Chapter 2 – Even If I Die, It’ll Be Alright
As Bertina embraced the small figure who had thrown himself against her chest, the nightmare of flames vanished from her mind as if it had never been there.
She gently stroked her little brother’s hair as he clung to her, refusing to lift his face.
“Vitaly?”
At her call, his shoulders trembled. After a few seconds, he suddenly looked up.
The moment she saw his face, Bertina was startled.
“Are you crying, Vitaly?”
“I-I’m not crying!”
It was true—no tears had fallen yet. But his honey-colored eyes shimmered, brimming with moisture that looked ready to spill over at any moment.
Her younger brother, who had just turned eight, was usually so clever that he seemed older than his years…
But right now, he looked exactly like the child he was.
Naturally, Bertina’s expression softened.
“You don’t need to worry. I’ll be fine.”
“How could you possibly be fine?! Your body isn’t even strong…!”
“Vitaly…”
It was true—Bertina was not particularly healthy.
She loved to eat and to keep herself busy, but if she pushed herself too hard, she would come down with a fever or suddenly collapse from exhaustion.
(And lately… with all these nightmares, people keep saying I look pale every morning…)
“Isn’t there anything we can do? The other side is the Willpole family!”
At that, Bertina’s expression grew serious.
The Willpole Ducal House—
One of the Four Great Houses of the Empire.
A family of immense wealth and honor, ruling over the many tribes of the southern lands and standing at their pinnacle.
Their symbol of power, the Sacred Flame Knights, were said to surpass even the imperial knights.
And everyone in the Empire knew—
The Willpole and Crosswell families were enemies.
“Larisa should be the one going! You were against that reckless war from the beginning, Sister!”
“….”
“This is wrong! Even the blessing of ice—you’re the one who—!”
“Vitaly!”
Startled by her sharp voice, he fell silent.
“I told you never to say that.”
“But…”
Even as she tried to calm him, Vitaly bit his lip and looked down, unconvinced.
“It’s better if no one notices. And even if someone has strong ice magic, that doesn’t necessarily mean they would be strong on the battlefield.”
“But you—”
“I know, Vitaly. Even so… this is for the best. And that applies to you too, all right?”
“…I understand. I know you’ve been keeping quiet for my sake… but!”
His small fists trembled as he clenched them.
Bertina gently wrapped her hands around them.
Kneeling so she could meet his gaze, she saw the tears finally spill from his honey-colored eyes.
She softly wiped them away.
In contrast to those tearful eyes, her own sapphire-blue gaze was filled with unwavering resolve.
“Listen carefully. In exchange for preparing the dowry for this marriage myself… I made Uncle return Father’s estate.”
“…What?!”
Ignoring his shock, she continued.
“I also made him sign a document promising not to conscript you into war until you turn eighteen—and not to confiscate your assets.”
“…You paid for the dowry yourself?!”
Vitaly’s voice rang out.
“All that money you worked so hard to save… because of me…”
His shoulders trembled again as he lowered his head.
Bertina gently shook her head.
“No, Vitaly. This time, it wasn’t taken from us. I was able to use it for something meaningful.”
And she truly meant that.
Compared to when everything had been taken from them after their father’s death, with nothing given back in return—this was far better.
“And besides… going south doesn’t mean I’ll die. I’ll be fine. To them, I’m a symbol of victory—they won’t treat me carelessly.”
That was half truth, half lie.
Ordinarily, even as a hostage bride, she would not be killed.
There would be no reason for it.
(Ordinarily…)
But if that nightmare was a premonition—
Then she would be burned to death by someone who wielded flames.
There were many fire users in the south.
In the Willpole family, among the knights, and throughout the land.
But someone capable of flames like that?
Only a handful.
(I won’t let this child end up like Father… That’s why I’ll go to Willpole.)
The contract with the Duke would only become binding once the marriage was completed.
To protect Vitaly, she had to go through with it.
“So… it’ll be all right.”
She hugged him again.
Even as she reassured him—
She was also trying to convince herself.
(…It’ll be all right. It has to be.)
Once Vitaly had calmed down, Bertina called out softly.
“Sasha.”
The maid, who had been quietly waiting nearby, stepped forward without a wasted movement.
Sasha was one of the very few allies Bertina and Vitaly had in this household—and a highly capable one at that.
“I’ve arranged for you and a few trusted servants to accompany Vitaly to Father’s estate.”
Sasha’s usually calm, obsidian-dark eyes wavered ever so slightly.
“It may be difficult, but… please take care of him.”
“Yes…! Lady Bertina!”
Seeing her firm nod, Bertina felt some of the tension leave her shoulders.
(With Sasha, he’ll be all right…)
But unlike Bertina, the expressions of the other two remained strained.
Trying to lighten the mood, she forced a brighter tone.
“Maybe Willpole territory is actually a wonderful place. And maybe the knight I’m marrying will turn out to be kind.”
“…The Flame Knight Commander… kind?” Vitaly muttered.
That clearly had the opposite effect.
“W-well! We won’t know until we get there, right? There’s no point in looking so gloomy!”
There was no changing it.
She was going to the southern lands—to marry a knight of the Willpole family.
That much was decided.
“…As long as we’re alive, we’ll meet again someday.”
(Even if I die… these two will be all right.)
Holding those contradictory thoughts in her heart, Bertina embraced them both.
The day of her departure arrived.
It was a rare, perfectly clear day in Crosswell territory.
The bright, cloudless sky felt almost mocking.
As she approached the carriage—
“Oh my, are you leaving already, dear cousin?”
That shrill voice from behind instantly soured her mood.
(You came to see me off? What are you plotting?)
Suppressing her irritation, she turned with a polite smile.
“Yes. It will take several days to arrive.”
Standing there was her cousin, Larisa.
Her blue twin tails made her look even more doll-like than usual—
But the mocking smile on her face ruined the effect.
“Well, you are heading to that scorching land. If you don’t leave early, you might dry up before you even arrive.”
(…As expected.)
Even worse than Bertina had anticipated.
Her smile stiffened.
(She really has a gift for making people uncomfortable.)
“Thank you for your concern. But I’ve been feeling better lately.”
(Concern? You’re the one who always made things worse whenever I collapsed.)
Claiming it was “for her health,” Larisa had food brought to her that only worsened her condition…
And had forced paperwork on her even while she was bedridden.
(And Uncle always takes her side… so there’s no point in complaining.)
As those unpleasant memories resurfaced, Bertina’s expression tightened slightly.
Unbothered, Larisa continued.
“But you mustn’t let your guard down. You may have weak ice magic, but your constitution is still that of a Crosswell…”
There was a faint note of delight in her expression.
Bertina tensed.
Larisa’s lips slowly curved into a smile.
“You should be careful… or you might die.”
Silence fell.
Larisa seemed to savor her own cruelty, openly sneering now.
And then—
“…Hehe.”
A soft laugh broke the silence.
“…?”
Caught off guard, Larisa frowned.
Character
Bertina
A noble lady of the Ice Ducal House who is being married off to the Flame Knight’s side. She suffers from recurring dreams of her own death.
Vitaly
Bertina’s younger brother. Though still a child, he is intelligent and cares for her deeply.
Larisa
Bertina’s cousin. Despite her doll-like appearance, she is selfish and cruel.
