Unexpected Person

"Come in," Count Alaric's icy voice echoed from behind the door.

Seraphina felt her shoulders shrink unwittingly as she knocked and entered. No matter how hard she tried, her father always made her feel small and insignificant.

Once, she had desperately sought his attention. But after realizing that the look on the Count's face changed when he saw her compared to her brother, Seraphina stopped trying.

As she opened the door, Count Alaric's expression slightly distorted.

"For someone who is getting married tomorrow, you don't look so good," he remarked, the relentless click of his tongue making her ears burn.

Seraphina remained silent, though she could feel his disapproval. The Count continued, "Fortunately, the Duke is very tolerant, so there will be no problem with the schedule."

"Are you aware that I'm sick?" Seraphina asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"By the time the banquet ended, rumors had already spread like wildfire that you were carried away by a man," Count Alaric replied sharply. "Did you know how worried I was when I heard that? I thought the Duke would cancel the wedding once he heard those rumors! Keep in mind that the Duke is meeting with us because he wants to proceed with the wedding without a hitch."

The Duke had never taken a step toward the Count's house, even though she was ill. She had a vague idea of his character; the Duke was probably someone who valued his schedule more than his fiancée. He seemed just like Count Alaric. Seraphina saw a glimpse of her future, dark and looming.

She had thoughts of running away, but she was as weak as glass. Even if she managed to escape, there was nowhere for her to go. Had it not been for the Count's talent, she might have died a violent death at an early age.

'She's the perfect child to abandon,' the Count often said.

The memory of his words made her feel very uncomfortable. Tragically, Seraphina never found a way to refuse his remarks.

She sat down in the parlor, where light refreshments were always prepared in advance for such occasions. Seraphina picked up a warm cup of tea and brought it to her lips. Her pale cheeks turned slightly rosy from the warmth of the drink.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the drawing-room door. Seraphina stiffened.

"Countess, the Duke of Everwyn has arrived," a servant announced from the hallway.

"Lead him here," Count Alaric commanded.

"Yes, sir," the servant replied.

As the footsteps outside the door faded, Seraphina's arm trembled, making the teacup shake. The Count clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Don't make any mistakes. If you miss out on this marriage, it'll be hard to find someone else willing to marry you," he warned.

"...Yes, sir," Seraphina murmured.

"Since you are unable to have children, I highly doubt anyone else would take you as their wife," Count Alaric added coldly.

At his words, Seraphina's head dropped bitterly. She was too weak; having children was very dangerous for her.

Her presence seemed to fade as she heard his words. She was a child who couldn't do anything right nor could she help her family. The feeling of uselessness dragged her mood into a bottomless pit.

"Count Alaric," a different voice called out, breaking her reverie.

Seraphina looked up. "I'm the Duke of Everwyn," the voice continued.

"Come in," Count Alaric's tone transformed into a kind and benevolent one as he sprang from his seat to greet the Duke personally.

It was finally time for her to meet the rumored killer and her future husband. Seraphina curled her lips and hurriedly drank the tea to moisten her dry throat.

"Oh..." she muttered in surprise.

"I didn't know you'd be so hospitable. It's an honor," the Duke of Everwyn said, his presence commanding the room.

"What do you mean by that? We'll become much closer once you marry my daughter. After all, you'll soon become my son-in-law," Count Alaric responded warmly.

Seraphina opened her mouth in shock at the sight of the man before her. If she hadn't gone crazy, the person who greeted the Count was the man she had spent the night with.

'Why?' she wondered, her mind racing.