It Was Just a Contractual Marriage by Dalseul

Author:Dalseul [Dalseul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

A time of peace shall come,

On the land blessed with the lives

of the Tenne River and Grantern Mountains.

Amidst harsh winters, the verdant green thrives.

A time of peace shall come,

On the land blessed with past sorrows

of the Tenne River and Grantern Mountains.

We sing as the ground thaws

With the promise of golden tomorrows.

Before Lezett became Archduke, Rothier had been a land plagued by invasions from neighboring kingdoms. To the people of Rothier, who had lived in constant fear for centuries, it mattered not that their Archduke was dragonborn or that their Archduchess was the Princess of an enemy nation as long as peace and prosperity were theirs.

Lezett glanced at the crowd below, caressing his wife, who was nestled in his arms. For a rare moment, he was pleased with his world; Rothier was his own territory, untouchable and inviolable.

In contrast to her husband’s jovial mood, Elise’s eyes, hidden beneath her hood, were filled with sorrow.

I cannot help but be reminded of home… of my Arghan.

During official events, the people of Arghan would sing songs about Elise outside the imperial palace.

When the people of Rothier had finally finished singing, there were shouts of blessings.

“Long live the Archduke and Archduchess!”

“May the gods bless your child with health and happiness!”

The harvest season had reached its end. Now, Lezett had one final task before winter began—to lead the campaign to vanquish monsters.

Lezett planted a kiss on the bridge of Elise’s nose. “Will you be all right on your own?” he asked.

“I am not a child. I will sleep well, eat well, and even though I may pine for you, I will endure it.”

“I am not so confident that I can…” Lezett murmured.

Elise said nothing and merely smiled as she played the part of being his trophy and prized possession.

* * *

Despite agonizing over the decision until the very last moment, Archduke Kirstan vacated Rothier Castle as planned. He was already beginning to feel the onset of the madness, and it seemed ominously more intense than usual.

I can sense that this bought of madness will not be brought to a halt by blood alone.

A dragonborn’s frenzy could come in two distinct forms—homicidal impulses and carnal desire. The Archduke had the distinct impression that this time, it would manifest mostly in the latter form.

Perhaps I have indulged in physical pleasure too much…

Regardless of which form it came in, it was paramount that Elise was kept far away from him.

“Why am I cursed like this…” he muttered under his breath before he kissed his wife on the cheek. He longed to press his lips against hers but feared that he would not be able to stop himself from going further.

Before they parted ways, he thought he saw a flicker of something on his wife’s face, but it was gone in an instant. Noting his gaze, she smiled gently and waved.

With that, he departed.

* * *

Not long after Lezett left the castle, a letter arrived from the imperial palace. Emperor Novius outlined that an imperial envoy would soon be sent to Rothier.

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