Chapter 3

"Marriage...?"

Amelia repeated the question.

It was simply a word too unfamiliar to her.

"That's right. Amelia, you know that our family is aiming for a promotion in rank, don't you?"

"I am aware of that, but..."

In the aristocratic society where rank is everything, promotion is one of the greatest goals.

One can rise in rank by achieving merit in battle or by marrying into a higher-ranking family.

When it comes to marriage, it is thought to be the latter method...

(But even so, why suddenly...?)

Amelia's current position could only be described as extremely delicate.

Originally, Amelia's origins were supposed to be kept secret.

It would have been a terrible scandal if it became known that the newlywed had committed adultery and impregnated a maid.

At the time, there were even talks of secretly abandoning the infant Amelia in the mountains, but Sophie intervened and prevented it.

Despite the adultery, Cedric relented to Sophie's pleas, and instead confined both mother and daughter to a remote cottage to hide their existence.

However, rumors, once started, are hard to contain.

The rumors spread from the servants Cedric had dismissed, and Amelia's existence became widely known.

As a result, the Hargreaves family's reputation was tarnished, and the promotion in rank, which had been decided based on the previous generation's achievements, was revoked.

There was nothing left to do to elevate the legitimate daughter, Erin, except to isolate Amelia as much as possible from the aristocratic society and spread negative rumors about her.

"The earl's daughter who barely speaks to anyone and is cold and aloof," "Selfish and arrogant," "A commoner's child with no education," "Can't even write properly," "Doesn't attend social events because she doesn't want to show her ugly face."

Manipulated by the adults (mainly Cedric), these rumors spread, and the young Amelia could do nothing about it.

These rumors quickly became distorted and took on a baseless form.

Moreover, when Amelia made her debut at fifteen, her thin and gaunt appearance, which did not resemble a lady at all, led to the young ladies of society whispering about her.

"The filthy lady," "The plague of the Hargreaves family," "A heartless and arrogant person," "Bones," and so on.

Of course, this was the result of a scheme to make Amelia look as unattractive as possible by giving her minimal food, no dresses, and no makeup for her debut.

Thanks to this, the rumors about Amelia spread like wildfire, and her younger sister, Erin, became the flower of the Hargreaves family.

Given this background, Amelia was filled with disbelief when she was told about the marriage.

Ignoring Amelia's silence, Cedric continued.

"The partner is... Duke Logan."

"Duke Logan."

The seven syllables resonated in the air.

Suddenly, Licia and Erin burst out laughing, unable to contain themselves.

"Duke Logan...!! That 'Cruel Duke'!"

"That's right, Mother! Cold and merciless! Quick to anger and prone to violence! There's a rumor that even the bravest lady would give up within three days!"

"How perfect! It's a great opportunity to cure Sister's spinelessness!"

Amelia showed no reaction to the information conveyed by their laughter, which was so loud it brought tears to their eyes.

Hearing the specific name, the reality of the marriage finally sank in—and Amelia was desperately trying to keep the joy welling up from the depths of her heart from showing on her face.

(Finally... Finally, I can escape this hell...!!)

It was like a bolt from the blue.

Amelia's fists trembled with happiness.

Licia and Erin, mistaking her trembling for regret, were thoroughly pleased.

"That's all, Amelia. A carriage will come to fetch you tomorrow. Make sure to pack your things by then."

"Tomorrow...?"

"Is there a problem?"

"...No, there isn't."

There was no problem at all.

(Perfect...!!)

In Amelia's mind, a fanfare played a joyful tune.