There was one month between the day of the proposal and the wedding.

No marriage in the aristocracy had ever proceeded in such a short amount of time without a proper engagement period. In addition to being outrageous, the short duration between the day of the proposal and the wedding could be perceived as an insult from the other party’s point of view.

The shorter the engagement period, the less time they would have to prepare for the wedding.

But Philip and Anthony had put their lives on the line for this wedding, and Benvito’s name made it all possible.

The wedding preparations went on steadily without the need for Asella to do anything.

The invitations were neatly arranged and delivered to the distinguished families of the empire. Madame Efredieu’s beautiful dress was finished, and the Chartus mansion was constantly receiving supplies and items to be used in the ceremony.

One week to go. 

As the wedding date drew nearer, Asella began to feel uneasy.

Her heart would beat rapidly all of a sudden as she gazed out the window blankly. She paced around the room in circles over and over, feeling irritated as she bit her nails.

Then, late at night, she would try to fall asleep.

Last night, Asella tossed and turned and dozed off into the night. But still, she would open her eyes again a few hours later.

The faint light of dawn was shining through the window. The room looked gray as if it were foggy.

She felt as if she couldn’t sleep any longer in bed anyway. With a low sigh, Asella got up and walked to the window.

She thought while looking down at the sky where the dawn was gradually starting to rise on the quiet mansion with blue dawn light.

‘I’m going to die soon…’

Her husband-to-be, Grand Duke Calix Benvito, chose her personally, and there was only one reason for him to do so.

***

Asella wondered how long she could hold on to her life.

He might not kill her right now. She might live a year at the most, a few months at short.

How would she die?

At least she hoped it wouldn’t be too painful, whatever the method he used.

‘But when I die, Mariel…’ 

There was no one to protect the child. Once her value was gone, Mariel was bound to be Philip and Anthony’s next target.

There was no way to save herself now.

But even she couldn’t let her sister, who was not even ten years old yet, go down the same path.

[You must please His Excellency. Don’t be as stiff as you usually are.]

Asella closed her eyes as she recalled Philip’s words.

They were brutal words to urge obedience, but at this moment, Asella knew they were the truth.

‘I must endure… even for a little bit.’

As long as she survived, as long as she endured, she could protect Mariel. Asella kept pondering again how she could keep herself alive longer once she got to the grand duchy.

Then, the sound of horses’ hooves coming from outside stopped her from any further thoughts.

A carriage was coming through the main gate of the mansion, coming in from the wide pathway across the gardens.

Who could it be at this early hour?

Asella’s eyes narrowed. She thought Philip or Anthony were coming back from their outing but the carriage didn’t have the family crest.

Unusually, her curiosity was aroused. Asella kept watching the carriage closely.

It was not long before the carriage stopped and the door opened. As soon as someone stepped out, Asella slammed the door and stormed out of the room.