1. Prologue

Beatrice, formerly the lady of Estern and now Countess Valentine after marriage, prided herself on being quite a fortunate person.

The first evidence was the fact that she was born with noble status under the most powerful empire under the sun—Tyrenia, and the second reason was that the bloodline she was born into was none other than that of the great Duke Estern.

Estern was one of only three ducal families in Tyrenia, a family with endlessly vast territory and wealth accumulated over many years, as well as solid legitimacy.

A family so ancient and powerful that even the emperor could not easily meddle with, with bloodlines tracing back to the imperial family through the complex family tree entangled throughout the empire’s long history.

Beatrice knew well that it was nothing short of fortunate to be born as the youngest daughter of a great noble family that even the emperor couldn’t casually interfere with, and to have grown up without any worries among loving parents and wise sisters.

Though her life had been without shadows, sometimes she would suddenly feel afraid. What if her blessed life was actually a mistake of the goddess of fortune, and one day the goddess would suddenly realize this fact and take everything away?

However, Beatrice’s luck continued thereafter. As if in a sweet nap, the goddess of fortune not only didn’t take away what had been given to her but brought even greater fortune.

It was a year ago that Beatrice met her husband, Margrave Cesare Valentine.

The moment she first saw him, Beatrice finally understood what the world meant by a destined partner, what it meant to fall in love at first sight.

Of course, she hadn’t placed much hope in their relationship from the beginning. Despite such an intense first meeting, she knew better than anyone that within the framework of noble society, it was nearly impossible to achieve love with someone you fell for at first sight.

But incredibly, fortune favored Beatrice even in love. In just three short months, she received Cesare’s proposal, gladly accepted it, and without any particular opposition or obstacles, held a grand wedding with everyone’s blessings.

It had been just over ten months since she left for her husband’s territory after the wedding and spent a dreamlike honeymoon. Her husband, having grown up on the battlefield, was blunt, but he was gentle to her alone, and life in the territory was peaceful and serene.

Ah, could there be a happier life than this? A loving husband and harmonious home, overflowing wealth and dazzling youth.

Since every element that made up life was perfect, Beatrice was happy beyond measure.

Until she witnessed ‘that scene’ this morning.

Had the goddess of fortune awakened from her long slumber?

Thin, hairline cracks began to appear in her perfect happiness with a crisp sound.

***

“Have a safe journey. If you have the chance, please give my regards to His Majesty. Though I’ll be coming to see you soon.”

Beatrice smoothed her husband’s collar, which wasn’t even disheveled, with a pleasant smile.

It was early morning when most noble ladies would still be deep in sleep, but as always, she had followed her husband to the entrance to see him off.

Even at the estate, Cesare frequently went out to fulfill his duties as lord. And every time he left the castle, Beatrice would walk to the entrance like now and personally send him off.

As far as she could remember, she had never missed this routine since their marriage, so sincere was Beatrice in bidding her husband farewell.

Whether Cesare left the castle in the middle of the night or early dawn, it didn’t matter. He had tried several times to dissuade Beatrice, who would follow him out rubbing her sleepy eyes, but he couldn’t break her stubborn will.

There was no special reason. Beatrice simply liked Cesare so much that such behavior didn’t feel troublesome to her.

Also, she enjoyed this intimate time between husband and wife where she would tell him to return safely regardless of whether his journey was far or near, and he would reply that he would.

Though it seemed uncommon among ordinary noble couples, and at first everyone in the household, including her husband, seemed to find it unfamiliar, it had now become routine.

“If only the emperor hadn’t urgently summoned the lords, I would have spent all day with you. I’m sorry to leave you alone from the first day we arrived at the capital.”

Cesare caught Beatrice’s hand that was gently stroking his collar and, as if it were a natural sequence, kissed her palm.

Though such minor contact with her husband should have become familiar by now, she still blushed like a new bride on her wedding day.

‘But how can I stay calm looking at those eyes?’

Even if she had a heart made of steel, she would still be in this state of embarrassment before Cesare’s gaze.

Beatrice happily met the violet eyes that stared at her quietly yet persistently.

She now knew well what passion was hidden beneath that seemingly cold, rigid expression.

Having been the one to receive that heat in the same bed just a few hours ago, she couldn’t help but know it now even if she wanted to remain ignorant.

“Don’t worry. The capital is where I was born and raised. I have no special plans today, so I’ll rest at the mansion. I’m only concerned about you having to have an audience with His Majesty as soon as you arrive.”

Beatrice’s face, with cheeks flushed red, overflowed with undisguisable affection as she answered.

Cesare’s silent gaze lingered on her face for a long time before finally breaking away with slight regret.

“Well then, I’ll be going. Rest enough to recover from your travel fatigue.”

It was quite a shameless statement coming from the very person who had pounced on her as soon as they arrived and wouldn’t let her go until late into the night, but Beatrice liked even such contradictory aspects of her husband.

The couple’s lengthy farewell ended with Beatrice impulsively rising on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. This sweet scene that repeated every time they parted had only changed in location; even in the capital, nothing had changed at all.

***

It had already been ten months since the youngest lady of Duke Estern and the newly risen noble, Margrave Valentine, held their clamorous wedding.

As seasons passed and the year changed, the empire’s social circle was now awaiting a new season.

Since the place where Beatrice and Cesare first met was the banquet hall of last year’s New Year’s gathering, it had been exactly one year since the two met.

The New Year’s gathering that marked the beginning of the social season was an occasion where all nobles of the empire attended to pay respects to the imperial family and exchange greetings with other families. Thus, the Margrave Valentine couple had also embarked on a journey to the capital a month ago.

It was after they had sufficiently enjoyed their newlywed life in the territory. Besides the New Year’s gathering, Beatrice was very much looking forward to this trip to the capital at the thought of meeting her family after a long time.

It was an even more pleasant journey because her husband, who had decided to accompany her for the first year after marriage despite his position as a margrave preventing him from coming to the capital every season, was with her.

Cesare had even hastily purchased a townhouse located in the center of the capital for this season.

Beatrice already had one mansion inherited from her father, and three villas in her name.

However, Cesare insisted that there should be at least one mansion gifted by a husband to his wife, and eventually handed her the completed contract documents.

The couple, having completed their season preparations so smoothly, arrived at the capital yesterday.

Cesare, considerate of Beatrice, had chosen the most comfortable and safe routes, traveling at a leisurely pace, which delayed their arrival by a few days. What awaited them was the emperor’s letter requesting their presence at the imperial palace today.

“I wonder why he’s so urgently summoning the provincial lords.”

Beatrice entered the couple’s bedroom, lightly chiding the emperor, whom she had often seen since childhood and felt more like a family elder.

If the audience procedures and subsequent meeting schedule were prolonged, Cesare might return late at night.

While pondering what to do until then, Beatrice’s eyes suddenly caught a man’s handkerchief on the bedroom table. It was a handkerchief she had personally embroidered and given as a gift not long after their wedding.

Though such a small gift might have been considered trivial, Cesare had stared at it for a long time with an indecipherable expression when he received it. After thanking her in a low voice, he had made sure to carry that handkerchief whenever he went out.