Helena set down her teacup and repeated the words in a cold voice.

“His Highness?”

“Yes. I just heard it from a reliable source.”

Helena exhaled slowly.

Her expression showed little change, but many thoughts passed through her mind.

An important development that could affect the principality’s line of succession. The two of them becoming intimately involved was an unexpected variable.

“Strange. There were clearly many things about their marriage that did not add up……”

The sudden announcement of a marriage to a northern young lady with no prior connection. The rushed sequence of events that followed suggested something lay beneath the surface.

It was not an unusual thing in itself.

Noble marriages are always like this. Mine was no different.

For nobles with clear interests at stake, a marriage made for love was simply impossible. It was a fantasy that existed only in fairy tales.

‘So I assumed there was some kind of arrangement…… and yet, the wedding night……’

It could have been a performance for the sake of their agreement, as Helena had suspected, or it could have been genuine. Even if it was an agreement, she needed to confirm how far their understanding extended.

If producing an heir is part of the goal, that must be stopped at all costs.

She needed to find out what the two of them were thinking. Understanding the Grand Duchess’s intentions in particular was critical.

If it’s simply a contract for the sake of luxury, she may actually be easier to handle.

A condition easier for her side to satisfy than for Grand Duke Evander. A deal would naturally become simpler.

What she needed now was more precise information.

Helena gathered her thoughts and rose.

“Blair, you must keep your eyes and ears open. I need to understand what the Grand Duchess is thinking.”

Blair bowed her head and answered.

“I will keep it in mind.”

Helena looked out over the garden again and formulated her plan inwardly.

If a deal was possible, it was the simplest solution.

And if not, it would not be a significant problem.

She could simply be removed before she solidified her position as Grand Duchess.

Dawn was just beginning to break.

Yet her eyes were growing darker and colder.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

Grand Duke Evander’s proposal to visit her bedchamber every night.

It was Grand Duke Evander’s strategy, designed to unsettle Helena.

‘I want the same thing. Though it will be a somewhat trying time.’

But if uncomfortable nights served her revenge, a hundred nights or a thousand made no difference. All of it was simply an obligation she had to bear.

Then,

lost in thought as she stepped into the corridor, a man approached her.

“I have seen you from afar many times, but this is our first proper introduction. My name is Derick Aslay. I serve as His Highness the Grand Duke’s Lieutenant.”

A man with long red hair tied back and blue eyes. A handsome face paired with an open, easy smile. Anyone would find him likable at first glance.

A figure not given much attention in history.

Alicia extended her hand carefully to receive his greeting.

“What brings the Lieutenant to me?”

“Before I state my business, I must first offer my thanks. His Highness’s headaches have improved considerably.”

“I only did what needed to be done.”

Derick took her hand and bowed politely. A friendly smile, but his eyes were sharp as they assessed her.

“Even so, Your Highness. I cannot help but ask how you made the antidote. It is a problem that neither priests nor physicians could solve.”

A courteous tone.

But what lay beneath it was suspicion directed at Alicia.

How refreshingly honest.

Alicia actually respected his directness. It was exactly the right attitude for a lieutenant serving the Grand Duke.

‘But I can’t show any weakness. Someone like this, once suspicious, is hard to win back.’

Alicia chose a straightforward approach to earn his trust.

“I understand your concern. But I simply assessed His Highness the Grand Duke’s symptoms and prepared a suitable antidote. If you are worried it may cause harm, I can share the list of ingredients with you.”

“……”

Derick’s eyes narrowed for a moment.

He had not expected such openness.

With nothing hidden between them, the conversation moved forward without detours.

“I would be grateful if you would. His Highness the Grand Duke’s health is directly tied to the principality’s wellbeing.”

“I understand. It is actually reassuring to have a lieutenant with that kind of dedication. But please remember that I am on His Highness’s side more than anyone.”

Derick slowly nodded at her words.

“I will keep that in mind. Thank you for taking the time.”

Lieutenant Derick bowed and turned to leave.

But he snapped his fingers, as though he had forgotten something.

“Oh, I nearly forgot to mention the actual reason I came.”

He tapped the side of his own head lightly and got to the real point.

“His Highness the Grand Duke is asking for you. He says he would like to take a walk together.”

Lieutenant Derick smiled.

A smile that looked warm on the surface.

But a small seed of distrust toward her still remained within it.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

Around midday.

Alicia’s mind was tangled as she made her way to the garden.

What does he mean by wanting to take a walk together?

They were a couple who were husband and wife in name only.

There was no particular reason to take a walk.

And things have been more awkward since last night……

The image of the man roughly stripping away her dress and trying to claim her would not easily leave her mind.

Then,

“What are you thinking so hard about?”

The very man from last night appeared before her.

Grand Duke Evander had arrived at the garden ahead of her and was waiting.

“……I was just looking around for a moment.”

Alicia answered, pressing down her startled heart. Grand Duke Evander watched her quietly, then stepped to her side and spoke.

“Act naturally. We are husband and wife, after all.”

“I apologize.”

“You met with Lieutenant Derick?”

Alicia nodded as Grand Duke Evander brought up the matter.

“Yes. He was curious about the antidote, so I told him I would share the ingredients.”

“Please understand him. He is someone who rarely trusts others easily.”

“That is actually what put me at ease.”

“……”

“The fact that His Highness has a loyal subject like him by his side.”

She meant it.

In a principality seized by Helena, the existence of a loyal subject devoted to Grand Duke Evander was welcome news that raised the possibility of revenge.

“Yes, he is a blessing to me.”

Grand Duke Evander nodded and began to walk slowly. Alicia followed naturally behind him.

Grand Duke Evander glanced around and let out a quiet sigh.

“Phew. The chaotic wedding is finally over. I’d sooner face battle than go through a wedding again. Truly not something worth doing twice.”

Not the sort of thing to say to a bride who had just finished her wedding ceremony. But for two people bound by a cold contract rather than love, this kind of conversation suited them better.

“The problem is that things are only just beginning.”

Grand Duke Evander continued as they walked.

The true purpose of the walk was about to emerge.

“We need to perform more convincingly. Otherwise we cannot fool Helena.”

He was pointing out Alicia’s earlier slip, startling when she encountered him. Alicia answered with a serious expression.

“You don’t need to worry about that. One mistake is enough.”

Grand Duke Evander let out a short laugh at her reply.

“Anyone can say that. But when the moment actually comes, people tend to repeat the same mistake.”

Alicia stopped walking.

She looked up at Grand Duke Evander.

“You must trust me. I am prepared to bear anything. If it is necessary to achieve our goal.”

Grand Duke Evander looked down at her quietly, then slowly opened his mouth.

“Is that truly so?”

“Of course. It is my obligation.”

“Obligation…… then I suppose you’ll understand this as well.”

“Pardon? What do you……”

Before Alicia could finish, Grand Duke Evander pulled her into his arms. His broad chest enveloped her small frame completely.

“……”

Alicia’s eyes went wide at the sudden embrace. Grand Duke Evander whispered softly in her ear.

“Look over there.”

Alicia’s eyes followed his gaze naturally.

At the far end of the garden, a group was watching them. A woman dressed in elaborate clothing, surrounded by numerous maids.

It was Helena.

The eyes watching them held an anger she could not conceal.

Right.

Evander’s embrace was a calculated move to provoke Helena.

But Alicia’s startled heart refused to settle.

Perhaps he felt the trembling.

Grand Duke Evander whispered quietly.

“Don’t be too startled. I am simply fulfilling my own obligation as well.”

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

Though mid-April was approaching, the weather in the Belonia Principality was cold.

The training ground, with patches of unmelted snow still scattered across it. Grand Duke Evander had been throwing himself into sword training from early morning until evening.

Despite the cold, his bare torso was drenched in sweat, and countless scars were carved into it like medals.

“Hah!”

The sound of a blade cutting through air filled the training ground, and Grand Duke Evander’s movements grew sharper.

But within those black eyes, a deeper emotion lay hidden.

“Phew.”

Perhaps because his mind was unsettled.

The edge of his sword dulled, and his breathing fell out of rhythm. The cross-section of the training dummy, which should have been cleanly cut, was rougher than usual.