Chapter 4

But Margret never thought Magritte would take such a foolish action as to run away on her own.

Magritte, who had been close to Ader, was concerned about how Ader, who had never done anything on her own, would manage to live. The Viscountess Nefashial, who had always been preoccupied with her beauty, had not even allowed Ader to touch a needle for embroidery, citing the reason that she might get hurt.

The viscount's family was by no means wealthy, which was evident from the state of the mansion. One of the reasons for this was that Ader's parents were so preoccupied with her that they neglected the management of their territory.

While the viscount and the viscountess could take care of themselves to some extent, Ader was a different story. She had always been taken care of by her maid, Ray, and was raised like a princess. To them, Ader was their hope.

(…What will Lady Ader do to live?)

It was a surprise when Ader received a marriage proposal, but it was certain that the suitor was not a prince.

(If it were a prince, there would be a festival-like celebration.)

Who exactly was Ader's suitor… From the viscount's reaction, it was clear that he was of a higher rank. Given that the viscount and viscountess had gone to such lengths to persuade the pampered Ader, it must have been a very important arrangement. Margret, who had not been introduced to society, would not have known the suitor's name even if she had heard it.

For now, if Ader doesn't eat, there's nothing to clean up. Margret observed the two flustered people from the corner of the wall, waiting. After a few minutes, it seemed that Ader had decided to make it look like she had been kidnapped by Owen and that a search would be conducted.

However, Ader had left on her own, and the note was in the viscount's hand. Margret thought that if such a lie were told, the Bayzley baronial family might seek revenge…

Margret, who had been working from early morning, was fighting off drowsiness. Suddenly, she felt a gaze and looked up to find herself being stared at by the viscount and viscountess. Thinking it was just her imagination, Margret turned around, but there was only a wall behind her. Despite the bad feeling, she slowly turned her gaze back to the viscount and viscountess.

"There's no other way for us! This is our only option!"

"If Ader isn't found… there's nothing else we can do."

Seeing the viscountess nod at the viscount's words, Margret unconsciously shook her head.

"–We will have Margret marry in Ader's place!"

Margret's eyes widened at these words.

(Wh-What? I have to marry in Lady Ader's place!?)

Before she could protest, the conversation continued without her. These two would not listen to Margret's words. Margret sighed.

A week had passed since it was decided that Margret would marry in Ader's place. A search for Ader was conducted, but she was not found. The Bayzley baronial family claimed they were not involved and bore no responsibility. This meant that even the Bayzley baron did not know where Ader had gone. The light had gone out of the Nefashial viscount's home, and the viscount and viscountess lost their appetite and grew thin.

As for Margret, she had been preparing for the marriage for a week, in case Ader was not found. However, her rough hands and neglected skin were far from those of a noble lady. If the suitor had seen Ader even once, it seemed he would immediately realize the difference, but surprisingly, this did not happen.