Chapter 79
Shouldn’t You Two Marry Again?
“Mer, you still remembered?”
Olivia looked at the egg tarts Marican had brought, smiling warmly as though touched.
“Of course. I happened to pass by the shop, and when I saw the egg tarts you love, Aunt, I quickly bought some. For some reason, they always taste best when eaten with your tea.”
“Hehe, and I think the ones you bring always taste the best, Mer. But really, why did you have to drag along such unnecessary baggage just to come see me?”
Olivia’s eyes shifted with clear disapproval toward Ruan, who sat beside Marican with a sour expression.
“Oh, he insisted he’d follow me even into hell. Is he perhaps making you uncomfortable, Aunt?”
“No, not exactly. But if you were to go to hell, I could always go in your stead. What kind of nonsense is it to send you there? Hmph. Listening to him, it seems that the fool hasn’t quite come to his senses yet.”
“Aunt, no matter what you say, I’m not going back. Just pretend I don’t exist.”
“I already pretended you didn’t exist the moment you first came here. That’s why I didn’t bother serving you tea. If you had any sense, you would’ve left quietly. Clearly, you don’t.”
“Aunt, please don’t be like that. To me, he is a precious husband.”
Olivia’s gaze softened as she looked at Marican clasping Ruan’s hand affectionately.
“What? So, I’ve lost to you this time, Mer. Very well. Since you call him your precious one, I’ll even pour him a cup.”
“Oh? Then I’ll fetch another teacup for him. Aunt.”
Marican rose to her feet and slipped out of the room. The moment she left, Olivia turned to Ruan.
“What’s going on?”
“Pardon?”
“Can’t you see? That child’s face looks so clouded. When I saw her yesterday, she didn’t look so weighed down. Did you cause some trouble again?”
Ruan shook his head firmly.
“No. On the way to buy dessert, we ran into Baroness Beanonman.”
“The Baroness? Don’t tell me that woman insulted Mer again?”
“…”
Ruan’s silence was answer enough. Olivia clicked her tongue in disgust.
“What a vile woman. How could she treat her own blood like that? That twisted daughter of hers is nothing compared to Mer—Mer is a hundred times better! How blind can one be, not to see a person properly? What could she possibly have to say to such a kind child? If she picks at her every single time they meet… tch. I should’ve stripped her of all her money back then. At least then she would’ve slunk away to the countryside, far from crossing paths with Mer.”
“Please, just ignore it, Aunt.”
“Do you take me for you?”
The door opened just as Olivia finished speaking. Marican entered, carrying another cup.
“So this precious husband of yours warrants a very fine teacup, I see.”
Olivia chuckled as she poured the tea.
“Oh my? Is that so? Then I should change it for a plain one.”
“It’s a joke. In fact, I was planning to call you two here anyway.”
“Us?”
“Yes. If you truly mean to live as husband and wife, shouldn’t you hold another wedding?”
“A wedding? But we already had one.”
At Marican’s words, Olivia took a slow sip of tea before answering.
“That was a contract marriage, Mer. It was notarized by the Imperial family. Once he ‘died’ and you held the funeral, the contract naturally expired. The six-month term has ended, which means you two are not husband and wife anymore. And remember—you yourself declared you’d leave the ducal house after six months.”
“Oh… the contract. I had forgotten.”
“Exactly. With that contract nullified, you and this man are, in truth, nothing to each other. So, if your heart wavers even now, I could always introduce you to a finer gentleman.”
“Aunt!”
Ruan bristled at Olivia’s words, but she only smiled, clearly satisfied.
“Take it as a reminder to always stay alert. No matter how well you do, I will never view you with favor.”
“Aunt… then does that mean we must marry again?”
“Yes. You’ll need the Emperor’s permission once more, and then set a proper date for the ceremony. In fact, I already petitioned His Majesty on your behalf.”
“You did, Aunt?”
“Indeed. And today, an edict arrived—His Majesty has formally granted permission. A month from now, at the Crown Princess’s grand ball, His Majesty himself will announce your marriage to the entire Empire.”
“What? His Majesty, personally?”
“Of course. It is the ducal family’s marriage, after all.”
“Thank you, Aunt.”
Ruan rose and bowed deeply. Olivia’s eyes, full of affection, lingered not on him, but on Marican.
“This is for Mer, not you. Once it is made official, with the whole Empire as witness, you two will enter the ducal house properly, without anyone daring to speak against it.”
“Truly, thank you, Aunt.”
“Mer, I pride myself on my keen eye for people. From the first moment I met you, I knew you were a good child. And I was not wrong. Whatever anyone says, you are gentle, kind-hearted, and true. So, Mer, if anyone dares to mistreat you, come to me. I will stand behind you. Do you understand?”
“Aunt…”
Marican’s long-held tears finally spilled at Olivia’s heartfelt words.
“You truly are such a tearful child. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
Olivia gathered Marican into a warm embrace.
In that embrace, Marican felt a warmth she had never once received from Penelope.
Yes. I’ll be happy, even without you.
I’ll live far happier than you could ever imagine… just wait and see.
Marican wiped her tears, clinging to her resolve.
***
After Damon’s rebellion had collapsed, Lucianne had not dared step foot outside the barony for fear of being implicated. But when Penelope told her of Marican’s whereabouts, her face twisted in disbelief.
“What do you mean? Marican is in the capital? I was certain that brat was selling sandwiches in the countryside. Did the Duke bring her back?”
“So it seems. The way she struts around at his side, it’s unbearable to watch. They said she’d grown so thin that she was nearly unrecognizable, but to my eyes, she looks no different than before. I can’t fathom what the Duke sees in her.”
“Then she must’ve fattened up again. Mother, isn’t it obvious? The Duke has lost his senses. That’s why someone like her could appeal to him. If she’s here in the capital, does that mean she intends to reunite with him? Did Marican greet you warmly, Mother?”
“Warmly? She treated me like a stranger! Such insolence. After seeing the state I’m in, the least she could’ve done is ask how I was faring, whether I needed anything. Instead, she brushed me off and even spoke as though she were granting me charity—telling me I could keep the jewels and money we had already taken. Do you know how humiliating that was? How did it burned my pride?”
“Mother, don’t let it upset you. She’s always been that way. She’s completely forgotten the grace we showed her, marrying her into such a fine place. She’s nothing but an ungrateful wretch. But tell me—did the Duke say anything else to you?”
“Anything else? What do you mean?”
Lucianne quickly shook her head as if it were nothing.
Yes… after all, I only spent the night with the Crown Prince. I never actually aided the rebellion… right?
Nothing will happen to me.
She tried to soothe her own unease.
“Lucy, you’re all I have left now. Today I heard that soon the Imperial family will hold a grand ball. It seems the place of Empress is lost to us… but perhaps you could seize another chance. What if you considered marrying into another great noble family?”
Since she did not know the full truth of Lucianne and Damon’s liaison, Penelope wanted her daughter to forget him and make a fresh start.
A ball at the Imperial Palace?
Lucianne squeezed Penelope’s hand with a reassuring smile.
“Don’t worry, Mother. At this ball, I will find someone good and make sure to bring you comfort. So please—forget Marican and let go of your anger.”
At those words, Penelope finally relaxed and left for her room.
Left alone, Lucianne began pacing, thoughts racing.
Marican and the Duke reunited?
Then they’ll remarry?
Ha… if that’s true, it will be delicious.
If, at the Imperial ball, His Majesty himself were to announce Marican and the Duke’s marriage…
When she believes she has everything in her grasp, only to realize it was never hers to begin with—then she will taste true despair.
Her lips curled into a wide smile, and she began humming as she walked, her mood lightened by her own cruel imaginings.
***
A week later, the closed trial of Kymon, Daimond, and Antwart began.
Because it was private, only the leaders of each political faction, two nobles of marquis rank or higher, the Emperor, and the Crown Prince were present.
To secure the grounds, one hundred Imperial knights surrounded the courthouse.
At the same time, in the Imperial prison, Diamond’s furious shouts echoed.
“Let go! Unhand me! Do you know who I am, to dare lay your hands on me?”
He thrashed violently against the guards restraining him. Ruan, watching, furrowed his brow.
“Hmph. I thought perhaps you had reflected even a little. But it seems even remorse is too much luxury for a prince.”
“Ruan! Do you actually think a mere wretch like you could kill me? My father would never allow it!”
“And why do you think so?”
“Hah! Even if my title is stripped, the craft family’s power hasn’t vanished. There are still countless nobles who support us. Yes, we rebelled—but they can’t simply execute us so easily.”
“Is that so, Your Highness? We shall see soon enough, once the trial begins.”
With an unreadable smile, Ruan stepped into the courtroom, leaving Diamond struggling in the knights’ grip.
By then, the leaders of both factions had already confirmed the opinions of their peers. And since the charge itself was treason, they all knew what awaited the three men.
“What is the stance of the Imperial faction?”
Asked Marquis Gerald Heinev, leader of the noble faction.
Marquis Dominic Repaid of the Imperial faction gave a troubled look.
“And yours?”
“We have already resolved to abide by His Majesty’s decision. Surely the Imperial faction does not intend to oppose it?”
Dominic opened his mouth to reply, but at that moment, the doors opened. Antwart, gaunt and pale, entered with kymon, followed by Diamond, whose face twisted with resentment.
“Daimond, are you hurt anywhere?”
Antwart’s voice trembled as she looked at him. Diamond’s eyes brimmed with desperation.
“Mother, please! Save me! I don’t want to die, not yet. Mother!”
“Pathetic boy. Your Majesty, how did you raise him? He’s past twenty, yet this is how he behaves? Tch…”
“Watch your tongue, Kymon. Even if you are my maternal grandfather, you are still my subject!”
“Enough! Silence in the court!”
The presiding judge’s sharp rebuke rang out. Everyone inside rose from their seats.
“His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, and His Highness the Crown Prince, have arrived!”
All bowed deeply as Emperor Viseluc, supported by Harmon, entered slowly and took his seat.
“Then let us begin the trial.”
