Prologue

“Isabel Winchester.”

The blond man, Valentine Winchester, called out to his wife.  

“…….”  

But the woman whose name was called did not answer.  

Even though the one standing in front of Valentine was undoubtedly his wife.  

Valentine let out a low sigh and changed the name he called her by.  

“Liz.”  

Only then did Liz raise her head.  

At Liz’s feet, dressed in a worn-out dress, there was a large travel trunk.  

Her light brown hair was modestly tied without even a ribbon.  

She looked far too plain to be the Duchess of Winchester.  

“Are you truly leaving? I understand that your mother’s treatment is not yet complete.”  

Valentine’s voice carried its usual respect and consideration.  

Encouraged by it, Liz nodded.  

“Yes. Thanks to you, she’s much better now, so I’m planning to move her to a more affordable hospital. Above all else….”  

Liz bit down hard on the soft flesh of her inner lip.  

“Now that your real wife, Lady Isabel, has returned.”

At those words, Valentine’s gaze subtly distorted.  

“You must have never considered me your husband.”  

“That’s absurd. I’m just a fake. How could a mere maid like me dare to think of you as my husband, Your Grace?”  

Liz spoke with a bright smile, enunciating her words clearly.  

Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, Valentine did not notice that her smile was meant to hide her tears.  

Valentine let out a low sigh.  

“I’ll ask you one last time.”  

Valentine’s voice trembled slightly.  

His blue eyes stared directly at Liz.  

“Do you truly not wish to become the wife of Valentine Winchester, Liz Garrett?”  

The wife of Valentine Winchester.  

Those words made Liz’s throat tighten.  

For the past year, Liz, who had been a maid, had become Valentine’s fake wife in place of the lady of the house, Isabel.  

Living as the Duchess of Winchester was exhausting, but living as Valentine’s wife was blissful.  

So much so that she sometimes forgot she was just Liz Garrett, the maid.  

But now, it was time to leave.  

Liz unconsciously clenched her fists tightly.  

Her delicate hands, which had grown soft like a noblewoman’s, ached as her nails dug into her palms.  

“Yes. Thank you for everything, Your Grace.”  

Liz nodded firmly and smiled brightly once again.  

“Ha.”  

A twisted chuckle escaped Valentine’s lips.  

He stood and strode toward Liz.  

“H-honey?”  

Startled, Liz blurted out the title she usually used.  

“Honey?”  

Valentine scoffed, repeating the word mockingly.  

Then, he roughly grabbed Liz’s chin.  

“Ah, ugh….”  

A groan escaped Liz’s lips.  

Until now, Valentine had never treated Liz harshly.  

He had always respected and treated her with courtesy, not as a maid but as his wife.  

But now, it was different.  

“Honey, you say.”  

Valentine’s grip tightened.  

Liz’s eyes turned red from the pressure.  

“Didn’t you say that you are not my wife?”  

His polite tone had suddenly turned cold and commanding.  

“T-that’s… I’m sorry, Your Gra—”  

“Master.”  

Valentine interrupted Liz’s words.  

“From now on, call me that. It’s not a title a lowly maid should dare to utter.”  

“From now on…? What do you mean? After all, I….”  

I wouldn’t see you again anyway.  

But Valentine spoke in an even colder voice.  

“Don’t make me repeat myself. What did I tell you to call me?”  

Liz’s green eyes wavered.  

The kind Valentine was no longer there.  

The noble who stood before her now was lofty and overwhelming, crushing others with his mere presence.  

The head of the Winchesters, the king of aristocrats.  

Liz finally understood the rumors that his blood must be as blue as his eyes.  

“M-master.”  

The moment she uttered that title, humiliation and shame stabbed at Liz’s heart.  

It was a title she had always used as a maid, but now it felt unbearable.  

Yet, Valentine smiled, seemingly satisfied with her words.  

“Good, Liz.”  

Valentine gently stroked Liz’s cheek with his thumb.  

Though the touch was familiar, it now sent an eerie chill down her spine.  

“I am your master. This is what you wanted, isn’t it?”  

Valentine released her chin.  

Liz staggered and collapsed onto the floor.  

“Therefore, I, Valentine Winchester, do not permit you to leave this estate.”  

Valentine elegantly tugged the bell cord.  

The servants who entered the drawing room were startled.  

“Are you all right, Madam?”  

“Master? What is…?”  

The servants glanced back and forth between Valentine and Liz.  

“Lock Liz Garrett in the third-floor maid’s quarters.”  

The servants supporting Liz gasped audibly.  

Liz Garrett. That name was taboo in the Winchester household.  

The employees of Winchester had treated Liz as Isabel, knowing full well she was a fake.  

Those who dared to mention Liz’s past were ruthlessly dismissed with just a gesture from Valentine.  

“But how could we treat Madam like this…?”  

The servants hesitated.  

But Valentine’s lips curled into a cold smile.  

“Madam, you say.”  

A merciless declaration followed.  

“From now on, this woman is my maid.”