Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Life in Jasron was indeed more comfortable than in the village.

I no longer had to carry heavy loads on my shoulders, wandering through the streets and alleys every day, nor did I have to constantly calculate whether the money I earned that day could cover the cost of buying goods.

My vanity was filled with various jewelry and accessories, and the kitchen was stocked with delicacies from all over the country.

However, Gavin was busy with court affairs every day and only returned home at night.

The servants in the mansion were all very proper, answering only what I asked and nothing more.

In this vast mansion, there wasn't a single person to talk to, and it was incredibly lonely.

When I ate lunch alone, I would think of my parents, wondering if they were eating well. The thought brought tears to my eyes.

I remembered the days when I was a peddler. Although it was tiring, I could enjoy Mom's cooking when I got home, and counting the money at night made me happy.

Selling goods door-to-door allowed me to joke around with the young men and women, and it was so carefree.

In January, Gavin took me to the palace. I wore the gray fur cloak that Mom had saved up to buy for me last year, happily attending the banquet with him.

As dusk fell, the palace was brightly lit, and the long tables on both sides were filled with exquisite dishes.

The court musicians played their instruments diligently, and the court dancers performed gracefully to the music.

This magnificent scene was just like what I had read in storybooks.

I was very cautious, afraid of making a mistake and embarrassing Gavin.

After the feast, the Emperor summoned Gavin.

Gavin led me to kneel before the hall, and I curiously raised my head, meeting the gaze of the Princess standing behind the Emperor.

She covered her mouth and laughed, loudly asking, "Why is the General's wife wearing such clothes to the palace?"

She laughed so hard that even her hairpin tilted.

I couldn't think of a single word to say and turned to look at Gavin.

He frowned, looking displeased, and I guessed he was also embarrassed by me.

Trembling, I reached out from under the cloak to touch him. I was very scared and didn't know what to do.

This cloak was clearly something Mom had spent a lot on. Just last January, when visiting relatives, I wore it, and everyone praised how nice it looked.

The Emperor then asked me what my name was, and this time I could answer.

"My name is Pattie!" I responded firmly.

This time, not only the Princess but everyone in the hall laughed, even the Emperor couldn't stop laughing.

I heard a servant's voice beside me, "How can someone have such an outdated name? Must be from the countryside."

I was a bit annoyed and wanted to loudly retort that my name was given by my parents, and there was nothing funny about it.

But I didn't dare.

Mom had said that in the capital, I had to be more careful. Now that I was the General's wife, I couldn't be as reckless as before.

My name spread throughout the capital like wildfire.

Officials mocked how the mighty General, renowned in the capital, had married a crude country girl. The noble ladies laughed at how the General's wife was so uncouth and unrefined, making a complete fool of herself.

I became the biggest joke in the capital.

I didn't dare to go out, afraid of running into some noble who would mock my attire and behavior, spreading it among the aristocratic circles for a good laugh.

I felt extremely aggrieved but didn't dare tell Gavin.

Back in the village, everyone praised me for being capable, saying that even though I was a girl, I dared to peddle goods at a young age and did a great job. They said if I were a man, I would be extraordinary.

But now, in the capital, I was mocked for being crude, and even a three-year-old knew that the mighty General had married a foolish country girl.

Gavin said he would make up for it with a grand wedding.

I wanted to refuse.

My reputation was already so bad, and a grand wedding would only give people more reason to laugh at me.

But then I remembered how he said he had spent five years in the military just to marry me grandly.

I didn't want to disappoint him, so I agreed.

He was more concerned about the wedding than I was, busy with preparations, sending invitations, and arranging the wedding gifts.

I asked him to find me an etiquette teacher to teach me proper manners, not wanting to be laughed at again.

He invited Miranda from the palace to teach me the rules. Miranda was very strict, raising her whip at me if I didn't do something right.

I had always been a tomboy, good at climbing trees and catching birds, but learning manners was killing me.

But for Gavin, and for myself, I endured it even if tears welled up in my eyes from the whipping.

The wedding arrived as scheduled, and Gavin prepared a grand dowry to welcome me into his home.

During the wedding ceremony, he held my hand beneath the wedding veil and whispered, "Pattie, don't be afraid."

Through the veil, I saw him in a traditional red wedding robe, his hair tied with a silver crown, looking very handsome.

At the wedding, I behaved gracefully, without any mistakes.

But the women still said I was pale and thin, not at all like a General's wife.

The guests outwardly said I was lucky, but behind my back, they laughed at me, saying even my wedding gifts had to be prepared by my husband's family.

My forced smile faded, not understanding why being a General's wife was so difficult.

People said the General was gentle and considerate, the best of men. But they only said the General's wife was lucky.

Everyone knew I was the General's wife, but they didn't know I was Pattie.

The best young peddler from the small town.