What the Bride Became
My young mistress's betrothed was dying, and she ordered me to marry him in her place to turn his luck. People believed the joy of a wedding could drive out sickness and misfortune, and that a dying man might be pulled back from the grave by it.
"The royal physicians all say Lord Blackwell won't live past seven days! Why should I marry him only to be buried at his side?
"He's never even seen me. You can marry him instead.
"You're nothing but a lowborn maid. Being allowed to marry the regent is the luck of a lifetime."
Before I could react, the glowing words appeared before my eyes again.
[Celeste is such an idiot. What does she mean, he won't live past seven days? Lord Blackwell has the male lead's plot armor!]
[Baby girl, say yes! Lord Blackwell is a wife-spoiling maniac. He'd give you his life!]
[Once Lord Blackwell wakes up, your good days begin. First you'll be freed from your bond, then you'll be made a lady of the first rank, and then you'll rise straight to the top!]
I knelt before my mistress and bowed my head low.
"Thank you, my lady. I'm willing to marry in your place."
The top of the world was too far away for me to imagine, but right now, I truly didn't want to be a servant anymore.