<Chapter 1>

Prologue

This place, the North, infamous for its cold and barren lands, wasn’t simply a victim of prejudice. At its center stood Winstein, the residence of the North’s ruler. But today, the Grand Hall of the Winstein Ducal Estate was as splendidly decorated as the imperial palace of the wealthy and peaceful capital.

“It’s been a while since the manor was decorated so lavishly.”

“This is my first time seeing it. There haven’t been any balls here since the previous Duke and Duchess passed away.”

So, why had the Grand Hall’s doors opened for the first time in so many years? Today, the ruler of this massive territory and one of the Empire’s three dukes was getting married. To celebrate this monumental event, the manor’s staff had poured their hearts into adorning the banquet hall. From the silverware on the tables to the grand chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, everything sparkled with cleanliness and elegance. There was nothing to criticize, except for one thing. That one thing was none other than the groom, known as “the Monster.”

“Groom, enter!”

A man in a grand but somber ceremonial outfit stepped onto the wedding aisle, his imposing build on full display. His powerful stride felt less like a march and more like a conquering invasion. Although he didn’t radiate any malicious aura, people swallowed nervously, tension building.

‘So, it’s true… He really is the Monster Duke……’

Those who had only heard of his dreadful reputation and were now seeing him in person kept their gazes fixed to the floor, discreetly wiping the cold sweat from their brows.

Temenos Winstein.

This man, called the Monster Duke, struck fear throughout the Empire from the time he was merely thirteen. It was said he ripped beasts apart with his bare hands, laughing madly while drenched in blood. Rumor also claimed that he inherited his title at thirteen because he had killed the previous Duke and Duchess himself. Most of the rumors that followed him sounded like the plots of popular novels on the streets. But seeing him in person made people wonder if those outlandish stories might actually be true.

“Bride, enter!”

A trembling voice echoed, and the bride, her face covered in a pure white veil, began walking down the aisle. The crowd stayed silent, as they did with the groom, due to the swirling rumors about her.

‘Didn’t she supposedly try to end her life to avoid marrying the monster?’

‘Please don’t faint, at least not until the ceremony is over!’

As if time had frozen, every passing second felt like ten years. Amid the anxious atmosphere, thankfully, the bride held back any tears or swoons, and the ceremony continued quietly.

“Do you, the groom and bride, vow to forsake all others and love only each other, through both joyous and sorrowful times, until death parts you?”

Finally, the only thing left was the formal vow. Just as people breathed a sigh of relief, thinking it was finally over, Bishop Roam, who officiated the ceremony, spoke in a solemn voice, catching them off guard.

“But before you swear to God, the groom must remove his mask.”

Remove his mask?!

The guests were so stunned by the bishop’s command that they forgot their fear of the Monster Duke.

Does the bishop not know that the Duke was born with a monstrous ‘unnatural appearance’ as punishment from God?

The Northern Duke was cursed by the heavens, and thus he wore a mask to conceal his left side. Even on his wedding day, it was no exception.

“How dare you! By what right do you demand this of the Duke?!”

One of the Winstein retainers shouted sharply. Yet even facing the deadly glares of the retainers, Bishop Roam was undeterred.

“Silence! As I, Bishop Roam, officiate this ceremony, God himself is watching. Making vows while hiding one’s face—how blasphemous!”

With a solemn expression, Bishop Roam looked at the Monster Duke.

“Duke Winstein, remove your mask at once. If you refuse to remove it…”

Then,

“It’s fine.”

A low voice filled the hall. All eyes turned to the Duke, who had been silent until now, as he raised his hand and slowly removed his mask. The white half-mask that had hidden his disfigured face dropped to the floor with a quiet thud.

“In the sight of God, with complete honesty, I vow to fulfill my duties as a husband, cherishing my wife in joy and in sorrow.”

His words, uttered reverently, sounded like a prayer to God himself. Despite the solemn tone, Bishop Roam was still in shock, unable to tear his gaze away from the duke’s left face.

‘H-he’s truly a monster!’

The scales covering his left cheek and forehead left nothing to explain. His left pupil contracted and dilated repeatedly as it followed him with a relentless focus. And to make it worse, the iris around that repulsive pupil was a deep, blood-like red. 

‘It truly is the cursed punishment passed down through his lineage!’

A chill ran down his spine, and he felt weak, as if he might collapse at any moment. At that tense moment, an unexpectedly cheerful woman’s voice filled the hall.

“Yes! I vow as well. I’ll live a happy life as a duchess!”

“Wha, What?”

“Oh, am I supposed to repeat exactly what I just heard? In joy or sorrow, I won’t abandon my husband… What was it again? Your Grace, what did you say earlier?”

“Couldn’t you remember that short vow?”

“Hey, it wasn’t that short… Anyway, I vow not to do anything that would embarrass God, who sent me here.”  

From beneath the veil, which reached down to her chest, her cheerful voice could be heard clearly. Even as she whispered with the man beside her, there wasn’t a hint of fear or distress in her tone. Bishop Roam couldn’t believe it.

“Are you… are you serious? You truly mean to marry this man?”

“Yes, I just vowed to do so. Didn’t you hear?”

Her tone, tinged with bewilderment, sounded almost like she was teasing him. The bishop, barely regaining his composure, clenched his teeth and spoke,

“……Then finally, to prove your vows are genuine, the groom and bride shall share a kiss.”

To kiss, she’d have to lift her veil, meaning she’d have to look him in the face whether she wanted to or not. Who would want to face such a monster while sharing a kiss? The Duke seemed to share the bishop’s hesitation. His hand fumbled with the edge of the veil, showing a hint of reluctance. At that moment, as the bishop’s lips began to twist into a faint smile, the bride, feeling that the hesitation had dragged on long enough, boldly lifted her veil herself and—

“Whatever.”

She rose on her toes and kissed the Duke on the lips. Just then, a mysterious golden radiance descended from above, enveloping the couple in a dazzling embrace.

As if in blessing.

“Wha… what is that light?”

Glittering particles of gold spread from the couple, filling the hall. And among the guests, some remembered. The rumor about the bride wasn’t only that she’d tried to end her life to avoid marriage with the monster. There was another rumor, so ridiculous that no one had believed it.

“They say the Duchess wasn’t just a Saintess candidate—she’s the actual Saintess!”

“Come to think of it, did you hear? They say the Duchess personally treated patients with conditions that even doctors couldn’t heal…”

Unexpectedly, the wedding of the Monster Duke concluded, not only without incident but with great success. The excited murmurs of the crowd began to fill the manor. Thus, no one noticed the small detail that followed. After the kiss, the ears of Temenos, the so-called Iron-Blooded Monster Duke, turned bright red, as though he’d been scalded.

*  *  *

After the wedding, the Duke and Duchess began a parade to greet the people of the Northern estate.

“Hello, everyone! Thank you for your welcome! I am now your Duchess— Aah!”

Just as she leaned out of the carriage window to wave enthusiastically, the carriage jolted, making her lose her balance. Luckily, her husband’s strong arm wrapped around her waist before she could tumble inside.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

His one visible eye, as the other was concealed behind his mask, looked her over. After confirming she was unhurt, her husband reached over her head to close the window.

“It’s dangerous. Please refrain from doing that.”

“Wait, hold on!”

She quickly grabbed his wrist to stop him from closing the window.

“If you close it, people won’t be able to see my face.”

“Why should they need to see your face?”

“Because…!”

…the Northern faith’s devotion will rise by one point!

The residents of the North pray in gratitude to God.

Northern faith rises. (+1)

 

The residents of the North praise God.

Northern faith rises. (+2)

 

The residents of the North pray to God……

“Long live the Saintess!”

Northern faith surpasses 1,000.

Reward: <1 Divine Oracle Token>

 

▶ Next goal: Northern faith 5,000

▶ Next reward: 1 Divine Oracle Token

“Yes!”

She clenched her fist, delighted with having secured another lifeline. Just then, her husband caught her eye, gazing at her with a slightly subdued expression.

“……”

“W-why are you looking at me like that?”

Have I been staring at the alert box for too long? To Temenos, I must have looked like I was staring into empty space, which would be odd…

“When we’re alone, it’s fine if you act that way. But in public, it’d be best to avoid such actions as much as possible.”

“Pardon?”

What on earth is he talking about now?

“People will misunderstand if you’re overly expressive in front of them.”

The Duke turned his head away with a slight cough.

Temenos continued in his own mysterious way, speaking as if only he understood, before suddenly turning his head away. Not sure why he’d done that so abruptly—and finding it strangely cold—she blinked in confusion, until she noticed a glimpse of his reddened earlobe through his golden hair.

Oh, right… This man thinks I’m in love with him.

She finally understood his misunderstanding. He’d seen her reaction to the oracle pass she’d just received and assumed she was pleased because she’d safely made it through the wedding with him.

‘I thought he’d get over it on his own, but maybe I should clear up his little misconception before he drowns in this fantasy.’

When did he change like this, anyway?

She recalled the day she’d first met Temenos—the day she’d first opened her eyes in this world.
 

<To be continued>

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