The Final Task of the Forsaken Saint: A Command to Marry the Barbarian Count - Chapter 4

The atmosphere in the waiting room was heavier than I had anticipated. The walls were lined with thick tapestries, depicting scenes of battle and nature, but the mood was still solemn. The soft glow of a few candles flickered on the walls, casting long shadows across the stone floor. It was quiet, save for the occasional rustling of guards shifting uneasily outside the door.

The door had closed behind me with a heavy thud, leaving me alone in a small, austere room. The guards, after having verified my credentials, had allowed me to enter but insisted I wait for the Margrave to summon me. I took a seat in the corner, my trunk resting beside me and my staff still firmly in hand, the heavy crystal at its top catching the light.

I absentmindedly ran my fingers over the worn wood, the familiar weight grounding me, though my nerves were far from calm.

I wasn’t sure what to expect. The Margrave’s reputation was nothing to be taken lightly, and the stories surrounding his rule had already made me uneasy. He was a man of few words, a stern ruler who didn’t appear to entertain many visitors, let alone a young woman like me. I could only imagine how the conversation would go once he finally arrived.

What had I gotten myself into?

The minutes felt like hours, and I couldn’t help but wonder if I was being kept here on purpose—perhaps to make me feel uncomfortable, to test my patience. The Margrave seemed like the type who preferred to keep people waiting as a way of asserting control. It wasn’t something I particularly enjoyed, but there wasn’t much I could do.

Finally, the door creaked open, and a servant entered, bowing deeply before me.

“Lady Rubel, the Margrave will see you now,” she said, her voice soft yet firm.

I stood up, nodding in acknowledgment, and followed her through the winding hallways of the castle. The stone walls here were colder, the air thick with the weight of history. We walked in silence, the echo of our footsteps the only sound. The servant led me to a grand set of double doors, which she opened with a single, smooth motion.

Inside, the room was much larger than I had expected. The Margrave sat behind a large desk made of dark wood, with maps of the surrounding lands spread out before him. He looked up from his papers as I entered, his gaze sharp, his expression unreadable. The air between us felt thick, charged with an unspoken tension.

“Lady Rubel,” he said, his voice low but commanding. “Please, have a seat.”

I stepped forward and took the seat opposite him, trying not to show the nerves that were slowly creeping up my spine. The Margrave didn’t seem the type to waste words, and I couldn’t help but wonder what exactly he had planned for me.

“Thank you for seeing me, my lord,” I said, my voice steady despite the uncertainty I felt inside.

The Margrave nodded, though his eyes never left mine. He wasn’t the type to engage in pleasantries, it seemed. After a long, almost uncomfortable pause, he finally spoke.

“I assume you know why you are here?” His voice was direct, as if getting straight to the point was the only way he did things.
I nodded. “Yes, my lord. I am here to fulfill the marriage contract, as per the king’s orders.”

A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, though it was gone before I could fully interpret it.

“I see,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “You are the ‘Scarlet Saint,’ a title earned on the battlefield. I have heard much about you.”

“…I am honored,” I replied, though the words felt hollow in my mouth.

“Honored?” The Margrave’s voice was almost amused.

“Is that really the word you would choose, considering the circumstances? You come here as a political pawn, just like every other noblewoman. A tool to cement alliances and further agendas.”

I felt my stomach tighten. I had known this marriage wasn’t based on love, but hearing it spoken so bluntly made the reality sting more than I had expected.

“I do not expect affection from you, Lady Rubel,” he continued, his tone softening slightly, though there was no warmth in it.

“Nor will I expect it from myself. Our union will be a practical one, based on mutual benefit. You will manage the lands I give you, and I will benefit from your… influence.”

I could tell by his choice of words that he saw me as little more than a figurehead. The Margrave didn’t care for me as a person; he simply saw me as a means to an end. I had no illusions about that.

But still, there was something in his gaze, something unreadable, that made me wonder if there was more to his words than just cold practicality.

“And what of the people I will be working with?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. “What are my duties here in Lostork beyond marriage?”

The Margrave’s eyes glinted slightly, his lips curling into a slight smile. “You will manage the territory I’ve assigned you. Carbunculus is not a place for the faint-hearted. The land is dangerous, filled with magical beasts, and your presence there will act as a shield, both literal and figurative.”

He stood up, walking over to a nearby map and pointing to a section marked in red ink. “This is where you will reside. It’s an isolated region, and the beasts there are ruthless. But I trust you, Lady Rubel, will be able to handle it.”

My heart skipped a beat. Carbunculus… the land I had been given. It was infamous for its dangerous magical beasts, and it was clear that the Margrave intended to use me as a tool to protect his lands while I remained isolated and removed from the capital.

I nodded. “I understand, my lord. I will do what is required.”
“Good,” he said, returning to his desk.

“You’ll start your duties as soon as you are settled. In the meantime, I suggest you rest. The journey here must have been tiring.”

With that, he motioned to the door.

I stood up, my mind racing with everything he had said. There was no affection in his words, no warmth. Just business.

“Thank you, my lord,” I said as I gave a shallow bow before leaving his office.

The servant who had led me to the room appeared again and silently escorted me back to my assigned chambers.

As the door closed behind me, I let out a deep breath. The weight of the Margrave’s expectations hung heavy on my shoulders, but I knew I had little choice but to accept them.

This was my new life.

And it had only just begun.