How to Survive as the Wife of the Monster Duke - Chapter 2

Ilyin looked down at the bridal recruitment letter from the Biflten family. The letters had terms that would have been laughed at, by anyone reading it:

[We look for the mistress of Biflten. The Duke of Biflten, contrary to rumors, is fine. However, if the rumors do bother you, you don’t have to look at him forever. Besides, the duke doesn’t even enter the mansion that much.]

There were inconsiderate sentences that only seemed to make matters worse, for the more they tried to convince people of the normalcy of the Duke, the more it seemed like lies. Ilyin’s gaze trailed down the letter.

[If you feel uncomfortable, you can leave immediately. I shall take you where you want to go whenever you want to.]

These few sentences were written in a rough handwriting but the tone of the writings was soft and assuring. Ilyin knew somehow that this was Aden de Biflten’s handwriting. These few words put her heart at ease, and this was the reason why she was travelling to Biflten, unafraid.

The first night had been foretold anyway. Ilyin would arrive safely at the Biflten mansion, and the man may not be the same as the rumors. She should at least give him the benefit of the doubt.

The dream lingered in her mind, soft and sweet. Ilyin de Biflten. It clearly foretold her first night with the Duke of Biflten. She was going to get married to him.

“Fate is inevitable,” she whispered. Ever since childhood, Ilyin’s precognition had never been wrong. She tried to avoid it, but it always came true. She stopped trying to evade it. Ilyin folded the letter and put it aside on the table. If this was inevitable, might as well get started right away.

The dream had only foretold the first night. Ilyin would make a good life for herself at Biflten by herself after that. Ilyin rose to her feet, resolving to accept her destiny. 

“Did you call?” said the maid, after a knock on the door.

“This letter, who brought it?” asked Ilyin.

Letters from Biflten were only delivered by people from Biflten. Even if the Biflten used another mailman here, the mailman would know how to reach the Biflten family. She would send her reply.

‘I’ll be your bride.’

 ***

Ilyin was a bit disappointed. Yesterday, when she received the letter from Duke of Biflten, she had no intentions of marrying him. Of course, her mind was changed after the dream. That’s why she hadn’t sent the reply immediately, because she was still undecided. The problem was the mailman had left the mansion immediately after delivering the letter.

“You don’t know where he lives?” asked Ilyin.

“No, Madam,” said the maid.

Ilyin dismissed her. It was no use questioning or trusting the maid when she had no loyalty towards her. She would figure it out some other way.

“Father, it’s Ilyin.” Ilyin went to visit her father, Baron Arlen.

“Is there something wrong?” asked the Baron. He was reluctant to even look at her. It was the first time in more than a decade that the two were conversing like people despite living in the same mansion. The Baron never went out of his way to see his daughter. He never bothered. His message was clear, he thought she was terrible and didn’t want to associate with her if he could help it.

“Can I use the people of my house?” she asked.

The Baron grimaced. He knew about the nature of her dreams. At the age of seven, she had seen her younger brother Sid die in a dream, which had come to pass. Baron Arlen had gone mad with grief and trauma that he no longer wanted anything to do with his daughter.

“Did you dream again?” asked the Baron.

 “No,” lied Ilyin. “I thought it was time to find a husband.”

 “I see…” said the Baron, reluctantly.

After Sid’s death, the Baron, mad with grief, had no intention of presenting Ilyin into the society. She had been barred from attending any meetings with any aristocratic family.

“Are you going to the banquet?” asked the Baron, none too pleased.

Ilyin nodded. “I want to first find an event to attend,” she said.

There was so much more she could say and wanted to, but that meant revealing her dream, which she didn’t want to do. That was the reason why she had always avoided talking to her father. Baron Arlen was always so suspicious of her, and she didn’t want to cause him more pain.