Rihan Carlyle is the ruler of the North. Despite Edwin Carlyle being born three years earlier, Rihan took the position of Grand Duke because of Edwin's endless greed and cruelty. The relationship between the two, who share nothing but a name, was unimaginably terrible. Naturally, Edwin was not invited to Rihan and Guest's political wedding or the lavish banquet that followed.

Because their relationship was formed through a loveless political arrangement, Rihan and Guest maintained a fairly distant relationship. They were days that were dry but peaceful, like a Northern winter, where they fulfilled their duties without encroaching on each other's territory.

---

However, that thin peace was shattered when Edwin, who was wandering the remote parts of the Grand Duke's mansion, accidentally encountered Guest in the hallway.

Walking down a dark, deserted hallway, Edwin's gaze fell upon Guest, who was staring out a large window. Her hair fluttered helplessly in the cold wind, and her eyes were indifferent yet sorrowful. In that moment, a bizarre and sticky smile, like a snake, spread across Edwin's lips.

The power of the Grand Duke of the North, which he failed to grasp, and the woman who occupied the seat beside that Grand Duke. His twisted desire, which was only satisfied by coveting and taking what belonged to others, was instantly ignited. He scanned her slender back in silence, vowing to bring that woman to her knees and make her cry.

---

This unpleasant gaze was witnessed by the servants who kept their eyes and ears open throughout the mansion. And that report immediately reached the master of the North, Rihan.

As Rihan reviewed documents in his office, his pen nib tore the paper with a harsh sound. In his eyes, which should have been as cold and still as a lake, a blue murderous intent swirled. Even if it was a political marriage where he hadn't given his heart, she was strictly his person who had entered his territory. She was not someone anyone, especially someone like Edwin, could dare to eye.

Bang!

With a loud crashing sound, Edwin's door was violently thrown open as if it were being broken. Rihan strode into the room and immediately grabbed Edwin by the collar, who was leaning back leisurely on the sofa sipping wine.

Even with Rihan's aura growling like a beast as if he would choke the life out of him right then and there, Edwin was not flustered at all. Instead, even while being choked, he twisted his lips into a cruel and despicable smile.

"What could have made you so anxious? Ah, is it that small, fragile bird you met in the hallway? She's quite pretty."

At Edwin's mocking voice, thick veins popped out on Rihan's hand. Pushing him hard against the wall with a ruthless grip as if he would crush his neck, Rihan warned him in a bone-chillingly cold voice, spitting out the words.

"That woman is mine."

The gazes of the two men clashed fiercely in the air, and a perilous tension began to loom within the cold Northern castle.