Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

The location for Anastasia’s tomb had yet to be decided.

“Shall we arrange it at the kingdom’s most scenic spot?” Mio suggested.

“After all is said and done, wouldn’t the Shadelan Territory, her hometown, be best?” Lady Ryuu-Ryuu commented.

Lord Cyrus kindly offered, “If you want, we could build the mausoleum in the garden of this castle. She is Marie’s family, after all.”

I appreciated all their offers deeply, but for the moment, I reserved my response.

“I’m sorry. I can’t decide…”

“But even so, since the person herself isn’t here, the family has to decide, right? You haven’t been able to contact your parents at all, either.”

I shook my head, feeling this was not the point.

“There’s still so much about Anastasia I don’t understand. If she could have chosen, where would she have wanted her final resting place to be? Until I understand that, please give me some time.”

With that, we dropped the topic of Anastasia’s memorial for the time being—until something suddenly struck me, and I asked again.

“You can’t contact your parents? Have you not received any letters since then?”

It was Lord Cyrus who nodded.

“Ah, yes. When you first came here, there were continuous letters from Lady Elvira berating Marie and demands from the baron to send Marie back. But one day, they suddenly stopped. That was the day we sent out the invitation to the engagement ceremony.”

“So, you don’t even know if they’ll attend or if there’s been any coordination for the day? The ceremony is only three weeks away…”

“We’re troubled by that too,” Lady Ryuu-Ryuu sighed.

This was truly a grave matter.

Even among commoners, the parents from both families typically attend the ceremony. Marriage isn’t just about two people in love; it’s about the uniting of two families. The engagement ceremony is effectively a public introduction, where parents are often the main figures.

All the more so for nobles. When it comes to the duke’s son marrying, it’s a grand celebration for the entire kingdom. Yet the bride’s parents are nowhere to be seen.

—Are the bride’s relatives so scandalous they can’t be shown in public?—

—Was this arranged marriage forced? Did the baron, unwilling to give his daughter away, have to be bribed?—

Such rumors are bound to spread. It wouldn’t just embarrass me; it would also tarnish Lord Cyrus’s and the ducal family’s honor.

Lady Ryuu-Ryuu lightly tapped my pale, trembling shoulder and smiled brightly.

“Ah, it’s okay, it’s okay. Worst case, if the bride’s family doesn’t show up, we just say they're unwell and push on with the ceremony. A few rumors and suspicions will clear up once you two build a strong marriage.”

“…I’m sorry…”

“Marie, you have nothing to apologize for,” she said kindly.

“But while the ceremony might be fine, I do want to know why they keep refusing,” Lord Cyrus said simply. Lady Ryuu-Ryuu laughed as if it was obvious.

“Because they oppose this marriage. They don’t want to lose Marie.”

“I think that’s true, but considering how things started, it doesn’t quite add up. Remember, it was the baron who forcibly put a reluctant Marie into the carriage.”

Hearing that, the three of us tilted our heads in confusion.

That had always been the mystery.

I could guess why my parents were against this marriage. They probably saw some use for me and wanted to keep me at home.

But as Lord Cyrus said, it was my parents who forced me into that carriage. At that time, they were still trying to marry me off.

Then why are they trying to take me back now? When exactly did they change their minds?

Father gave me mountains of advice to ensure I’d be cherished by the count. He forced me to wear ill-fitting dresses, bathed me in the river, and left me at the count’s castle, hoping at least to get me a place to sleep for one night—

“…One night?”

I was caught by that thought.

I recalled their words from back then.

Yes, they said this:

“Don’t worry, Marie. We know you’re not pretty.”