Chapter 1 (Part 1)

The Duchess returned home. As a result, the Seidon Duchy was thrown into chaos. 

Despite the blurred visibility due to the drizzling rain, the impression of the person standing in the rain was intensely vivid. Her coral-colored hair, fair skin shining faintly under the dark clouds, and her delicate water-colored eyes that softened her sharp gaze.

Anyone who worked for the Duchy knew her. Even if they had only passed by her once, they couldn’t forget her appearance, and for nearly a month, they had served her as the mistress of the mansion, so there was no way they wouldn’t recognize her. 

Even though she wore a rather shabby dress, her innate beauty and dignity couldn’t be hidden. 

Most decisively, the Duke, who never allowed anyone near him, was personally holding an umbrella and gently embracing the woman. There was no longer any doubt. 

The Duchess, who was thought to be dead, had returned.

“Oh, how could this be…?”

A maid, who was wiping the raindrop-splattered window, was startled. She trembled so much that the cloth she was holding tightly fell to the floor.

“What’s the matter, Amy?”

“There’s something outside… The Duchess?”

“What are you talking about? Why are you bringing up the unlucky story of the Duchess who committed suicide?”

The maid, who was diligently polishing the floor, grumbled and followed her colleagues’ gaze outside the window. The two figures looking up at the mansion with the umbrella slightly tilted caught her eyes.

A look of shock appeared on her face, weary from monotonous labor.

“Kyaa!”

A sharp scream shook the quiet mansion. 

It was an ordinary afternoon, fifteen days after the Duchess had disappeared.

* * *

The vast main hall of the Ducal residence was bustling with countless servants who had gathered to see the Duchess. From the child doing menial work in the kitchen to the stable boy carrying hay from the annex, they all came running upon hearing the rumor. 

However, despite the crowded throng, the surroundings were as quiet as a mouse. 

Their gaping eyes were all directed at the Duke and Duchess. The sound of rain, filling the silent space, was eerie.

“This is…”

The Duchess, standing at the center of the commotion, appeared composed. She turned her head and scanned the mansion once. Her pale complexion and the way she leaned weakly against the Duke’s embrace gave an impression of frailty, evoking sympathy from those watching.

Just as the Duchess was about to speak again, a middle-aged man with white hair descended the stairs at the front as if sliding down.

“W-who has returned?”

His sleeve buttons were a mess, as if he had hurriedly come after attending to official duties.

“Lord Logue, that is…”

“What nonsense is this? You say she has come back alive?”

The man’s face, as he scolded the attendant beside him, was as white as a sheet. He seemed even less healthy than the Duchess.

The gathered servants bowed and opened a path in unison. The man strode forward without hindrance and arrived directly in front of the Duke and Duchess.

He gazed at the Duchess for a long time, as if in disbelief, before finally managing to speak.

“Why are you… How…”

His finger, raised towards the Duchess, trembled violently. Realizing his own disgrace belatedly, he hurriedly lowered and clenched his hand. 

The man’s labored breathing was loud.

The Duchess blinked her round eyes and asked the Duke, who was holding her.

“Who is this person?”

“W-what? What did you just say…”

The man who was the subject of the question wasn’t the only one taken aback. Low sighs erupted here and there at the Duchess’s rude question. 

The tension that had subtly enveloped the mansion tightened.

However, the Duke, who was the actual recipient of the question, answered calmly, as if detached from the overwhelming atmosphere of the mansion.

“This is my uncle, Sir Aldrich Logue, who is serving as the acting Duke.”

“Acting Duke? Why is your uncle acting as regent when you are so robust?”

“I have not officially succeeded the title of Duke yet. It’s a long story.”

“I want to hear it. I should know, too.”

The Duchess’s eyes shone with innocence and a sense of responsibility. Her eyes, looking up at the Duke, sparkled like the midday sea reflecting the sun’s rays.

The Duke stared at her for a moment before lowering his head.

“Don’t overdo it.”

The low voice whispered intimately in her ear. 

Unlike his previously gentle demeanor, the cold warning with a sharp edge made her body momentarily freeze. Fortunately, the Duchess managed to burst into a shy smile in time. It was a smile like that of a woman who had just heard sweet words of love.

Their appearance, leaning on each other and with their faces close, was like that of a loving couple. The eyes of the servants watching them widened. Aldrich Logue also stared blankly at the two of them.

“W-what is happening, Tenus?”

The man commonly referred to as the “Duke” here, Tenus, responded with an unchanged, ordinary expression.

“Sellakia has lost her memory.”

“Lost her memory?”

“Just as I said. There are no other injuries, but her body is still not fully healed, so she needs rest. Therefore, it would be best to postpone the formal introductions.”

Tenus, who had Sellakia in his arms, glanced at the stairs behind Aldrich. His words were indirect but firm, implying that the path should be cleared. 

Aldrich, biting his lip, nodded briefly without saying much. Tenus gave a perfunctory nod and headed to the bedroom with Sellakia. 

A few quick-witted servants hurriedly followed, but Tenus waved them away.

The gaze of dozens of eyes persistently followed the Duke and Duchess as they climbed the stairs.

Click, the bedroom door closed. Finally, they were free from the uncomfortable gazes.

“Haah.”

Sellakia, relieved of tension, let out a long breath. At the same time, the fresh scent of flowers decorating the room and the distinct, heavy scent of the man standing nearby hit her.

She straightened her legs, which had been relaxed, and quickly distanced herself from the man.

“Sir Logue seemed very surprised. I was worried about what to do if he fainted.”

Her lively voice awakened the quiet room. No longer could the fragile appearance she had outside the door be found. Her cheerful smile and light steps were also different from before.

Sellakia’s coral hair fluttered like flower petals in the air. Tenus left her to dance away lightly, like a breeze, and headed to the table by the fireplace.

“He’s a delicate person suffering from nervous exhaustion. It wouldn’t be surprising if he fainted from shock.”

“Oh. Delicate. I see.”

Sellakia quietly smirked as she softly repeated Tenus’s words.

Tenus, sitting with his legs crossed, watched her as if observing. Though his gaze was intense, it was a matter of indifference. Sellakia merely focused on wandering around the spacious bedroom.

Silk curtains adorned with gold tassels draped over the windows overlooking the vast ocean, delicate fish-scale-patterned hangings surrounding the large bed, priceless masterpieces by famous artists hanging on one wall, and vibrant flowers in crystal vases.

Her eyes swept over everything in the room, except for Tenus.

“As expected, the Ducal residence is different. This one room seems bigger than the cabin I stayed in.”

“Sit down.”

Tenus cut off Sellakia’s leisurely observation.

“We still have things to discuss.”

“Is there more to talk about? I thought the deal was already settled.”

Standing far from him, without moving an inch, Sellakia continued in a light tone.

“Is it because you’re not satisfied with my acting? As someone who’s not an actress, this is the best I can do. We need to appear like a harmonious couple so that there’s no issue with the marriage approval. Just bear with it a little longer.”

There was no reply.

They were standing at opposite ends of the excessively large room. Wondering if he hadn’t heard her, Sellakia raised her voice a bit.

“It’s not like I want to do this either. I have no choice but to give you what you want so that I can leave this place.”

“Yes. That’s why we need to talk.”

“What?”

“I thought you might have misunderstood.”

Sellakia’s wide eyes finally landed on Tenus. It was the first time since they entered the bedroom.

“What do you mean I misunderstood?”

“Even if we get marriage approval from the Imperial Palace, and even after I succeed to the dukedom.”

In response to her gaze, Tenus smoothly raised the corners of his mouth.

“You cannot leave this place.”

At his firm words, Sellakia’s glass-like blue eyes wavered.