Chapter 5

***

"Wh-What? They already found a husband for Lucrezia?"

Falco was surprised to hear that Lucrezia had already been engaged again and had left as if she were being exiled.

"Yep! And the guy is that famous Ugly Duke!"

Rosa burst out laughing.

Falco couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

"That's terrible... Why!?!? Isn't he perfect for her? A woman who's always gloomy and hard to read, no one would want her, right?"

"Maybe, but—"

Falco didn't hate Lucrezia, so he didn't wish for her to be unhappy.

"Really? You thought so too, Master Falco!"

With his mind elsewhere, Falco had an idea.

—Maybe I'll visit Lucrezia after a while. I can comfort her if she's sad about being forced to marry that creepy ugly man...

Lucrezia, in her true form, wasn't that bad; she looked a lot like Rosa. She was the perfect partner for a casual fling.

Falco, with his golden hair and blue eyes, was quite handsome. If he were a bit nicer to her, Lucrezia would surely be receptive.

—Rosa, who is cute and soothing, can be my wife, and Lucrezia, who is gloomy and boring, can be my lover. Wouldn't that be perfect?

Falco decided to wait for the right moment to meet Lucrezia again while keeping Rosa company.

***

The "Ugly Duke" Ramiello Pastore was pacing restlessly in his room.

He had just experienced his sixth broken engagement.

—Maybe there's no woman who wants to marry me anymore.

Just as he was feeling dejected, a seventh marriage proposal came in.

The letter from the Duke of Serafalle read: "Our family is descended from the late king's brother, and we have provided our daughter with a suitable education. Her level of cultivation is more than adequate for a duchess. However, her fiancé fell in love with her younger sister, and she is now unwanted. We are looking for someone who will take her, anyone."

Ramiello felt sympathy for the duke's daughter.

He himself had experienced six unjustified broken engagements, so he understood the pain of being rejected.

The girl must have lost all confidence.

He decided to proceed with the arrangement, ready to accept her no matter what she was like—

Today, a portrait from the other side arrived.

He casually removed the cloth protecting the canvas and was almost shocked out of his wits.

The painting depicted a beautiful young girl, like a blooming rose, with a silver theme.

While portraits are often idealized, this one was so beautiful that even an actress looking for promotional material would have asked for a more modest portrait.

"...Is this a fake?"

Even Ramiello's aide, Bosco, couldn't help but mutter.

"It seems she is known as the 'White-Haired Lady' in her region. Could it be that some fraudster has teamed up with a prostitute to impersonate the royal family's daughter?"

"The duke explained that the younger sister was more attractive, and there was no fault with the girl herself—"

"It's hard to believe. If it were true, she wouldn't need to send out marriage proposals to such a remote place; she would be in high demand from major countries."

"You think so too. I'm starting to suspect it's a fraud."

The portrait was that good.

If the "White-Haired Lady" was even half as beautiful as the portrait, Ramiello would be a very lucky man. He could boast that a goddess had become his wife, despite his six broken engagements.

However, reality isn't that kind. Ramiello, who had suffered due to his appearance, knew the harshness of the world.

"...Let's be more cautious. Gather information."

"I think that's a good idea."

He ordered his aide to investigate the lady's character.

He sent someone to the Illuminati Kingdom and waited.

Rumors about the "White-Haired Lady" began to surface, one after another.

It was said that the "White-Haired Lady" was slightly mentally ill.

It was said that the son of the marshal was tired of her and fell in love with her kind-hearted sister.

It was said that during the engagement break, the "White-Haired Lady" went mad with jealousy and almost killed the son of the marshal and his father.

It was said that she couldn't control her jealousy and constantly criticized her sister's manners, bullying her.

However, there were also voices lamenting her absence.

It seemed that she had a talent for languages and had been allowed to enter the court early to assist in diplomacy as an interpreter. This involved state secrets, so he couldn't dig too deep.

—Rumors are so arbitrary.

After reading all the rumors, Ramiello felt even more sympathy.

He, too, had been given the dishonorable nickname "Ugly Duke." He knew from experience that rumors could contain terrible lies and defamation. He had suffered and lost sleep over rumors that he was responsible for the bizarre murders in his territory.

—The "White-Haired Lady" must be a bright and intelligent girl. She must have been deeply hurt by these heartless slanders.

"The story about the broken engagement and the search for a new husband seems to be true."

"It does."

"The letter is genuine, I think—"

"The portrait might just be overly idealized."

That wouldn't be a problem. Ramiello had struggled with his appearance. He didn't intend to criticize the girl's looks.

Ramiello thought for a moment and made a decision.

"Hey, I think I'll propose."

"Good idea. I'll make the seventh broken engagement celebration a bit more extravagant."

"Don't assume it will be broken."

"Since she's a beautiful girl, don't be too down."

"Stop it. I'm not going to be down. This is just to liven things up. If more suitors line up, it will give her some peace of mind."

Bosco looked at him with an indescribable expression.

"What? Did I say something strange?"

"No. I just think that if even a fraction of your kindness could reach the lady, she would have been married long ago."

"Shut up."

Ramiello ended the conversation irritably, as Bosco's tone didn't sound particularly sympathetic.

He proposed, but he didn't expect to be chosen.

So, when he received a message from the duke a few days later saying, "I have already sent her to your territory," he was speechless.

He wasn't dreaming. No matter how many times he reread the letter, it said the same thing.

"The court is full of rumors, and my daughter is mentally exhausted. I judged that it would be best for her to leave as soon as possible for her recovery. I leave the rest to you."

There was a plausible reason attached.

However, it was still extremely unconventional.

To send her without any formal engagement arrangements was insane.

What if Ramiello were a perverted serial killer? It would be too late if something happened to her.

And since the message arrived by fast horse, she would be there in a few days.

***

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