Not a single person at the Balladur manor had welcomed Ariel. That was her impression when she first arrived, ready to face death.
She entered the large foyer, stepping onto the polished marble floor. High-class furniture was tastefully arranged in the room. But in contrast to the manor’s opulence, all of the servants lined up before her had icy expressions. The dark-haired man who finally stepped up to greet her was glaring at her as if he were looking at something filthy.
Ariel’s face stiffened. This man... Is he Marquis Balladur’s son? Well, his stepmother’s even younger than him, so it’s no wonder he’s unhappy. Based on his looks, the man seemed to be around twenty-four or twenty-five years old.
Ariel gently lifted the hem of her skirt and curtsied in a ladylike manner. “I’m Ariel. I hope we get along.”
However, the young man only continued glaring at her without a word.
Feeling awkward, Ariel glanced at him for another moment before asking, “Um, where is Marquis Balladur?” She didn’t want to meet the lecherous marquis, but it wasn’t as if she could avoid doing so. As such, she wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible and face the old man who was to become her husband.
With obvious reluctance, the man she took to be the marquis’s son answered her. “I’m the marquis.”
“What?!” Ariel exclaimed before she could stop herself, then clamped her hand over her mouth. He’s the marquis?! But he was supposed to be over sixty years old!
Perhaps conjecturing what she was thinking, the young man explained. “My name’s Bernard Balladur. My father, the previous marquis, passed away recently. So you’re going to become my wife.” Neither his tone of voice nor his countenance suggested that he was joking.
Ariel just blinked at him. No way... Is this true? So I’m not going to be the bride of that lustful old man?! Is such a stroke of luck even possible?! Ariel could scarcely believe it, and she carefully observed the man in front of her.
Bernard was slightly shorter than Claus. There was no excessive fat on his body, and he was both graceful and toned. His lustrous black hair was tied back in a ponytail, and his sharp eyes were an icy blue. He didn’t have Claus’s sweetness or glamor, but each part of him was neatly arranged. It wouldn’t be a far cry to call him a beautiful man.
This man is going to be my husband? Ariel continued blinking in disbelief. I’d given up on having a happy marriage, but with this, maybe it’ll be possible after all...
But right as she thought that, Bernard spoke up again, glaring at her with vitriol. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I have to take you as my wife out of necessity, but I have no intention of loving you!” His wrathful voice echoed loudly in the entryway. “And I heard all those stories about you. You tried to ruin your sister’s reputation among high society, and you even stole from her!”
The light disappeared from Ariel’s eyes at those words. Right, of course he knows about that. Well, I suppose I’m getting my just deserts...
With a severe expression, her soon-to-be husband went on. “It infuriates me to think a woman like you is going to become Marchioness Balladur, but since it’s in name alone, I’m willing to tolerate it. Just don’t forget: you were sold to me as collateral, and therefore you are my possession. I will provide for your basic necessities, but I have no extra money to spend on you. Don’t you dare think I will buy you any luxuries!”
It seemed as though Bernard hated her even before they’d gotten married. If he despises me this much, he shouldn’t marry me at all... If he thinks he can treat me any way he likes as if I’m his possession, then in a way, he’s just like his father. Ariel’s fists gripped her skirt tightly. Her chest was full of bitterness. But...
At a time like this, I’m sure sister would...
Ariel recalled the face of her older stepsister Jeanette when she’d seen Ariel off. She pictured the other girl’s vivid red hair and her greenish-gray eyes. Jeanette was never discouraged, and her smile was always bright.
Ariel had started to lower her head, but now she lifted it again. Her eyes were calm once more. I’m sure Jeanette would say something like “How nice to have a husband in the same age range as me!”
The new marquis was tyrannical and prejudiced against Ariel. But at the very least, he wouldn’t do as he pleased with her body. If anything, his expression implied he didn’t want to so much as touch her with one finger.
So it’s not as bad as it could be, Ariel thought, bowing once again. “Yes, Your Lordship.”
“You’re forbidden from speaking to me. If you need something, call for the butler.”
“Very well.”
“You’re not allowed to go into our territories either. It’d be troublesome for me if some random man impregnated you.”
“Very well.”
Seeing the way Ariel obediently nodded, Bernard seemed satisfied at last. He turned around, and walked off somewhere by himself. The servants followed suit, scattering in various directions as though Ariel didn’t exist.
“Your Ladyship.” A single lady’s maid addressed Ariel, her expression stiff. “I’ll take you to your room.”
“Thank you,” Ariel replied, but the attendant didn’t smile in response. She swiftly picked up Ariel’s luggage and began walking away. Ariel hurried after her.
“Um... This is my room?”
The maid had taken Ariel to a large and spacious...attic. Something scurried by her feet, and she let out a shriek; it was a mouse. Ariel surveyed the room and spotted a few spiders nesting in the corners. The floor was covered with dust, and even the single bed looked dusty. Ariel touched the wooden desk to check, and a layer of dust clung to her finger when she drew it away.
“Ugh...!” She scrunched up her face.
“Yes, this is your room. Now, excuse me.” The attendant placed Ariel’s luggage down with a loud thunk. Without another word, she whipped around and walked out of the room.
“Ahh... I see.” The maid’s attitude told Ariel everything. They’re harassing me, huh? How spiteful... she thought with a sigh, but then her thoughts came to a halt. She recalled how much more malicious she and her mother had been when they’d bullied Jeanette for so many years. Ariel had even ruined the other girl’s reputation.