Episode 16
Just as Lucerne said, Jacob's people came soon. Elisha was worried that Jacob would come, but fortunately, only Jacob's secretary, accountant, and wizard came.
“The check, obviously received.”
A check with the amount of 30,000 gold coins written on it was handed over. And Lucerne has signed papers related to debt settlement. Now this debt has passed to Lucerne.
“Then what about tracking magic?”
The wizard asked.
When Lucerne flicked his hand, his shadow demon appeared. The magician stared at the beast with awe-inspiring eyes.
“Feed my shadow.”
The wizard nodded. As he held out her hand, Elisha felt the pattern tickle.
'It's a pair of patterns engraved on the back of my neck.'
Patterns and patterns can find each other, so they can be traced wherever they go. The pattern on the side the wizard had floated into the air.
Wow. The shadow ate the pattern as if eating a cookie. Elisha rubbed the nape of her neck.
'It stings.'
Something seemed to have changed. I wanted to check the mirror.
'Now Lucerne will be able to catch me no matter where I run away in the world.'
Suddenly, a sigh came out. Elisha thought that Lucerne looked quite enjoyable. Until the moment of her exit, Jacob's people glanced at Elisha. Her eyes were curious.
“If you want to walk out on your own two legs, everyone lower your eyes.”
Lucerne said peacefully. They formed a group and went out in a hurry. Elisha took one look at Lucerne, and then she went straight to the mirror and checked the nape of her neck.
The color of the pattern had changed to black. It was large enough to be seen very closely.
“You seem curious. What kind of woman did you pay 30,000 gold coins for as a bride?”
“…….”
“Looks like they only talked about you at the mansion all night.”
Lucerne said nonchalantly. Alicia thought they might be disappointed. Elisha was just an ordinary noble lady.
“Don't forget your promise. This symbol is also released on the day I become free.”
“Great.”
Lucerne said. The shadow was playing with the pattern on the nape of Elisha's neck in the air.
“What shall we do now?”
“I have something to do first. I've got some problems.”
“Is it a problem?”
“The family head is suspicious of my marriage with you. Is this a real marriage? I will not be capricious.”
“…….”
Elisha remembered the fact that the head of the household had long urged Lucerne to marry.
“So?”
“You have to have a wedding.”
“Wedding ceremony……. When?”
“Three days later. Here.”
Elisha's eyes were dizzy.
“So, at the main residence of the Cartier family?”
“Okay. Besides, the only attendees are the immediate family of the duchy.”
“…….”
A wedding where only enemies were invited as guests. As expected, Lucerne's wife was not an ordinary job from the beginning. At that moment, even though she was Elisha, she couldn't help but frown once.
* * *
Three days later. Elisha sat in front of the mirror again.
Besides, she had her eyes closed and she was getting her makeup done. Lucerne grew up smoking at her window, waiting for Elisha to get ready.
“Touch in moderation and finish. Don't get too close.”
“No, how could you put on makeup without getting close? Please take a look, General…….”
Ian made a sad sound. At the same time, Ian quickly moved his hand. Elisha's eyes were sprinkled with bright pearl powder mixed with pink.
'This must be very expensive cosmetics.'
Elisha, she thought subconsciously. Then things started to become a little self-aware.
'I'll never be able to run away now.'
Today was her wedding day.
* * *
It was a hastily arranged wedding. The wedding preparations were made at the duke's house. Elisha and Lucerne only had to dress up and attend the wedding.
Of course, there was no wedding dress prepared. Lucerne told the butler, and she brought several silk dresses from the duke's treasury.
The dress brought from the ducal family, where all the wealth in the world is hidden, was incredibly splendid and beautiful. Elisha chose a plain white dress with no decorations.
* * *
In her childhood, when she lived in a monastery, Elisha also vaguely dreamed of getting married. Nice groom. White wedding dress. However, her imagination was always blocked by reality.
'Who will take me? Marriage is also a dowry transaction for her status business.'
A merchant or her knight who wanted to win her a wife, even if her name was from her nobility, would be the most likely bridegroom she could see. It was only possible that she was lucky. So, the man in my imagination was always ordinary and simple.
'But my marriage partner is Lucerne de Kayas.'
A war hero who is loved by the people of the entire empire. Unfortunate son of a bitch. A man who will change the times. He never thought he would enter the wedding hall with him. It was something I had never imagined.
* * *
Elisha looked at her in the mirror and groped her cheek, as was her habit. She has no burn scars.
“What are you looking at?”
It was quiet beyond her room, as if Ian had left. Suddenly, her lucerne was looking at her.
“It's just that my face is unfamiliar.”
Lucerne sat in her chair. And she beckoned her to her.
“Come on.”
As her Elisha approached, he sat her on her own lap. Why? When he touched, the nerves all over her body were on edge. Elisha shrugged her shoulders.
“I don't have any buttons on my dress to fill in today.”
“Know.”
Lucerne spoke briefly.
“Marriage is what allows me to touch you without such an excuse.”
Elisha's cheeks turned red. Lucerne lightly caressed the nape of her Elisha's neck and said.
“Relax, I can't tell if I'm going to a wedding or a funeral just by looking at your expression.”
“There are people I want to kill, so that's not wrong. The person who ruined my life will attend the wedding.”
Elisha said calmly. This is where she first sees Jacob after her return. After her sudden flashback, she remembered seeing Carola near the laundry.
'I was so nervous at the time that her hatred for Carola was an afterthought.'
In an instant, emotions surged. Feelings for Jacob and Carola. The feelings that had been extremely fearful in the previous life were now reviving as hatred.
“If you really want to kill Jacob someday, don't set me on me.”
Lucerne tightened her arm around Elisha's body, she said.
“It's nothing, just pay.”
Elisha hesitated before opening her mouth.
“Thank you for saving me. And I can act calmly in front of Jacob. I will do my best in the future. Be more docile if you want…….”
Elisha said calmly.
“There is no need for that.”
Lucerne ran her fingers around the spot where Elisha had her pattern on the back of her neck.
“Once you enter the wedding hall, you don't have to say anything other than the bride's oath.”
“I know.”
“But if you want to.”
Lucerne put her lips on the nape of her Elisha's neck and whispered.
“Be my wife.”
It sounded like he was trying to test how he behaved.
“…… Okay.”
Lucerne's hand went down as if tapping lightly. Elisha squeezed between her thighs.
“It's annoying. Shall I engrave a new one?”
Lucerne set his teeth on Elisha's nape. It was on top of the pattern engraved by the first Jacob.
“Ah!”
I was bitten so hard that I screamed. Strangely, Elisha closed her eyes. It seemed that her blood would come out. Her pain became a strange sensation that dug into her spine.
“It has teeth marks. Because my skin is so weak. It left a clear mark, round. It swelled up beautifully.”
“…… Like that……. Don't explain.”
Lucerne said as if groping over her pattern.
“I still like this color better.”
Elisha turned her head and looked into Lucerne's eyes. It was the same with her that she preferred a contract bride from Lucerne to Jacob's slave.
“Are you sick?”
“…… Yes.”
“Then focus on the pain and endure it. It will be over soon.”
It was a strangely comforting word. Elisha thought she was unexpected.
“I have a favor.”
“Tell me.”
“I don't want to spend the first night alone in this mansion. Would it be okay to do it somewhere else?”
“Great. We leave right after the wedding.”
Elisha nodded her head. A sudden fear rose from within her stomach.
I don't know if it's because of her fate that I couldn't imagine, different from her previous life, or because of the nervous tension about her first night.
* * *
It was called a small wedding. The only guests were the direct descendants of the duchy. The knights of Lucerne were waiting in line in front of the wedding hall. There was also Ian, who had just helped with the make-up. There were also knights who looked quite young.
'The Black Lion Knights.'
The best members of the Black Lion Knights were called Sid. They were all famous knights, Sid.
Their polished armor and cloaks shone in the sunlight. Upon seeing Lucerne and Elisha, they both put their hands on their chests and saluted them. No one was wearing a sword.
'The owner is still the same.'
The current head of the household and Lucerne's grandfather had many doubts. It was like that when you see that Lucerne's knights were allowed to line up in front of the wedding hall, but no one was allowed to wear the sword.
'It's like an old snake……. Everyone was talking about the head family.'
Then someone inside the building shouted.
