Chapter 13.1 – Newlyweds

When the white fortress began to appear in the distance, Livie wanted to lean out of the carriage and shout. But she couldn’t do that—she now had a reputation to uphold.

‘The Duchess of Edrach.’

Livie silently repeated the title to herself. Though she was now addressed as the Duchess of Edrach, it would take her some time to get used to the name.

‘What should I do first when I return?’

The difference between being the bride Boris had abducted and being acknowledged as his lawful wife was as vast as the sky and the earth. They had held a wedding with the King’s formal approval, and she had become the wife of the ruler of the territory and leader of the knight order. There would be no shortage of responsibilities awaiting her.

‘Can I do this well?’

Livie fidgeted with her clasped hands. A surge of foreboding and tension seemed to overwhelm her all at once.

Meanwhile, the fortress of Edrach drew closer and closer.

“We’re here.”

Livie murmured softly as she gazed at Edrach Castle. Despite having spent only a short time there, she felt an inexplicable fondness for the place, as though it were where she had been born and raised.

When she had left the castle, nothing had been certain. Would the King recognize their marriage? Would they be able to return safely? None of it had been guaranteed.

But now, as the grand castle loomed before her eyes, she couldn’t help but feel a rush of emotion.

That place was no longer just a beautiful castle—it was now the space where she would spend the rest of her life with Boris.

‘With Boris.’

She had married Boris in a ceremony approved by the King, shared passionate nights in the castle, and now the entire world knew they were husband and wife. Yet, every time she recalled this fact, it still felt surreal.

Livie gazed at Boris’s back as he rode his horse alongside the carriage. Clad in light armor, he looked more reliable than ever. She stared at his figure so intently that Boris, riding ahead, turned to glance back at her.

“….”

Their eyes met, and Livie quickly ducked back into the carriage, but it was already too late—she had been caught.

The sound of hooves grew closer, and soon Boris was riding right beside the carriage, looking down at her. His gaze was so intense and persistent that it felt as though it could bore a hole into the back of her head.

No matter how hard she tried to ignore it, his unyielding stare left her no choice but to give in.

“…Did you see?”

“Yes.”

His succinct reply made Livie want to disappear. His violet eyes, fixed on her, were far too captivating.

“D-Don’t look at me like that.”

Those eyes held a strange power, making her want to grant whatever he desired. Boris, undoubtedly aware of this, seemed to use them on her deliberately.

Though he appeared naive and innocent on the surface, Boris was, in truth, as cunning as a fox.

“Here.”

Boris leaned closer to the carriage window and spoke.

“Huh?”

“If you want to look, do it openly.”

“What…?”

Livie stared at him, her mouth agape at his shameless words.

“If you want to see me, don’t hide…”

“Stop, stop it.”

Livie cried out, covering her flushed cheeks with her hands.

“Why? Go ahead and look.”

Boris replied, his expression as brazen as ever. Livie eventually buried her face in her hands and rested her head on her knees.

“It’s embarrassing!”

Hearing this, Boris chuckled softly, his gaze filled with affection.

“You’ll be seeing this face for the rest of your life. Look at it as much as you want—until you’re tired of it.”

“….”

“Just don’t actually get tired of it.”

“You!”

Livie pretended to throw a cushion at him, making Boris laugh heartily. Raising his hand, he pointed toward the castle.

“We’re almost there, Livie.”

As he said, the castle that had seemed distant was now much closer.

“Yes…”

The closer they got, the more the castle’s grandeur filled her with awe. This was her home now. This was where she would live with Boris. They were…

‘We’re truly husband and wife now.’

Livie looked at Boris again, lost in thought. They had returned as a perfect, undeniable married couple.

“Open the gates! The lord has returned!”

As Boris’s party reached the gates of Edrach Castle, the knight leading the procession shouted. The massive drawbridge began to lower.

Thud.

Crossing the drawbridge that spanned the moat, they entered the inner castle. The sight of the village within unfolded before them.

However, it was a desolate scene. The village, which should have been bustling with life, looked abandoned, with houses in disrepair and windmills long since stopped.

Livie observed the barren landscape as they passed through the village. This was supposed to be a thriving community, teeming with people.

Yet now, all that remained were dilapidated houses and an empty marketplace. Though a few people still lived there, the area’s long abandonment was evident.

‘Still, it has potential.’

The fact that the village’s basic structures remained intact would be a significant advantage once people began to settle there again. With proper restoration and plentiful resources, the area could flourish once more.

After passing through the village, they finally arrived at the front of Edrach Castle. As the second drawbridge lowered, Boris’s party, including the Kalini Knights, entered the castle grounds.

They still had to travel a bit further to reach the main keep, the lord’s private residence. Livie took in the scenery of the outer castle, which she had explored with Beth before.

As the people working in the outer castle noticed the duke and duchess’s arrival, they began to set down their tools and bow respectfully. Livie found their deference somewhat unfamiliar.

Clatter.

Lost in thought, Livie barely noticed when the carriage came to a stop in the inner castle.

The door opened, and Livie took Boris’s outstretched hand, hopping out of the carriage. To her surprise, the castle staff had gathered at the entrance to welcome the couple.

“Welcome home, Lord and Madam.”

Their polite greeting left Livie feeling a bit flustered. “Madam.” Though she knew they were addressing her, the title still felt strange and slightly embarrassing.

Sensing her discomfort, Boris took her hand and stood her by his side. Holding his hand, Livie cautiously began to walk.

The castle she had seen when Boris had abducted her on their wedding day felt completely different now that she was returning as its rightful mistress.

‘Come to think of it.’

Where would I be staying now? 

The question arose in her mind.

The tower she had stayed in before had been nearly impossible to access without Boris carrying her up. 

Surely, I wouldn’t be assigned to that space again, would I?

“The master bedroom for the duke and duchess has been prepared.”

The man who introduced himself as the butler spoke with a solemn expression.

Still holding Boris’s hand, Livie followed as they ascended the stairs.

“Our bedroom?”

She felt a mix of embarrassment and curiosity. The tower room she had stayed in before had felt more like a luxurious prison than a shared space for a couple.

Now, they would have a proper marital bedroom, and she couldn’t help but feel eager to see it.

“It’s been ready for a while, Livie.”

“Then why…”

She was about to ask why she had been assigned such an inaccessible room before.

“Because I was afraid you’d run away.”

“….”

His answer was simple and straightforward. Too honest, leaving no room for further questions.

“Shall we?”

Boris extended his hand with the elegance of a gentleman addressing a noble lady. Though she was technically a noblewoman herself, accepting that fact still felt slightly awkward.

“Huh? Oh… okay.”

Livie carefully placed her hand on top of his. Together, they began to slowly ascend the central staircase leading to the entrance of the main castle. Livie followed Boris up the stairs at a leisurely pace, though her heart longed to leap ahead and reach the bedroom quickly. However, that was a bit difficult.

To match the significance of her first entrance as the Duchess, she wore a dress more ornate and elaborate than usual, which made her steps slower. The long cape draped over her shoulders added to the weight. She pondered how cumbersome a dress could be when, suddenly, she was lifted into the air.

“Boris!”

Livie shrieked as she was lifted. Turning her head, she saw that all eyes were on them. However, no one seemed particularly bothered. As soon as their eyes met, the servants dispersed to their respective tasks at the butler’s signal.

Livie found this even more embarrassing.

“Put me down, please?”

Even with fewer eyes watching, Livie felt overwhelmingly embarrassed and pleaded.

“What does it matter?”

As expected, Boris casually dismissed Livie’s request.

“You’re my wife.”

“Oh… my?”

Though it was obvious, hearing it directly from Boris brought a different feeling.

“And we’re newlyweds.”

“That’s true, but…”

Reminded once more of this fact, Livie hesitated, unable to find the right words.