Translator and Editor: Maru and Aki

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Chapter 7

Katan Gray Palace was so desolate and dreary to the point it was called a ghost castle. However, the castle was very glamorous today. It was decorated with various flowers for the wedding ceremony.

‘Why am I nervous?’

Is it because I am looking forward to marrying Joseph this time?

Standing in front of the archway, I mustered my courage and entered the gray hall.

“Lady Cardinale, dip your feet in the holy water.”

The high priest, who led the ceremony, whispered to me. Washing one’s feet with holy water before the wedding oath meant washing away one’s sins before starting a new life.

‘I really need this ritual.’

After washing my feet with the holy water in the silver basin, I stood right next to Joseph.

‘I wonder, what are your thoughts on this marriage?’

Suddenly, I was curious about how he felt at this moment. What does this forced marriage mean to him? Wouldn’t it be unfair if he had a lover?

I wanted to see his expression, but the veil only let me see the tip of his polished shoes.

“Joseph Catan. Will you cherish and love Rita Annunciata Cardinale as your lifelong companion?”

“I swear.”

His voice was as low and resonant as the wind in the middle of winter. But I knew it was a false oath.

“…Rita Annunciata Cardinale. Will you love Joseph Katan as your lifelong companion?”

“Yes. I swear before God’s name.”

I knew there was no sincerity in his oath, but I don’t intend to waste away my second life.

Perhaps because my determined voice was a little unexpected, Joseph tightened his grip on my hands.

“Do you swear before Laurencia to spend the rest of your life as husband and wife?”

“Yes.” Joseph and I answered at the same time.

‘Of course, we won’t be together forever.’

Once Carlo becomes the emperor, I plan to leave Katan without looking back.

Joseph had a woman he loved. He broke up with his lover because of this marriage. On a lonely winter, the day when Yvonne was born, he told me that himself.

‘Even so, he did his best for Yvonne.’

So, it’s my turn to work hard for his happiness this time.

‘Let’s carry out the plan seamlessly and return him back to her right after.’

After the ceremony, Joseph slowly lifted my veil upwards. His blurry face gradually became clear.

He looked younger, but that dark grey eyebrows, cold persona, and sharp profile of his, which exudes elegance, were exactly like what I remember.

I gently closed my eyes as his face slowly approached mine.

‘You’re supposed to kiss me for the oath, but you’ll end up kissing me lightly on the cheek.’

Joseph was so courteous that he rarely touched me first. As for Yvonne, she was a result of a one night mistake. We were only a couple in name.

Soon, his breath brushed against my cheek. I thought the oath was over, so I opened my eyes.

“If I kiss you now,”

At that moment, a small whisper rang in my ears. A clear and courteous voice along with a soft scent of sandalwood.

“Will that be okay?”

I was extremely embarrassed when Joseph asked me exactly what I wanted in a frank manner, so I nodded my head in a daze.

He wrapped his big hand around my nape and slowly lowered his head. Thus, unknowingly, I tightened my grip that held his arm.

‘Last time, he kissed me on the cheek!’

It wasn’t a kiss on the cheek nor a deep kiss. Even though light kisses were common between aristocrats, that fact couldn’t stop the heat from rising to my face.

***

I was utterly exhausted when I arrived at the grey castle after exploring Katan on a wedding carriage with Joseph.

‘It was my second time circling around this vast land in one day.’

However, Joseph couldn’t believe that I was already familiar with the circumstances within the estate. So, I had no choice but to look around Katan once more.

‘Well, thanks to this, I came up with a way to make the land more prosperous.’

Joseph and the demon hunters exterminated the demon’s habitats. They made Katan a land for people to live in, but it was still a wilderness.

‘I need to find a way to cultivate the soil with alchemy.’

It won’t be difficult to use the new alchemy technique that was developed just before my death.

“Madam! You must be tired, right?”

As I was lost in thought in the bathtub, Rona walked up to me. Her swiftness of calling me madam was quite admirable.

“You’re calling me madam already?”

“Now that you’re married, you’re not Lady Cardinale anymore. You are the Grand Duchess of Katan.” Rona replied, massaging my stiff arms.

‘That’s right. I become the Grand Duchess again…’

That’s why I had to take advantage of the opportunity given to me.

“Rona, can you bring me a paper and pen?’

Having left the bathroom, I sat down and began to write in the alchemist’s language.

[1. Help Prince Carlo acquire the throne safely.]

In order to protect Yvonne, a despicable man like George should never become the emperor again. Alchemy made it possible for me to go back in time, but it won’t stop Laurencia from passing down the oracle.

…Yvonne.

Each time I thought of Yvonne, I felt suffocated because I was reminded of the night when I called out my child’s name.

‘Will I be able to meet you again?’

It was possible for me to meet Yvonne again. Because I knew the exact day I had Yvonne.

Joseph and I only spent the night once, so it wasn’t hard to remember.

‘During the celebration of Goddess Laurencia.’

On the day of the grandest festival of the year, George, who won the battle for the throne, welcomed Saint Ibelina as the empress.

I fell into despair. I thought I had lost George’s heart, without knowing that he never loved me to begin with.

‘It was also the day Joseph lost his brother.’

No one could explain why the healthy prince suddenly passed away, but I was sure it was part of George’s schemes.

That night, the entire country danced joyfully. Unlike the lively atmosphere, however, we both broke down in sorrow. We ended up having an intimate night under the influence of alcohol. For that reason, it won’t be difficult for me to have Yvonne again.

‘I won’t let my daughter die again.’

I didn’t want to put Yvonne through such a terrible occurrence even if I were to die again.

[2. Increase Katan’s power.]

The Holy Council consisted of distinguished elites who had a close relationship with the temple that had power over the aristocracy.

The Holy Council, including my father, appointed George as the next emperor because of his holy power. The only region that supported Carlo was Katan, which was known as the abandoned land.

‘That being the case, I need to increase Katan’s power first.’

However, the situation in the north was not good due to the constant attacks of the monsters and harsh weather.

‘Perhaps I can develop crops that can withstand the weather in the north.’

I nodded briefly, recalling every technique I could use to cultivate the land.

[3. Prepare enough funds to raise Yvonne alone.]

It’s possible if everything works out as planned, but even if things work out otherwise, Yvonne’s well-being is the most important for me.

‘As I thought, I want to have Yvonne again.’

I know I was being selfish. But I wanted to meet my little angel again.

‘I’m the worst.’

I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t treat you well because it was the first time I had a child. I wanted to apologize over and over again. I’m so sorry I failed to protect you.

As long as Yvonne can live, I didn’t care even if I had to repeat a gruesome death for eternity.

‘This is what happened in the capital around this year…’

As I was organizing the events that would happen in the future on a paper, someone tapped my shoulder.

‘Is it Rona?’

As I casually turned my head, I instantly stiffened.

‘What are you writing in such a hurry?’

The shadow that fell above my feet belonged to Joseph. His white face looked exceptionally moist, perhaps because he just washed up.

“Yo-Your highness, what brings you to my bedroom?”

I was embarrassed by the sight of my husband standing in front of me in a black nightgown.

His solid chest, seen through the slightly disorganized gown, caught my eye. He was a man of strong build, unlike his smooth and elegant face.

“As of today, you have become my wife.”

Joseph’s low voice tickled my ears.

“So…”

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