The White Marriage of the Seamstress and the Ice Count

The marriage was easily finalized by simply submitting the paperwork.

Without even a wedding, I became Serafina Middleton.

Miriam was stunned to hear that only two weeks after the dissolution of my engagement to Master Conrad, I had married another.

“No… You are marrying the “Ice Count”?! And it was him who approached you first? Are you actually popular? No, there is no way, you are ‘the Seamstress’ after all…”

There was no way I could tell her it was just a “white marriage” when she was mumbling with her eyes wide open like that.

The contract itself clearly stated that this marriage was a formality and that no one was to be told.

Besides, the wounds from the betrayal of Miriam and Master Conrad still ached, and just looking at my sister’s face was painful.

Even if Miriam envied me for marrying the Count, it would not make the wound any more bearable.

This was a marriage in name only.

Miriam wanted to see the Count Middleton. “Let’s have dinner  together with Conrad, the four of us. Let us celebrate,” she said, but before we could have such a torturous dinner, the Count decided to take me back to his estate.

I was honestly relieved. I said goodbye to my family and with only the bare minimum of a dowry set off with the Count Middleton to the Count’s estate of Searfield.

　✧✧✧

The journey from the Royal Capital to the estate of Searfield took three days by carriage.

Count Middleton would usually reside in the estate. He had only just arrived at his secondary residence in the Royal Capital with only an attendant, all to get the matter of the engagement over with.

Including me, there would be three people making the journey back to the estate in a small, one-horse carriage.

But inside the coach it was only me and the Count.

The attendant, along with a coachman, was seated outside.

Such a short time has passed since we first met and now the man who became my husband was so close to me — I couldn’t help but tense up.

After all, he was still the cold-hearted and famous “Ice Count”.

He even had an expensive looking longsword strapped to his back. If I said anything imprudent, he would slash at me for sure…!

But even though I hardened my heart, as the carriage rolled on, I gradually relaxed. 

I have never ever left the Royal Capital, so looking through the window of the carriage and seeing the scenery made my heart jump.

People walking all over the town, houses on the outskirts, vast wheat fields — the sprawling scenery all appeared so fresh and beautiful.

“How are you feeling? Should we stop and rest for a while?”

The Count spoke just as we passed the fields and arrived at a forest path. 

“Thank you, Count Middleton. I am okay.”

Still absorbed in the view from the window, I turned to him and answered with a smile.

“…I see. Isn’t the countryside boring you?”

“No, not at all. The scenery is changing all the time, so I’m enjoying it.”

“Enjoying it?”

“Yes. It is my first time traveling by carriage, so I am excited. I can’t help wondering how I can turn that fir tree and that small house into an embroidery design, what kind of thread to use, things like that.”

When I noticed the Count looking at me, I blushed.

“…Excuse me. This kind of talk must be boring to the Count…”

“No, it’s not boring at all. But putting that aside, I would like you to change the way you address me.”

“Eh?”

“Could I ask you to call me by my name, ‘Alexis’?”

Hearing that so suddenly, I flushed red.

The, the “Ice Count” wants me to call him by his name…?

But, that being said, I was now the wife of Count Middleton. 

It would be weird to just keep calling him by his title.

“Master… A… Alexis…”

When I steeled myself and called him by his name, his icy exterior seemed to thaw somehow.

“In turn, can I call you ‘Sara’?”

“Yes, of course.”

I have never been called by that nickname — not by my family, and not by master Conrad. 

Everyone simply called me “Seraphina.” 

It was refreshing to be called “Sara” by Master Alexis, and I was glad we were becoming just a little closer.

The carriage drew nearer to the Count’s territory. When the night arrived, we lodged at an inn along the road.

All four of us — me, Master Alexis, the coachman and the servant — were to share one room.

Even though I was in the same room as Master Alexis, we had separate beds. 

After dinner, Master Alexis gently said, “You must be tired, so please go ahead and rest.” I fell asleep as soon as I got into bed.

When I woke up in the morning, I wondered when Master Alexis had gotten up from his sleep. His bed was already neatly made and he seemed to be outside practicing his swordsmanship.

Perhaps he was trying to spare me the awkwardness from being in the same room as him.

I decided that next time I would get up first and let Alexis sleep in peace.

But the next morning and the one after that I slept just as peacefully and just as long once more.

On the third morning at the inn in the forest with the birds chirping on and on, I stared at the empty bed next to me and muttered to myself, “…I overslept again…”

Even if I was just a trophy wife, I was sure I was sleeping too much.

Master Alexis has been so tired after the carriage ride and yet still managed to be considerate of me and this is how I repay him.

Yesterday and the day before that in the carriage he told me so many stories about the estate.

He told me that strawberries were delicious and plentiful in the spring and grapes in the fall, that wild squirrels and deer could be seen at any time of the year, that the people there were stubborn but kind at heart, that there were mountains and valleys with beautiful views and sightseeing trips are popular, and that there was a local legend that a three hundred year old witch could still be living somewhere in the territory of the county.

Thanks to this, I was very much looking forward to going to Searfield, and I was no longer nervous as I was at first with Master Alexis.

Although he was known as the “Ice Count,” Master Alexis has turned out to be a very gentle man.

But I shouldn’t take advantage of that kindness.

I changed into my day clothes and tidied up my appearance in a hurry. I went downstairs to knock on the kitchen door.

“Good morning, Master Alexis.”

When I went to the backyard of the inn, Master Alexis had just finished a swing of his sword.

He suddenly looked very human, dressed lightly with his sleeves rolled up and his cheeks flushed, unlike his usual ice statue-like exterior.

When I called out to him, his dark eyes widened.

“…Sara? What brings you here…?”

 “There was some lemon water in the kitchen. Please have a drink if you’d like.”

I offered him a glass. 

Master Alexis looked at me, then at the glass before saying “Thank you” and drinking it all down in one gulp.

“It’s delicious,” Master Alexis said while giving me a smile.

It was not that cold, icy smile, but one as good and warm as spring thaw.

I couldn’t look away.

But the smile disappeared as quickly as a dream.

Master Alexis put a serious expression back on.

“Sara, by noon we will arrive at the estate. Once you’re in the castle, I’m sure that troublesome relative will have a lot to say about you. But you needn’t worry about her. If anything happens, you can count on me for help.”

“I understand. Thank you.”

Finally arriving at the estate, I would have to brace myself to properly play the part of a wife.

But every time I remembered Master Alexis’s smile earlier, my heart beat faster and somehow my feelings stirred.