I Refuse This Life, Your Highness! - Chapter 28

When my marriage was decided, my parents were overjoyed, as if they might fly away from sheer happiness. However, my two brothers didn’t share their enthusiasm. They called me into the eldest brother’s room, where a heavy atmosphere hung in the air, and began to speak.

“The Grand Duke of Eseré is a man whose intentions are impossible to read. He’s not on good terms with the Emperor.”

“And he’s much too old for you. I don’t understand why you have to go through with this marriage. Mother and Father just weighed all the options and sent you to the person who benefits them the most!”

Rvian and Risaeon spoke in turns, but it was Risaeon whose voice rose in anger. Though he tried to choose his words carefully, it was clear he wanted to say that this marriage was akin to selling me off to the Grand Duke. And he wouldn’t have been wrong.

“Well, it’s because I’m a Lamia, isn’t it?”

“Even if you are a Lamia!”

But Mother and Father always said this was simply the way of the world for Lamias. I was more surprised by my brothers’ reaction. They had always tried to shield me from our parents as much as they could, but when it came to matters of great importance for the family, they would reluctantly follow our parents’ wishes while apologizing to me.

They couldn’t argue with our parents directly, so they were venting to me instead. But what difference did it make to tell me, even if I truly hated the idea of marrying the Grand Duke? What could I do? For my part, my feelings were complicated. Of course, I disliked the idea of an arranged marriage. But a part of me was also accepting it. In truth, I even harbored a small hope about marrying someone like the Grand Duke of Eseré.

Still, seeing my brothers object so strongly, I knew I had to emphasize my reluctance in front of them to satisfy their protective instincts.

Everyone said this was just the life of a Lamia.

“Don’t blame Mother and Father too much. They raised me the same as you two.”

“…That’s true, but I still think this marriage is wrong,” Rvian said gravely.

My brothers had always harbored complaints about how our parents treated me, even though they raised me as one of their children, no different from my brothers—despite me being a Lamia, cursed with a venomous body.

I had heard that some Lamias grow up dressed as girls their whole lives. Some are betrothed as young as ten or eleven to men in their forties and confined to lessons on being a bride until they turn twenty.

Compared to those lives, I was fortunate.

My parents always said, “We are doing our best for you.” And it was true. They had done their best and loved me in their way. It wasn’t their fault I was born a Lamia, and the way they raised me was only natural.

“You’re a Lamia. You can only do what Lamias are meant to do.”

“It would’ve been better if you weren’t born a Lamia…”

“Lamia must live quietly, no matter what.”

“Most people who are kind to Lamias have ulterior motives.”

With those words, they had ensured I never pursued any activity that might make me stronger or more active. Horseback riding was something I only learned because of Rvian.

Still, everyone at home called me “Young Master.” Someday I would have to marry, live as a lady or mistress of a household, and thus had been trained thoroughly in that role. And now, having grown up that way, I was being sent to the best match my parents had found.

I explained these points calmly to my brothers, but their faces only darkened further.

“Mother and Father… sigh.”

“If you’ve come this far, at least stand up to them! Tell them firmly you don’t want this marriage!”

“Brothers, really… I appreciate it, but what can I do?”

I shrugged.

“Besides, it’s a good match, isn’t it? Aren’t you happy? I’ll be the Grand Duchess—a member of royalty.”

Seeing their faces grow darker, I forced a smile. But my brothers didn’t smile back. And so I married the Grand Duke. Now, here I was.

The decorations and draperies in the banquet hall were slightly different from the usual ambiance. It was a harmonious blend of Airdren and Eseré styles, familiar to me. The meticulously arranged banquet hall was both beautiful and cohesive.

The hall was more crowded than usual, and the air buzzed with excitement, given the news of the Lamia Grand Duchess’s two brothers visiting.

After entering with the Grand Duke and taking our seats, the guard raised his voice to announce the guests.

“Rvian Sierra, Viscount of Airdren, and Sir Risaeon Sierra are here!”

My gaze instantly shifted to the door. The doorkeepers opened the doors wide, and finally, Rvian and Risaeon entered the banquet hall. Due to a carriage wheel mishap that delayed their arrival by a day, they had come straight to the banquet after changing clothes.

This was my first time seeing them since their arrival. It had only been a month since we last saw each other, yet my heart raced as if we were reuniting after decades. The doors opened fully, and the two appeared. Both were dressed impeccably, ceremonial swords hanging at their sides.

My brothers walked directly toward the Grand Duke and me.

“Rvian Sierra, Viscount of Airdren, greets His Grace the Grand Duke and Her Grace the Grand Duchess.”

“Sir Risaeon Sierra of Airdren greets His Grace the Grand Duke and Her Grace the Grand Duchess.”

The unfamiliar formality of their titles felt slightly awkward, but I didn’t mind. I helped both my brothers to their feet and embraced them each in turn. They kissed the back of my hand.

“Are you happy to see your family, Vi?”

The Grand Duke asked softly. I nodded enthusiastically, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“Yes, I’m truly happy.”

“Well, you’re smiling now.”

“Pardon…?”

“Nothing, forget it.”

The Grand Duke cleared his throat, his ears slightly reddened, as though he had misspoken. I decided to let it slide, figuring I must have misheard, given how softly he had spoken.

“Then, I’ll take a seat for now.”

With that, the Grand Duke casually turned and sat down. While the first dance at a banquet was traditionally with one’s spouse, it was customary to dance with the senior family member when close relatives were visiting as honored guests.

The Grand Duke, clearly not in the mood to dance with anyone tonight, remained seated. Rvian, however, kissed the back of my hand and stepped forward. Having practiced dancing with my brothers since childhood, this gesture didn’t feel strange.

“Shall we have a dance, Your Grace?”

“Next is my turn,” Risaeon interjected with a grin, stepping back to wait. As we moved onto the dance floor, I noticed him crossing his arms and standing firm, politely declining the ladies lingering nearby, eager to dance with him.

Honestly, how does he plan to ever get married? Tsk, tsk.

A lively tune began, and Rvian led me into the dance.

“Yuraine, I’m relieved to see you looking so well.”

“Yes, I’m doing fine, really.”

I always wrote cheerful letters, though I’m sure he knew they didn’t capture everything happening in the Grand Duchy. Rvian, too, would omit anything unpleasant when speaking of the manor.

“If only I had inherited the family title, I could’ve spoken up more forcefully to our parents. You wouldn’t have had to go through this.”

“What are you talking about? I’m glad I became a mage instead. It’s like I have magical powers.”

“You little rascal.”

Though he pretended to scold me, I knew he was teasing. We smiled at each other and finished the dance, parting ways as the next tune began. Naturally, my next partner was Risaeon.

Throughout our dance, he nagged me incessantly—whether I kept the fireplace lit in my room, avoided drinking anything too cold, wore comfortable shoes, or stayed up too late reading. His concerns were those of an overprotective older brother fussing over a child.

“Take care of yourself, too!”

“Look at this girl, talking back to her brother.”

Risaeon tried to look stern, and I mimicked his expression. Neither of us lasted long before we burst into laughter.

Though food was served during the banquet, a private dinner was arranged afterward for just the four of us—my brothers, the Grand Duke, and me. The meal included hazelnut soup, glossy roast goose stuffed with apples, crispy-fried freshwater herring, a salad of tender baby greens, and crackling turkey wings roasted to perfection. The drinks were spirits mixed with water and mint syrup, pairing perfectly with the rich dishes.

Dessert was a heavenly coconut cake and chocolate infused with rum. Both Rvian and Risaeon seemed thoroughly satisfied.

“How was the food? Did it suit your taste?”

“Yes, Your Grace. It seems you have an excellent chef.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

The atmosphere was warm and harmonious. Given how staunchly my brothers had opposed the marriage—and how Risaeon, in particular, could be utterly immovable when displeased—I had worried about potential tension. Fortunately, the dinner ended without incident.

Even in the Grand Duchy’s reception room, the pleasant atmosphere persisted. My brothers shared stories about my childhood with the Grand Duke, who listened intently.

Knowing he likely had no real interest in such anecdotes, I gave my brothers pointed looks a few times, but they were unwavering. They were doing it on purpose—of that, I was sure.

“Oh, we brought some fine liquor from Airdren. If Your Grace is willing, shall we share a drink?”

“I have no reason to refuse. Vi, how about you?”

An awkward silence filled the room. As my brothers began to rise, preparing to move to another space for drinking, I instinctively started to stand but froze. I wasn’t accustomed to being included in such situations, and the sudden invitation caught me off guard.

My brothers also looked at the Grand Duke in surprise.

“Your Grace, why would you have… Her Grace join us?”

“Why would it be strange for Vi to come along?”

The Grand Duke looked at Rvian as if the question itself were odd. Rvian, in turn, appeared even more conflicted.

“Her Grace is a Lamia, is she not?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Well…”

“Why should the fact that my Vi is a Lamia prevent her from joining us for a drink?”

Caught in the middle, I blinked, unsure of how to respond. Drinking sessions often involved important discussions, and in Airdren, I had never been part of such gatherings. I had assumed that was just how things were supposed to be.

Sensing the growing tension, Risaeon quickly intervened.

“N-no, of course not! There’s no reason she shouldn’t join us. We were only concerned about Her Grace being tired.”

“This is a rare occasion to spend time with family. If she’s not too tired, she should join us.”

The Grand Duke’s gaze fixed firmly on me. I wasn’t so exhausted that I couldn’t attend. In a quiet voice, I said, “Yes,” and nodded. Thus, in a slightly awkward atmosphere, we moved to the Grand Duke’s private reception room.

After a toast with the liquor my brothers had brought from Airdren, the conversation drifted into light, inconsequential topics. Eventually, Rvian straightened in his seat, breaking the casual mood.

“The truth is, this gathering was also meant for delivering something to Your Grace.”

“What is it?”

Rvian pulled an envelope from his coat.

“It is an invitation from His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor.”

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