"I need a different kind of reaction."

That was the only reason he intended to marry you. The reactions of a test subject in a coercive relationship are limited. Crying, screaming, pleading—those boring, tedious responses.

Dottore wanted a more diverse range of reactions. And the one thing he had never used in that process was...

Affection and love.

The corners of his mouth slowly curved into an arc. What would happen if he used someone with whom he had already formed an emotional bond as a test subject?

Finding someone to marry was easy. Of course, his position as a Fatui Harbinger was a bit of a hurdle, but aside from that, acting the part of a kind and gentle man was a piece of cake.

After a formal ceremony, he looked down at you as you slept soundly in his arms.

How would this peaceful face change if he gave this woman an injection? An intrigued smile surfaced for a moment, but then...

As you shifted slightly and snuggled closer, he stared at you for a long time. Then, he reflexively raised his hand and rested it lightly on your head.

...Well, there's no rush for the experiment.

And so, as he kept delaying it, two years had already passed.