Chapter 2

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

The Marquis de Juwan's family in the Kingdom of Sanloen was enveloped in a festive atmosphere celebrating the upcoming marriage.

Marquis' daughter, Bertine, gazed at the gifts sent from all over the country and thanked the gods for her good fortune to be born in this land. The mountain of gifts was for her wedding, which was to take place in two weeks.

Bertine, who was twenty-four years old, had an oval-shaped face. Her abundant hair, which reached down to her waist, was a light brown, and her green eyes, which were slightly slanted like a cat's, exuded strength and intelligence.

The Kingdom of Sanloen, a small island nation floating in the blue sea, was located adjacent to the continent. Until a few decades ago, it was a poor country with nothing but salt and seafood. However, the third-generation king changed the policy to focus on tourism to ensure the survival of the country, and since then, the country has been steadily advancing towards becoming a tourism-based nation.

Currently, the neighboring continent is at war between the northern Centaur Empire and the southern Federation, but the Kingdom of Sanloen is not participating in the war, only sending military funds to the Empire as a friendly country.

The few archers who guard a certain area of the sea are the only military force in the country besides the soldiers guarding the royal palace.

The friends who visited today were chatting about the "recent business achievements" while looking at the wedding dress and gifts, and no one was worried about the progress of the war.

"I am having a party bag made with glass beads sewn all over it. I have received many orders from the princesses of the Empire."

"I am considering the production of a top-quality feather-lined coat. It is thin, warm, and light, and will surely be appreciated as an elegant outerwear for noble women."

No country has yet attempted to attack this small, wealthy nation. The reason is the island's environment, which is called a "natural fortress." The island is surrounded by sharp, jagged reefs, making it impossible for large warships to approach. Even small boats must navigate a complex route, like threading a needle, to avoid sinking.

The warm currents that flow around the island keep the climate mild year-round, attracting a steady stream of long-term visitors and tourists from the Centaur Empire, allowing the country to earn a substantial amount of foreign currency.

That day, even though it was still midday, Bertine's father, the prime minister, hurriedly returned from the palace and called her.

"Miss, your husband-to-be has asked you to come to the study immediately."

"Understood. I'll go right away."

Bertine excused herself from her friends and hurried to her father's study. Upon entering, her father, with a tense expression, began to speak.

"The Empire has lost to the Federation."

"Oh... That's surprising. Does this mean it will affect our country?"

"Yes. Our country provided military funds to the Empire. As a defeated nation, we have been ordered to pay reparations to the Federation. The amount is enormous. Even if we use all the royal family's private funds, we cannot pay it."

(Why is he telling me this?) thought Bertine as she listened. The marquis sighed deeply and raised his head.

"In exchange for a reduction in reparations, you are to marry Mr. Cecil Bonifacio of the Federation."

"...What?"

Bertine's father, Maxim de Juwan, bit his lip, looking as if he had no place to vent his anger. (Why me?) thought Bertine, unable to grasp the situation. (I am getting married in two weeks.)

"The royal family and the prince have only male children. Among the six great marquis families, you are the only daughter of marriageable age. Bertine, forgive your father for not being able to refuse."

"Forgive you, Father... Is this already decided?"

"Yes."

Her father avoided her gaze, trying to control his emotions, while Bertine, with a blank expression, stood up from her chair and silently stumbled towards her room. She collapsed face-down on her bed, and her maid, Dorothe, looked confused.

"Please see the guests out."

"Yes. Miss, what happened?"

"I am to marry Mr. Cecil Bonifacio of the Federation."

"Really? I will inform the guests to leave immediately!"

In the Kingdom of Sanloen, financial prowess is more valued than martial skills. The royal family, which believes that "those who cannot earn are incompetent," puzzled Bertine as to why they could not pay the reparations. The royal family is wealthy. Are they going to hand everything over to the Empire? The military funds were provided with a margin. It seems the country is reluctant to pay the reparations and is sacrificing her.

Her brother, Herald, who had hurriedly returned from the royal accounting office, confirmed Bertine's suspicions.

"His Majesty said he wants to prevent the treasury from being depleted. Oh, how pitiful. Bert, if only I could run away with you somewhere."

What good would that do? If her brother, a civil servant, took her and ran away, they would soon run out of food. Besides, where would they go? If they fled to the Empire, they would be captured as criminals.

"There's nothing we can do, Brother. It's beyond our control."

Bertine repeated, "There's nothing we can do, there's nothing we can do," like a mantra.

Otherwise, she might have cried and screamed, "I don't want to go! I don't want to marry into the Federation!"

(If only Mother were still alive, she would have held my hand and shared my sorrow.)

Despite Bertine's sorrow, the preparations for her marriage to the Federation progressed surprisingly quickly, and two days later, the annulment of her five-year engagement to Andrew was processed.

Both families gathered in a special room for nobles at the government office, but only the head of Andrew's family, the earl, was present. The earl's wife, who had once said, "You are my daughter now," was not there.

"Andrew is not here, is he?"

"I'm sorry, Bertine. Andrew is very upset. He was in no condition to come here."

Her fiancé, who loved literature and dreamed of writing books while serving as a civil servant, prioritized his own feelings over those of his fiancée. He did not even say goodbye. Even if he did not take her away, she wished he would have shown some consideration and offered a word of comfort or farewell.

(There's nothing we can do, there's nothing we can do, there's nothing we can do...)

Bertine weakly smiled and signed the annulment papers.

Two weeks later.

Bertine, accompanied by the royal guard and a large crowd, boarded a ship bound for the continent's port. Many people came to see her off, curious about the sacrificial lamb. The people who crowded the port were all whispering, and no one shouted, "Congratulations on your marriage."

She was to marry into the "Southern Federation," which the people of the Centaur Empire and the Kingdom of Sanloen considered a "barbaric and culturally backward country."

The southern part of the continent had long been a place of conflict among dozens of tribes, but a man named Cecil Bonifacio united them into one country.

"Cecil is said to be a battle maniac who prefers to wash blood with blood, subduing all other tribes by force." "He is a notorious womanizer." "A barbarian who despises culture and the arts."

The rumors she heard were not good. Therefore, her maid, Dorothe, had been crying all along.

"Dorothe, when we reach a certain point, you should return home with the other servants. Your parents must be worried."

"No! If I leave, Miss will be all alone!"

"It's okay. I won't be killed. I will try to be loved by the minister."

"Miss... You are so kind."

Dorothe said this and cried again. Reluctantly, Bertine, who should have been the one most in need of comfort, had to console her.

When the ship arrived at the port on the continent, the bridal procession of five carriages, prepared by her father, moved quietly. Despite her deep despondency, Bertine gradually calmed down due to the unusual circumstances.

"Perhaps the minister is a kind person, and I might be able to live a happy life. There's no point in being pessimistic."

Bertine tried to stay positive during the carriage ride.

Two weeks later.

They arrived at Ibit, the central city of the Southern Federation. Ibit was a large city with new two- and three-story stone buildings.

"Oh, Dorothe, it's quite different from the rumors."

"You're right, Miss. I thought there would be tents made of wood and fur."

"Dorothe, that's a bit rude. But my information was quite outdated."

Their cheerful conversation continued until they reached Cecil's residence.