37.

That night, Casaro Damonshire came to see Ercella.

She decided to send Casaro back as soon as possible after a brief conversation out of courtesy, but since he came to the garden, she greeted him there and not in the reception room instead. Because of this, their surroundings were all dark.

Ercella met Casaros grey-brown eyes. She thought he would be angry, but he was looking at Ercella more calmly than she expectedno, he seemed a bit colder.

Theres no hint of betrayal on her face whatsoever. She knows as well. She knows that she was never mine. After an uncomfortable silence, Casaro finally moved his lips, Ill respect your choice.

Ercellas eyes opened wide at his unexpected words. But Casaros expression was still callous.

Just keep this in mind, he said.

What?

Did you know that Princess Hermia proposed to him?

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The Princess proposed to him? Ive often heard about marriage talks but the Princess herself..?!

Casaros mouth twisted sinisterly at Ercellas blatant confusion as if he expected it. You didnt know that he wanted to marry you so he could refuse the princess? You know Bernhardt is politically neutral, right? If he marries the princess, he will become a subordinate of the Royal family. To avoid that, he proposed to youa Visaride. He may be the Kings loyal sword, but he doesnt want to be involved in troublesome political disputes.

What are you

Visarides are the closest to the Royal family. By marrying you, His Majesty cant punish him. His Majesty cant interfere in the private matters of the Visarides who have been defending the Royal family for generations. In this way, Bernhardt could stay neutral. Theres no law that states that you must follow a familys political position just because you are allied together by marriage. So even if the Bernhardts seem to be royalists to others, it wont matter as long as the they insist on their neutrality.

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Casaro took a deep breath and sneered, Youre just being used by that guy.

If you look closely, Casaros logic had some loopholes. But he said it so matter-of-factly that it sounded plausible and convincing.

You were the only one he offered to dance with that day.

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He was aiming at you from the beginning.

Maybe Casaros words are true. He and Ercella met for the first time that day, and she did find it strange how he only danced with her. She felt the faint hope rising in a corner of her heart gradually fade away.

He sent you some valuable gifts, didnt he?

Young Lord.

Hes pretending to be madly in love with you. That way, he can justify refusing the Princesss proposal.

Please stop.

Hes also someone who lives for the sake of his family after all. What? You thought he proposed to you because he loved you?

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You were just a girl who fits the bill.

What was I expecting? Suddenly, she found herself to be ridiculous. Actually, it doesnt matter if Casaros claim was true or not. On the contrary, Im grateful to him for telling me this. It made me realize the reality that I had forgotten.

I dont care. Because I need him, too.

She was the same too. Even if she hoped it wasnt a political marriage, Ercella, in fact, accepted his proposal after weighing the pros and cons of marrying him.

She needed that man to avoid marrying Casaro. Harsen is needed to support Eshahilde as queen. Bernhardt is needed for the Visarides.

It doesnt matter if the Bernhardts remain neutral; they can help us in times of need so nothing has changed. He was still her best choice.

When Ercella seemed unwilling to change her mind, Casaros face began to contort gruesomely, Does your life even matter to you?

Dont twist- Ercella had no choice but to stop talking as his face became as cold as frost.

They say hes a knight, right? Let me tell you then. Hes a rotten bastard on the battlefield. Did you think hes never played with a common whore there? Did you assume there arent bitches out there throwing themselves at his handsome mug? Even the noble Princess Hermia is one of those bitches. Rumors are rife that that son of a bitch met the Princess during your coming-of-age party. When you came of age, the bastard was with another woman.

Milord!

He mustve thought to have a fling with the Princess before breaking up with her, who knows.

Watch what you say, Milord!

Hes the one messing around with another bitch. Dont forget that unless the war ends, hell have to go back to the battlefield. What if he dies there?

Casaros usual calm and collected face became utterly wretched. He now seemed to have no intentions of hiding his true feelings. He didnt even try to hide his jealousy. Nevertheless, she didnt find Casaro repulsive because she couldnt refute his argument.

Tales about men spending a night with their lover before marriage or secretly taking a mistress after marriage. Ive heard stories like these often on the streets. Furthermore, hes a knight. Unless the war completely ends, one day, hell go to war. What if he gets killed there like Casaro said? Its a terribly plausible assumption.

Casaros words were so realistic that Ercella didnt want to hear him talk anymore. Casaro.

Casaro flinched when Ercella called. Ercellas eyes were resolute and unwavering despite her internal trembling. Go back. My choice wont change.

Shell marry Harsen no matter what. Ive made my mind, and its done and final. Nothing will change. None of those rumors matter. No, even if it mattered, I want to let Casaro know that I will not choose him. As if realizing that Ercella wont change her mind, Casaro nervously ran a hand through his hair, Yes, I know, the choice is yours in the end.

After saying that, Casaro left in defeat. She blankly stared at his back for a while then looked up at the slightly cloudy sky. There was nothing special about the sky, but she found it so bleak that she thought shed lose herself to it. But she soon shook off the thought and moved on.

When she returned to her room, a familiar scent brushed the tip of her nose. Ercella gathered the flowers in front of her and put them in a box.

She neatly sealed the box. There were no white flowers in sight anymore. The dreams her heart blossomed scattered as if they never happened.

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It was Princess Hermias birthday banquet. Naturally, as a member of a distinguished noble family in the capital and a relative of the First Princess Consort, Ercella had to attend.

As soon as she walked in, Ercella broke into a sweat trying to ignore the piercing gazes of people. She heard her name whispered everywhere. Of course theyd gossip.

People were gossiping about how the Young Lord Bernhardt was in talks to marry Princess Hermia but rejected her for the Visarides second daughter.

The presents sent to the marquisate were quite exquisite, so people who liked twisting the truth said that the Young Lord loved the Visaride lady.

So the truth was dramatized and rumors grew out of control that their marriage was a result of passionate love, not politics. How funny.

Ercella looked around, dealing courteously with the curious people that approached her while keeping an appropriate distance.

Do these people even know that the fiance whom they claim loves me dearly didnt even show a hint of his shadow since his coming of age? I only saw the face of my soon-to-be husband once! Hes not the demon king from fairytales, nor am I the princess whos forcefully wed to the demon king. Isnt this too much?

She was filled with complaints that she couldnt voice out but suddenly decided to stop her train of thought, finding herself being a little foolish. Its a political marriage. No matter what the public says, I dont need to dance to their rhythm.

Just as Ercella was getting tired of her thoughts, a gentle melody spread through the hall. The first part of the banquet was beginning shortly. She was bored so she thought of looking for something to quench her parched throat.

Ercella felt a presence near her. Upon recognizing the face, Ercella curtsied and said, Greetings to Her Honorable Highness. I am Ercella Visaride. My sincerest congratulations on your birthday.

Princess Hermia remained silent. Ercella still had no choice but to remain bowed until permission to rise was granted.

After a few seconds, which was longer than usual for a curtsy, a clear voice like falling beads said, Raise your head, Young Lady.

Ercella could finally see her face. Every inch of the princess who was born and raised exalted was elegant. Even the tiny curves around her mouth were naturally graceful.

I already knew this, but she really is beautiful.

Ercella was dazedly admiring the princess when she suddenly addressed Ercella. You must be the one Sir Bernhardt is marrying.

Yes, Your Highness.

Congratulations on your impending marriage.

A gentle voice flowed into Ercellas ears. Suddenly the princesss hair color caught Ercellas eye. The princesss hair that curled below her chest glimmered like black pearls. The color reminded Ercella of a certain someone. She felt very odd inside.

I envy you.

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The words accidentally spewed tiredly by the princess came to a sudden halt. Ercella was at a loss as to what to answer. There was sadness in the princesss voice.

The princess wasnt expecting an answer so she smiled gently, I have something to apologize for to the Young Lady.

Your Highness, what do-

I apologize for being unkind to Lady Visaride on the day of your coming-of-age.

The princess left as soon as she said that. She was quickly surrounded by people, so Ercella could not even see the back of her head.

Ercella recalled what the princess said, but she couldnt figure out what it meant by any stretch of the imagination. I apologize for being unkind to Lady Visaride on the day of your coming-of-age? Ercella couldnt understand what the princess meant because her two-day-long coming-of-age ceremony ended well. Then suddenly she remembered someone. Is it perhaps related to him?

He mustve thought to have a fling with the princess before breaking up with her, who knows.

Casaros forgotten words echoed in her ears. Ercella shook her head. Thats just his claim. There is nothing more foolish than to take the words of a man who has a grudge against me seriously.

Mother, Im going to rest for a bit.

The banquet hasnt even started, yet Im already tired. She wanted to relax her shoulders right away, but couldnt because many eyes were still on her.

Ercella kept a straight posture and headed toward the terrace. Ill be fine after cooling my head with some fresh air. As she opened the door thinking so, a cool breeze grazed her shoulder. Her eyes met with someones.

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She felt despondent when she saw the man standing in front of her. He never showed up at her coming-of-age party, yet here he is at the princesss birthday banquet.

Unexpectedly, he broke the silence first, Its still cold outside.

Does he want me to go back in because its cold out here? Thats not something he should say to me as soon as he sees me after a long time. Ercella did not move a step. She just stood there staring at the man in front of her.

However, like he said, the air was quite cold and naturally, her shoulders trembled. He watched her but then sighed and slowly narrowed the distance to Ercella. Just then, she felt a light weight on her shoulders.

Ercella glanced at the cloak covering her shoulders and then looked up at the man in front of her. They were so close that they could even hear each others whispers.

Listen-

The proposal.

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Did you write it yourself?

It was rude of her to cut him off, but she didnt find it strange. He didnt look particularly displeased either. As usual, there was another moment of stillness.

Their eyes met under the moonlight. Contrary to her expectations, the mans answer was curt as ever, Yes.

She was stunned at his immediate affirmation. She asked bitterly, Why?

Did you not like it?

Ercella was unable to answer. She couldnt understand herself either. Why does it matter whether I like it or not? Its just a formal procedure for marriage, so why am I so obsessed with it?

If you want, Ill send another one thats more formal.

No, I mean I was just surprised because Ive never received something like this before.

Thats how I wanted to write it.

What does he mean? She found it ambiguous. Perhaps because of the dreary mood, she felt like she was floating in the air. Eventually, she changed the subject, Well, the presents were a bit too much.

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You didnt have to-

Those were my intentions, so please accept them.

His seemingly indifferent voice disappeared again. Then he slowly glanced at Ercellas face. Passing by her eyes, nose, and finally her lips, his gaze lingered at each step, creating a breathtaking tension between them.

Let me ask you a question, too, he said.

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Why did you accept it?

He didnt specify what, but she could tell. Hes asking why I accepted his proposal. As he asked, his eyes dropped to her lips as if waiting for an answer. His lips twisted slightly for a moment.

Was it because your father advised you to?

The smile on her face wasnt completely a smile. What kind of answer does he expect? Ercella couldnt tell what this man really wanted. So she gave the best answer she could.

Its because youre my best choice.

I see.

His answer was a beat late. He turned his head to an angle where she couldnt see his expressions. Feeling guilty somehow, Ercella avoided his gaze and added, But isnt it the same for you, Milord?

After all, you proposed to me just to use me.

The words were at the tip of her tongue. As she gulped down those words, her reason slowly returned and she realized that it was a bad question. Whatever Harsens answer may be, Casaros words had already shackled her, destroying her sweet fantasies.

I dont remember marking other people as the second best choice, Harsen said.

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And I dont intend to do so ever.

What does he mean? Since he never ranked people in order, does that mean I was never his best choice in the first place? This person is hard to read. Her lips trembled with bitterness.

Ercella looked at Harsen as she gathered her thoughts slowly. If I marry this man, I could remain in the capital. I can still be with my family and friends, so life wont change much. Isnt that enough?

Yes, Ercella was satisfied with that. Only then, for the first time ever since this meeting began could she smile at him.

It really is cold. Ill head back in now. Take care, She said in a slightly mischievous voice. As she retreated, she recognized the coat draped on her shoulder and stopped again.

Ercella took off the coat and shyly handed it to him. Our next meeting will be at the wedding, right?

Wedding. She felt weird even though she was the one that said it. Excitement, flutters, giddiness- there was nothing between them. They just needed each other. Her heart sank coldly and her mind felt cooled down, too. Yet, it wasnt difficult for her to smile brightly.

Also, youre the same age as my brother, so its fine to talk to me informally

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Sir. She oddly hesitated here.

His name I cant say it.

Were soon to be married so it shouldnt be awkward, but this guy just makes it hard to call him by his name.

How should I address him in the future? You? Dear? She choked up and couldnt say anything. The sound of the wind flowed between them. In the dark of the night, brilliant golden hair brushed against him.

Her hair was entangled in his black robes. The man looked at it oddly and faced her again. Ercella gasped when he met her eyes.

There was a strange longing permeating through his unwavering gaze. I guess hes hoping for something but I dont dare to know what it is. After a short time, he smiled slightly and broke the silence, Harsen.

.

Call me by my name.

The wind blew.

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