Chapter 248
As I quietly tucked the couple’s ring (the one I lost) into my pocket, I gazed at Marcilio, whose face was lighting up like a kid after getting their hands on candy.
Seeing her grin, contrasting her usual calm and dignified demeanor, made a warm pride swell within me.
If I had known she’d be this happy, I would have given it to her ages ago. I should just shower her with gifts from now on.
‘…Is this really okay, though?’
Watching her beam with the half-ring made a hint of guilt creep into my heart. It felt like witnessing a husband who couldn’t afford an engagement ring being fawned over by a wife pretending to be happy for him.
But hey, if she’s happy, that’s the bottom line, right? It’s just a temporary ring anyway; no need to overthink it.
“A treasure for life…”
Marcilio mumbled with a dazed tone, and I quickly shook my head. That horrid thing is absolutely not a lifelong ring.
“No way. We need to have room for a proper wedding band.”
Exactly. My aim is to fill the fingers of brides with real wedding rings, not half-hearted ones.
Though looking at her right now, it seems like the wedding ring might just end up in halves too. Still, splitting a wedding ring would be a bit odd. I’ll have to talk her out of it when that time comes.
“Wedding ring…”
Fortunately, the mention of marriage perked her up. The dazed look in her eyes began to spark with energy.
“Um, my dear?”
“Yeah?”
It seemed her thoughts had wandered elsewhere, as she nervously fiddled with the ring and finally opened her mouth.
“When do you think… marriage will be?”
Blushing and shining eyes made me chuckle.
Considering I accepted her confession and mentioned marriage, she was probably picturing a grand wedding and little quarter-elves frolicking in the garden already.
I get it. She had been briefly upset because of the vitality potion earlier that had made her hit rock bottom. For someone who had felt so low, even the idea of marriage must feel like a huge win.
“Well, I think the earliest would be next year. First, Margherita has to graduate.”
Marcilio’s body suddenly stiffened at those words.
What’s going on? Could she seriously not wait until next year?
It’s just a bad idea to marry Margherita while she’s still a student.
*
I finally snapped back to reality after my dear’s words. The happiness had blinded me to a rather pressing issue—one that I’d been trying to ignore all along.
‘With the young lady first…’
My hand, adorned with the ring, trembled a bit. I unconsciously bit my lip.
She had brought up the wedding date and mentioned Margherita. That means Margherita is the first wife.
It makes sense. Margherita was the first one who received the ring, and unlike me, who selfishly hurt my dear, Margherita caused no issues whatsoever.
So naturally, Margherita would be the first wife.
‘Then what about me?’
Thoughts I desperately tried to dismiss slyly crept into my mind.
A second wife can’t surpass the rank of the first.
The unspoken customs to uphold the first wife’s dignity suddenly came back to bite me as marriage drew nearer.
If Margherita becomes the first wife, then virtually all the nobility in the Empire could be seen as my dear’s wives since there are no higher ranks than a young lady.
But I am different. As a Duke, I rank above a young lady.
‘If only I were a young lady…’
That way, I wouldn’t be below Margherita, but I wouldn’t be above her either. Perfectly qualified to be a second wife.
I found myself missing my father more than ever. If he were still around… I’d have achieved my love and shown him a cute grandchild.
For the first time, the weight of being a Duke hit me like a ton of bricks. In a century, I’d never felt such pressure, and here my dear was again taking my firsts.
I shouldn’t be feeling this kind of first…
‘…But she specifically mentioned a wedding ring.’
I tried to shake off the gloomy thoughts and pushed for a more positive outlook.
Yes, she definitely called it a wedding ring. Even if I can’t become an official wife, she’s saying she’ll think of me like one.
While becoming a concubine may be sad, there’s the barrier of convention—
“It might take time for the second one, but please understand I can’t hold the wedding at the same time.”
…?
I felt an odd discord in her words. It sounded as if she meant to say she wanted to have a wedding with me.
That’s strange. Unless she names me as the first wife, there’s no way we can get married. But even so, didn’t she just call me the second?
“Are you saying… you want to marry me?”
“Uh-huh.”
I felt dazed, staring at her like she said a flying pig was outside.
‘Ah.’
Then it suddenly hit me. She doesn’t know the customs at all.
Of course. She’s barely over twenty now. And she just became an adult and started her bureaucratic career. Her knowledge of marriage customs is likely lacking.
“My dear, that’s just not possible. The second wife can’t be of a higher status than the first.”
I spoke as gently as I could. It felt devastating explaining to her why I couldn’t be her wife, but I had to ensure she wouldn’t misunderstand.
“I know.”
“Uh, huh?”
Her reply only added confusion to my spiraling thoughts.
She knows…?
“Are you thinking about breaking tradition? Don’t do that. The Valenti family won’t just sit by.”
The worst-case scenario flashed through my mind, and I quickly tried to stop her.
If she chooses to marry me despite knowing the traditions, that would be disregarding everything that has been upheld so far.
That just cannot happen. No matter how dear she is, she mustn’t do such a thing. Bringing in a wife who threatens the authority of the first wife would surely enrage the iron-blooded Duke Valenti.
There’s no way the steadfast ally my dear should have would become her enemy because of me. If I can just suppress my own desires, we could all be happy.
“Are you caught up in the customs too?”
But my pleas were met with an incredulous response from her.
“That status, isn’t it just set by family standards?”
I was left speechless.
“Well, aren’t the Duke’s family members on equal footing?”
That’s true as far as it goes. But still, it’s hard to consider a Duke and a young lady equal.
“There have been cases where the first and second wives were both daughters of counts.”
That’s true. In fact, there are many examples. However, if the second wife were a countess instead, it would be just plain impossible.
…But, is it really impossible?
‘There hasn’t been a precedent for it, but…’
I rapidly flipped through my memories at her words.
There indeed have been many cases where daughters of equal rank entered as wives. So if we were to consider Margherita and I as equals, regardless of our titles, it may be feasible to claim that we hold the same status.
To deny this proposition, one would need to argue that a titleholder and an ordinary noble can enter as one’s wife—which, until now, has never happened. Why would someone of legitimate standing take on a subordinate wife?
“…Or maybe not?”
“No, it’s right. You’re correct, my dear.”
I cautiously answered her, confirming her thoughts.
In reality, it’s a stretch. It’s an overly simplistic interpretation.
However, it can be argued. It’s reasonable enough to try interpreting it differently instead of outright breaking the customs.
‘That’s my dear for you.’
A true trailblazer who finds paths no one else thought of. My partner who just found a way for me to be legally accepted as a wife.
Suddenly, the dear one, who was already lovely, seemed even more enchanting.
*
Following the butler managing the Duke’s mansion, I walked down the corridor feeling my heart racing with excitement.
Each step was thrilling because this was not just a tour for a guest; it was a walkthrough for the future hostess, and especially for the first wife!
‘Impressive.’
I thought as I observed the butler’s back. Ever since that summer, I’d noticed the staff here are exceptionally admirable.
Honestly, I loved the place from the moment I entered. Even though the situation was a bit awkward without the Duke around, the butler provided perfect hospitality.
Once we crossed the front gate, the staff gave us a warm welcome. Particularly, the butler with a respectful bow striking a posture that felt more like one to a superior rather than a mere guest.
Their politeness, without a flaw, should make it okay to act comfortable, yet as soon as the butler saw my ring, he sweetly smiled and said,
“Though I may lack much, my eyes and ears are certainly intact.”
With comments like that, how could I not be touched? It was clear these were handpicked staff by the Duke himself, and they were simply excellent.
“I’m a bit nervous as I serve the future lady of the house.”
He even mentioned Lady Louise and Lady Irina with an understanding disposition, caring about the two ladies who might feel slighted.
Such tact! No wonder the Duke trusted him with the mansion.
“Would it be alright if I guide you to the same room you stayed in before, if that was comfortable?”
“Absolutely.”
So, under the butler’s careful guidance that started off making me happy, we reached the room where I’d be staying. Not long after unpacking, I heard a knock at the door.
Upon granting permission to enter, the butler bowed his head as he opened the door.
“If it’s alright with you, I would love to guide you around the mansion’s facilities.”
Without hesitating, I nodded. There was no need to elaborate extensively on the mansion’s details to a guest.
“We just have the treasure vault left now.”
“Is that so? I’m looking forward to it.”
I gently responded to the butler’s words which broke my thoughts.
We were already on the final stop of the mansion tour. It’s an expansive estate, but since the Duke hardly uses most of it, we zipped through quite quickly.
“Oh dear, unfortunately, it’s a modest level compared to the Valenti estate.”
“Ha-ha. The Valenti treasure has been accumulated over 300 years, but this is merely what the Duke has gathered in just a few years, right?”
I laughed in response to the proud statement from the butler.
This wasn’t Krasius’s treasure vault but the personal residence of Duke Karl. If they’re comparing this treasure vault to Valenti, then it’s no ordinary collection.
And evidently, my hunch was right as the butler opened the treasure vault door with a beaming smile.
‘Oh my.’
As soon as I laid eyes on Duke Karl’s treasure vault, I completely understood the butler’s pride.
There were weapons that would definitely please someone like Duke Karl, various gems flaunting their colors, elegant attire and fabrics, along with many other treasures.
While the quantity wasn’t huge, the variety was impressive. And every single piece boasted quality that was anything but lacking. It was a small but rich collection.
“The spoils from the Great Subjugation War, the royal gifts, and various rewards are piled together to create this treasure vault.”
Even the process of merging the treasures was nothing less than remarkable. Each piece was won through sheer ability.
“Impressive.”
“Although our master shows no interest in them.”
The butler added with an air of disappointment, causing me to smile softly in agreement.
That’s true. Duke Karl is famously frugal. He goes around in the typical dress of the information department and that’s about it.
‘So many nice clothes, yet…’
All over the treasure vault were beautiful costumes jumbled together. Any one of them would look perfectly fine on him.
‘Huh?’
Then as we reached the deepest part of the treasure vault, I stumbled upon something oddly unexpected.
Typically, in the innermost area of a vault, one would find the most cherished possessions of the owner—things like ancestral heirlooms or artifacts of significance.
‘What’s this?’
But the objects before me were utterly common.
The display case was clean and elegant, but resting atop it were a sword, a staff, a spear, a holy book, two crossing swords, a dagger, and a bow.
The combination of these items made no sense, and they didn’t seem like luxury items at all. If they had been artifacts, I could at least say that the Duke enjoyed collecting antiques.
“Those are the items our master cherishes the most.”
As I gazed at those objects in confusion, the butler lowered his voice. Could it be a misplaced arrangement, or are these really treasures to Duke Karl?
…But why?
“It’s best to hear explanations from the master himself. That would hold more meaning.”
Almost as if reading my thoughts, the butler gave a slight smile while adding.
“Oh, that’s the same for those items too.”
Turning my gaze toward where the butler gestured, I caught sight of an unusually bizarre item haphazardly abandoned in the corner.
A great sword and a scythe. Again, the combination left me dizzy.
“…Looks like they’ve been neglected a bit?”
“That’s how our master asked me to place them.”
Now I was really flabbergasted.
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