Chapter 3.2

The man, taking a leisurely cup of tea, got up slowly, as if waiting for her to walk towards the center. The indigo blue hair, which was calmly tucked back and organized, gave off an intellectual atmosphere. The man who walked straight to Anne, put one hand on his chest and greeted her with impeccable manners.

“A pleasure to meet you. My name is Ashton Wald, the head of Grand Duke Cromund’s knights. I’m here to pick up Lady Libelois.”

“Did you come all the way from the North to meet me?”

Anne pointed it out precisely. They came all the way from the north to here, so when did they start?

The man named Ashton continued his speech, fixing the rimless glasses he was wearing.

“That’s right. From here, we will escort you with our carriage. Except for Lady, everyone else needs to go.”

“What does that mean? Isn’t it still far from the north?”

“We have not heard anything from the Grand Duke!”

At the disrespectful words from the man who pretended to be polite, the knights of the Libelois family spat out their complaints. They, too, were waiting for their master, keeping an eye on the knights of the Grand Duchy who came suddenly.

“It’s rude to interrupt a conversation.”

“I’m sorry, Miss.”

In an atmosphere that was about to be a little ferocious, Anne motioned the knights to stop and lifted her gaze to the man.

“As you may have seen while entering, we also have a carriage and a party.”

“I’m sorry, but we can’t bring other knights, maids, or even the coachman. There is only one Lady that the Grand Duke has promised to accept in the Northern Territory.”

“Then you’re saying I have to go through that long distance alone, without an attendant waiting for me? It will be unpleasant.”

Anne, who had been forcing out her words, quickly steeled her nerves. After she arrived, the knights of the family were planning to return on their own, but the maid with her was planning to stay with her in the Grand Duchy. But she couldn’t even take the maid, and she has to go that far alone . . . If the knights of the Grand Duchy had replaced them, it was obvious that she would be uncomfortable.

Ashton, who took out his pocket watch despite Anne’s harsh tone, checked the time and spoke softly.

“If the reason you are hesitating is because of the attendance, there is no need to worry. If you leave now, you will be able to sleep in a soft bed and not in this shabby place by tonight.”

“To . . . night?”

Anne looked up at Ashton with puzzled eyes. It takes a full week to reach the North, no matter how fast the horses were rushed. Did this person believe she was stupid? Or was he even joking? It was beyond absurdity, to the point of angering her.

As Anne’s expression darkened, Ashton politely added his words.

“The carriage we prepared is equipped with a special magic stone that can only be found in the north. It can shorten the travel distance to the Grand Duchy quickly.”

She knew that such a special carriage existed, but it only reduced travel by a day or so. But one week to one day. It was impossible no matter how great the magical power was.

“You are making fun of me.”

Anne said as she lowered her voice. Although she was being sold, there was no reason for her to be despised even by the men of the family.

“How dare we, who have even been appointed knights, lie to the noble Lady who will become the Grand Duchess. As a knight who swore allegiance, we simply obey the master’s orders.”

The aristocratic accent, as if well-educated, comforted her step by step. Despite her wrathful voice, the man moderately stood up, wielding the name of Grand Duchess and pretending to do it for Anne. There was someone else who ordered everything, which meant there was no reason to argue here.

His master, Grand Duke Cromund, was the name that would best summarize this situation.

When Anne was silent, Ashton gestured his eyes at the knight standing behind him. The young-looking knight handed the box he was holding in his hand to the maid next to Anne. He saw her gaze asking what this was, and Ashton opened his mouth again.

“You are not allowed to take any of your belongings. Not even your clothes, jewelry, or underwear.”

“Gasp.”

The maid, who screamed in surprise, was startled and covered her mouth with her hand. Although referring to a woman’s underwear, Ashton had a face without a single trace of shame.

“I’ll wait until you are changed.”

“Must I change into these clothes here?”

“The Grand Duke wants you to arrive dressed in northern clothes.”

Rumors that he was over seventy years old and perverted appeared to be true. Even before they met, he was forcing her to wear clothing he liked . . . It was as though he would not allow a single thread and that she should bring only her body.

At the insulting request, Anne asked, without even thinking of hiding an eerie look.

“I don’t understand why you are doing this.”

“This was ordered by the Grand Duke, so we have no reason to refuse his order.”

It meant it was they who would suffer if she refused. The eyes of the people who suddenly took over the space turned to Anne.

“Miss . . .”

The maid, who was sniffling, was also looking at her. Her self-esteem was hurt, but she had no choice but to listen. It was difficult for her to keep blaming the man for, as he said, he had only been given orders, and it was difficult for him to persist.

I can’t help it. From the beginning, this is not a normal marriage . . .

She didn’t like it, but from the beginning, it was he who had been hateful. If he suddenly changed his mind and asked for compensation from her family, that would be a big deal. She left, swearing she would never see her family again, but she had no desire for her family to be ruined and to sit on the streets.

“It’s no big deal.”

Anne took the box she had received, nodded her head slightly to the maid, who was only staring at her, and headed to her room. Every time she ascended a step, she felt someone’s gaze stabbing into her back. It was obvious that it was the gaze of the man named Ashton.