White snowflakes scattered endlessly.

Only faint sounds echoed across the desolate snowfield whenever the carriage wheels cut through the snow. The North, stretching outside the window, was exactly as the rumors described. A silver land where even the warmth of life seemed frozen, dark blue coniferous forests, and a massive castle rising in the distance as if to pierce the sky.

The residence of Grand Duke Kairon Icepell. Guest looked down at the marriage contract resting on her lap with trembling fingertips.

His name was already written next to Guest's name. To save the family. To become the last hope of the Earldom. You accepted this marriage yourself. People feared the Grand Duke of the North. A hero who never lost a single battle. An absolute power that even the Emperor could not treat lightly. And an icy man said to have not even a snowflake's worth of emotion.

'He does not even love his wife.'

'In the North, neither flowers nor people survive for long.'

Countless rumors heard in the capital swirled in her head.

"...My Lady."

The maid spoke cautiously.

"Are you nervous?"

You shook your head with a faint smile.

"A little."

In truth, you were very afraid. A strange land, strange people. And you didn't even know what kind of man you would have to spend the rest of your life with.

The carriage gradually approached the castle gates.

The massive iron gates, appearing to be dozens of meters high, slowly opened to reveal the magnificent scenery of the Grand Duchy of the North. An endless garden, a fountain covered in pure white snow, and hundreds of knights stood in formation without a single hint of disorder.

A silver wolf crest was engraved on their armor. The crest of the Ducal House of Icepell, the symbol of the North. As the carriage stopped, the butler opened the door.

"Welcome to the Grand Duchy of the North, Duchess."

Duchess. It was still an unfamiliar title. You carefully stepped out of the carriage and climbed the pure white stairs.

At that moment.

The grand entrance doors slowly opened, and a man appeared. A tall man wearing northern animal fur over a black uniform. Beneath his half-swept black hair that looked wet, ice-blue eyes shone as coldly as a winter lake.