Then the woman said to me, "So, are you here to beg me now?"
'What is this woman talking about?'
"How did you know I was coming here?" I asked.
"My intuition is strong. You must be here to plead for my forgiveness, right? Have you given up on marrying Xerta? Do you want your knight back?" Cynthia gave me a sly smile. "But… hmm… I'm not planning to give Keith back to you."
This woman truly took pleasure in my misery. But honestly… I had no intention of calling off my marriage to Xerta. I wasn't about to let her win over and over again.
I had never done this before, but I decided to try it—let her think she was in control, just a little longer.
"Hic… Lady Cynthia… may I see Keith for just a moment? Please, I beg you." Tears welled in my eyes. Sure enough, her face lit up with satisfaction.
"You think I'd allow that?" Cynthia sneered. "How about we make a deal? Call off your marriage to Xerta, and then you can have Keith back."
Having come to understand her well, I knew she delighted in my suffering. This woman seemed unable to tolerate my possessing anything she didn't. However, I refused to give in to Cynthia. I no longer cared what she did with Keith, or at least, I would try not to care. Eventually, she would tired of him and return him.
"Please, Cynthia, I'll do as you say. I just want to see Keith." I said it while kneeling before her, and I could see the delight in her eyes. She finally allowed me inside.
We walked together, and I could sense she was holding back laughter while I quietly wiped away my tears.
Finally, I saw Keith at the far end. Thankfully, he looked healthy—but weren't they standing a bit too close? Keith was facing Epsilon, though I noticed Epsilon eventually stepped back. Then he glanced our way, looking pleased to see Cynthia approaching.
I seized the chance to quicken my pace. Once I was close enough, I pulled back the hood of my cloak. "It's been a while, Keith…"
Keith's expression shifted in surprise. "Leyla."
"Wait—what are you doing here?" Epsilon's voice was sharp with irritation.
Keith was still stunned, but from the corner of my eye I caught Cynthia's look, as if saying, "Go on, tell me what you want—on your knees."
'Too bad for you, Cynthia. That's not why I'm here.'
"So, why have you come here, Leyla? Answer Epsilon's question," Cynthia finally spoke.
A smile stretched across my face, identical to hers. "I decided to deliver a wedding invitation in person," I announced, my voice a gentle murmur.
I met Cynthia's gaze, then produced the envelope, the parchment cool against my fingers, from beneath my dark cloak. "Please, do come… to my wedding with Xerta. Considering we're such good friends, I thought it best to bring it myself."
Cynthia's face changed—I caught a flicker of irritation beneath her composure. Meanwhile, Epsilon looked annoyed as well. I turned to him. "Of course, this invitation is for you as well, Master Mage. I hope you'll attend."
Then I shifted my gaze to Keith. For some reason, he turned his eyes away, even though I had hoped to speak to him. No matter what, I just wanted to part on good terms if this was truly what he wanted.
Rather than linger here, I decided to leave. I put on my smile once more and said, "Well then, I'll take my leave." I bowed politely.
As I walked away, holding back my satisfaction, I could still hear her muttering "bitch" under her breath even when I was far enough.
'I'm completely satisfied.'
Once it was over, I reached the carriage. Inside, Xerta was sitting with arms crossed, looking restless. Before long, he spoke. "Are you done?"
I heard the sound of rain starting to fall. I quickly climbed in and sat across from him. "Looks like she was furious…"
"I wish I'd seen that," he said.
I fell silent again, thinking. Maybe I had looked at Keith too coldly. Wouldn't that make him sad? No matter what, I still hoped he'd come to the wedding. Even if my marriage with Xerta was only a two-year contract, he would still officially be my husband.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Xerta asked.
"Ah… it's nothing. I was just wondering—do you regret marrying me?"
"Leyla… you're still thinking about that? I've been grateful for it for a long time. I'm only concerned that you'll be comfortable as my wife. I have many enemies."
"But you'll protect me, won't you?" I smiled. "If that's the case, then I trust you. For me, marriage doesn't need love—it needs trust."
Xerta fell silent, his ears turning red. "Don't fall in love with me."
"Uh… of course not…"
Still, hearing him say that… it stung a little.
--
That night, I sat before Xerta's mansion, the cool night air brushing my cheeks as I looked up at the sky. The stars glittered above, sharp and distant, their cold beauty stirring an ache in my chest.
That was when I remembered that night.
Keith's confession—his words and the warmth behind them. I had been cruel… turning away and leaving without an answer. The regret was sharper now. If we had spoken openly then, perhaps we wouldn't be apart like this.
A sudden rumble of wheels on stone drew my attention. A carriage passed through the gates—my father's crest glinting faintly in the lantern light.
I almost forgot.
I rose quickly, skirts brushing against my legs, and approached. When the carriage stopped, Father stepped down, followed by Yuvri and Rajir.
"Leyla, my daughter!" Father pulled me into a tight embrace, his familiar scent—spiced leather and parchment—wrapping around me. "Has it been hard for you? I missed you!!"
"Father… let go, why are you like this all of a sudden?" I said, startled.
"I heard about it, Leyla! Keith betrayed you! Is that true?" Count Nerwine's voice was sharp with outrage.
"Ah… er…"
"What's there to doubt, my lord?" Yuvri cut in. "We haven't seen him nearby, so it must be true. Lord Xerta has no reason to lie."
"Shouldn't we hear his side first? I'll go to him myself if I must! He's at the Hemser estate, isn't he?" Rajir's tone was edged with impatience.
"I'll cut off his head if I see him!" Father snapped.
Stop it… why are your eyes like that? You look terrifying.
"Lord Count, you've arrived," Xerta's voice broke through, calm and deliberate.
"Yes… Duke. I made time to come here so I could attend the wedding in person—and not be late."
"A wise choice. You should have told me earlier; I could have sent someone to fetch you."
"There's no need, Duke Xerta. In fact, I'm grateful you troubled yourself to visit me this morning. As Keith's superior, I also wish to apologize formally. I heard the two of you quarreled upon his arrival."
'Eh…? Even that rumor reached Father?'
"It's fine, Lord Count. It wasn't a quarrel—it was a duel. I deeply respect the outcome. He's strong."
Somehow, Xerta's words made Rajir rub his nose with a faint smirk, as though proud. His praise for Keith was genuine. So that's how it was—they hadn't fought in anger, but tested each other in skill. I had misunderstood.
"Please, come in, Lord Count," Xerta gestured, leading us toward the mansion. Father's eyes roamed the grand hall in quiet awe.
"Do you live here?"
"Of course not, Lord Count. After the wedding, I'll return to the northern territory. I can't leave my sister for long." Xerta smiled faintly. "Besides, my people still need me as their leader."
'His sister? Was that Sera—the one he mentioned at dinner?'
"I see…" Father's expression dimmed, the thought of me living so far away clearly weighing on him.
"Tomorrow, the wedding will be in Cleygrow, at the church there. By chance, I know one of the pastors."
"That's quite far from the Capital. What made you choose it?" Yuvri asked.
"You know the north seeks protection from the god Helius. The church there worships the same god."
'So… he's religious?'
"I understand, Duke. My secretary can be blunt."
"It's fine, Lord Count."
Xerta spoke smoothly with Father, though I noticed Rajir's faint scowl. I knew Xerta's reputation wasn't spotless—rumors painted him as cold and unapproachable. Yet his work was undeniable; the northern lands formed the frontline against monsters.
I understood Father's concern… but I could take care of myself. I wasn't a child anymore.
Dinner ended without further strain. I excused myself to sleep early. Within minutes, the heaviness of the day pulled me into unconsciousness.
---
"Do you know how furious I am?! Do you think I'm not angry?!"
A ragged shout, thick with fury, slammed into my ears, close enough to feel the hot breath on my skin.
"And? You think I care? We don't have enough proof! You think you can just accuse Cynthia of orchestrating everything so easily?" The icy, clipped tones of Xerta's voice cut through the air, a chilling contrast.
"Don't you understand?! I just want him to find justice! I can't even find his body." The desperation, a raw ache, vibrated in the air, clawing at my chest until the trembling, raw sound was mine.
"Leyla! Stop being stubborn! You think I'm in a good position right now? After that disaster, my land is in a food crisis! Do you think I can only worry about you?!"
"But what about Keith?! Huu… huu… What about his body? Why did he have to die… just for me? Just for me…"
I fell to my knees, my sobs shaking me, hot tears spilling freely. Xerta dropped down before me, his shadow enveloping me.
He pulled me into his arms, my cheek pressed to the steady beat of his heart."…Forgive me…"
After a moment, he let go and stood, his steps retreating toward the door."Watch Leyla… make sure she eats," I heard him tell Solum before his footsteps faded away.
Through the blur of my tears, I saw my reflection—broken, pitiful. My own voice echoed in my mind:
'Just wait, Cynthia. I'll make sure you're punished for your sins.'
"Huff… huff…" I jolted awake, the dream clinging to me like a wet shroud. My chest ached, my cheeks damp.
What… was that? What did it mean?
KNOCK… KNOCK…
The knock at my door made me look up. Dorothy, the head maid, stepped in, her voice gentle."Are you ready, my lady?"
Ah—of course. Today is The day. My wedding day.
"I'm ready, Dorothy," I said, rising from the bed.
"Come, my lady… everything is prepared. The gown is waiting."
I nodded, following her… yet the dream clung to my thoughts like a shadow I couldn't shake.
'I have a bad feeling about it.'