The White Marriage of the Seamstress and the Ice Count

Streaks of light hit my face. It was already morning. 

I didn’t manage to sleep at all last night.

Well, even if Master Alexis truly had a lover, our relationship was supposed to be a “white marriage” from the beginning, so I can’t exactly condemn that..

I had already made up my mind when Master Conrad broke off our engagement. I would never allow myself to fall in love again.

—of course I knew that, rationally, but that did nothing to help the pain in my heart.

Master Alexis had been so kind to me during our journey from the Royal Capital to Searfield and after my arrival in the castle that I had misunderstood his intentions.

I have thought that maybe, just maybe, perhaps he was staring to favor me—

There was no way that would happen.

After all, I am just a boring “Seamstress.” Even Master Conrad chose the charming Miriam in the end.

This is a “white marriage,” and I am just a wife in name only.

I could live free of worries, embroidering as much as I want—that is already enough. I should be grateful for that.

“…That’s right. It’s good that I was reminded of my place before I could make a foolish mistake,” I muttered to myself. 

I got up and washed my face.

I forced a smile in front of a mirror.

I should cheer up.

Let’s have breakfast, have Johnson teach me about the castle again, and make the handkerchief with flowers and letter “M” on it that I promised Lady Margaret yesterday.

The handkerchief should be made from the light violet cloth in the sewing room. What color of thread should I use, though? The shade of the blue dress that Lady Margaret wore would be nice, but the bright green of the roof of her house would also be good.

Thinking about embroidery cheered me up a bit, so I got dressed and headed to the breakfast room.

　✧✧✧

But before breakfast, for some reason Master Alexis cornered me in the hallway and slammed his hand next to me.

This is… what people call a kabedon, right? I know a scene like that often appears in popular novels, but I never thought I’d see the day when it would happen to me.

Why am I suddenly being cornered in the hallway, forced between the wall and Master Alexis? It was him who was gone all night who knew where and just returned. I have done nothing wrong, right…?

“Sara, what is this all about?”

“Eh… What… What do you mean?”

With Master Alexis’s hand on the wall right next to my face, there was nowhere to run.

The expression on Master Alexis’s face was filled with a chilling, quiet force, truly living up to the title of the “Ice Count.” Even with his handsome face, it sent chills down my spine. It made my heart beat faster with fear.

I moved my face closer and Master Alexis stared at me.

“Why are you making that bleak face? Great aunt did tell you something, didn’t she?”

“Eh? No, Lady Margaret was very kind to me…”

“Then, why? Why do you look like you haven’t slept at all? Something must have happened at that tea party!”

“Ugh…”

It was almost impossible for me, an ordinary person, to dodge the hounding of the “Ice Count.”

Before I could even notice, I was already half-crying. Suddenly I asked, despite myself, “Who even is Miss Rosie?” 

“Rosie? Something happened to my sister?”

“I… Sister? She is your sister?”

We stared at each other in mutual confusion. Suddenly Alexis turned to the side and began to mutter to herself.

“…So I will have to have a long talk with my great aunt after all. To think she let Sara go without explaining a thing… Wait, but does that mean… Sara was so jealous of Rosie that she couldn’t sleep? That’s too cute…”

I had a feeling he had arrived at some extremely embarrassing conclusion, but either way I was relieved from the bottom of my heart to hear that Miss Rosie was Master Alexis’s sister. 

Alexis stared at me with narrowed eyes.

His gaze was wrapped in gentleness — the exact opposite of that forceful and scary one he has shown me before.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Rosie… It’s because it’s quite a long story. For now, let’s eat breakfast and get some sleep. We can talk later.”

“…Yes. I understand.”

I obediently followed his requests.

I was relieved, but also hungry and very sleepy.

Master Alexis led me by the hand to the breakfast room and together we ate a light meal.

Then, he walked me back to my room.

As if to make up for last night’s absence, Alexis was ever so kind to me.

“You are still tired from your trip, so you should get some rest. I will be at the castle today, so don’t worry.”

His voice lingered in my ears as he closed the door behind him.

I was so happy at the thought that I would see him again later.

I couldn’t wait to hear about his sister Rosie.

There is probably a reason for her situation…

But my eyelids were getting heavier and heavier and before I knew it I was falling asleep.

　✧✧✧

I felt refreshed when I woke up.

It was still early for lunch, so I dressed myself and went downstairs.

Master Alexis was in his study.

He was handing out some documents to a man — his secretary — and giving him instruction.

There were several documents, all of which seemed to be related to the management of the estate.

The way he was talking to his secretary was so serious that I could not help but look at him, forgetting to call out to him. I had never seen such an expression on his face before.

But when Master Alexis noticed me, he immediately sent me a bright smile. 

“Sara, you’ve woken up.”

“Y-yes!”

“Hm? What’s wrong? You seem a little red in the face.”

“It, it’s nothing!”

I couldn’t just say that the gap between his stern and sweet expressions was making my heart beat faster…!

When he finished his work, Master Alexis took me out of the castle.

The blue sky and warm sunlight felt good.

As we walked along the beautifully kept long tree-lined avenue, Master Alexis told me about Rosie.

“Sara, don’t be startled, but… There is a curse in our family.”

“A… curse?”

“Yes. The family of Middleton moved to this castle about a hundred years ago. Around that time, people of the family began to die of strange illnesses. The chance of contracting it is about thirty percent, but once the symptoms appear, they will almost certainly die. The disease only appears in direct descendants, so people who married into the family like you are safe. Both my parents were first-cousins once removed and contracted it. And last year, my sister… has contracted it, too.”

His tone was indifferent, but it was obvious that he was having a hard time.

As proof, his clenched fists were turning white as he spoke. He must have been holding back his grief.

I couldn’t find the words to say to him.

“…I’m sorry. I should have brought up this matter before we got married.”

“No, no. Don’t worry about it.”

Alexis smiled, somewhat pained.

“If I contract the disease and die, I would like you to inherit the estate, remove yourself from the Middleton family registry and remarry. It’s a ‘white marriage’ to begin with; I told Johnson and the rest of my legal counsel as much. You are young and beautiful both inside and out. I’m sure there are several men who would love to have you as a wife.”

“…That’s not true. And I will not remarry.”

Master Alexis’s eyes widened in surprise.

He was only saying that out of courtesy. In truth, there was no way any man would truly want me.

And above it all, I already came to care about Searfield and Master Alexis. I couldn’t go somewhere else now.

“Putting that aside, could I come and visit Rosie? I would like to bring her a small gift. And please tell me what kind of flowers and animals she likes.”

Master Alexis gave me a gentle smile.

“…Thank you, Sara.”