Chapter 7

Bathed in the white light, I realized it was already morning.

In the end, I hadn’t slept at all last night.

Even if Lord Alexis has a woman he likes, this is a “white marriage” from the beginning, so I have no right to blame him for it.

Besides, I had already decided when Lord Conrad broke off the engagement.

I would never fall in love again.

—Rationally, I understand this, but the pain in my chest is something that reason can’t handle.

I must have misunderstood Lord Alexis’s kindness, who had been so considerate to me ever since we traveled from the capital to Siaphield.

Perhaps, just maybe, he has a little bit of affection for me—.

No, that’s impossible.

I’m just a trivial “seamstress lady.” Even Lord Conrad ultimately chose the charming Miriam.

There’s no way someone as wonderful as Lord Alexis could ever like me.

This is a “white marriage,” and I am a wife in name only.

Being able to live without worry and do as much embroidery as I like is more than enough to be grateful for.

“...That’s right. It’s a good thing I remembered this before making a silly mistake.”

Muttering to myself, I got up and washed my face.

I forced a smile in front of the mirror.

I need to cheer up.

After eating breakfast, I’ll learn more about the castle from Johnson and make the handkerchief with the “M” monogram that I promised Lady Margaret yesterday.

The light purple handkerchief in the sewing room would be perfect. What color thread should I use? The blue of the dress Lady Margaret was wearing would be nice, but the bright green of the roof of that house might also be good.

Thinking about the embroidery made me feel a little better, so I changed clothes and headed to the breakfast room.

✧✧✧

However, before I could eat breakfast, I found myself cornered by Lord Alexis in the hallway.

...Is this what they call a “wall lean”? It’s a scene that often appears in popular novels, but I never thought it would happen to me.

Why am I in this corner of the hallway, sandwiched between Lord Alexis and the wall? Lord Alexis was the one who came back late, and I haven’t done anything wrong...

“Sara, what’s going on here?”

“Eh... What do you mean...?”

Lord Alexis had his hands on the wall right next to my face, leaving me no place to run.

True to his nickname “Ice Earl,” Lord Alexis’s cold and calm expression had a quiet intensity. His beautiful features made him even more terrifying, enough to make my spine freeze. It was more frightening than thrilling.

He leaned in even closer and stared at my face intently.

“...Why do you look so terrible? Did your great-aunt say something to you?”

“Huh? ...N-no, Lady Margaret was very kind to me...”

“Then why? Why do you look so sleep-deprived at first glance? Something must have happened at that tea party!?”

“Ugh...”

For a mere mortal like me, dodging the “Ice Earl’s” interrogation was impossible.

Before I knew it, I was almost crying and asking Lord Alexis, “Who is Lady Rosie?”

“Rosie? Is something wrong with my sister?”

“...Y-You mean she’s your sister...!?”

We stared at each other in mutual surprise. Suddenly, Lord Alexis turned away and started muttering to himself.

“...I really need to have a serious talk with that great-aunt. To send Sara back without any explanation... No, wait, does this mean Sara was jealous of Rosie and couldn’t sleep? ...Troublesome. So cute...”

It felt like he had come to an incredibly embarrassing conclusion, but at least I was relieved to know that Lady Rosie was Lord Alexis’s sister.

Lord Alexis looked at me with narrowed eyes, a complete contrast to his earlier intimidating demeanor, with a gentle and embracing gaze.

“I’m sorry for not telling you about Rosie... It’s a long story. Have breakfast first, then get some rest. We can talk afterward.”

“...Yes, I understand.”

I obediently followed his advice.

Feeling relieved, I realized I was hungry and very sleepy.

Lord Alexis led me to the breakfast room by the hand, and we had a light breakfast together.

Afterward, he escorted me to my room.

He was incredibly kind, as if making up for his absence last night.

“Since you’re still recovering from the journey, take a good rest. I’ll be in the castle today.”

Lord Alexis’s words as he closed the door lingered in my ears.

I was very happy to know I would see him again later.

I wanted to hear more about his sister, Lady Rosie.

There seemed to be some circumstances...

However, my eyelids grew heavier, and I soon fell asleep.

✧✧✧

When I woke up, I felt refreshed.

It was still early in the morning, so I tidied myself up and went downstairs.

Lord Alexis was in his study.

He was handing documents to a male secretary and giving instructions.

There were many documents, all related to the management of the estate.

Seeing him so serious, I forgot to speak and just stared.

However, when Lord Alexis noticed me, he broke into a radiant smile.

“Sara, you’re awake.”

“Yes!”

“? What’s wrong? Your face is red.”

“It’s nothing!”

I couldn’t possibly tell him that I was flustered by the contrast between his serious face and his smile!

It seemed he had finished his work, and Lord Alexis took me outside the castle.

The blue sky and warm sunlight felt wonderful.

As we walked down the neatly maintained avenue, Lord Alexis told me about Lady Rosie.

“Sara, I want you to listen without being surprised... Our family is under a curse.”

“A curse...?”

“Yes. The Middleton family moved into this castle about a hundred years ago. Since then, members of our family have started to die from a strange illness. The probability of contracting the illness is about thirty percent, but if one does, it’s almost certain to be fatal. The illness only appears in direct descendants, so someone like you, who married into the family, wouldn’t be affected. However, my parents were cousins, and both contracted the illness and died. Also, my sister fell ill last year...”

His tone was matter-of-fact.

But it was clear that Lord Alexis was in pain.

Evidence of this was the white-knuckled fist he was making, trying to hold back his grief.

I couldn’t find the words to comfort him.

“...I’m sorry. I should have told you this before the marriage...”

“No, it’s fine. There’s no need to worry.”

Lord Alexis smiled, but it looked strained.

“If I were to contract the illness and die, I want you to immediately inherit the estate, leave the marriage, and remarry someone else. Since this is a ‘white marriage,’ I’ve already discussed this with Johnson and the legal advisor. You are young and beautiful both in appearance and in heart. Many men will surely desire you.”

“...That’s not true... Besides, I won’t remarry.”

Lord Alexis’s eyes widened in surprise.

He’s just being exceptionally polite, but in reality, there’s no way any man would desire me.

More importantly, I’ve come to care deeply about Siaphield and Lord Alexis. I don’t want to leave now.

I tried to sound cheerful.

“Instead of that, can I visit Lady Rosie? If it’s okay, I’d like to bring her a small gift. Could you tell me what flowers or animals she likes?”

Lord Alexis smiled warmly.

“...Thank you, Sara.”