They rode for about thirty minutes.

Without incident, they crossed the border and arrived at Cliff, the impenetrable fortress and gateway to Croatan.

This was the first time Astrid had ever set foot on foreign soil. Their party stopped at the peak of the final mountain ridge before entering Cliff’s territory. From this high vantage point, the landscape unfolded before them in an unobstructed, breathtaking view.

‘This will be the land where I live from now on…’

Astrid’s eyelids quivered as she gazed over the vast expanse of Cliff’s domain. Her heart pounded, and a warm sensation surged up to her throat.

For the first time, the reality of leaving Hestian completely behind and arriving in a new land truly sank in.

Through their shared contact, Caleb could feel Astrid’s trembling. Yet, rather than speaking, he loosened the reins and gradually slowed the horse’s pace, offering her silent reassurance.

Unaware of his consideration, Astrid focused intently on taking in every detail of the scenery.

‘Everything here is so different from Hestian.’

She had noticed it ever since crossing the border. Unlike Hestian’s quaint and cozy charm, Croatan’s nature had an overwhelming grandeur.

Towering conifers stretched skyward in dense forests, and a vast, winding river embraced the entire domain with its deep blue currents. Everything was unfamiliar but awe-inspiring.

Astrid sat motionless, her gaze fixed on the far horizon. The short strands of her unevenly cut hair danced chaotically in the gentle breeze.

“Welcome to my land, Lady Astrid.”

A low voice from behind startled her out of her thoughts. She turned to look up at Caleb. His pitch-black eyes, devoid of any blemish, reflected a sense of pride and affection that Astrid could immediately recognize.

“This place is truly magnificent.”

“…Are you serious?”

Caleb’s finely shaped brows furrowed slightly, as though trying to gauge the sincerity in Astrid’s words. Feeling puzzled by his question, Astrid tilted her head.

“Is there a reason I shouldn’t be sincere?”

“Any lady raised delicately in a noble family would naturally dislike this place. Many of the former grand duchesses suffered emotional distress here, with some retreating for convalescence or spending most of their time in the royal capital. A few even ended up divorcing.”

Confusion flickered across Astrid’s face as she listened to Caleb’s explanation.

“…But I—”

“But?”

“I’m not a lady who was delicately raised in a noble family. At best, I’m an unfinished one.”

“…Hmm.”

Astrid spoke of her circumstances with a calm detachment, as if it didn’t bother her. She smiled faintly, a smile that might have seemed sad to an over-imaginative observer. Caleb dismissed such thoughts and lifted one corner of his mouth in a slight smirk.

“That’s fortunate, at least. It means you won’t try to run away from me.”

“…Run away?”

“Cliff Castle’s other name is the Fortress of Iron Walls. Surrounded by dense forests and rivers, escape is nearly impossible. Remember that, Astrid.”

Astrid was about to retort but suddenly bit her lip. His tone might have been playful, but his eyes were cold and serious.

‘That’s a relief.’

The storm of fear and excitement about this unfamiliar land eased a little in her chest. His warning that escape wasn’t an option suggested he wouldn’t cast her out.

She had been secretly anxious, wondering if she’d be thrown out after they got what they needed from her or if the marriage would end quickly in divorce. His words felt like a definitive answer.

Having lost everything except the name Bowell, reclaimed only after her father’s death, Astrid doubted whether Caleb and his retainers would truly accept her. Deep down, she lacked confidence.

‘Someone like him could easily find a better bride.’

Fortunately, Cradoc was kind to her. But she knew better than to assume everyone else would be the same. After enduring coldness, scorn, and malice since her father’s passing, Astrid realized how much her confidence had eroded.

‘It’s just the beginning. I can’t afford to be this timid…’

She chastised herself for shrinking back. Caleb had rescued her from the vast tomb that was Hestian. He had brushed off the dirt that covered her and breathed life into her bleak existence. From now on, it was up to her to live fully.

Astrid wanted to be someone useful to Caleb and the people of Cliff. With heartfelt yearning, she prayed to the goddess Hesta.

‘I want to become a Grand Duchess who is loved.’

It might have been a foolish wish.

On the night her father died, she had prayed desperately for salvation, only to be coldly ignored by Hesta. But now, Astrid clung to the hem of the goddess’s gown, desperate for an answer.

She wanted it that badly. Cliff was not only a land of new opportunities but also the dead-end street of her life. There was no place left to retreat, no haven left to flee to.

She wanted to love this land and its people. And she wanted to be loved in return.

***

“…Wow.”

This would be her new home. When she reached Cliff Castle, the residence of the duke, a small gasp of admiration escaped Astrid’s lips.

It was much larger than the papal basilica in Hestian she had visited as a child while holding her father’s hand. The imposing structure commanded attention, its massive size instantly captivating her gaze.

Though the dark gray walls bore no ornaments to speak of, Cliff Castle had a charm of its own.

Its grandeur, stemming from its overwhelming size, and the masculine simplicity of its straight lines made it a striking piece of architecture.

‘It suits Caleb.’

Indeed, the castle somehow resembled its owner.

‘No unnecessary embellishments, but the materials and structure—everything is practical.’

To Astrid, who had once avidly read books on architecture, Cliff Castle was the perfect fortress.

“It seems you like it.”

He didn’t need to ask. Caleb’s satisfied smile confirmed he had noticed her admiration.

“I never thought I’d see a castle with a drawbridge in real life. As you know, there aren’t any castles of this scale in Hestian. Does the moat connect to the river we saw earlier?”

“Yes, it connects to the Brietta River.”

“Though the water has dried up now since there’s never been a siege! But no enemy could ever break through Cliff Castle.”

“Hmm. I don’t know much, but just from the high walls, the placement of arrow slits, and the loopholes, I can tell. This castle is a flawless fortress.”

As she spoke, her eyes carefully examined the structure. Caleb’s gaze lingered on her profile, and he could tell, even without looking directly at her, that the corners of his mouth had lifted slightly. Her eyes, certainly a shade brighter than the Brietta River, must have been sparkling.

Her words were not what one would expect from a lady of Hestian, where young noblewomen were delicately raised among precious flowers, educated primarily in literature, art, music, dance, and embroidery.

‘Perhaps a knight of Croatan might speak that way.’

The most excited person, however, was Cradoc, who eagerly rattled off information about the castle as soon as Astrid showed interest.

As expected, her blue eyes sparkled brightly as she listened to Cradoc’s enthusiastic explanations. Her eyes radiated pure delight, so much so that Caleb, who initially intended to cut Cradoc short, found himself unable to say anything.

Thus, Cradoc’s lecture continued as they crossed the drawbridge, passed through the castle gate, and reached the main building. It wasn’t until Matilda, who was handing over roses to a gardener to decorate the interior, noticed their arrival.

“My goodness, Lord Caleb! Arriving without any notice?”

“…Matilda!”

Cradoc called out to her in delight, but unfortunately, Matilda didn’t respond. Her gaze was fixed solely on As.

“Welcome to Cliff Castle, Your Grace, the Grand Duchess.”

Matilda’s voice trembled with emotion. Tears welled in her eyes, her hands were clasped tightly, and her voice shook—all signs of the deep feelings she struggled to contain.

While the greeting was kind in words, Astrid was caught off guard. She swallowed nervously.

‘…Grand Duchess?’

Being called “Grand Duchess” right upon meeting her left her unsure of how to respond. After all, she was still only betrothed and had yet to marry and officially assume the title.

“Introduce yourself. This is Matilda, the head maid. She’s the one who has been managing the affairs of Cliff Castle with care all this time.”

After hesitating briefly, Astrid opened her mouth to speak.

“Nice to meet you, Madam. I’m Astrid Bowell.”

Matilda bowed her head, responding to Astrid’s greeting with utmost courtesy.

‘Of course, there must be a reason Lord Caleb took to her at first sight. She’s surely a perfect match for him.’

With a small, well-balanced face, her features were strikingly lovely. Short blonde hair, blue eyes, a snow-white complexion, and cheeks lightly flushed—it was as though a fairy stood before her.

Though she still retained the youthful look of a girl, her poised stance exuded elegance, and the intelligence gleaming in her eyes hinted at wisdom and quick wit.

Her attire might not have been ladylike, but her every movement was polished and graceful, reflecting her noble upbringing. Above all, what Matilda found most endearing was the warmth in her slightly upturned eyes.

‘She’ll be a wonderful match for Caleb, no doubt about it.’

Nodding to herself with a face full of emotion, Matilda resolved to serve this girl, soon to be known as Astrid Lionel, with all her heart. After all, Cliff Castle had been a harsh and lonely place for Caleb since the death of his mother, the Grand Duchess. Matilda had been quietly worried about him, but now, with a companion by his side, she felt reassured.

A bride like a spring breeze, ready to bring warmth to the desolate land of Cliff—Matilda was determined to do her utmost to assist her. The first step, she thought, would be tending to her appearance: cleaning her up, dressing her properly, and ensuring she was well-fed.

‘I told them to bring her here with the utmost care!’

Looking at the fatigue on the lady’s face, Matilda could only imagine how arduous the journey must have been. Without needing an explanation, she shot a sharp glare at Cradoc, who was lingering in the distance.

‘Never mind Lord Caleb, but how could that man have escorted her in such a manner?’

The thought of such a rare and precious guest arriving at Cliff Castle after enduring such neglect made her shake her head in exasperation.

“Still, you should have sent word about your arrival beforehand, at the very least!”