Prologue
Rain lashed against the body of the black horse as it tore through the dark night, droplets scattering violently. The faint mist rising from the surface of the man’s silver armor hinted at his ferocious speed. Without hesitation, the horse leaped over a deep puddle in the middle of the road, sending up waves of water like crashing tides. The man, seemingly unbothered by the water soaking his entire body, skillfully tightened his grip on the reins.
Neigh!
The black horse came to a halt in front of a massive stone mansion, and only then did Kainel leap off its back. As the waiting butler extended a hand to his master, Kainel removed his helmet with a sigh.
“…Who did you say has come?”
Through his soaked, jet-black hair, his red eyes gleamed. Their vivid color, so striking it seemed as though it might dissolve into the rain, stood out even in the darkness. Those chilling yet beautiful eyes, said to grow deeper in hue with every life he took, were infamous.
But it wasn’t just his red eyes that made him the subject of so much gossip. His sharp jawline, steep nose, and hair and brows as dark as the abyss, combined with an innate strength, exuded an overwhelming aura reminiscent of a war god from some ancient temple.
Of course, most people whispered about his battlefield exploits, calling him the Grim Reaper.
“If I didn’t mishear,”
“…Lady Cartien has arrived.”
As Kainel strode unhesitatingly toward the mansion’s entrance, he suddenly faltered. Earlier, when he had heard the news at the training grounds, he had dismissed it as nonsense drowned out by the sound of rain. But it seemed that wasn’t the case. Still, there was one thing left to confirm.
“Which Cartien?”
“Ah… the youngest daughter of the Viscount Cartien family, Lady Tatiana.”
“……”
Kainel’s marble-like, flawless brow furrowed. Whether it was the fact that someone from that accursed family had come to see him or the mention of her name, his striking face hardened into a terrifying expression. He looked almost solemn.
That woman, in my house?
Running a hand through his wet hair, he let out a hollow laugh. He had set foot in the most wretched places in the world, but nothing felt as alien to him as the thought of that woman in his home. Whether by choice or circumstance, it was something he had never even imagined…
No, perhaps once.
Just once, years ago.
And even then, it had been nothing more than a nightmare, the kind you’d want to bury in the depths of hell.
“I told her you were in the middle of training, but she insisted on waiting until you returned. She said it was urgent.”
“And?”
What could possibly be so important that she’d wait for me?
Kainel strode past the butler with long, purposeful strides, heading straight for the drawing room. The cold, austere stone mansion felt particularly frigid today. Without bothering to dry the water dripping from his body, he left a long trail across the gray tiles. The moment he flung open the door, someone inside flinched.
“…Oh, you’re here. I must apologize for the discourtesy of entering without the host present.”
“Enough.”
“……”
“What do you want?”
His red eyes grew even sharper as they landed on her, standing like a doll in front of the unlit fireplace. Anyone who could meet those eyes without flinching fell into one of two categories.
Either they did not fear death, or they feared something far worse than death.
“I believe you’re not the type to come to a place like this of your own accord.”
“…Lord.”
As Tatiana hesitated over how to address him, Kainel gave a bitter smile. Even without the host present, her impeccable posture was the very picture of nobility.
“My noble lady seems to be mistaken, I’m not someone worthy of such a title. Never received a title in the first place.”
“Kainel.”
“……”
“Shall I call you that?”
His Adam’s apple visibly bobbed at her direct gaze. True, since he wasn’t nobility, it shouldn’t matter if she used his name, but he never expected her, of all people, to address him so.
She who had reigned like a queen at the pinnacle of noble society.
“I came here because I have a favor to ask of you.”
“A favor.”
Having gradually found her composure, the tremor in her voice had subsided. Somehow displeased by this, Kainel reached for the brandy above the fireplace and poured it into a glass. It wasn’t proper host etiquette, especially with an unmarried noble lady present, but then again, she could hardly avoid responsibility for coming here on such a rainy night.
“I don’t know what pleasant conversation you expected, coming here at this hour, but I doubt there’s anything I can do for you.”
“That in your hand.”
“……”
“If it’s alright, might I have a glass as well?”
Kainel’s hand paused mid-lift. Tatiana’s eyes, quietly looking up at him, seemed weary. Only then did he notice her wet hair and clothes, slightly narrowing his eyes.
…What could this woman be plotting?
Keeping his guard up, Kainel lightly swirled the crystal glass. It was already incomprehensible that this acknowledged queen of society was in his house at this hour, but for her to ask for a drink first, even someone as sparing with smiles as he couldn’t help but be amused.
“Do you even know what this is? I didn’t take you for someone naive enough to drink whatever a man offers.”
“I was naive. Until now.”
She took the glass he was awkwardly holding, her movement so natural as if he had meant to give it to her all along. Kainel could only watch.
“Look here, Lady Cartien.”
“I’ve abandoned that name.”
“……”
Thrown out or abandoned.
There was a slight difference, but he didn’t care to distinguish between the two. Under his crimson gaze that seemed to ask if she really intended to drink, she brought the glass to her lips, emanating an air of melancholy.
What is she?
Even after taking a full sip of the strong brandy, her violet eyes struggled not to flinch, revealing the depth of her anguish. Watching her slightly trembling eyes, Kainel lifted the entire bottle.
“……”
Gulp—the amber liquid diminished instantly. Though it was a rough gesture unimaginable for any nobleman, it suited him so perfectly that no one could find fault. After all, he was someone who could have easily accepted the duke’s title the crown prince had offered multiple times, had he wanted it.
“Need more?”
“…Lord. No, Sir Kainel.”
“Must be something you can’t say while sober.”
Isn’t that right?
Under his crimson gaze that accurately read her intentions, Tatiana gripped her glass tightly. Nowhere in high society was there a gentleman who looked at her this directly. But she hadn’t traveled through the remote forest on the outskirts of Lebron to find a gentleman.
“If it’s something you can’t say even after drinking, then there’s no need to wait any longer. I’ll take it as you having nothing to say to me, and—”
“Marry me.”
“……”
The fact that he didn’t drop the bottle in his hand was a testament to his extraordinary composure and self-control. If not for the uncharacteristic tremor in her voice at the end of her abrupt statement, Kainel might have already discarded his reason entirely.
“…Are you out of your mind?”
“I’m not crazy.”
Though I might be on the verge of it.
Tatiana, now fully resolute, downed the remaining liquor in one go. Her still-trembling hands could at least be blamed on the alcohol, which was the only solace she could find in this situation.
“I waited for you to say this. To ask you to marry me.”
“…Do nobles call this a joke?”
“My situation may be urgent, but I wouldn’t risk my life to make such a joke with you.”
Her light gesture, as if drawing a line across her pale neck, was unusually slow. Talking about risking her life made it clear she hadn’t come to the wrong person or misjudged her target. Realizing her sincerity, Kainel’s gaze darkened.
“Do you think I’m a fool?”
“Kainel.”
“Yes. It’s true that I was once interested in you. Thanks to your illustrious mother, that’s something everyone knows.”
A bitter smile tugged at Kainel’s lips. When he smiled like this, it was always the end. He had always finished things with a sword in hand.
“Don’t misunderstand. What I wanted back then wasn’t you, but your body.”
“Perfect. At least you want something I have.”
“……”
But when she placed her hand on her chest as if genuinely relieved, it made the idea of drawing his sword seem absurd. More precisely, her audacious violet eyes held him captive, making him forget even the thought of reaching for the blade at his waist.
“If our marriage can bring you at least one benefit, then that’s good enough. I was worried since I don’t have much left, but this isn’t so bad.”
“…I thought you, at the very least, had better judgment than your mother.”
“I came here because I judged things properly. I threw away my brilliant mother and my family, all of it.”
“……”
She had remained unfazed by his blatant insult about wanting her body, but at the mention of her mother, she bared her teeth with regal defiance. The unexpected reaction suited her so well that, for a moment, Kainel found himself at a loss for words.
“Then, shall we sit and discuss the details?”
“……”
By the time he realized something was going terribly wrong, she was already seated on the sofa, shaking out the hem of her wet dress like a proper lady.
“Oh, and if you could light the fire, that would be appreciated.”
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