Her polite question was met with a chilling response, leaving Grace momentarily speechless.

“And did you sleep well, sister-in-law?”

“Yes, thanks to you.”

“I doubt my brother fulfilled his duties, being so completely drunk.”

Her face immediately flushed.

‘How could he say such a thing?’

Even as brothers-in-law, it was humiliating for him to bring up something so personal – on their wedding night, no less.

Grace bit her lip in frustration.

‘Does he dislike me? Or is he just paying too much attention?’

She couldn’t make sense of it. Was he angry that a foreign princess, unfamiliar with the country, had come to take over the position of Crown Princess? Or had he heard something unflattering about her?

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t find an answer. And it wasn’t as if she could ask him directly. Grace calmed herself and took a quiet sip of tea before answering.

“You needn’t worry. My husband has fulfilled his obligations.”

Cajetan’s dark eyebrows twitched slightly, his expression growing even more displeased. The sight of his irritation almost caused Grace to blurt out something sharp, but she bit her tongue and forced herself to remain composed.

‘One thing is clear: he definitely doesn’t like me.’

Had he imagined someone else as his future sister-in-law? Or was it something else entirely? Grace shook her head slightly, trying to clear her mind.

‘Once he gets married and moves out, there won’t be many chances to run into him anyway.’

Velenus was already married, and as far as Grace knew, Cajetan was more than old enough to marry. Surely it wouldn’t be long before he found a bride and moved on. Until then, she would just have to endure. Both he and she could do that.

“To think you did your duty even under such circumstances – impressive, sister-in-law.”

“It’s just something that had to be done.”

“So it’s just a ‘necessary duty’ for you?”

“What else would it be?”

“Pleasure, perhaps? Ah, but I suppose my brother wasn’t able to provide that last night.”

A wave of humiliation washed over her. Grace looked at Cajetan, her voice firm as she spoke.

“Cajetan, you’re being incredibly rude.”

“This is royal business – the Crown Prince’s, to be precise. Is there any reason why I shouldn’t take an interest?”

“I’d prefer it if you didn’t concern yourself with us.”

“Us?”

“Yes. My husband and I.”

“Not even a full day of marriage and you’re already playing the part of a perfect couple.”

Cajetan replied with a dry laugh.

Grace clenched her fists. She didn’t deserve to hear such words. What difference did it make if a day or a year had passed? Marriage was marriage – whether it was a day or an hour, they were husband and wife.

“We are not pretending to be a couple, we are a couple, Cajetan. Even if it’s only been an hour, we are still husband and wife.”

Cayetan’s lips curled into a wry grin. Last night the flickering shadows of the candlelight had made his face look sinister; in the bright sunlight it was no different. His deep-set eyes seemed to hold dark shadows, and his piercing blue irises glinted like those of a predator in the dark.

Grace straightened, determined to meet his gaze head on. A shiver ran down her spine, spreading a chilling unease throughout her body. She wanted to run, but there was no way out.

“Since the Crown Princess is so enthusiastic about married life, I’m sure my brother will be pleased to hear it.”

Each word dripped with humiliation and her cheeks burned with embarrassment.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t keep the blush from rising to her face.

Grace bit her lip, her frustration growing.

‘Why is he doing this? What could possibly bother him so much?’

She couldn’t understand.

“Maybe.”

At her reply, a low, coarse curse slipped from Cajetan’s lips. The vulgarity was so shocking, so unworthy of a prince, that Grace instinctively jumped.

Cajetan rose from his seat and walked purposefully towards her. Grace lifted her chin to meet his approach head on. A twisted smile played on his lips.

“I don’t like you, sister-in-law.”

With that, Cajetan turned and stormed out of the lounge, slamming the door behind him. The loud bang made her shoulders shake.

“Ha…”

‘Why? Why does he hate me so much?’

Was the hostility in his eyes and in his actions just born of that dislike? Grace closed her eyes tightly for a moment before opening them again.

‘Why?’

But the person who could answer her question had already left. She couldn’t forget the intensity of emotion in those piercing blue eyes. Was it hate? Anger? Or something else entirely?

Even though he was gone, Cajetan lingered in her mind.

How was it that the person who had occupied her mind the most since she’d arrived here was not her husband, but her husband’s younger brother? A bitter laugh escaped her lips.

She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. He’ll leave eventually. In a year or two at the most, he’ll get married and be gone.

Strangely, the thought made her feel strange. Grace pressed her fingers to her throbbing temple, wishing for the tension to subside.

***

Apart from the occasional sharp look from Cajetan, Grace’s days passed peacefully. The ‘duties’ they had skipped on their wedding night were finally done, and she had even come to enjoy some of the ‘pleasures’ Cajetan had mockingly mentioned.

Most of all, she appreciated having such a kind husband. Velenus was thoughtful and attentive, always making sure she was comfortable. He was sympathetic to her situation as a newcomer, gently correcting her when she made small mistakes.

“Something on your mind?”

Velenus asked quietly as she let out a small sigh.

Grace watched his hands as he adjusted the wick of the lamp with practiced ease.

“It’s nothing.”

She couldn’t really admit that she’d been thinking about Cajetan.

‘We keep running into each other.’

It was too frequent to dismiss as mere coincidence. But at the same time, they weren’t on good enough terms for him to go out of his way to see her. If anything, he seemed to dislike her rather than be interested in her.

“If there’s ever anything that’s bothering you, please tell me.”

Grace nodded slightly and he pulled her gently into his arms.

“Velenus.”

With a playful kiss, a cascade of kisses followed – on her cheeks, her lips, the tip of her nose and all over her face.

Velenus held her tightly, and Grace responded by wrapping her arms around his neck.

Their shadows intertwined, merging into one.