“……”

Mathias’s conversation was dragging on. The priest was visibly flustered, struggling to persuade him. An irrational thought began to grow within Leticia—she wished the wedding would be canceled altogether.

Leticia’s silk-gloved hand gripped the hem of her dress, trembling. At that moment, Callius Maxis’s hand reached out and grasped Leticia’s. Leticia instinctively tried to shake his hand off, but instead, he intertwined his fingers more firmly around hers.

His solid hand wrapped around hers like vines, and the sensation felt strange. Slowly, Leticia regained her composure from the warmth. Her situation became clearer to her.

Even if this marriage, even if Callius Maxis himself, turned out to be another pitfall, Leticia had to go through with it. She had to become his wife.

“Grieve and despair.”

It wasn’t something a future husband should say. But in this situation, it was the most fitting thing to say.

“The more you do, the happier the prince will be.”

Oddly enough, his words gave her strength. Leticia allowed herself to despair. She reminded herself that this was part of her plan.

Finally, the priest, having successfully persuaded Mathias, stood before Leticia and Callius and recited the vows.

“Callius Maxis, do you vow to love and cherish your wife in sickness and in sorrow?”

“Of course.”

Callius Maxis answered firmly. He looked as if he genuinely wanted this marriage.

Of course, that couldn’t be true.

The same question was directed at Leticia.

“…Of course.”

The vows were completed. Leticia became his wife, and Callius Maxis became her husband.

“In the name of the god of Metherdea, I hereby declare these two as husband and wife.”

As the priest finished speaking, Mathias abruptly stood up, unable to contain himself.

“Well, this tedious affair is finally over. Now that you’re married, it’s time for the wedding night, isn’t it?”

Mathias smirked.

“Your Highness, traditionally, the bride spends the night bathing and purifying herself to prepare her mind and body…”

“Do you not understand the meaning of a simplified ceremony? If we were going to follow every tradition, why would we opt for a simplified one? Are you ignoring my orders?”

“N-no, Your Highness…”

The priest stammered, trying to calm Mathias’s anger. But the more he tried, the more Mathias flared up, like a fire fed with oil.

“If you’re done, get out.”

“…Then I shall take my leave, Your Highness.”

Even though the temple’s power had waned, Mathias’s behavior was excessively rude. He seemed oblivious to how his actions further eroded his already dwindling honor.

Leticia clicked her tongue inwardly. But she tried her best to appear as someone drowning in despair because of this marriage.

“What a perfectly matched pair, don’t you think? Right, Milona? My dear?”

“Of course, Mathias.”

Mathias wrapped an arm around Milona’s waist and pulled her forcefully toward him. Milona stumbled as she was yanked forward, though she quickly regained her balance. It wasn’t subtle enough to go unnoticed.

“How does it feel to have a wife?”

“It’s wonderful, Your Highness.”

Mathias smirked at Callius’s stiff voice and patted his shoulder twice. Despite the force, Callius’s body didn’t budge, as if Mathias were hitting a rock with a cushion. Realizing this, Mathias withdrew his hand.

“Good. That’s what you should say. My father personally found you a suitable match, didn’t he? I told him not to waste too much effort on a mutt like you, but he’s such a merciful man.”

“I am always grateful for His Majesty’s grace.”

“Why state the obvious? Tsk.”

Mathias had a knack for mocking people. Although it seemed he hadn’t managed to leave even a scratch on Callius.

Soon, Mathias turned his gaze to Leticia.

“You can look forward to how much more enjoyable your life will become.”

“……”

Leticia didn’t respond, merely staring at his grotesque smile. If not for her deal with Callius Maxis, she might have grabbed anything nearby and thrown it at his face. But Leticia now had a fairly well-constructed plan. It wasn’t worth ruining it over this level of humiliation.

“Take her to the bridal chamber.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The maids flocked to Leticia, bowing their heads. Leticia followed them inside. She felt the heat of someone’s gaze on her back, though she couldn’t tell whose it was.

—

After Leticia entered the palace, Mathias wiped away the smirk that had been plastered on his face.

“I know exactly what you’re thinking.”

“Do you?”

Callius didn’t flinch at Mathias’s sudden change in demeanor.

Callius Maxis had a robust physique, one that anyone would instantly recognize as belonging to a knight. Compared to him, Mathias fell far short.

“You must resent me. Isn’t your wife far too inadequate for your ambitions?”

“I don’t think so.”

Mathias raised an eyebrow.

“Really? Are you sincerely grateful to me? The great Callius Maxis?”

“Of course.”

“……”

“I am deeply grateful to Your Highness.”

His firm voice carried weight. Mathias cast him a peculiar look.

“All talk.”

Mathias grew bored when Callius didn’t react, finding his lack of response dull and uninteresting.

“If you’re so grateful, don’t disregard my generosity.”

“Of course.”

“Oh, and about the matter my father mentioned…”

Just as Mathias was about to dismiss him, he turned back to Callius.

The matter he referred to was the Emperor’s order to monitor the actions of nobles dissatisfied with Rearbon’s downfall.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“His Majesty entrusted me with full authority over the matter.”

“I know. I didn’t exactly intend to help you, so don’t feel burdened.”

Callius responded with a slight bow. Despite Mathias’s words about not wanting to burden him, he seemed annoyed by Callius’s silence.

“Aren’t you curious about how I handled it?”

The Emperor had ordered Callius Maxis to monitor Rearbon’s loyalists. The command was ambiguous—assigning responsibility without granting full authority.

Callius Maxis was tasked with being Leticia Rearbon’s husband internally, while externally, he was ordered to monitor anyone who might assist her for any reason.

Mathias resented this. He could have handled the matter himself. His father had been too lenient with Callius.

However, Mathias had proven his competence in dealing with Rearbon’s downfall. At times like this, it was better to take full responsibility and show he could see things through to the end.

So he resolved the matter.

“I trust Your Highness handled it well.”

“No. Since you share responsibility for this, I think I should tell you how I resolved it.”

“Then please do.”

Mathias didn’t hesitate, as though he had been waiting for Callius to ask.

“I killed them all.”

Mathias whispered briefly, then smirked in satisfaction. He seemed pleased with Callius’s lack of reaction.

“Clean, isn’t it? You have to ensure there are no loose ends. I wanted to show what I’m capable of this time. After killing all their retainers, I regretted not doing it sooner. It’s fortunate I realized it now.”

“If Your Highness is satisfied, then so am I.”

“You’re so… dull. Boring. I don’t know how my father tolerates having a block of wood like you around.”

Mathias clicked his tongue in genuine annoyance and waved Callius off dismissively.

As Callius bowed slightly and walked away, Mathias spat on the ground.

“Ugh, pathetic. He must be boiling with rage inside, pretending otherwise until the end.”

Mathias found Callius Maxis’s every move repulsive. He knew Callius didn’t truly serve him. He considered killing the hunting dog outright but refrained, as the Emperor wanted Mathias to tame him.

The Emperor had spoken as if taming Callius was a monumental task.

“We’ll see. I’ll watch how long you can keep that thick-skinned facade.”

Meanwhile, Callius Maxis walked through the imperial palace without a guide, navigating it as though it were his own home.

Even in the branching corridors, he showed no hesitation. He seemed to know exactly where he needed to go.

Eventually, he stopped. The corridor was empty.

“Should I take a swing and start over?”

Deep in thought, Callius shook his head. Then he resumed walking. A cold wind blew through the empty hallway.

It was a chill so sharp it made the approaching warmth of spring seem unbelievable.