The White Marriage of the Seamstress and the Ice Count

“Serafina, I wish to end my engagement to you.”

The ginkgo tree avenue in the Royal Park of the Royal Capital was crowded with people enjoying their strolls, many happy pairs of lovers walking arm in arm.

Me and my fiancé, Master Conrad, were walking arm in arm along the tree-lined avenue just like the rest… until suddenly he stopped, shook off my hand, and told me that line.

For a moment, I couldn’t understand what he had just said.

But as my head slowly began to comprehend it, I began to feel a chill running down my spine.

 “…What do you mean? Am I no good as a fiancée…?”

“No, it’s nothing like that.”

“So, why would you…”

“That’s…”

Master Conrad’s words were hesitant, and unclear.

I, Seraphina Archibald, the eldest daughter of the Viscount, and Lord Conrad Dexter, also from a family of a Viscount, have been engaged for two years by an arrangement between our noble houses. 

Master Conrad was a beautiful man with blonde hair and blue eyes and was highly respected for his bravery in the Order of the Knights, which all noblemen are obliged to join.

He was called the “Miracle Knight” because he returns without a scratch almost every time he goes to a battlefield overrun with demons.

To be able to fight against those fierce and agile demons is truly a miracle.

Even though he was such an excellent knight he was friendly to both men and women alike and was very popular among the noble daughters of the royal capital.

I, on the other hand, was born with blonde hair, but around the age of ten my hair gradually turned a dull chestnut color, my eyes were a dim light green, and my personality was reserved in all things, making me rather unremarkable among the noble ladies.

Even so, since the beginning of acquaintance, Master Conrad treated me well, giving me lovely presents and making pleasant conversations that made me laugh.

During our engagement period, I had few chances to see Master Conrad because of his busy schedule with his studies and duties as a knight, but before I knew it I realized that I had fallen in love with him.

Now he is nineteen and I am eighteen.

We were going to be married this winter.

It was a bolt out of the blue, right before the wedding.

As a pair of aristocrats, it was naturally not just a matter between the two of us, but also concerning the relationship and responsibilities of both families.

Remembering my duty as the eldest daughter, I asked a series of questions with tears in my eyes.

“Master Conrad… Could you give me a reason why?”

“Serafina…”

“You can tell her, can’t you?”

I heard a familiar voice and a face I knew all too well appeared.

The woman stood beside Master Conrad and entwined her arms with his as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

The blood drained from my entire body.

“Good day to you, sister.”

The one who smiled at me triumphantly was my younger sister, Miriam Archibald.

Miriam had blonde hair and bright green eyes, with the visage of an actress. When she stood alongside Master Conrad she was so beautiful that everyone at the avenue turned to look at her.

Master Conrad gave her a somewhat apprehensive but sweet smile.

“…Miriam, I told you to wait quietly from a distance, didn’t I?”

“But you were so slow. I grew tired of waiting.”

“I’m sorry. I still feel bad for her.”

“Conrad, you are too kind. Isn’t it better to say it quickly and clearly, so there are no misunderstandings later?”

“I see…”

As if he was convinced by Miriam’s words, Master Conrad turned to face me.

“I’m sure you understand. I know you are a kind woman, Serafina,” he said without the slightest hint of remorse.

“Yes, and I’m sure that my big sister will also give us her blessing. My dear sister, it will be me and Conrad who will get married. After all, I am a much better match for him than you given my prowess in magic. Mother and Father as well as Conrad’s parents are overjoyed already.”

“…What?”

Those words smashed into pieces what little self-esteem I had.

My parents have always been strict with me as the eldest daughter and spoiled Miriam by treating her like a princess, so it’s not surprising that they would allow even such an insane act as her stealing away my fiancé.

But I met Master Conrad’s parents several times and they were kind to me even though I was an ordinary person, and they praised me for being such a good bride…

I guess it’s natural that everyone would prefer Miriam over me, with her being both more beautiful and talented in magic.

But most of all I could not believe that they had already talked to both families. 

How long had these two been meeting behind my back?

But I couldn’t bear to question them about it.

After all, it was only a matter of time before I, who had neither magical powers nor an eye-catching appearance, would be thrown away anyway.

It just so happened that the time was now.

I felt so miserable that I wanted to get out of there as soon as possible, so I stifled the trembling in my voice and said,

“Master Conrad, I accept the termination of our engagement. Now then, I will take my leave.”

I bowed and turned away. It was not long before I thought I could finally let the tears fall…

“Ah, wait!”

Master Conrad called after me. I turned around filled with faint expectation.

Carelessly, he tossed something to me.

I hurried to catch it.

It was an embroidered scarf that I had given to Master Conrad in the past.

“Two years ago when I left for the battlefield you gave me this very scarf. But it was too plain for me, so I left it in the pocket of my surcoat and forgot about it. I don’t need it anymore, so I’m giving it back.”

“Haha. I’m sure my “Seamstress” of a sister would rather be alone with her embroidery than try to bite off more than she can chew, wouldn’t she? And about the scarf, I will pick out one that suits you, Conrad.”

“Please do. There was a shop down the street…”

I looked down at the crumpled blue scarf in my hands and remained motionless.

Even when the conversation between Master Conrad and Miriam moved away so far I couldn’t hear it, I remained motionless, standing still in the same place.

I don’t remember how I got back to the mansion.

From that day I began to seclude myself in my room.