“You can annul the marriage at any time, Edric. After all, it was me who arranged this union.”

“Well, I can’t exactly argue with that. Ultimately, it’s the Duchess who’s been left in the most unfortunate position.”

As he sat silently watching Richard and Henry discuss, Edric slowly crossed one leg over the other and turned his gaze towards the window.

Morning sunlight shimmered like gold as he stared out of the window, his eyes narrowing slightly as he imagined the woman left behind in the grand mansion.

It wasn’t hard to picture how she might be feeling — a woman who couldn’t even pronounce his name properly trying to adjust to her sudden role as his wife.

He thought back to their wedding night.

While Yuis had been intoxicated, Edric had not.

He had carefully orchestrated that evening, calculating every move with cold precision to draw her into his embrace.

Thinking of it now brought a quiet self-mockery to his lips.

Still, he had no regrets. She brought him more satisfaction than he had expected, and he intended to reward her with comfort, stability, and a peaceful life as long as she remained by his side.

By all accounts, it was not an unhappy marriage for either of them.

“So, Edric, what are your plans?”

At Henry’s question, Edric finally turned his gaze back towards Richard.

“Technically, the proper course would be to send her back and lodge a formal protest with Darec’s king.”

Richard nodded. Henry watched the two men quietly, observing the undercurrent between them.

After a pause, Edric finally opened his mouth again.

“But there’s no need.”

“What?”

Henry blinked, doubting his own ears.

This was Edric Descartes. The man never allowed exceptions.

Not even on the battlefield, where blood and chaos reigned supreme.

The word ‘but‘ simply didn’t exist for him.

Henry couldn’t help but question what he had just heard.

“There’s no need to go that far.”

Richard let out a low chuckle.

“Edric, it seems you’ve grown rather fond of Yuis Everett.”

Edric gave a quiet, dismissive smile and shook his head.

“If Yuis were to leave, someone else would simply take her place. I’d rather not deal with that inconvenience.”

“Of course. Your beautiful wife is truly the pitiable one in all this, Edric.”

Edric tilted his head slightly and spoke in a low voice.

“Henry, by marrying me, she secured her parents’ comfortable future and became a duchess herself. I will make sure she enjoys everything that title affords her. Hardly something to pity, don’t you think?”

“True. Otherwise, she would have spent her life as a maid.”

Then Henry leaned forward, narrowing his gaze.

“So then, Edric. Why did you bring these documents here? You could have buried them if you wanted to.”

“Because they may prove useful someday. I’m simply choosing not to use them for now.”

Henry clapped his hands a few times in mock admiration as he approached Edric. He was filled with playful mischief rather than genuine concern for Yui.

“Still, she really is pitiful. Your Majesty, don’t you agree? Married to a man who doesn’t seem like he’d bleed even if you drove a sword through him.”

Richard laughed heartily.

“Indeed. Only those of us who know his true nature can pity her.’ But Henry, don’t forget: Edric Descartes has long been considered the most eligible bachelor among us.’

Henry studied Edric’s face closely.

As always, he was disgusted by the man’s irritating good looks.

He had a face and body to die for, yet he was utterly indifferent to women.

Even the proud noble daughters of the Empire had once thrown themselves at him.

“Didn’t your first love, Olivia, also have feelings for Edric? Wasn’t that how the two of you got together, when you were comforting her?”

Richard teased him, grinning mischievously. Edric couldn’t help but laugh softly while Henry’s face twisted in irritation.

“Your Majesty!”

“All right, all right.”

Richard laughed, finally putting the documents away in the vault.

Normally, Edric would have returned the woman to Darec and lodged a formal protest with their king.

The fact that he was showing such leniency now could only mean one thing: Yuis Everett was the reason.

Richard, a man who firmly believed that love could save the world, smiled to himself.

After all, Hailey Hartford had done exactly that for him.

However, Edric had never agreed with Richard on that particular belief.

Unable to leave the palace, Hailey attended the wedding alone and in secret. If you could even call it that — she simply parked her carriage at a distance and watched the ceremony inside.

When she returned and saw Richard, Hailey immediately complimented Yuis on her appearance.

“She’s incredibly beautiful, like a fairy.”

Richard let out a soft, low chuckle as he embraced Hailey again, whispering a quiet word of gratitude for her trouble.

“I mean it, Richard. You’d be surprised if you saw her in person.”

“Edric wouldn’t care about something like that.”

“Perhaps not. But still, I like the new duchess.”

As Richard recalled Hailey’s words, his gentle green gaze shifted toward Edric.
That warmth in his emerald eyes remained unchanged.

To Richard, who had known Edric all his life, he had always seemed to lack anything he truly cherished. This was even more apparent to outsiders.

Richard understood that Edric’s mother’s actions had likely left deep scars within him.

Apart from the late Duchess Descartes and his lover, Hailey, Edric had never let another woman into his life. No one else had ever crossed the threshold of his tightly guarded world.

Out of simple curiosity, Richard couldn’t help but wonder: What was it about the new duchess that had managed to soften Edric’s cold, rigid nature?

After locking the documents safely away, Richard turned to Edric and asked.

“So, Edric, Are you finally going on your honeymoon?”

“Yes, we’re scheduled to depart the afternoon after tomorrow.”

“And where are you going?’

“To Hetar. We’ll be staying in Cliff.”

“Even your honeymoon turns into work. You’re truly relentless.”

In response to Henry’s playful jab, Edric simply nodded calmly.

Watching him, Richard couldn’t help but silently smile at the man who still seemed unable to recognise his own emotions.

“Have a good time, Edric.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“And bring me back a gift.”

Without responding to Henry’s remark, Edric simply nodded politely and left the emperor’s study.

He had come to the palace today to deliver documents relating to Yuis Everett. Now that he had handed them over, his business there was finished.

As he strolled along the palace garden path, Edric felt the cool summer breeze brush through his hair.

The fresh scent carried on the wind brought her to mind once more.

Cliff in Hetar, their soon-to-be destination, was renowned for its stunning sea cliffs.

Although it had been chosen for practical reasons related to post-war negotiations, he found himself thinking that it wouldn’t be such a bad place for a honeymoon after all, given its beauty.

His steps felt lighter as he boarded the carriage bound for the mansion near the palace.

The butler, Miles, was waiting to greet him as soon as he arrived at the estate. Edric’s gaze lingered on Miles for a moment before he smiled gently.

“Her Grace is in the study.”

Edric nodded briefly and went up to the third floor. As he quietly entered the study, he stopped in his tracks at the sight before him.

Dozing peacefully on the sofa was Yuis. The warm afternoon sunlight poured through the large windows, bathing her delicate figure in its glow.

She looked as though she might shatter at the slightest touch.

Edric’s gaze remained fixed on her as he carefully approached, his footsteps barely making a sound.

He gently lifted her into his arms, adjusting her position so that she was lying comfortably with a cushion beneath her head. Then he pulled a blanket over her.

Taking a seat beside her on the sofa, he positioned himself to shield her from the direct sunlight.

His eyes drifted across the books scattered on the table, offering a glimpse into her tastes.

Clearly, she preferred classical romances.

He had once instructed the servants to acquire books rumoured to be popular among noblewomen in high society, but it seemed that Yuis Descartes favoured pure, traditional love stories.

After neatly arranging the books on the desk, Edric’s attention returned to her face, which, at that moment, captivated him far more than any novel.

The woman who always forced a nervous smile in his presence, as if he were a predator, looked entirely different asleep.

Her relaxed, childlike expression made him unconsciously reach out to her, but he stopped just before his hand could touch her cheek.

His deep blue eyes remained fixed on Yuis face.

Why did this gentle, unassuming face so easily draw his gaze?

Leaning back on the sofa, Edric tilted his head slightly and sat in silence beside her.