‘Duties as a wife.’

Hearing those words from Selina’s lips left Calix feeling as though he had been struck in the head.

There was something peculiar about hearing completely unexpected words from a wholly unexpected person.

Unexpected things could be refreshing, and unexpected words often amusing—enough that, in someone else’s position, one might have laughed outright.

But faced with this particular answer, Calix’s brow furrowed deeply.

No. If he let that show, it would be plain that Selina’s single remark had affected him.

Forcing his expression to smooth out, he curved his eyes in a faint smile and asked her, feigning composure,

“Do you even know what that means?”

“…I do.”

After a brief hesitation, Selina replied,

“It means we’ll keep using separate bedrooms from now on.”

Ha. Ha.

How much could Selina, who claimed she had been ill and alone since childhood, possibly understand about a wife’s duties and obligations?

She had, at least, guessed that the most essential part happened at night.

Traditionally, the consummation should have taken place the night after the wedding banquet.

Of course, Calix had never intended to spend that night with her—and so they had agreed to separate rooms even after arriving at the Grand Duke’s castle.

But that was something that ought to have happened by his decision, not a line Selina had the right to draw first.

“And who decided you could make such a rule?”

Calix meant to respond as if such a matter had never even crossed his mind.

Yet seeing her looking straight at him with those wide, guileless eyes—as though she had done nothing wrong—irked him to no end.

“It seems you don’t understand that even in a political marriage, there are rules and responsibilities you must uphold. Didn’t the marquis teach you that much?”

At the word marquis, Selina bit her lip.

So, she didn’t like hearing her father insulted?

Truthfully, Calix disliked even the fact that she reacted to the word.

“I only said it because I thought it would be better for us that way.”

The way her lips calmly formed that rebuttal only aggravated him further.

Each time her lips moved to form her words, their vivid red seemed to catch his eye—and irritate him all the more.

“Because what you want from me, Your Grace, is not for me to fulfil my duties as your wife.”

There was nothing he could say to that. It was he who had told Selina to bring him information from the Empire, to prove her sincerity that way.

He had treated his own wife no differently than he would a vassal.

“That—”

Calix was about to correct what he had said all those years ago. On the surface, taking her to Thalia for that reason had been genuine. But when he had spoken those words, he had been somewhat angry with her — angry enough to deliver them without embellishment.

Before he could correct himself, Selina spoke in a steady voice.

“That’s fine with me. From the start, ours was a political marriage, not one built on love.”

Selina thought back to meeting Calix again in the Empire and the journey that had brought her to Thalia.

In that span of time—long if you wished to count every moment, yet so very short—she had pictured, over and over, a happy future with him.

Even if Calix disliked her now, might he not one day treat her as his wife?

Even if not with deep love, might there come a day when he would hold her gently?

She had allowed herself such imaginings.

But thinking of them now only made her flush with embarrassment.

The truth was, Calix had likely never once envisioned such a future. And even if he had, the woman by his side in that vision would certainly not have been Selina.

‘Idiot.’

Knowing full well the man she loved cared for someone else, yet still refusing to let go—it was selfish.

Marrying Calix and separating him from the woman he loved was already as good as committing a sin. She could not afford to heap any more guilt upon herself.

“So… please. Let’s not impose any duties as husband and wife on each other.”

At last, Selina voiced the words that had sat heavily in her heart.

“If Your Grace wishes, it would even be fine for you to take a mistress while I’m here—”

“Enough.”

But her final words were cut off at once by Calix.

He looked at Selina, his entire presence radiating an icy chill.

He didn’t move—only regarded her with a flat expression—yet the air around them seemed to sink into a deep cold that made her shiver.

Calix’s crimson eyes had frozen over, like the surface of a winter lake.

“I understand well enough. Let’s end this conversation.”

“…Yes.”

The breakfast, brittle as if on thin ice, resumed. Yet Selina could hardly bring herself to eat, her mind circling back to their earlier exchange.

‘Did I say something wrong?’

Their political marriage was still new; Calix would surely be mindful of the Empire’s gaze.

So, she had thought, if he was to feel free in meeting Karen, it would be better for her to suggest it first. She had forced herself to set aside her hurt feelings and bring it up—thinking it would put him at ease.

But his reaction had been nothing like she’d expected.

‘I feel… hurt.’

It wasn’t that she had been hoping for thanks or praise, but she hadn’t thought he would respond so coldly.

‘…If you were going to be this angry, you shouldn’t have let me see you with Karen when I said I was leaving.’

Selina had regretted leaving the party early the night before, using her illness as an excuse.

After all, it had been her first appearance as the Grand Duchess; perhaps it had been irresponsible to simply slip away.

So she had resolved to return—but by then, Karen was already at Calix’s side, seamlessly taking the place where Selina had been.

Karen had been chatting and laughing comfortably with him and the others, leaving no space for Selina to join in.

As she recalled that scene, Selina only toyed with her soup in silence.

It was then—

“Your Grace. My lady. I have something to report.”

Madam Lily entered, bowing formally to them both before speaking with a troubled look.

“My apologies—it’s an entirely unexpected situation… Something has arrived from the Empire. I believe you should see it for yourselves.”

Hastily finishing their meal, they stepped outside—only to find the Grand Duke’s garden piled high with a staggering number of goods.

“Greetings, Your Grace. My lady.”

A high-ranking official, seemingly responsible for the delivery, bowed to them.

“The front row contains gifts from His Majesty the Emperor, in celebration of your marriage.”

The front row was filled with luxurious items whose opulence was obvious at a glance. Even the strings and ribbons used for the wrapping were made of gold—it was a wonder they had arrived without being stolen along the way.

“The back row contains items sent by the Marquess, for your happy married life. He also asked me to convey his apologies for the delay, saying that Lady Selina might have difficulty without the belongings she’s accustomed to using.”

The back row held so-called belongings she’d used before—many of which Selina had never even laid eyes on. Luxurious bedding and clothing, along with rare spices she had never tasted, filled the space.

“And in addition…”

But Selina knew well that the Marquess hadn’t sent these things merely to play the part of a doting father.

“He also said that, as my lady is in poor health, it would be difficult for her if all the household staff around her were changed. Therefore, he has sent the servants who used to attend her, and asks for Your Grace’s understanding.”

Normally, only a single dedicated maid for the wife would be sent. But the Marquess had used the excuse of her frailty and sensitivity to send over more than a dozen servants.

“…Truly devoted to his daughter.”

Calix murmured—though he likely had no idea that the truth was the exact opposite.

Selina gazed at the servants standing before her and thought,

‘Which of them did Father assign to watch me?’

All but two or three were familiar faces from the Marquess’s estate. Which meant every person here knew her secret. They hadn’t been sent merely to watch her, but to threaten her and tighten the noose around her neck—his way of saying that no matter how far she went, she could never escape his grasp.

“Thank you.”

Selina said, forcing a smile as she bowed to the official. It was all she could do.

“Oh, and I have something to give you both.”

From his br*ast, the official produced an invitation decorated in gold. Given the gilding, it had no doubt come from the Emperor.

“This is an invitation personally sent by His Majesty the Emperor.”

As expected. Calix accepted the invitation with an expression of indifference.

Come to think of it, the harvest season was approaching. Around this time, the Empire always held a monster-hunting tournament to cull the beasts, so it was likely an announcement for that event.

“A monster-hunting tournament will be held at Selhain, on the border between the Empire and Thalia.”

The contents were exactly as he had predicted. Until now, the tournament had been hosted solely within the Empire; the only difference this year was that, for the sake of unity, the event would be conducted jointly between the two nations. Everything else remained the same—except…

“…It seems His Majesty has developed an unusual hobby.”

Amusement curved Calix’s lips as he read the final note. Unlike in past years, when only men participated, this time there was a stipulation: couples must attend together.