Chapter 2

“Once you capture the Third Imperial Prince as you wish, take your hands off me immediately. And you must tell me at once where my mother is buried. Ah, and it would be better if you didn’t think about interfering with me. If you do, I’ll divorce him right away or run away.”

“Are you planning to run away again to look for your mother?”

Her mother was like Janette’s reverse scale. She was also the reason Janette had stubbornly survived in this household.

Until now, she had struggled countless times to find her mother. Even though she knew she would be caught and severely punished each time.

She hated Duke Kirschtein for constantly testing her despite knowing how desperate she was, but Janette continued as calmly as possible.

“Isn’t obtaining my cooperation more important to you, Duke?”

“You ungrateful, ill-mannered….!”

His face turned red and blue as he approached her threateningly, but Janette did not stop.

This opportunity that I finally obtained!

Perhaps this was the right time to sprout the seeds of revenge.

“Will that really be all right? Even if I am an illegitimate child, I’m still the piece you’re going to use in a marriage with the Imperial Family. What if I get damaged?”

Duke Kirschtein seemed to think for a long time before finally nodding and lowering his hand.

Of course.

This plan could not proceed without Janette’s cooperation, which was the most important part.

But she did not trust his promise that he would definitely keep his word at all.

Duke Kirschtein was calculating and selfish, a man who cared only for his own gain.

Of course, she had no intention of merely being used and discarded according to the wishes of the unreasonable and despicable Duke Kirschtein.

She had already resolved to sharpen the blade of revenge little by little and strike first when the time came.

But there was no need to tell him in advance about his bleak future.

Unaware of Janette’s thoughts, he made a petty threat, warning her not to think about running away midway or playing any tricks.

Of course, Janette merely let it pass through one ear and nodded.

And so, their deal was established.

It was a contract formed in a relationship without a shred of trust.

“This way.”

Janette broke free from her thoughts and raised her head.

This was not the time to be lost in thought.

Leaving behind the maid who opened the door for her, she stepped outside.

Soon, a path beautifully decorated with colorful flowers came into view.

Guests lined both sides, staring intently at her.

It truly began to sink in that everything was finally beginning.

There’s really no turning back now.

She had been staring only at the ground, immersed in thought, when someone suddenly approached her side.

Sensing the presence, she raised her head and found dark red eyes looking at her.

“Were you planning to enter the wedding hall alone without the man you’re marrying, my wife?”

Wife.

There was only one person who could call Janette that.

Zeke Alion Leonhardt.

The man who would soon become her husband.

For the first time, Janette examined him up close.

He was tall with a solid build. His black hair was dark as though the night itself had been carved into it, and beneath it shone red eyes.

He was handsome enough to draw admiration.

Though that was completely useless to Janette.

How long had they stood there simply looking at each other?

Zeke extended a hand toward Janette.

“Even if this is a marriage filled with calculation and greed, where is there a wedding that proceeds without one’s spouse?”

“…….”

“Although you haven’t shown me your face even once until now. It seems we’re only meeting for the first time now.”

Zeke curled one corner of his mouth into a cold smile.

It had never reached Janette, but apparently he had tried several times to speak with her.

Could this also be Duke Kirschtein’s doing?

Whatever the case, listening to the hostility filling his voice sent a sudden chill through her.

Janette once again realized just how intimidating he was.

Regardless, he lightly shook the hand he was holding as though urging her along.

“Let’s go inside, my lady.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the man led Janette forward.

At that, an elderly man standing at the end of the aisle looked flustered before quickly bowing his head and speaking.

“From this moment, we shall begin the wedding ceremony of Janette Kirschtein, second daughter of the House of Duke Kirschtein, and His Highness Zeke Alion Leonhardt, the Third Imperial Prince.”

The wedding began in an atmosphere more solemn than expected.

Even the nobles, whom she had expected to openly stare, kept their mouths shut and silently followed the order of the ceremony.

Although it was the union of two illegitimate children, perhaps they knew who stood behind it.

Whatever the case, it was nothing more than a ridiculous deception.

Thinking that, Janette discreetly glanced to the side.

“At this rate, you’re going to stare a hole through my face.”

At Zeke’s words, Janette startled and quickly turned her head away.

Did he know?

Did he know what kind of scheme was unfolding behind his back?

He had turned the Emperor and every noble loyal to him into enemies, yet the man seemed completely unaffected.

Janette found him both pitiable and impressive.

But her sentiment ended there.

She only had to take what benefited her, finish her revenge, and leave.

“With this, I formally declare that the two of you have become husband and wife.”

At last, the officiation that had felt so long came to an end.

It was the moment when those of lowly blood, whose union they had desired so much, finally bore the fruit called “marriage.”

After the wedding, what surprised Janette most was none other than Zeke’s attitude.

“Even if this is a marriage filled with calculation and greed, where is there a wedding that proceeds without one’s spouse?”

He seemed to understand the hidden meaning behind his marriage to Janette, yet he showed no particular reaction.

If he openly displayed hostility, Janette would not have needed to hide her true intentions either.

But he did not.

That made Janette uneasy.

No matter what Janette did, he merely watched.

No, it would be more accurate to say he did not even pay attention to her.

Has he decided to simply watch for now? Then what should I do next?

Janette frowned at the throbbing headache and sank deeper into the sofa.

It was at that moment.

Knock, knock.

With the sound of knocking, the door opened and a woman entered.

Soon, she raised one eyebrow and spoke.

“Greetings. I am Jane, the maid who will be serving you from today onward.”

“Me?”

“Yes. The Duke appointed me personally. Please speak comfortably with me.”

Duke Kirschtein must have been quite uneasy himself.

Judging by how he assigned a watcher to her immediately after the wedding ended.

Janette slowly raised herself from the sofa.

Her fatigue had not faded, but there was something she needed to deal with first.

Though it would be more accurate to say this woman would tell her what she had to do from now on.

“What brings you all the way here?”

“I came to help ensure that you experience no inconvenience.”

Jane continued with a meaningful smile.

“Your wedding night is approaching, is it not? The other maids sent by His Majesty the Emperor are also waiting outside to assist you.”

The wedding night.

She had not thought that far.

Everyone knew this marriage was merely a deception.

But it seemed the Emperor and the Duke wanted to seize some kind of weakness of Zeke’s through this marriage no matter what.

It was ridiculous.

Did they really expect him to fall in love with her?

There was no way someone so cold would.

“You appear to be ready, so I will bring them in immediately.”

“Wait•••••!”

Janette objected, but Jane paid no attention.

Had Janette’s words ever carried any weight in the duchy in the first place?

The moment Jane flung the door open, several maids rushed inside.

They pulled Janette to her feet and immediately took her to the dressing room.

“We’ll need to prepare the perfumed oils quickly if we’re going to be on time.”

The maids’ hands moved busily over Janette’s body.

Surrounded by countless people, Janette was moved around in a daze.

After everyone finally stepped away, the sight of herself reflected in the mirror was outrageous.

“My goodness.”

A paper-thin chemise that seemed almost completely transparent, and a body drenched in an alluring fragrance.

Anyone could see that she looked like a new bride preparing for her first night.

“Then let us proceed to the bedroom.”

Janette’s wishes were irrelevant.

Standing in the middle, Jane led her upstairs almost as though dragging her.

For a moment, Janette considered resisting, but soon abandoned the thought.

If this had been something the Duke had done alone, she could have handled it herself.

But if even the Emperor was involved in this, the situation was different.

“Now, please go inside.”

“Wait. Does His Highness the Prince know about this too•••••?”

They practically shoved Janette into the bedroom and immediately closed the door.

She quickly grabbed the door, but Jane’s words stopped her.

“In order to provide assistance at any moment during the sacred consummation of your marriage, I will remain on guard here.”

They had to know themselves that it was absurd.

In truth, they were obviously there to confirm whether the marriage was consummated.

Janette let out a hollow laugh and turned around.

She could not see any way to get past all those people and leave by herself.

Then she had no choice but to find another method.

As Janette looked around the room with that thought in mind,

“We have an unexpected guest.”

A door hidden beside the bookcase opened, and her husband appeared.