Chapter 1
A tea time held on a bright spring day.
The noble ladies were blooming with lively conversation.
“I’m so envious of your Dalton Marquisate.”
“You’re the perfect couple, aren’t you?”
Today’s main subject was the Marchioness Dalton, Celiana Dalton.
“I heard you were childhood friends. How could such a connection exist?”
The atmosphere was filled with laughter, everything harmonious and pleasant.
But the center of attention, Celiana Dalton, found this gathering uncomfortable.
“I’m grateful that everyone sees us so kindly. But actually, we’ve spent more time apart.”
Celiana forced a smile in response to their attention.
Yet contrary to her words, Celiana felt no gratitude at all.
She barely managed to hide her discomfort, simply wishing for the topic to change quickly.
“Oh my, even if you spent a long time apart, the fact that you came together again is true fate.”
“I think so too.”
If only this would end here.
If only that topic wouldn’t come up.
“But I’m so curious. How beautiful would the children resembling the Dalton couple be?”
But Celiana’s wish seemed impossible.
“We’ll see soon, won’t we? Whether it’s a daughter or a son, they’ll be so beautiful and wonderful.”
“Of course! With such passion every day.”
“Right? Honestly, these kinds of stories become more interesting with age.”
“This is why we gathered without any unmarried ladies! Madame, really.”
Eventually, the topic Celiana wanted most to avoid came up.
“So, how is it, Madame Dalton. With your husband.”
“Pardon? What?”
All eyes focused on Celiana.
But she couldn’t bring herself to speak.
One noble lady winked at her, teasing.
“Are you still shy because it’s your honeymoon?”
“W-well…”
“Oh, come now, it’s just us.”
“Yes, tell us.”
Even as Celiana failed to answer, they began to speculate among themselves, excited.
“Marquis Dalton is so handsome, just seeing his face must make you happy.”
“Madame Leche, don’t lie. Looks alone aren’t enough, are they?”
“Well, there are more important things, after all.”
A gathering of married noblewomen.
For them, talking about nights with their husbands was as easy as sipping tea.
But Celiana, though married—
‘…This is uncomfortable.’
She found herself wishing she could join the gatherings of unmarried ladies instead.
Was it because she couldn’t adjust to such risqué topics?
No.
Did she think they were being rude?
Not that, either.
Celiana, now in her second year of marriage as Marchioness Dalton, had never experienced intimacy.
So she had no idea how to relate to their stories.
She knew in her head about the bliss they described, and about husbands’ skills at night, but had never experienced any of it.
‘I hope they don’t find out.’
As she sipped her half-cooled tea among them, Celiana lowered her gaze.
Her discomfort pressed tightly on her heart.
She feared they might discover, from her awkwardness, that she and her husband Robert hadn’t even spent their wedding night together.
And even more, that the reason was Celiana’s secret tastes—this must never be revealed.
***
Celiana finally escaped the gathering of noblewomen, which felt like wearing a corset that didn’t fit.
Returning to the Dalton mansion, her expression was heavy and subdued.
‘If things keep going like this…’
For now, she could get by with the image of being shy in the early days of marriage, unable to talk about such things.
But she didn’t think she could maintain this approach forever.
Moreover, Celiana was not very good at hiding her feelings.
Wearing a mask and concealing one’s true thoughts was the norm in noble society.
Celiana was anxious.
‘Eventually, it might be revealed.’
If people found out the Dalton Marquis couple had never been intimate?
A newlywed couple living without s*x.
If gossip spread and brought trouble to her husband, what then?
If bad rumors started about Robert, implying something was wrong with him, it would be a disaster.
But the truth was, Robert had done nothing wrong.
It was Celiana who avoided intimacy.
‘Why did I have to have such tastes and bring this upon Robert…’
As worry spread through her mind, Celiana’s expression grew darker.
“You’re back, Celiana.”
“Robert?”
A familiar voice reached her.
Celiana instinctively turned her head.
Of course, the owner of the voice was her husband, Robert Dalton.
Celiana’s eyes widened as she faced him.
“Did you finish work early today?”
He was always busy with work.
She hadn’t expected him to be home before her, so what was the occasion?
With curiosity in her eyes, Celiana looked at Robert.
His neatly arranged silver-blue hair caught the eye.
Below it, his straight, tidy eyebrows.
Masculine yet delicate eyes, with deep violet pupils.
A high, straight nose and a gentle jawline.
Even passing by on the street, anyone would turn to look again at such a man.
And his physique—
Broad shoulders, tall stature, a solid build that any man would admire.
Even living under the same roof and seeing him every day, Celiana’s heart fluttered anew whenever their eyes met.
“Today, I wanted to have dinner with you.”
A gentle smile played on Robert’s lips. His voice was as soft as velvet.
Celiana truly appreciated his thoughtful gesture.
But for some reason, there was a heavy weight pressing on her heart, as if a stone were lodged there.
“…Thank you. I’ll get ready quickly and come down.”
“Take your time. I’ll wait.”
Even with his wife, Robert’s polite manner seemed flawless.
Celiana nodded briefly and headed to the dressing room.
Even as a maid helped her change clothes, her mind was filled with thoughts of Robert.
As head of the Imperial Treasury, Robert Dalton controlled the Empire’s economy.
Since childhood, he had been destined to inherit the Dalton Marquisate, walking a smooth path.
Outstanding ability, perfect looks.
A husband with no flaws to be found.
Anyone would envy her.
Celiana herself wondered if, had it not been for an early arranged marriage between their families, she could ever have stood by Robert’s side—he was the Empire’s most desirable match.
Indeed, Celiana had always received envious or jealous glances.
There were many women in society who secretly admired Robert.
But Robert had never once turned his eyes to any other woman.
He had never given Celiana cause to worry about other women.
“It seems the Marquis truly cares for you, Madame.”
“Yes… that’s right.”
He was the ideal husband.
It was certainly true. And yet.
Even as she agreed with her maid Lily’s cheerful words, Celiana’s expression remained troubled.
After changing, Celiana walked to the dining room.
‘Yes. Robert always thinks of me.’
She was grateful for his kindness and consideration.
Celiana knew this.
‘But Robert…’
No matter what others said, Robert Dalton could never be perfect for Celiana.
Robert was too exemplary, too upright.
He was the sort of man who would never stray from the correct path.
So what Celiana wanted was something she could never have!
‘Ha, it’s frustrating.’
A hidden sigh escaped her lips. She felt as though no one could understand her heart.
And so, her heart felt heavier, as if burdened by a great stone.
‘If only I were as ordinary as others, would this marriage be happy?’
If only everything about Robert pleased her, how wonderful would that be.
Swallowing a bitter wish so different from reality, Celiana arrived at the dining room.
The Dalton mansion’s dining room, reflecting Robert’s character, was neat and unadorned—almost modest for a Marquisate.
Not that he was stingy, but as head of the Treasury, he pursued efficiency.
There, Robert sat impeccably dressed at the table, waiting for Celiana.
Just by sitting in a chair, his noble dignity was evident.
Such an aura could only come from being born a noble.
Of course, Celiana was also born a noble, but Robert had a different kind of grace.
“You’re here, Madame.”
Even such a light question was spoken in perfect noble speech.
“You were waiting?”
As Celiana moved to take her seat opposite, Robert rose and approached.
“No, please sit.”
Robert pulled out her chair with practiced ease.
At the same time—
A sharp pain struck Celiana’s heart.
‘How could I expect anything from such a man?’
She couldn’t even imagine imposing her tastes on Robert.
Celiana Dalton liked her husband Robert.
But—
‘Why is he so kind?’
His constant consideration and warm words, she disliked.
Because they shattered even the slightest hope she might have.
Sometimes, she even resented him. Because this was not what Celiana wanted.
If things stayed this way, Robert would never be able to give her what she wanted.
Celiana Dalton.
Her tastes. What she wanted from her husband…
As Celiana fell into thought, her words dwindled, and silence settled over the table between them.
Even the sound of cutlery was barely heard.
A meal between two noble men and women, who had absorbed etiquette since birth, was always quiet.