Chapter 131: 131
Ch . 131 That Was How It Began (2)
Elena recovered to full strength . In truth, the drain on her energy was not so much the drug, but the fatigue accumulated from the wedding preparations . After a sound sleep, she woke up lighter and more refreshed than before . Then, Carlisle brought up something unexpected to her .
“What? What did you say?”
Elena’s eyes widened, but Carlisle continued on idly .
“I said you don’t need to pay the dowry . ”
“Is…is that possible?”
Marriages among nobles rarely came without dowry . When they were, people gossiped, saying it was a marriage of true love . It wasn’t necessarily wrong . However, no bride has ever not paid a dowry for an imperial marriage .
“I already talked to my father . I’m telling you now so you won’t be surprised . ”
“The Emperor approved it?”
Although Elena didn’t know Sullivan very well, she observed him to be a shrewd politician when they last met . It was hard to believe that he would approve a wedding without a dowry, even if it was with the Blaise family . Carlisle gave her a smile .
“My father believes that the Imperial Family would be ruined otherwise . ”
“Ruined? You mean…”
Elena’s gaze turned to the blue bead ring on her finger . Although Carlisle and Sullivan claimed different things about the ring, it was clear that Sullivan valued it extremely . If he really believed that the man who married Elena would become emperor and revivor of the Ruford Empire, he would never let that wedding go . Carlisle had deftly exploited that part of his father’s psychology .
“Did you threaten him with what you said about this ring?”
“‘Compromise’ is probably a more appropriate word than ‘threat’, but he wouldn’t waive the dowry otherwise . ”
“But the Blaise family is not poor . We can fairly pay the dowry and wedding ceremony requested by the Imperial Household”
“You would be surprised the dowry my father sought for . ”
Elena looked at him, puzzled . Although Elena managed the finances, her father had not clarified it to her .
‘Is the amount more than I anticipate?’
The Blaises held considerable wealth, and it seemed impossible that even a princess dowry would drain their finances entirely . Noblewomen typically wouldn’t worry greatly about it, but Elena’s finance-minded approach wouldn’t let her set it aside . Her forehead creased, while Carlisle offered his reassurances .
“You don’t have to worry about it . ”
“How can I not worry? It’s a serious matter if the Emperor requested a high dowry . ”
“That’s why I’m saying you don’t need it anymore . ”
Carlisle’s proposal was tempting, but she was unsure of the approach . Perhaps House Blaise would appear cheap to other nobles, and she didn’t know how the Imperial Family would tolerate that . Carlisle had his elbows on his knees as he languidly studied Elena .
“Sometimes you don’t listen when I speak . ”
“I…No, of course I’m grateful, but the reputation of my family is at stake . I’m only being cautious . ”
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“Don’t overthink it . At home and abroad, it will be rumored that my love for you is so great that I turned down the dowry . There will be no harm to your family’s reputation . ”
It seemed too good to be true that he would turn it down . What he offered so casually was unusual in the Imperial Court of the Ruford Empire .
“…This is too good for me . ”
“Yes, so I think you owe me another one . ”
Elena felt like she was already deeply indebted to Carlisle . On top of that, she felt uneasy about not paying dowry, but Carlisle simply smiled .
“Just remember to pay me back later . ”
But as Carlisle suggested, the appearance of a love marriage had several advantages . Firstly, their relationship would appear stronger to others, and secondly, by not using the Blaise’s money, it was easier to hand over financial control to Mirabelle . The benefits were so tempting that Elena was almost apologetic towards Carlisle .
“…Then I’ll accept it without reserve . I’ll never forget to pay you back later . ”
Although she was with Carlisle was for her family’s sake, after the marriage she wouldn’t be around to help her family as often . Elena had been part of the Blaise family all her life . She worried about how her father, her brother, and Mirabelle would fare without her there, and so selfishly, she could not refuse the burdensome favor Carlisle offered her . Meanwhile, Carlisle answered with a satisfied look .
“You don’t have to thank me . It’s all for you, after all . ”
“It seems like I’m the only one who benefits, isn’t it?”
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“Let’s say that what benefits you benefits me as well . We’ll be married soon . ”
Elena heart softened . Perhaps it really was time for her to be married Carlisle .
“Let’s have dinner together before we go back . ”
“It’s too late for that…”
“I won’t allow you to refuse . If you don’t want to walk from the palace to your mansion, you should follow me . ”
He grinned at her mischievously, and Elena felt the urge to rebel . She was perfectly capable of returning home with Carlisle giving her a carriage, but she couldn’t refuse after the massive favor he had given her . Finally, Elena agreed .
“…Alright . ”
Carlisle’s smile deepened at her answer . It is almost as if he waived the dowry just to create this situation . Elena felt like she owed another debt, and was slipping into the grip of a swamp called Carlisle .
A few days later, and Carlisle’s and Elena’s wedding was to be soon .
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Michael delivered Mirabelle some unexpected news .
“Young Lady, someone came in for an interview after seeing the notice . ”
“Interview? I think we’ve hired enough people already…”
“Then shall I send him back?”
Mirabelle thought for a moment and shook her head .
“No . But since he’s come all the way here, it would be more appropriate if I turned him down in person .
Michael nodded at her judgment .
“Yes, My Lady . He’s in the drawing room on the first floor . Would you like to see him first? I’ll join you right away after I finish my work . ”
Mirabelle and Michael usually conducted the interviews jointly . Mirabelle did well without Michael in the end, and so there was no immediate need for him to follow her anymore .
“Alright . I’ll go first . ”
Mirabelle gave a cheerful smile and headed towards the drawing room . It was unusually sunny today, and she matched her smile with the weather . She hoped it would be just as beautiful during the wedding . Mirabelle hummed to herself as she opened the door to the drawing room .
Inside stood a man with his back towards the door, and Mirabelle stopped breathing as she almost seemed to recognize his dark hair and pale skin .
The man turned around after hearing her come in, and she felt her heart drop to the floor . It was Kuhn, the man who appeared in her dream last night . He looked into Mirabelle’s green eyes, and spoke with an impassive face .
“Hello . It’s been a long time, My Lady . ”
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