CL Chapter 4

The Ignator Kingdom was located at the extreme northern end of the continent, where snow never melted year-round. For this reason, other nations often called it the “Kingdom of Snow.”

In that bitterly cold land, the only place where spring flowers could be seen was Rosa, the territory of the Carthenon Duke Family.

Especially Rosa Castle, where the lord resided, was the best place to experience spring within the Ignator Kingdom.

Fresh green sprouts growing on the snow-covered ground, a beautiful lake with its gentle waves sparkling like stars, and warm wind caressing one’s cheeks as it passed over. The short but certain spring had always been the pride of Rosa.

This year, however, Rosa was on the verge of facing a spring colder than any winter.

The cause was a royal decree, a response to Baron Erik Moore’s letter from the King Diandel d’Ignator.

Despite the letter’s length, its message could be summarized in a single sentence.

The family of the Duke of Carthenon were to welcome Charlotte d’Ignator, one of two princesses of the royal family of Ignator, as the wife of the Duke.

It was a message that defied belief.

The vassals of the Carthenon family gathered around a table to read the king’s letter.

The atmosphere was heavy. No one spoke easily.

But everyone must have been thinking the same thing.

‘Charlotte d’Ignator? What nonsense is this.’

Not all women with royal blood were equally revered.

Charlotte d’Ignator was less welcome than the daughter from a lowly noble family who hadn’t even inherited an estate.

She was infamous, the cruel princess who tormented her younger sibling mercilessly, the vain royal who squandered the royal treasury on jewels, and the lascivious figure who couldn’t keep her hands off men.

Ultimately, her actions had led to her exile to a separate palace, a living symbol of the Ignator royal family’s shame.

No matter her royal lineage, no noble family of stature would accept such a woman as their wife.

Rumors swirled, even reaching Rosa.

In exile, Charlotte’s behavior hadn’t changed, she was said to harass her maids cruelly, hoard extravagant trinkets, and invite men into her chambers with shameless regularity.

She didn’t seem to have reformed her wicked behavior.

The idea of sending her to sit on the Duchess of Carthenon seat was absurd. The king must be losing his mind.

“…The Carthenon are a founding family of Ignator,”

The butler of Rosa Castle, Ferdinand Drang, finally broke the long silence.

“They’ve served the Ignator royal family for generations.”

His voice was firm, though his eyes betrayed the turmoil within as he gazed at the royal decree.

“This is nothing short of a betrayal of our loyalty.”

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room.

“Betrayal, indeed,”

Among them was Mona Illumi, the current Duke of Carthenon , Leo Carthenon’s nanny.

As butler Ferdinand had explained, Carthenon had been a founding family of the Ignator Kingdom, sharing the nation’s history from its very beginnings.

They had always been loyal, never once refusing the king’s call.

The current Duke of Carthenon had also led his army without hesitation to the battlefield against the Cloman Kingdom, following the king’s orders.

It was Carthenon, who had been pivotal in securing Ignator’s victory in the endless war was none other than Leo Carthenon.

But was this all the recognition a hero received?

Mona trembled with fury at the thought of Leo, whom she had raised like her own son.

“The king stabbed us in the back by declaring our lord blind.”

Her blunt language made some vassals clear their throats uncomfortably. But she wasn’t wrong.

‘Just come back victorious and the noblest lady in Ignator will be the duchess.’

While their lord hadn’t spoken these exact words, it was widely rumored that King Diandel had made such a promise when he called upon Duke Carthenon before he went to war.

Princess Mia had often said that her to her close friends that she might get married soon.

I’d thought he was serious about the match, but when we informed the king about the duke’s condition, all we got in return were a few ridiculous letters. 

To make matters worse, the king started making a big show of it, as if Charlotte was the one who had suffered a loss in this tragedy.

[…Although our betrothal ended unhappily, it’s true that Charlotte once was engaged to Duke Carthenon . Upon hearing about the duke’s situation, the child stayed up all night crying. Though I am a monarch of a nation, once my crown is removed, I am no different from any commoner. How can a father ignore such anguish in his child? Although marriage to the Duke, who is not in good health,will not be an easy path. But I have decided to respect my daughter’s wishes. Therefore…..]

This marriage had to be stopped at all costs.

Not only would it shake the Carthenon family with Charlotte’s shame, but it would also risk branding her as the savior of a blind duke.

“I cannot accept her as the mistress of the Carthenon family,”

Mona stated resolutely, speaking for all the vassals present, and swiftly closed their lips like shutting a castle gate.

“Then”

No sooner had she spoken than someone else chimed in.

“Go to the royal palace and tell His Majesty the King the same.”

It was Marius Montez, the vice commander of the Lumina Knights, the order of knights serving the Duke of Carthenon.

“If you need a sword, I’ll lend you mine,” he added.

Marius’s attitude was sarcastic enough to annoy even Mona, who had been attacked directly.

Yet for all its unpleasantness, it was a clear-eyed view of reality.

Rejecting Charlotte d’Ignator in one’s heart was one thing,revealing this rejection to the king was another entirely.

Their lord was no longer able to hold a sword.

The Carthenon family, without a proper heir, had no strength left to withstand the storm that would follow if they defied the king.

It was obvious that if the king began to doubt their loyalty, the family’s decline would only accelerate.

“It seems you’re already ready to take the princess’s hand, Captain Montez,”

Mona said, glaring at Maruis as if accusing him of cowardice.

“Yes, we must treat her with the utmost respect, If it’s for the good of the Carthenon family.”

Marius didn’t back down.

He looked at Mona with cool, mocking eyes, as if she were an idealist who didn’t understand the reality of the situation.

“That’s enough from both of you.”

Baron Moore, who had just entered the room, stopped the argument before it could become emotional.

He became the focus of everyone’s attention. As the duke’s secretary, they expected him to deliver the answer they needed.

Discussing the matter among themselves would only lead to debate.

The one who had to make the decision was the head of the Carthenon family.

Everyone held their breath as they awaited the lord’s decision.

Baron Moore walked to the center of the room, looked around, and spoke.

“The lord has instructed us to prepare for his marriage to Princess Charlotte d’Ignator to proceed without delay.”

 

 

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On the fourth day of Charlotte’s journey to Rosa, the usually quiet coachman explained that they still had at least ten more days ahead.

He then suggested making a slight detour for a stop at a nearby village, where she could see a doctor.

Charlotte had been struggling with motion sickness, and it was clear that her condition was getting worse.

The carriage shook so hard on the bumpy mountain roads that it seemed like they were heading to hell rather than Rosa.

This ride was much rougher than the one from the when I went to seculated villa.

Every time the uneven surface made the seat lurch up and down, her stomach turned uncomfortably.

It felt like being tossed around by waves with no direction.

Nevertheless, Charlotte politely declined the driver’s kind offer.

The journey was already long enough, and she didn’t want to waste any more time.

Days turned into weeks, and the constant chatter faded away, leaving the world eerily quiet. But Charlotte didn’t notice.

She was too busy checking her appearance in a small hand mirror.

After putting away her mirror, she examined her dress.

She had brought her clothes from the palace before being banished to the villa.

The dress was old and had been crumpled up in a box for a long time. Despite having just changed, it was still wrinkled in places.

‘It’s been so long since I’ve seen Leo Carthenon …’

Charlotte frowned and tugged at her skirt, trying to smooth out the wrinkles.

She knew it was futile, but she couldn’t help trying.

Just then, she heard someone knocking on the carriage door.

“We’ve arrived at Rosa Castle ,”

The coachman announced.

The news snapped Charlotte back to reality.