TSID 4

chapter 4

Ruby Bionne.

The second daughter of a minor baronial family, she had no particular talents and was burdened with shortcomings. She was woefully inadequate as the wife of Eli, a promising young noble and the current emperor’s right-hand man. Her family offered little in the way of political connections, was hardly wealthy, and held no influence in high society.

And yet, this girl had become the Marchioness Grit—her daughter-in-law.

Marie, the Dowager Marchioness Grit, had been living on the Grit family estate ever since the previous marquess passed away. She hated the fact immensely. If their wedding had not been hastily arranged in the capital, she would have opposed the marriage until the engagement was broken off.

That was precisely why, as soon as the newlyweds arrived at the estate after their rushed wedding, Marie arranged for them to sleep in separate rooms.

She intended to take advantage of the fact that a marriage could be annulled if the couple failed to spend their wedding night together.

Several days passed as she feigned illness to keep Eli by her side. Just when she began to hope, seeing her son apparently obeying her without complaint, he quietly said,

“We’re already husband and wife. There’s no point in doing this, Mother.”

He had spoken as though he knew exactly what she was scheming.

Once Marie learned that, she stopped trying to keep her son with her. But the headache she had been pretending to have became genuine, and she ended up bedridden for several days.

After that incident, she watched the couple closely and eventually realized that Eli had no intention of ending the marriage.

But neither did he show Ruby any affection.

Once Marie noticed that, she began tormenting Ruby under the guise of teaching her proper conduct. It was the only way she could soothe the resentment boiling inside her, if only a little.

After all, Ruby was responsible for the headaches Marie had suffered from for years. Therefore, she ought to bear the consequences.

“You must make sure everything is prepared properly for this party.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Three years should have been enough time for Ruby to grow accustomed to it, yet she remained timid and intimidated as ever. Even today, she couldn’t bring herself to say that she was doing her best.

There was no point.

She already knew what response she would receive.

Is this all you can manage after doing your best?

No matter what she did, all she ever heard were disparaging remarks about her poor manners and about how her family fell far short of House Grit.

Still, things had been somewhat better at the beginning of their marriage.

Back then, Eli had also stayed at the estate. Though he left early in the morning and returned late at night, they had at least lived like newlyweds, exchanging even a formal greeting once a day.

Whenever Eli was around, everyone in House Grit treated Ruby kindly. From the outside, it looked as though there was nothing wrong at all.

The problem began afterward.

Eli led an extraordinarily busy life. He traveled to the capital to serve the emperor, went abroad to handle imperial affairs, or traveled throughout the empire before returning to the estate.

Ruby wanted to accompany him whenever possible.

But she couldn’t follow him everywhere.

“Why don’t you stay here? I could teach you the things you’re lacking. I think it would be better for you.”

That was when Marie made her suggestion.

Ruby wanted to be with Eli. As long as he was there, she was willing to go, no matter how difficult the journey might be.

“I think that would be best. What do you think, my wife?”

But the moment Ruby realized that he did not want her to accompany him, she stopped insisting.

Their marriage itself was predicated on the understanding that she would not become a burden to Eli.

“I’ll do that.”

“You’ve made the right decision.”

That was the first—and last—time Marie ever gave Ruby a genuinely warm smile.

From then on, aside from the time she spent accompanying Eli during the early days of their marriage, Ruby remained at the estate.

It was around then that Marie’s constant criticism began.

Marie wanted a perfect daughter-in-law and tolerated not even the smallest mistake. Perhaps because of that, Ruby became so nervous and self-conscious that she actually made more mistakes.

She knew that, as the daughter of Baron Bionne, she was not the kind of woman House Grit considered suitable.

She simply had never imagined that their dissatisfaction would continue even into the third year of her marriage.

And it wasn’t limited to House Grit.

Even the wives of the vassals living on the marquess’s estate subtly looked down on Ruby.

To make matters worse, Eli—the emperor’s right-hand man and one of the empire’s most capable nobles—was extremely busy.

With neither Eli nor House Grit standing behind her, Ruby gradually learned to keep herself small and speak as little as possible.

Because of that, she tried not to think too deeply about the veiled remarks that belittled both her and her family.

Compared to House Grit, which ranked among the five oldest noble houses in the empire, her family truly had very little to boast about.

So she accepted it.

Once she acknowledged it as the truth, she felt as though there was no longer any reason to be stressed by it.

“That’s right. Eli will be joining us this time after such a long absence, so naturally, you must do well and make sure you don’t embarrass the family.”

“He’s coming?”

“You didn’t know? He sent a letter a few days ago saying he would be coming.”

Marie actually scolded Ruby for not knowing.

Judging from the years they had spent together, Ruby could guess what had happened. Even after receiving the letter, Marie had probably only told Eve and Emily.

Perhaps she simply hadn’t thought Ruby needed to know.

It happened all the time.

“I must have forgotten because things have been so hectic lately. I’m sorry.”

As always, Ruby let it pass as though it were her own fault.

Even if she told the truth, Marie would only become angry and accuse her of questioning her memory.

“Honestly. You’re so young, yet how can you be so… Tsk. At least prepare Eli’s favorite dishes for dinner.”

Marie clicked her tongue, but she was nevertheless pleased with Ruby’s tact and took another satisfied sip of tea.

“Yes, Mother.”

Ruby, too, smiled happily for perhaps the first time in a while as she thought about seeing Eli again.

“His Lordship, the Marquess Grit, has returned.”

“Oh, really?”

Ruby, Eve, and Emily rose together behind Marie.

“You’re back.”

“I’ve returned, Mother.”

Eli lightly embraced Marie.

“Brother!”

Eve and Emily also rushed into his arms, clearly delighted to see him.

“Looks like you’ve been doing well. You’ve gotten heavier.”

“You always have to say something like that!”

Eve playfully pounded his shoulder with her fists, and Eli burst into laughter.

The cold expression he wore at social gatherings was nowhere to be seen.

When he was with his family, Eli seemed like an entirely different person. He smiled easily, met their eyes, and listened attentively to everything they said.

When Ruby first met his family after their marriage, she had been surprised by that side of him.

At the same time, she had thought,

He really is a family-oriented man.

And because she was now part of his family, she had once allowed herself to hope that perhaps she, too, might receive that gentle gaze.

“I’m back.”

Only after all the greetings were finished did Eli’s eyes finally turn toward Ruby.

“Welcome home.”

Ruby greeted him, carefully keeping the excitement from creeping into her voice.

There was only one reason she endured this difficult marriage.

She loved Eli Grit.

Just seeing him give her the slightest smile was enough to make her believe that marrying him had been the right choice.

But the time she was given was painfully brief.

“Brother! What did you bring us?”

Eli immediately turned his attention to Emily, who was tugging excitedly at his arm, demanding her gift.

“It’s been a long time, Dowager Marchioness, my lady, young lady.”

Eli’s secretary, Retton, approached and greeted them. Behind him, the servants were unloading presents from the carriage.

“Take them to the drawing room.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Emily took Eli’s hand and eagerly led him toward the drawing room.

Ruby watched his retreating back for a moment before following behind them last.

“Try this.”

Whenever Marie pointed out a dish, Eli obediently tasted it.

The dowager marchioness watched him with a warm, pleased smile.

It was a sight that could only be seen whenever Eli returned home.

“It’s wonderful to have a meal together again after so long. Don’t you think so?”

Marie asked Ruby, who was sitting beside Eli.

Her smile was unusually gentle.

“Of course.”

Ruby always loved sharing meals with Eli.

She loved simply being able to see his face.

She also loved the fact that, with everyone’s attention focused on him, the members of House Grit weren’t busy scrutinizing her manners.

“Brother, you’ll choose the dresses I’m having made this time, won’t you?”

Eli’s gaze briefly settled on Ruby, but at Eve’s request, it soon moved away.

“Of course.”

While Eli wore a benevolent smile, Ruby’s expression became slightly downcast.

“I’m going to learn horseback riding. Brother, you’ll teach me, right? Please?”

Emily looked up at him.

Eli lightly pinched her cheek and answered,

“Of course.”

“Looks like only Sister-in-law is being left out.”

“Why?”

“She said she isn’t getting any dresses made this time.”

When Eli’s gaze fell upon her, Ruby’s body stiffened slightly.

“…I already had quite a few dresses made recently.”

Even as she answered, Ruby wished she could take the words back.

If she had known Eli was returning to the estate and would be choosing dresses with them, she would have said she wanted to go, too.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Have a safe trip.”

Even though she knew it couldn’t be helped, an inexplicable disappointment washed over her.

It seemed that, once again, Eli would have no time to spend with her.

He would go shopping for dresses and jewelry with the three women, or spend his time showing them around the estate.

The room was filled with warm air.

Ruby loved this time.

It was one of the very few moments when no one could interrupt them, when they could focus solely on each other.

Ruby gently touched Eli’s face as his brows furrowed slightly.

Then Eli lowered his head onto her shoulder and pulled her tightly into his arms.

Their bare skin felt each other’s warmth.

Their breathing grew ragged.

But it lasted only a moment.

Before the heat between them had even faded, Eli rose from the bed.

He showed no intention of lingering in the afterglow.

“Stay a little longer…”

“I have a lot to do tomorrow.”

They had just made love, yet unlike the warmth that still lingered between them, his expression contained not the slightest trace of emotion.

He looked down at Ruby with cold eyes.

Ruby pulled the blanket over her body.

Whenever she had to face his cold gaze while naked after they had been intimate, she felt ashamed.

It was even worse whenever she was the one who reached out first and asked him to stay a little longer.

It made her feel as though she had become a woman who was allowed to share his bed, but had no right to ask for his heart.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Eli put on his robe and left the room.

The cold air immediately brushed against the skin she had failed to cover completely.

A loveless marriage.

A bed shared for the sake of producing an heir.

Nothing more.

There was nothing else he needed from her, so to him, this was probably only natural.

Reminding herself once again of what she already knew, Ruby quietly wiped away the traces he had left behind.

Alone.

(To be continued in the next chapter.)