Chapter 5
***
Similar days continued for a time.
The Grand Duke, now much improved, was so busy that she rarely caught sight of him. He explained that during his illness from severe sleep deprivation, mountains of unfinished business had piled up.
Every morning, he joined her for breakfast before heading to the Imperial Palace. She would return to the bedroom, sleep a bit longer, and wake around noon.
With little to occupy her, she spent her days reading books and strolling the garden. No matter the activity, she always ended with a bath in fragrant water.
Then, as the Grand Duke wished, they dined together in the evenings.
He would send word for her to eat without him if he ran late, but such days were rare. Each evening, the Grand Duke returned to sit by her side and watch her eat at the table.
Though he barely ate himself, he insisted on sharing meals with her.
She disliked eating alone, so she didn’t mind his company.
Surrounded by him, the butlers, and the maids while enjoying delicious food somehow felt warm.
It was strange. She had been so terrified at first.
The Grand Duke’s mood seemed to brighten with each passing day.
His amber eyes still held a knight’s dignity, but he smiled often and treated her with great kindness.
The maids, too, proved surprisingly friendly.
At first, they were merely polite, but as they encountered her more, they began saying things like, “Madame, please try this,” or “Madame, look at that.”
She always stiffened, unsure how to respond to such kindness, but the maids paid it no mind and always greeted her first.
What they gave her was mostly food.
The fare here was so delicious—even the steamed potatoes.
It embarrassed her to eat with such admiration each time, but the maids understood and brought more to tempt her. Thanks to them, she had gained a little weight.
Why were they so kind when she was merely one of the masters they served?
“Thank you, Madame,” said Sumona, who was combing her hair.
Amarion blinked.
“Why?”
“His Grace has slept soundly ever since you arrived. It was hard on us when the Grand Duke suffered. The mansion’s atmosphere was truly dismal. But everything improved once you came.”
“Oh…”
“It will only get better from here. You’re such a cheerful person.”
She stared silently at the gleaming dressing table’s exquisite craftsmanship.
‘Cheerful…’ She couldn’t easily connect the word to the Grand Duke of Death.
She now realized he wasn’t as dark as her first impression, but imagining his lighter side was still difficult.
His black attire, his godlike physique, and the aura of danger that clung to every step. Especially when she saw him wandering in the grip of nightmares…
She wrung her hands in her lap.
War was truly terrifying…
***
Her nightly routine remained unchanged.
She bathed, entered the bedroom, and read while awaiting him. Then the Grand Duke, changed into comfortable attire, came in and lay on the bed.
While reading, she felt his gaze upon her.
She peeked over her book.
The Grand Duke regarded her gently.
“My mind has been clear these days.”
“Is that so?”
“It’s all thanks to you.”
She frowned oddly.
Compliments still felt awkward.
Especially from the man she subdued nightly.
He clasped his hands behind his head and reclined.
His sweet eyes curved like crescent moons.
‘Why… are you doing this?’
She gazed at him, puzzled.
“Will you allow me to call you by your name?”
“What? My name?”
“Yes. May I?”
‘He’s a very strange person.’
She blinked.
‘You married a stranger and now want to use my name? Do as you please.’
Yet he sought permission.
“Do whatever you want.”
He closed his eyes and smiled at her response.
“Amarion.”
“…Marion is fine.”
“Marion.”
His voice was suffocatingly soft.
She turned away. No one had ever said her name like that.
A voice laced with laughter came from beside her.
“Call me by my first name too.”
‘What?’
She glanced back in confusion.
‘Call you by name?’
No matter her scant knowledge of etiquette, she knew no rule permitted addressing the Grand Duke so familiarly.
Imperial custom dictated a wife use her husband’s title.
But he smoothly preempted her objection.
“Your husband calls you by name, so you should do the same, right?”
The Grand Duke smiled, visibly delighted.
No one—not even her family—had ever been so kind to her.
But…
She hesitated, then said,
“…Victor.”
“That’s right!”
He praised her like an obedient pet.
Then he rang for the servant.
The servant entered, drew the curtains, and extinguished the candles.
His eyes twinkling in the candlelight, the Grand Duke looked up at her languidly.
“Call me whatever you want.”
“…”
“Good night, Marion. Sleep well.”
His words were unbelievably sweet.
In the darkness, his breathing slowed and evened out.
She set down her book and took up her sword.
As always, she clutched the scabbard and crouched.
Unknown emotions tightened her chest.
***
It was truly peaceful.
A peace she never could have imagined.
Not entirely what she’d wanted, but it surpassed her wildest dreams.
No dawn roars from gargoyles, no comforting orphaned children in blizzards, no digging corpses from collapsed mines.
All her new possessions enveloped her sweetly.
The Grand Duke’s household items were pristine and gleaming.
The food was delicious, the people friendly.
Above all, Victor—the Grand Duke.
He was the first true gentleman she’d known.
Graceful, so tender that his every word stole her breath.
Treated thus for the first time, she felt constant embarrassment.
Where had her initial fear and anger gone? …Embarrassed again.
It seemed too much, all this for merely lulling him to sleep.
Crossing to the bedroom, she glanced in the hallway mirror.
Her once-red, rough skin was nearly smooth.
Sunning herself and eating well had brightened her complexion.
She rubbed her cheek with the back of her hand.
She realized she enjoyed the sun.
The southern sun was hot; under it, her skin stung.
The maids had erected an awning in the garden, where she could sit and read.
‘Will I tan like this? Like Victor?’
She quickly banished the thought.
‘Like Victor.’ Comparing herself to him felt guilty.
She hurried from the mirror toward the Grand Duke’s study.
It was the first time he’d summoned her there.
He’d always said she could visit and request anything, but she wanted nothing.
Her belly was full, her bed warm.
‘What more do I need?’
She had any food or book she desired; anything else appeared on request.
She wished he’d stop asking. Lightly, she opened the study door.
The air smelled of paper and ink.
Countless candlesticks adorned the space; deep mahogany furniture and an intricately woven carpet bore the Grand Duke’s black lion emblem.
The Grand Duke and Diederik, also present, wore serious expressions, deep in discussion.
She grew nervous.
‘Did something happen?’
Before she could speak, the Grand Duke said,
“Marion. As my wife, you must manage this mansion.”
“What?”
She was utterly perplexed.
In noble houses, a housekeeper typically oversaw the household.
But not for her.
His castle resembled a fortress more than a decorative mansion.
Managing it didn’t suit her. Her talent was the sword; her place was the front lines.
Hesitating, she said,
“I thought my role was to… put Your Grace to sleep.”
“Didn’t I say I’d make you the Empire’s most powerful lady? Marion, no lady in the Empire neglects her household accounts.”
Her brows furrowed.
True— as Grand Duchess, the basics were expected.
Seeing her stiffen like a statue, the Grand Duke softened.
“Hey, Marion. I’m not pushing or scolding you. I just want to give you this. As my wife, you should control the family finances.”
He teased affectionately.
“It won’t be hard. Diederik will assist.”
“…”
“Buy whatever you want.”
He was exceedingly generous.
She didn’t fully understand him.
Could one be so wealthy as to grant such permission freely?
The Grand Duke smiled like melted sugar.
She clamped her lips shut, as if tasting syrup.
Irresistible.
At last, she nodded.
***
