My Adopted Sister Rejected the Comatose Duke, So I Married Him and Became His Duchess Chapter 01

My Adopted Sister Rejected the Comatose Duke, So I Married Him and Became His Duchess Chapter 01

My name is Evelyn Gray.

Ever since I was a child, I have been able to see spirits lingering in the mortal world and hear them speak.

Among nobles who believed in prophecies and omens, such a gift was not considered a blessing.

It was seen as an ill omen.

Because of it, Baron and Baroness Gray despised me.

They would rather lavish all their affection on their adopted daughter, Vivian Gray, than spare a second glance for their own flesh and blood.

Later, Vivian became engaged to Alexander Windermere, heir to the most powerful duke in the kingdom.

From that moment on, she became the most valued member of the family.

But on the eve of their wedding, Alexander’s carriage overturned on a rain-soaked hillside.

He survived, but fell into a deep and prolonged sleep.

The Windermere family sent representatives to our estate, hoping Vivian would honour the engagement and move into the castle to stay by his side.

Vivian’s expression changed instantly.

“You expect me to spend the rest of my life caring for someone who may never wake and tending to his every need? Absolutely not! I refuse to waste my life on a man who cannot even respond to me. Anyone who wants this marriage can have it!”

At that moment, I saw Alexander’s spirit pass through the stone wall of the great hall and stop behind her.

His face was pale, and his eyes were filled with disappointment and anger as he stared at Vivian.

“How can she be so heartless? The court physician clearly said I could wake within six months. If someone is willing to care for me sincerely, then when I awaken, I will give her two of my richest estates and an annual allowance for the rest of her life.”

My heart stirred.

I immediately raised my hand.

“If Her Grace does not object, I am willing to honour the engagement in Vivian’s place.”

Whether I became the future Duchess of Windermere did not matter.

What mattered was that I very much wanted those two estates and the lifetime allowance.

…

I had expected Vivian to stop me.

Ever since we were children, her favourite pastime had been taking away everything I treasured and watching me suffer afterward.

But this time, she merely covered her mouth with her feathered fan and laughed scornfully.

“No one will care if you leave the Gray estate anyway. You’re perfectly suited to tending to a man who cannot wake. Just look at you, so desperate to cling to power and change your miserable circumstances. He cannot even open his eyes, yet you’re still throwing yourself at him. How pathetic.”

I lowered my head and did not answer.

This arrangement would allow me to leave the Gray estate and earn a reward that could change my entire life.

I wanted it settled immediately.

Alexander’s spirit, however, was so furious that he floated behind Vivian and swung his fists at her again and again.

“So this is the truth! You always claimed Evelyn bullied you, but they were all lies. You have been the one humiliating her all along. I cannot believe I was deceived by your false kindness for so many years!”

His resentment made the candle flames throughout the hall flicker wildly.

I silently pulled my shawl tighter around myself and approached Duchess Elena Windermere.

“I am the Gray family’s biological daughter. If Your Grace does not object, I am willing to marry Alexander in my adopted sister’s place and care for him until he awakens.”

The Duchess had arrived with worry etched across her face.

The Windermere family had already announced that their heir’s condition was stable and that he would soon resume overseeing the affairs of their lands.

If his fiancée abandoned him now, every noble family would mock House Windermere.

Their vassals and merchant caravans might also begin to lose confidence in them.

My offer had arrived just in time to preserve the family’s dignity.

The Duchess clasped my hands tightly.

“Are you truly willing? Alexander is still unconscious, so he cannot personally affix his seal to the marriage contract yet.”

“But if you remain faithfully by his side and fulfil your duties as his fiancée, you will become the officially recognised wife of the Windermere heir once he awakens.”

I nodded obediently.

“I am experienced in caring for the sick. When my grandparents were bedridden, I was the one who looked after them.”

Alexander’s spirit frowned.

He drifted over to my side and examined me from head to toe.

The chill radiating from him sent a faint shiver down my spine.

Pretending I could not see him, I continued describing my abilities.

“I can cook and prepare herbal remedies. I also know how to turn someone who has been confined to bed for a long time and exercise their limbs.”

Baron and Baroness Gray immediately chimed in with eager smiles.

“Yes, Evelyn has always been good at serving others. She is perfectly suited to caring for the duke’s heir. We fully consent to this marriage. Your Grace may take her away at once.”

They cast me out of the family home as though they were disposing of something they no longer needed.

Just before the heavy oak doors closed behind me, I heard Vivian’s shrill laughter.

“A girl who sees the dead and brings ill omens, paired with an heir who can do nothing but lie in bed. They truly are perfect for each other.”

Alexander’s spirit passed straight through the door, shaking his head repeatedly.

“How can she be so cruel? Once I awaken, I will keep my word and give Evelyn those two estates. I will make Vivian regret everything she has done today.”

I climbed into the carriage the Duchess had sent and offered a silent prayer.

You promised me two estates.

You had better keep your word.