Chapter 113

The very next day, Odelliana went straight to Blair and declared her intentions without hesitation. She wanted to marry Matthias, not Prince Jocelyn. There was no preamble, no attempt to soften the blow. She simply stood before him and spoke, her expression resolute, her voice steady in a way that left no room for doubt.

“I spent the entire night with Matthias,” she said plainly, as if stating an obvious fact.

“I know,” Blair replied.

He did not look particularly surprised. If anything, his calm response suggested that he had already anticipated this outcome. Perhaps he had seen it in the way she carried herself, or in the quiet shift in her gaze over the past few days. Odelliana did not waver under his scrutiny. Instead, she pressed on, her tone growing firmer.

“I have no desire to bear the disgrace of being the elder sister who stole her younger sister’s place. That is not a position I want, nor one I will accept. And you know as well as I do that what he is trying to do is not right.”

Blair’s gaze lowered slightly, his expression tightening with reluctant agreement.

“That is true,” he admitted.

“I want to marry Matthias,” she continued without pause. “If I become his wife, Father will not be able to register me into the family, and I will not be forced into a marriage with the prince. Everything will be resolved. And more importantly, he has the strength to protect me.”

In noble society, being pushed into marriage was hardly unusual. It was, in fact, the fate of most women born into such families. Because of that, Blair had long believed that if it had to happen, becoming a princess was not the worst outcome. It was, in many ways, the safest one.

He found Jocelyn’s haste suspicious and knew it was unfair to Orledette, yet his desire for Odelliana’s safety had outweighed those concerns. Even now, part of him still clung to that belief. Given the rumors already linking her to the prince and the limitations placed upon her by her physical condition, the reality was harsh. There were not many advantageous matches available to her.

Compared to Jocelyn, Matthias fell short in nearly every measurable way. Yes, he had earned recognition in war, but beyond that, his foundation was fragile. His abilities were undeniable, his character admirable, but he lacked wealth, influence, and a stable position within the nobility. What he did possess was striking looks, a strong physique, and overwhelming talent as a warrior. The more Blair weighed these factors, the more insufficient they seemed.

“You will not regret it?” Blair asked after a long silence.

“I will not,” Odelliana answered immediately. “This is my choice. It is what I want.”

Blair studied her for a moment longer, searching for any hint of hesitation. Finding none, he exhaled quietly.

“Then say no more,” he said. “You have made your decision.”

“Please allow it,” she added, though her voice suggested she would not retreat even if he refused.

In the end, what Blair wanted most was her happiness. He had watched his sister endure more hardship than anyone deserved, and he wanted her to finally find some measure of peace. His concern for her safety had always been rooted in that desire. A forced marriage to the prince might grant her protection, but it would not grant her happiness.

And besides, she had always been the one to see further ahead than anyone else.

The years they had spent together had shown him that she was far from naive. She was perceptive, calculating in ways that were not immediately obvious, and capable of taking care of herself. Even the decisions he once questioned had proven, in time, to carry deeper meaning.

Matthias might still seem lacking in his eyes, but he was the man she had chosen. And she had never once failed to prove that her judgment was sound.

“Odelliana,” Blair said at last, his voice softening, “I support the decisions you make of your own will. I always will.”

She looked at him in silence, her composure wavering just slightly.

“So this is not a matter of permission. If this is what you want, then you should do it.”

He smiled, the warmth in his expression unmistakable, and pulled her into an embrace. His hand came up to pat her back in a gesture that was both reassuring and protective.

“I want you to be happy more than anything,” he said quietly. “If this choice leads you there, I will not stand in your way. I will support you.”

“Thank you,” she murmured.

Her eyes stung, a sudden wave of emotion catching her off guard. For the first time since making her decision, she felt a sense of relief settle over her.

“However,” Blair added, gently pulling back, “if you intend to proceed with the wedding, you should hurry.”

“What do you mean?”

He reached into his desk and produced a sheet of fine paper, its edges adorned with delicate gold embossing. The royal seal was stamped clearly upon it. He held it out to her.

“It is an invitation from the royal family, addressed to you.”

Odelliana took it, her gaze falling to the name written in elegant script.

Odelliana von Grüsewald.

Seeing her full name written so formally stirred something unfamiliar within her. It felt both distant and heavy, as though it belonged to someone else.

“Matthias and I received one as well,” Blair explained. “The royal family is hosting a banquet at the palace to celebrate the victory and honor those who contributed. Attendance is mandatory.”

“So I will attend under the name Grüsewald,” she said slowly.

“That is correct. In effect, your status has already been restored. If you intend to marry before going to the capital, time will be tight.”

“I do not need a grand ceremony,” she replied.

All she required was a priest to officiate, a temple to bear witness, and the necessary authorization. Nothing more.

“I will arrange it immediately,” Blair said.

“Set the date as soon as possible,” she insisted. “It must be done before we leave.”

***

“Marriage? So suddenly?” Malena exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief as she stared at Odelliana.

“Why not?” Odelliana replied evenly. “As long as there is a partner.”

“And that partner is Sir Matthias?”

“Yes.”

“Did he propose?”

“No. I proposed to him.”

Malena blinked, momentarily speechless.

“That is rather unconventional,” she said at last.

In noble society, such matters were almost always initiated by the man. Confessions, proposals, and negotiations all fell under his domain. By those standards, there was nothing ordinary about Odelliana’s decision.

“Why the rush?” Malena asked, still trying to process it.

“I have no intention of being registered into the Grüsewald family,” Odelliana answered. “So I will marry before that happens.”

“But why? Once your status is restored, you will become part of one of the most powerful noble houses. Suitors will line up for you. Sir Matthias is admirable, but there will be far better options.”

Odelliana let out a short, humorless laugh.

“You say that even after seeing my leg?”

“You still carry their blood. That should matter more than anything.”

“I was abandoned by that family,” she replied flatly. “My value in the marriage market is no greater than that.”

Malena frowned, clearly unconvinced.

“That is not how others see it. The papers are already calling you the prince’s intended bride. The Second Prince has not denied the rumors at all.”

She held out a newspaper, but Odelliana turned her head away immediately.

“Take that away. I have no desire to read such nonsense.”

“It proves how highly regarded you are.”

“So being pursued by a prince makes one remarkable,” Odelliana said dryly. “That is a poor standard.”

“You are undervaluing yourself,” Malena insisted.

“Do I look desperate for a better title?”

Malena hesitated, then nodded reluctantly.

“It is still not the same as becoming a princess. Sir Matthias may be a hero, but he has no wealth, no foundation. Once your status is restored, you will stand among the highest nobility.”

“The aristocracy will not welcome someone like me so easily,” Odelliana replied. “It is not that simple.”

“Even so, this feels too rushed. You have not even been in a proper relationship.”

“Does that matter?” Odelliana countered. “You know how much I despise that prince.”

Malena opened her mouth to argue again, then paused, studying Odelliana’s face. After a moment, realization seemed to dawn, and she suddenly clapped her hands.

“I understand now,” she declared. “It is his face.”

Odelliana said nothing.

“You have been pretending otherwise,” Malena continued, clearly pleased with her conclusion.

Still, Odelliana remained silent, which only seemed to confirm Malena’s theory.

“Well, it makes sense,” she went on. “A handsome man is an asset in itself. He has grown into a proper man now. You cannot deny it.”

She leaned forward, eyes gleaming with certainty.

“You must feel it every time you see him. That difference.”

Odelliana exhaled slowly.

“Fine,” she said at last. “Let us say that is part of it.”

“You used to say he was too young,” Malena reminded her.

Odelliana did not respond.

“But now that he has matured, you see him differently. His appearance alone is enough to sway anyone.”

Malena tilted her head, narrowing her eyes.

“But to rush into marriage this quickly, you must truly be captivated. Is he really that handsome?”

Odelliana waved her hand dismissively.

“Yes. He is handsome. That is why I am marrying him. Is that enough for you?”

A soft laugh sounded from behind her.

Startled, Odelliana turned.

Matthias stood leaning against the doorway, one shoulder resting casually against the frame. His presence filled the space effortlessly, as though he had always belonged there.

He tapped lightly against the door, a faint smile playing at his lips.

“Shall we discuss just how handsome I am, Master?” he asked, amusement flickering in his eyes.