As the bride entered the hall, all eyes were drawn to her exquisite beauty. Every person present stood in silent awe, mesmerized by her presence. She walked with an air of grace and elegance towards the altar, her mermaid lace gown fitting perfectly to her curvy figure. The intricate details of the lacework, along with the delicate beading, added to the overall allure of her gown. It was clear that every aspect of her appearance had been carefully chosen and meticulously planned. As she glided towards the altar, the excitement in the room was palpable, as this was her first public appearance, and all were eager to witness her radiance.
Marquis Basilisk never let her go outside the mansion. Fearing he thought she would bring disgrace to his name. Because of her birth, the lady of the house died. Soon after, some years passed, and her father followed behind her mother, making her all alone in this world, people treated her like short of a cursed child. Heartbroken, losing both his son and daughter-in-law, he blamed her. She was locked in her own house. So, her appearance was not known. Yet there were various rumors about her.
Numerous rumors were circling about the granddaughter of Marquis Basilisk. Some said she was an unattractive child or too sickly to leave her bed. However, the most prevalent rumor was that she was an illegitimate child of the Basilisk House. But the most gruesome of all the rumors claimed that she had consumed her mother at birth.
The whole kingdom was thrown into a frenzy when the news of the union between the two dominant houses spread like wildfire.
The air was filled with excitement and anticipation as everyone eagerly awaited the fateful day. All attention was focused on the main character of the event, and as she made her entrance, all eyes were on her. Any rumors about her being unattractive or unwell were quickly dispelled as she revealed herself in all her glory. Women were envious of her flawless beauty, and men were entranced by her captivating aura. The moment was truly unforgettable.
Her eyes widen a bit seeing him. As the writer wrote about his countenance - "His face possessed striking good looks, exuding an air of cool confidence. His eyes, sharp and piercing, shone with a deep red hue reminiscent of a precious ruby. His black hair was as dark as the night sky and framed his broad shoulders perfectly, accentuating his well-proportioned physique." He was wearing a navy blue color outfit that looked similar to the military dress that, making his appearance even more attractive. But gods, it was compatible for him.
The bride glided gracefully towards the groom and stood beside him. The priest commenced the ceremony, and the air was filled with anticipation and excitement. The flower girls, with their innocent faces and beautiful dresses, approached the couple, carrying a basket adorned with laces and petals, which held the precious wedding rings. As the couple exchanged vows, the groom placed his thumb on the corner of the bride's lips and tenderly kissed her, but to the onlookers, it appeared as if they were kissing. The moment was magical, and it seemed like time had paused to witness the union of two souls.
As I look around the room, everything seems perfect - except for that irritating glare. As soon as I walked in, I noticed him staring at me with a look that could kill me. It's clear that he's not happy about the marriage. But really, who would be thrilled about being forced into a situation they don't want to be in? It's frustrating, to say the least.
'Wow, would you just look at this? I never imagined I'd be in this situation. If only my life weren't on the line, I wouldn't have married you.'
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'Wow! This room exudes opulence. The furniture is a mixture of medieval and modern styles, and the bed is so large that I could roll around in it. The interior design is marvelous, particularly the art on the ceiling, which is so eye-catching. Is this really my room? It's three times the size of what I expected!'
"Greetings, my lady. I will be in charge of your daily needs; it's a pleasure to serve you," the maid introduced herself while standing two steps behind me. 'Although the maid at House Basilisk didn't treat me well, I appreciate that she is good at her job.'
"I wonder what your name is?" I asked, my tone friendly yet curious. She kept her head down, staring at the ground before finally answering, "I'm Miya, my lady."
As she spoke, I couldn't help but sense that there was more to her story, something that had yet to unfold.
As I looked at Miya, I couldn't help but notice her striking appearance. Her hair was cut in a high-low bob, with a pure white color that contrasted sharply with her pitch-black marble eyes. Despite her shorter height, she exuded a sense of confidence and control. Her face was stoic, giving nothing away, almost like a poker face. She spoke with clarity and authority, "Shall I prepare a bath for you, my lady?" Her words were polite and respectful. It was clear that she was a capable and efficient maid who took pride in her work.
I gazed at the maid before me and smiled, expressing my gratitude for her presence. "Yes, that would be lovely," I replied, nodding my head in agreement.
As she raised her head to look at me, "Do you need anything else, my lady?" she asked, her voice full of warmth and kindness.
"No, that will be all. I place my trust in your capable hands from this moment on," I said, walking over to the plush wing chair that was placed in the room. With a graceful bow, the maid left the room, leaving me to sink down into the comfortable embrace of the chair.
'At last, I am free from that suffocating household. This forced alliance may have saved my life, but it has come at a high cost. If only I had the power to decide my own fate, I would never have found myself in this situation.' I sink into the plush armchair, feeling the soft fabric against my skin. As I close my eyes and let out a deep breath, my mind begins to wander. Thoughts drift in and out, like leaves caught in a gentle breeze, as I allow myself to fully unwind and embrace the peaceful tranquility of the moment.
The Dragun family is widely recognized as the most dominant and influential family in the Azarson Empire. Their military prowess is unmatched and unparalleled, and they have always displayed their strength with pride. Even the imperial family, who are considered to be the most powerful family in the empire, cannot compare to the might and military capabilities of the Dragun family.
Despite their unmatched strength, the Duke of Dragun is very cautious and wishes to avoid any chaos that may arise as a result of any power struggles. As a result, they have decided to remain as the dukedom of Azarson, rather than pursue any ambitions of taking over the empire.
The young Duke Dragun is the only heir to the dukedom, and as such, whoever marries him will undoubtedly strengthen their family's power and position in the empire. It is rumored that if he had chosen to marry Princess Roseanne, who is the only Princess of the Azarson Empire, the imperial family would have become even more influential and dominant than ever before.
However, the nobles who hold significant positions of power in the empire were afraid of the consequences that such a union would bring. Therefore, they vehemently opposed the idea, and the Duke of Dragun decided to keep his position as the dukedom of Azarson, much to the disappointment of many.
If I had married Edgar, who is the only heir of Marquis Amorimm, it would have caused a great disturbance in the economic balance. Both our families are wealthy, and such a union could have tipped the scales in an undesirable way. The imperial family did not wish for such a thing to happen, and as a result, the idea was swiftly rejected.
Throughout the empire, it was a well-known fact that the Basilisk and the Dragun were never in agreement. They were two opposing forces, each with their own agenda, and their mutual animosity ran deep. People believed that these two factions could never unite, and the idea of them doing so was seen as preposterous.
After much deliberation, it was decided that my fate and Ivan's would be tied to political interests. This was a difficult decision to make, but it was deemed necessary to maintain the stability of the empire.
According to the beliefs of Marquis Basilisk's followers, this marriage was crucial in maintaining control over the Dragun. However, this control would only be possible if they could anticipate what lay ahead. My personal experience in this scenario has been challenging, having escaped from one perilous situation only to find myself entangled in another equally treacherous web.
Deep in thought, I was startled when Miya entered the room. "The bath is ready, my lady," she said softly. I rose from my seat and followed her to the bathroom. Some maids accompanied us, but I asked them to leave me be, and to my relief, only Miya stayed behind. I appreciated her presence and felt comforted by her.
As I walked into the bathroom, I couldn't help but marvel at its grandeur. The walls were lined with elegant marble and the bathtub, oh the bathtub, was a sight to behold. It was a massive square-shaped structure, large enough to easily accommodate at least three people. In the corner of the bath, I noticed a beautifully crafted dragon face that served as a spout for the water. As I stepped into the tub, I was greeted by water that was just the right temperature - not too hot or too cold, but just perfect. The aroma of lavender and merlot wine filled the air, making my bath time a truly luxurious experience.
"I am in heaven," I sighed, feeling completely relaxed.
"Miya," I called out.
"Yes, my lady," Miya responded promptly.
"Can you tell me more about the duke?" I asked, trying hard to conceal my infatuation.
"The duke is an incredible person. He is a commendable leader and is loved by his people for his kindness. He went to war at a young age and emerged victorious, earning the respect of his people," Miya answered, looking into my eyes. "He despises liars the most," she added, with a hint of warning in her tone.
As she looked at me, her eyes darkened and her brows furrowed. It seemed like a warning, a sign that something was amiss. Yet, just as quickly as it had appeared, the expression disappeared, replaced by her usual emotionless facade. I couldn't help but wonder - Huh..what was that?
"My lady, should I give you a massage?" she asked. 'Was I mistaken?'
"No, it's alright. I have finished already."
As I stepped out of the bathtub, I could feel the warmth of the water still clinging to my skin. Droplets of water glistened in my hair and trickled down my body, forming small puddles on the tiled floor. Miya, my personal assistant, handed me a soft, fluffy towel to wrap around myself. As I dried off, the maids bustled around, bringing me a pristine white lingerie nightgown that felt delicate against my skin.
'Wh..wh..what is this? Do I have to wear this?'
I was filled with embarrassment just by looking at it. I requested a change, but it appears that the Duchess herself had prepared it.
I am confused. Didn't the Duchess despise Arya? She never gave her any attention before, as it was written in the novel. So, what is the Duchess planning now?
Realizing that the situation would not change, I requested a black silk night robe for the night. Luckily, this time, my request was fulfilled, and I received a long black silk night robe. Shortly after, a maid brought some fruits and wine and placed them on the table. After everyone had finished, they all left the room.
The original story didn't have the duke's appearance on the first night, making the situation nonsensical. However, as I could not do anything, I indulged in some pleasure. I poured myself a glass of wine and took a sip, realizing how divine it tasted. There was no harm in enjoying myself a little.
I was so immersed in my wine that I failed to notice a pair of eyes staring at me. Gradually, that person strides towards me. As I lift my gaze, I am met with the most gorgeous red eyes I have ever seen. They are simply breathtaking.
'The vivid shade of red, reminiscent of the precious gemstone ruby, is truly a sight to behold. Its striking beauty is unparalleled.'
Feeling awkward with his gaze, I offered him a drink. He sat down, crossed his legs, and took a glass of wine. Silence followed. 'This feels like a deja vu.'
After a few minutes of awkward silence, the Duke finally spoke up and said, "Don't expect anything from me." I was taken aback by his sudden statement and gave him a confused look, wondering what he meant. He then gestured towards me, indicating that he did not want any help from me whatsoever. As I realized the implication of his words, a feeling of embarrassment washed over me. I wished that I could disappear into thin air or hide in a hole, anything to escape the awkwardness of the moment.
As I cleared my throat to speak, my tone conveyed a sense of helplessness. "This is what the duchess had ordered," I explained. "Unfortunately, I was left with no alternative."
He lets out a deep sigh and pulls out a stack of papers, placing them in front of me with a slight thud.
My curiosity piqued, I glance up at him and ask, "What's that?"
"A contract," he replies, his tone serious.