ruan resignedly.

“Yes, Your Highness. You go work diligently, Ruan. I’ll see you later.”

What on earth…?

Ruan stared after the vanished figures of Marican and Petrica for a long time before quietly heading back to his office.