Chapter 3

This is the third chapter.

I will post the fourth chapter a little after midnight.

The next day, after finishing my preparations, I decided to go out, telling them I was invited to a friend's townhouse, without much of a proper breakfast.

Of course, there was no such appointment, but since many of the provincial nobles are in the capital for the social season, it wouldn't sound like a lie.

The top priority while I'm still a member of the Rosevelt family is to open a personal account at the Royal Bank.

...And to prevent people like Avan and my future in-laws from withdrawing money without permission, I also need to appoint an agent. Perhaps I should ask Father to introduce me to someone.

There's a main street near the Marquess's mansion, so I went there to catch a carriage to the bank. When I got off the carriage in front of the bank, another carriage was already parked nearby.

It was a different design from a hackney carriage, with a polished and impressive body. I noticed a familiar crest carved on the carriage door.

"That's... the Rübelhark family crest...? Is Kyle here too?"

Kyle succeeded the dukedom at a young age after his father, the former head of the Rübelhark family, died in an accident last year. We hadn't met since the funeral, as he was busy with the transition to his new role and I was busy preparing for my marriage. We had exchanged a few letters, but we never met in person.

It's only been a year, but considering my previous life, it's been four years since I last saw my childhood friend... Just knowing he's somewhere nearby makes my heart flutter.

As I was staring at his carriage in a daze...

"You might get into trouble if you stand there daydreaming, miss."

"Kyaa!"

I let out a small scream as someone gently grabbed my shoulder from behind.

"Heh... If you're going to scream, you should at least have a guard or a maid with you, Liz."

A familiar, gentle voice reached my ears. When I turned around, I saw his slightly wavy, bright blonde hair and clear blue eyes looking at me.

It had only been a year, but Kyle's appearance had matured significantly.

"Kyle... or should I call you Duke Rübelhark now?"

I chuckled and turned my body to face him.

"It's mean to scare me like that, and you shouldn't call me by my nickname when I'm about to get married."

As I replied in my usual teasing tone, Kyle's chiseled face broke into a smile. Seeing his unchanged, important childhood friend's smile, I felt a spring breeze blow through my heart, which had been battered by various unpleasant events at the Lottevalt mansion.

"Your formality throws me off, please just call me Kyle, Lady. But why are you here?"

"I have some business at the bank. You too?"

"Yes, it's related to a new business venture. I've finished my business and was about to leave, but would you like me to accompany you? It would be good for Liz to meet the bank manager in the capital. Your father is on good terms with him, I believe."

I hadn't heard this before, but if my father is on good terms with him, he must be a trustworthy person. It was a relief to know that there was someone who could be an ally so close to that mansion. Back then, I didn't even have the courage to take a small step outside that mansion.

"Could I ask you to, then?"

When I asked, Kyle elegantly offered his arm. I took his arm and followed him as he led me into the bank.

Kyle seemed to have quickly developed a distrust of Avan for leaving me alone before the wedding. However, since the marriage was a contract between families, Kyle, who was not directly involved, couldn't interfere.

In his worried gaze, I could see the image of the naive and helpless me from back then. So... I tried to act as cheerful as possible.

If I don't have allies, I can make them. If they're not by my side, I can go to them.

I had been manipulated and belittled by my husband and in-laws, made to believe that I was a foolish and incapable girl who couldn't do anything right. I wouldn't end up alone and helpless like in my previous life, thinking it was all my fault and not seeking help.

After meeting the bank manager and opening an account, I deposited my dowry and personal assets.

The dowry of the eldest daughter of the Rosevelt family, which is second only to the Rübelhark family in wealth, was an extraordinary amount, enough to cover the budget of several high-ranking nobles for years. The bank manager was very pleased.

I also appointed Kyle as my agent. This way, no one could move the money in my account without my or Kyle's approval. In fact, Kyle had suggested this without me bringing it up, which was a huge help.

After everything was done, I said goodbye to the bank manager and walked with Kyle to the exit, telling him that the ceremony would be held next week.

"Are you not inviting me?"

"The ceremony will be a simple one, with only the priest, me, and my fiancé. I doubt anyone will be invited."

"Even though it's a marriage between a marquess and a baron? It sounds like a commoner's wedding."

"Publicly, the explanation will be that my parents are too busy to come to the capital, so we'll just register the marriage and plan a grand ceremony when they can come. ...But I doubt it will happen."

"Is that... okay with you, Liz?"

I nodded and smiled at Kyle, who was angry on my behalf.

"It's fine. Political marriages are like that... I plan to become independent as soon as possible, so please don't try to mediate."

"You have something in mind, don't you? I understand... but if you ever need help, don't hesitate to ask. I'm one of the leading nobles in the country, and my name can be useful in many areas."

Kyle immediately understood that my desire for independence meant I was considering a divorce.

I thanked Kyle for his unchanged kindness and said goodbye at the bank, then returned to the Marquess's mansion in the carriage I had caught.

I returned before sunset, but Avan was still out, as usual.

After the ceremony, he would probably say something like, "You're now a part of the Marquess family," and try to take my dowry and personal assets. He must be generously spending his money on Alice, his lover, or perhaps he's out with his bad friends, celebrating his last days as a bachelor...

Avan used to buy prostitutes and play with young maids with his equally low-minded friends, even though he had a lover, Alice, whom he adored.

Now that I think about it, I was grateful for the white marriage. The thought of catching a disease from him is disgusting.

When I returned to my room, which was neatly tidied up, I noticed that some of my belongings had been moved. Were they looking for the check for my dowry?

At the same time, I realized that some of the accessories I had brought were missing... This house can't even discipline its servants properly.

It wasn't until the day before the ceremony that I saw Avan since coming to the capital.

The ceremony proceeded as planned, just like last time, and I stood next to Avan with the face of the previous Elizabeth.

Pretending to be a naive and trusting girl, unaware of the true nature of the scoundrel, was quite difficult, but the ceremony ended quickly while I had my eyes closed, which was a relief.

That night, after my bath, I entered the marital bedroom, but Avan was nowhere to be found. The same scenario as before, by this point, I could only believe that I was living a second chance at life.

The first night, unlike last time when I waited for Avan by the bedside all night, feeling lonely and humiliated, I locked the door and went to bed, sleeping soundly, knowing he wouldn't come.

Now that I'm certain this isn't a dream, I have a lot to do tomorrow.

I can't fight with a sleep-deprived mind.

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