Chapter 2 Provocation
Anne felt as disgusted as if she had swallowed a fly. What did he take her for? A nanny?
Yet Holden believed he was offering what every woman in the world desired most in marriage—except, of course, her husband's heart.
"As long as you don't scheme against Candy, I'll even seriously consider letting you have a child in the future if you want one. How about that?"
Anne almost wanted to grab Holden and demand to know why he was so confident that after betraying their marriage and love, she would still be begging him to have children with her.
She spoke seriously, "I can also give up managing the family affairs."
Was running a household really that simple? It wasn't just about arranging the servants in the manor, daily receptions, and social obligations—there were also matters large and small in the territory like taxes and trade. Not only did she have to travel back and forth constantly, she barely had any time to rest each day. Plus, Holden's mother, Lady Titan, was in poor health, and Anne had to personally care for her every day.
This exhausting life was being described by the man before her as a reward she could only receive by being "sensible."
But Holden thought Anne was still throwing a fit about him marrying Candy. He shot her an annoyed look, then turned and walked out. His voice was ice cold. "I'm not asking for your opinion. Even if you threaten me with such cheap tactics, I won't change my mind."
Anne's eyes reddened slightly, a sharp glint flashing in them.
This kind of marriage, this kind of future—she, Anne Virlet, wanted no part of it!
She lowered her head so no one could see her expression. The soldiers who were breaking camp carefully made way for her, watching as she boarded the carriage.
Only after she was out of sight did they huddle together, whispering and discussing whether they had ever seen a more beautiful young lady.
Elisa had been waiting in the carriage for Anne for a long time. Now she looked at her with concern. "What did Lord Holden say, Miss Anne? Has this matter been confirmed as just a rumor?"
Facing the maid who had grown up with her since childhood, Anne shook her head helplessly. She pulled open a crack in the carriage window. The camp outside had been mostly packed up and was ready to depart. Anne simply had the driver take a detour around the large group to head back.
But things didn't go as planned. Apparently, people had heard that the victorious knight order from the southern campaign would be passing through today, and they were enthusiastically waiting outside the city gates to welcome the empire's warriors.
Since this was Titan family territory and Holden was their son leading the Dawn Knights, crowds wanting to greet him packed the road. What should have been wide enough for three carriages was now half-blocked.
Anne's carriage was stuck behind the crowd. The boiling voices around her were like a tide, completely blocking her path. Anne had no choice but to wait in place for this scene to pass.
When the knight order arrived, the cheering people nearly knocked them over. Most of the commoners were celebrating the warriors' return, but a few had subtle expressions and gathered together to whisper.
"The one riding next to Knight Commander Holden up front—could that be the rumored Knight Commander Candy?"
"So is that news true? Knight Commander Candy is really going to become Knight Commander Holden's partner!?"
"But I remember Knight Commander Holden has a wife."
Those in the know muttered quietly. They clearly remembered that Holden had held a wedding before heading south for the campaign years ago, and the lady who married him was the daughter of Duke Skoda, an imperial hero. For such a noble lady—had the Titan family lost their minds?
"Right, and for the three years Knight Commander Holden was away, that lady managed the territory. If it weren't for her governance, my family would still be paying half again as much in taxes like before!"
"Forget about status—you'd have to be stupid to divorce such a good wife. There's no way she'd be sent to a sanatorium, so could it be that Knight Commander Candy is willing to be a mistress!?"
"Hard to say. Who knows if they didn't already on the battlefield...!"
A scream rang out, followed by the sound of armor hitting the ground heavily.
Anne quickly lifted the carriage curtain and looked in the direction of the sound. She saw a plainly dressed commoner kicked to the ground, clutching his stomach and wailing.
And standing beside him—who else but Holden?
Holden's deep eyes swept over the surrounding people one by one. In his mind, these people were just commoners on his family's land. They should be grateful to receive the Titan family's protection—what right did they have to discuss his family affairs?
However, when he met Anne's gaze from the distant carriage, Holden froze for a moment, then frowned.
Had she deliberately planted people to spread the news? If so, he would definitely discuss with his mother about re-educating her when he returned. Such a woman with only beauty and a petty mind was really not worthy of being his wife.
"Holden?"
The woman beside him noticed Holden's distraction and followed his gaze. When she locked eyes with Anne, her expression froze for a moment, then she curled her lip in disdain.
Seeing this reaction, Anne knew this must be Knight Commander Candy.
But under everyone's puzzled gazes, Candy directly drew the sword at her waist. The cold blade pointed straight in Anne's direction, and finally she grinned and made a slashing motion.
Anne knew Candy was declaring war on her, but using a sword meant for killing enemies—what did she think she was!
The next enemy to be slain?
Anne's eyes darkened as she couldn't help clenching her fists under her sleeves.
Meanwhile, Holden proclaimed loudly, "When Candy and I fought side by side on the battlefield, you were enjoying safety and happiness in the rear. My wife was also living a decadent noble life in the manor. What right do any of you have to demand that a knight who risked her life for the empire should only be some damn mistress!"
"Moreover—"
He seemed to think of something and turned to look at Candy beside him, his face suddenly beaming with happiness. "I've already used the glory from this southern campaign to gain His Majesty the King's approval in a letter!"
"I will soon marry Knight Commander Candy. She will be my wife, and Holden's one and only love for this lifetime!"