And Draven, whom the matchmaker had said wouldn't live long, was still alive and well.
Sacrificing one daughter had not been enough for my father. He was not about to let go of the wealth and status he had obtained so easily.
So, less than a month after Elyse's mourning period, he set his sights on me and sent me to the Archer family as a second wife for their short-lived eldest son.
The Frederick family had more than two daughters. I was the youngest, the fifth, and I had a third sister called Bianca.
But Bianca had always been my father's favorite. He could not bear to harm her.
When my father came to me that day, he looked guilty. He held my hand under the candlelight and spoke for a long time about how helpless he was and how much he was reluctant to part with me.
I just looked at him in confusion. Why couldn't he simply admit that he was greedy for power? Why did he need me to believe that he truly cared about me?
We talked until deep into the night. I yawned repeatedly before my father finally went straight to the point.
He said that the Archer family was so wealthy that no matter how much dowry the Frederick family gave me, it would never be enough. So, instead of returning Elyse's dowry, they would use it for mine.
See? That was what he had really wanted to say.
So, I had no grand bridal procession, no guests, no family to see me off. I was secretly carried into the Archer family's residence in a bright chair.
Even the maid accompanying me sighed in pity.
But none of them knew that I was willing to be the second wife of Draven.
...
The candles burned halfway down when Draven, my husband, finally entered the room, supported by a servant.
In a robe and black boots, he was reeking of alcohol as he collapsed onto the bed.
"Mrs. Archer, the young master is very happy tonight. He's drunk."
I had heard before that Draven was in poor health and never had alcohol. Even on the day he married my sister, he had not drunk more than a few sips.
But tonight, he was completely drunk. Whether it was because he was too happy or too sad, I did not know. And I did not care.
I only knew that he was now my husband.
I lifted the veil embroidered with flowers, which was my handiwork.
I ordered the servants to bring hot water and carefully wiped the alcohol-flushed cheeks of Draven.