If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 61
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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“The Marquis has arrived.”
Cain appeared in a white ceremonial outfit matching Agatha’s dress with a spirited stride. The sunlight reflecting off the golden epaulets on his shoulders gave the illusion of a halo around him, making Agatha blink.
They met under a flower-decorated arch, forming a beautiful couple that seemed perfectly matched.
Liana and a few maids, who had grown close to her over the past two months, playfully remarked on the dazzling sight of their masters.
Liana quipped, “Indeed, our Miss is the most beautiful woman in the capital,” but she quickly shut up under Izelle’s stern gaze.
The priest, standing on the platform, solemnly raised his hands to give a blessing.
“These two beautiful souls that were brought together by God, have pledged to spend their lives together. May they become a couple of love and faith, shining with God’s glory.”
It was a standard blessing, but Liana, who found gratitude in every ordinary moment, busily fanned her face to hide her teary nose.
Our Miss— no, our Madam, has finally found her rightful place! Eventually, Liana regained her composure only after a nudge from Izelle.
“Now, let us witness the tokens of their love,” announced the priest after reading the marriage declaration.
It was time for the final step of the betrothal ceremony.
The groom was to lift the bride’s veil and kiss her. Once their lips met in affection, the priest would anoint them with blessing oil, declaring them husband and wife.
Then, the ceremony would conclude with the couple’s procession.
Cain turned to face Agatha. Kissing one’s spouse-to-be wasn’t a big deal, but for Agatha, facing Cain felt incredibly difficult.
Was it shyness, embarrassment, or a sense of guilt? Cain lifted his hand to remove the veil covering Agatha’s head. As he moved to kiss her, all the servants watching held their breath.
It seemed like a smile flickered at the corners of Cain’s mouth, and then their faces came together.
It was the moment Agatha Kristin took the name of Vernat.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
After Marquis Vernat left for the north, his wife remained alone in the capital’s residence.
It had been exactly two and a half months since their sudden wedding was announced at the Princess’s birthday celebration.
Gossipers speculated that the Marquis, who hurriedly held a wedding and left as if fleeing, might have already changed his heart.
As the rumor spread, it gained traction and was even believed as truth by some. Liana urged that she should attend some social event to correct these absurd rumors, but Agatha shook her head in refusal.
Responding to rumors is like throwing wood into a raging fire. Not reacting would naturally cause the interest to wane. Agatha’s firm stance on this led Liana to reluctantly concede.
Months later, the servants of the Marquis’ residence, including Liana, acknowledged that Agatha’s approach was right. The people’s interest, which had been fervently focused on the Marquis and his wife, gradually shifted elsewhere.
The absence of the Marquis from the public eye meant that his story was soon replaced by new people and new stories.
As Agatha faded into the background of public disinterest, she diligently prepared to inherit the Duchy Kristin. She began the education she missed while living in County Calvino, learning about the history of the duchy and the nobility. These were things she should have naturally learned from a young age.
Education in adulthood wasn’t as easy as she thought, and Agatha struggled in the first few months. However, her perseverance paid off, and after the promised year, she finally became the owner of the Kristin Duchy.
As agreed in their contract, Cain handed over the seal of the Kristin Duchy to Agatha exactly one year from the date of their betrothal ceremony.
On the day the official succession documents which were stamped with the Emperor’s seal was delivered to the Marquis’s residence by the knights, Agatha shed a tear in the privacy of her bedroom.
Agatha Kristin, once a frail lady who sought refuge in the shadow of her husband from her abusive aunt, became Duchess Kristin.
It was April in the year 520 of the Imperial Calendar.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Inheriting a family isn’t just about ascending to the position of head. Rather, the duties of a head of the family truly begin from the day of succession, and it kept Agatha incredibly busy.
Cain, too, was preoccupied with his duties, hardly finding time to rest. Despite this, he made sure to send a letter every month, briefly mentioning the wartime situation at the border where he was stationed and asking about Agatha’s well-being.
Their marriage, a contract born out of mutual agreement and personal goals, was surprisingly warm. Cain’s tone in his letters and the sincerity within them kept Agatha from feeling lonely, even in his absence.
Another year passed, and time continued to flow cruelly.
