“Your Highness, the Empress Dowager is waiting for you.”
Following Lina’s report, Blair returned immediately to the Imperial Princess’s Palace. As she stepped into the parlor, she was met by a sharp strike from Katrina’s hand.
*Slap!*
Blair’s body reeled from the sudden, stinging blow.
“Y-Your Highness!”
Lina, who had been following close behind, rushed to catch the staggering Blair. Katrina raised her hand to strike again, but failing to follow through, she erupted in frustration instead.
“There is a limit to how much you can ignore your mother! How could you visit that woman the day before your wedding? And that woman, who once tried to kill you, of all people!”
Her cheek burned, but Blair did not let out a single moan. She looked at Katrina with calm, steady eyes.
Katrina, whose complex stemmed from her humble birth, was pathologically conscious of others’ gazes. Regardless of her internal state, she always strove to act as noble, elegant, and refined as an aristocrat. It was rare for her to resort to physical violence, yet Blair had touched her Achilles’ heel.
“I am your mother! I am the one who carried you for ten months and endured the agony of childbirth to bring you into this world. Not that woman!”
A piercing madness flickered in her purple eyes—eyes so much like Blair’s own.
Blair sneered at the sight. The mother who detested her for following Esmeralda saw her daughter as nothing more than a chess piece for her son. From the moment Blair had developed a woman’s physique, Katrina had managed her daughter’s weight with terrifying precision. If she weighed even a fraction over her target, Katrina would have the maids of the Imperial Princess’s Palace whipped until their calves bled, starving them as punishment for failing their mistress.
Katrina had always whispered that it was for Blair’s sake.
*‘Think of the end that woman met because she wasn’t loved. How piteous and useless a life, to be consumed by jealousy and envy of those who are loved.’*
*‘…….’*
*‘You must become a woman who is loved, Blair. Like your mother.’*
*And so, you must become a wonderful support for your brother and for this Imperial Family that I have built…….*
Whenever Blair felt she had gained the slightest bit of weight, she would stick her fingers down her throat to purge everything she had eaten. It was agonizing enough to bring tears of nausea to her eyes, but she had told herself it was all right. It was all because her mother cared. If she endured, the maids would be spared, her mother would not hate her, and she would remain beautiful.
Everyone will love me.
Yes, it’s all right. As long as I can be loved, this much is nothing at all…….
However, the moment she held the newborn Aziel in her arms, she realized the truth.
*‘Headrin del Marc, you must make that man fall for you. You must make him a strong ally for your brother. Do you understand?’*
If Katrina truly loved her, she could not be more concerned for her son than her daughter on the eve of her wedding. If she truly loved her, she could not help but find the sight of her daughter eating adorable. No matter what others said, a mother should see her child as beautiful and precious.
It was heartbreaking, but now she could no longer deny it. The love Katrina had for her was a lie.
That was why she was finally able to talk back.
“Since when have you ever cared for me, Mother?”
Blair’s voice, calm yet drenched in resentment, pierced through Katrina.
“You…!”
Stunned by the defiance of the daughter who had always clung to her, starving for affection, Katrina raised her hand once more.
Blair opened her mouth.
“It would be troublesome if the bride were to have a bruise on her face, wouldn’t it?”
At that, Katrina’s hand faltered. Trembling with suppressed rage, she eventually lowered it.
“You truly are driving a nail into this mother’s heart. You insolent girl…….”
Katrina brushed past Blair and Lina, exiting the parlor. Blair closed her eyes, listening to the fading clip of her heels. The sound was heartbreaking, yet it felt like liberation.
It was the end of a terrible, unrequited love.
***
The wedding was held at a temple on the outskirts of the Capital. A massive crowd—nobles and commoners alike—had gathered to witness the union of the Emperor’s only sister and the Duke of Del Marc.
In the bridal room, the personal maids were busily putting the finishing touches on Blair.
“It’s a relief that the swelling has gone down.”
The maid smoothing out the foundation carefully stroked the cheek Blair had been struck on the day before.
“It’s all thanks to your care. Mother should give you a generous reward.”
“The Empress Dowager went too far. To leave the bride’s face in such a state.”
Blair offered a faint smile at the maid, who complained as if she were the one who was most offended. Just then, Lina, who was approaching with the veil, looked out the window and let out a small exclamation.
“Oh my, it’s snowing outside.”
“It seems the Gods have come to bless Your Highness’s wedding.”
Tiny white snowflakes were fluttering down—the same snow that had fallen during her first wedding. Back then, Blair had watched with fluttering excitement and fear. Now, she watched it with calm eyes.
The peace was broken by a knock at the door.
“Is the preparation finished?”
Hearing Ivan’s voice, the maids quickly placed the veil over Blair. The bride’s beauty had to be seen by the groom first. As Ivan entered, the maids bowed.
“If you’re ready, let’s head out.”
Ivan approached and held out his hand. Blair stared at it for a moment before placing her own on top. As they walked, Ivan spoke.
“The surest way for a woman to establish her standing in her husband’s family is to bear them a son. You know that, don’t you?”
Blair did not respond. Ivan was displeased by her silence.
“And as your brother, I offer you this advice: you’re too stiff. Being a virtuous lady is fine, but you have to act like a temptress in bed to be loved.”
“…….”
“Mother was very worried about you.”
Blair finally spoke at the word ‘Mother.’
“Please tell her not to worry too much, as her daughter will live well anywhere, Brother.”
In any part of this continent.
Blair planned to live freely, traveling and escaping the shackles of the Imperial family once this contract was over. Together with her son, Aziel.
As Blair emerged, the massive crowd welcomed her. The nobles could not hide their awe as they caught a glimpse of her silhouette beneath the veil.
“My goodness, she looks just like an angel descended from the heavens.”
“She looks like a snow fairy, too.”
Headrin listened to the praise with one ear, letting it drift away as he watched the pair approach. To him, this wedding held no excitement. Ivan handed Blair over to him.
“She is a precious child I’ve raised with great care. I hope you cherish her.”
“Is there any doubt that I would follow the Imperial command?”
The two stood side by side in front of Gerard, the Pope. He looked at them with a satisfied smile.
“My heart is filled with pride to see the Imperial Princess grown and wed.”
He was the lifesaver who had treated Blair after the Empress’s Palace fire incident and had officiated the funeral of the late Duke and Duchess. Because their connection remained, he had volunteered to preside.
The ceremony followed. While the crowd was intoxicated by the wedding of the Empire’s most beautiful man and woman, the two involved remained indifferent.
“Now, for the final act, please share the vow of kisses.”
Headrin lifted the veil. Their eyes met, and in that instant, his gaze—usually like a silent, frozen lake—rippled.
The white dress and soft platinum hair highlighted every detail of her features. Her fair face was slightly flushed with warmth, her amethyst-like purple eyes set beneath her brow, and her lips were the color of cherries. Beyond the window, the grace of falling snowflakes formed the perfect backdrop.
A snow fairy.
A woman in white who perfectly matched the name.
Headrin decided the nobles’ praises weren’t just empty words, and he willingly pressed his lips to the fairy’s.
***
After the ceremony, a banquet was held at the Imperial Palace. The Emperor opened the celebration but allowed Headrin and Blair to leave early, a show of consideration for the newlywed couple.
Ruth was just opening the door to leave the office after organizing the day’s documents when he collided with a large shadow.
“Whoa, you scared me!”
Standing before him was Headrin, dressed in a robe, his hair still damp from washing. Ruth smoothed his startled heart.
“Why are you here at this hour?”
“Do I need a reason to come to my own office?”
“No, that’s not what I meant, but today is your first wedding night, isn’t it?”
“There are documents that need to be processed.”
“There is nothing so urgent that it must be done on the day of your wedding.”
“It seems you were hoping I wouldn’t come to the office.”
“Of course. Who would want to be alone with their boss at this hour? Especially one who just got married.”
A man who visited his office instead of his bride’s bedroom on his wedding night—it was a recipe for strange rumors. Headrin, ignoring Ruth’s squirming, sat at his desk and lit a cigar. *So strong,* Ruth thought of his workaholic boss, rolling his eyes as he watched Headrin review the papers.
“……By the way, what are you going to do from now on?”
The object of the question was omitted, but Headrin understood.
“She said she would cooperate in helping me find the memories related to the incident ten years ago.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I don’t know if she really lost them, or if she’s pretending for some other purpose.”
He had married her, but he still could not trust her.
*……Does it even matter?*
Whatever her purpose, she was now in his hands, and he would use her to uncover the truth.
Ruth asked cautiously, “But are you really not going to the bedroom?”
Headrin suddenly remembered the woman who had worn the same doll-like expression beside him all day. A chill settled into his blue eyes as he recalled her face. She must have fallen fast asleep out of exhaustion; it would have been a grueling march for such a frail woman. And, of course, there was no need to perform the rites of a first night for a contract marriage. Surely she felt the same.
Once his thoughts reached that point, his mind shifted. Headrin, who had been stroking his lips while lost in thought, rose from his seat.
“Are you leaving?”
To Ruth’s question, Headrin replied casually.
“I suddenly became curious.”
What kind of expression that doll-like woman would make at the unwelcome visit of her husband.