Chapter 4

After that, the days passed like a torrent. Although the promise was to provide support after marriage, three servants from the Duke's household came over to help with all the household chores.

Fiona was freed from household duties for the first time in years. However, it wasn't as convenient as she had hoped, as the family's financial difficulties led to the Duke's household sending a governess to educate her in etiquette, dance, and culture. She was rigorously trained every day to ensure she wouldn't embarrass the Duke's household at the ceremony.

She was made to practice the ceremony multiple times to ensure she wouldn't make a mistake. Incidentally, she had only met the Duke once, at the engagement party after their first meeting.

On the day of the wedding, Fiona was nervous in the waiting room. Then, her sister Iides, dressed to the nines and accompanied by a maid, sauntered in.

"Fiona, you look beautiful, though a bit overdone. They say even a horse looks good in a fine outfit."

As always, her sister's attitude towards Fiona hadn't changed, even on the wedding day.

"Thank you."

She replied coolly.

"Oh, oh, you're getting so uppity now that you're going to be a Duchess. How embarrassing."

Iides immediately started to provoke her, but Fiona was preoccupied with not making any mistakes or forgetting the procedures during the wedding. She hadn't been prepared for this.

"Still, to marry a damaged good—"

"Huh?"

Was she referring to herself as a damaged good? Fiona couldn't understand what her sister was saying. Iides often made smart remarks but occasionally inserted foolish comments. She might not know the meaning of "damaged good."

Iides leaned in closer to Fiona's ear and whispered even more quietly.

"I mean, the damaged Duke. He was abandoned by his fiancée, the third princess. In other words, their engagement was broken off. There's no greater dishonor than that. The royal family had to scramble to find a replacement bride. But everyone refused. Besides, the Duke is just a title; he has no particular achievements. That's why the offer came to the nearly bankrupt Carlington family. In other words, there were no takers."

"Huh?"

Fiona's mind went blank. She had never heard this story before. And her sister was misusing the term "damaged good." Thinking about it, she calmed down.

Since her father's financial loss, Fiona had stayed at home and done housework, not attending social events. Her parents, who were pushing for her marriage, must have deliberately kept this information from her.

Iides must have been eagerly waiting to share this gossip with Fiona.

"Oh, you didn't know? It's a famous piece of gossip. I forgot you haven't attended any balls. It's strange that you didn't know. I thought you had already agreed. Perhaps everyone was considerate and didn't tell you. Did His Grace say nothing about it?"

Of course not. Even if she knew, no one would openly gossip about the royal family and the Duke's household. Iides seemed satisfied after saying her piece and left.

Fiona realized that the Queen must have arranged the marriage.

At the same time, she remembered the Duke's words, "Please don't pry." If he was referring to his broken engagement, it was unfair. Fiona wouldn't pry into such matters. It would eventually come out, and there was no need to hide it. She thought he might be a bit timid.

Regardless, she couldn't afford to make a mistake at the wedding. For the Duke, who was taking on her family's debt, she had to stay focused.

By the time the ceremony and related events were over, it was late at night. The newlyweds went to the Roseblade residence.

Fiona was amazed by the magnificent mansion in the prime location of the capital. She had never set foot in this house before the wedding.

This marriage was unprecedented in every way, from the proposal to the wedding, which took only three months. The Duke not only agreed to take on her family's debt but also said he didn't need a dowry. It was best to keep quiet, even if it wasn't customary.

"Fiona, can you please stop calling me 'His Grace'? We are married now."

"What should I call you then?"

Fiona didn't feel like a married woman. This was only their third meeting.

"Alois is fine."

"Understood. Alois-sama."

When Fiona replied, he said, "Just ask the butler," and left the entrance. She wondered where he was going at this hour.

Eventually, Fiona was led to her room by the butler, Chester. He was a bit older than the master and had a commanding presence. She hesitated to call him "Chester-san," but he firmly said to call him "Chester."

The room was primarily white and elegantly arranged. It was lavishly furnished and surprisingly spacious. A large canopy bed was placed in the center.

Fiona was nervous, thinking this was their marital bedroom.

"This is the lady's private room."

"Huh?"

Where would her husband, Alois, sleep? She asked, puzzled.

"The master's room is next door."

"Ah, I see..."

It seemed they would have separate bedrooms. This was different from the Carlington household. Given the size of the mansion, it made sense. Fiona accepted this.

"Please come this way, madam."

When she was led into the room, she saw a door on the left wall.

"Opening this door leads to the master's room."

The rooms were connected. Fiona felt a bit relieved but also nervous and uneasy.

"However, you must not open this door. It is locked, so it's impossible to open. If you need to see the master, please knock on the main door in the hallway, not this room's door."

"Understood."

Fiona's excitement gradually faded as she realized Alois's strict secrecy. It felt like she was being rejected. Was he suggesting a marriage in name only? No, upon reflection, he probably wanted it that way from the beginning.

Two maids were assigned to Fiona. One was Aria, about her age, and the other was the older Marie. Both were efficient. Fiona felt intimidated by the professional staff.

She resisted the idea of needing help to bathe, but was told it was the house's custom. Tired from the day, she gave in. She decided to bathe alone from the next day.

After changing, she followed Chester's lead and had a light meal. She wondered where Alois had gone. The words "Please don't pry" echoed in her mind.

Still, it was their wedding night. Fiona waited nervously in her room, wondering which door Alois would use. This added to her tension as she anxiously watched both doors.

However, even as the eastern sky began to lighten, no one came. Fiona, feeling foolish, went to bed.

She didn't cry alone in her bed. Instead, she fell asleep, amazed by the softness of the bed.