Lord Kyros didn’t say a word while the plates were being arranged on the table, so I too waited in silence. However, after taking my first bite, I whispered in spite of myself, “It’s delicious…”
At almost the same time exactly, Lord Kyros said, “This isn’t a marriage of convenience.”
My fork stopped in midair. “What do you mean…?”
“The proposal I sent for ‘Anastasia’ had always been meant for you, the red-haired girl I’d met in the garden… Good grief, this doesn’t make any sense, does it? What I’m trying to say is, I mixed up your names.”
“What an honor…”
“You don’t believe me, do you?” His green eyes were fixed on me, and I smiled awkwardly.
“You don’t need to show me such concern. You truly are a nice person, Lord Kyros.”
He sighed. “I knew it. You don’t believe me.”
He didn’t need to worry about my feelings. While I’d never indulged in the luxury of noble life, I was still a noble lady. I was ready to marry for the sake of my family, and I expected Lord Kyros was the same. No, he likely had to shoulder far heavier duties than I could have ever imagined, considering his position.
He’d surely take a concubine after our marriage, and I imagined I’d never have children. I figured I might even have to work harder than I had at the Chandelan estate, once again clad in my usual tattered clothes, but I didn’t mind. In the end, my life wouldn’t change much.
I kept eating in silence, and the count didn’t say another word either. Even after Mio took away the dinner plates and served us tea, he kept staring at me without so much as touching his cup.
“Um… Do you have an order for me, my lord?” I asked.
“I like you, Marie.”
This was the most incomprehensible statement I’d heard the entire day. Somehow the words didn’t register, and I stared at him in a daze.
The count waited for me to answer for a few moments before standing up and saying, “I get it. Regardless, we are engaged now. You will live in this castle from now on.”
“U-understood, my lord.”
“We’ll hold our engagement ceremony in three months. Unlike our wedding, which will be a more serious affair, this will be a merry banquet to which we’ll invite both of our families. I’ll prepare an outfit for you, so you won’t need to worry about anything, Marie.”
“All right. I will do my utmost not to embarrass you in front of your guests, my lord.”
He was silent for a few moments before continuing, “In the meantime, enjoy your life here. I hope you’ll come to like this cast—”
He was walking away as he spoke, and I stopped him, “Ah! Please wait, my lord!”
The count’s shoulders trembled and he turned around. “Wh-what is it?”
“Please allow me to go back once.”
“To the Chandelan estate? I don’t mind, but what for?”
“Before we arrived, my father told me that I was to come home immediately once you were finished with me.”
Lord Kyros knit his brow in confusion. “Once I was…finished with you?”
“My father didn’t believe you’d want to marry me. He’d hoped you might allow me into your bed for a night so that our houses may be linked, one way or another.”
“WHAT?!” Mio screamed so loud I feared the windows would shatter.
“Neither of us expected things to develop this way, so I’m not sure what my father will think of it all. That’s why I’d like to go home, so I can receive further instructions…”
Lord Kyros’s lips trembled for a second, and I thought he might respond, but he left the room without another word. Mio ran after him before quickly coming back in and announcing, “I’m terribly sorry, Lady Marie, but I’m afraid you’re forbidden from returning home.”
“Huh? B-but why?!”
“That is an order from our lord. If the baron or baroness come to visit, they’re to seek his permission before talking to you, and they will only be allowed to do so in his or my presence,” Mio said strictly.
I dropped my gaze, unsure what to say. For the first time I’d ever seen, Mio grimaced. “My lady, why do you think you’re ugly?”
She seemed truly perplexed.
“Why? Well, that’s because…my father and my mother…and because my sister was… A-and the mirror showed it all! That mess on my head, the dirt under my nails, the tattered clothes I wore…”
“The only thing you mentioned that we have here is a mirror. Please look at yourself in the mirror and rethink your answer.”
Look at myself? What would that change?
Mio left the room and me alone in it. It was a luxurious room, but an empty one—nothing was here but me, that huge mirror, and that woman I didn’t recognize staring back at me.
I spent the rest of the evening waiting absentmindedly until, late at night, I was given warm water to remove my makeup.
The bed was incredibly comfortable, but I couldn’t sleep, even though I was exhausted by everything that’d happened today. Even though the mattress was plush and the covers were warm and soft as a dream…
A dream… Yes, today had been just like a dream. In fact, perhaps it had been a dream—all of it, from the moment I’d been told to board the carriage.
Tomorrow, when I woke up, the white-walled castle, the beautiful dress, the glass slippers, the tea, the sweets, and even the strong-willed grand chamberlain and green-eyed count would be nowhere to be found. I’d be in my usual small, dark storage room. All alone with my rags.
Somehow, the thought brought me relief, and I let out a quiet laugh.
I’ve finally figured it out. I’m dreaming.
Everything made perfect sense. Since this was a dream, that beautiful woman in the mirror was me. Since this was a dream, it was no wonder that Mio’s blank face and indomitable disposition hadn’t struck me as all that strange. Since this was a dream, it was no wonder the count wanted to marry me—no wonder he liked me. Since this was a dream, I could simply rejoice without overthinking any of it.
As soon as I realized I was dreaming, my cheeks flushed red. What am I even thinking! How embarrassing! Just because the gentleman I’d met that night was dashing was no excuse to fantasize about him in this manner! This all felt so unbecoming and incredibly embarrassing of me. Something must be wrong with me!
“I like you, Marie. I want to marry you. You’re beautiful,” his voice rang in my ears.
“Aaaaaah!!!” I squealed out loud, burying my head into my pillow.
This has to be a magic pillow! It was the softest thing I’d ever touched. It also smelled nice…
Suddenly, I was hit by a wave of drowsiness, and I closed my eyes.
Somewhere, far, far away, I felt as though I could hear the bell of a church. I opened my eyes. Morning had come, yet the magic hadn’t faded.