In the mansion, there were two studies. One belonged to Lahart, and the other belonged to Iren.

Despite the fact that there were many matters that required consultation with the Duchess, the two studies were located at opposite ends, one in the east and the other in the west.

It was structured in a way where they couldn’t meet unless one of them made up their mind to go.

“Don’t even come near my study unless I call for you. Anything that requires discussion should be done through written documents. If you mess around, I might just tear it apart, so keep that in mind.”

Lahart spoke with a commanding tone, as if he would draw his sword from his waist at any moment.

It was the day after the wedding.

Iren had no choice but to respond to him with an ‘I understand.’

She expected to receive this kind of treatment. There was no love or affection in this marriage. Just revenge. Revenge was the only reason this marriage could take place.

The Phaeson family had fallen. When the newly crowned Emperor, who was once a prince, discovered their plot to assassinate him, and recognized it as an act of treason.

The reason on the surface was apparent, but everyone knew. The Phaeson family’s accumulated sins had finally caught up to them.

Iren survived when she should have died along with her parents and siblings. She didn’t know why she should pretend to be Duchess Cardius. Iren could only obey Lahart, no matter what he did to her.

Just as he said, everything of her belonged to Lahart. Even her life.

“Madam! Why did you behave that way at the dining hall earlier?”

Jane followed Iren into the study and placed a tray on the empty table. It contained easily edible finger foods and hot tea.

But when Iren didn’t react and only focused on the documents, Jane spoke with a voice mixed with concern and anger.

“If you keep refusing meals, you’ll be in big trouble. Especially since you’re already weak.”

“I had a satisfying meal at the dining hall earlier.”

“I am your personal maid, Madam. Do you think I wouldn’t know whether or not you had a meal?”

Jane moved the food and tea to the edge of the desk.

“You have to eat at least a little. You hardly ate anything yesterday evening. What will you do if you actually faint?”

“Just leave it. I’ll eat when taking breaks.”

“I’ve been fooled by your words so many times. I’ll wait until I see you eat today, then I’ll leave.”

Jane insisted. It wasn’t proper behavior for a mere maid to stand against the Duchess, but the two of them didn’t care.

To Iren, Jane was like a friend and a younger sister. Since the day she arrived at the Duchess’s mansion, led by Lahart’s hand, Jane had sincerely taken care of her as her personal maid.

“His Grace is really… truly cruel. Because His Grace treats you so recklessly, other people also…!”

“There’s no need to blame the Duke. I haven’t done anything right. Whether I’m accepted by others or not is my problem, not the Duke’s.”

Jane didn’t reply. Recently, Lahart’s attitude had been getting colder and more rough with each passing day, deepening Jane’s concerns.

She constantly worried about Iren. It was because she cherished Iren, not just as the Duchess she served but as a dear sister.

Iren felt sorry for Jane and took a bite of the sandwich that was the size of a mouthful.

“…Urgh.”

But as soon as she smelled the food, nausea rose up.

Flustered, Jane quickly handed her a cup of tea.

As she drank the warm tea, her upset stomach calmed down little by little. While Iren wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, Jane cleared the plates far away.

“Are you okay, Madam? I bothered the chef to bring what he just made… Maybe something went wrong with the food. I’m really sorry. I’ll bring new food right away.”

“It’s okay. I feel a bit queasy in the morning. It’s better to just drink tea.”

“You haven’t eaten anything, and you feel queasy… Shouldn’t we call a doctor?”

“Don’t fuss. I know my body best. It’s nothing.”

Iren drank a few more sips of tea. It wasn’t just empty words to reassure Jane.

Iren, with her profound knowledge of herbal medicine, had the knowledge not inferior to that of a doctor. She had been taking medicine consistently under Lahart’s command.

If she mentioned that her health was not good, he would become uncomfortable. Besides, it didn’t seem likely that the butler, who disliked her, would easily call a doctor.

It was best for Iren to remain quiet like a corpse.

The restless Jane suddenly seemed to remember something and narrowed her eyes.

“Um… Madam, I’m saying this just in case.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m really, really, I mean… really saying this with caution.”

“Why are you beating around the bush like that? Just speak freely.”

“Could you be with child…”

Clink!

“I’m, I’m sorry!”

The teacup Iren was holding fell to the ground and shattered into pieces. Jane picked up the broken pieces and placed them on her apron.

As Jane got up to fetch a cloth to clean the floor, she caught sight of Iren’s pale, trembling face. Jane realized she had made a big mistake.

“Jane.”

“Yes. Yes, Madam.”

“Those words shouldn’t be spoken. Understand?”

“I understand. I’m really sorry. I spoke out of turn. Please forgive me.”

Iren spoke in a stern, unyielding voice. Jane knelt down and bowed her head.

Iren took a deep breath and exhaled. Then, in a slightly softened tone, she spoke to the trembling Jane.

“It’s not unreasonable for you to have such thoughts. But… it’s impossible.”

I have a body that can’t bear a child.

Iren swallowed her last words. Jane kept repeating how sorry she was.

After sending the teary-eyed Jane away, Iren remained alone in the study, lost in thought.

A child of mine and Lahart’s.

There was a time when she had dreamed of it.

She had held the futile hope that things might change when a child came, that Lahart might change and love both her and their child.

But Lahart’s heart had been consumed by vengeance and hatred, leaving no trace of compassion.

He wasn’t in a state where he could love someone or something.

Iren’s wish was a pitiful one that couldn’t even come true in her dreams.

‘Come to think of it, I haven’t had my menstruation around for a while.’

Jane, her exclusive maid, could not be unaware of that. She was likely to misunderstand it.

Still, it’s impossible. Iren shook her head. Like what she said to Jane, she couldn’t have a child. The reason why she hadn’t gotten her menses was something else, not because she had a child.

Aftereffects of poison.

Iren’s body, which received different types of poison and antidote every day, was in a state that could not be falsely called normal.

She must have to finish her research within a month, even without Lahart’s orders.

Because her body had reached its limit.

“Hooh.”

She sighed and picked up the pen she had let go of. Work was the best way to distract her from her thoughts.

She spent the morning focusing on paperwork, driving away the faded wishes that filled her mind.

* * *

Despite facing the sunny east, Lahart’s office was always enveloped in a chilly atmosphere.

The door was adorned with carvings of the flower ‘Snow Rain,’ the symbol of the Cardius Duchy, which blooms only in the northern part of the empire. And it gazed down at Iren.

Iren checked her appearance once again and knocked on the door using the handle. Thump, thump, thump. The heavy sound shook her whole body.

After a moment, the door opened silently. As Iren was about to step inside, the door closed ominously.

Lahart was sitting at his desk, working on something.

Iren stood by the door and stated her business. Her manner was excessively polite, more like a servant than the duchess.

“It’s time for lunch, Duke.”

“Yeah.”

“Would you like to eat together?”

Instead of answering, Lahart stared at Iren. Iren lowered her eyes. His response was always the same, anyway.

Lahart, who had once forbidden her to enter his office, gave her an unusual order one day.

He told her to come to his office personally and inform him when it was mealtime.

“…Me?”

“Don’t you want to?”

“No. I was just thinking that it might be bothersome if I go…”

“Of course, it would be bothersome.”

Lahart’s voice seemed somehow cheerful.

Was it okay, even if it was a little disturbing? Did he somewhat accept me?

A fleeting glimmer of hope that had been bestowed upon Iren crumbled like a sandcastle after hearing Lahart’s response.

“All you do is sign a few documents. Oh, there was one more thing. Locked up in a gloomy room and a staring at potted plants all day.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize. I brought you here knowing this would happen. Since it’s bothersome to chase away maids every time, starting tomorrow, you should come by yourself.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“And always ask if I want to have a meal together.”

The next day, Iren went to Lahart’s office as instructed. She asked if they could have a meal together, but he only processed the documents without answering.

Iren stood near the door like a decoration, since Lahart didn’t tell her to leave.

A long time had passed. It wasn’t until her legs grew numb that Lahart looked up, tilting his head slightly.

“You’re still there?”

“…It’s lunchtime…Would you like to have a meal together?”

“I’m busy as you can see. Have it alone.”

A week passed, and even after ten days, Lahart’s response remained the same.

From the beginning, Lahart had no intention of being with her. He merely wanted to humiliate her and break her spirit.

Today would probably be the same. He would criticize me with his sharp, piercing words.

But Iren had grown accustomed to Lahart’s behavior and was numb to it. Just as calluses form when wounds persist in the same place, her heart had also become stronger than a few years ago.

“Is that so?”

But today, Lahart gave an unexpected response.

Startled, Iren raised her head.

Lahart approached quietly, casting his shadow over her, illuminated by the light.

“How about you? Do you want to be with me?”

The atmosphere was oppressive, but his voice was gentle.

That’s impossible. Lahart would never treat me kindly.

His kindness is dangerous. It will melt her frozen heart like a breeze in early spring, only to push thorns into the softened spot.

That’s what she thought in her mind, but her heart raced fiercely. Even Iren’s usually pale cheeks seemed slightly flushed.

Lahart, after removing his gloves, gently swept his hand over her cheek.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

He swept her hair behind her ear and whispered softly into her ear.

“I enjoy breaking your expectations.”

Her energetically beating heart, which was sending blood throughout every corner of the body, seemed to pause for a moment.

“I hope you enjoy it, wife, even my share.”

Without taking a breath, Iren stepped out from Lahart’s office. The stillness and chilling atmosphere that permeated the corridor seeped into her skin.

She clung to her shoulders with both arms, but her trembling didn’t subside until she reached her laboratory.

* * *