In a Political Marriage, Isn’t It Normal to Treat Your Fiancée Well? - Chapter 13

“Sophia, your engagement has been arranged.”

That was the beginning of everything.

My family, the Count Hart household, were landed nobility.

We owned mines and were considered quite wealthy among the aristocracy.

I had an older sister and an older brother. My sister had married into a court noble viscount family to maintain connections with the capital. My brother was engaged to the daughter of another landed count.

I knew I would eventually have an engagement arranged too, but I never expected it to happen so soon.

Though according to my brother, “Getting engaged at fourteen isn’t early at all.”

‘You’re the youngest, after all,’ he would tell me repeatedly.

What does being the youngest have to do with anything?

I couldn’t understand what he meant.

Even when my parents informed me that my fiancé had been decided, all I could say was, “I see.”

“And who might the other party be?”

“The son of the Margrave Seljuk household,” my father declared proudly.

“With the Margrave’s son?”

“That’s right. It’s not a bad match for you, Sophia.”

“I understand…”

The neighboring Seljuk Margrave territory.

I had heard that our grandfathers got along well.

I’d also heard there used to be something called territorial disputes? But to me, that was largely irrelevant – just another piece of my family’s history. Perhaps that’s why I was so shocked when the engagement with the Margrave’s family was arranged.

Father said this marriage would strengthen the bond between our families and resolve territorial issues. I don’t understand the complicated details, but apparently the two families had been on awkward terms since grandfather passed away. This marriage would allow for a peaceful resolution, he explained.

I had no right to refuse.

All I could do was nod.

Truthfully, I hated the idea immensely, but I am a noble’s daughter.

I understand a noble’s duties. Besides, this marriage would benefit both families.

As the daughter of Count Hart…

Sacrificing myself for the family.

That must be the proper choice for a noble daughter.

I had prepared myself for this.

Still, if possible, I secretly hoped he might resemble that person even just a little.

The one I secretly adored. Lord Albert.

My brother’s best friend, and the object of my affections.

I had been in love with Lord Albert for the longest time.

How many times had I wished I could be with him instead?

But that was an impossible dream.

Lord Albert’s family were counts, but court nobles.

Moreover, he was the third son.

Since my older sister had already married into a court noble family, there was no reason for me, the younger sister, to marry into one as well.

Perhaps there might have been a chance if Lord Albert had been the eldest son and heir.

Lord Albert was a royal guardsman.

Only those at captain rank or higher could receive the title of Knight Marquis.

It would be years before the young Lord Albert became a captain.

So, I had no choice but to give up on this love.

My fiancé from the Margrave Seljuk family was three years older than me.

“I am Sophia Hart.”

“I am Arslan Seljuk.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

I had heard he had blond hair.

But it was a dull blond, nothing like Lord Albert’s.

His eye color too.

Lord Albert had blue eyes, while Lord Arslan had purple eyes.

They were an unusual color that somehow seemed eerie to me.

Their skin tones were different as well – Lord Albert had porcelain white skin, while Lord Arslan had tanned skin.

Perhaps because his mother was from a foreign country?

It was a skin tone rarely seen in this kingdom.

No, his entire appearance was foreign. He was tall too. Lord Albert was also tall, but Lord Arslan was taller. …Too tall. My neck hurt from looking up at him.

And what bothered me most were his eyes.

The eyes looking down at me were somehow cold, making me feel as if he could see right through to my very soul. I felt incredibly uncomfortable.

“May I call you Lady Sophia?”

“Yes, please feel free to address me as you wish.”

My engagement period with Lord Arslan would last three years.

After that, we would marry.

I had heard he was a handsome blond man, so I had imagined someone like Lord Albert. After this first meeting, I was completely disheartened.

The higher my expectations had been, the greater my disappointment now was.