Chapter 3: Chapter 1: The Strange Bride (2)

Initially, the Grand Duchy of Lindor had been at war with the Kingdom of Ultima, located to the west of the continent.

Unlike the Grand Duchy, which pursued a policy close to isolationism, Ultima was a nation of thriving trade. Ultima's national power was far superior, and at the start of the war, victory was expected to be swift.

However, the discovery of new resources within the Grand Duchy allowed them to secure funding, and the war devolved into a quagmire.

Both sides suffered immense casualties, and the stalemate was finally broken by the intervention of the Saxon Empire, which had entered a military alliance with Ultima.

"...When the Empire’s Army was deployed, conditions were set to forbid attacks and looting of civilians. However..."

"I understand. Most of those wandering the streets before the end of the war were freelance mercenaries. Likely soldiers contracted before Ultima formed its military alliance with the Empire."

Though common during wartime, there are always those who disregard military discipline.

As Erwin’s expression clouded, Letiana spoke in a firm tone.

"The cause of my father's death was not the mercenaries or the Allied Forces, but Edmond Vasquez. ...If I could have, I would have slain that enemy myself."

The catalyst for the reckless war had been a unilateral declaration of war by the Grand Duchy. The culprit, Grand Duke Edmond Vasquez of the Lindor Grand Duchy, had already been executed.

"Were the people your father sought to protect safe?"

"Yes. That is my only solace. My father truly cherished his subjects."

"He attempted to fulfill his noblesse oblige."

Letiana gave a small nod.

"My mother refused to go into exile and leave my father behind. In the end, my father passed away, and by that time... the city had fallen into such chaos that it was impossible to get a carriage out."

Grand Duke Edmond was known as a foolish king. Just before he was overthrown, the capital had been swarmed with fleeing citizens.

Had a noble attempted to move through that chaos in a carriage, the people's rage would have flared at such elegance. Even for the carriage of the House of Earl Knowles, who enjoyed public favor, it was unlikely the agitated crowds would have let them pass.

"Then, your mother and brother..."

"Yes. They headed for Kasha, relying on distant relatives."

Kasha was a small nation in the eastern mountains. From the Saxon Empire, it was a month's journey even on horseback, though from the Grand Duchy, it would take about half a month. However, if he were traveling with a sick mother, that was a different story.

"...That is concerning."

If Erwin's colleagues had heard him, they would have wondered if he had eaten something spoiled, so gentle was his voice. But Letiana, not knowing him as he usually was, simply shook her head.

"No, I am not worried. After all, my brother is with her."

It was a statement of unwavering trust.

As the investigator had informed him beforehand, the bond between the Knowles siblings seemed quite strong. Erwin stole a glance at Letiana from the corner of his eye.

The one who had ordered the search for the prominent noble houses within the Grand Duchy immediately after the war was the Crown Prince, who had joined the front lines as a chief of staff.

While the primary goals were to prevent riots and looting and to locate and detain war criminals, most of the estates had been empty shells. Letiana was the only one discovered. Though there was testimony from a woman claiming to be her wet nurse, her identity could not be taken at face value, and he understood there had been a period of interrogation.

If Letiana cherished her family, there was a high probability she would accept the proposal he was about to make. In his mind, Erwin leaned in.

"By the way, regarding our situation..."

As he brought it up tentatively, Letiana, seemingly interested, turned her body toward him and tilted her head slightly.

"Even if you are from a defeated nation, you are a noble daughter of the historic Lindor Grand Duchy. I imagine you did not desire a marriage in this manner."

"In this manner?"

"A marriage where documents are simply submitted without parental consent, and where you cannot even wear a bridal gown."

Come to think of it, he hadn't received his parents' permission either, but a man's and a woman's feelings toward marriage differed. Erwin nodded to Letiana, who remained with her head tilted.

"Prince Clark is a most brilliant man, but he is still young. He does not understand what marriage means to a woman."

Erwin deliberately avoided mentioning that Clark already held several public offices as Crown Prince, or that he was so exceptional in all matters that he could carry out critical post-war negotiations without a hitch—and was, at times, more thoughtful than Erwin himself.

"What marriage means to a woman?"

"A woman's dream is to have her marriage recognized by her family, to showcase herself in beautiful attire, and to hold a wedding ceremony blessed by all her loved ones. To be forced into a wedding night with a man from a country that was the enemy until just recently is far too brutal."

Seeing Letiana listening with a serious expression, Erwin made his move.

"Therefore, since the Prince's order has already been fulfilled by our marriage, how about we... maintain an appropriate distance for the time being and see if we are compatible? There is a possibility that one of us may find the other physiologically repulsive. If you wish, you may move to the guest rooms in the separate wing. Ah, of course, it is not that I have any dissatisfaction with you."

He wondered if those last words sounded tacked on. His hand itched to stroke his chin, but he suppressed the urge with willpower. Clark had previously pointed out, "You have a habit of stroking your chin when you're trying to cover something up."

"Once things have settled, we can petition for the annulment of the marriage. If the Prince is told that we have tried living together and it simply didn't work, he likely won't oppose it. Wouldn't that be far better than a marriage you do not desire?"

Even as he searched Letiana's face, her eyes remained hidden behind bottle-bottom glasses. He felt her lips pout slightly, but he couldn't tell what emotions she held toward the proposal.

"Of course, since there is the possibility of petitioning for annulment, I... have no intention of forcing myself upon you. If we ask a nun, she can certify that you are pure. You can return to your mother with your body intact and have a marriage that your family truly celebrates this time."

Having listened quietly to Erwin's eloquence, Letiana finally spoke.

"May I ask a question?"

"Of course. Ask anything."

"Thank you. Then, regarding the 'nun certifying purity' that you mentioned—how exactly is that performed?"

A strange sound caught in Erwin's throat.

In truth, he didn't know the specific method, nor had he ever wanted to. But since it was to check if she had been deflowered, they likely examined the inside of the vagina using a finger or some instrument.

Facing a silent Erwin, Letiana pressed further.

"Assuming purity is proven, to what extent is that result trusted? In a societal sense, I mean."

This was a question he could answer. Erwin nodded vigorously.

"Ah, there is no problem at all on that front."

"Really? Is there no chance of bribes being paid to the church to falsify the results?"

"Nuns cannot be bribed, and your reputation will remain unstained, so rest assured," Erwin answered confidently.

Once, a case had gone to court where a nun's certification was proven false, sparking a massive scandal that shook high society. As a result, penalties were now imposed not only on the perjuring nun but also on the party who requested the perjury. Consequently, reliability had increased dramatically; however, women who required such proof were often targets of criticism anyway, and there was no social trend of openly announcing one's purity.

After this marriage was annulled, Letiana would likely head to Kasha to live with her family. And there, she would surely find a partner. Even if it were difficult in the Empire, in another country, she could show this certification to her family and start a new life as a pure noble daughter.

"Even if you came to Saxon of your own volition, your family doesn't know you are in a country that was the enemy until yesterday, do they? In that case, I think it would be best to contact your family and decide various things after obtaining their consent."

He wanted to quickly distance himself from the bride and settle the nuisance of a marriage to a fallen nation's daughter. He continued speaking casually, ensuring those thoughts didn't leak out.

It wasn't a bad deal for Letiana either. All that remained was to make a proposal that only someone with abundant personal assets could offer.

"If you wish, I will help you find your family. Once found, I can provide the funds for your journey to Kasha and enough financial aid to ensure you don't struggle for the time being—"

"Your Excellency."

Erwin gave a slight dip of his chin. This was the first time a woman other than his biological mother had interrupted him. Of course, it was a breach of etiquette, but he felt it would be petty to reprimand her for it.

"...What is it?"

"How do nobles in the Empire marry?"

Letiana straightened her posture, folded her hands on her lap, and looked straight at him through her glasses.

"What do you mean, 'how'?"

"Do you choose your own spouse?"

"No, usually the parents decide on a marriage with a house of equal social standing."

"I see."

Her lips curved into a relieved arc. Erwin noticed once again that the contours of her face and the shape of her lips were very well-formed.

"I appreciate the offer, but I must decline."

They were the color of a cherry shell he had picked up on a beach as a child. Staring at those lovely lips, Erwin could not immediately comprehend her words.

"...Huh?"

"I am referring to your proposal to 'maintain an appropriate distance and petition for the annulment of the marriage once things have settled.'"

Erwin's mouth hung open.

"No, but..."

"It is true that we have only just met and know nothing of each other. However, is that not the nature of an arranged marriage from the start?"

"Ugh... B-but, without your parents' permission..."

"I came to the Empire of my own will. Parental permission is important, but I am an adult, and above all, the fall of my country is an unprecedented event. If my family hears that I married a respectable noble of the victorious nation, they might actually be pleased."

Letiana was twenty-one. The age of majority in the Empire was eighteen for both men and women. It was likely similar in the Grand Duchy.

"I had heard even in my home country that the Crown Prince of the Empire is a most brilliant man. Though he is young, His Highness is the one who will one day stand at the pinnacle of the nation. His words are equivalent to an imperial decree. I do not believe they are something to be easily cast aside."

Having said that, she suddenly pressed her hand to her mouth as if realizing something.

"Could it be that Your Excellency has a lover to whom you have promised marriage? If so, please proceed with the annulment. If you cite my status or appearance as the reason—"

"No, there is no such person."

Erwin denied it instantly, eventually responding with a heavy sigh.

"You are right. His Highness is indeed brilliant, but he is so brilliant that he occasionally... engages in behavior that is difficult to comprehend."

And often, there were no detailed explanations. To understand the Crown Prince's complex intentions, the passage of time was frequently required.

"Did you hear about my parents' divorce?"

"Yes, a little, from the head housekeeper."

Then she likely knew the general circumstances. Erwin ran a hand through his hair and sighed deeply again.

"To be honest, I still don't want to get married, and I'm sick and tired of the various regulations surrounding the nobility. I've even thought that, if possible, I'd rather not inherit the title."

Letiana tilted her head slightly.

"That is... an exceedingly unrealistic thought."

Erwin was the legitimate heir of a prestigious noble house with imperial blood. The possibility of his wish being granted was near zero.

Of course, he knew that all too well. Having been pointed out, Erwin looked genuinely sullen.

"...I know I'll have to marry eventually. But not now."

"Does the Marquis say nothing about it?"

"He knows how I feel, so my father has never pressured me to marry until now. Besides..."

Sensing a slight hesitation, Letiana cut straight to the point.

"Did you utilize his guilt so that you wouldn't have to marry?"

"Something like that."

Erwin nodded, half-appalled and half-impressed by her bluntness.

"Both my father and stepmother believe that my inability to dream of marriage is their fault."

"You are the young master of a great house. They likely thought it better to watch over you in the long run than to have you become twisted and declare lifelong bachelorhood."

"Exactly. ...Still, for a noble daughter, you are quite unconventional. Have your parents never cautioned you about the way you speak?"

Erwin offered a sharp jab. Between her lack of concern for her appearance and her blunt manner of speaking, she was far removed from the typical noble daughter, for whom dressing beautifully and using indirect language was considered refined. Letiana shrugged awkwardly.

"...I apologize. I am, well... a bit of an oddity. My curiosity is too strong, and I have a nature that tends to invite trouble."

"Is this marriage also a piece of trouble invited by your nature?"

"How could it be!"

She shook her head vigorously from side to side. Finally having managed to fluster Letiana, Erwin couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"...Excuse me. In short, that is why I wish to avoid this marriage if possible. Will you cooperate with me?"

Letiana looked down slightly, fiddling with her fingernails. Erwin watched her patiently without rushing her.

"...About the nun from earlier. Can it truly be proven that I am pure? Without a shadow of a doubt?"

When she finally spoke, her question was so predictable it was almost anticlimactic.

"Yes, without a shadow of a doubt."

"I see..."

Letiana, who had been staring at her fingertips, raised her head after a moment.

"Your Excellency."

"Call me Erwin. Being called 'Your Excellency' reminds me of my father."

The corners of her cherry-colored lips lifted just a fraction, but it was far from the natural smile from before.

"That is too great an honor... Then, Erwin-sama. Would you be so kind as to take my virginity?"

"HUH!?"

In a day where nothing but the unexpected had happened, the greatest shock of all struck him.

Startled enough to nearly jump, Erwin raised both hands aimlessly and then dropped them. At the same time, his mouth opened and closed repeatedly.

"Were you even listening to me? I said I don't want to get married, so why would you... your, uh, vir... the..."

To be forced to say such things in front of a young lady—he must have committed some terrible atrocity in a past life. While Erwin broke into a cold sweat, Letiana appeared, if anything, perfectly composed.

"From what I have heard, the reason you do not wish to marry, Lord Erwin, is not a permanent one, but rather a makeshift solution to get through the present. You wish to annul the marriage to me so that you may be free when someone who captures your heart appears in the future. However, if this matter was a command from the Crown Prince, I believe that attempting to gloss over it would actually be a poor move."