Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

Some time after lunch, still a bit early to be evening.

I headed alone to Marquis Dario’s residence.

Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself and then furrowed my brows as much as I could. In front of the mirror, I checked my expression—good, I managed the “heartbroken face.”

...I wasn’t confident in my acting. But it’s okay, I told myself; I performed well on that big stage after all. Although, technically, I was more the one being acted upon!

This was a once-in-a-lifetime critical moment. Taking another deep breath, I knocked on the door, putting on a voice that trembled with obvious anxiety.

“Marquis, excuse me.”

“Hmm, ah... Lady Marie, is it? What’s the matter?”

The marquis who opened the door spoke politely but his expression clearly showed annoyance. I forced a smile that looked more like a frightened, humble plea and looked up at him with pleading eyes.

“Actually, at the ancient city planned to become Lord Alfred’s museum, I spotted a suspicious person...”

“A suspicious person?”

“Yes. A small man dressed in white. I thought he was a vagabond, so I consulted the attendants... but now that I think of it, that might not have been a small man, but rather a woman.”

“You mean... could it be!”

The marquis’s face changed color. Ella, who had run off, was still missing. I nodded solemnly.

“I have my own feelings about her, but I do not wish her misfortune. If she safely reached the highway and returned by carriage, I wouldn’t pursue her. But if she has neither money nor a way out of this forest...”

“Th-then she would have no choice but to hide in that ancient city. But there’s nothing there to eat.”

“Yes, I don’t think a lone woman could survive winter in these woods.”

“Uh, um... hmm hmm.”

“I consulted Lord Cyrus and Lord Ruifeng about how to rescue Ella, but they said to leave her be since she left on her own...”

I closed my eyes and shook my head.

“None of the attendants like her either. Only the marquis can save Ella now.”

“U-ugh…”

“I will help too. Let’s rescue her before things become irreversible.”

Marquis Dario grimaced deeply and tried to persuade me to go alone or to convince Lord Cyrus himself, but I firmly refused.

“As you know, I was taken in from a poor rural lordship to Granado Castle. If Lord Cyrus orders Ella to be dealt with, I can’t stop it. He’s not the kind to listen to reason.”

I rubbed my eyes with one hand. Hidden in my fingers was a sponge soaked with water. Squeezing it lightly, clear tears dropped.

“Marquis, Ella is surely waiting for you... Please help her.”

After several exchanges, the marquis reluctantly nodded.

Together, we walked through the dense forest, just the two of us. Lord Cyrus and Wolfgang were hiding in the bushes, protecting me, but I pretended not to notice. When the marquis almost turned to look at them, I distracted him with, “A snake at your feet! Oh, just a tree root,” diverting his attention.

Soon, the ancient city where we had come yesterday appeared.

…Under the cloudy sky, it already had a strong atmosphere. The old stone castle gate, black mold stains on the outer walls that looked almost like bloodstains. The heavy iron door’s bolt was rusted and creaked loudly when opened, increasing the eerie feeling.

“Well then, Marquis... shall we enter?”

When I whispered this, Marquis Dario groaned in a low voice and stepped back.

“C-couldn’t we come another time? At least when it’s brighter?”

“What are you saying? Even now, Ella might be enduring hunger alone—”

Trying to convince the marquis who was hesitating at the last moment, a drop of water fell on my forehead.

“It’s rain.”

As soon as I said this, the raindrops rapidly grew larger and heavier. Perfect. I grabbed Marquis Dario’s sleeve and firmly pulled him along.

“It’s surely a summer squall. It will stop soon. Let’s wait it out inside the castle.”

“B-but—”

“Hurry, or you’ll get soaked! I’ll never forgive it if my daughter catches a cold!”