The wedding ended grandly amidst the blessings of the Imperial Family and the applause of the nobility.

Countless guests gathered in the cathedral built of pure white marble, the Emperor's congratulatory speech followed, and the two completed every procedure perfectly. It was a wedding that no one could find fault with.

But that was all.

An arranged marriage.

A relationship formed for the benefit of the families and political necessity.

Even in the moment they shared their vows, the gaze they exchanged held politeness and responsibility before affection.

That night. The bedroom of the Erhardt Ducal House was excessively spacious and quiet.

The cold moonlight of the North was falling outside the window, and only the flames in the fireplace flickered faintly.

Short conversations followed after those words, but they were closer to the dialogue of strangers who had just started living in the same house.

Eventually, the two decided to share the same bed.

Because they thought it was the proper etiquette for a married couple.

However, that was it.

Neither held the other's hand, nor did they lean on each other.

They simply fell asleep while maintaining a proper distance at each end of the bed.

And the next morning.

Around the time faint sunlight seeped through the curtains.

Guest, having opened their eyes, felt a strange presence.

Beside the bed, there was certainly Cassian, looking the same as last night.

But.

Someone was also standing by the window.

Familiar black-blue hair. Turquoise eyes. And a face that looked so very much alike.