Chapter 39
Through her hollowed chest, the chill wind seemed to cut, rasping.
At the same time, an unspeakable fury surged, and she clenched her fists until they turned white.
Ooooh—!
Soon, from the distance, the howls of the demonic beasts Igor had chased off began to echo, and Eredite had no choice but to leave.
* * *
A few days later—whether Edawin had discussed it with the king or decided according to his own calculations, she didn’t know—he returned with Eredite’s disposition.
Of course, to her, it made no difference either way. But the notification defied her expectations, and she couldn’t help but stiffen slightly.
“His Majesty has granted you a sacramental marriage with Margrave Rubel of the west. The wedding is in one month. You’ll need to begin preparations.”
Blinking, Eredite couldn’t hide her bewilderment and stammered.
She had expected a demotion or confinement—not to be swept away from this place in an instant. And through marriage, of all means.
“B-But, this is far too sudden. Above all, I am bound by an oath.”
She reminded him of the vow she had made at the Great Temple at eight years old: to guard the border in place of the legitimate heir, Edawin, and to offer the blood of Haldegard in times of crisis.
Half-baked bastards like herself lived as substitutes for the legitimate children.
And now, marriage.
Occasionally, male bastards, not daughters, would build families even while fulfilling their duties—but most died young on the battlefields against the demons. She herself had never even considered marriage.
She didn’t know who the Margrave Rubel of the west was, nor did she want to. But Edawin, a faint, acrid smile on his lips, explained gently.
Careful not to forget, as if worried his half-sister might harbor expectations or hope, he pointed out only the cold reality.
“Of course, Margrave Rubel is remarrying, and he even has children. But with your strength added, he believes it will greatly aid in guarding the western canyon region, and he welcomes this union.”
Grinning, Edawin deliberately omitted the fact that he would receive massive political funds and military resources from the man in exchange for this political maneuver.
Staring up at him in a daze, Eredite finally closed her lips, which had been trembling.
There was no point in rebelling against a decision already made according to the royal family’s convenience and gain.
Having lived her entire life as a chess piece or a high-class slave of the royal house, she had no choice but to submit once more.
But perhaps she hadn’t managed to fully conceal her discontent, for Edawin seized her chin and sneered.
“Why? What displeases you? Surely you didn’t think I’d keep you here at this tower—you, who’ve been rolling around as the ‘Demon King’s’ w***e? Especially in this grave situation, with that very Demon King still lingering nearby?”
Though he had not brought his army, Edawin was making every preparation.
Skilled as she was in reconnaissance and guard duty, Eredite lacked the ability to lead an army. She had never been taught such a grand role in the first place.
Glancing once more at the top of her head, Edawin’s face filled with disgust and contempt as he shook his head.
“Even if you had lost your memories, that’s no excuse. And there’s no guarantee it won’t happen again. Foolish women don’t hesitate to collude with the enemy.”
This time, he glared at Eredite as if eyeing a heretic and spat.
“I hope you’ll be of some use, however small, to the strength and honor of the west.”
This deal seemed like a joint venture between the Margrave’s greed—to use Eredite’s half-bloodline and strength to elevate his own honor—and Edawin’s determination to shove his own duty onto her to the bitter end.
Realizing this, Eredite rationalized the situation in her mind and bit down hard on her lower lip.
‘Nothing changes either way.’
Whether here or there, the work assigned to her would be the same. The duty of Haldegard’s protection, foisted upon her, would not be lifted until the day she died.
Edawin quietly studied his sister’s eyes—this woman who would spend her entire life acting as a proxy soldier for his honor.
In them, he detected no hint of defiance, no trace of lament. Only the apathetic gaze of one who had received a superior’s orders, word for word.
That very blankness stirred an even deeper resentment in him, and Edawin sneered one last time.
“Yes, had you behaved emotionally, like some common wench, it would have been an even more wretched sight. I’m glad you know your place.”
Releasing the chin he’d been gripping, Edawin turned and left.
Lost in thought, Eredite stared at the ground for a long while, then let out a small sigh. A sigh of resignation.
And then, intending to leave as well, she made to turn.
But at that very moment.
Something black descended gracefully through the air, blocking the sunlight, and landed lightly before Eredite once more.
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.