Toxic Marriage - Chapter 4.1

Chapter 4.1

The formal proposal arrived from Niflheim at a time when the empire was turned upside down and there had been no news from Tyrann for a month.

‘He’s very consistent.’

As if he didn’t want to betray the rumors, the Margrave of Niflheim even presented the marriage proposal to his bride-to-be without showing his face once or exchanging portraits.

Freya read the proposal. What was written inside was as formal as an official document. She was sure that even this proposal was written by the margrave’s aide according to the appropriate format.

There were only two things that caught her attention.

― Since Niflheim is a ceasefire zone, the wedding will be omitted.

― The bride’s dowry is omitted, but 15,000 ounces of gold will be paid as an honorarium for simplifying the wedding process.

She never dreamed of having a big ceremony for this abnormal marriage in the first place.

Before fall came, she was going to Niflheim with nothing but her body and escort knight, Risyr.

But 15,000 ounces of gold was quite surprising. Even Freya, who was weak in numbers, could see that it was a huge amount of gold. The Lindberg marquisate and Tyrann’s possessions weren’t few, but this was even more than that.

‘Should I be happy or sad?’

Increasing her wealth was a good thing, but didn’t it make her feel like she was being sold?

“Tell the Teacher.”

While she was drinking tea, Freya handed over the proposal that had arrived today to Risyr, the knight who was standing next to her.

Even though he was receiving a light piece of paper, Risyr’s expression was heavy as if he were holding a lump of iron.

“Are you alright?”

“How could I be?”

Even though Freya tried to control her mind and body, her anxiety did not go away. No matter how inevitable it was, who would be okay with an omitted marriage that came out of nowhere?

She just tried to calm her mind and accept reality over and over again.

“If it was going to be like this, I should have married someone a long time ago.”

Risyr’s eyes were dark despite Freya’s playful reply.

She didn’t realize it, but his feelings for her were more than just loyalty. And as an apology for that feeling of betraying his master, he had sworn to himself in the past that he would sacrifice himself to save her from any danger.

But this was not a danger he could sacrifice himself to save. Even if the other person was an arrogant man who hid in the rumors and didn’t come to see his bride’s face once, it was an official marriage the emperor had arranged.

“…”

Risyr secretly looked at Freya.

She was undeniably a beautiful person. The long silver hair that fell gently, the brilliant eyes of a similar color, and the facial features that were positioned harmoniously.

In addition, her thin and long neck, like a deer, would make any man have strange feelings.

Nevertheless, Risyr knew that Freya’s true worth was not her appearance.

Freya was a courageous person who knew how to put into practice what she thought was right.

“Do you need a reason for saving people?”

A precious fragment of the past that he could never forget flashed through his mind.

“Is the Teacher still upset with me?” Freya asked cautiously, making Risyr return to reality. He felt embarrassed and touched the nape of his neck.

“He seems a little busy. I saw that the lights were on in his office until late at night yesterday, and he didn’t even eat…”

“Alright, alright.”

She seemed to have guessed the answer from Risyr’s rambling explanation.

Freya crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, her eyebrows furrowed in displeasure.

“Even if I consented to the marriage without his permission, I guess he really intends to pretend that he doesn’t know until the day I leave for Niflheim.”

“That shouldn’t be the case…”

Risyr wanted to comfort Freya, but he had so many thoughts that he trailed off.

He had recently encountered Tyrann, and his condition was much worse than expected.

His usually peaceful atmosphere was now completely distorted.

“The Margrave of Niflheim sent a letter. He said he would allow for only one person to be brought along.”

Tyrann had called Risyr alone and told him this, smiling coldly. He looked completely different from when he faced Freya.

Freya didn’t know, but he often saw Tyrann making this kind of expression. Maybe it was closer to his original expression.

He seemed a little messed up though, even considering that.

“I don’t like you, but I intend to send you to Niflheim with Freya.”

“…”

“You will protect her even if your body is torn apart.”

Risyr was also relieved by Tyrann treating him like a tool. If Tyrann did not allow him to accompany her, he would be left alone in the empire.

If he could stay by Freya’s side, she wouldn’t have to go to that far away place on her own.

“But let me warn you, Risyr Torgasotti. Know your place.”

Tyrann had noticed Risyr’s feelings for Freya before.

Although Tyrran did not even have male attendants or servants around Freya, the fact that he made an exception and let him be her escort knight was in the same context as sending him to Niflheim with her.

A tool to protect Freya.

So Risyr was convinced that there was no way Tyrann would not go see her until the last day when she would depart to Niflheim.

Tyrann’s obsession with Freya was deeper than he could have imagined. No matter how angry he was, he would never be able to let her leave without saying goodbye.

Risyr let out a short sigh and tried to comfort Freya as best as he could.

“If you wait a little longer, Cardinal Heirn will surely come to see you first.”