Published: August 15, 2025
“...Marie... hmm, an unusually tall stature and ominous red hair. Could it be Marie Shadelan? The wife of Count Cyrus?”
The man asked Thomas. Before Thomas could roughly reply, “Yes, that’s right,” the man tilted his head with a “Hmm?” and slowly, deliberately, crept closer.
His gaze fixed on me... his unusually long eyelashes fluttered like fans.
“Ugh.”
I let out a small scream without thinking.
No, no way. This person is scary... I fought the urge to flee with strong self-control.
While Lord Cyrus was away, I was the lady of this castle. If I stayed hidden here, Thomas the gatekeeper and Adam the stableman would be unfairly punished for disrespect toward the nobles. I shielded them with my back and faced the man.
The man looked at me, seemingly surprised. He peered intently, tilting his head as if looking into a bottomless pit. He stared wide-eyed, scrutinizing me from head to toe...
“Ugh...”
A shiver ran down my spine. What? What is this!?
Right before I screamed again, I clenched my teeth and forced a gentle lady’s smile. Pinching the hem of my skirt to spread it wide, I gracefully bowed.
“P-pleased to meet you! As you rightly guessed, I am Marie, wife of Cyrus Granado. I apologize for the rude attitude of my attendant.”
“Hmm...!?”
The man’s reaction was still strange, but surprisingly, he seemed to recover quickly. He returned his eyelids to normal, flashed a gentlemanly smile, and under his neatly groomed mustache, his white teeth sparkled.
“Oh, my apologies for the delay in introduction. I am Dario Alfonso. Husband of Sophia, eldest daughter of Duke Alfred, and Lord Cyrus’s brother-in-law.”
“Lord Cyrus’s brother-in-law...!”
I caught my breath.
Since our marriage was recent and most of the time spent abroad, my interaction with the Granado family relatives was severely lacking. Still, I had at least memorized names and noble titles from documents. The Sophia couple had married a viscount of Sphain and were living in a small castle there. The promotion from viscount to marquis must have been thanks to Duke Alfred’s support. I wasn’t sure whose status was higher between Lord Cyrus, who was the next duke but currently held a count title, and Lord Dario. Either way, he was definitely a high-ranking noble.
Why would such a person visit without prior notice... No, more than that, I was really glad I stopped Adam!
“My deepest apologies, Lord Dario.”
I straightened my posture and made a profound curtsey.
“I also apologize for the late welcome. And I’m terribly sorry again, but as you know, my husband is often away preparing for the state funeral...”
“Oh, I know.”
…Hmm? I felt a momentary oddity in Lord Marquis Dario’s response but shook it off and continued.
“I understand he will return soon, but at present, he’s away. Please, relax and wait inside the castle until then.”
“Thank you! Then I shall take you up on your kind offer and enjoy the gourmet cuisine of Granado Castle!”
H-Huh? Did I just say “please enjoy the meal”?
Well, I had planned to guide him anyway, so it was fine.
“Oh, this Granado Castle! I’ve heard rumors, but it really is a huge and magnificent fortress!”
Spinning around like a whirlwind, Marquis Dario shouted loudly.
“It’s much larger than the Duke’s mansion. To be the lord of such a grand place, I’m almost jealous.”
“Th-thank you. I believe my husband will be pleased to hear that.”
“This will go down in history—an illegitimate child owning a castle is extraordinary, especially with barbarian blood.”
…….
My expression involuntarily stiffened.
Whether Marquis Dario noticed this small change or not, he strode through the castle gate without waiting for anyone to guide him, loudly proclaiming as he walked on:
“Oh, right! Please take care of my carriage!”
…Reluctantly, I gave instructions to Thomas and Adam.
“Adam, bring the marquis’s carriage inside the castle. Please let the horse rest too.”
“...Lady Marie, but—”
“Even if it can’t be put in the stable, there’s plenty of space elsewhere. For example, the courtyard. There’s a sturdy maple tree there; why not tie the horse there?”