“Oh, about Hans… he got engaged to Gerbera just the other day. It seems he couldn’t wait for two years. My apologies.”
“Gerbera…? No… this can’t be…”
Cornelia was devastated.
That night, Gerbera visited her room.
“I’m sorry, Cornelia. At first, I only wanted to comfort Lord Hans while he was lonely without you. But as time went on, he fell in love with me. I even tried to turn him down because I felt bad for you, but he insisted on marrying me…”
“Gerbera…”
Her words cut deeply.
“But look on the bright side! You’ve secured a match with Marquis Brandt. He’s of even higher rank than Count Baritone, and Father said the betrothal sum is twice as much! Plus, I hear he’s bedridden and doesn’t have long to live. This time, you’ll surely inherit a substantial fortune. Once you return home as a wealthy widow, you can marry into a truly good family. You’re so lucky, Cornelia.”
“You… how could you…”
Gerbera had never been the most considerate person, but Cornelia hadn’t realized just how utterly devoid of empathy she was.
Now that Hans had abandoned her, Cornelia no longer cared whom she married.
And so, within ten days of returning home, she was sent off to wed Marquis Brandt. Before leaving, she repeatedly pleaded for her mother to safeguard the betrothal sum.
* * *
Marquis Brandt was an ill-tempered man with five other wives, yet none of them dared to be near him. He lived in complete solitude.
At first, Cornelia was treated harshly—yelled at, even having objects thrown at her. But through unwavering patience and dedication, she slowly gained his trust, and he transformed into a far gentler old man.
His change astonished visiting noblemen, and Cornelia’s reputation as a remarkable caregiver grew even further.
And so, the marquis lived an additional three years before passing away peacefully.
Until his final moments, he continuously expressed his gratitude to Cornelia, entrusting her with his entire inheritance in his will.
Cornelia, too, mourned him deeply.
* * *
But once again, while she was still grieving, the five wives who had done nothing to care for him conspired against her.
They suppressed the marquis’s will and expelled Cornelia from the household. She was sent back to her family empty-handed.
“Well done, Cornelia! You’re the talk of the royal court once again. The king himself praised me for having such an exceptional daughter! After all, you even managed to tame the notoriously difficult Marquis Brandt.”
Her father’s praise meant nothing to her now.
She had learned her lesson the last time.
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