Chapter 5

The following day, only five people attended the wedding ceremony held at the beginning of May.

This was at the request of the Gilbert side.

From the Gilbert side, only Gilbert and his butler, Ort. From the Abby side, only her parents and herself.

None of Gilbert's family members attended. There was no time to prepare a wedding dress, so Abby wore a white dress, and Gilbert wore a simple outfit in a calm color.

The church was empty.

Still, Abby's parents shed tears seeing their married daughter and repeatedly said, "Congratulations."

Abby, while thinking, "I'm sorry for the fake marriage," also hoped, "I hope this marriage will be a filial act for my parents," with a smile.

When they came out of the church, Gilbert naturally invited Abby into his carriage. He only told Abby's parents, "We'll see you later," before getting into the carriage himself.

Abby was surprised.

"Wait. Please wait. I intended to go home with my parents today. I haven't prepared any luggage."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yes. So please stop the carriage."

"I forgot to mention, but I have to take you to the castle tonight."

"For what?"

"The king wants to see you."

"You mean the king himself?"

"There's no one else."

Gilbert explained to Abby, who was lost in thought with a blank expression.

"The king seems to have taken a liking to me during the war and often calls me to the castle. Whenever something happens, I get summoned. Several times a week."

"Is that so?"

It was common knowledge, even among commoners, that Gilbert was the king's favorite.

During the war, the king was in a position far from the enemy. Yet, the enemy attacked from an unexpectedly close location.

It was as if the enemy knew the king's route and had hidden, making it impossible to avoid.

Gilbert, who was outside the circle of soldiers surrounding the king, performed like a demon, preventing any enemy from getting close to the king. That was Gilbert eight years ago.

What Abby read in a popular novel at the time described it as:

"Charging into the enemy ranks without fear of death, deftly dodging numerous swords and advancing. Before he knew it, a mountain of enemy corpses."

The description was exaggerated.

The king was said to have been moved by this sight.

Since then, even children know that the king holds Gilbert in high regard.

"I reported our marriage last night. I only told him that you are a petite baroness and twenty-four years old. He said, 'Bring her to show me.'"

"But I'm still in bandages. Wouldn't it have been better to wait until they were removed?"

"Oh, I forgot to mention the bandages. But don't worry. The king isn't concerned about that. He wants to see your character."

"I don't know the proper manners to use before the king. Could you help me if I get into trouble?"

"Leave it to me. And there's something I want you to remember. The queen was once almost engaged to me."

"Lord Gilbert, is it appropriate for me to hear this?"

"The king still suspects that I have lingering feelings for the queen, even though I've explained otherwise many times."

Ah, I see, Abby finally understood.

She had wondered why it would be enough to just brush off the king's urging for the marriage.

"Being suspected of having lingering feelings when I don't is very unpleasant because it can't be proven."

"Indeed."

"I understand. I will do my best as a wife. Lord Gilbert, I still don't know your age. How old are you, Lord Gilbert?"

"Twenty-nine."

"Twenty-nine? Twenty-nine, I see."

"What's wrong?"

"If I say it, you'll get angry, so I won't."

"That's an admission that you think I look old. How old did you think I was?"

"Um, about thirty-five."

"Thirty-five... Never mind. And call me Gilbert. 'Lord Gilbert' is too formal."

"Understood."

After that, silence filled the carriage, and Abby regretted talking too much out of nervousness. If Gilbert didn't like her, this marriage would be meaningless.

(If I told him I look old to protect Ted, what was I thinking?) Abby reflected.

※...※...※

Gilbert's mansion was located in the center of the capital.

Abby's family also had a house in the capital, but the vast, lush grounds of Gilbert's mansion made it seem like a different place entirely. Deciduous and coniferous trees were evenly distributed around the mansion, making it almost invisible from the outside.

Abby awkwardly placed her hand on Gilbert's outstretched hand as he said, "We've arrived."

"Even if you can do it yourself, rely on me for getting in and out of the carriage and going up and down stairs."

"Understood."

"I'll get you a manners teacher until you can handle yourself in front of high-ranking nobles. Try to learn as much as you can."

"Understood, my lord."

Abby looked up at Gilbert's face, which was expressionless as usual but with red ears.

"Are you blushing at the word 'my lord'?"

"Blushing! I thought you were fourteen or fifteen. I don't have that kind of preference."

This time, Abby fell silent.

She pretended not to care about looking young and being short, but she did.

"I'm sorry. I said too much."

"I understand."

Ort had been listening to their conversation the whole time but couldn't suppress his smile.

Gilbert usually lived as if he had no emotions, and most young ladies who weren't after his wealth were usually scared.

He was impressed by Abby, who wasn't intimidated by his master.

(This should be interesting.)

With a slight smile, Ort opened the door.

In the entrance hall, a line of servants stood, and Abby, who had lived without servants, was amazed.

"Ort, what time did the king say to come?"

"Five in the evening."

"I see. We don't have much time."

(I, the daughter of a poor baron, will meet the king and the queen. I shouldn't say anything unnecessary. I need to show the queen that we are on good terms.)

If Gilbert really had no lingering feelings, she could understand why he would be annoyed.

If she were in his position and someone tried to probe her for no reason, she would want to stamp her feet in frustration.

"Lord Gilbert, I'll do my best."

"Huh?"

Gilbert looked puzzled at Abby, who was brimming with determination.