There was no ulterior motive in his offer—perhaps he genuinely intended to give her a simple massage. However, Ertel hesitated, unable to respond immediately.

Seconds passed in the awkward atmosphere, where it felt neither appropriate to accept nor to reject outright.

‘It’s my fault for falling asleep here.’

In the end, her body moved before her words, and she silently turned her back to him.

“Relax your shoulders.”

“Like this?”

“That’s fine.”

In Icarus’s view was her slender nape and the prominent outline of her shoulder blades.

He began kneading her shoulders, neither too hard nor too soft, as if mindful of the fatigue she must have accumulated since morning.

“Ah…”

She hadn’t expected much from his massage, but a soft sigh escaped her lips.

Her already weary body felt even more relaxed.

Though she didn’t want to admit it, his touch was warm and gentle.

“Ertel.”

“Yes?”

Fearing he might notice her tension, Ertel tried to respond in the calmest tone possible.

His fingers, which had been massaging her shoulders, slowly trailed down her back along her erector muscles.

When his fingers continued downward, Ertel flinched, and only then did his hand stop, gently stroking her back instead.

“Once we set the wedding date, we’ll arrange your bridal care accordingly. Is there anything specific you’d like to do?”

“That sounds good, but… I do have one request.”

“And what is that?”

Ertel hesitated before voicing a thought that had crossed her mind earlier that day.

“I heard you’re planning to hire people to play the role of my parents for the wedding.”

“Yes. You don’t need to worry about that. I have plenty of connections in the Kingdom of Luna. Finding people to act the part will be no problem.”

“…Is there no other option?”

“Why do you ask?”

“It’s just… I was thinking, this is my one and only wedding…”

“…”

“I wish my real family could be there.”

She hadn’t meant to complain, but her voice trembled slightly.

On the path to death in her previous life, she had seen the faces of her biological mother, Belle, and her father, Adin.

Recalling that shock made her emotions swell, and she feared her eyes might redden with tears. She tried her best to stop herself from thinking further.

Icarus, unaware of her inner turmoil, let out a contemplative hum.

He seemed to be carefully choosing his words, as if considering what to say to comfort her.

“Ertel, your father left the family when you were young, and your mother passed away due to unavoidable circumstances. Don’t dwell on those painful memories anymore. Focus only on the present and the future ahead. That’s what’s best for you.”

Rather than offering simple emotional comfort, Icarus gave her advice with a practical solution in mind.

“So don’t feel sad about having fake parents. Just trust me and don’t worry about anything. Even if people know you were once a maid, it won’t be a problem.”

His voice was so reassuring, it was hard not to be swayed.

“I’ll create a perfect picture, as if a noble lady born of high status is becoming the Duchess of a prestigious family. I’ll make it happen.”

“Yes…”

Icarus gazed at the butterfly mark on the nape of Ertel’s neck with satisfaction.

So far, everything was proceeding according to his plan. If things continued as they were, he would soon achieve his grand ambition.

A glorious, radiant future awaited him.

‘Peck.’

Overcome with joy, Icarus wrapped his arms around Ertel’s neck and planted a light kiss on it.

“…!”

Startled by the sudden intimacy, Ertel flinched. She shot him a sharp glare, but he merely gave her a sly smile.

“You’ll need to get used to this eventually.”

“Used to what? Your constant kissing?”

“I can’t help it when I see you.”

Icarus raised his voice slightly, loud enough for Lisa, who was waiting outside, to hear.

“Lisa, come in and help Ertel dry off and finish up.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The delayed response carried a hint of reluctance, though the oblivious Icarus seemed unaware.

However, Lisa’s less-than-enthusiastic reply lingered in Ertel’s mind.

>><<

Ertel entered the Duke’s bedroom wearing a robe. She sat quietly at the head of the bed, waiting for him.

It was their first night sharing the newly decorated marital bedroom.

In the past, Icarus had never touched her unless she allowed it. As cunning as he was, he had always maintained a gentlemanly facade. That was why she had fallen for him so easily.

After a while, Icarus walked into the bedroom, also wearing a robe, a smirk playing on his lips.

His damp hair, not yet fully dried, only enhanced his mature allure.

He was still an incredibly attractive man.

For a moment, Ertel felt herself wavering and quickly averted her gaze.

‘Am I crazy?’

How could she think he was sexy?

Even after all the betrayal, she still hadn’t come to her senses.

Unaware of her thoughts, Icarus grabbed the blanket and climbed into bed.

“Lie down.”

He naturally offered her his arm as a pillow.

“It’s nice not having to sleep alone anymore.”

“That’s surprising. I thought you’d prefer sleeping alone without any restrictions. Won’t it be uncomfortable sharing a bed with me?”

“With a bed this spacious, what’s there to be uncomfortable about?”

“If it ever becomes inconvenient, let me know. I’ll return to my room.”

“No, that will never happen.”

As Icarus moved closer, Ertel held her breath.

His scent was intoxicating, but she refused to let herself react.

She would allow a hug—nothing more.

Sensing her slight stiffness, Icarus whispered softly,

“I won’t touch you.”

“…I’m not worried.”

“I’ll just have a little taste.”

“What?”

As expected, she couldn’t fully let her guard down.

Icarus gently tilted her chin with his long fingers, making her face him.

When she saw his plump lips, she instinctively turned her head to the side, but he leaned in and kissed her deeply.

“…!”

Caught off guard by the unexpected kiss, Ertel’s head tilted back, and Icarus wrapped his arm around her nape.

Thus, their second kiss began.

Even now, she couldn’t get used to kissing him. It sent shivers through her body.

Her small fists clenched tightly, and she had no choice but to close her eyes.

She had to endure the overwhelming sensation of his breath against her.

After the sweet kiss, Icarus pulled her closer into his embrace.

“When you’re ready, I’ll love you as much as you want.”

Though it would be difficult for him as a man, he playfully promised to hold back for now.

Then, he brought up his plans.

“Our wedding date. I’m thinking of scheduling it two weeks from Monday. How does that sound?”

“Monday?”

“Yes. In Tiamor, Monday is considered the most sacred day of the week.”

“…Anything is fine.”

That was when Ertel realized.

Even in this life, she couldn’t stop the marriage.

>><<

Two weeks passed quickly.

Unlike before her regression, having a tutor in the mansion made life slightly different.

Ertel’s plan to act as much like a maid as possible had failed. Under Sarah’s systematic guidance, she was forced to thoroughly learn the etiquette required to become the Duchess of Juan.

All of this was part of Icarus’s meticulous scheme.

The long-awaited wedding day arrived.

“Everyone, move quickly. Don’t overlook even the smallest details.”

From early morning, the mansion’s staff were busy preparing for the wedding.

The ceremony was set to take place in the chapel of Aronder Palace, which Ertel had once praised for its beauty.

It was a special arrangement made by the king himself for Icarus.

Most of the prominent noble families of Elruk, including the king, had confirmed their attendance.

The sheer grandeur of the event left people speechless.

“Wow, this is more extravagant than most royal weddings.”

The guests filling the chapel were a testament to Icarus’s immense power.

>><<

In the powder room, Lisa and the other maids busied themselves with Ertel’s preparations.

“My lady, please keep your head still and look at the mirror.”

Dressed in a white gown and wearing a diamond tiara, Ertel looked as pure and radiant as freshly fallen snow.

As she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, she steeled herself.

‘There’s no turning back now.’

She hadn’t slept a wink the night before.

No one knew the enormous plan she had kept to herself.

A dagger was concealed in the garter belt beneath her dress.

Today, her future husband would lose his life.

‘There’s no point in dragging this out.’

Her original plan had been to establish her position as Duchess after the wedding and then gradually bring about his demise.

But now, her plan had changed.

‘I don’t need to wait.’

She would kill him today.

She had her reasons.

Sharing a bedroom with him had begun to unsettle her.

His affectionate behavior overlapped with memories of the past, leaving her confused.

Even though she knew it wasn’t genuine.

Fearing that her desire for revenge might waver, she resolved to act swiftly.

‘If I’m going to kill him anyway, I might as well do it now.’

She didn’t care if the wedding turned into chaos as long as she succeeded in ending his life.

Unaware of her grand plan, the maids focused solely on perfecting her appearance.

As her preparations neared completion, Sarah entered the room.

She couldn’t take her eyes off Ertel’s transformed appearance.

“My lady, you look stunning—absolutely breathtaking. You’re so radiant, it’s almost blinding. The Duke will surely fall for you when he sees you.”

“Thank you, Sarah.”

“Seeing you makes me want to get married too. But…”

“Yes?”

“Is it just my imagination, or do your eyes look sad?”

No matter how much she tried to hide it, her emotions seemed to seep through.

The murderous intent she harbored for someone was turning into sorrow.

Not wanting her true feelings to be exposed, Ertel forced a smile.

“That can’t be. I’m happy.”

She had every reason to be.

Today, she would finally have her revenge.