chapter 6
The northern region of Speraum was infamous within the empire for its harsh and barren environment. Yet it was also the empire’s most critical military stronghold. Sharing a border with enemy territory, it had never once allowed an invasion, no matter how often enemies attempted to breach it. It was the land that elevated the prestige of Tartenon of Speraum. Anyone in the Prinante Empire had likely heard his name at least once.
Not only was he a master swordsman, but he was also exceptionally skilled at commanding troops—so much so that he was called a genius tactician. His reputation was so formidable that even recently, his name continued to reach her ears.
On top of that, he personally dealt with the monsters that periodically descended from Mount Miphern. Nobles with territories in the north, as well as the empire’s citizens, held him in high regard—enough to make even the emperor wary.
‘Yes… that makes sense.’
Rebellina recalled everything she had heard about the north.
“I have no desire to be entangled with the imperial family, but His Majesty won’t give up on me unless I become engaged to another woman. A weak house would be meaningless—it would only lead to a situation like this again. So my only option is a contract marriage with Lady Asilius.”
Tartenon’s reasoning was sound, and Rebellina fell into thought. The idea that had briefly crossed her mind resurfaced—the imperial family’s plan to seize both the Asilius Marquisate and the Grand Duchy of Speraum.
‘Could that really be true?’
Her logic told her it was, but her lingering feelings for Inferno made it difficult to accept.
After a moment of hesitation, Rebellina spoke.
“I understand your situation… but marrying a Grand Duke I’ve never even met before is a bit difficult.”
“……”
A faint flicker of dismay crossed Tartenon’s eyes, but Rebellina, still staring at her teacup, didn’t notice.
When she finally looked up and met his gaze, she spoke softly.
“I’ll pretend I never heard this proposal, so perhaps you should find someone else—”
“Three years.”
Cutting her off, Tartenon spoke firmly.
“If you maintain the marriage for just three years, I’ll grant you a divorce afterward—or whatever you wish.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Your marriage to the prince has already fallen through, and you’ve passed the usual marriageable age. You may be forced into a marriage you don’t want.”
“That’s not something Your Grace needs to concern himself with—”
“Even so, are you truly fine with that?”
It was the truth, which made it impossible for her to respond. As if he could see right through her, Tartenon continued without hesitation.
It was an irresistibly attractive offer. Perhaps the best way out of her current predicament.
If she married the Grand Duke of the North, no noble would dare speak carelessly. And once she officially became his duchess, even Inferno, the second prince, wouldn’t be able to treat her lightly.
Without waiting for her answer, Tartenon continued.
“His Majesty may try to use me to gain control of the North’s military power, but he also genuinely cares for the princess. If I marry you and later divorce you, there would be no need to force a marriage between me and the princess.”
Whether the emperor would truly let Tartenon go was uncertain, but for Rebellina, it wasn’t a bad proposal.
“For those three years, you can erase the stigma of being a woman abandoned by the prince. And when the contract ends, you’ll be free. If you return to House Asilius after the divorce, you can inherit the title of Marquis. There will be no pressure to remarry. As for an heir, you can adopt a child from a collateral branch later.”
If she married the Grand Duke and later divorced him, she—being the only child—could become the Marquess of Asilius. Her right to succession wouldn’t change because of a divorce.
If she had married Inferno and joined the imperial family, House Asilius would eventually be absorbed into the imperial line. But that wouldn’t happen if she married Tartenon.
A Grand Duke of the North could not possess a marquisate. If she married him, the current marquis could adopt an heir or designate one of her children as successor. In other words, she wouldn’t have to worry about the imperial family seizing the Asilius fortune.
Marrying Tartenon was an opportunity to achieve two goals at once.
“If you marry me, I’ll support you in obtaining whatever you desire.”
It was truly an offer too tempting to refuse. Rebellina considered it seriously.
Her ten-year love had already been shattered, and everything Tartenon said was true.
She knew it herself—this broken engagement would damage her far more than it would Inferno.
People who loved gossip wouldn’t care about her side of the story. They would only focus on the fact that the esteemed daughter of House Asilius had been discarded by a prince.
She would undoubtedly be ostracized in high society. Wherever she went, she would face whispers and stares. Eventually, she might be forced into a marriage she didn’t want—for the sake of her family. Such was the fate of noblewomen.
She could remain and inherit the marquisate, but who would support a marquess surrounded by scandal? At this rate, House Asilius would fall into disgrace.
‘The North…’
Rebellina had never once left the capital where her family resided. To her, the North was cold and unfamiliar—somewhere she had never imagined living.
‘Still… maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.’
Perhaps it would be better to follow Tartenon’s suggestion and go north. There were no good memories left here anymore—only betrayal and mockery. The person she had devoted herself to had abandoned her, and those who once hovered around her would likely turn into enemies.
Her heart wavered. Everything had happened too suddenly.
It had only been yesterday that Inferno broke off their engagement. She couldn’t possibly agree to a contract marriage today.
She needed time—time to sort through the chaos in her mind.
But the problem was Tartenon. As Grand Duke of the North, he couldn’t remain away from his territory for long, especially with frequent invasions.
‘He might have to leave at any moment.’
Though he had every reason to pressure her into deciding immediately, Tartenon said nothing. His calm gaze rested on her, and when their eyes met, Rebellina swallowed nervously.
Then he spoke.
“You have enough time. I’ll be staying in the capital for a while.”
“Isn’t the North a busy place?”
“His Majesty personally summoned me, so I can’t return easily. Not unless I have another excuse.”
Rebellina instinctively understood that the “excuse” he referred to was their contract marriage.
Without taking his eyes off her, he reached into his coat and pulled out a small note.
“If you reach a decision, contact me here.”
The note contained an address.
[235 Sileste Street]
It was a district in the capital where only the wealthy lived—merchants rather than nobles.
Rebellina looked at the note, then at Tartenon, then back at the note again, clearly surprised.
“Sometimes it’s important to settle somewhere that doesn’t attract attention.”
“So, hide a tree in the forest?”
“Exactly.”
Since it was a neighborhood for the wealthy, it wouldn’t be strange for nobles to come and go. Tartenon had calculated even that when preparing a residence in the capital. The more she thought about it, the more she realized how meticulous he was.
While she remained lost in thought, Tartenon quietly stood up. She didn’t even think to see him out. Only after he had already begun leaving did she snap back to her senses and rise abruptly.
“I’ll be waiting there for your reply.”
With that single remark, he left the reception room without looking back.
Rebellina stood there watching his retreating figure before collapsing back into her chair. With a dull thud, she sank down, her unfocused gaze fixed on the door.
She needed time.
A great deal of it.
