Chapter 2

“Father! Where is she? How dare she touch my things?!”

The office door flew open with a bang as Cecilia stormed in, her voice dripping with irritation.

“Cel. Didn’t your tutor ever teach you to knock?”

“That’s not the point! She stole my money!”

Cecilia’s face was as red as her fiery hair as she fumed with anger.

A moment later, Marchioness Melissa Crowde entered the study with graceful composure.

“I heard the girl never returned from her volunteer work at the monastery. Is it true, Roger?”

Her voice was sharp, yet strangely devoid of emotion.

The Marquis of Crowde felt a chill run down his spine.

“We’re searching for her now. There hasn’t been any news yet, so go have dinner first. I’ll have to remain here in my office.”

He brushed a hand through his slightly disheveled hair.

“And Cel, why did you even need an emergency fund in the first place? If your allowance isn’t enough, spend less. And if it’s money you can’t explain the use of, then you shouldn’t be spending it at all.”

“What? Why are we talking about that?! The thief is that bi—”

“Cecilia.”

Melissa cut her daughter off with a stern look.

“Watch your language. Go to your room first. I need to speak with your father.”

Having been scolded by both parents, Cecilia pouted resentfully before stomping out of the office.

The marquis let out a weary sigh and poured himself a glass of brandy.

The bittersweet aroma slowly filled the room.

“You said you wanted to speak with me, my lady. About what?”

Though his tone was noticeably sharp, Melissa appeared completely unfazed.

“Do you truly intend to marry that girl off to Duke Carlisle?”

The marquis frowned.

Melissa wore one of those unreadable expressions that never revealed what she was thinking.

He despised that look.

“I’ve already answered that. Why ask again? Stop circling the subject and tell me what you’re really trying to say.”

“Very well.”

“I’m simply curious why you’ve suddenly decided to concern yourself with her.”

“I doubt you’re selling her off to that man just because you want a duke for a son-in-law, despite what the servants are whispering.”

“The Crowde family has no need for such nonsense.”

He snorted as though the very idea was beneath consideration.

“Exactly.”

“So if that’s not the reason, why send a girl you’ve neglected for over ten years to a ducal household?”

“Wasn’t this marriage proposal arranged by you?”

“Otherwise, how would the lord of distant Carlisle even know she exists?”

“A girl who’s never once set foot in high society.”

The marquis’s gaze turned icy at the word neglected.

“I won’t repeat myself again.”

“The proposal came from the duke’s side.”

“As for how he learned about Eliana… I have no idea.”

“And she needs a suitable marriage match eventually, doesn’t she?”

“Pfft.”

Melissa let out a mocking laugh.

“So you do remember she’s your own flesh and blood after all?”

“You brought her here, then hid her away like a bird locked inside a cage.”

“Oh, I suppose she’s too embarrassing to show people because she’s an illegitimate child.”

“But you also don’t want her growing old alone.”

Unable to contain his anger any longer, the marquis hurled his crystal glass across the room.

It smashed violently against the wall.

“Mind your words.”

“I have never once said that girl is my blood.”

“Leave.”

“I don’t wish to exchange another word with you.”

Melissa glanced at the shattered crystal before turning toward the door.

“No one in this estate believes she’s adopted.”

“No one except you, Roger.”

“Well…”

“As long as she’s gone from my sight, I have no complaints.”

“Whether it’s because she ran away… or because she got married.”

The office fell silent once more.

The marquis collapsed into his chair.

His fists clenched so tightly they nearly cut off the circulation before he slowly relaxed them.

An illegitimate child…

Yes.

If only she truly were.

If only she were my own daughter…

He stared out the window.

Outside, darkness had already begun to swallow the sky.

“We’ll spend the night here.”

Pito stopped in front of an inn that looked decades old and opened the door for Eliana.

The moment they stepped inside, the pungent smell of rum assaulted her nose.

Although it was still early evening, drunken patrons were already shouting over one another.

The atmosphere couldn’t have been more different from the deserted, almost eerie town square.

Eliana instinctively froze near the entrance.

Hearing Pito clear his throat behind her, she forced herself to keep walking.

“I know you’re not used to places like this, but don’t make it too obvious.”

“It won’t do you any favors.”

“Let’s eat something first.”

She wanted to tell him that this wasn’t merely unfamiliar—it was her very first time in a place like this.

Instead, she quietly followed him to a table.

After Pito casually ordered several dishes, the curious glances from the locals gradually faded.

“So… where are we going tomorrow?”

Now somewhat accustomed to the noisy atmosphere, Eliana finally asked.

Bron hadn’t had time to explain much.

Other than her final destination, she knew almost nothing.

“Before dawn, we’ll head to Azulen Harbor and board a ship.”

“From there, we’re sailing to Seren Island, where Serapiano Monastery is located.”

Serapiano Monastery.

The name alone made Eliana inhale sharply.

“So… they’ll really accept me as long as I have the letter of recommendation?”

“The recommendation?”

Pito blinked in confusion.

Eliana took the letter Bron had written from inside her clothes and handed it to him.

After glancing over the crumpled paper she’d hastily packed, he chuckled.

“Well… if Bron said so, then I guess that’s how it works.”

“What do I know?”

Embarrassed by his indifferent response, Eliana shrank back slightly.

Soon the food arrived.

Although the unfamiliar dishes smelled delicious, she had spent the entire day exhausted, anxious, and tense.

She had no appetite at all.

“Just so you know, we’ll be traveling on a cargo ship transporting supplies to the monastery.”

“I’m listed among the crew, so it’s fine for me.”

“But you’re not.”

“Which means you won’t be free to move around once we’re aboard.”

“In other words…”

“This is your last proper meal for a while.”

“At least have some soup.”

Eliana nodded quietly and picked at the soup with her spoon.

As she ate, her appetite returned little by little.

Still, she was afraid that eating too much in such an unfamiliar environment would upset her stomach, so she soon set her spoon down.

Watching her with obvious disapproval, Pito finally called over the innkeeper.

“If you’re finished, head upstairs.”

“Give her this key, and she’ll show you to your room.”

Taking the room key, Eliana followed the innkeeper to the second floor.

The room contained little more than an old bed and an oversized wardrobe that looked strangely out of place in the cramped space.

The sheets smelled faintly of aged cheese.

The mattress sagged deeply in the middle.

Even though Eliana was small enough to sit only on the edge, the bed creaked loudly.

She let out a quiet sigh.

Opening the window to let in some fresh air, she breathed in the scent of rain-soaked earth.

The cool autumn night brushed sharply against her cheeks.

For some reason, uneasiness settled over her heart.

Closing her eyes, she recalled what had happened only a few days earlier.

A few days ago, her father had suddenly summoned her to his private study.

She had cautiously asked the butler delivering the message whether he knew the reason.

He had only shaken his head in silence.

The Crowde family’s library was located beyond the main office.

It was a room that the marquis rarely allowed anyone else to enter.

What could this possibly be about…?

To begin with, it was rare for her father to call for her.

No—that wasn’t quite right.

He had never shown the slightest interest in what she did or how she lived.

The study’s wooden door, though not especially thick, felt as imposing as a towering stone wall.

Knock. Knock.

“Come in.”

She carefully opened the door.

Bright sunlight poured inside, forcing her to squint.

Unlike the lavishly decorated office outside, the study was simple, containing only the necessities.

The scent of old paper lingered in the air.

In one corner stood a large framed painting concealed beneath a cloth.

Marquis Crowde was leaning against the window.

“You wished to see me, Father.”

“Yes.”

“Sit down for a moment.”

“I have something to discuss.”

Eliana hesitated awkwardly beside a table with only a single chair before quietly taking her seat.

“It’ll be quicker if I show you this first.”

The marquis handed her a stack of expensive-looking documents.

Across the top, embossed in shining gold letters, were the words:

Marriage Contract

According to Imperial law, married couples were required to submit a marriage contract to the Grand Temple, where it would be certified by a priest.

Long ago, a noble marriage wasn’t considered legally valid until this procedure had been completed.

However, as the authority of the Grand Temple declined, the certification gradually became little more than a formality.

There was no penalty for failing to submit it, and these days most people regarded it simply as an oath before the gods—to faithfully uphold the duties and responsibilities of marriage.

Some noble families, especially ancient and prestigious houses, still treated the marriage contract as an important tradition.

The House of Crowde was one of them.

Confused as to why her father had given her such a document, Eliana turned the pages one by one.

Then her hand suddenly froze.

“Father… this is…”

On the final page, written in elegant script, was a signature.

Tristan Carlisle.

Beneath it were her own printed name…

…and an empty space waiting for her signature.

“Two months ago, a marriage proposal arrived.”

“It was from Duke Tristan Carlisle, lord of Carlisle.”

“You’ve probably heard his name before.”