Prologue

“W-what is it that you want from me?”

In the bedroom where the atmosphere was eerie with the head of a deer mounted right in the center, Sophia’s voice trembled slightly as she looked at the man standing before her.

“Ah, what I want…. There’s a lot.”

A lot? 

Sophia’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected answer.  

There wasn’t anything she could give him. She barely had anything, so what could he want so much for?  

“Wh-what do you want?”  

“Ha.”  

Instead of answering, he laughed. Just hearing his laughter made it feel like her breath was catching in her throat. His smile wasn’t gentle—it was chilling enough to make all the hair on her body stand on end.  

S-scary. I need to run away. If I stay here, I’ll die.  

When the man came closer, she wanted to run, but her body wouldn’t move as she wanted, perhaps because she was too full of fear. Instead, Sophia’s gaze fixed on the sword at his waist.  

Is he going to kill me? No way…. He wouldn’t do that, considering the family’s honor.  

Even if it was the family’s will, there was no reason for this man to suddenly take her as his bride. Who would force a marriage with a woman they despised?  

So when deciding to get married, there had to be a reason. Since it was likely a reason that wouldn’t be pleasant for Sophia, it was only natural that she was afraid of him.

After holding her breath for a long time, Sophia finally closed her eyes tightly. She thought it would be better to avoid those fiery red eyes.  

But even with her eyes closed, she could feel the man quietly approaching like a shadow, and her body began to tremble on its own.  

She naturally expected a cold sensation to brush past her neck. His sword was faster than the wind, so he could easily cut her throat in the blink of an eye.

But it wasn’t like that. Contrary to her expectations, something soft touched her lips. When Sophia, startled by the unfamiliar sensation, opened her eyes, she was shocked to find herself sharing a kiss with the man before her.  

Her body stiffened, and her heart began to pound in her chest at the unexpected situation.  

Why on earth am I kissing this man? Didn’t he hate me?  

No matter how much she thought about it, Sophia couldn’t understand the situation, so she had no choice but to remain standing still.