Chapter 3

Grand Duke Ludeville Ecsepsion’s official declaration his marriage to Odely Cardel sent shockwaves through the entire empire. 

Was it a political maneuver? Blackmail? Was some grand conspiracy hidden beneath it all? All sorts of rumors began to circulate. Such was the level of infamy surrounding Ludeville.

He was an undisputed war hero, every battle he commanded ended in victory. Yet, those who fought alongside him never called him a hero. He was a ruthless commander, capable of cutting down even his own subordinates if necessary. Ideals and honor were mere tools in his hands. 

Some days, he executed every prisoner. Other days, he spared traitors without reason. 

Why? Because every choice was made not by emotion, but by meticulously calculated gain.

Ludeville Ecsepsion. His name was synonymous with victory. A war machine with no heart. So once the Grand Duke Ecsepsion had made up his mind, no one could stop this marriage. Not even the mighty Cardel family.

A Forced Union

"Your Excellence, how could you commit such an outrageous act? This is nothing short of kidnapping! Return my daughter!"

Duke Cardel had protested in outrage, but…

"Kidnapping? If you believe it's kidnapping, then simply take the matter to court."

"Then everyone will know exactly when, where, and in what condition I found her."

"…"

"Is that what you want?"

Duke Cardel gritted his teeth in fury, and was forced to retreat without taking Odely Cardel back with him. 

As gossip buzzed, the wedding proceeded with lightning speed. 

Duke Cardel and the family heir, Gawin Cardel, sat silently among the guests. But their pale faces and stiff expressions said everything. 

They had just lost their family’s precious Purifier, and in such a meaningless way. Despite this, they had no choice but to keep silent, for the sake of their honor, their power, and the illusion they had carefully upheld for centuries.

"In the name of the divine, these two souls are now one. May love bloom in suffering, and hope arise from despair."

After reading the final passage, the High Priest raised both hands over the bride and groom's heads, blessing their union. Unusually, no rings were exchanged. Ludeville already wore a simple silver band on his left ring finger. It was elegant yet modest, almost too humble for a Grand Duke.

'Could it be… he has someone else in his heart?'

That would explain why he chose Odely, of all noblewomen. He needed a fake wife to shield his real love. 

As lady Cardel, her status wouldn't be compromised, and since she was known to be sickly, so no one would expect her to appear socially. Furthermore, her circumstances weren't favorable enough for her to haggle over the terms of a contract marriage.

In the end, this too was a performance. She was merely a supporting actress on a stage, protecting the Grand Duke's true love.

'Still, it's not so bad.'

‘I should  be grateful. At least I could escape my family before I died. So there is no reason to be disappointed.’

"Finally, to seal this union before the gods…"

Before the priest could finish, a firm hand tilted her chin up.

Their brief eye contact revealed no emotion whatsoever. It was a perfunctory kiss. As the cold kiss lengthened, Odely Cardel closed her eyes amidst the cheers.

The Will's Revelation

After the funeral, Odely Cardel lost all track of time. She snapped back to awareness and found herself in the council chamber.

'When did I get here again?'

Her memories were hazy.

"This will is absurd!"

"If they were divorced, aren't they strangers? And they had no children either. What about the succession?!"

"To suddenly hand over the Grand Duchy to someone without the approval of the Noble Council or a proper successor nomination? This is unprecedented!"

"Even if she's from the Cardel family, she was so sickly before the marriage that she never even left their estate!Her health and qualifications are questionable!"

The conference room was utter chaos. Not a single vassal remained quiet. Veins bulged in their necks as they waved documents, slamming their fists on tables with enraged faces. But Odely Cardel sat in her chair, letting all the commotion wash over her. The surrounding sounds were just a dull roar.

Snap, snap—

"My lady! My lady!"

Then, someone snapped his fingers in front of her. A man in a black ceremonial robe, with cold eyes, spoke.

"Are you listening?"

It was Marquis Belgrave. Among the vassals in the Grand Duchy, he was the one with the most powerful political influence. Lost in thought, Odely Cardel replied a beat late.

"Ah… No, I didn't hear you."

"…"

"Could you repeat that?"

The Marquis, momentarily speechless, sighed. As if suppressing his annoyance, he spoke in a low, firm voice.

"According to the Grand Duke's will, all authority, from property, land, fortresses, mansions, trading company shares, to his title, will be transferred to you, Lady Odely Cardel."

"I see."

"But you can refuse anytime if you don't want these. It would be the more understandable decision, as a matter of propriety."

It sounded like a veiled threat, if she didn't refuse, they would obstruct her by any means necessary.

"We'll give you time to think. Please make your decision as quickly as possible."

The Marquis concluded his statement and retreated. The vassals followed him out. The chaotic conference room fell silent.

Odely Cardel regretted coming here.

'What riches or glory did I hope to gain?'

Honestly, I had no interest in titles or wealth. Yet, the reason I rushed here upon hearing of my nominal ex-husband's death…

'…I don't really know.'

Odely Cardel leaned back in her chair and sighed. When she closed her eyes, she still saw him, lying peacefully among the white flowers. She was leaning her head back, running both hands over her face, when—

The Engraved Ring

"Lady Odely."

Opening her eyes, she saw the aide who had brought her here. His eyes were red-rimmed, and he held out a box to her. 

"According to His Excellence’s will, I’ve been safeguarding this keepsake, but… I think you should be the one to see it."

Odely Cardel accepted the small box he offered. It was remarkably light. 

"He explicitly told me not to open it. He repeatedly urged me to bury it deep in the ground, never to let it fall into anyone else's hands."

"And yet you disobeyed his order."

"I will gladly bear the consequences."

Though seemingly loyal, it was typical of Edwin to quietly disobey commands he couldn't agree with.

Odely Cardel carefully opened the box. Inside was the ring Ludeville Ecsepsion always wore on his left ring finger.

"Why is this here?"

It wasn't an item that seemed to warrant a separate, serious delivery. Odely Cardel picked up the ring, its weight unfamiliar in her hand. She felt a strange sensation. She had always believed this ring belonged to his secret lover, another woman.

With complex, subtle emotions, she turned it in her fingers, when suddenly, she felt something engraved inside.

'An engraving…?’ 

Puzzled, she turned the ring to read the inscription. At the same time, her eyes widened.

[ODELY]

Faintly etched inside was her name.