Self-Made Lady

Chapter 1

“Your Grace, please marry me,” Violet Hale said boldly.

She was beautiful, with her light golden hair and pink eyes, but she did not look like a lady making a love confession out of pure passion. Because of this, Cedric, the Archduke of Etchell, knew that a romantic proposal was not her true goal.

“I am afraid I do not understand,” Cedric replied, genuinely suspicious.

Violet Hale was about to marry Cassard, the crown prince of the Arnold Empire, and their wedding was in a mere two weeks. Cassard Arnold was the definition of a dashing prince: Not only was he handsome and kind, but one day he would become the emperor.

If someone were asked to name the most eligible bachelors in the empire, he would be the first person they thought of. Indeed, as soon as he reached adulthood on his sixteenth birthday, people began to wonder who would take the place beside him.

All the noble ladies from the best houses were mentioned as possible candidates, but the woman who eventually secured that place was sixteen-year-old Violet, the stepdaughter of Duke Vasell, who was known for his military prowess and vast wealth.

In this way, the powerful imperial family would be united to the duke’s own influential house through marriage. The capital was already bustling with people who had gathered to watch such a fabulous wedding. Not only the nobility, but even commoners were filled with excitement over the coming spectacle.

Amidst all this, it was a well-known fact that Archduke Etchell, who rarely left his estate in the east, had come to the capital because he had received an invitation from the emperor. But now, the woman at the center of that spectacular wedding was making this absurd proposal to him.

“I know it’s sudden, but you’re the only person who can help me right now,” Violet said.

“And why is that?” he replied.

“I only have two weeks left until the wedding. If I said I didn’t want to marry the crown prince now, who would believe me?”

In other words, rather than causing a stir, she had found a way to come see him.

“You have a Meritorious Vassal’s Command, remember? I want you to use it, so you can ask to take me as your wife.”

Cedric frowned upon hearing her mention the Meritorious Vassal’s Command.

Six years ago, the former Archduke Etchell, Cedric’s father, lost his life while protecting the emperor from some assassins who had snuck into a hunting tournament. His only child, Cedric, was just thirteen years old at the time. In order to comfort the newly appointed archduke and reward his father’s loyalty, the emperor granted House Etchell a Meritorious Vassal’s Command.

This gave the bearer the right to receive amnesty for any sin and to receive permission for any request. And now, Violet was asking him to use that precious gift to help her.

“I’m not asking to be your wife forever,” she said. “However, I’d like to find myself a safe position until I can become fully independent.”

“I will not insist on asking why you are backing away from your wedding at the eleventh hour. That does not concern me.” Cedric scoffed and looked at Violet. “However, I must ask you this. Why do you think I would help you, and by using the Meritorious Vassal’s Command, at that?”

They did not even know each other. Archduke Etchell had not come to the capital in a very long time. Even during the social season, when most nobles gathered in the capital, he always remained on his estate in the east.

As a result, he had never had the chance to meet Violet who, under the care of her mother, had never left the capital. Violet’s mother, Lady Adeline, was known as the flower of society and was a star of the aristocratic world.

Of course, he had heard rumors about her.

Everyone loved her, with her radiant appearance and her pleasant personality. She was so popular in fact, that not even the conservative aristocratic class spoke poorly of her for marrying four times. She had given birth to Violet during her first marriage, and even in her youth, people murmured that Violet would grow up to be just as beautiful as her mother, if not more so.

Surely she does not think I’m the sort of fool who would be swayed by her beauty. Cedric knew there were rumors saying that he stayed shut up in his estate because he wanted to hide the fact that he was an idiot, unlike his father.

Violet must have heard those rumors too. Perhaps she had made this suggestion to him thinking he would be a simple, foolish young lord. However, he could not have anticipated what she would say next.

“I know how to help you.”

“After asking for my help, you’re now offering to help me?” he asked.

“I scratch your back, you scratch mine,” she replied.

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

How could this young woman help him? She was clearly bluffing. However, Violet’s eyes were full of confidence. Those eyes moved him.

He nodded to show that he would listen, and Violet said, “I know you’re using the crown prince’s wedding as an excuse to come to the capital. You’re actually looking for someone to help you with a certain problem. Isn’t that right?”

Cedric’s face grew stiff. She had hit the nail on the head.

“I know a good doctor. He specializes in infectious diseases. Is that worth using your Meritorious Vassal’s Command on?”

It did not sound like she expected him to answer this question. She seemed sure of herself, and she had good reason to be.

The young archduke’s eyes filled with surprise. His territory was currently suffering from a deadly plague. It had already been over a month, but they had not even identified the disease yet. The real reason he had made an appearance in the capital was to find a doctor who would be able to cure the illness that he could not even begin to manage.

However, it was no easy task finding a doctor that talented. If it were a simple matter, there would have been no need for him to get involved personally. He had kept an incredibly tight lid on all of this, yet Violet somehow knew of it.

Well, it was only natural that she knew.

This is all a game I’ve played.