Chapter 1

Morning sunlight streamed gently through the window as a man with black hair, dark enough to swallow all light, looked at her with pleading eyes.

“…Are you really sure about this?”

Reflected in the man’s deep-blue eyes was a small woman with marigold-colored hair.

Her tanned skin and big green eyes gave off a refreshing charm. She nodded brightly with a smile that could make anyone feel lighter.

“Yes!”

Ripples stirred in the man’s eyes at that smile.

Was she truly all right?

Was he not trapping this precious person within his own selfish desire?

Was he not daring to reach for the single ray of sunlight passing through the muddy, damp pit of his life?

He knew he would have to let her go in the end.

His long lashes trembled, but he suppressed the turmoil of guilt and longing within himself and spoke slowly.

“Lady Melissa.”

His trembling lips carefully released the words he had longed to say.

“Please… marry me.”

Just as his large hand slid a ring onto her slender finger—

-Bang!

A commotion broke out below the floor, and the sound of many footsteps rushed up the stairs.

“Y-you mustn’t do this!”

“How rude!”

The teahouse owner, shaking with fear, tried to block their way bravely, but the knights shoved him aside and stormed up the stairs.

Step. Step. Step. Step.

The knights swiftly took control of the entire floor.

In the tense air where even the shopkeeper trembled and shrank back, one man stepped forward.

An elderly knight with a straight posture that showed his years of sword training looked at the tall man before him and spoke in disbelief.

“Young Master. I thought it impossible, yet here you truly are in such a remote place.”

“It has been a while, Linburton.”

The black-haired man, who had been gazing tenderly at the woman, now looked at the old knight with an icy calm.

“You took longer than expected.”

“Longer, you say?”

Linburton’s face twisted in outrage.

“I searched the entire world for you for a year. To think the trail would lead to this shabby city! When I heard that a man matching your description had ordered a ring at a jeweler here, I ran at once, and now you are—”

“There is something you should know.”

The man called Young Master, Demius, cut him off and raised his left hand.

“I am married.”

“…!”

The dignified old knight’s eyes almost bulged from their sockets.

That Young Master, married?

Here, of all places?

And to her?

Linburton glanced sharply at the pretty but plainly dressed woman, then snapped his head back toward Demius.

“What on earth have you done!”

“Married.”

“That is not what I meant! Above all, a marriage without approval is void—!”

As he shouted, spraying spit, a sheet of paper fluttered before his eyes.

It was a marriage certificate bearing the seal of the local city lord.

Leaving the frozen knight behind, Demius turned to Melissa and politely extended his hand.

“Shall we go, my lady?”

“Ah, yes!”

Taking his hand, Melissa followed him toward the stairs.

The knights who had occupied the stairway scrambled to the sides under Demius’s chilling gaze, pressing themselves against the walls and railings.

One knight, staring blankly as the couple descended, came to his senses and ran to Linburton.

“C-captain, what do we do now?”

“…Ha.”

Linburton let out a quiet sigh, as if breaking free from stone.

Turning toward the window, he saw the couple approaching the carriage prepared to escort his master back.

Young Master Demius, and the unfamiliar woman beside him.

Demius was wearing an expression Linburton had not seen in years.

A gentle smile shining under the sun, eyes softened with warmth.

He looked just like the boy from long ago.

“…For now, escort them.”

The words slipped out before Linburton realized it. He stiffened, then forced a bitter smile and pressed a hand over his eyes.

“A dream that will soon shatter anyway.”

* * *

“…Mm?”

Mmm?

I was admiring how the carriage hardly shook at all when I tilted my head and looked out the window.

According to Demius, his family was a small noble house that owned a modest estate and a single home.

Yet—

“Greetings, Young Master.”

That home turned out to belong to the only grand ducal house in the country.

Seeing rows of servants bowing their heads before the main gate, my mouth fell open as a memory surfaced.

‘We just have a small estate.’

But that estate was an enormous territory, almost the size of a small nation.

‘We just have a house.’

And that house was a castle so vast it could not be seen all at once.

So this was what people meant by a scam marriage.

“Oh my.”

I pressed a hand over my racing heart.

It was my first time being tricked into marriage, so I was a little nervous.

After all, how many people could say they had been deceived into marrying into a grand ducal house, practically kidnapped into it?

Flushed with excitement over this new life experience, I pressed my warm cheeks.

Just then, the door opened, and Demius, who had been seated near it, stepped down first.

“May I have your hand?”

“Ah, yes!”

As I placed my hand in his firm grip and stepped down slowly, the servants’ blank faces began to crack.

People who had been standing in perfect symmetry like measuring tools widened their eyes or dropped their jaws in shock. I wondered if I had done something wrong.

Before that thought could finish, Demius smiled with a gentleness that seemed to melt the air and guided my hand.

“This way.”

“Ah, yes.”

Gathering the unfamiliar long skirt with one hand, I hurried after him.

So I was finally about to meet Demius’s family.

My heart thumped so fast it felt ready to burst out of my chest.

As we entered through the castle’s main gate, a vast hall of black marble spread before us.

“…Wow.”

I had never seen a place like this before.

Outside, the midsummer sun was blazing, yet inside the castle, cool air flowed through the halls.

It must have been because every window was draped in black curtains and the entire structure was built of thick stone walls.

‘It’s so cool in here.’

Maybe they designed it like an ice chamber on purpose.

As I marveled at how different life in a grand ducal house must be, a low voice echoed from the top of the staircase.

“Demius.”

The quiet yet powerful tone filled the entire castle, making my shoulders shrink instinctively.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Slow, dignified footsteps drew nearer.

When the light through the door traced a thin line across his face like a scar—

“…!”

I gasped, pressing a hand over my pounding heart.

White hair pulled tightly up, a black eyepatch across his face, and scars engraved deep into his skin.

Eyes so sharp they looked ready to kill on sight.

‘That must be the Grand Duke!’

The sheer charisma was like something out of a novel. I was awestruck.

If he already looked this magnificent in summer, how impressive would he be in winter?

I imagined him in thick fur clothes, standing solemnly amid a flurry of snow.

Just as I was lost in that thought, a cold voice flowed from the Grand Duke’s mouth.

“Demius.”

The rough, gravelly tone made the already cold air feel several degrees lower.

‘Wow, it really got cooler.’

Marveling at the sudden chill, I noticed Demius’s soft eyes harden instantly.

“It has been a while.”

He looked at the Grand Duke and, after a brief pause as if the next word pained him, spoke stiffly.

“…Mother.”

“What is that?”

Ignoring his words, the Grand Duke’s gaze turned to me.

Demius’s eyes flickered, and he took a step forward as if to block me.

At the same time, I smiled brightly and called out.

“It is an honor to meet you, Mother!”

“…Mother?”

Her sharp voice snapped back, the already fierce eyes narrowing even more.

“Who are you calling your mother?”