[I'M JUST a young lady with a simple wish: a hot and bed-breaking first night with my gorgeous husband, but...]
"Bleurgh!"
That was the sound Sonata's fiancé made when he held her hand. After all, it was time for him to put the ring on her finger.
[Does he want to throw up?]
Commander Diether Hexford of the Avari Holy Knights– her fiancé– immediately pulled his hand from her grasp to cover his mouth as if to stop himself from vomiting.
[He doesn't look like he's drunk, but he's pale.]
Diether was known for his pale skin that matched his famous silver-blue hair and sky-blue eyes. Even so, it was still quite obvious that he was paler than usual. As if that wasn't bad enough, his dark eye bags also made him look so fed up with everything.
At this rate, everyone in the hall would think he was dragged there against his will.
[He's acting like a poor country bumpkin sold off for marriage when it's the other way around.]
Sonata wasn't sold off, though– she was blackmailed.
Grand Duke Daniel Hexford– Deither's father– discovered her weakness and used it to force her to become the commander's fiancée.
"Lord Diether, are you alright?" Sonata asked politely. "Would you like to rest for–"
"I'm fine, Lady Florin," Diether said, addressing her in a very polite manner. He made it too obvious that she was a stranger to him. "Please don't come near me."
Oh, okay.
She understood why the commander was acting this way, so she wasn't offended.
[After all, this is the first time we've met in person.]
The engagement between Sonata and Diether had been set two weeks ago.
But she only arrived at the Royal Capital last night because of her, uhm, work(?). Diether, unfortunately, was summoned by the Avari Temple's High Priestess then. According to the servants, her fiancé only returned after breakfast.
She was already getting dressed up by then, so she didn't get the chance to greet Diether.
[Lord Diether was probably forced into this engagement like me, so let's be understanding.]
Sonata took a step backward to give her fiancé room to breathe. "Is this enough space?"
Diether kept his mouth shut, but he looked embarrassed and regretful of his behavior.
After all, Sonata wasn't the only one who heard what her fiancé said earlier.
The entire Azure Hall– the grandest hall in the Royal Palace that the king generously lent to Sonata and Diether– was filled with high-ranking nobles as guests.
Unfortunately, the king and the queen of the Zerua Kingdom couldn't make it to the engagement ceremony, but sent Jericho Lomello– the Crown Prince– as the royal family's representative.
[The king and the queen promised to attend our wedding, so it's okay.]
Moreover, the fact that the Azure Hall was decorated as if a monarch was getting engaged was a clear sign that the king and the queen truly cared about this union.
[Well, Diether is the king's nephew.]
Her thoughts were interrupted when Prince Jericho, who was standing between Sonata and Diether, cleared his throat.
In the Zerua Kingdom, a high-ranking noble's engagement ceremony was required before the wedding. A witness entrusted to oversee the formal procedure must have a higher position than the two people getting engaged. Naturally, that position went to the Crown Prince.
"It seems like Commander Hexford isn't feeling well," Prince Jericho said politely. The Crown Prince was still young, yet already exuded an air of dignity befitting a monarch like him. "Hence, let's hasten the ceremony."
The Crown Prince then turned to her.
[Ah, His Royal Highness looks dashing in his red and gold formal uniform.]
Blond hair, deep blue eyes.
Those two physical traits were proof of the royal blood in him.
Prince Jericho smiled at her apologetically. "Would that be alright with you, Lady Florin?"
"Of course, Your Royal Highness," Sonata said, smiling at the Crown Prince politely before turning to her fiancé. "I don't want Lord Diether to push himself too hard either."
"Thank you for your understanding, Lady Florin," Prince Jericho said, then he turned to Diether. "Commander Hexford, once you put the ring on Lady Florin's finger, we'll end the ceremony so you could rest."
Diether, who looked like he would faint soon, nodded at the Crown Prince politely. "Thank you, Prince Jericho."
The Crown Prince just smiled and nodded.
It was a cue for Sonata to extend her right hand to Diether.
In the Zerua Kingdom, engagement rings were worn on the right ring finger. On the other hand, wedding rings were worn on the left ring finger.
[Oh, dear. He's shaking so much.]
Sonata wasn't surprised when Diether dropped her hand as soon as they made physical contact, but he also accidentally dropped the ring in the process.
The sound of the ring hitting the floor echoed in the entire hall.
"I'm sorry, Lady Florin," Diether said apologetically while turning his back on her. "I need to go."
And, just like that, her fiancé ran away from their engagement ceremony.
[Fascinating.]
Sonata was the only one fascinated, though.
The rest of the guests looked shocked.
Even Prince Jericho was obviously flabbergasted.
Sonata would have felt the same, but she got distracted by the engagement ring that hit the tip of her stilettos.
[Oh?]
"You found your way back to your rightful owner," Sonata whispered, smiling. Then she leaned down and picked up the engagement ring. After that, she put it on her right ring finger and showed it to the stunned guests– laughing to conceal her embarrassment. "I just got engaged!"
***
"I WAS known as the poor daughter of Sir Harris and Dame Maurice Florin– two war heroes who died during the last war three years ago," Sonata pondered out loud, sipping her tea. Then she placed the teacup down on the saucer. "But now, I've become the new laughingstock of high society– thanks to my fiancé running away during our engagement ceremony."
She raised her head to look at the two people who joined her for tea after the disastrous engagement ceremony.
Grand Duke Daniel and Grand Duchess Eleanor Hexford both looked unapologetic.
[My future parents-in-law are not happy with their lives, and it clearly shows.]
Fascinating.
After the engagement ceremony, the Crown Prince was generous enough to lend them the royal parlour in the Azure Hall while waiting for Diether.
[I don't think my fiancé is coming back, though.]
"I'll make sure my son will apologize to you later," the Grand Duke said. "We'll also release a public apology if you want."
The Grand Duchess just sipped her tea as if she didn't care.
[My future mother-in-law doesn't like me.]
It must be true that the Grand Duchess adored her first daughter-in-law very much. Unfortunately, that person vanished out of thin air three years ago.
[But it's clear the Grand Duchess doesn't want me to replace that person.]
"Your Grace, as expected, I can't do this," Sonata said, making up her mind. "I'm not marrying your son, even if that means terminating our contract."
The Grand Duchess' ears perked up, but Her Grace tried to appear disinterested.
Daniel Hexford raised an eyebrow at her. "Are you sure about that, Lady Florin?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Then you don't mind if I bring you back to the Red-light District where I picked you up, do you?"
Ah, the Grand Duke definitely said that on purpose for the Grand Duchess to hear.
The Red-light District– aka the 'Flower District'– was an infamous area in the Royal Capital where a concentration of prostitution and sex-oriented businesses (such as brothels and adult theaters) were found.
It was true that the Grand Duke found Sonata in the Red-light District, but not for the reason the Grand Duchess might be thinking.
[Your Grace, it's brazen of you to mention the Red-light District in front of your wife.]
"I'll return the money that I received from you, Your Grace," Sonata said, smiling apologetically at the Grand Duke. "But since it's your son who ran away from the engagement first, I hope Your Grace doesn't penalize me for terminating the contract. As you know, living in the Red-light District isn't easy."
It was fascinating to see the Grand Duchess lose the color on her face.
[And is that guilt I see in her eyes?]
Was this the reason the Grand Duke brought up the Red-light District?
"That's fine with me," Grand Duke Daniel Hexford said, standing up while looking at Sonata with dead eyes. "My lawyer will get in touch with you for the termination of the contract, Lady Florin."
Sonata stood up and bowed her head politely. "Thank you for your generosity, Your Grace."
The Grand Duke just gave a curt nod before leaving the royal parlor quietly.
"His Grace didn't visit the Red-light District to avail of any services offered there," Sonata said when her eyes met the Grand Duchess' shocked gaze, then she went back to her seat. "His Grace only stepped foot in there because that's my workplace."
"How?" the Grand Duchess asked curiously. "How did you end up working in the Red-light District when you're the only daughter of two celebrated war heroes? You should have received enough compensation to live comfortably."
She just smiled and offered a short explanation. "Life happened, Your Grace."
[I have no intention of sharing my life story with a stranger.]
"You wasted the only chance you have to become the next Grand Duchess."
"Your Grace, it's embarrassing to say this myself, but I'm quite loved in the Red-light District. It's where I found my new family," Sonata said, laughing softly when she noticed the confusion in the Grand Duchess' face. "That means I know my worth, so I won't let you and your son treat me less than what I deserve."
The Grand Duchess looked shocked by what she said.
"Both Your Grace and Lord Diether look at me as if I stole someone else's place– like it was my fault the Grand Duke chose me as her replacement."
It wasn't a secret that the Grand Duchess and Diether adored that person.
[By that, I mean Diether's first wife.]
The Grand Duchess' face turned red from anger and, perhaps, embarrassment. "You can't replace an irreplaceable existence, Lady Florin."
"And you can't take your anger out on me just because you can't directly confront the Grand Duke," Sonata said carefully. "Like Lord Diether, I was also forced by His Grace to be in this position. So please don't treat me like I'm the bad person here, Your Grace."
Grand Duchess Eleanor Hexford flinched as if Her Grace felt a shiver down her spine– all because of Sonata's light warning.
[Ah, my presence...]
Sonata smiled to look friendlier, effectively dismissing the commanding aura that she accidentally released earlier.
"I only accepted His Grace's offer because I thought Lord Diether was ready to move on from his first wife, but now I know that wasn't the case," Sonata said, then she stood up and bowed her head politely. "It was fascinating meeting you, Your Grace."
***
SONATA thought Diether wouldn't return to the hall anymore, so she was surprised to see him standing near the royal parlor after she left the room.
[I'm glad he looks better now.]
The dark circle under the commander's eyes remained unchanged, of course.
Sonata bowed her head to Diether politely, then she walked past him.
"Aren't you going to ask me for an apology, Lady Florin?"
Sonata stopped walking, then she turned around to face the commander. "I don't need a forced apology from you, my lord."
"Do you think I'm that shameless to not feel an ounce of guilt for humiliating you?"
"I'm not sure, my lord. This is the first time we've met, after all."
Although she somehow felt Diether was familiar to her even before their first meeting.
[But maybe it's only because I've heard so many stories about the gallant commander of the Avari Holy Knights.]
"I will give you a proper compensation, Lady Florin."
Sonata chuckled while shaking her head. "That's not an apology, my lord. But I'll take the compensation. It's not like I don't have pride– I just don't have the energy to extract an insincere apology from someone who doesn't really care."
"Then I'll make sure you'll feel my sincerity in the compensation I'm giving," Diether said awkwardly. "Should I give the same amount that my father offered?"
Ah, so the commander heard everything.
She already expected that the moment she saw Diether standing near the door.
"Can I borrow your power as the commander of the Avari Holy Knights instead of receiving money from you? I promise it won't hurt the temple or the kingdom."
"Let's hear it first."
"Do you know Madam Margo?"
"The courtesan?"
A courtesan was a prostitute with wealthy, powerful, and upper-class clients.
And Madam Margo was the most sought-after courtesan in the kingdom.
[Madam Margo is so (in)famous that even Lord Diether, the commander of the Avari Holy Knights, has heard of her name.]
"Yes, I'm talking about her," Sonata said, nodding. "Madam Margo attends the Worship Service every weekend. She brings her protégés with her, too. Unfortunately, they aren't allowed inside the temple, so they would partake in the Worship Service outside."
Diether knitted his eyebrows as if he didn't understand why the madam and the other courtesans-in-training weren't allowed inside the temple.
"Madam Margo and the poor girls accepted the unfair treatment so just they could worship the Goddess Avari," Sonata continued. "But the knights stationed would verbally harass Madam and the girls every time."
Diether avoided her gaze. "I'll see what I can do."
Was he shy because she brought up a 'scandalous' topic?
[Fascinating.]
"You better do a good job before I take matters into my own hands, my lord."
"Excuse me?"
"Don't you find it ridiculous that those holier-than-though noblemen who frequent the Red-light District are allowed to enter the temple while Madam Margo and the girls can't?" Sonata wondered out loud. "Anyway, I'm close to castrating all the temple knights, so please do something about their attitude before I take action."
Diether looked horrified by her threat. "Lady Florin, you do realize I'm the commander of the Avari Holy Knights, don't you? Even the temple guards are under my authority. And yet, you dare threaten them in front of me."
"I'm complaining to you because you're the person who needs to hear it the most."
"Ah, so you're threatening me to do my job properly?"
"The Avari Holy Knights shouldn't solely focus on protecting the Saintess," she said solemnly. "The gods gain power from their devotees' faith, and the ones praying desperately to Goddess Avari every single day are the common people of the kingdom– not the nobles, not even the Royal Family."
The commander didn't have anything to say, but he was obviously not pleased to get lectured by the woman he just left during the engagement ceremony.
"Madam Margo and most of the people working in the Red-light District are also devotees of Goddess Avari," Sonata said firmly. "Regardless of what you think about the work they do, I assure you that they're more humane than the so-called knights stationed at the temple."
"I've heard enough," Diether said sternly. "I will personally deal with this matter."
"Excellent, my lord. You just saved your subordinates from having their 'family jewels' taken away from them."
He just let out a sigh while shaking his head. "Is that all? I don't see how your request would benefit you. I'd like to compensate you properly, Lady Florin. Should I make a public apology to protect your honor? I will take all the blame for our failed engagement."
"That's up to you, my lord. As I said, I'm not interested in insincere apologies."
Diether scoffed at what she said. "Why do I have a feeling that you wish for your honor to remain tainted, Lady Florin?"
Oh?
[My ex-fiancé is pretty quick-witted.]
"You're free to think anything you want, my lord– I guarantee you'd still be wrong."
"It's alright," Diether said, shrugging. "I'm not that interested in you anyway, Lady Florin."
"You better pray to Goddess Avari that it stays that way forever, my lord," Sonata said teasingly. "Because I promise you– once you start getting curious about me, you won't be able to stop thinking about me anymore."
***
SONATA let out a sigh while looking at the man sitting across from her inside the carriage that was supposed to bring her back home. "Your Grace, did you get what you want by revealing to your wife and son that I work in the Red-light District?"
Yes, the man who joined her in the carriage uninvited was Grand Duke Daniel Hexford.
[I knew His Grace hasn't given up on his greed yet.]
"Eleanor and Diether are both too soft-hearted for their own good," the Grand Duke said indifferently. "I'm sure they will feel responsible for your well-being now that they know your unfortunate circumstances."
"My circumstances aren't unfortunate, Your Grace."
"It will be if you fail to marry my son, Lady Florin."
Tsk.
She hated how the grand duke was right.
[This is what it feels like to have your weakness used against you.]
"I'll send my lawyer to you later, but only to extend the grace period we agreed upon and not to terminate the contract," the Grand Duke said. "If we wait a little more, I'm sure my son will change his mind soon."
"Your Grace, why did you choose me as your next daughter-in-law?"
"Did you really have to ask?" Grand Duke Daniel Hexford asked as if Sonata just asked a stupid question. "Your bloodline is everything."
"My cursed blood, you mean?" Sonata said bitterly, her golden eyes glowing menacingly. "You'll regret your decision once you realize how disgusting my bloodline truly is, Your Grace."