Chapter 4

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Lord Lance and I were made to register our marriage by the King's command.

Because there was a risk that the engagement might be dissolved or canceled. Yes, it was just dissolved last month, wasn't it?

No one could complain about it, at least officially.

Lord Lance himself said that aside from the matter of the "blessing," he was often feared by women and had never been popular. If that's the case, how should I interpret the number of harassment gifts we've received?

I didn't want to marry the terrifying (though I'm not at all afraid) Lord Lance, but perhaps it's because a plain noble lady like Emerine can't marry a hero! What a jerk! I can imagine the reaction: "How dare he, a mere cripple! Kii~!"

My position has become even lower than before, making this an even more mismatched marriage.

I was tired of the mountain of gifts (mostly harassment) when Lord Lance visited and saw the state of our home.

"…Burn everything that doesn't have the sender's name on it."

"But there might be cursed items inside."

"I'm immune to curses."

"Huh?"

He realized this over time as he went to battle. Is it related to Lord Lance's "blessing"? Just a habit? No one knows.

Lord Lance piled them up in a corner of our garden, and from his palm, he spewed a flame that burned them to ashes at a high temperature.

"Lord Lance! Amazing!"

I was deeply moved by the magic I saw for the first time in my life! No one had ever shown me such vivid magic before!

With the advancement of civilization, magic has declined, and now only a few people can use it. Perhaps one in five? Even among those who can use it, only a handful can control it with such power. It's said that the magic they can use is related to "blessing" in some way. If I think about it in terms of comic book knowledge, perhaps Lord Lance's guardian spirit is helping him.

I examined Lord Lance's palm closely, turning it over. I couldn't understand it. It's a miracle.

"What makes fire come out of your hand… Is it because they are big and thick?"

As I was examining Lord Lance's hand, a memory from my comic book days flashed in my mind.

I had one magic I could use… I think I can, based on a hunch. The existence of this magic hasn't been discovered by the royal family or anyone else yet. I need to try it out carefully somewhere…

While thinking about such things, I absentmindedly massaged Lord Lance's calloused fingers one by one, and he suddenly gripped my hand tightly.

"Lord Lance?"

"…Father will be worried. Let's go back to the mansion."

He pulled me along.

"Emerine, you really… don't get scared by anything I do?"

"Maybe because I know what's truly scary?"

"For example?"

"…A parent who beats their child until they have bruises?"

"…I see."

I returned home with my hand still held.

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To prepare for my marriage to Lord Lance, I gathered information about him. Keith, a noble school student, worships Lord Lance and told me everything about him in a grand letter, surpassing all the stories circulating in the streets. Thank you, my dear brother, who was the happiest about my marriage to Lord Lance.

Lord Lance was recognized for his potential at birth and became the adopted son of the Duke, who was the general of the army at the time. This adoption was a formal one, making him the third son of the Duke.

He received the Duke's father's elite education and quickly excelled in martial arts. He can use fire magic as if it were an extension of his hand, but his main focus in battle is martial arts.

At fourteen, he went to the battlefield with his father, won his first battle, and continued to lead a small, elite unit. He is deployed in critical situations and returns without losing a single subordinate. His win rate is eighty percent.

During the two years of intense battles, the previous general fell, and he took over. In a situation where our numbers were overwhelmingly outnumbered, he used a brilliant strategy to win the fierce battle and narrowly prevented our country from becoming a vassal state of a powerful nation.

To defend against the threat from the east, he resigned as the general of the entire army and became a border lord to protect the country…

This is his official history.

At fourteen, he went to his first battle… that's middle school. I think of my young, innocent students.

At fourteen, he carried an odd "death" and was sent to the battlefield by the adults' schemes.

It's hard to imagine the young Lord Lance from the current strong Lord Lance… but I'm glad he's alive.

Lord Lance is six years older than me, at twenty-three. He's still young. I hope he has many happy experiences in the future.

While thinking about these things while looking at the materials, my father, who was sitting across from me, stared at me intently.

"Emerine… are you really satisfied with this marriage?"

"Yes."

"Is this a 'if not a prince, then next' kind of approach?!"

Father's fist on his knee was trembling. Father doesn't show his emotions and may seem like a yes-man to those in power, but he truly cares for his family and is angry with himself for being inadequate. He has been in conflict since I was born. I love him, of course.

I don't agree with the royal family's methods either. But…

"Lord Lance is also a victim of his 'blessing.'"

I can talk about this much. Father won't tell anyone.

Father's eyes widened, and he leaned back heavily against the backrest.

"Is that so… despite having such a gifted mind… that's what it is…"

"I plan to support Lord Lance as a comrade until he is free from the 'blessing.'"

"Can one be free from the 'blessing'?"

Lord Lance's "death," if he falls in love someday and the woman understands that "death" is a common thing for everyone, I will be relieved of my duty.

"I plan to become a nun at that time."

"…From a man's perspective… that's naive, Emerine. A man who has climbed to the rank of general won't easily give up what he has."

"Father, Lord Lance only reluctantly took me as his wife."

"…It doesn't seem that way… but fine. You can return to the convent or come back here anytime. I've told Keith to take care of you even if I die."

Thank you, Father.

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Lord Lance, newly granted the title of Earl, was sent to the eastern border, the new territory of Kiarrally. In other words, Lord Lance became Lance de Kiarrally, Earl. It was decided that I, his wife (Emerine de Kiarrally, Countess), would accompany him to the territory to help the people get used to us. The real reason was to neutralize Lord Lance's "blessing" with mine as soon as possible. Whether I can be of any help is questionable, but if Lord Lance believes it, I will.

The wedding ceremony was skipped because it was a royal command! The marriage, following the recent engagement to a prince, was likely to cause resentment and wouldn't be celebrated joyfully. Our marriage wasn't a typical dreamy one, and both Lord Lance and I had complex feelings about making vows to the gods in the temple. So, it was fine.

My father was furious, and my mother cried. As time passed, I turned eighteen. I thought it was a good age to start my journey.

"Is that all of your luggage, Emerine?"

On the morning of our departure, Lord Lance asked, frowning. My luggage was just the trunk from before.

"I will get what I need when I arrive."

The King gave us a substantial sum of money as compensation, which I gratefully accepted. Father gave me the entire amount. I don't plan to spend it, but it's good to have insurance for the uncertain future Lord Lance and I face.

By the way, the large sum of money and jewels are in our family's magic bag, which has infinite storage and can only be used by the Balt family. I don't know how our distant ancestor obtained it, but I decided to borrow it gratefully and pass it on to Keith's children someday.

"If that's all… let's go by horse. It's much faster."

Lord Lance picked me up with one hand, cradling me in his arms, and bypassed the heavy carriage with the Alabaster Duke's emblem on the door. He mounted a large, magnificent black horse, placing his foot in the stirrup and gracefully sitting on it.

"Kyaa!"

Lord Lance threw my trunk to a blonde subordinate,

"The carriage is unnecessary. Return it."

He said, placing my butt on his left thigh and holding me in a side embrace. He wrapped his mantle around me and secured it over his shoulder, and his left hand firmly supported my waist.

"Lord Lance! It's impossible for a lady to travel by horse!"

The blonde subordinate, while saying this, tied my trunk to his chestnut horse.

"We need to hurry to avoid giving them a chance. If it gets too difficult, we'll stay at an inn. Emerine, this noisy one is my deputy, Douglas. The one with glasses is Ronnie, and the one with long brown hair is Wyatt. These three are my close aides."

This journey consists of these five people in total.

"Lord Douglas, Lord Ronnie, Lord Wyatt, I am Emerine. I may be lacking, but please take care of me."

"Please take care of me," said Lord Douglas, tucking his beautiful blonde hair behind his ear and lowering his gray eyes.

"Congratulations on your marriage," said Lord Ronnie, with black hair and glasses, offering a polite greeting.

Lord Wyatt, with long brown hair reaching his shoulder blades, silently bowed.

They don't seem to have a good impression of me. Well, it can't be helped. I'm clearly a burden.

"Lord Lance, if we need to hurry, please leave me behind. I will follow in our family's carriage later."

I tilted my head and said this to Lord Lance's chin, and he glared down at me.

"Ah!"

Lord Ronnie screamed!

"No. Then, Father, I will protect Emerine with my life, so please rest assured. Let's go!"

"Ah, ah."

"Father, Mother, I'm leaving… kyaa!"

In no time, the home where I had been confined by the royal family since birth was far behind.

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