A man and woman dressed in ceremonial attire stood side by side in an old chapel showing signs of age. The hall where they stood had no beautifully arranged flowers, no guests smiling brightly as they offered congratulations, and no lavish reception to follow. Only the priest who would officiate and witness this marriage was present.

The chapel was shabby and worn in every corner—hardly befitting a wedding ceremony—but Cotton was so happy she thought she might collapse from a heart attack. 

She took a deep breath and looked up at the man beside her. Standing firmly at her side with perfect posture was Rickton, who had been her lover and would now become her husband.

Perhaps sensing Cotton’s fingers fidgeting as excitement welled up inside her, deep navy eyes reminiscent of the ocean turned to look at her.

‘What’s wrong?’

Since they couldn’t speak during the ceremony, Rickton mouthed the words. Cotton, who had been about to speak unconsciously, caught herself and moved her lips soundlessly.

‘I’m just happy.’

His eyes, which had been staring intently at how her lips moved, curved beautifully as though he found her adorable. Then he clasped her hand and stroked the back of it with his thumb. 

Excitement aside, Cotton had been stiff as a board at her first wedding ceremony. But that single small touch drained away the tension that had been wound tight inside her like a receding tide.

Feeling her trembling subside, Cotton thought she could get even more excited than this. Her husband, with his sharp features, had a rather rough personality unlike his face. 

From what she’d heard from people around them, it was because he’d spent years on the battlefield. Even so, Rickton had this gentle side that he showed only to her. That made her heart race so much.

Cotton looked up at the large cross decorating the wall behind the officiant on the platform. Sunlight passing through the stained glass became multicolored light that shone down on them brilliantly, like a blessing.

She was overwhelmingly happy. Happy enough that even the dust floating before her eyes looked like sparkling stardust, happy enough that this moment felt like a scene from a romantic poem recited by a minstrel, happy enough that this marriage felt like a gift from God…

* * *

Cotton sat at the edge of the bed, staring quietly at the unmoving door. Frozen like stone, she turned her head and slowly surveyed her surroundings.

The room that had been dark as pitch had grown dimly bright with the dawn sunlight seeping in. The candles she’d deliberately left out to set the mood had all melted and gone out, and the tea she’d prepared to share had grown cold—not a wisp of steam rising from it anymore.

Cotton lightly touched the clean, undisturbed blanket. Coldness crept up her palm. For a bridal chamber meant for their first night together, it was chillingly devoid of warmth, so she rubbed her arms needlessly. He must have been very busy, she murmured softly, and waited again.

How much more time passed like that? A knock sounded from outside and Cotton bolted upright. Her shadowed complexion brightened instantly. She ran over in a single bound and opened the door. A smile bloomed across her face, seemingly forgetting all her hurt feelings.

“Rickton! Why only now…”

Her brightened voice gradually faded like a wilting flower. A maid bowed at the waist and offered morning greetings.

“Your Imperial Highness, what would you like to do about breakfast? Shall I bring it to your room?”

“…No. I’ll eat with my husband. He seems to have a lot of work, so please tell me when he returns to the estate.”

The maid’s face took on a troubled expression.

“Ah… His Highness is already having his meal.”

He’s eating now—did he only just return this morning? Cotton told the maid she would go too, then changed her clothes and left the room.

In the dining room, Rickton sat eating, dressed impeccably. Whether he didn’t sense her presence or not, his head didn’t turn even when she entered. 

Cotton sat across from her husband. Facing the face she’d pictured all through dawn, the feelings she’d thought were fine surged up inside her.

“Were you very busy? I kept waiting.”

She deliberately made her voice sound hurt, and only then did Rickton seem to register her presence, glancing at her once. Cotton expected a gentle smile to follow, along with an apology in his deeper, even softer voice. Whenever he had something to apologize for, Rickton always soothed her that way.

“Why, do you need something?”

But the voice that actually came back was nothing but cold. Flustered, Cotton hesitated before answering.

“What? Well… because it’s our first night together.”

“First night?”

Rickton twisted his lips and sneered openly, like he’d heard something ridiculous.

“You don’t seem to know what ‘first night’ means. Wasn’t your body already deflowered? Rolling around with some lowborn b*stard must have dragged your level of decency to the gutter too.”

Even though food remained on his plate, he set down his fork and stood up. His coldly mocking voice made Cotton’s heart sink. The memory of him sweetly whispering love had been just yesterday—why was he suddenly acting like this? 

At his attitude that had flipped like turning over a palm and his incomprehensible words, she urgently grabbed her departing husband.

“What do you…”

But Cotton couldn’t finish her sentence and flinched to a stop. Rickton’s face as he turned his head was frighteningly hardened. Her husband’s eyes looking down at her were bristlingly cold with displeasure, so even though she wanted to hold onto him, she couldn’t reach out any further.

When Cotton loosened her grip, Rickton clicked his tongue. He irritably removed his coat and tossed it to a maid.

“It’s dirty now. Wash it.”

Then he strode right out of the dining room. Cotton stared blankly at the door that had slammed shut.

It happened just one day after the wedding ceremony.