***

The House of Carnies was an ancient and noble lineage, with a history two centuries older than even the royal family.

For generations they had defended the North and served as the Empire’s staunchest ally. It was only natural that Emperor Charles III should seek to cement an alliance with the Ducal House through marriage.

What the Emperor hadn’t anticipated was that he would be unable to produce an heir. He and the Empress remained childless for over ten years. He then annulled the marriage and took a new empress.

When this new Empress bore him a daughter, Princess Elizabeta, and then died, the Emperor was approaching forty-five. By this time, the former Duke Carnies had fathered a son – Leonard – and the Emperor had only a daughter as his legitimate heir. To prevent future disputes over the throne, the Emperor had to make a decision.

He recognised Joseph – the illegitimate son of a maid – as his own and named him Crown Prince.

In a show of loyalty and to reassure the Emperor that his son would never be a threat to the throne, the Duke of Carnies abdicated early and passed his title to Leonard. Not long after, the old Duke died of a chronic illness.

And so, at the age of eighteen, Leonard became Duke of Carnies and Grand Duke of Haverke – ruler of the entire northern region. That same year, he rode out with Frederick on a campaign to slay the last evil dragon… and returned a hero.

‘How could I possibly win against someone like Leonard?’

Her eyes closed tightly, Valetta stifled a sigh. Leonard was now one of the most powerful men in the Empire.

The Emperor himself had tried to diminish Carnies’ influence by sending him on a suicidal dragon hunt, but Leonard had returned victorious and more revered than ever.

What should have been a single stroke of luck became legend with his second, third, fourth campaigns… until he was hailed as a living legend of the Empire.

Clatter, clatter.

The sound of carriage wheels snapped Valetta out of her thoughts. Perhaps out of courtesy, Leonard had arranged for them to travel in separate carriages.

‘At least that’s something to be grateful for.’

Valetta knew she couldn’t bear to share a confined space with him just yet.

‘First thing in the morning, I’ll file for an annulment.’

The reason they hadn’t gone straight to the Carnies’ estate after the ceremony was because it was too late to make the long journey north. Instead, they would spend the night at House Dampierre and leave the next day.

‘And I’ll have to report my aunt and uncle for fraud as well. I’ve had enough.’

As Valetta gritted her teeth in anger, the coach made its way back to the Dampierre estate. Having been notified in advance, the Count and Countess of Dampierre were already outside, waiting to greet their new nephew-in-law, the Duke of Carnies.

But before they could flash their honeyed smiles and give Leonard a warm welcome, Valetta burst out of the carriage.

It was clear she had been crying. Her eyes were red and swollen, her lips puffy and trembling. Her fierce gaze landed on the Count and Countess.

“V-Valetta. You must be tired after the ceremony.”

Valetta couldn’t believe the woman speaking was her own aunt. There was so much she wanted to say – but she said nothing.

If she dared to mention the lawsuits or accusations now, she knew they’d probably board up her door and lock her in.

“……”

“Valetta, hoho, you must be very tired.”

“You shouldn’t have done that.”

Valetta spoke each word slowly, deliberately.

“If you’re human, you shouldn’t have done this.”

Irmina and the rest of you… none of you are human. Valetta swallowed the searing rage bubbling inside her.

“Hey! How can a bride say such things right after her wedding? Don’t you realise we did this for your own good?”

“And what have you gained by ruining my life? Was the compensation of Friedrich’s life not enough? Was there more you wanted?”

“Valetta Irpman! Watch your tongue. Go inside, now!”

At the count’s command, Valetta stared at him for a long moment – then turned and went inside.

Leaving her new husband behind, she went straight to her room. The moment the door closed, tears welled up in her eyes again.

Would they have done this if Friedrich were still alive? If her parents were still here, would they have subjected her to such humiliation? Valetta wept silently, swallowing her grief.

Just then there was a knock at the door.

“My lady. It’s me.”

It was Laura, the insolent maid. Valetta answered, her voice dry and hoarse:

“I want to be alone. Go away.”

“I’ve prepared your bath water. Let me show you the way.”

“I said no.”

“But how can you enter the bridal chamber without washing first?”

Laura spoke in a lilting voice, barely hiding her amusement. At the word ‘bridal chamber’ Valetta’s mind went blank.

She had been so focused on the fact that Leonard was her husband that she hadn’t even thought about the wedding night.

Before she could collect her thoughts, Laura banged loudly on the door.

“My ladyyy, come on, open the door!”

“I-I don’t need anything! Go away!”

“But, my lady…”

Valetta did her best to hold the door shut, but she was no match for Laura’s brute strength. The maid forced her way in with ease, a broad, triumphant smile on her face.

“If you don’t make a good impression on your husband, we are the ones who will suffer, you know.”

Her eyes fell on Valetta’s tear streaked face and she clicked her tongue in mock sympathy. It was obvious – Laura pitied her, but she also took a twisted pleasure in her misery.

She had always been like that. Even though Irmina and Valetta were close in age, Laura had never treated them the same. For Irmina, she showed admiration, even envy, blinded by the privileges that came with her birth. But for Valetta, there was only coldness… and a deep-seated resentment.

It was as if something had been stolen from her – this bitter sense of injustice. Someone whose circumstances were so similar to hers had been treated so differently, all because of status.

“Well, if you’re really that upset, there’s not much I can do, but you can’t just sit there like that.”

In her dazed state, Valetta hadn’t realised the gravity of what was happening – or not happening. According to tradition, a bride’s clothes could only be removed for the first time by her husband. If she changed on her own, it would be seen as evidence of unfaithfulness, a sign that she had been with another man.

So no, bathing before entering the nuptial chamber wasn’t part of any custom.

It was just Laura’s way of twisting the knife – an excuse to mock Valetta’s helplessness.

“Come here, your hair’s a mess.”

Laura pulled Valetta up and began to comb her tangled hair. Valetta, too exhausted to resist, let herself be handled. She’d cried all the way back in the carriage, her stomach churning and her head throbbing.

Seeing how defeated she looked, Laura felt free to speak her mind without fear.

“How could someone so handsome end up so cursed, I wonder? Have you seen the skin under that mask? No matter how he tries to hide it, that disgusting skin can’t be covered.”

“……”

“I thought Miss Irmina was exaggerating, but it was even worse than I imagined. Those beastly eyes! How could anyone bear to share a bed with someone like that?”

“Enough.”

Valetta’s voice cut through Laura’s chatter, but the maid ignored her and continued blithely.

“And to marry someone like that – my God! Just to be in the same room is horrible! So what if he’s a duke? A fancy title doesn’t make him any less of a rotten apple. If I were you…”

“Are you enjoying yourself?”

Valetta interrupted coldly. She turned to avoid Laura’s comb and snatched it from the maid’s hand.

“Is this fun, watching me get humiliated? Working together to ruin my life and make a fool of me?”

“R-ruin your life? My lady, you’re now the Grand Duchess and Duchess of Carnies!”

“Really?”

A dark gleam flickered in Valetta’s eyes. Drowning in a storm of grief, she opened her mouth.

“Then, as Duchess, I’ll give you my first order.”

“Pardon?”

“I will appoint you my personal lady-in-waiting. You’ll be leaving for the north with me tomorrow, so go and say goodbye to your lover while you still can.”

Shock washed over Laura’s face. Valetta felt her lips twitch in a quiver of anger and satisfaction.

“M-my lady!”

Laura gasped in disbelief. Valetta may have been strong-willed, but she had never been known to be harsh. Still, there were rare times when she showed her stubborn side – and when she did, she looked just like she did now.

“Even when you’re angry, you can’t joke like that!”

Laura wanted to believe it was a joke. After all, what was the North? Cold, desolate and even rumoured to be plagued by monsters.

The Carnies’ territory was known as the most inhospitable place in the North. Laura had no family or friends there – she couldn’t imagine living in such a place.

“You really think I’m joking?”

Venom laced Valetta’s gaze. Laura began to tremble.

Even Friedrich couldn’t stop Valetta when she got like that.

“M-Miss Irmina won’t keep quiet! I’m her maid, not yours!”

“And right now I’m the one Irmina can’t afford to cross.”

Laura’s face turned pale. Seeing how frightened she was, Valetta smiled a cold, twisted smile. She reached over Laura’s shoulder and flung the door wide open, jerking her chin towards it.