In a Political Marriage, Isn’t It Normal to Treat Your Fiancée Well? - Chapter 23

My nephews died.

Both of them.

Yet I feel no sadness whatsoever.

Not a single pang of pain in my heart.

If anything, I’m impressed they lasted half a year in that place.

Two spoiled little brats.

I thought they’d give up within a month.

I’m fully aware these aren’t normal feelings to have toward one’s own nephews.

Though I doubt those two nephews thought much of their uncle either.

My name is Fleur Châtel.

Head of the House of Châtel.

I have an elder sister five years my senior.

She managed the household in place of our sickly mother.

I’ve admired her since childhood.

My beautiful, gentle sister was my pride and joy.

I never once saw her angry, selfish, or crying.

My sister treated the servants with equal kindness and was loved by everyone in the mansion.

Perfect as a lady since childhood, she was the model for noble daughters.

It was only natural our father had high expectations for her.

Her engagement was decided early.

Her fiancé was the eldest son of the Duke of Regenburg.

Two years older than my sister.

Annoyingly, he was a handsome man who didn’t pale beside her. And smart too. His tall, slender stature was, frustratingly, something I couldn’t surpass.

My sister had been in love with the young duke since childhood, as they were engaged.

The young duke seemed to think favorably of her too, and they got along well.

Though their engagement was arranged by their parents, they seemed happy.

If my sister was happy, that was enough. I blessed her from the bottom of my heart.

That said, I didn’t stop my regular investigations into the young duke.

Of course, it was kept secret from my sister and the young duke.

Father noticed but tacitly permitted it.

Whether that was good or bad…

Personally, I’d much rather know than remain ignorant.

The young duke betrayed my sister.

In the worst possible way.

Twenty years ago—

“Th… this can’t be…”

The investigation report stated the young duke was involved with his friend’s sister.

“Who is this bitch?… Hm? A viscount’s daughter?”

I was shocked.

With an unmarried young lady.

It said the young lady in question didn’t appear to have a fiancé, but…

That’s not the issue, is it?!

Don’t her parents know?!

Or is it because she’s from a viscount’s family?

While things aren’t as strict as they used to be, a noble young lady’s virginity is still highly valued.

Many nobles seek chaste wives.

Well, engaged couples tend to be overlooked since “they’ll marry eventually.”

But for an unmarried young lady and not even engaged to be involved with a man is absolutely unacceptable.

I read further into the investigation report.

“This is even I didn’t expect…”

The worst possible scenario.

She’s pregnant, it says?

The young lady shows no signs of terminating the pregnancy. So, she intends to give birth.

I must report this to Father.

Getting a mistress pregnant before marriage while engaged? That’s outright infidelity.

I immediately headed to Father’s office.

When Father greeted me with a puzzled look, I showed him the report.

As Father read the investigation report, his expression turned stern, then filled with anger.

Though usually gentle, Father is terrifying when angry.

But at that time, I believed this would lead to the cancellation of my sister’s engagement to the young duke.

My sister married as planned.

To the eldest son of the Duke of Regenburg.

A grand ceremony was held at the royal capital’s cathedral, said to be reserved only for royalty.

Upon their marriage, the Duke of Regenburg transferred the family headship to his eldest son and retired to his territories.

My sister reigned over high society as the Duchess of Regenburg.

Her married life seemed smooth. She soon became pregnant and gave birth to twin boys.

“I gained too much weight during pregnancy. It’ll be quite an effort to get back to my original figure,” my sister said with a laugh.

Six months later, my sister returned to high society.

But the man laughing by her side wasn’t my brother-in-law.

It was the most noble person in this kingdom.

Escorted by His Majesty the King, my sister smiled enchantingly, more beautiful than anyone.