“Sarah. Won’t you marry me?”
Not understanding what was being said to me, I stood there in a daze.
“…Umm…”
What should I do? My Lord is out of his mind.
–Is it lack of sleep? Could it be lack of sleep?
He said he has been sleeping well lately, but is fatigue actually piling up? Did that make him lose his mind?
“Um… My Lord…?”
Hoping he would come back to his senses, I waved my hands rapidly in front of his face, but Lord Lawrence caught those hands and pressed them to his lips.
“I want you to call me Lawrence.”
The kiss that fell on the back of my hand was so hot it felt like it would burn me.
◇◇◇
Ever since that day when he said “Won’t you marry me?” with the casualness of someone asking “Won’t you have another cup of tea?”, my ordinary and mediocre daily life changed completely.
Lord Lawrence declared, “Leave everything to me,” and just as he said, the talk of engagement and marriage progressed in the blink of an eye.
Before I even had time to catch my breath, Lord Lawrence secured my parents’ consent, obtained Her Majesty the Queen’s permission, and even finished arranging the wedding ceremony at the church.
Since the repayment of the debts my family had incurred without my knowledge was already finished, words like “surprised” are not enough to express it.
Fast. Truly fast. He is way too good at his job.
A noble daughter’s marriage is finalized if she has her father’s consent, and since he has already paid off my family’s debts, there is no way I could refuse.
Fully aware of how undeserving I was, I timidly accepted the proposal.
Howard congratulated me with a mix of surprise when I went from being a gardener’s assistant to suddenly becoming the Duchess.
Unfortunately, Howard was the only one who felt kindly toward me.
The voices I heard from the other servants were mostly full of skepticism, dissatisfaction, and discontent.
“The ‘Weed Lady’ is the master’s wife?!”
“What on earth is the master thinking? Isn’t there way too much of a mismatch?”
“If a poor noble’s daughter like that is brought in, the prestigious Ashford family will be stained!”
It is only natural that the servants showed disapproval.
Because I am the one who believes most of all that I am not fit for the ducal family.
“I cannot leave the mistress’s work to a young girl like that.”
“I heard she isn’t bringing even a single maid with her. Truly, they are a poor family in name only.”
“Such bad breeding. Why must we look up to the daughter of such a small-fry noble as the Duchess…”
The servants were no longer even lowering their voices, chirping loudly enough for me to hear. They probably didn’t care if it reached my ears.
Among the loudly whispered conversations, what I learned was the fact that marriage proposals for Lord Lawrence had been pouring in from everywhere.
When you think about it, it’s only natural. I was just oblivious to high society rumors, spent all my time gardening, and knew nothing at all.
Any sweet expectation that I might have caught Lord Lawrence’s eye was clearly shattered at that moment.
–I see, so that’s how it is…
I wasn’t shocked. If anything, I understood.
My parents’ home, the North Barony, has neither status nor power, and offers no benefits whatsoever for a political marriage.
However, since they can make me do as they are told, I am the perfect fit for a wife in name only. A high-ranking noble young lady wouldn’t be so pliant.
–Until the day Lord Lawrence finds his true love, I will fulfill my role as a shield against other women.
With that determination, the day of the wedding ceremony eventually arrived.
The wedding, held by reserving the grand cathedral in the center of the royal capital, was a continuous series of tensions.
Overwhelmed by the solemn church and intimidated by the pure white dress made with generous amounts of silk satin, I could barely keep my footing, but Lord Lawrence escorted me with an air of composure.
The Ashford family crest fluttering in the clear sky was very vibrant, and Lord Lawrence, dressed in formal wear, was so dashing and handsome that it took my breath away.
–H-He’s too handsome, I can’t look him straight in the eye…!
I thought my eyes would go blind and I was about to suffocate, but Lord Lawrence was called by the priest and stepped away, allowing me to finally resume breathing.
Suddenly, I heard the attending nobles whispering and bad-mouthing me.
The harsh rumor that an unworldly country girl had seduced the premier young gentleman of the age seemed to be fully famous in high society as well.
“The daughter of that poor noble where only grass grows is the Duchess? What kind of mistake is this?”
“It must be for the property. That woman must have used her body to pressure the young Duke.”
“Doesn’t look like she has a body capable of that, though. She might look naive, but maybe she’s good at that sort of thing.”
–Which way is “that way”? The only thing I am good at is gardening…
Though there were words I didn’t understand, I knew painfully well that my presence was causing displeasure.
–I don’t care what people say about me but I feel so sorry for lowering Lord Lawrence’s reputation…
Cold sneers swirled around me, and curious gazes pierced through me.
Feeling completely out of place, I involuntarily cast my eyes downward.
◇◇◇
After holding the ceremony at the church, a garden party inviting only very close people was held in the garden of the Grandir Duchy.
The flowers I had tended to alongside Howard bloomed all at once, as if they had planned it just for this day.
Vibrant orange marigolds. Purple delphiniums stretching toward the sky, and pink clematis crawling up the pergola. Blue grape hyacinth flowers shining like clusters of grapes.
Petunias filled the garden as prettily as a virgin road, baby’s breath as neatly as a bride’s veil, and large roses as brilliantly as a bouquet.
Amidst a scenery that truly fit the phrase “a hundred flowers blooming in riot,” the party enveloped in a floral haze was a great success.
“Hey, hey, did you really get married, Lawrence!”
Lord Lawrence was being cornered with his arm slung over his shoulders by a marquess’s son who claimed to be his best friend.
“What is the meaning of this sudden marriage? She’s a cute bride, but I never thought you’d choose this type…”
The marquess’s son teased, raising both hands with a knowing smile.
“Did you look at too many large-flowered roses and find simple wild flowers unusual?”
It was a completely mocking tone, but rather than finding it rude, I couldn’t help thinking it was a very apt description.
If anything, I even thought the marquess’s son was kind for calling me a “wild flower” instead of a “weed.”
“Stop it, Gerard.”
Lord Lawrence stopped the marquess’s son and pulled my shoulder into his embrace.
“I only have Sarah.”
I knew what it meant—that I was only there to “play the role of a wife in name only”—yet Lord Lawrence’s kindness in trying to protect me made my heart skip a beat.
I was able to believe that this person would not treat a decorative wife cruelly.
At the same time, I thought anew that I must properly confirm the terms of our contract marriage.
If Lord Lawrence should find someone he loves in the future, I intend to accept a divorce at any time.
And even though he might already have someone in mind, of course I have no intention of getting in the way of the two of them.
That night.
Facing Lawrence in the marital bedroom, the words “I have no intention of loving you” were—not said.
“We are finally alone. Sarah, I love you.”
Words of love were spoken, I was kissed gently, and pinned down against the bedsheets.
“Eh…?”
Before I knew it, I was already pushed down onto the bed.
My mind went completely blank from a kiss that melted me to my core. My reason, along with any words of resistance, was swallowed up, and my body melted away into a puddle.
On our wedding night, which was supposed to remain a white marriage.
I was held by Lord Lawrence.