“You look beautiful, mi’lady.” My maid, Donna, states, as she fixes up my slim wedding dress.

“I know you’re flattering me, Donna, but thanks.” I reply.

She snorts. “You need more self-confidence, Lapis. You really are cute!” She pulls at my cheek and I give her a stony-faced glare in return.

If Donna wasn’t also my nanny and mother figure, she would never get away with talking to me like that, but I always let it slide as long as we’re alone. I love her far more than father, after all.

“I wish it were just about that.” I give a wry smile.

She laughs deeply. “It ~IS~ about that, my little Lapis. You might be going to be a second wife, but you’ll see, you really will! Men might try to care about their lineage before everything else, but as soon as he’s been between the legs of a beauty once, he never forgets!”

“DONNA!” I cry, my entire face blushing crimson. I kick her shin, but its like kicking a rock, and I hurt my toe. Stupid stone mages.

She just belly-laughs. “Hahaha! My bad. That was a bit spicy for a young girl in the early morning! Sorry!”

Suddenly, her expression goes neutral and she snaps to attention. Her instinct is as good as always; because a second later, my big brother, Jasper, walks in, clad in his official Myneris family robes. He is tall and walks with purpose. His eyes blaze with indigo, far more intense than my own modest shade of blue.

“Jasper?” I question.

What is he doing here?

“Lapis. I came back immediately when I heard. A Level 31 healer is marrying you? I thought you were lying, but it seems everything is above board, and the office approved the marriage certificate immediately. I honestly don’t know what’s happening here. But I’m glad for you.”

His voice is rather cold; and he is as well. I can’t blame him, he’s the eldest, and he’s grown up with a duty to uphold. But he’s never been nasty to me, even if I’m the mediocre youngest sibling.

I nod to him.

“Striking whilst the iron is hot. You have the right idea.” A purring female voice says.

“Big sister Alice.” I nod again. The way she steps out from behind him is almost predatory; she is a prodigy Shadow Mage. They’re rarely apart these days, my big brother and his wife. They both work in internal affairs together, a classic spy and enforcer team.

“I just checked into his background, and he is indeed a First-Class Healing Magister. Works in the Public Sector, a Sudden-Born, first of his line. As of yet… unmarried. I assume he had no idea of the importance of doing this as soon as he could. Which explains why he needs someone as young and moderate in talent as Lapis, to increase the chances.” The disdain in her voice is evident; but Jasper looks mildly surprised.

I’m assaulted with facts I had no clue about before. A sudden-born? He comes from a normie family? And I’m… I’m actually the first wife!!?!?

Oh my gosh. I… I have honestly struck adamantine. A brand-new healer lineage. Yes, of course. It all makes sense now. I’m from a good line, but I’m not so powerful as to overwhelm his new talent. If I had a strong level, all of my children would have a high chance to be thunder mages that overwhelmed his new power. I would be worthless to him. He couldn’t risk it!

“Close your mouth, sister. It is unseemly. You might be marrying an ex-commoner, but you are still a lady of quality, you shall not act unbecoming!” Alice shouts.

Oh hells beneath. I lost it and became slack-jawed.

“I’m truly sorry, sister.” I bow as low as I can. Its tough in the rigid white dress.

“Well; it can’t be helped. I had thought it best you know before you arrive, and it seems that I was correct in assuming his profile had no such information.” Alice snorts again. Her disdain is still rather clear. She slips off again, leaving me with Jasper and Donna.

I relax slightly as she goes. She still scares me a bit.

Jasper smiles wryly, and pats me on the head. It is something he has not done in many years, and it feels somewhat alien now I almost a woman.

“You know that we truly didn’t wish you to go the Upton family; but there were, at the time, no other choices. You know that, right? There would be no benefit to us, and absolutely none for you.”

I nod, silently. I understood father was backed into a corner. I am truly lucky.

“Well, if you understand, make sure you do your best to not bring shame to the family, Lapis. You are now Lapis Corwin, first lady of the Corwin line. Do all you can to be a good wife to him, no matter what.”

I nod more vigorously. This is my only chance. I know.

“Father has attempted to open a line of communication to discuss if he has further requests of a dowry for you, but has already deposited a stipend for your hand that should sweeten this deal for him. Try all you can to keep the extra dowry reasonable. I’ve got a car waiting for you outside, so be ready soon.”

“Jaspar, darling, we can’t linger, we have a raid to plan this evening.” I hear Alice speak from somewhere.

My brother observes me for a moment longer.

“Good luck, little Lapis.” He kisses me on the head.

“Or I should say, Lady Corwin. Make us proud!”

I smile at Jasper. He has his own way of caring.

He nods, and then leaves.

. . .

“Then, we need to go, Donna. I need to give him my wedding greetings as soon as possible. This is better than I thought!”

“Absolutely my lady. Well, you’re lucky. You don’t need much make-up because your face is beautiful. We’ll do your lashes, and then I’ll drive you there right away.”

I nod. My heart is in my throat at the prospect of meeting my husband. But armed with the information from my brother and his wife, my anxiety is much less than it would be. I have an important position. He might act weird, because he was once a commoner. But I’m tough, I can adapt. He is now a real noble, and his power means that even strong old-empire families like ours have to pay attention to him, even if they don’t respect him.

. . .

“Are you certain this is right, Donna?”

“Absolutely, my lady.”

We have arrived at the address given. It was merely a twenty-minute journey from the Mynaris estates to the city proper. I’m glad it wasn’t far.

Don’t get me wrong. This is a nice enough apartment building. It must have rooms of a decent size. And this area of the city isn’t a complete mess like some of the common zones and dead-magic lands.

But the key word here is… “apartment”. How can someone with such a power be living in… such a place!??

“No. I’m thinking about this wrong, aren’t I, Donna? This… this would-be luxury for someone from a Nor- a background like his, I suppose?”

“Indeed, milady. I’m only from the minor branch family, so I grew up in an apartment like this. But some common places are merely a single room. I will wait for you in the car.”

I manage a wry smile. I was a fool to expect to go from one manor to another, of course. I’m ultimately a sheltered rich girl. But this is fine. Here, I shall still live free. ‘Lady of the Apartment’ doesn’t have the same ring to it as ‘Lady of the House’, but it shall have to do.

I take a deep breath. I have to hoist up my dress to climb the exterior staircase. Thankfully, Donna chose a slender one to accent my features and show off my collarbones and neck, and bring the focus to my face. One with huge frills could have been embarrassing here, I might have gotten stuck in the narrow winding stairs!

Number 214.

For some reason, I am no longer afraid. This must be my life now. I will accept it.

My hand goes to the door handle, and as I expect, the door opens, recognising the fact that I am now married to the owner of the property. The registrars waste no time.

I take a step. And there he is. My husband. He is loafing on his sofa, casually dressed, looking like a deer caught in the headlights.

I suppress a giggle and turn it into a smile. My harsh old etiquette training kicks in. I cock my neck slightly and stand straight as all girls are taught, projecting my confidence. I flutter my lashes, and speak.

“Greetings to you, my husband. I, Lapis Corwin, your wife, am here to serve you.”