Not long after—
The man left.
The balcony became strangely quiet.
Only the night wind remained, growing colder with the arrival of autumn.
I didn't know how long I had been standing there.
Perhaps… quite a long time.
Long enough for the sunset from earlier to almost disappear completely.
In the distance—
The lake had already sunk into a pale gray.
I still stood there.
Without moving.
Until—
A small hand gently tugged at the hem of my sleeve.
"Sis."
I flinched slightly.
My younger sister was standing behind me.
I didn't even notice when she had come up.
She looked up at me, her eyes filled with concern.
"We should go back inside."
She spoke softly.
"The night dew is starting to fall."
Her fingers tightened slightly on my sleeve.
"You'll catch a cold."
I looked at her.
But inside—
My thoughts were in complete turmoil.
Nameless emotions, with no clear source…
suddenly crashed into me all at once.
Like a rising tide.
Without warning.
I lifted my head.
The sky above had already turned a deep shade of violet.
The last light of the sunset was fading along the horizon.
A quiet thought surfaced in my mind—
Is my fate…
the same as that sunset?
Little by little…
sinking into a silent night.
Just then—
I heard footsteps.
Clack.
Clack.
The sound of leather shoes echoed from the corridor behind us.
My heart stirred slightly.
For a moment—
I thought Father had come.
Perhaps he would say something.
An explanation.
Or at the very least…
a few words of comfort.
But when I turned around—
The person standing there wasn't my father.
It was Old Brom.
The butler stood a few steps away from us.
The same familiar posture.
Back straight.
Vest perfectly arranged.
He gave a polite bow.
Just as courteous as always.
"My lady."
His voice was calm and steady.
"If you are feeling troubled…"
He paused briefly before continuing.
"I can have the servants bring your meal to your room."
I looked at him.
My mind suddenly felt blank.
I didn't know what to say.
Then a question slipped out before I could stop it.
"My father…"
I asked quietly.
"Where is he now?"
Old Brom answered immediately.
"His Grace has gone to the royal palace to meet His Majesty."
He spoke calmly.
"It is likely he will not return tonight."
I paused slightly.
A hollow feeling passed through my chest.
Beside me—
My younger sister took my hand.
Her small fingers squeezed it tightly.
I lowered my gaze to look at her.
She smiled.
But the smile was a little forced.
"Sis…"
She spoke again, trying to keep her tone light.
"If you don't want to go back to your room yet…"
She glanced around the balcony.
"…then how about we eat out here?"
She pointed toward the small table near the railing.
"We could light a few candles…"
She smiled again.
"…it might even feel romantic, don't you think?"
I knew.
She was trying to cheer me up.
But—
The emotions inside me right now…
were cold as ice.
I shook my head gently.
Then turned to the butler.
"I will eat in my room."
I said quietly.
"Please bring a light meal to me."
Old Brom bowed his head.
"Yes, my lady."
He stepped back.
Then turned and walked back into the mansion.
The balcony fell silent again.
I turned my head.
Looking toward the railing.
The place where the man had been standing earlier.
A soft autumn wind drifted past.
His words—
were still echoing in my ears.
The royal family was on the verge of decline.
Three northern territories had been lost after the recent war.
If this alliance failed…
the faction loyal to His Majesty would be swallowed by the remaining noble houses.
And I—
was nothing more than a hostage…
sent away…
to keep Baron Alasto standing on the king's side.
A promise…
without weight.
I drew in a quiet breath.
Then turned away.
Walking back into the mansion.
Only one thought remained in my mind.
I hope…
you will keep the word you gave.
Baron Alasto.
In the days that followed—
The Mariel estate became unusually busy.
Servants moved back and forth without pause.
Footsteps echoed through the halls.
Voices calling to one another.
Furniture and decorations being carried everywhere.
Everything was being prepared for one thing.
The wedding.
My wedding.
One morning—
I sat on the balcony.
A cup of freshly poured tea rested in front of me.
Thin steam rose gently from the surface.
Down in the garden—
The servants were still rushing about.
Some carried bolts of fabric.
Others carried flowers.
Some were busy cleaning the corridors.
I watched them.
In silence.
Until—
Someone approached.
I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
My father.
He pulled out a chair.
And sat down across from me.
For a long while—
He said nothing.
He simply looked at me.
His gaze quiet and heavy.
I said nothing as well.
I only looked down at the garden.
At the servants hurrying back and forth.
After some time—
I heard my father sigh softly.
A very quiet sigh.
He slipped a hand inside his coat.
Then placed a sheet of paper on the table.
Sliding it toward me.
I glanced down.
A contract.
More precisely—
A marriage contract.
I looked at it for a few seconds.
Then I set my teacup down.
My father spoke.
"At the very least, you should read it."
His voice was low.
"I don't want you to think that I am a father who would sell his daughter for status."
He paused.
Then continued.
"Do not misunderstand me."
His expression grew serious.
"You will always be the sole heir of House Mariel."
He looked straight at me.
"If there is anything you are unhappy with…"
"You can tell me now."
Inside my chest—
The resentment that had been building since last night suddenly surged upward.
If there was something I was unhappy with…
It was this marriage.
A marriage with no clarity.
No love.
No choice.
But—
How could I possibly say that to him?
I knew very well what kind of man my father was.
He had always loved his family.
And—
he was also fiercely loyal to the king.
He must have struggled deeply.
Being forced to choose between the two.
I looked down at my teacup.
And spoke quietly.
"In the end…"
"It's only three years."
My voice softened.
"Three years away from you…"
"…away from home for a little while."
I didn't raise my head.
I didn't want Father to see—
my weakness.
At that moment—
A warm hand touched my left cheek.
I slowly lifted my head.
My father had raised his hand.
Gently touching my face.
His eyes were filled with exhaustion.
His voice lowered.
"Forgive me."
He said quietly.
"…for making you endure this."
I raised my hand.
And gently held the hand resting against my cheek.
My father's hand.
Warm.
But trembling slightly.
I spoke softly.
"I will not cause Father any trouble."
My father looked at me.
His gaze darkened.
As if he wanted to say something more—
But in the end, he only gave a small nod.
Out in the corridor—
Old Brom was waiting.
The butler turned his head toward the balcony.
His expression suddenly froze.
As if he had just seen something unexpected.
His mouth opened.
It seemed he was about to speak.
But—
A hand wearing a black glove lifted slightly.
A silent gesture.
Stop.
Old Brom immediately closed his mouth.
He looked at the person who had given the signal.
Then bowed his head slightly.
"Baron Alasto."
He spoke quietly.
"Is there something you need, my lord?"
His gaze briefly shifted toward the balcony.
Where my father and I were still sitting.
Baron Alasto stood at the end of the corridor.
His long coat was neatly arranged.
One hand wore a black glove.
The other rested behind his back.
He looked toward the balcony.
Then gave a faint smile.
"I was thinking of coming to check on the young lady for a moment."
He said calmly.
"To see if there is anything in the contract that she finds disagreeable."
He paused.
His gaze drifted across the figures of my father and me.
"Hm."
He murmured softly.
"Perhaps I should wait here for a while."
He took out a pipe.
Slowly packed it with tobacco.
Then lit it.
A soft click.
A small flame flickered to life.
He placed the pipe between his lips.
And exhaled.
A thin stream of smoke drifted slowly upward toward the corridor ceiling.
A moment later—
My father stood up.
He said something very quietly to me.
Then turned and walked back into the hall.
The moment the door opened—
I heard the butler's greeting.
"My lord."
I raised my hand.
Quickly wiping away the tears that had begun to smudge my makeup.
I took a quiet breath.
Then turned around.
And at that moment—
Baron Alasto had already approached.
He stopped a few steps away from me.
Morning sunlight streamed through the window behind him.
I looked at him.
He gave a slight bow.
"Miss Mariel."
He asked politely.
"May I sit?"
I stood up.
Giving a small bow in proper noble etiquette.
Then sat down again in my chair.
Baron Alasto stepped forward.
Pulled out a chair.
And sat across from me.
"Ah."
He suddenly raised a hand.
"One moment."
He smiled faintly.
Then removed the pipe from his mouth.
He gently tapped the dying embers into an ashtray that a servant had just brought over.
After that, he adjusted his posture.
Sitting upright.
His eyes settled on me.
"Some young ladies dislike the smell of tobacco."
He said.
"My apologies if it made you uncomfortable."
I shook my head.
"It's fine."
He gave a small nod.
He then glanced down at the table.
"So…"
He asked,
"Have you read the contract yet?"
He gestured toward the paper in front of me.
"Is there anything in it that you find disagreeable?"
I lowered my gaze.
The marriage contract still lay quietly on the table.
Lines of dense writing.
Formal.
Yet cold.
I spoke softly.
"I haven't read it yet."
I lifted my eyes to look at him.
"But I imagine…"
"…it mostly contains matters concerning rights and obligations."
"So I suppose I simply have to accept it."
Baron Alasto looked at me.
His expression shifted slightly.
A hint of surprise.
As if he had just discovered something interesting.
He clasped his hands together in front of him.
Resting his elbows on the table.
Simply watching me.
Without saying a word.
That gaze made me slightly uncomfortable.
Before I realized it, I asked,
"Is there something on my face…"
"…Baron Alasto?"
He stroked his chin lightly.
As if thinking.
"Well now."
He said.
"Allow me to remind you of one clause in the contract."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
And this time—
it carried a hint of mischief.
His gaze locked onto mine.
He spoke slowly.
"If I remember correctly…"
"There is a clause in the contract."
He paused.
Then continued.
"If, within three years…"
"…we do not have a child…"
He tilted his head slightly.
"…then the marriage may be extended…"
"…for another three years."
I shot to my feet.
"What?!"
The chair behind me scraped softly against the floor.
I stared at him.
Our conversation from last night immediately surfaced in my mind.
"But—"
I said.
"Didn't you say last night…"
"…that you have no interest in such matters…"
"…with someone you do not love?"
I frowned.
"Then why now—?"
A flood of suspicion immediately rose in my mind.
Baron Alasto remained seated.
He lifted his head to look at me.
Sunlight streamed through the window.
Reflecting off the monocle over his eye.
A small flash of light glimmered.
Then—
He smiled.
His voice was light.
Almost teasing.
"Ah."
"I must have remembered incorrectly."
He said calmly.
"In the contract…"
"…there is no such clause."
Silence fell between us.
Neither of us spoke.
Only the soft wind drifting across the balcony.
I stood there for a few seconds.
Then slowly understood.
So—
he had been teasing me.
The man sitting across from me had deliberately tested me—
to see whether I had actually read the contract.
A wave of embarrassment rose inside me.
A faint warmth spread across my face.
I lowered my head slightly.
"My apologies for my rudeness."
I said.
Then I sat back down in my chair.
Both hands resting neatly on my lap.
Across from me—
Baron Alasto let out a quiet breath.
Very soft.
He leaned back in his chair.
His hands clasped together over his stomach.
His eyes remained on me.
A lazy smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
"It seems…"
he said slowly,
"…you truly haven't read the contract."
He tilted his head slightly.
Then suddenly continued—
in that same teasing tone.
"How about this."
"You give me one thousand gold."
"And I'll summarize the entire contract for you right here."
He emphasized the last words lightly.
"…Miss Mariel."
That expression again.
That teasing expression.
I looked at him.
Then replied briefly.
"I haven't read it carefully yet."
"I will read it later."
Baron Alasto pursed his lips slightly.
As if he had just missed an entertaining diversion.
Then he straightened in his seat.
Both hands resting on the table.
"Very well."
He said.
"Since I happen to be here…"
"If there is anything in the contract that displeases you…"
"…you may say it now."
He gave a small shrug.
"I don't mind."
He glanced outside.
Sunlight spread across the garden below.
Servants were still hurrying back and forth.
He added,
"Besides…"
"…the view here is not bad."
After saying that—
he stood up.
Then slowly walked toward the balcony.
I watched him go.
Then pulled the contract closer to myself.
The paper was thick.
The red seals of the two houses were still clearly visible.
I picked it up.
And opened it.
Carefully.
Like opening a book.
The first lines appeared before my eyes.
ALLIANCE MARRIAGE CONTRACT
Established on the xx day of month yy, year zzzz
Between:
Lord Albus Mariel,
Head of House Mariel,
Representing his daughter, Miss Rosa Mariel
And
Lord Vangell Alasto,
Head of the Alasto Territory.
The two houses agree to establish a marriage between:
Baron Vangell Alasto
and
Miss Rosa Mariel
in order to strengthen the alliance between the two houses for a period of three (3) years.
I turned to the next section.
Clause I – Purpose of the Marriage
This marriage is established to:
strengthen the political relationship between the two houses
ensure stability and cooperation between their territories
protect mutual interests during the agreed period
Clause II – Duration of the Marriage
This marriage shall remain valid for three years from the date the wedding ceremony is conducted.
After the term ends:
both parties may either extend the marriage,
or
peacefully dissolve the marriage under the terms stated below.
When I reached this part—
I slowly raised my head.
Baron Alasto was standing on the balcony.
Both hands resting on the railing.
His gaze directed toward the garden below.
Where the servants were still busily preparing for the wedding.
He appeared completely focused on the scene.
There was no sign that he was secretly watching me.
I lowered my head again.
And continued reading.
The next few pages were written in great detail.
Rights.
Obligations.
Protocols governing relations between the two houses.
I skimmed past them.
Until—
My eyes stopped on a particular line.
Clause V – Termination
After three years:
the bride has the right to return to her own house
the dowry shall be returned (or divided according to agreement)
neither party may damage the other's honor or reputation
I slowed my reading.
Three years.
After three years—
everything would end.
I turned to the next section.
Clause VI – In the Event of a Child
If a child is born during the marriage:
the child shall be recognized as a legitimate heir
custody and inheritance rights shall be determined by the family council
A child…
I slowly lifted my head.
Looking toward the balcony.
Baron Alasto was still standing there.
A light breeze moved through his brown hair.
Sunlight reflected against his monocle.
I remembered what he had said last night.
"I have no desire for the body of someone I do not love."
But—
could those words really be trusted?
That man…
was very difficult to read.
I lowered my gaze to the contract again.
In any case—
that clause was there.
At the very least…
I didn't need to worry too much.
If something unfortunate were to happen.
I would still receive—
my rightful protections.
I turned to the final page.
The lines of text became sparser.
Most of the major clauses had already ended.
Only the confirmation section remained.
Clause VII – Witnesses and Confirmation
This contract is signed before:
representatives of both houses
noble witnesses
a representative of the Church
Below—
were the signature lines.
I read them slowly.
Duke …
(Father of the bride)
Baron …
Miss …
Witness …
I paused for a few seconds.
My eyes moved across each line.
The ink was still fresh.
The seals of the two houses were clearly stamped at the corner of the page.
I closed the contract.
Acceptable.
At the very least—
objectively speaking…
I did not sense any hidden traps within it.
A political marriage.
Three years.
Rights.
Obligations.
A clear ending.
Everything was written in a cold manner.
But it was also very clear.
I placed the contract back on the table.
At that moment—
Footsteps sounded.
Slow.
Measured.
I lifted my head.
Baron Alasto had returned.
He had just stepped away from the balcony railing.
But this time—
he did not sit down.
He stood beside the table.
One hand resting lightly on the wooden surface.
His body leaning slightly toward me.
His gaze fixed directly on mine.
"So…"
he asked,
"Are you satisfied…"
"…Miss Mariel?"
I looked at him.
For a moment.
The man before me still carried that familiar calm.
His monocle reflected the morning light.
His face revealed very little emotion.
I studied him for a few more seconds.
Then spoke quietly.
"I would like…"
I paused for a beat.
"…to add one more clause to the contract."