Chapter 51
It was surprising that Helia mentioned she was glad that Grand Duke Aidan was kind to her.
As soon as Floria felt puzzled, Helia spoke up.
“If he loves his wife that much and treats her well, then surely he would provide a dowry for his wife’s sister.”
“Dowry?”
Floria blinked at the unexpected words.
A dowry? What was she talking about? And why would Aidan have to pay it?
“What do you mean? My sister… getting married?”
“Yes. That’s how it turned out. I’m getting married to Grand Duke Lionel.”
Grand Duke Lionel ruled the Duchy of Pietz, a small country next to Altomole.
He was widely known in neighboring countries for his excellent appearance and warm personality.
He was also famous for being a man who had no interest in territorial disputes and stayed away from the continent’s war vortex.
It was a sudden marriage.
However, it wasn’t surprising that Helia, who had been receiving bridal education for several years, was marrying him.
So, my sister is getting married.
It’s something to congratulate, but what does it have to do with Aidan?
Seeing Floria’s bewildered expression, Helia spoke again.
“To get married, a dowry is necessary, right? But as you know, Altomole doesn’t have much money right now.”
Altomole was a small country.
In recent years, due to drought-induced famine, taxes hadn’t been collected properly, and even the royal family found it hard to maintain their once-glorious lifestyle.
They could still maintain dignity, but if the other party demanded a large dowry, their father would find it difficult to pay.
Helia gave Floria a rare, benevolent smile.
“Of course, the Grand Duke would provide a dowry for his beloved wife’s sister.
Right?”
Only then did Floria realize why her mother and sister had come all the way to the Duchy of Sieff.
Thud, her hand dropped.
It was because of money.
They hadn’t come to see her.
It was because of money.
The purpose was her sister’s dowry.
Yes, that must be it.
If they had truly cherished and cared for her, they wouldn’t have sent her to the Duchy of Sieff, which they despised and hated, without even completing her bridal education.
Only then did all of Floria’s doubts get resolved.
Of course… I was foolish to be nervous and anxious every time I heard that my sister and mother were coming.
Floria clenched both hands tightly.
“…Why should His Highness the Grand Duke pay the dowry?”
“Because no one else has that money.
It’s a whopping 30 million lutes.”
“30 million lutes?”
It was an astronomical amount.
The maids’ monthly salary was usually around 10,000 lutes.
But a dowry of 30 million lutes? It was too much money for a dowry.
“Do you really have to get married by going that far?”
Unlike the Duchy of Sieff, the Duchy of Pietz was weak.
Even if the marriage was consummated, there was no benefit to Altomole.
Floria couldn’t see any reason to get married by paying such a huge dowry.
“Yes.
I like His Highness Grand Duke Lionel.
He’s a wonderful person.
Besides, the climate and culture there are similar to Altomole, so it would be perfect for me to live there.”
“Have you met him?”
“Of course.
He personally visited Altomole not long ago. You can’t marry a man you’ve never met, right?”
At Helia’s words, an indescribable, subtle emotion crossed Floria’s mind.
I married a man I didn’t even know.
At that time, the ones who pushed her the most were her mother and sister Helia, who were sitting here now.
She didn’t regret that marriage now, but her feelings were complicated.
Unable to grasp Floria’s subtle emotions, Helia reached out and grabbed Floria’s hand.
“So, please talk to the Grand Duke.”
“No.”
Before she could even think, Floria’s refusal burst out.
It was a genuine feeling that came from deep within.
“30 million lutes is too much money.
He has no reason or responsibility to pay for it.”
In families without a father or male siblings, it was common for a sister’s husband to take responsibility for the family as a guardian.
But that was only when the father was absent.
Their father was alive and well, and Natalie’s sister’s husband was also there.
Why should her husband, Grand Duke Aidan, the third in line… get involved in such matters?
“Why don’t you talk to Natalie’s sister?”
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