Chapter 1 (Part 1)

If the first button is fastened incorrectly, things are bound to go awry.

Therese did not properly understand that simple truth.

‘The war hero and Duke of the Richard family is marrying the only daughter of the Baron Demori’s family!’

Although arranged marriages among nobles were common, the news of their marriage was enough to stir the entire empire.

“What, I’m marrying Duke Richard?”

It was news that even Therese, the bride-to-be, found shocking.

‘Therese, I will make you the most precious woman in the empire!’

It was something her father, Baron Demori, often said as a joke when he drank, but when it became a reality, she was dumbfounded. Days, weeks, and a month passed in that state, and the wedding day arrived.

“Therese, you’ve suffered growing up under a lacking father.”

Baron Demori whispered lowly as he walked her down the aisle, holding her hand. He seemed to be trying hard not to cry.

“Be happy, Therese.”

The ceremony proceeded smoothly, and soon it was night. Therese, waiting for the Duke in the bedroom, muttered to herself.

“I can’t believe I’m married…”

The unbelievable reality made her dizzy. Trying to calm down, she gently closed her eyes, and suddenly, the voice of her nanny, Sophia, came to mind.

‘There’s nothing to worry about.’

Sofia said that Therese just needed to gaze into each other’s eyes, kiss, and then undress.

‘Miss, you just have to do as the Duke says.’

Recalling the order of the wedding night that the nanny taught her, instead of calming down, Therese’s hands and feet trembled even more than before.

“The Duke is late.”

According to the marriage customs of the Caspian Empire, the groom had to drink all the alcohol given by the guests before he could return to the bridal chamber.

Outside, the noise from the wedding guests was loud and boisterous.

“……I can’t stand it anymore.”

Her mouth was dry from nerves to the point of being painful. Since she couldn’t see any water, she poured a little prepared wine to moisten her throat. And just as Therese was emptying her glass, the firmly closed door opened.

“Are you already enjoying yourself?”

Duke Richard, leaning against the door, quietly observed her.

“……Your Grace.”

Surprised, she stood up to show courtesy, but the Duke’s sharp voice came as he closed the door.

“Do you think you can buy people with money?”

“……Pardon?”

Her eyes widened at the incomprehensible words.

“They say you bought your title with money?”

“Oh, that’s…….”

Therese stammered at the sudden question.

Her merchant father had bought the title of Baron from a fallen family.

Was there anyone in the empire who didn’t know that?

Why is he asking that all of a sudden?

As much as she thought the marriage was sudden for her, the Duke must have thought so too. But such a question was extremely rude.

‘I can’t even get angry…….’

As Therese remained silent, he walked in with heavy steps and roughly loosened his cravat. While unbuttoning the cuffs on his shirt, the Duke gestured with his chin.

“Do I have to undress you myself?”

“……Ah.”

Therese hastily began to remove her veil and hair ornaments. However, the decorations were so complicated, and there were many places she couldn’t reach, making it difficult. After finally finishing, he, already lying on the bed, beckoned her.

“I don’t want to waste time, so come quickly.”

Because he had unbuttoned his shirt completely, his firm chest was visible.

“Waste time?”

It was then that Therese felt something was seriously wrong.

With her eyes reddened from humiliation, Therese slowly walked toward the bed. The Duke, who had been mocking her hardened expression, spoke.

“Do you not intend to fulfill your duties as the Duchess?”

“I…….”

Therese stood there with the determination to fulfill her responsibilities and duties more than anyone else. She had abandoned all the achievements and freedoms she had accomplished.

“Do you not understand what I’m saying?”

The Duke’s eyes, staring directly at Therese, blazed red. Seeing him glaring at her, she sighed involuntarily.

“……Ha.”

Jeremy Richard despised her.

‘What should I do?’

Though it was an arranged marriage without affection, she hadn’t anticipated such a development.

‘It’s all my fault.’

Therese’s face was filled with terrible regret.

But now, after having a wedding under the Emperor’s name, it couldn’t be undone.

Recalling her father’s face, who had been so happy at the ceremony, she clenched her fists tightly.

As Therese hesitated near the bed, the Duke’s strong hand grabbed her waist like a beast catching its prey.

In an instant, Therese was pinned under him.

“Listen carefully.”

“……Ugh.”

Tears welled up in the corners of Therese’s eyes from the pain. Through her blurred vision, the Duke’s handsome face came into view.

He was her first love, the hero of the empire, and now her husband.

That man was now looking at her with eyes full of hatred. Duke Richard growled roughly.

“I have no intention of ever acknowledging this marriage.”

“…….”

“I will fulfill all the duties of marriage, but don’t expect anything else.”

His rough hands stripping off her chemise were cruel. Therese could only close her eyes tightly. 

‘I wish this were all a dream.’

But the heat of their touching bodies proved that this was reality. In an instant, Therese, now n*ked, tried to cover her chest and g*nitals with her hands. At her reaction, Duke Richard sneered.

“There’s no need to pretend to be modest.”

“It’s not that…”

When Therese trailed off, backing away, the Duke smirked.

“Isn’t this what you wanted?”

“…Hmm.”

Though it was an arranged marriage, Jeremy Richard was her first love.

For that reason, Therese couldn’t refute the Duke’s words.

Now Jeremy Richard completely removed his shirt and tossed it to the floor. He then slowly traced his hand over the front of his trousers.

“…Ah.”

His *rect manhood seemed to strain against the fabric of his trousers. Having never seen a man’s body, Therese blushed. The process of the first night was quite shameful but also excessively stimulating.

‘He’s really handsome.’

The Duke, now n*ked, exuded a wild charm different from when he wore armor and wielded a sword. As Jeremy Richard slowly removed his trousers and grabbed her ankle, Therese snapped back to reality.

“What are you thinking about me?”

“N-nothing.”

“If you’re thinking of a lover you left behind, you’d better give up.”

What kind of person did he think I was? 

Therese’s lips trembled with humiliation.

“The Richard family knows honor, unlike your family.”

The Duke’s gaze was as sharp as a hunter’s, and instinctively feeling fear, Therese retreated to the bed’s headboard.

The Duke, who was looking down at her, cast his gaze toward the door. There was someone there to record their first night.

“Are you trying to nullify our marriage?”

“No.”

It’s just that I’m so nervous.

I wish you would be a little kinder.

I hope you wouldn’t act so frighteningly.

There were many things she wanted to say, but she couldn’t convey them.

On the wedding night, it was a virtue for the woman to simply surrender her body to the man and keep quiet.

“The audience waiting outside must be getting bored.”

The wedding night between nobles required a witness, and it was the same for Therese and Jeremy.

The Duke, who had grabbed her ankle fiercely, lifted Therese’s body. As Jeremy clutched her writhing waist, he roughly caressed her round, fair br*asts.

“…Hmm.”

Her chest, touched by another’s hand for the first time, turned red, and her cherry-like n*pples hardened with excitement.

“Your br*asts seem sensitive.”

“Your Grace, please don’t say such things….”

Just hearing it was so embarrassing she wanted to hide in a hole. Moreover, the area below her g*nitals had been itching, and warm fluids were flowing down. She was worried the Duke might mistakenly think she had wet herself.

“What are you hiding?”

As Therese continued to fidget, the Duke’s sharp eyes landed between her thighs. Confirming the smooth liquid between Therese’s thighs, the Duke sneered.

“Are you still pretending to be a saint, even though you’re so wet?”

He reached out and roughly stroked Therese’s g*nitals. As soon as the calloused palm touched her, Therese’s body trembled.

“Hmm, not there….”

Whether it was because of the wine that had wet her lips or the Duke’s touch, Therese couldn’t think straight. Her mind was completely blank, and her body burned like someone suffering from a fever.

‘No one told me the wedding night would be like this.’