Viceroy Antonio Maria de Buscareli y Ursua (1770): You are my godson and I worry about your future. It worries me that you won't find a good woman to marry. Everyone fears you in the colony.
So, I've been thinking that you should marry a wife that I've already chosen, a girl who doesn't know you, or at least, who doesn't know your reputation.
I already have the authorization from the King of Spain, and he agrees with me.
...----------------...
Julian Manuel Servando Rodriguez Conde de la Veracruzana: Thank you, but no. I assure you, I can get a wife on my own.
Viceroy: A prostitute? Because I seem to recall that no decent girl from the nobility would agree to be your wife.
Julian: Well, then, to whom are you referring?
Viceroy: Actually, there is a Count whose lands border yours. Apparently, in recent years, he's become a tyrant. He mistreats his servants and it's said he's involved in shady business.
Julian: Are you saying you want me to marry or are you telling me you want me to destroy that family?
Viceroy: I want you to marry his daughter. It will be a way to control him and, if he opposes, you can take over his lands.
Julian: You're crazy. I'm not planning on marrying that woman. Do you even know her? She's a haughty, rude woman. I myself have witnessed how she treats people. She's very superficial. Besides, she's not my type.
Viceroy: I'm not referring to Miss Manuela Salvatierra. I would never condemn you to a life with such a foolish woman.
Julian: Then who are you referring to?
Viceroy: Perhaps you don't know this, but Alejandro Salvatierra has another daughter from his first wife.
The spoiled one is his second daughter. So, as long as we can ensure a good future for his precious one, I'm sure he'll hand over his first daughter to us.
Julian: And why doesn't he want her? Maybe he was forced to marry her mother. That's why he doesn't love her, and if he doesn't want her, how can you be sure we'll be able to control him based on that daughter?
Viceroy: A third of the county, the lands adjacent to yours, are the dowry of that young lady. So, upon marrying her, those lands would become yours.
Julian: How can I be sure that they'll cede them? After all, he hates his daughter.
Viceroy: I have the dowry document. Her mother sent it to me before she died. It's sealed and bears the Count's signature. I haven't told you, have I? That girl's mother is a distant cousin whom I loved dearly.
Julian: Ah, so what you want is to protect her, and you want to use me.
Viceroy: I won't deny it. I think you'd be an excellent husband. Besides, no father in their right mind would hand their daughter over to you anyway.
Your reputation precedes you. You are considered a bloodthirsty man, and I won't mention the other names you've been called. But tell me, do you accept?
What's more, this way, not only do I find you a wife, but I also fulfill a promise I made many years ago. In exchange, you can ask anything of me in the future, or now.
Julian: You're so eager to fulfill your promise, even promising another promise.
What if that girl already has someone? What if she never loves me or never wants me? Or what if she never wants to go near me? After all, they fear me.
Viceroy: I know you're a good man. I know you'll be a good husband. You just need to have an heir with her.
That's all I ask. Besides, I'm sure you would never break your promises and that you will respect her.
I know you well. Also, I think it's time for you to get married.
Julian: Alright, I accept. But on the condition that, in the future, no matter what you ask of me, you will grant it. Even if my request is to leave my post. Even at the risk of losing me.
Viceroy: I hope that's not the case, but yes, I will grant any request you have.
Julian: Very well. I accept, although I'm sure you've already sent the proclamation. It's not like that, is it?
Viceroy: Of course. Your bride awaits you. He already sent me the answer and said that he will hand over his eldest daughter. After all, it's only fair that she be the first to marry. At least that's what Count Salvatierra says.
Of course, I expected this. He's so besotted with that harlot that if they told him one of his daughters would die, he wouldn't think twice about sending his eldest daughter straight to her death.
Julian: Really? Can a father be as cruel as you say?
Viceroy: Yes, but the strange thing is that he wasn't like that. He was a good and fair man. I can't imagine what could have happened to make him turn into this.
Julian: Your cousin didn't say anything to you before she died?
Viceroy: No. In fact, she had the document delivered through unusual means. A close friend of ours brought it and said it was important that I keep it and that I fulfill what she asked. It seems my cousin knew that she might not survive childbirth, but she didn't tell me anything else because she was incommunicado.
Julian: Well then, I will depart to claim my bride. I hope she's a pretty girl so that, at the very least, conceiving my future heir won't be a sacrifice.
And that is how the most infamous dark count set off to the Salvatierra County to claim his unknown bride.
Each of these souls has suffered, and the suffering was caused by people close to them. Will they be able to open their wounded hearts and allow love to take root in them?
Love is a double-edged sword. Why, you may ask?
Love itself has hurt these two souls, but love can also be the medicine they need to heal...
***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***
Updated 54 Episodes
Download
Like this story? Download the app to keep your reading history.
Comments