Chapter 5

“There are always trials before married couples, but these are ordeals sent by God to confirm the couple’s true love…”  

As the officiant’s cliché speech continued, Nadia’s gaze remained fixed on her feet. Lev occasionally glanced at the bride, who never once looked his way.  

“Nadia Turik, do you vow to always love and be loyal to our King, His Majesty, as your husband under any circumstances?”  

“I do.”  

Even during her marriage vows, her eyes never turned toward him.  

At this point, it seemed she disliked him more than he disliked her.  

“As the final step of the wedding ceremony, please kiss each other.”  

Only then did the bride’s calm eyes waver, and she looked at Lev, unsure of what to do.  

Seeing this change, Lev suddenly felt curious. He leaned down and whispered into the tense bride’s ear.  

“What are you doing?”  

“……”  

“You need to kiss me, Nadia Turik.”  

Nadia looked at Lev with an embarrassed face, then slowly lifted her heels and carefully pressed her lips to his.  

It was more playful than even a child’s kiss. Still, the ceremony was satisfied. Just as Nadia tried to quickly pull away from Lev—  

“Ah…!”  

Lev pulled Nadia’s waist toward him and parted his lips. Their lips met without a gap.  

Nadia’s eyes widened in shock as Lev boldly brushed inside her mouth.  

Gasps of surprise echoed from all around. Lev then released Nadia’s lips.  

Her lips trembled as she let out a soft breath, her face dazed and fresh.  

Up until now, she’d witnessed shocking events but always kept her gaze as solid as stone.  

Even when she saw her mother and half-brother die before her eyes, or when she went to the Queen’s palace at Albina’s request. But now…  

“…I hereby declare the two officially husband and wife.”  

She was trembling like the candle flame held by the officiant.  

Lev quietly watched her, and Nadia hurriedly lowered her gaze.  

The corners of Lev’s mouth lifted slightly.  

Even a woman like a fortress had cracks.

***

“Why did you do something so unexpected, Your Majesty?”  

At the reception, Albina approached Lev, still shivering as if unsettled.  

“I thought my heart would leap out.”  

“I figured the guests needed a bit of entertainment.”  

“Your Majesty.”  

Albina shot him a look, as if to tell him not to joke, and Lev replied with a faint smile.  

He was curious. Would she still control her emotions with eyes of stone even after sharing a kiss with him? That fleeting curiosity made him bold.  

“Well, if your intention was to humiliate the Queen…”  

Albina frowned and asked,  

“You really don’t need to visit the Queen?”  

At the same time, both Albina and Lev turned their heads toward Nadia. She looked lonely, with no one around her.  

If her husband were beside her, her situation would seem less pitiful, but Lev had let go of the bride’s hand as soon as he entered the reception hall.

“The ceremony is over, so if you’re tired, you may return to the Queen’s palace and rest.”

He had spoken those words with concern. What was her expression then?  

“As for the Queen. She will not be easy.”

At Albina’s serious tone, Lev snapped out of it and looked at her. She gestured toward Nadia with her chin.  

“Look at how she keeps her composure even in this situation.”  

Yes, that was exactly her expression. She was briefly flustered, but soon calmly accepted the situation. Even now.  

It must be humiliating that no one approached her, yet she showed no sign of it, simply maintaining her place with composure.  

After watching a little longer, Albina finally sighed.  

“She truly is Agnesa’s daughter. She’s not ordinary.”  

Well, blood doesn’t lie.  

At Albina’s muttering, Lev smiled faintly. Rumors about him, who gained a favorite as soon as he ascended the throne, were similar.  

Unaware that she had unintentionally struck at her own lord as well, Albina innocently sipped her cocktail.

“…Oh?”  

Then, Albina’s gaze narrowed.  

“That person, is that not the Young Duke Lordgin?”

Lev’s gaze followed hers. Just as Albina said, his cousin, Arons Lordgin, was approaching the Queen.

***

“You may return to the Queen’s palace. His Majesty has granted permission.”  

Unable to bear seeing Nadia treated as less than a wallflower, Olga spoke up.  

Nadia, who had been staring blankly at the guests in the reception hall, slowly turned her head and replied,  

“It’s all right. With His Majesty still here, it would be rude for me to leave first.”  

“……”  

Olga didn’t press further, as if to say she could do as she wished. Her words weren’t out of concern for the Queen. She simply felt irritated at having to stay by the Queen’s side when everyone ignored her.  

Normally, someone would run away from such humiliation, but Nadia had the courage to remain to the end. Truly fitting for Agnesa’s daughter, who nearly went from mistress to Queen.  

“Your Majesty, the Queen.”  

Hearing a familiar voice, Nadia instinctively turned her head. A slender man was approaching.  

Seeing his curly, long platinum hair and eyes shining like amethyst, Nadia couldn’t help but smile faintly.  

“Young Duke.”  

“Please call me comfortably. You are now Her Majesty, the Queen.”  

Arons Lordgin smiled and added,  

“Just like when we were children.”  

Nadia and Arons had known each other since childhood, as distant relatives.  

After Agnesa became the King’s mistress, Nadia always waited for the days Arons visited. Nadia briefly recalled the past, then quickly shook her head.  

“I can’t do that. Things have changed.”  

She replied bitterly, then quickly added, worried Arons might misunderstand.  

“Oh, please don’t misunderstand. What I mean is…”  

“I know, Your Majesty. I’m sorry about Madame Turik.”  

Arons briefly expressed his sympathy, then turned the topic with a relieved expression.  

“But I’m really glad you didn’t have to go abroad. I was so shocked when I heard you would marry suddenly…”  

“Yes, I’m grateful to His Majesty.”  

“Grateful…”  

Arons quietly repeated Nadia’s words, then furrowed his brow.  

“To the one who leaves you alone like this, Your Majesty?”  

His voice carried a subtle resentment. It was aimed at the King, but Nadia felt as if she herself was being reproached, since she understood better than anyone why the King treated her coldly.  

“His Majesty did not marry me out of pure intentions.”  

“I know.”  

At Nadia’s honest answer, Arons frowned. Nadia looked at him and forced a bright smile.  

“But what does it matter? Thanks to His Majesty, I didn’t have to go to a foreign country where I could barely communicate.”  

There was no guarantee she’d have a happy married life even there.  

She never expected her mother to choose a groom who would cherish her.  

So perhaps her current situation wasn’t the worst. Nadia tried to think as positively as possible.  

“So I’m all right.”  

She meant it sincerely, but Arons didn’t seem to believe her. Well, if she were a third party, she wouldn’t easily believe it either, especially after being treated so poorly at her own wedding reception.  

“When did you arrive in the capital?”  

“I arrived yesterday.”  

When Nadia changed the subject, Arons answered slowly. He looked at Nadia with a worried face and continued,  

“I’ll come up often. I’ll keep you company…”  

“It’s all right, Young Duke.”  

When Nadia politely refused, Arons’s eyes wavered.  

“You must be busy finding a bride, so I can’t burden you.”  

“A bride?”  

“It’s about time you married, Young Duke.”  

Arons was twenty-three this year. He should find a bride soon, so he wouldn’t marry too late.  

“You’re handsome and noble, so I’m sure you’ll find a good match soon.”  

“Ah…”  

Arons looked as if he’d never considered such a thing, then answered with an awkward smile.  

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”  

“You’re welcome.”  

Suddenly, Nadia’s gaze met distant green eyes. The King, with Albina at his side, was watching her sharply from afar.