Under the Realm of the Beast - Chapter 1: The Switched Groom (6)

“Miss, Hans will bring it soon. We decided to make it with flowers picked from the garden. Roses—they’ll be lovely,” Laura replied hurriedly, her hands full.

“I see. Thank you,” Valetta said, nodding.

Laura hesitated, glancing nervously around before blurting out, “Oh, and Miss Irmina’s wedding—”

“What?” Valetta interrupted, her brow furrowing. “Irmina’s getting married?”

“Ah, um…” Laura’s face turned pale as she realized her slip. “The Count has been busy arranging a match for her. That’s all I meant!”

Valetta, feeling a sense of unease, changed the subject. “And my bouquet? You’re using flowers from the garden?”

“Yes, roses. It’ll look beautiful! Now, I must go!” Laura stammered before scurrying off.

Left alone, Valetta let out a small, bitter laugh. Even on her wedding day, the Dampierre family couldn’t stop treating her like an afterthought. But she vowed to herself that once she was married to Erik, she would never look back at this wretched household.

Just as Valetta was preparing to leave for the ceremony, her aunt and uncle emerged, dressed in their finest attire. Valetta was momentarily surprised to see them wearing their best jewelry and clothes. For a moment, she wondered if they were showing rare support for her wedding.

What she didn’t know was that their extravagant outfits were for Irmina’s wedding, not hers. The two ceremonies had been deliberately scheduled for the same day and time, and the Count and Countess fully intended to attend their beloved daughter’s wedding while leaving Valetta to fend for herself.

“Ah-hem. Valetta,” the Countess said, pretending to sound concerned. “You should head to the ceremony first.”

“Don’t worry,” the Count added with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “We’ll arrive just in time.”

What Valetta didn’t know was that they had hired guards to ensure she couldn’t leave the cathedral once she realized the truth. By the time she discovered her groom was not Erik but Leonard Carnies, it would be too late to escape.

Their plan was simple: Irmina would marry Erik, whom she had always liked, while Valetta would be sent off to the cursed Duke of Carnies. The bridal price from the duke—an enormous fortune—would line the Dampierre family’s coffers. Once Valetta was shipped off to the desolate northern territory of Carnies, they would wash their hands of her entirely.

The Countess, with a glimmer of feigned sympathy, took Valetta’s hands.

“Live well, my dear,” she said, patting Valetta’s hand and pretending to fight back tears.

To the Countess, they had done more than enough for Valetta—raising her, feeding her, and sheltering her after her parents’ deaths. Never mind the abuse, neglect, and the way they had stolen the compensation for Friedrich’s death. To her, they had fulfilled their duty.

“Stay healthy… Aunt.”
“Of course, of course. Naturally.”

A strange sense of unease crept over Valetta. Meanwhile, the carriage began to move. Watching the carriage fade into the distance, the Countess of Dampierre spoke.

“Dear, let’s leave with Irmina right away! The child is nervous, so it’s probably better to depart early!”

* * *

When Valetta arrived at the cathedral, she was a little flustered. At the entrance stood knights in uniform, their presence lending an air of rigidity rather than celebration, as they inspected the carriage carrying the bride. A few servants of the Count of Dampierre could be seen lingering near the entrance of the venue. Having lost her parents at a young age, there were almost no guests on the bride’s side.

“Are you Lady Irpman?”

Before Valetta could take in the atmosphere, a maid placed by her uncle approached and led her to the bridal waiting room.

“I didn’t know the Marquisate of Rigius had connections with knights.”

The maid said nothing in reply, simply helping to adjust Valetta’s veil. Valetta, in turn, looked at herself in the mirror while tidying the bouquet made from flowers picked in the Count’s garden.

She was stunning in her wedding dress—her beauty was undeniable. Her golden hair, voluminous and radiant, paired beautifully with the white veil. Yet, somehow, Valetta thought she looked pitiful in her reflection and averted her gaze.

There was an air of fragility and precariousness unique to her. Irmina, her cousin, often admired Valetta’s aura, calling it pure and elegant, but Valetta envied the warmth and confidence that came from Irmina, who had grown up surrounded by love and affection.

“I hope I don’t look like I’m being sold off in this marriage.”

Still, she wanted to appear as a happy bride.

“But where are the people from the Marquisate of Rigius…?”

She hadn’t expected the bridal waiting room to feel so empty. Were all weddings like this? Just as she was puzzling over it, the maid urged her to hurry.

“Miss, it’s time. You need to go now.”

“Oh, okay. But where’s my uncle?”

“The Count isn’t coming. You’ll have to walk down the aisle alone.”

“…What? What do you mean by that?”

Though he had gone to attend Irmina’s wedding, Valetta couldn’t shake the feeling that her uncle’s absence was a way of expressing his disapproval of her marriage to Eric Rigius.

“Do you think the Count has time to spare for this?”

The maid’s sharp remark silenced Valetta, her lips pressed tightly together. Once she accepted that her uncle’s behavior was likely a manifestation of his resentment over her taking Irmina’s place in marrying Eric, the situation seemed easier to digest.

“It’s fine. It’s just a wedding… What does it matter if I walk alone? It’s not as if anyone here would genuinely celebrate it, anyway.”

From inside, the music signaling the bride’s entrance began to play. Holding tightly to her bouquet, Valetta moved forward, her trembling body feeling heavier with every step. For some reason, a lump rose in her throat, and her nose stung.

She had always imagined walking this path with Friedrich. He used to talk about this moment so often.

“Valetta, I don’t know how I’ll hold back my tears on the day you get married.”

Friedrich’s playful voice echoed faintly in her ears. Valetta walked down the aisle alone. She hadn’t expected heartfelt congratulations, but she never imagined that not a single member of the Dampierre family would attend.

Then, Valetta noticed something strange. Among the groom’s guests, none of the familiar faces from the Rigius family were present. Neither the Marchioness nor the Marquis of Rigius was there, nor were any of the noble families closely associated with them.

“I suppose the Marquess couple didn’t come because they don’t approve of me…”

Not that it was surprising. What noble family would welcome someone from a fallen house, an orphan with no wealth or status?

With a heavy heart, Valetta reached the officiant. When it was time for the groom to enter, the music shifted. Soon, the sound of confident footsteps filled the space, and the groom came to a halt beside her.

Valetta felt her heart pounding, not out of excitement but from sheer anxiety. She had never felt anything for Eric Rigius before, but the thought of him becoming her husband now made her chest tighten unbearably.

This was only the second time they had met—the first being at the imperial ballroom some time ago. Though they had exchanged letters briefly, Eric had stopped replying as the wedding day approached. Unbeknownst to Valetta, Irmina had intercepted and hidden those letters.

“Goodness… I’ve been too indifferent,” Valetta thought regretfully. She should have been more proactive in her correspondence. She tried to suppress her growing tension as she listened to the officiant’s words.

“But… was Eric Rigius always this tall?”

He was certainly tall and broad-shouldered, but standing this close, his height cast an almost oppressive shadow over her.

As her unease deepened, the officiant spoke.
“Do you, Leonard Georg Hethahartz von Carnies, take Valetta Titeman Irpman to be your lawfully wedded wife, pledging eternal love?”

“I do.”

The voice was deep and resonant, and the name… familiar. Valetta turned her head sharply, stunned. She had to tilt her head all the way back to meet the eyes of the man beside her.

A towering figure, broad and muscular like a bear, with sun-kissed skin and a deep voice that rumbled like a growling beast… This wasn’t Eric Rigius.

It was Leonard Carnies.

Why was Leonard Carnies standing in Eric Rigius’s place? How had this happened?

“…Ah.”

At last, everything began to click. Laura’s mention of Irmina’s wedding, the complete absence of the Dampierre family at her own ceremony, the knights stationed outside the cathedral, and the lack of guests from the Rigius household—all of it fell into place.

Leonard had once been the commander of the imperial knights, and many of those who had served under him were now key figures in the imperial court.

“This is…”

This was a sham. A fraudulent marriage.

Terrified, Valetta bit her lower lip hard. Her mind went blank. Should she run? Should she declare this marriage invalid? She couldn’t decide. Her hands trembled uncontrollably, and her chest felt like it was about to collapse.

“Do you, Valetta Titeman Irpman, take Leonard Georg Hethahartz von Carnies to be your lawfully wedded husband, pledging eternal love?”

Leonard, wearing a mask of calm indifference, looked down at her. His golden eyes locked with hers, their intensity piercing through the void of her thoughts.

Had he been part of this deception? Why, of all people, did it have to be him? She would rather elope with a beggar from the streets than marry Leonard Carnies.

“I… I…”

Valetta’s hands, clutching the bouquet, trembled violently. The absurdity of the situation gave way to pure terror. All eyes were on her, the audience waiting for her answer. She glanced toward the Dampierre servants stationed like guards near the entrance.

There was no escape. This had been orchestrated from the start.

“I…”

They had never been her family—not truly. To go so far as to ensure she couldn’t flee… If she refused the marriage now, she wouldn’t just be cast out of the Dampierre household; she would also be completely ostracized from the capital’s social circles.

A single tear rolled down Valetta’s cheek, and for a fleeting moment, Leonard’s golden eyes flickered with an unreadable emotion beneath his mask.

“I was naive. No… I was downright foolish.”

Her legs trembled so violently that she felt she might collapse at any moment. Valetta wished the ground would swallow her whole so she could disappear forever. To marry Leonard Carnies, of all people? She would rather bite her tongue and end it all.

“Bride?”

The priest’s voice prodded her, and through her stifled sobs, Valetta finally managed to speak.

“I… I… I can’t do this…”

“Ahem. Ahem.” The priest cleared his throat awkwardly. “Lady Valetta, I understand the fear of venturing into the unknown that marriage entails. But this is a moment that calls for courage.”

As he said the word “courage,” the priest shot a nervous glance at Leonard’s masked face. The glimpse of his snake-like skin beneath the mask was unsettling. But it wasn’t just the priest—everyone present seemed to understand Valetta’s hesitation.

After all, who would willingly pledge eternal love and enter into marriage with a man cursed to become a monstrous figure?

Summoning what little resolve she could muster—which was less courage and more resistance fueled by her hatred for Leonard—Valetta spoke again.

“I can’t. This marriage… I can’t go through with it.”

Her voice trembled as she fought to hold back tears, but her eyes stayed locked on Leonard, defiant and unwavering.

“I’d rather throw myself off a cliff than marry you.”

Her cruel words sent a ripple of shock through the guests, who began murmuring among themselves. Beneath his mask, Leonard’s brows furrowed ever so slightly. Valetta fought to stifle her sobs, her body trembling with the force of her emotions.

She could handle Irmina’s mean-spirited pranks, but this was something else entirely—a life-altering scheme. Her heart pounded erratically in her chest as if it might burst. If not for the watchful eyes of the crowd, she would have broken down into tears on the spot.

“Valetta Irpman.”

Leonard’s voice was a low growl as he spoke her name.

“Do you even understand what you’re doing right now?”

“I do. And that’s exactly why… I can’t.”

If I had known you were the groom, I wouldn’t have come in the first place.

Though she muttered the words under her breath, Leonard’s sharp, golden gaze caught every syllable. Valetta sniffled, her composure barely holding. For over a decade, she had thought of her aunt and uncle’s family as her own, but their betrayal now cut deeper than anything she had ever known.

The realization that her groom was Leonard Carnies filled her with overwhelming despair. She still couldn’t think of Friedrich without tears welling in her eyes, yet here they were, forcing her into marriage with him. It was unbearably cruel.

“This marriage is canceled—”

“Valetta Irpman!”

Leonard’s teeth clenched as he hissed her name, his glare searing into her. Valetta bit her lip and struggled to steady her ragged breathing.

“She must be feeling overwhelmed,” the priest interjected hastily, his forehead glistening with sweat as he tried to defuse the tension. “It’s understandable. Marriage can be far more daunting for the bride than for the groom. Let’s try this again.”

He glanced nervously between them before asking, “Valetta Irpman, do you pledge eternal love to the groom standing beside you?”

Valetta was frozen, Leonard’s piercing gaze pinning her in place. Unable to speak, she shook her head slowly. Her trembling shoulders betrayed her mounting despair.

The priest, caught off guard by her silent refusal, faltered. He opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water before blurting out in a panicked tone, “Very well! Then, by the authority of the church, I declare you husband and wife in the name of God!”

“What?!”

Valetta’s shout was drowned out by the applause of the knights in attendance. No rings were exchanged, no kiss was shared, yet they had been pronounced husband and wife.

Her legs gave out from under her as despair overtook her, and she began to collapse. Leonard quickly caught her, his strong arms wrapping around her to steady her.

“Let go of me!”

Valetta struggled to break free from his hold, but the harder she fought, the firmer his grip became.

Leonard leaned in close and whispered in a low, gravelly voice, his breath brushing against her ear.

“Valetta. It would be wise to stay still,” Leonard murmured, his voice low and threatening. “Unless you want to be slung over my shoulder and carried out like a sack of grain for everyone to see.”

At his warning, Valetta’s body froze. As much as she detested Leonard, she was still a noblewoman with her dignity to uphold. She couldn’t bear the humiliation of being carried off in such a disgraceful manner.

Besides, the priest had already declared them husband and wife. In the Holy Empire, canceling a marriage on the wedding day was unheard of—a scandal that would ruin her reputation forever.

Defeated, Valetta had no choice but to follow Leonard’s lead. It was a complete and utter loss on her part.

And so, the Dampierre Count and Countess’s scheme of a fraudulent marriage ended in resounding success.

* * *