Chapter 2: Cecilio’s Estate
WHEN they arrived at Cecilio Bonifaccio’s estate, they were greeted by a decidedly inelegant manse.
“My lady, this is, well, certainly something,” Dorothée whispered.
“Less an estate and more of a…”
Stronghold, but Bertine refrained from finishing her sentence. She certainly didn’t want to cast judgment on her new home.
A young man came through the main entrance. She didn’t see any others on the grounds. I wonder if that is His Excellency, she thought as she disembarked from the carriage. The bride, presumably soon to be lady of the house, had arrived, yet no servants awaited her in welcome.
The young man stepped in front of her and introduced himself.
“My name is Ignacio and I’m the secretary for the head of the Federation. Are you the daughter of Marquess du Jeanne, Bertine du Jeanne?”
“I am.”
“A room has been prepared for you. Please follow me.”
Bertine nodded in acknowledgment and began walking after him, but she couldn’t shake a sense of unease. His attitude wasn’t nearly as welcoming as she expected.
“If I may speak frankly, I find myself surprised by His Excellency’s conspicuous absence here despite the coming of his bride,” Bertine said.
“Allow me to explain.”
His stride unwavering, Ignacio responded to her, still facing ahead. He led her to a guest chamber, instead of a suite designed for the lady of the house. An expressionless maid poured tea and set out a tray of refreshments before expediently exiting. Only the three of them remained in the room.
“I have two things to convey. First, His Excellency is currently not in residence here. He has been called away to a province hit by extreme flooding. I can’t say for certain when he’ll return.”
“I see.”
Understandable, since it’s a national emergency.
“Second, you seem to be operating under a misunderstanding, Lady du Jeanne, so permit me to correct you,” Ignacio continued. “The Federation didn’t, in fact, desire a matrimonial partner from the Empire for His Excellency. We requested monetary reparations from the losing side for this latest battle, not a bride.”
“The losing side, you say…”
“Therefore, as soon as you’ve recovered from your journey, please return to your country.”
Bertine was at a loss for words. She couldn’t fashion a response no matter how hard she tried. The citizens of the Kingdom of San Luenne had no conception that their country had been a party to war. “Why, the Kingdom naturally financed the Empire’s campaign because we’re indebted to them.” A sentiment like this was as far as her people’s awareness extended, but clearly it was leagues apart from how the Federation viewed the conflict.
According to her father and older brother, the King of San Luenne himself had evidently complained, “Not only does the Empire receive our financial support for the war, but they also expect us to give them more funds should they lose.” Thus the decision to send Bertine in exchange for reduced reparations. The Kingdom thought to decrease their liability by exchanging a young noblewoman of their own to the so-called savages.
Now that she discovered otherwise, Bertine wondered if the Federation’s rejection of the proposal had arrived before she left her country. It doesn’t matter now, does it? The bitter thought flashed through her mind immediately.
“I traveled to this nation with the intention of offering my life in service to its development, by His Excellency’s side. But based on what you’re telling me, I take it such a role is unnecessary, yes?” Bertine queried.
“Unfortunately, it is as you say.”
Going home is out of the question. Because Bertine could see plain as day the malicious gossip awaiting her should she return to the Kingdom. “She couldn’t fulfill her duty to our country? How useless.” “He refused to marry her.” “Defiled goods is what she is now.” Except her standing wouldn’t be the only one affected. Her father and brother would suffer the ignominy as well. And what punishment would His Majesty inflict on her, even though he was the one who had arranged this farce of a marriage? No, there was no going back for her.
“Understood. Then in the interim, I shall withdraw from my role as His Excellency’s intended bride,” she said. “But that does not mean I’ll meekly accept the Federation’s dismissal of my existence because I can no longer return to my homeland. After all, I traveled here at the behest of our king himself. Therefore, won’t you kindly grant me the time I need to consider my future?”
Bertine clasped her hands together to hide the tremors that wanted to snake through. Spine ramrod straight, she even smiled winningly as she appealed to Ignacio. She had no desire to disgrace herself in this foreign land, and it was the only thought giving her strength right now. Lord knows she would have already swooned from the shocking news without the rigorous education in comportment she’d received as one befitting her station.
“Very well. Then you may stay in this guest room until His Excellency returns. When he does, I shall consult him about what comes next.”
“That sounds fine to me. Thank you very much.”