Chapter 1

It was our first night of marriage. Estoria who sat on the chair only wore a thinly pure white dress. She knew what was about to happen, however, she wasn’t nervous at all. She was calm as usual.

“Your Highness, Duke Arnulfo has arrived.”

Her husband has come. Estoria slowly closed her eyes. She heard footsteps as soon as the door opened. Then she became certain that someone sat across her. It was then Estoria slowly opened her eyes, and faced the man she married today– her husband. Her husband had a smile that could make anyone fall for him easily.

“I’m kind of nervous.”

He said, as he poured wine into spotless glasses.

“Help yourself.”

In spite of that, Estoria didn’t say anything rashly after getting the glass of wine. On the contrary, Arnulfo brought the glass straight to his lips. Inside the serene room, only the sound of passing wine calmly spread out. After a while, Arnulfo emptied the glass clean then slowly opened his mouth.

“Even if our marriage is for a political power.”

He had a neat and proper voice when he spoke.

“I will do my utmost best in this marriage.”

Estoria stared at Arnulfo with a smile on her face.

“I would like to have a good family with Her Imperial Highness.”

“I’ll try my best.”

She couldn’t say anything bad to him when he said he’ll work hard. Estoria unwillingly answered like that.

For Giselle Estoria, the marriage wasn’t pleasant. Marriage with the noble family of Duke Emmerich was a scheme by her father, Jacob I, for her younger half-brother to be the successor. In other words, her husband is an instrument to solidify Estoria’s younger half-brother’s succession to the throne. Estoria felt miserable, no different from an in-demand breeding horse.

Rattle.

The sound of the chair being dragged backwards was heard. Estoria slowly lifted her head while Arnulfo headed towards her. With this Estoria closed her eyes again, like a person preparing for something to happen.

“…”

Although for some time, nothing happened. Estoria had a weird feeling so she opened her eyes to see an absolutely unexpected sight in front of her. Arnulfo sat there clutching his chest.

“…Duke Emmerich!”

Estoria, who was surprised, hurriedly approached him. Bewildered she asked,

“Are you alright? What is happening…?!”

“Cough, Your Highness…”

Arnulfo who had an agonized face spoke with difficulty.

“The wine was poisoned…”

Unfortunately, Arnulfo wasn’t able to finish his sentence properly and just like that he fell in Estoria’s hold. Estoria who was flustered shook him up in a haste.

“Duke Emmerich! Duke Emmerich!”

”…”

“…No!”

She couldn’t breathe properly and as soon as she was certain that he was dead, Estoria couldn’t process the shock and screamed out loud. Upon hearing the Imperial Princess scream, maids outside quickly rushed inside.

“Your Highness the Imperial Princess!”

“What has happened?!”

“Duke Emmerich, Duke Emmerich…!”

The impact was too big of a shock, she couldn’t speak properly and began to tremble. The eyes of the maids turned to Arnulfo who had collapsed into Estoria’s hold. They ran about in confusion/in a flutter and embarrassment.

“How, how could this happen?!”

“What are you people doing? Call for the Imperial Court at once!”

“It’s useless to call for them.”

She couldn’t open her mouth properly and could only speak in a low voice, appearing as though she would collapse at any point.

“Already…”

Without finishing the last sentence clearly, Estoria lost her consciousness.

By the time she opened her eyes again.

“…”

It must have been quite a while assuming that her body has stiffened all throughout.

“Oh my, Imperial Princess…!”

“Her Imperial Highness has regained consciousness!”

“Call the Imperial Court at once!”

The maids began to move and busy themselves again when they saw Estoria regained consciousness. She parted her hair to the side and layed silently like a stranger. Estoria stared at the frantic movements of the maids for quite some time. Eventually her tightly shut lips opened.

“How long has it been?”

“You have been unconscious for three days, Your Highness.”

“For three days…”

She must have been greatly shocked by how the person collapsed in front of her.

‘…Such things weren’t a first’

After a long silence hearing the answer, Estoria opened her mouth again to speak.

“How about Duke Emmerich?”

“…”

“How did it happen to him?”

Nobody answered her as if their mouths were permanently glued. Not a single word came out – but that was a good enough response. Estoria’s expression turned distressed as she closed her eyes.

No.

Even if it was a political marriage without love, even if it was a deal and the marriage was like no other, he was still a decent man. A kind and friendly man. She couldn’t believe that the man died so suddenly on their first night of marriage. It was shocking.

Estoria spoke in a weaker voice than before.

“Tell me the situation.”

The maids conveyed to her truthfully that it was nothing she had to worry about. The sudden death of Duke Arnulfo Emmerich on the first night of his marriage was undergoing an urgent investigation by Emperor Jacod I, the father-in-law of the deceased. It was also rumored he was preparing the burial service for the deceased.

‘Who could have done this?”

Esteria ended her dread with a false laugh. It was clear who did it. A man who is behind the Emmerich Family’s suffering, a man who does not want his brother to pass on the crown to somebody else, because he wished to be the Emperor.

“It’s my younger uncle’s work.”

Dominique Vasianus. Duke Vasianus. The Prince of Gradiento Empire, Emperor Jacob’s one and only brother. A man who covets what his brother has. Dominique had already attempted to assassinate Jacob I several years ago but he was not punished due to the lack of evidence.

Estoria’s face was full of horror. The father was terrible but the uncle was even worse. The imperial family is a noble lineage that everyone envies and yearns for, however, for Estoria it was just an awful home affair. A family where a husband tries to kill his wife and older brother.

‘Like before, there’s no evidence this time.’

It was quite obvious. Her uncle was a meticulous man.

* * * Estoria’s idea was spot on. On the first night of their marriage, Jacob I, began his urgent investigation in anger over the death of his son-in-law. However, they could not find anything out. All the servants in charge of the red wine who entered Estoria’s room that day were all dead. There was no clear evidence, although it was clear who indeed did it. He had no choice but to complete the investigation without avail.

* * * By dawn.

“…Gosh!”

After a short groan, Estoria stood up from her bed. A rugged breath came out from her mouth.

“Ah, Ah…”

“You’re Highness.”

Asceline, who heard Estoria’s moan, approached her with a surprised look. Asceline, the nanny of Estoria, was a maid of the Imperial Palace.

“Are you alright? You’re sweating a lot…!”

“…”

“Would you like me to clean it for you, Your Highness?”

“I’ll clean it myself.”

Estoria weakly began to wipe away the cold sweat from her wet forehead. Asceline watched Estoria anxiously. After a long silence as Estoria wiped her forehead, she quietly opened her mouth.

“I had a nightmare.”

She didn’t have to answer Asceline’s silent question to figure out what the content of her dream was, she had been dreaming of the same thing ever since Arnulfo died. It was understandable if she didn’t want to answer.

“My mother collapsed after drinking a bottle of liquor… Then the Duke of Emmerich dies in front of me too after drinking.”

Her tone revealed a voice in deep suffering.

“It’s already the 10th time that I couldn’t sleep.”

Of course she couldn’t sleep properly. To be exact, she was afraid of falling asleep. Then her appetite had fallen thus Estoria was drying up day by day. It was enough to worry everyone around her.

“I haven’t dreamed about my mother this year, so I was wondering if things would go well this year…”

Estoria wrapped her hands around her troubled face.

“I thought it’s going to be a bit better now but it ended up like this again…”

“It seems that the late Duke was the trigger.”

Asceline sadly looked at Estoria.

“It must have shocked you greatly.”

“Yeah. I didn’t expect that I’ll go through another person’s death right in front of me since my mother died 12 years ago.”

The feeling was worse than she thought. Estoria muttered with a look of anguish.

“What if I had this dream because today is his funeral…”

“…”

“What time will the funeral start?”

“The funeral will start at 9:00.”

Asceline answered in a low voice.

“It would be fine to wake up now.”

“…Okay. After all, It’s hopeless to sleep now.”

Estoria shook her head while she answered Asceline.

“Please bring me a glass of water and let us get ready.”

* * * 8:00. Estoria sat in front of the mirror wearing a black veil and a black dress that rose until the tip of her neck. The contrast between the black clothes and her white skin was prominent. Even today, Estoria looked as dazzling as ever, similar to a silver pheasant (a bird).

“Your Imperial Highness.”

Asceline approached Estoria.

“You have to go now.”

Estoria remained silent as she stood up. The funeral was scheduled to take place at the East Temple where the two were married. The beginning and the end of the marriage started and ended at the same location in just two weeks. It wasn’t such a good feeling. Estoria didn’t open her eyes after getting into the carriage until she arrived at the temple.

“We have arrived.”

Only when she heard Asceline speak did Estoria open her eyes and get out of the carriage. Today was the moment when the hero of the funeral appeared.

“Your Imperial Highness, are you feeling fine?”

Estoria felt people’s eyes on her as they chattered even before she entered the funeral hall.

“You’ve lost your husband on the first night of your marriage…”

“That’s why, you must be very heartbroken.”

It was mostly sympathy. However, for Estoria this sympathy didn’t move her. She had already experienced the same situation 12 years ago when she lost her mother. Estoria entered the funeral hall coldy, without much emotion, as she did in the past.

“Your Imperial Highness.”

Soon someone called out as they headed to her.

“The star of the Empire has arrived. Glory to Gradiento.”

“…You’re?”

“First time meeting you, Your Highness. I’m Michael Emmerich.”

He was the chief mourner. Arnulfo’s only nephew, he was the new successor of the Emmerich Family. Sporting blond hair and light green eyes, he was at least 10 years old. Nevertheless, he showed solemnity as the new head of the family.

“We thank you for coming. His Majesty was just here.”

“Is that so.”

“Would you like to see Uncle?”

Michael’s words made Estoria’s eyes tremble with fear. When Estoria’s mouth remained shut and gave no response, Michael quickly added,

“If it’s difficult for you, you don’t have to see him. It’s just…”

“I’m fine. I’ll go meet him.”

Micheal appeared worried at Estoria’s answer, but after seeing Estoria showing a sincere expression, Micheal silently led her to the coffin of the deceased.

“Ah.”

Upon reaching near the area, Michael greeted a strange man standing near the coffin.

“Greetings, Duke.”

“Duke Emmerich.”

“Thank you for coming, Duke.”

“It’s only natural to be here on the last path of my friend.”

Estoria gazed at the man who Michael was greeting.

He had snowy white porcelain skin that contrasted to his black hair and black clothes. His green eyes shone amongst all the achromatic colors. His eyes were red as it seemed he was crying a lot. He would appear more attractive if he fixed his appearance. This would surely attract the attention of the visitors around him. Estoria kept looking at her husband’s friend.

“Ah, please give greetings to Estoria, Her Imperial Highness.”

Michael wavered then introduced Estoria to the man. It was only then did the man give Estoria a glance and quickly bowed his head.

“I give greetings to our country’s beautiful star, Your Imperial Highness.”

Although the corners of his mouth didn’t rise, he didn’t appear to look cold. In fact, his looks were amazing.

“I am Tristan Bigelow.”

The man named Tristan reached his hand out to Estoria.

That name, she’s heard it before. The Empire’s Sword, perhaps it was only natural to use his surname rather than his title. He suddenly studied abroad 5 years ago, and until now was a man who lived as freely as the wind. He was at the age of getting pressured into marrying but seemed to disregard it and lived as he pleased. Somehow he was a man to be envious of. Every night he was together with a different woman, it was said that numerous females had fallen for him and his mannerism.

‘It seems I didn’t see you during our wedding?’

It was a bold move as normally Imperial Family’s marriages are required to be attended. It showed how he advocated a free life and was not bound by his status. Estoria looked at Tristan’s stretched out hand blankly.

“You’re a friend of Duke Emmerich?”

“Yes, I was his classmate at the academy.”

“There’s no one who doesn’t know how close you two were together.”

Michael interrupted with a brief explanation.

“Lord Tristan recently returned from studying abroad for a while.”

“I’m sorry to greet you on such a bad occasion.”

Estoria finally took Tristan’s hand.

Shake.

His hand was full of calluses. She was able to quickly conclude what kind of person he was by the way he holds his sword.

“I’m sorry for your loss. I can’t believe you lost your husband on the day of your marriage.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

Estoria answered in a dry voice.

“You too, also, suddenly lost your friend. I’m sure you’re also saddened.”

“Yes, it was so sudden…”

While saying that, the corners of Tristan’s mouth began to tremble. At the sight of him trembling, Estoria stopped talking. After a while, Tristan who seemed to have calmed down talked to Michael.

“I’ll have to leave you now.”

“Were you able to pay your respects fully?”

“I’ve seen him enough.”

He answered, nodding his head.

“I’m not the only one who lost Arnulfo. I’ll come back some other time.”

He smiled bitterly and turned to Estoria.

“I hope to meet you in a good time next time, Your Imperial Highness.”

After bowing politely, he turned his back on the two. Estoria watched him go farther from them then soon turned to Arnulfo lying in the coffin. Michael stepped aside to give them space.

“…I’m sorry, Duke.”

Estoria spoke those words after a while with much difficulty.

“You married me to protect my younger brother, and yet we haven’t been able to investigate your death properly.”

Estoria closed her eyes after speaking, with a troubled look on her face. After a little later, she quickly left the funeral hall as she couldn’t handle the situation any longer.

* * * Although the wedding took place, they did not have their first night together. Thus, their marriage was deemed invalid. With this Estoria was officially single again. Though uncommon, it still happened. After, everything onwards was a somewhat standard procedure to some extent, but what Estoria experienced after the funeral could not be considered a ‘regular’ procedure.

‘I don’t know if you’re trying to comfort me.’

It had been a long time since she was called by Emperor Jacob I. With an expressionless face, she entered the room without much expectation.

“Greetings to the Empire’s Sun, Your Imperial Majesty.”

Then in a dry voice, she asked the matter at once,

“What did you call me for?”

Emperor Jacob I blankly stared at his daughter. Then he said the words that were beyond her imagination.

“Go get married.”