The White Marriage of the Seamstress and the Ice Count

Without even greeting Master Alexis, my sister wanted to meet me one on one. 

So I found myself sitting in a parlor room chair, facing Miriam.

I was sorry for Rosie and Master Alexis for having to cut the tea party short.

“Do not worry, Mistress Sara. Next time it will be me inviting you to a tea party,” Rosie said with a smile. She returned home in a carriage with her maid.

Master Alexis was concerned, too. “I will be in the next room, so just call out if you need anything.” 

I was glad to hear that. My anxiety about Miriam’s sudden visit eased somewhat.

But this was still Master Alexis’s castle.

Not only did Miriam appear without an appointment, she also made a rude request to speak to me without his presence. 

I was worried it was some urgent matter. She was a countess now, so keeping in mind that I will have to keep doing things like this in the future, I faced Miriam.

“Miriam… It’s been a long time. How is Master Conrad feeling?”

What came back was an angry shout I used to hear all too often at my parents’ house. 

“How is he feeling?! How could you say that? Conrad, the ‘Miracle Knight,’ has been injured for the first time ever, you know? He broke his right elbow, it’s a serious injury!”

“He broke a bone…”

My chest throbbed with pain.

Master Conrad’s dominant hand was his right.

If he injured his right hand, of course he would need to withdraw from the front.

And depending on how his recovery would go, his life as a knight could be put into question too…

Miriam stood up, folded her arms and looked down at me.

“…What’s with that forced pity? It was your doing anyway, no? What did you do with that scarf? Did you curse it so that if he threw it he would fall ill?!”

“No, I didn’t!”

 “You’re lying! Now everyone in the Royal Capital is fawning over your embroidery! Everyone wants to buy those things, saying that if you get some and wear it or even leave it at home, they will ward off evil!”

“What… What are you talking about? I really don’t know…”

I listened to my sister’s words in a daze.

My embroidery, popular in the Royal Capital?

Nothing like that has ever happened when I lived there.

But I have heard recently that the people of Searfield came to like the accessories made by me.  

…Maybe my embroidery crafts really had some special powers to them…?

No, no way.

I had no magical powers. That was not possible.

Miriam glared at me with hate as I fell silent.

“You’re just going to play dumb ‘till the end, huh? Then at least give back Conrad’s scarf. You probably still have it, don’t you?”

Hearing those words, I looked at my sister in disbelief.

I would never forget the day when Master Conrad broke off our engagement and threw that embroidered scarf back. 

Miriam has seen it with her own eyes.

How could she think that I, married to Master Alexis, would still keep that scarf?

“…Before I came here, I burned that scarf in the fireplace at home.”

“Wha… You’re awful! What the hell do you think you’ve done, putting a curse on him like that?!”

“I told you, I didn’t put a curse on…”

Miriam stomped her foot down with a THUD.

My shoulders shook with a jolt.

Even at our parents’ house, when Miriam threw tantrums, she would then immediately lay her hands on me.

But in the end, it was always me who had to apologize.

Just like back then, at the same time both fear and resignation welled up from the depths of my body.

“Shut up! You are my sister, why are you talking back to me?! If you burned it, take responsibility and make a new one fast!”

“…Hey, Miriam. Isn’t it your role as Master Conrad’s wife to embroider for the one you love? Stitch by stitch, pouring all your love into it…”

“Knock it off! Why would I do that? Isn’t it your job as the ‘Seamstress’? It’s so ridiculous that you would try to make me do it!”

I just couldn’t get through to her. 

I stopped thinking. The words “I’m sorry” almost slipped out of my mouth before I stopped myself.

I was Master Alexis’s wife now. 

I couldn’t say apologies so carelessly.

I stood up, hid my fright as best I could, and spoke to Miriam.

“Miriam… It’s unfortunate, but there is nothing I can do for you. Could you… please go home?”

“…So, you became the wife of the ‘Ice Count’ and now even act icy? Haha, don’t make me laugh. Of course the Count only wanted the power of your embroidery!”

I froze. I never imagined anything like she had said.

Master Alexis wanted the power of my embroidery?

…That’s why he wanted to marry me?

At that moment, there was a strong knock on the door, and without waiting for a reply, the door opened.

Speak of the devil — in long strides, Master Alexis came into the room.

Instinctively, my whole body shuddered in fright. 

Master Alexis had a chilling expression on his face, truly like the “Ice Count”.

My body stiffened, thinking by reflex that I will be at the receiving end of his anger, just like always…

-But instead, he stood in front of me as if protecting me, and spoke in an icy tone — to Miriam.

“Pardon me. My wife seems to be tired, so I think it’s time for you to leave. The carriage is already waiting outside, so please hurry.”

He forcibly pushed Miriam’s showy coat back to her and pointed at the exit.

Miriam was not used to being treated like that. She turned red and shouted when pushed with Master Alexis’s strength.

“…What? That’s so rude! Does the countryside castle not know how to treat guests?!”

“Oh? Don’t you know I am the ruthless ‘Ice Count’? Besides, a person who barges in without as much as a prior arrangement and then makes unreasonable demands of my wife is no guest. They are a nuisance, and I would like them to stay out of this castle for good.” 

Miriam’s face turned even redder. “Even if you beg, I won’t come back to this shoddy place!”, she spat out, stomping out of the parlor.

In the now quiet room Master Alexis approached me and asked, “Sara, are you alright?”

“…Yes… Thank you, Master Alexis… I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”

“Helping my wife is no trouble,” he said in a soft voice, so unlike the one he used before.

As if in consideration, Master Alexis patted my head.

“She knows nothing about me. Don’t believe the words of such a person.”

My heart skipped a beat.

Of course the Count only wanted the power of your embroidery!

He was denying Miriam’s words.

I was ashamed of myself for thinking that was right, even for a moment.

I looked up and muttered weakly, “Master Alexis is no ‘Ice Count’ at all. You are so gentle.”

Master Alexis laughed playfully.

“I don’t know about that. It depends on who I’m talking to. By the way, what do you think about being called the ‘Ice Countess’? I’ve heard you being referred to as such on the battlefield a few times.”

“…Oh! I’m so honored!”

After the initial surprise, I couldn’t help but smile. 

I was never called that to my face before, but it had a nice ring to it, though I didn’t feel like I deserved it myself.

But being able to match with Master Alexis was even more of a joy.

When Master Alexis saw my smiling face, with some hesitation he extended his arms to me.

And he hugged me. 

Immediately, my whole body was burning hot and my heart began to race.

His large hands stroked my head as if to soothe me.

The turmoil, sadness and fear after meeting Miriam disappeared little by little, replaced by relief and comfort.

I wished I could stay in his arms forever.