The White Marriage of the Seamstress and the Ice Count

The county of Searfield was a beautiful place.

A blue mountain range rose in the distance and at their foot was a fertile basin. A river flowed through the territory from north to south.

A beautiful townscape was formed around a church, and an idyllic rural area spread out around it.

The magnificent three-story castle overlooking the river, located about halfway between the town and the village, was the residence of Master Alexis.

“Welcome home, Master.”

When we arrived at the main entrance and got out of the carriage, we were greeted reverently by the servants lined up on either of our sides.

Master Alexis turned to the older butler at the head of the line.

“I’m back, Johnson. I actually got married in the Royal Capital. This is my wife, Seraphina.”

He put his hand lightly on my shoulder and suddenly introduced me.

The butler called Johnson showed a slight surprise on his mild-mannered face. The other servants and maids also looked at me with wide eyes.

I looked back at the servants with a smile on my face, though I was quite nervous. 

“My name is Seraphina. I will be counting on you from now on.”

They bowed in unison after hearing my words. Johnson smiled and helped me with my luggage.

“Well, congratulations on your marriage,” he said. “I am your butler, Johnson. It is a great honor to meet you, Mistress. You must be tired after your long journey. Please come in.”

“Thank you, Johnson.”

I followed Alexis into the castle, a little embarrassed at being called “Mistress.”

After a quick break for a cup of hot tea, Alexis personally showed me around the castle.

On the first floor there was the dining room, breakfast room, living room, and library. Each room was furnished with luxurious goods.

Up the large set of stairs were Master Alexis’s room, followed by a room soon to be mine, a number of guest rooms, a dressing room, a library, a music room, a painting room, and a children’s room.

Inside the rooms and in the corridors were portraits of the many people who have lived in the castle, reminding everyone of its history.

“And here is the sewing room.”

“…Oh!”

I let out a sigh of admiration as Master Alexis opened the door for me and we walked in.

It was a dreamlike space.

The shelves covering the walls were filled with a dazzling number of threads and cloth in multiple colors were lined up.

Several sewing tables were placed at different heights; one could work standing up or sit down on a chair or sofa to sew.

There was also a full range of embroidery tools and patterns, as well as dressers and sewing mannequins. 

“Everything here is at your disposal. If you need something, just let Johnson know and he’ll arrange it for you.” 

I turned around to face Master Alexis and burst into tears of joy.

“Thank you so much, Master Alexis! I, I don’t know how I could ever repay you…”

“…No, you don’t need to thank me. It was part of the contract.”

“No, thank you so much. You have been so good to me. I will fulfill my role as your wife with all my heart and might so that I can be of service to you, Master Alexis!”

When I said all that, full of excitement, Master Alexis suddenly looked away.

“…I see. So be it.”

…Eh? Did I say something wrong?

Suddenly, Master Alexis’s whole attitude became distant and, saying only “I’ll see you at dinner, then,” he left.

　✧✧✧

I spent the rest of the afternoon being taught all the names and roles of the servants by the butler, Johnson.

I was born in a house of a Viscount, but as expected of the residence of a Count, there were far more servants here than in my parents’ house, both in terms of number and type of work.

I listened to Johnson’s explanations while casually taking notes. 

It would be best to learn everyone’s names and roles as soon as possible so I could help manage the estate. 

“That will be all for today. Tomorrow, I will introduce you to some of the vendors who work at the castle.”

“Thank you, Johnson. I look forward to learning more tomorrow.”

Johnson stared at me for a moment and then smiled back at me.

“You are very enthusiastic for someone who has just arrived here. That’s wonderful.”

“Oh, no, not at all, I’m just trying to be of service to Master Alexis…”

“Well, well. I see that the Master really did find a loving wife in the Royal Capital.”

“…”

No, he didn’t. I’m not loving at all. I’m just a formality.

I stayed silent. Johnson bowed politely.

“My apologies, I overspoke. I will take my leave.”

　✧✧✧

The dinner was just the two of us, me and Alexis. 

“I’m sorry, I’ve been summoned by that troublesome relative I told you about. She wants me to bring you to a tea party tomorrow. I’m sorry, I know you’ve only just arrived here…”

“It’s no problem. I will be happy to come.”

“…It won’t be too much trouble?” Master Alexis asked, raising his eyebrows faintly.

Thankfully, he didn’t sound angry.

“No, not at all. I would very much like to meet that relative.”

“You want to meet her? Why?”

“Because… It’s thanks to her that I was able to marry Master Alexis. I am grateful for that.”

It was a little embarrassing to admit that, but I was sincere.

Although it was painful to break off my engagement with Master Conrad, when Master Alexis proposed a white marriage and I actually came to Searfield with him, I truly felt that I was glad that we got married, even if it was just a formality. 

It’s a really nice place, and spending time with Master Alexis was somehow comforting, even if it made me a little flustered.

I, the mere “Seamstress,” was able to obtain such happiness thanks to the relative who wanted Master Alexis to get married…Well, it was probably more of an inconvenience for Alexis, but…

Hearing my words, Master Alexis looked away for some reason.

I thought the side of his face and a hand holding a fork were red, but it could just have been a trick of the light from the candelabra. 

After a while, Master Alexis finally turned to me and spoke in his usual level tone of voice.

“If she is disrespectful towards you, I will pay her back a tenfold.”

“Eh? No, there’s no… Um, please calm down.”

I was a little anxious… But that was how I ended up at my first tea party in Searfield.