Published: July 28, 2025
I am going to marry the man who proposed to my sister.
His name is Count Kyros Granado. I’ve heard that he is twenty-four years old, six years older than me.
That’s all the information I have. He probably isn’t interested in me at all. I’m merely standing in for my sister.
My sister, Anastasia, was beautiful. Our family was a poor baronial household, but many nobles and wealthy merchants lined up, eager to have Anastasia as their bride.
The Granado Family, headed by Count Kyros Granado, was the one decided upon as her fiancé. My sister didn’t even know his face, but noble daughters cannot refuse marriages arranged by their parents. Anastasia obediently boarded the carriage that my father had prepared—and during the journey, she died in an accident.
As soon as we heard the news, my father dressed me in a gown.
Along with the bridal veil that had been made for Anastasia.
“No way! I can’t be a substitute for my sister!” I screamed. But my parents refused to listen.
“Don’t worry, Marie. We know you’re not pretty,” my father said.
“That’s right. Anastasia was special. Both Mom and Dad know there’s no way the Count would love you, Marie,” my mother added with a tone no different from usual.
“…Then why?” I asked.
“We have received treasure as a betrothal gift. If we just break off this engagement, we’ll have to return the treasure, right?”
“Then we should just return it. You haven’t even worn the dress you received…” I said.
“We sold everything.”
My mouth dropped open.
Literally dumbfounded, I was speechless.
Father was irritated, stomping the floor with no purpose.
“…If we were to buy it back, it would cost more than what we got from selling it. The Shadelan Family doesn’t have that kind of money anymore.”
“L-let’s borrow money and pay it back steadily?” I suggested.
“There’s nowhere to borrow from. We’re already drowning in debt and have no credit.”
Again, my mouth hung open in shock.
Seeing my reaction, even my father gave in. He wiped the sweat from his brow and sighed heavily.
“Anyway, we’re heading to the Count’s castle. He’s grieving over losing Anastasia. We’ll exploit that first. Even if it’s just for one night of comfort, if we establish a connection, it works to our advantage.”
“One night of… comfort—”
That’s not marriage… He’s basically telling me to become a prostitute…
“Don’t make that face, Marie. Even if it’s only brief, you should live well. Just think of it as a trip.”
“That’s right. Besides, you won’t marry anyone anyway. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you.”
“…No… I—”
“What, still complaining? The survival of the Shadelan Family depends on this!”
“If our family collapses, it’ll be your fault!”
I was yelled at and shrank back.
I wasn’t convinced. I thought of many things to retort.
But my throat trembled and I couldn’t speak.
I clenched my fists and just stared silently at the ground.
And today, I’m going to marry Count Kyros Granado. No, I should say I am being sold off.
We traveled across the wilderness in an iron carriage. For the roughly four-day journey, my father sat right beside me, as if to keep watch over me.
There was no escape anymore.
—How did things end up like this?
The dress tightened around my chest, making it hard to breathe. Anastasia’s old gown doesn’t fit me at all. Just sitting here makes my head feel foggy.
We still have a long way to go to the royal capital where the Granado Family’s castle is. Looking up at the carriage ceiling, I recalled old memories.
…Two months ago. On my eighteenth birthday…
The events of that night, when he supposedly took a liking to my sister, played like a revolving lantern in my mind.