Don't Lust for Your Friend's Wife

CHAPTER 3 – Together During the Year’s First Snowfall

After leaving Duchess Bigelow, Estoria returned to the Imperial Palace. She searched out Emperor Jacob I right away and said,

 “I’ll marry him.”

Emperor Jacob I frowned at her words.

 “Are you sure?”

 “Yes.”

 “So you suddenly had a change of heart?”

Emperor Jacob I reacted strangely to it.

 “I heard from Asceline that you wouldn’t marry even if you died.”

 “I still don’t like this marriage.”

Estoria smiled bitterly for a brief moment.

 “But what do you expect me to do? I don’t have a choice.”

 “…”

 “Because Your Majesty will marry me to Duke Bigelow no matter what. Isn’t that right?

 “True enough.”

The Emperor firmly nodded his head.

 “I will marry you to him no matter what.”

 “Why him of all people?”

Estoria asked as she couldn’t understand why.

 “Don’t you think that this is too cruel?”

 “What do you mean?”

 “Don’t you know?”

Knowing that this should never be, Estoria passionately explained,

 “Duke Bigelow is the friend of the deceased Duke Emmerich. They were very close.”

 “I know that.”

 “If you knew then why did you push this wedding ahead?”

 “What’s the problem with it?”

 “Who in the world would marry their dead friend’s wife?”

 “This isn’t a usual marriage, Estoria.”

Emperor Jacob I coldy said, as if there really wasn’t any problem with this mess he’d created.

 “You are a princess, and you’ll marry for the sake of the royal family.”

 “Use common sense. This marriage is different from before, and it’s obvious many will talk about the timing…”

Estoria couldn’t suppress her words any longer and bit her lips.

 “It’s cruel to me and it’s cruel to the Duke.”

 “…”

 “Can you imagine how the people will insult me and the Duke?”

 “Who would dare say profane words about the marriage of the Imperial Family?”

 “Surely they would talk behind our backs.”

Estoria said, sneering at herself,

 “This marriage, you know that I’m not pleased with it.”

 “…”

 “I don’t understand why you chose Duke Bigelow.”

 “For now, marriage to the House of Bigelow is the most advantageous for us.”

 “‘Us’?”

Estoria laughed,

 “Please speak correctly, It’s not ‘us’.”

 “…”

 “This is for Prince Brahms’. This isn’t for me, I don’t need this marriage.”

 “…Estoria.”

The Emperor briefly sighed and called his daughter’s name.

 “You have to go. Anyhow, I’ll acknowledge that you’re not feeling well right now.”

 “Ever since the Emperor proposed a ridiculous marriage, I’ve been depressed.”

 “Estoria.”

 “Well, since I said what I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

Estoria said gracefully bowing her head.

 “I’ll leave as you wish.”

She immediately turned back, however, after a few steps Estoria’s steps halted again.

 “…”

She thought for a moment and then spoke again.

 “Your Majesty.”

Her back still faced the Emperor.

 “May I ask you one more thing?”

 “Go ahead.”

 “Supposing, even if it’s a one in ten thousand chance…”

She didn’t want to assume, however, she was really curious.

 “If things didn’t go well with Duke Bigelow, are you thinking of marrying me off again?”

If their marriage failed, how would her father react?

 “Well.”

With his lack of answer, Estoria was convinced.

 “I think I’ve understood, Your Majesty.”

The divorce contract was surely an excellent choice.

*** After a few days.

 “Imperial Princess.”

Asceline approached Estoria who was still lying on the bed. Estoria answered lethargically,

 “What’s wrong?”

 “You have an appointment”

 “An appointment?”

Estoria’s lovely forehead furrowed for the first time.

 “Didn’t I tell you not to approve of anything?”

After Duke Arnulfo’s death, Estoria refused to participate in any social events.

She was feeling depressed and lethargic, and her husband’s death was a satisfactory enough explanation to stay home. She was still recovering from the shock of her wedding night and it was an acceptable excuse for why Estoria couldn’t muster the energy to see anyone.

Duke Arnulfo’s death was just a trigger for a much deeper wound.

Estoria was completely destroyed after the death of her mother and had been continuing her life while clashing with her father. Anyone who was unaware would think that she loved Arnulfo with all her heart.

 “Apologies, however, this meeting is essential.”

 “I wasn’t aware of such a thing.”

 “It happened several days ago.”

Estoria looked at Asceline with a questioning expression.

 “Since Your Highness agreed to this marriage…”

 “…Ah.”

 “It’s a scheduled luncheon with the Bigelow family.”

Asceline added as if she had almost forgotten,

 “There was an imperial order for you to attend.”

 “…Haa. When is it?”

 “In two days.”

 “That’s fast.”

 “There’s also another meeting next week; you’ll have to attend a ball with Duke Bigelow.”

Estoria’s brow furrowed once again.

 “Seriously, it’s just a political marriage. Why are they demanding so much?”

It wasn’t enough to silently agree to this farce, apparently she had to participate in everything.

 “Does His Majesty think if he does this other people would believe this as a good marriage?”

Estoria smiled sarcastically.

 “That could never be.”

 “You can’t say for sure. Anyhow, it’s because Your Imperial Highness’ marriage is a matter of great importance no matter if the municipality wants it or not.”

 “I don’t have a choice, do I?”

 “…I’m afraid not.”

 “Fine, I’ll do whatever they want.”

Estoria mumbled with an expressionless face,

 “This is merely temporary.”

*** Two days later, in the morning.

 “…Ha.”

Estoria rose from her seat with a deep sigh as usual.

 “…”

Her head was throbbing. She hadn’t slept well that day either.

 ‘What a horrible fucking nightmare’

Estoria muttered curses inside her head as she touched her throbbing head.

 “…but I’m so tired.”

She wasn’t feeling well at all and to make matters worse, the weather was bad. It was likely to rain soon.

 “Imperial Princess.”

Asceline entered the bedroom.

 “Have you woken up?”

 “…Yes.”

 “It seems that you’ll have to rush for a bit.”

Estoria stared questioningly at Asceline.

 “Actually, it’s already 10 o’clock.”

She was already so late. Estoria narrowed her forehead.

 “Why didn’t you wake me?”

 “You were sleeping soundly…”

Asceline tried to excuse her actions.

 “You haven’t been able to sleep well these days.”

In all honesty, Estoria hadn’t slept soundly last night either. However, when she awoke in the middle of the night, she hadn’t made that much noise.That was probably why Asceline hadn’t noticed. Estoria didn’t want her to worry so she didn’t bother to mention it.

 “Anyway, you won’t be too late if you start getting ready now.”

 “…Okay. Thank you for letting me sleep in a little.”

Even with her poor sleep, Estoria could keep some of her mind sharp because of the extra few hours. She rose from her seat and tried to ignore her throbbing head. Since she overslept, she couldn’t put off her preparations any longer.

*** After 2 hours.

 “…Your Imperial Princess.”

Asceline shook her head with a troubled face when Estoria finished dressing in front of her.

 “That doesn’t seem like a good idea.”

 “I know that too.”

Estoria murmured carelessly in front of the mirror. Her figure was so beautiful after preparing but there was one problem.

 “But I approve of this.”

Estoria dryly cut off what Asceline was saying,

 “I’ll wear a black dress.”

 “But…”

 “I’m already late.”

Estoria said while tidying her dress for the last time.

 “We’ll be even later if we delay here any longer.”

She was right, there was no more time left. Eventually, Estoria, decked out in an elegant black gown, reached the bay of the Central Palace.

 “Your Imperial Highness Princess Estoria is entering.”

The doors opened and her Imperial Highness Princess Estoria entered the dining room with elegant steps. Emperor Jacob I had already arrived along with the Bigelow family’s mother and son.

 “I’ve arrived late. I’m deeply sorry.”

 “Welcome, Your Imperial Highness.”

Alice, her soon to be mother-in-law, was first to greet her before her father. Alice smiled gracefully and said to the Princess,

 “The black dress suits you well.”

 “Thank you, Lady Bigelow.”

There was a reason why she insisted on the black dress.

 “What do you think, Your Highness the Emperor, how does it look?”

Estoria smiled as she spoke to her father. As always, the Emperor’s expression was dark. It was the reaction she wanted. She didn’t want to leave him with the impression that she would gently accept this marriage.

 “…It’s a little bit…”

Emperor Jacob I opened his mouth with a disagreeing voice.

 “Why didn’t you wear a brightly colored dress?”

 “I wanted to look neat. Please understand me.”

Estoria smiled once more but Emperor Jacob I’s expression was still hard.

 “Well then, everyone must be hungry so let’s begin the meal.”

In the end, it was Alice who got rid of the gloomy atmosphere again.

Everyone lifted their fork and spoon in front of a well-prepared table.

Estoria wasn’t actually very hungry now. Even though she forced the appetizer into her mouth, she didn’t have much of an appetite. But since she was at a place like this, she couldn’t help but eat little by little.

 “How about having the wedding after three months?”

The serious topic of marriage suddenly came up.

 “Why don’t you talk about that after the meal?”

She felt like she was going to have an upset stomach.

 “I’m fine with it, Your Majesty.”

Alice politely replied.

 “Tristan, what do you think?”

Only then did Estoria look at Tristan, who sat diagonally across from her. At that moment, their eyes met.

 “…”

 “…”

Silence enveloped the two as they gazed at each other. Estoria was at a loss for words in the moment. Tristan, however, smiled cunningly,

 “I’m fine with it too.”

All things considered, it shouldn’t have mattered. But, of course, it did to Estoria.

 “It will be spring by then. It’s November right now.”

 “It’s actually more of a late winter.”

Alice quickly corrected.

 “Isn’t it romantic? The two of you are getting married in the spring season.”

Indeed, the only reason she could say this was because she wasn’t aware of what the two really had to say about this wedding.

*** The anticipated luncheon has ended peacefully.

Estoria didn’t try anything else besides wearing that black dress, and the Emperor did not say anything else to provoke her. From the start, the luncheon had been for the parents. The strained atmosphere couldn’t be easily swayed by Estoria and Tristan, who only contributed to today’s peace.

 “Then let’s do this again another time, Your Majesty. Thank you for today’s invitation.”

 “Yes, we’ll see each other again next time, Duchess Bigelow.”

Though the two families parted in a friendly atmosphere, Estoria did not immediately return to the palace. Instead, she walked just a few steps away and stared blankly up at the sky.

 “Haa…”

 “What are you looking at?”

Suddenly, a voice came from behind her.

Estoria was so surprised that she flinched in shock. Tristan immediately apologized with a flustered look due to her reaction,

 “Ah, I didn’t know you’d be this surprised.”

 “…Didn’t you leave earlier?”

 “Indeed but I have come back again.”

 “Why?”

 “I realized I hadn’t really spoken to the princess today. I wanted to come and give you my greetings as a courtesy.”

 “…Do not joke.”

 “I am serious. Why don’t you believe me?”

Tristan stared at Estoria with a dejected smile. Suddenly receiving such a deep gaze embarrassed Estoria and she flushed.

 “But what were you looking at?”

 “…Ah.”

Estoria answered him casually, as though it didn’t matter,

 “It’s nothing, it just seems like the rain would fall down from the sky.”

 “Rain?”

 “Yes. The sky was a particular color this morning,”

Estoria answered. Tristan thought for a moment and then shook his head.

 “I couldn’t say the same. It doesn’t seem like that to me.”

 “If not, then what does the Duke think would come?”

 “I think it could be snow.”

 “Snow.”

 “Yes.”

 “Isn’t it still early for snow?”

 “But still.”

Tristan said while shrugging.

 “I just had a hunch that snow would fall today.”

 “If you’re right then this would be the first snow of the year.”

 “Oh, the first snow.”

A thought occurred to Tristan, and he offhandedly said,

“Did you know?”

 “Know what?”

Tristan glanced softly at Estoria and then quickly away. Estoria exhaled slowly and she asked sincerely,

 “What is it?”

 “The year’s first snowfall.”

He whispered in a low clear voice.

 “When two people see it together, it’s said that there will be love between them.”

 “…Don’t say nonsense…”

At that moment, Estoria’s words were interrupted because something cold suddenly settled on her forehead. Estoria narrowed her eyes and looked up at the sky again.

Slowly, snowflakes were falling down.

 “…Oh?”

 “It’s snowing?”

It was this year’s first snowfall.

 ‘…What great timing once again.’

Estoria peered up at the sky with a puzzled look on her face. Perhaps this was the first snowfall but of all times, why now, why here together with Tristan?

Tristan said humorously,

 “What should we do? I shouldn’t have come.”

 “Let’s change the ending of that superstition.”

With her forehead narrowed, Estoria quickly said.

 “Our first and final marriage life, let’s end it”

 “That’s a good idea,”

Tristan replied as if it didn’t matter. Estoria thought perhaps it would be good to head back inside. Just as she thought to bid farewell to Tristan,

 “Ah…”

Something big and warm wrapped around her.

Estoria looked up at Tristan with embarrassment clouding her features. Ignoring her reaction, he casually wrapped the jacket over Estoria’s shoulders, arranging it with a gentle touch.

 “…But I have no need of this.”

 “It’s because I don’t want you to catch a cold.”

 “But I’m not feeling cold.”

 “Even so, despite Your Highness’s thoughts you’re cool to the touch.”

Tristan let go of Estoria only after he had completely arranged the jacket. His expression was quite proud after that.

 “Please wear the jacket. Isn’t it quite a long way from here to the Imperial palace?”

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 “This…”

 “You can return it the next time we meet.”

Tristan left immediately while saying those words.

 “…”

Left standing alone, Estoria watched him walk away with a complicated look.