Chapter 1

The ivory stone building reflected the clear spring sunlight.

Pomfritz Square, where people from all over the world gathered. On the outer wall of this beautiful building, located at the very center of the square, hung a single sign.

「Sainer Cafe」

The owner of the cafe was Reneezmia Dainis, the mistress of the Grand Ducal House of Sainer. Many people clicked their tongues at her, a woman who brewed coffee and served customers personally. It was no different now. Outside the transparent glass window, two men standing side by side, their expensive silk robes fluttering, were in the middle of a heated discussion.

“The Grand Duchess can’t even maintain her dignity. Running around outside and earning money—is that any way to behave?”

“Moreover, is Lady Sainer just any noblewoman? She’s the wife of the kingdom’s ruler! Tsk, tsk.”

With voices that loud, they clearly intended to be heard. Even the customers packed inside the cafe were glancing outside, their conversations interrupted. Observing the situation, Renee quietly set down a golden teapot.

At that moment, a firm hand grabbed her forearm.

“Madam. Please, endure it.”

It was Tatisha, Renee’s personal maid. Having ended up as her business partner, she knew Renee’s personality better than anyone.

“It seems they want to have a conversation with me, given that volume. Shouldn’t I respond to their call?”

“You’re not going to end it with just a ‘conversation,’ are you?”

“Oh, look at you. Someone might misunderstand if they heard that.”

“Rumors have spread throughout the kingdom that you poured ice water over the young master of Count Rodrigo’s family and unleashed a torrent of abuse!”

Tatisha added, her face full of worry, looking as if she were about to burst with frustration.

“Since you opened this cafe, everyone in the Hebaron Kingdom has been watching your every move, Madam!”

Despite facing her maid’s flushed face, Renee remained composed. She gave a light shrug and spoke.

“He was the one who insulted me first, saying a woman should stay inside the house doing embroidery instead of being ‘loose’ and selling smiles to this man and that.”

“And you were the one who shouted back, asking why you should stay cooped up doing embroidery when he roams the streets freely with a face like a beggar’s foot-wrap!”

“My, how do you remember it so word-for-word?”

“Because it only happened two days ago!”

Tatisha finished with a deep sigh. Though not related by blood, she worried for Renee’s well-being more than anyone. Knowing that heart all too well, Renee gently pulled Tatisha’s hand away and beamed.

“I understand. I’ll just go have a quick chat without making anything to worry about.”

Tatisha shrugged, sighing again as if giving up. She had long realized that no matter what she did, she couldn’t stop the lady she served.

Renee took off her apron with calm movements and pushed open the folding partition separating the counter from the hall. She exchanged nods with the customers in the hall as she stepped outside. When she actually appeared, the two men avoided her gaze, clearing their throats with awkward coughs.

“I’m not sure which families you’re from, but please don’t be like that. I didn’t expect things to turn out this way either.”

The two men’s eyes went wide, wondering what she meant.

“I was trying to defect, but I failed, and now I’m playing the role of a shop owner I never asked for. Who knew? That it would end up prospering this much.”

Renee showed them a smile dripping with elegance.

She was a woman so beautiful that anyone who saw her once would never forget her. But ironically, what dwelled in her emerald eyes—said to contain the summer sea itself—was a vivid madness.

“It’s a joke! Hahahaha!”

A cheerful laugh, like a spring flower bud, burst out. Watching Renee turn away with a light, dance-like gesture, the two men backed away as if they had seen a ghost.

Catching a glimpse of their pale complexions, Renee gave a silent snort. Even if dozens of such arrogant, old-fashioned fools rushed her at once, she could handle them without a single curse word.

Since she was already outside, she decided to check on the garden. She hadn’t had a moment to stretch her back since the morning rush of customers began.

“Ugh…”

With a short groan, Renee stretched and began to look around the garden with a listless gaze.

Tucked just inside the fence were sprouts of a rare coffee species that could only be cultivated in the extreme southern regions. She had barely managed to bring them in through an expensive shipping route. Cherry trees planted along the side of the shop were also sprouting light green buds. Soon, white flowers would bloom like snow.

It was then.

“Excuse me…”

A presence was felt behind her. Renee slowly turned around.

“I’ve come looking for the owner of Sainer Cafe.”

It was a woman with a pallid complexion. Given the fine quality of her clothes and the large carriage waiting outside, she was likely a noble.

“I don’t have any appointments scheduled. May I ask what business brings you here?”

“Are you the owner yourself?”

Before Renee could even give an affirmative answer, the woman’s eyes flickered with extreme relief, as if she had already found her answer. She practically screamed as she grabbed Renee’s hands. Her expression was as moved as a woman reuniting with a husband who had been away at war for years.

“Yes. That is correct.”

Renee looked at the woman instead of repeating her question about her business.

The woman quickly took on an anxious expression. Tears rapidly filled her eyes as they darted around aimlessly. Seeing this, Renee nodded once as if she understood. The woman spoke through sobs.

“A terrible curse has fallen upon our house. My husband vanished overnight, and my daughter is wasting away from a mysterious illness.”

‘That is indeed unfortunate. But I’m not an exorcist.’

“I heard that the owner of Sainer Cafe, the esteemed mistress of the Grand Ducal House of Sainer, can solve anything. That’s why I’ve come here so recklessly, despite the shame.”

‘Goodness. If I could solve everything, would I be here all day roasting beans, chasing away Karens, and running a coffee business? I’d have started a religion already.’

Renee swallowed her inner thoughts and maintained a vague smile. This was a situation that grew more awkward every time it repeated. The woman was clutching Renee’s hand as if it were a lifeline. She looked so desperate that Renee couldn’t bring herself to push her away.

“The rumor that I can solve everything is an exaggeration. But for now, let’s go inside and talk.”

“Hic! Thank you! Thank you, Madam, hic…”

The woman finally burst into tears. Renee guided her into the cafe, the woman bowing repeatedly until her waist was bent.

She locked eyes with Tatisha, who was roasting coffee. Before Renee could even hold up two fingers to signal two cups of coffee, Tatisha nodded. It was a scene that had been repeated several times already. Customers from distant kingdoms seeking out Lady Dainis, the owner of Sainer Cafe and a woman of miraculous abilities.

The fame of Sainer Cafe was partly due to its excellent taste and innovative menu, but that certainly wasn’t all.

Renee took a seat at a window table. While waiting for the woman’s crying to subside, she looked back on last winter.

Originally, the plan was definitely to escape from her tyrant husband.

Everything got tangled up last winter.

“If you’ve calmed down, shall we talk slowly?”

“Yes. Madam. Please, please save my family.”

Tatisha brought out two cups of hot coffee. The woman carefully picked up a cup.

“I’m sorry, but before I hear your story, may I ask which noble family you belong to?”

“Oh my, where are my manners? My introduction is late. I am of the Zadorov Ducal House. It is an honor to meet you, Lady Sainer.”

“The Zadorov Ducal House.”

Lost in thought for a moment, Renee soon gave a light nod.

“Fortunately, you’re a character who appears in the original work. I can solve this for you.”

“Pardon…? I’m sorry, Madam, I didn’t quite catch that. Who appears where…?”

“It’s nothing. Shall we hear the story?”

Her voice was as lighthearted as the song of morning birds. The sunlight filtered through the cafe window, pouring over Renee’s face like a sparkling stream of water. Her eyes, which seemed to hold a strange secret, shone vividly.

***

Reneezmia Dainis was in a state of extreme panic. Tugging at her beautiful rose-colored hair, she looked up at the elderly woman in front of her with a pleading gaze.

“Yes, dear. I know you’ve ‘transmigrated,’ so let’s hurry and get you bathed.”

The elderly woman, who patted Renee’s shoulder soothingly, was Melda Sainer. She was Renee’s mother-in-law.

“Ha. Hahaha.”

Renee let out a hollow laugh. This was truly driving her crazy.

“Mother. Please, please believe what I’m saying!”

“I believe you, Renee. Of course, I do. Now, let’s get up.”

Melda, whose white hair was neatly pinned up, wore a benevolent smile. However, her eyes were full of worry.

And for good reason. News had arrived that the tyrannical ruler of the Hebaron Kingdom and Renee’s husband, Grand Duke Ricard Sainer, was returning to the castle a full month earlier than scheduled.

It was a glorious return. The Hebaron Knights had finally seized victory in a long battle against the monsters of the underworld. Normally, the ruler of a kingdom doesn’t go to war personally, but Ricard was different.

Why? Because Reneezmia—no, Jung Yeonjae—had set it up that way!

That’s right. This was a world inside a web novel that she herself had written with her own hands.

***

<The Sickly Duchess Plans to Kill Her Husband>. Often called “SickDuchKill” for short, it was a novel she started writing solely to earn living expenses.

If Jung Yeonjae’s life were a book, it could be described in one word: “Flop.”

Whenever her father drank, he smashed the household furniture, and her mother had left home early on. Perhaps because she grew up lonely in a broken home, Yeonjae rushed into marriage as soon as she graduated from college.

And the marriage she chose as an escape dragged her life back down to the bottom. Gong Jichan, the husband she thought was a unicorn, changed the moment they married. With a decent face, he routinely engaged in verbal and physical abuse. He cheated openly and blamed it on Yeonjae.

Because her face was ugly. Because she had gained weight since the marriage. Because she wasn’t good at anything and lacked charm as a woman. The reasons were endless.

Unable to endure it, Yeonjae prepared for divorce in secret. Since she had gotten married before even getting a job, the most urgent thing for her independence was a minimum level of financial capability. Having devoured every piece of writing since her school days, she used her aptitude to start serializing romance novels.

It was a hodgepodge of a story, mixing every trending trope. The female protagonist, Reneezmia Dainis, was a sickly beauty who coughed up blood from consumption. The male protagonist, Ricard Sainer, was an illegitimate child of the imperial family and a tyrant who neglected and abused his wife.

The serialization was interrupted by an unforeseen incident, but the ending was already decided. Twisting the “regretful male lead” cliché, Ricard would remain trash until the end, and Reneezmia would stab him through the heart.

A 19+ rating. Profuse erotic scenes. A plot that swung between misery and cider*. Recurring chilling incidents. Monsters attacking the kingdom. Every element of the novel was designed to attract readers. Because she had to raise divorce funds to escape her trash-like husband, Gong Jichan.

[T/N: Cider is Korean slang for a satisfying resolution to a bad situation)

***

“Tatisha. Take extra care so the bathwater doesn’t cool. You know well that the Madam is susceptible to colds, right?”

“Of course, Ma’am. Don’t worry.”

In the large platinum bathtub, purple violet petals were floating. Tatisha, Renee’s personal maid, tied back her dark brown hair and rolled up her sleeves.

“Madam. I’ll help you out of your dress.”

“I’m really going out of my mind.”

At Renee’s loud monologue, Tatisha and Melda flinched simultaneously. Melda soon wore a pitying expression and stroked Renee’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry, dear. This is all because I was so lacking as Ricard’s foster mother. If only I had embraced him a little more warmly, he wouldn’t have grown into a man who knows nothing of love…”

Renee spoke with a fairly firm expression.

“Don’t say that. You did your best, even though you adopted a boy who was well past puberty.”

‘Above all, if there’s responsibility, doesn’t it lie with me as the original author? If I had known it would turn out like this, I would have written Ricard Sainer as the world’s most perfect sweet guy. Hahahaha!’

Swallowing the latter half of her thought, Renee affectionately clasped Melda’s hand.

Melda guessed the reason Renee was making such a fuss. Tonight, she would wash her skin in bathwater infused with seductive fragrance and sit in Ricard’s bedroom waiting for him. Today was the one-year anniversary of their arranged marriage, where they hadn’t even seen each other’s faces. In other words, it was the day they would finally face each other and have their first night after a year.

“He should treat someone as flower-like as you gently.”

Melda looked worried, her face falling into a frown. Then she personally untied the sash of Renee’s dress. Tatisha approached to help Renee undress. Renee simply yanked the dress off herself.

Tatisha touched her forehead. Renee, even in a slip that revealed her ivory skin, remained nonchalant. Melda, shocked by her daughter-in-law’s highly provocative behavior, hurried toward the bathroom door.

“T-then, finish your bath slowly and come out.”

Renee gave a polite bow and stepped into the tub with a splash. She wanted to take off the slip and scrub her body hard, but she decided to refrain.

About three weeks ago, frustrated because she couldn’t return to reality no matter what she did, she had stripped off her cumbersome dress and slip and taken a cold bath. Feeling like she was drowning her sorrows, she submerged herself, kicked her feet wildly, and even drank wine straight from the bottle. Watching her, Tatisha had rushed off somewhere.

Then she immediately brought the resident physician of Sainer Castle, Marquis Vigo of the Wedson family. Renee had heard clearly with her own two ears as the maid whispered, sobbing, that the Madam seemed to have gone mad.

“Tatisha. My mind is a bit complicated today, so I want to wash alone. You go take some free time—go for a walk or read a book.”

“But Madam. Since it’s a special day, I should help…”

“No. I’m not going to sleep with Ricard anyway.”

“…Madam!”

Tatisha shrieked, her voice rising.

“Madam! You mustn’t call the Lord by his name like that! How many times have I told you! And for your word choice to be so scandalous!”

“Fine. I will not be sharing a bed with the Grand Duke of Sainer. Happy?”

Renee waved her hand, signaling her to leave. Tatisha, seemingly giving up, stood up weakly and added.

“It’s been nearly ten years since I started serving you. These days, you’re like a completely different person. It’s like a demon has taken up residence inside you!”

Finally ending her words in a sob, Tatisha ran out of the bathroom. Renee sighed and tilted her head back. She soaked her long, undulating crimson hair in the water and closed her eyes.

Over the past month, she had lived through the 26th chapter of <SickDuchKill>. The period of agony over not being able to return to the real world was brief; Renee actually liked this world quite a bit.

In reality, she was in a position no different from an orphan and couldn’t even divorce as she pleased. But here, she had parents full of love. Of course, since the point of transmigration was after Renee had married and left her hometown, she hadn’t seen their faces once, but parents are a source of comfort by their very existence.

Was that all? Here at Sainer Castle, she had kind-hearted in-laws. Moreover, she was the daughter of a prestigious ducal family. So, she could live in this luxurious castle without working.

But what did all that matter? According to the original work, it was a happiness that would all shatter the moment Ricard returned.

Thus, Renee had devised a perfect plan.

First: Secretly divert assets and elope at night before Ricard returns.

Second: In case the time stuck in the novel gets long, set up a shop in a remote village to earn a living.

Third: If she ultimately couldn’t go back to reality, she’d find a better guy here and set up a house, or just enjoy a glorious single life!

And this grand plan fell apart this afternoon when Ricard Sainer suddenly announced his return.

“Why on earth did the original plot change?”

She had no idea what was going on. But one thing was clear: she had no intention of doing something stupid like sitting around and wringing her hands.

That was it. Reneezmia Dainis was going to escape Sainer Castle right now. She meant to move up the date of her midnight elopement. She hadn’t finished the undercover work of diverting assets, but there was no choice. It would be a hundred times better to live on a bit less money than to be cruelly tormented by her husband even inside a novel.

Persisting on bathing on the second floor unlike usual was also for the escape. Sending Tatisha out was the same.

A resolute determination settled in Renee’s light green eyes. She struggled to maintain her composure as she stepped out of the tub. She didn’t have the mental capacity to dry her hair or body. Dripping bathwater, Renee picked up and put on her dress with trembling hands. Then, without hesitation, she threw open the bathroom window.

The biting December wind shook the window frame as if to break it. Even the scenery of the rear garden seen outside felt exceptionally desolate. Renee put her foot on the windowsill. Then she squeezed her eyes shut.

Suddenly, the faces of her novel in-laws, who had cherished her more than her real parents, came to mind.

“I’m sorry, Mother, Father. Especially Melda…”

A few hours ago, as soon as she heard the news that Ricard was returning tonight, Renee had let out a scream, grabbed Melda’s shoulders, and shouted: “Mother! Actually, I’m not Reneezmia, I’m a person named Jung Yeonjae! I’ve transmigrated into a novel I wrote! I have to leave this castle before Ricard returns. You don’t know this, Mother, but Ricard is going to torment me horribly! We can’t have an ending where everyone is destroyed!”

Melda had been speechless for a while, watching her daughter-in-law spout nonsense. But soon, she had patted Renee’s back with a benevolent face.

To think she had to leave such an angelic woman behind. Her heart was heavy, but she had to be tough to survive.

Renee opened her eyes wide as if she had made up her mind. After taking a short breath, she jumped out the window.

“Ack!”

The smell of grass rushed into her nose all at once. A stinging pain, like being hit in the center of the forehead with a large hammer, followed a moment later.

She had jumped bravely, but unfortunately, she had failed the landing. Renee, collapsed in the bushes, let out a thin groan.

When she finally lifted her head after a long while, a group of cavalrymen was standing in a line before her eyes.

‘What is this…?’

They seemed just as bewildered. The eyes of the knights in silver-gray armor grew so wide they looked like they might pop out.

Then, a man jumped lightly down from a large black warhorse. Renee stared at him blankly.

The man, with a frame as massive as a rock, wore bluish silver-gray armor over a black tunic. He took off his helmet irritably with a metallic clang. His messy black hair scattered in the winter wind. His beautiful light brown eyes were exceptionally clear and sharp, possessing a quality that overwhelmed the opponent.

Even without asking, his name was obviously Ricard Sainer. Her husband, who had just returned from the brink of death.

Ricard approached slowly, with a face that suggested he couldn’t believe the scene before him. Hanging at his waist was a sword bestowed personally by the Emperor.

Since he had left for the battlefield as soon as they had their arranged marriage, this was the first time the two were seeing each other’s faces. So, in Ricard’s eyes, Renee wouldn’t look like a wife caught in the act of eloping, but rather an intruder who had failed to sneak into the castle.

But the important thing was that, either way, Renee wouldn’t escape death.

“Grand Duke Sainer,” Renee called her husband with a trembling voice. Then she added, “There you are. I’ve come to escort you to our bedchamber.”

The knights were collectively aghast. Renee pushed back her hair, which was hanging down like seaweed and blocking her view, over her shoulder.

Ricard’s lips opened.

“What is this lunatic?”

Following Ricard’s words, a silence fell. The knights couldn’t even open their mouths and only glanced at each other. Only the large torches danced and flickered in the winter wind.

Renee thought: ‘I’m screwed.’

It seemed she really was screwed. Renee looked at Ricard and the soldiers lined up behind him with resentful eyes. They weren’t some band of vagrants; they were the knights led by the kingdom’s ruler. They should have returned amidst the passionate cheers of the citizens—so why on earth did they appear like rats from the back path of the castle, and in the forest behind the most secluded building at that!

“Everyone, turn your heads!”

It was Ricard’s chilling shout that broke the silence. The knights followed his command in perfect order. Renee, not knowing the reason, only clutched her startled chest. Ricard, walking with heavy thuds, grabbed Renee’s arm roughly.

His eyes, fierce like a wildfire, scanned her entire body. Only then did Renee realize what she looked like. Her soaked silk dress was revealing her silhouette clearly. In particular, the feminine curves from her chest through her waist to her hips were embarrassingly distinct.

But there was a bigger problem. The hem of her dress had caught on the window frame, and the skirt had been ripped vertically. No wonder her lower body felt excessively breezy. It was a provocative fashion that shouldn’t even exist in this world.

“How on earth…”

Ricard couldn’t finish his sentence. He only stared at Renee with a look of disgust, as if seeing some insane woman or a pest.

“There will be no banquet today, so everyone return.”

The knights, who had been keeping their heads turned, answered Ricard’s command in unison. Each gripped their reins and disappeared into the dark forest, kicking up dust.

“So,” Ricard added, with a face that desperately hoped it wasn’t true. “You’re really my wife, Reneezmia Dainis.”

“Grand Duke Sainer. Let me explain what happened…”

Renee couldn’t finish her sentence. Because Ricard’s grip felt like it would crush her shoulder blades. Renee’s face was instantly colored with terror. Her wet hair and her whole body were freezing over, but she couldn’t even feel the cold.

***

Morning sunlight slanted through the gaps in the window. After tossing and turning for a long while, Renee finally forced herself up.

‘I wish I could just hibernate like a beast.’

Renee feebly raised her left hand. A chain wound twice around her slender wrist was tethered to the window frame.

Today was the fifth day of her confinement. After processing the backlog of work from his campaign, Ricard had locked her in the attic of the annex, claiming he would interrogate his “madwoman of a wife” later.

There were three people guarding the door: two burly gatemen and one maid. She had tried to coax them, offering all the money she had to help her escape, but to no avail. Then again, what use was a fortune if you lost your head for defying Ricard’s orders?

“Madam, are you awake?”

“Mmh…”

Renee answered weakly to the inquiry of Bonnie, the young maid. Bonnie, who had been assigned to attend to Renee during her confinement, walked into the room carrying a large tray.

“This morning, we have potato and cheese soup, soft bread, freshly picked vegetables, and lamb, Madam.”

A lavish breakfast was laid out on the table beside the bed. It was a grand spread for someone chained and locked away. Ricard might be a more terrifying psycho than she had originally thought—considering he personally bound her with chains and locked the padlock, yet hadn’t missed a single of her three daily meals over the past five days.

“Madam, shall I assist you again today?”

“Yes. Please, Bonnie.”

“Don’t say ‘please,’ Madam. I’m just grateful to do it, but I’m worried because you’ve hardly been eating.”

Bonnie, who had her long, orange curly hair braided on both sides, took the fork and knife from Renee. Then, she sat in the chair and began to eat until her cheeks were bulging.

“The Grand Duke needs to let go of his anger soon.”

“I smeared filth on that noble countenance of his; it won’t be let go easily.”

“F-filth?”

Bonnie looked as if she couldn’t believe her ears at such vulgar language from a noble lady. Renee simply gave a nonchalant shrug.

“Hmm. Actually, Madam… I think His Grace is being a bit excessive. You just lost your footing while trying to get some fresh air during your bath, so why the confinement?”

“…Huh?”

“I heard it all from the Head Maid. Shouldn’t His Grace just be relieved that you weren’t hurt?”

The guilt was overwhelming. Renee could only pull the corners of her mouth up like a nutcracker doll. No one knew Renee had actually attempted to escape except for herself. Head Maid Anna, even without knowing the full story, must have taken measures like a veteran to ensure no scandalous rumors leaked out.

“Still, it seems His Grace secretly cares for you. He personally instructed that such fine food be served to you every day.”

“I wonder… is locking someone up and feeding them three good meals a day ‘caring’?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m a human being, not livestock.”

Renee’s voice trailed off as she affectionately brushed a breadcrumb from the corner of Bonnie’s lip.

Ricard bore a striking resemblance to her real-life husband, Gong Jichan. Jichan was the type of man who believed that buying Renee food and expensive things with his salary was the definition of love. Because he came from a wealthy family and earned well, they had set up their bridal home in a luxury apartment in the heart of Seoul. Yet, Yeonjae had never felt that house was her sanctuary. She had simply withered away from the inside, locked within an expensive cage.

“Anyway. Did you pass the message to Tatisha?”

“Yes, Madam.”

“What did she say?”

“Miss Tatisha said she plans to visit Pomfritz Square with the other maids sometime this week. She told you to wait just a little longer until then.”

“Right. Thank you, Bonnie. As soon as Tatisha returns from Pomfritz Square, she’ll give you a letter. Hide it well in your clothes and bring it to me.”

“Leave it to me, Madam. Um, but… even if I ask what’s going on, you won’t tell me, will you?”

Bonnie watched Renee’s expression with unconcealed curiosity. Renee gave a kind but firm nod.

“I knew this would happen.”

Startled by the sudden voice, Renee and Bonnie both whipped their heads toward the doorway. Ricard was standing there—who knew for how long.

Bonnie, looking utterly frantic, scrambled to drop the fork and knife. After gulping down the food in her mouth, she fell to her knees and bowed her head.

“G-Grand Duke…! Please kill me! I dared to touch the food meant for the Madam!”

“It isn’t the girl’s fault. I asked her to do it.”

Renee stepped down from the bed to shield Bonnie. Ricard sneered.

“The relationship between the noble mistress and the maid has become quite special over the past few days. It’s enough to bring one to tears.”

“It was more than I could eat, so I simply invited her to share.”

“To improve our marital relations, perhaps I should personally oversee the Madam’s meals and sleeping arrangements as well.”

Sarcastic throughout, Ricard looked down askance at Bonnie, who was trembling on the floor.

“Get out.”

It was a cold, absolute dismissal. Staggering to her feet, Bonnie hurried out of the room.

Only the two of them remained in the closed room. Ricard walked slowly toward Renee, the heels of his polished boots clicking rhythmically. Standing within arm’s reach, Ricard scanned Renee with a dry gaze. He was wearing a navy suit over a crisp white linen shirt.

The clear sunlight settled over his entire frame. Having shed his armor—once stained with blood and grease—for everyday clothes, Ricard looked like a different person. He possessed a noble aura that radiated naturally without effort. His features, seemingly carved with perfect precision, wore an arrogant expression.

“I heard plenty of rumors about you during the campaign.”

“Pardon? Rumors? What…”

“Word that the poor mistress of Sainer Castle has been possessed by an evil spirit has spread as far as the underworld.”

“…”

“Gulping down wine straight from the bottle when you never used to touch it, acting as recklessly as a vagabond’s daughter. Muttering nonsense—what was it? That this isn’t reality, but a false world? And even…”

Ricard’s words cut off unnaturally. His breathing suddenly became ragged.

“That you’re frequently sleeping around with other men.”

Having finished, Ricard ground his teeth. He seemed unable to control his emotions, gripped by intense fury. While being “possessed” or “sleeping around” were exaggerations, Ricard’s words were largely true—these were the things Renee had actually done over the past month.

“It’s a misunderstanding, Grand Duke Sainer.”

For now, she had to play dumb. As the saying goes, even rolling in a field of dog dung is better than the afterlife—she had to survive first. Even if her life in reality was a failure, it was *her* life. If she died without ever escaping this false world, her real life would be discarded as well.

“Misunderstanding?”

Ricard twisted the corner of his mouth as if finding it utterly ridiculous.

“Do you think I don’t know your hidden intentions?”

“I don’t understand what you mean. What intentions…”

“The reason you’re roaming around acting like a madwoman in a pathetic performance and spreading rumors of scandals with other men is obvious.”

Ricard cast his gaze downward.

“You pretended to be insane in hopes that I would abandon you.”

His tone was as dry as a parched desert. Renee let out a groan that was close to a sigh. He had completely misinterpreted her behavior—which was simply a struggle to adapt to the novel world.

When Ricard lifted his gaze again, it was sharp as a blade, yet somehow looked empty.

“It seems you’d rather be branded a lunatic than grow old and die as the wife of Sainer. Well, what to do?”

With a chilling smile, he grabbed Renee’s arm.

“Once something falls into my hands, I have no intention of letting it go.”

“…”

“Whether it’s my share of territory, or the pelt of an expensive beast.”

Ricard slid his hand up to grip Renee’s cheek, pulling his face close to hers. Smelling of fresh cologne, he spat words against her lips.

“Or a fearless wench who attempted a midnight escape.”

Renee squeezed her eyes shut. She had suspected it, and she was right. Ricard already knew she had tried to run away. There had been no need for an interrogation from the start. It made sense—how could a man who ruled a kingdom and roamed the battlefield fail to read the intentions of a mere woman?

Facing such a man, she had babbled about coming out to meet him and sharing a bed. She felt so pathetic it bordered on self-loathing.

“Seeing how you talk back so boldly, you’re far from reflecting on your actions. You’ll have to stay locked up longer.”

“…”

“I’ll postpone that ‘sharing a bed’ you so desire.”

Sarcastic and cold-faced, Ricard turned to leave.

“Wait!”

Renee hurriedly reached out, almost reflexively grabbing his wrist. Ricard slowly lowered his gaze, staring at Renee’s hand with an expression of disbelief.

“I have something to say, Grand Duke Sainer.”

During the five days of her confinement, she had racked her brains to prepare for the inevitable interrogation. Facing him now, his anger was deeper than expected, making it hard to speak—but she couldn’t just stay locked up like this.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Ricard roughly shook off Renee’s hand as if it were unpleasant. Since she was a wife he had taken by force of arrangement, he seemed to find even her touch loathsome. He frowned and turned completely away from her.

Just then, his ears caught Renee’s eye.

‘Huh…?’

His ears, peeking out from his thick hair, were turning bright red.

‘What color were Ricard Sainer’s ears originally?’

‘What do you mean, what color? It’s not like they were made separately; they’d be the same color as his face.’

It was a ridiculous internal dialogue. Renee looked at Ricard’s back again. She hadn’t seen wrong. His ears were definitely burning like dough forgotten in an oven.

‘Do his ears turn red when he’s mad? Or is he just naturally prone to hot ears?’

All sorts of random questions floated through Renee’s mind. Meanwhile, Ricard, who had turned away so abruptly, didn’t leave the room. He just stood there as if nailed to the spot.

Renee’s lips parted. Actually, it didn’t matter if Ricard’s ears turned red, blue, grew larger, or fell off. She had to say what she had prepared before he left.

“Please, give me a chance to speak.”

Ricard turned back, showing his reluctance with his entire body. His ears were returning to their original color. His expression looked relatively normal, except for a bit of tension around his mouth.

“Speak.”

‘Seriously, this guy.’

A vein momentarily throbbed on Renee’s forehead. But now was the time to grovel. She quickly rehearsed the answers she had secretly prepared during her confinement.

Specifically: “Strategy for Managing the Grand Duke.”

As the original author, she knew better than anyone what kind of person Ricard Sainer was. The Ricard she knew was, first, a man who had lived his entire life amidst sharp power struggles and death threats. Consequently, he was always on edge. He believed that even someone he had just been smiling and talking with could stab him in the back the moment he turned around. It was natural that he loathed people who were two-faced. He could cut off the head of his own man just for showing a hint of suspicion.

Thus, the first key to the “Grand Duke Strategy” was honesty.

“I will not tell lies to escape the immediate crisis. As you said, five days ago… I did try to run away. And the reason was…”

“…”

“Because this marriage was miserable.”

Renee finished her sentence and watched Ricard’s expression. To her surprise, he didn’t show much reaction even after hearing the bombshell that the marriage was miserable. Was the plan working? A bit of excessive confidence flickered in Renee’s eyes.

“It’s true, isn’t it? I had to marry without even seeing your face. Moreover, I had to leave my beloved hometown and face four seasons alone in this unfamiliar kingdom.”

“Alone? How can you say that when there are so many servants attending to you?”

“But you weren’t by my side, Grand Duke.”

Hearing Renee’s words, Ricard visibly flinched. He cleared his throat a few times and began fidgeting nervously with his shirt collar.

“You’re speaking weakly, unlike yourself. You only married the person chosen by your family anyway; it’s not like we had a wedding to share marital affection.”

“Of course. But the affairs of a family are not necessarily the same as the affairs of a woman.”

“The affairs of a family are not necessarily the same as the affairs of a woman…”

Ricard repeated it under his breath as if trying to understand her meaning. It didn’t take long for his expression to harden terrifyingly.

“…So, what you’re saying now is that as a woman—not as the mistress of a Ducal House—you found me miserable?”

…Something was going terribly wrong. Renee’s mind raced. Still, it was better not to lie.

“Yes.”

Ricard was speechless. His slightly parted lips snapped shut. Then came the sound of grinding teeth. He rolled his tongue inside his mouth, quietly suppressing his rage.

Renee thought: ‘I’m screwed. I’m really screwed this time.’

Was she too honest? Ricard looked somewhat hollowed out, as if he had surpassed even the extreme of anger.

“I suppose I should apologize.”

“…”

“It would have been better for you if I hadn’t returned from the battlefield at all.”

With his words, sounding like self-derision, their conversation ended.

Strategy #1: Be honest. She had prepared thoroughly, but the result was a failure beyond total defeat. Renee’s face turned ashen. She might receive double the punishment for both elopement and insulting him. She should probably be grateful if she were cleanly beheaded instead of being thrown into the streets to be stoned. Given Ricard’s personality, it wasn’t an impossible scenario.

Before she met a dog’s death, she had to launch the second strategy.

The second characteristic of Ricard Sainer: He was an imperial bastard. The retired former Emperor and Ricard’s biological father, Yaro Leistin, was a decent ruler for the empire but a total scoundrel as a man. He was a massive womanizer. It was said that whenever noblewomen gathered, they’d swap stories about the Emperor’s nighttime activities—it was no surprise his seed was scattered across the vast Byzantio Empire.

And Ricard was one of many illegitimate sons who didn’t even know who his mother was. He was raised by maids from infancy and kicked out of the castle at age fifteen. The reason given was treason. The details weren’t public, but rumors swirled that it was a crime unprecedented since the empire’s founding. The young boy lost his status as Crown Prince overnight. He was taken in by his current foster parents while barely holding onto the demoted title of Grand Duke.

Though he carried the imperial bloodline, he must have endured cruel discrimination and contempt from birth. Childhood neglect and pain would remain as terrible scars on the current Ricard.

Thus, the second key to the “Grand Duke Strategy” was affection.

“How can you say such a terrible thing—that it would have been better if you hadn’t returned?”

Renee lowered her gaze and put on the most sorrowful expression possible. She saw Ricard’s lips slowly open.

“How hypocritical.”

…She could already sense the path of hardship ahead.

“Isn’t it more miserable for you that I returned alive and well?”

“You’re truly being too much. I couldn’t sleep a wink at night, worried that you might suffer a fatal injury.”

“Nonsense.”

Ricard’s eyes, growling in suppressed anger, were like those of a nocturnal beast. He glared at Renee with an expression that didn’t believe a word.

“Why do you only doubt my words, Grand Duke?”

Of course, Renee didn’t give in.

“I swear, I have never wished for anyone’s death in my life. Let alone you, the Grand Duke, my husband who is to be with me for life…”

“What, for life?”

A sneer mixed into his questioning voice.

“How long do you plan to continue this pathetic acting? You’re locked in here because you tried to betray me and run away.”

“I simply made a wrong judgment because I couldn’t bear the loneliness. I deeply regret it and blame myself…”

“Enough!”

Ricard shouted, cutting Renee off. His eyes, which had been glaring as if to burn her whole body, were now flickering with uncertainty.

“Damn it. I get it, so stop.”

Finally, Ricard’s gaze landed on Renee’s wrist, which was bound by the chain.

‘Yes, it’s working! I just need one last blow.’

Renee feigned a pitiful expression. When she subtly showed the inside of her wrist, reddened and chafed by the chain, Ricard’s gaze softened again.

“I don’t expect forgiveness.”

“…”

“But please, at least believe what I said today. It was the truth, without a hint of a lie.”

Having finished, Renee looked down piteously. Her thick eyelashes cast a crescent moon-shaped shadow beneath her eyes. Ricard ran his hand through the back of his hair irritably. His glossy black hair became disheveled, and once again, the scent of fresh cologne wafted—a scent like the dawn of a cold, clear autumn day.

Just then, someone knocked on the attic door. It was Ricard’s first-class executive secretary, Evan Hayden.

“Grand Duke. The Vatican has sent gifts along with a congratulatory telegram for the safe return of the Hebaron Knights.”

Ricard furrowed his brow as if the Vatican’s telegram were a nuisance.

“Will it evaporate if I don’t receive it immediately? Leave it in the office.”

“Well, that’s… Priest Bernst has come in person. He is waiting in the drawing room.”

Theon Del Bernst! It was a welcome name. Renee’s eyes suddenly sparked with life. Having risen to the priesthood at an unprecedentedly young age, he was a clergyman who commanded the respect of the empire’s citizens. He was also a man who received the affection of many women and the jealousy of many men simultaneously. With his brilliant platinum hair and gray-blue eyes, there were heaps of women who blushed, claiming Theon was born between a human and a southern elf.

Of course, Renee already knew him. The holy man of the House of Bernst, Theon, was the second male lead of <SickDuchKill> who would help Renee whenever she was in danger!

“Fine, I get it.”

Ricard, meanwhile, had been a bitter rival of his since their families’ previous generation. Ricard closed his eyes tightly as if trying to suppress his anger. Just hearing Theon’s name seemed to twist his mood.

After a long while, Ricard opened his eyes and pulled a small key from the inner pocket of his suit. Renee, who had been following his movements out of the corner of her eye, snapped her head up.

“I’m only releasing your wrists. You cannot leave the room for the time being.”

Renee’s eyebrows slanted into a frown. Ricard approached the window frame where the chain was wound and added:

“Who knows when you’ll go wild like a colt trying to escape the castle again? I can’t give you freedom until I can fully trust you.”

It was a bit disappointing, but it was at least half successful. No—thinking about it, she should probably bow and thank the name of every existing god just for not losing her life.

Draping the long chain over his forearm, Ricard supported Renee’s wrist. He leaned in slightly to insert the key into the padlock. Ricard frowned. Perhaps because the joint was worn, or because the posture of the two was awkward, the key wasn’t going in easily. He readjusted his grip on Renee’s wrist firmly and pulled her slightly toward him. This caused Renee’s entire body to stagger and fall toward him.

It was due to the enormous difference in their sizes. It could be described as a large beast and an unfortunate woman about to be swallowed in one bite.

“…I’m sorry.”

Though she had nothing to be sorry for, Renee apologized reflexively and took a step back. Ricard kept his gaze lowered, his lips pressed tight. Even though he repeatedly tried to push the key in, it didn’t seem easy.

“Is it possible you accidentally brought the wrong key?”

Ricard shook his head irritably.

“Grand Duke. Try pushing it in deeper.”

“It’s stiff; it won’t even go into the opening.”

“Match the direction and do it gently… ah… don’t try to force it in with strength alone…”

“Damn it. Is someone going to eat you? It’s hard to hit the hole because you’re standing so stiffly and pulling your body back…”

The two, who had been adding their own comments, both clamped their mouths shut simultaneously as if they had planned it. I mean, they were definitely talking about the key.

Renee’s entire body began to turn as red as a ripe apple.

‘Crazy, crazy! Am I possessed by a virgin ghost who died after a lifetime of celibacy?’

Renee squeezed her eyes shut. She wasn’t some sexually frustrated widow, so why was her face turning so red during a conversation like this?

“…Grand Duke Sainer. If you give me the key, I will do it myself—ah…!”

Once again, Renee couldn’t finish her sentence. Groaning at the grip that strongly wound around her waist, she opened her eyes to find herself already in Ricard’s arms.

‘Why…? Why the embrace all of a sudden…?’

What could one compare it to—meeting the eyes of a man burning with passion right in front of your face? A precarious breath escaped from Renee’s cherry-colored lips. Even if the most powerful magician in this vast empire used black magic to bind her hands and feet, her mind wouldn’t be this clouded.

“…Grand Duke Sainer.”

Renee, unable to bear the nerve-wracking tension any longer, barely squeezed out her voice. Ricard’s gaze, which had felt so hot it was almost aggressive, suddenly became languid. A strange sense of satisfaction settled around his mouth, which had been tightly shut as if swallowing raw desire.

“From the moment I first saw you looking like a drowned rat, I couldn’t understand it.”

“…”

“What does that paper-thin wench believe in to be so arrogant?”

“…”

“In terms of strength or rank, you’re no match for me.”

Ricard skillfully caressed Renee’s back. He wasn’t touching any secret place—just her back—yet a peculiar sensation dominated Renee’s entire body. Expressions aren’t just on the face; Renee could easily read the arrogance in Ricard’s touch. Thus, she could understand the source of the satisfaction on his lips.

“I thought you were a woman who couldn’t be tamed even with chains. It seems I’ve unintentionally found the answer.”

Ricard slowly tilted his head. He gently lifted Renee’s chin and sent her a precarious gaze. It was a look that conveyed an intense suggestion, as if he were ready to mingle their flesh right now.

“I’ll lift the confinement order, so act cute.”

Finally, Renee squeezed her eyes shut. Foolishly, she had forgotten for a moment what kind of man the Ricard Sainer in the original work was.

“Who knows? Maybe I’ll take a liking to you and shower you with affection every night.”

He was a man who could use everything he possessed to tame an opponent—whether it was his noble rank or his superior swordsmanship. Or his lower body, which, according to the character settings, carried something as formidable as a longsword.

“It seems you have no desire to be favored.”

His breath, which had been felt right in front of her, suddenly moved away. Renee barely managed to lift her eyelids. Ricard was smiling like a commander who had finally seized victory in a tedious war. After letting go of Renee without lingering, he tossed the key onto the bed.

“Tell me if you change your mind, Madam. You can’t live locked in an attic until you grow old and die, can you?”

Sarcastic, Ricard turned his back.

“Wait a moment!”

At Renee’s urgent voice, Ricard turned back leisurely.

“Did you already change your mind?”

He crossed his arms and lifted one corner of his mouth. It was a sinister smile, as if he were ready to strip Renee and make her dance naked right now.

“Grand Duke. I won’t ask you to release me. But please, show mercy to my maid. She only helped with my meals at my request.”

Was it something completely different from what he expected? Ricard’s mouth tightened instantly.

“…Everything you do just irritates me. Did you think I was going to kill the girl?”

“No, but…”

Yes. She thought he might kill her and then some.

“I just wanted to ask once more with my own mouth.”

But even if it was dirty and petty, she had to cater to him. Renee finished her sentence and watched Ricard’s expression. He avoided Renee’s gaze with a face clearly showing his discontent.

The sun seemed to have risen higher while they were bickering. Dazzling sunlight poured down over Ricard’s face. Now that she looked closely, his complexion was haggard. His elongated eyes were filled with deep-seated fatigue, and his thin cheeks were shadowed.

Renee stared blankly downward. The backs of Ricard’s hands were covered in scars. Even on the nape of his neck, visible above his shirt collar, there were scars as if torn by something sharp. They were likely marks from the grueling battlefield. Thinking about it, it had been less than a week since he returned from the war, and he had even returned to state affairs immediately. While she was locked in the attic longing for freedom, he must have been having his own exhausting days.

“What are you looking at?”

Ricard snapped, scowling. His personality was so foul it could kill even non-existent affection. But why was it? What Renee saw was his pale complexion, as if he were about to collapse. He was the leader of the Hebaron Knights and a Sword Master belonging to the elite imperial knights. The sword bestowed upon him by the Emperor as a symbol of being a top-tier knight would be his glory and his shackle.

The empire’s top-tier knights, totaling just over twenty, had to go to war immediately upon the Emperor’s call. They could lose their lives at any time, and even if they survived, a peaceful old age was impossible. Physical disabilities were common, and the horrific scenes witnessed on the battlefield often remained as trauma. Ending a humble life by smoking toxic herbs to induce sleep and alcohol after tasting a brief glory—that was the fate of the top-tier knights who received the Emperor’s medal.

A strange sense of dissonance suddenly gripped Renee, who had been lost in sentiment.

‘What? It’s all just a made-up story, but I’m immersed as if it’s real.’

It was strange. This was just a false world crafted from text anyway. Even if Ricard were to be stabbed and die on the battlefield, wouldn’t it be a death that evaporated the moment she turned off the web screen?

‘Moreover, he’s the guy who was mocking and threatening me just a moment ago. There’s no need to feel pity.’

Renee shook her head. What came back into her dizzying vision was the scar on Ricard’s neck. Renee’s hand, which had unknowingly been fidgeting with her own nape, slowly stopped.

Unlike Reneezmia Dainis’ soft, clean nape, Jung Yeonjae’s nape would have a scar from when her husband Jichan strangled her.

‘It’s strange.’

Her nose began to sting. It felt as if a hot liquid were surging up from her solar plexus.

“I know you’ll be angry.”

“…”

“I want to hold you.”

The words burst out before she could control them. Perhaps this was a confession that she wanted to hold herself rather than Ricard. Ricard’s eyes wavered aimlessly, like a small boat on a stormy night sea.

So, what happened?

“I take it back!”

“…?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Renee, who had suddenly come to her senses, shouted the cancellation, and the situation came to a close. Not a license cancellation, but an embrace cancellation. It was an absurd statement even coming from her, but she didn’t have the composure to come up with other words.

Ricard, who had been standing there for a long while with an utterly blank face, quickly exited the attic. Since it was their first meeting as husband and wife and she kept saying weird things, he must have lost all interest.

“Well, anyway. I survived for now…”

Sighing with relief, Renee picked up the key Ricard had thrown. After struggling for a while, she finally unlocked the padlock. The chain slumped like a snake. Approaching the window, Renee threw open the window she had only been able to half-open until then. Outside sunlight poured in like a downpour. The chirping of winter birds was cheerfully breaking the early morning silence. Her heart beat faster than usual. It was likely due to having to face the terrifying culprit of her confinement alone.

***

Two days later, Ricard massaged his throbbing temples and checked the time.

It was just past nine o’clock in the evening—the time he had promised his foster mother, Melda, that she could visit his office.

“Gambri.”

The servant standing guard outside rushed in and bowed his head. With orange hair and blue eyes, he was a new recruit who had yet to lose his boyish look.

“Bring two cups of tea.”

“Understood, Grand Duke!”

Gambri, who bowed so deeply his forehead nearly touched the floor, hesitated just as he was about to turn away.

“Um… my apologies, but what kind of tea—”

“Do I look like I have the leisure to dictate every little detail like that?”

“A-ah, no! Then I shall prepare a ‘leisurely’ tea on my own—! No, I mean, that kind of tea—no!”

Gambri’s freckled face turned deathly pale. Watching him, a sight so pathetic it was almost comical, Ricard felt like letting out a hollow laugh.

“What on earth are you blabbering about?”

“Forgive me, Your Grace! Please kill me!”

Trembling like a fly that had swallowed poison, Gambri finally collapsed onto his knees. The expression on Ricard’s face as he looked down at the boy’s thin nape twisted subtly.

He couldn’t understand why everyone in Sainer Castle acted like this bumbling boy the moment they stood before him. He hadn’t even drawn his sword, yet they all shook as if a blade were already pressed against their throats.

He was sick and tired of hearing the words “Please kill me.” It seemed that to the residents of this beautiful castle, the mere existence of Ricard Sainer was a source of terror.

“It seems the ‘evil spirit’ isn’t the Dainis wench, but me.”

Even at that muttered remark, Gambri shook violently.

“What is going on?”

It was Melda’s voice that broke the precarious silence. Appearing carefully through the gap in the door, she lowered the lantern in her hand to illuminate Gambri’s face.

“Lord Ricard. May this mother ask what has happened?”

“Nothing happened. He’s just making a fuss on his own,” Ricard added with a cold face. “Get out. I won’t kill you.”

Gambri looked as if he had been snatched back from the brink of death. He bowed deeply to Melda as if she were his savior, then fled the office.

Ricard set the documents he was holding onto his desk and stood up. When he pointed toward the circular table in the center of the room, Melda nodded with a faint smile.

“I haven’t prepared any tea. If you wish, I will have another servant bring some.”

“No. I’ve just come from having tea myself, so I am fine.”

“I heard that two days ago, you saw off Priest Bernst in my stead.”

Melda clasped her hands together over her dark green dress.

“Yes. He waited in the drawing room for quite a while before leaving, mentioning he had a later engagement. Whether he truly had one or was simply telling a white lie to ease our burden, I do not know.”

As soon as Melda finished, Ricard twisted his lips. “He is quite famous for being thoughtful and kind, so that sounds like him.”

Melda gave a bitter smile at Ricard’s sarcasm before speaking again. “Have you checked the congratulatory telegram and the gifts sent from the Vatican?”

“I plan to check them tomorrow. I have to send a reply anyway.”

“Let us stop talking of work… It is the first time I have seen your face since you returned from the war.”

Melda looked up and smiled quietly. Sitting across from her, her foster son, Ricard, met her gaze with his usual dry eyes.

He was a son who had returned home after a war lasting over a year. And for the past week, he had done nothing but lock himself in his office. If she hadn’t requested a meeting, she wouldn’t have seen a glimpse of him unless they happened to cross paths in the castle. Even if they weren’t blood-related, he was a son who was far too indifferent.

“I heard that you have locked Lady Dainis in the annex.”

Melda, finally bringing up the reason for her visit, watched his expression with a hint of tension. Ricard nodded slightly, as if he had expected this.

“There was a reason for it.”

“Head Maid Anna reported to me that the Lady lost her footing and fell out the window. But surely, you wouldn’t issue a confinement order over just that.”

“…”

“Lord Ricard. I do not wish to meddle in the affairs of a husband and wife or the conversations you might have had. I have no right. However…”

Deep concern clouded Melda’s face. She moistened her dry lips and continued. “During the past year that you were away at war, the Lady I observed was… like a winter flower that bloomed out of season.”

Ricard frowned slightly, not quite understanding Melda’s meaning.

“Beautiful yet precarious, and as lonely as she is rare.”

Melda let out a short sigh. She remembered the day she first saw Reneezmia vividly. It was a cold winter day, much like now. Usually, a wedding between Ducal Houses is celebrated as grandly as possible, but in Ricard and Renee’s case, it was different. Since the groom was away at war, the bride couldn’t hold the ceremony alone. The Sainer family suggested holding a banquet even with the groom’s seat empty, but the ceremony fell through due to opposition from the Dainis family.

It was a marriage that was lonely from the very start. The day she left her hometown and moved into this castle—Renee’s expression as she stepped off the carriage like a cow being led to a slaughterhouse was still vivid in Melda’s mind.

“Moreover, the Lady’s condition has been very poor this past month. She goes on about things that are hard to understand, claiming she isn’t Reneezmia Dainis…”

Before Melda could finish, Ricard snorted and twisted his mouth. “I knew you were kind, but you are truly naive. That woman is just acting like she’s lost her mind.”

“Lord Ricard!”

Melda raised her voice, unable to hide her frustration. Acting? What was she to do with this cold-hearted man? She wanted to say more, but decided to leave it for next time. If she slipped up, it would surely worsen their already precarious relationship.

“This is all I can say. Please, treat the Lady just a little more warmly.”

“…”

“Then, I shall take my leave.”

Melda gathered her skirts and picked up her lantern. Ricard, who had remained silent with a distorted expression, stood up after her.

“You do not need to see me out. Continue with your work.”

“Why are you carrying the lantern yourself? Did you not come with a servant?”

“The workday is over, so I let them rest.”

Melda smiled, her eyes crinkling, and left the office with a graceful stride. Ricard followed her to the doorway, suddenly seized by a foul mood. He wasn’t angry at Melda; the target of his anger was likely himself.

He felt as if his throat were tightening. Fiddling with his shirt collar, he recalled a scene from two mornings ago.

“I know you’ll be angry. But I want to hold you.”

When was the last time he had been held by someone? Reaching back into the distant past, Ricard muttered to himself as if trying to convince himself.

“Nonsense.”

If the words came from the woman who had tried to escape this castle, he wouldn’t even believe the self-evident truth that the sun rises every morning.

***

The tenth day of confinement. Having woken up early, Renee paced around the room. She was waiting for Bonnie to bring breakfast—specifically, the letter she would be hiding in her clothes.

Before long, there was a knock.

“Madam. Are you—”

“Yes, Bonnie! I’m awake! Come in quickly.”

Renee rushed to the door and opened it herself. Bonnie’s eyes went wide, and she giggled as if Renee’s reaction was funny.

“Madam. Were you that hungry?”

“It looks heavy, give it here.”

Renee took the tray from Bonnie. In an instant, she laid out the golden teapot, teacups, a large bowl of food, and a shallow soup dish on the table—skills learned from her long life of living alone in reality. Bonnie watched her as if seeing a magic trick.

Ignoring the stare, Renee grabbed Bonnie’s wrist. She sat her down in the chair and held out her palm.

“Quickly, give me the letter you received from Tatisha.”

“Ah—so that’s why you were in such a hurry.”

Bonnie nodded as if she finally understood. After rummaging through the inner pocket of her skirt for a while, she pulled out a square paper envelope and handed it to Renee. The letter was sealed tightly with thick cotton paper. Renee opened the envelope quickly.

She had just unfolded the thick, folded paper when the door burst open behind her.

“Oh my…!”

Bonnie let out a gasp of surprise. Just by looking at her wide eyes, Renee could guess the identity of the person who had just appeared. She hurriedly folded the letter back and stuffed it into the envelope. Quickly lowering her right hand to hide it, she turned around.

“Good morning, Madam.”

Seeing Ricard offering a morning greeting with a smile as smooth as glass, Renee’s jaw dropped.

‘Did he just smile at me? While giving a morning greeting, of all things?!’

“There is something a husband and wife need to discuss privately, so you may leave.”

Ricard shifted his gaze and dismissed Bonnie. Bonnie, who was also stunned, bowed her head and hurried out of the room.

Ricard sat across from Renee with an suspiciously nonchalant air. He even went as far as picking up the teapot and filling her teacup himself.

‘Has he finally lost his mind?’

Renee couldn’t hide her suspicion, and at the same time, felt a cold sweat breaking out from the tension. It was because of the letter in her right hand. He couldn’t find out. She had to hide it somehow. But because she was wearing a home dress, there were no inner pockets.

‘Maybe if I drop it under my feet, I can hide it without him seeing?’

No. Ricard would react sensitively even to the small sound of the envelope falling. In the end, the place Renee chose was under her buttocks. Pretending to pull her chair closer to the table, she lifted herself slightly and quickly sat on the letter.

“Is something uncomfortable? You’re as restless as a dog that needs to go.”

“…No. I was just caught off guard since I didn’t expect you to come.”

“I sent word through your maid yesterday. Did you not hear?”

“What word…?”

Renee trailed off, observing Ricard’s mood. It was impossible to read his expression, but the fact that he was suddenly using formal honorifics was a clear sign he wasn’t normal. What was he up to now?

“I said that from now on, I would come in unannounced to check if the Madam is eating properly.”

“Ah. I did hear that. Including the threat that if I skip meals one more time, my life will be forfeit.”

“The message was delivered correctly, then.”

Ricard nodded with satisfaction. Today, he wore a dark navy suit over a crisp white shirt.

Though she was the one who had created him, Ricard’s appearance surpassed the original author’s imagination in many ways. In short, he was so exceptionally handsome that it felt unrealistic. If she had seen him dressed like this in a ballroom full of socialites or on a beautiful street at night, she might have fallen for him at first sight.