Chapter 42

“I know. Talet, my Vice President, and pretty much everyone else said the same. So I bought us a new house. I won’t be staying here much longer.”

He replied lightly, walking toward the nightstand. Then he suddenly turned, placed a hand on Asla’s shoulder, and gently nudged her.

“This place doesn’t suit the noble Duchess Asla Ventus. Let’s go. I know why you’re here. Let’s talk over some tea.”

“…All right.”

At that moment, Asla caught sight of Enoch quietly picking up the medicine bottle and quickly sliding it into the drawer.

Letting herself be led out of the small room, Asla’s heart grew heavier.  

As her heels clicked toward the sofa, she suddenly froze.

‘Oh my…’

She had spotted their wedding vow document standing on one side of Enoch’s office desk, blinking in disbelief.  

It was a thick, high-quality white paper, framed with finely applied gold dust. It shimmered under the light.

There could be no other like it in the world.

During their wedding, amidst all the chaos and complications, they had written those vows hastily. But now, two years later, she saw it clearly—how extravagant and beautiful it was.

On the left side was Enoch’s handwritten vow, and on the right, hers.

‘He really kept it.’

Not just anywhere—but on the desk in the office where he spent most of his time.

A lump welled up in her throat, and her nose stung.  

She had planned to face him coldly, demand the truth, and corner him for answers.

But the sorrow and bitterness she’d carried from meeting Margo melted away like snow.

Asla found his inexplicable tenderness even more frustrating.

‘Why do you keep making me question everything?’

Overcome with emotion, she turned her head and sat quietly on the sofa, trying to compose herself.

Enoch, having asked Talet to bring tea and snacks, sat across from her.  

Unlike Asla’s quiet, subdued expression, Enoch was clearly in a good mood, smiling warmly.

“I never thought you’d come to my office. If I’d known, I’d have cleaned it up more.”

“It’s already clean enough.”

Asla answered matter-of-factly.

The Ventus company building wasn’t as glamorous as the hotel, but it was clearly larger, more practical, and spotless.  

There were more employees than she had expected. Between the hotel and the company, she couldn’t even estimate how many people worked under him.

As the contrast between them grew more stark in her mind, Asla grew anxious.  

She rubbed her hands together nervously and asked: “I heard you were in a meeting with Duke Jemia. Did you cut it short because of me?”

“The Duke left.”

“He… left?”

“Yes.”

She blinked in surprise, but Enoch gave no further explanation.

Narrowing her eyes, Asla stared at him.

Hadn’t he told her not long ago that the land deal with Duke Jemia was complex and would be a long, grueling negotiation?

She didn’t know all the details, but she had a strong suspicion about the cause of the fires in Jemia’s territory.

If her guess was wrong, that would be a relief. But Enoch’s reaction was clearly off.

He didn’t seem to want to say more.

Taking a breath, Asla cautiously asked: “Have you identified the cause of the fires in Jemia’s territory? Is it resolved?”

“…No.”

“Then what is it? Did you decide not to proceed with the purchase? How did you persuade Duke Jemia?”

Enoch didn’t answer—his brows simply furrowed with tension.

Watching the concern deepen on his face, Asla realized that nothing had been resolved.

Feeling that the situation was growing more serious, she decided to abandon her original plan to wait for the investigation team’s report.

She had to speak up now—about the cause she suspected.

“Enoch.”

“Asla, this is company business. I’ll take care of it.”

“That’s not it… I…”

“You don’t need to get involved.”

Enoch’s sharp words built a wall between them.  

He was extremely sensitive, exuding a high-handed attitude.  

Asla was at a loss for words.

The warm moments they’d shared in the capital now felt like a dream—like this cold, distant man had always been her husband.  

Pain, like a blade lodged in her chest, made her catch her breath.

She had come, hoping that maybe now they could truly talk.  

But Enoch’s stubbornness was already exhausting… frightening.  

When she fell silent, her face hard, Enoch glanced at her and ran a hand through his hair, looking weary.

He let out a short sigh, then softened his tone as he tried to soothe her.

“It’s nothing serious. Did you sleep well after the massage yesterday? How are you feeling? Have you eaten? Don’t tell me you haven’t—let’s go get something right now.”

He fired off a storm of words to change the mood and got to his feet.  

But Asla remained seated, unmoving.

When Enoch looked at her, puzzled, she slowly shook her head.

“I’ve already eaten.”

“Really? Then how about a date with me? How about we go to that art shop you liked yesterday? I was going to buy supplies in bulk for your studio—give that shop owner a chance, you know? He made my wife happy, so I should repay that—”

“Enoch Ventus, sit down.”

Asla spoke firmly—rare for her.  

Startled, Enoch looked at her, and she pointed to the sofa he’d just risen from.

“I’m not going anywhere. Sit down. I have questions to ask you.”

“My sister-in-law must’ve said something. I told them to keep her away. Why did you bother meeting her?”

When Enoch’s brow furrowed, Asla gave a cold laugh.

“It was my decision. And honestly… I’m glad I did.”

“What are you talking about? Why meet someone who hurt you?”

“Because it made me realize I need to start asking you things.”

It felt like sharp needles were erupting inside her mouth.  

Not enough to kill her—but painful enough to make her want to writhe.

But she couldn’t stop now.

“Why, Asla?”

Enoch sat back down cautiously, across from her.  

He looked perfect—sharp suit, neat silver hair slicked back with pomade, strong, handsome features.

Even today, his broad, toned shoulders looked striking.

Asla stared at him, heart thudding, then clenched her trembling hands into fists, determined not to be enchanted.

“Enoch. Do you want me to be happy?”

“Of course I do. Why are you asking something so strange all of a sudden?”

“I want you to be happy too…”

“Asla.”

“Are you… still taking medication?”

Enoch’s brows furrowed as he looked at her anxiously. He sighed deeply.

“So, you saw it after all.”

“Yes.”

He hesitated before answering carefully.

“Did my sister-in-law tell you? I take it sometimes. But it’s getting better. I’m sure I’ll be able to stop soon. If we live well together, I believe I’ll stop completely.”

He smiled gently.

But Asla couldn’t believe him right now.  

Was he really okay? Was he truly getting better?

How was she supposed to believe a man who hid his medication from her?

Why did Margo know so much about his illness when she knew so little?

Torn up inside, Asla felt a realization settle in, and murmured vacantly: “Enoch… you don’t rely on me at all, do you?”

“Rely on you? What are you saying?”

Enoch was taken aback. His reaction made her scoff softly.

Now she was sure.

This man didn’t truly see her as his wife.

He hadn’t accepted her as a partner to share his life with.

Being married meant sharing not only joy, but also sorrow and hardship—leaning on each other.

Though she had always scorned the Royal Code of the Holy Kingdom as worthless trash, there was one passage Asla agreed with—one she had truly taken to heart.  

It was the part about marriage.  

She hadn’t trusted Enoch, true.  

But Enoch, it turned out, hadn’t intended to trust or rely on her even in the slightest.  

Stunned, frozen like a statue, Asla sat motionless as Enoch began justifying himself with a trace of irritation.

“You’re younger than me. You have far less experience in society. Physically and mentally, I’m far stronger than you, so it’s only right that I protect you and take responsibility. It’s enough for you to just focus on living a happy life.”

Asla was speechless.

“Why? Do I look like someone too stupid to even manage her own happiness?”

“That’s a bit harsh. Why are you so angry?”

“Answer me.”

“…It wasn’t what you asked for, but it’s true you weren’t really happy. That’s what I thought.”

Enoch shrugged, dodging the question.  

Asla was hit with a wave of devastation.

Margo had been right.  

Calling it a pretty doll’s game had been putting it mildly.  

Enoch had treated her like a helpless child.

Being seen that way by the man she loved brought on a crushing sense of shame.

Worse yet—she could almost understand it.  

Which made her spiral back down into a dark, endless pit.

After all, even the one person she’d trusted the most—her nanny—had only seen her as a puppet on strings.

Her sorrow flared into rage.  

She’d had enough.  

Enough of being treated like some fragile glass figurine.

‘I don’t shatter that easily.’

There were things Asla had learned in the few days she’d spent living in the capital.  

Even without Enoch Ventus’s attention, she could breathe, feel joy, and find fulfillment on her own.

‘Even if it ruins our relationship—so be it.’

She knew she would probably never again feel the unique thrill, excitement, or dazzling joy that only this man could bring.

But her resolve was clear. 

Asla parted her lips.

“Enoch Ventus. Will you help me gain an audience with His Majesty, the Emperor of Rosenberg?”

“…What?”

Enoch’s black eyes wavered violently.  

He swept a hand over his mouth and jaw, then stared at her directly.

“Why?”

“I’d like to know what agreement you and the Emperor made that led to our marriage.”

“I can tell you that.”

“Oh? Then you should’ve told me a long time ago.”

Asla smiled radiantly.  

But behind the smile, she wielded a blade.

Enoch found her sunny expression oddly chilling.  

He didn’t respond right away—only let out a groan of hesitation.

“Why do you need to know? It’s all in the past, and there’s no reason for you to worry about it. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss. If you just keep doing the things you love—”

“Enoch. I’m not your servant. Or your employee.”

Enoch watched Asla carefully, noting how unusually firm she was today. He took a moment to choose his words.

“The Emperor of Rosenberg is a wise man. Unlike fools such as Duke Jemia, who can’t read the times. The moment he ascended the throne, the Emperor foresaw the future. He immediately formed a cabinet and created a parliament.”

“…That would’ve been 20 years ago.”

“Correct.”

Asla realized then—  

It was around the same time the lands of the Holy Kingdom had begun to wither.

The Emperor’s decision and the world’s sudden, painful changes had come in tandem.  

A time when people were forced to confront a new era all at once.