Chapter 11

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 11

-----------------------------------------------------------------

"Exactly right."

Only then did Marsha look around the room with a face as if she'd realized something.

No matter how early in the morning it was, it was normal for at least one person to attend to Iona—but there was no one here except the two of them.

Marsha asked in a tentative voice.

"Am I the only one taking care of the young lady?"

"As you know, my life is full of enemies."

Marsha's face stiffened at Iona's nonchalant reply.

She could feel her gaze lingering on the bruised cheek.

"You're marrying the Duke, aren't you?"

"I've made my way up."

"Even the wives of knight barons don't treat people like this."

"I'll hire more servants after the marriage. We've only got a few months left, so I hope you'll bear with it until then."

"It's not that I'm complaining about the workload. Young lady, you're... still the same as ever."

Marsha let out a frustrated sigh.

Iona felt the same about her counterpart, but instead of pointing it out, she offered a faint smile.

Marsha glanced cautiously toward the door before asking.

"Does the Count know about this?"

"Who knows—maybe the butler told him. If not, it will soon enough."

"The Count would never permit me to serve the young lady."

"I fail to see why that matters. I've already decided to bring you here, and I don't need anyone else's permission for it."

Marsha's head snapped up at Iona's firm declaration, her expression one of disbelief as if questioning whether she'd heard correctly.

It was understandable. Until a few years ago, when Marsha had left the capital, Iona hadn't known any choice besides obeying the Count.

Back then, Marsha had been one of the few people to step up for an Iona who couldn't even protect herself.

Despite her experience, she had lingered in low positions because of her rigid personality that refused to flatter.

Marsha herself didn't consider it a virtue, but at the very least, Iona had benefited from it.

The reason she had looked after Iona's daily life stemmed from that inflexible way of living.

She was the kind of woman who couldn't turn a blind eye to a child being bullied.

In the end, that had gotten her transferred to a distant villa, out of Hayden's sight.

'Come to think of it, Marsha was the only one who ever told me the truth about my married life.'

"His Imperial Majesty couldn't possibly have failed to anticipate an outcome like this."

Every time Iona received treatment unworthy of her station in the ducal household, and every time she tried to endure it as if it were natural, Marsha had raged on her behalf.

Her greatest grievance was that the loyalty Iona offered her lord went entirely unrequited.

Iona quietly agreed deep down, but she could never voice any criticism of her lord.

Marsha spoke to such an Iona with pity in her tone.

"You must put yourself first above all else. Just like everyone does."

For the first time, Iona felt like she could finally understand those words, even if just a little.

Marsha, you were right.

But I couldn't follow your advice because I wasn't a proper human being myself.

I couldn't even dream of breaking away from a family that didn't love me or a lord who wouldn't reward my loyalty...

And it took being saved by a man I should rightly hate for me to realize something was wrong...

"...Did I hear that wrong?"

"No, you heard me right. Let me put it plainly: if I'd cared about the Count's moods, you wouldn't be here right now."

But Iona had no intention of repeating the same mistake twice. In doing so, she had earned the right to bring Marsha back to her side.

Gazing at Marsha's stunned face, Iona continued earnestly.

"It's late, but there's something I need to say. Marsha, thank you so much for looking after me when I was lacking in the past."

"...I don't remember doing anything that remarkable."

"No, your words urging me to value myself—when even I didn't—have been a comfort to me all this time. I can't call this repayment, but I swear on your kindness that things will never be the same as before. And..."

"......"

"I will make sure to value you just as highly."

A flicker of emotion passed through Marsha's eyes as she looked at Iona.

Soon, as if to hide her reddening eyes, she nodded hurriedly. But beneath those damp lashes rose a smile of clear relief.

As expected, Hayden said not a word about Iona bringing in Marsha.

In truth, her choice was well within what he could have anticipated.

After all, it was Hayden himself who had banished Marsha to a remote region years ago—so when Iona sought someone outside his direct control, Marsha would naturally be at the top of her list.

Perhaps intending to avoid stirring up trouble before the marriage, Hayden promptly assigned Marsha under Iona.

It was a fortunate turn for both Iona and Marsha. The meeting with the Duke was right around the corner, after all.

"It's amusing how he seems to think this marriage benefits him too."

"The Count?"

"Yes. He must be expecting closer ties with the Imperial family going forward."

Iona spoke as she opened her eyes, which had been closed.

In the mirror, her face—meticulously adorned by Marsha—shone softly.

It was the result of Marsha's diligent efforts from well in advance for the upcoming meeting.

The makeup felt awkward on her skin, but objectively speaking, her appearance was now much more presentable. The bruise on her cheek was perfectly concealed, just as Hayden had wished.

Marsha continued applying powder as she asked.

"Come to think of it, wasn't this match arranged by the Imperial family? I was so shocked when I first heard..."

"You heard the news from afar somehow. And we haven't even held the actual ceremony yet."

"I've always kept a close eye on news of you, young lady. I was so worried the Count planned to keep you locked away like a widow for life."

Iona let out a scoffing laugh.

The reason no marriage had been arranged for Iona until now was that Hayden was stingy with her dowry.

The world had spun tales of him hoping his adopted daughter would succeed as a knight.

"At least he found you a match before it was too late?"

"I just hope it turns out to be someone who suits you well."

Marsha muttered with concern, fiddling with the ends of Iona's hair.

She wanted to say he was a wonderful man, so there was nothing to worry about—but in the end, Iona chose silence.

She knew empty words wouldn't reassure Marsha.

"All done."

Marsha stepped back from Iona as she spoke.

Iona lacked the sharp eyes to spot any minor flaws in her reflection.

She only checked her left cheek—the one Hayden would scrutinize most—before rising from her seat.

It had been a while since she'd worn a dress instead of her knight's uniform, but it didn't feel all that awkward. After all, she hadn't completely neglected her preparations for appearing in public as the Duke's wife.

It was then, as the fully prepared Iona stepped toward the open door.

Someone immediately hurled a jeer.

"Drawing lines on a pumpkin won't turn it into a watermelon?"

Ivonne, who had apparently been waiting by the door, sneered the moment Iona appeared.

"Look at her—dressed up and still just a plain log without a shred of style. And why's the makeup so thick? The Duke's going to be horrified. Guess cheap blood can't be helped."

As she spoke, Ivonne shot a glare at Marsha standing behind Iona.

She clearly didn't like that Iona now had a maid to help her get ready. Or perhaps it was because that maid was Marsha, of all people.

Iona turned to Marsha as if the thought had just occurred to her.

"Marsha, I think I left my sword behind."

"Shall I fetch it now?"

"Please do."

Ivonne's face twisted in shock as Iona ignored her and asked for her sword first.

She had witnessed Iona challenge Nils to a duel, but it seemed she hadn't imagined she'd lay a hand on a lady like herself.

Ivonne raised her voice even louder, trying to bluff.

"You... you're going to hit me too? How can a knight strike a woman?"

"Have you forgotten I'm a woman too?"

Iona strode forward as she said it.

As the distance closed abruptly, Ivonne couldn't suppress her instinctive fear and stumbled back.

Her back hit the wall, and in her panic, she slid straight down to the floor.

"Kyaaak!"

It was baffling why she'd picked a fight in the first place if she was going to get scared over something like this.