Chapter 14

The maid placed the teacup in front of Asella and Ryzen and bowed politely.

“… Now that it is quiet, please speak.”

With the sound of the door closing, they were the only two in the room. The pleasant aroma of the steamy cup of tea diffused into the stale air.

Asella stared at Ryzen in a way that wasn’t too rude.

She didn’t want to give the impression that she was observing him, so she stared down at the tip of her nose without making proper eye contact.

‘This man… is a member of Count Kadan’s household.’

The Kadans were the leading vassals of the Benvitos and produced some of the best knights of the country.

‘He has no openings.’

He did not touch any food on the table, not to mention the tea.

In a way, it was on purpose. There have been people who were mean and would put tricks in their food. It could be poison, truth serum, or sleeping pills, so one had to be careful.

Any other person would have taken a sip of tea out of courtesy.

He was a very serious person, almost like a brick wall.

She felt as if she didn’t need to bother to find out what kind of man her husband-to-be, the Grand Duke Calix Benvito, was like.

Letting out a small sigh, Asella opened her mouth first.

“Did you have anything you want to say to me…?”

The answer was unexpected.

“Nothing in particular.”

“Excuse me?”

“His Excellency ordered me to stay for as long as it takes to finish a cup of tea with My Lady.”

Tilting her head as if she were trying to figure out what he was saying, Asella asked again.

“May I ask why?”

“I don’t know anything about that. I only followed what I was ordered to do. Are you uncomfortable?”

“No.”

With a brief answer, Asella looked down to the spectacular tiara that was still on her lap, shining gorgeously, as if making its presence known.

‘He said you should wear it for the wedding ceremony.’

To someone else, it might seem like a loving gift from a husband who cared for his future wife. But Asella knew better than anyone that it was not for romantic reasons.

It was a kind of sign. A sign that indicated that she belonged to him.

There was no reason for her heart to be overjoyed. No reason for her to rejoice at this luxurious gift.

Philip had ordered her to thank the Grand Duke, who wasn’t even there, but Asella had a strong feeling that no matter how she reacted, Calix Benvito wouldn’t care much.

“…”

Ryzen, on the other hand, observed Asella closely.

Of course, it was his lord’s orders, but he also developed a strange curiosity regarding her personality. That was because Asella was very different from what he had imagined.

Whether she wanted it or not, the world had a lot to say about Asella Chartus.

The tragic daughter of the Marquis who lost her mother in an unfortunate accident; the failure of Chartus; the one who has yet to awaken her own abilities; the loser who was even stripped of the title of successor…

Ryzen also heard a lot of rumors and gathered information under the order of the Grand Duke.

However, seeing Asella in person was very different from what Ryzen had in mind.

No rumor could fully speak of her.

Years of abuse had taken its toll on her body, but it couldn’t take away her natural noble soul. She behaved docilely as if she knew nothing of disobedience, but at certain moments her eyes would light up.

She spoke only a few words, but they were not thoughtless, and her actions were calculated but precise and controlled.

He was quick to notice that she was wearing clothes that didn’t belong to her.

It looked like they prepared it in a short time, but Ryzen’s keen eyes were able to find the odd wrinkled, poorly-made stitches here and there.

The extreme lack of movement must have been due to the fact that she knew they were poorly sewn and was afraid it might rip apart.

It was already odd to be forced to wear clothes that didn’t belong to her, yet it wasn’t that strange since the one who was forced was Asella Chartus.

Ryzen’s gaze slowly shifted to her face.

‘Is she injured? If not…’ 

As she looked down at the tiara with dry eyes. Her lips looked like they would bleed at any moment.

She seemed to have tried to hide it by wiping it clean and applying makeup to her lips. If he had to guess, it was a recent wound.

Her straight posture was steady, though her eyes were flinching as if she was standing on the edge of a cliff.

Pretending not to notice, Ryzen averted his gaze and immediately began to speak slowly, though he felt it was unlike him to do so.

“There is no need to endure all of this, My Lady.”

Asella lifted her head at the unexpected words.

“Especially since you’re going to be a Grand Duchess.”

Asella did not respond but remained silent for a while.

The tea had eventually cooled down.

When it was time for Ryzen to leave, he stood up, and at that moment, Asella finally parted her heavy lips.

“…Thank you for your kind words.”

It was small and quiet, yet it was a clear tone.