Episode 3

Heitius Viscount.

A capable man who appeared out of nowhere one day.

Moving through the shadows and using any means necessary, he eventually became the head of the underworld who ruled the back alleys.

He was also a mysterious figure, but since he repeatedly interfered with the imperial family’s affairs, he was the Empire’s number-one target for surveillance.

That was why Cassian had to capture Heitius Viscount by any means necessary.

“There’s no way a man would just sit back and watch while his bride is in someone else’s hands. Especially when she was someone he loved so dearly.”

Although he said that outwardly, Cassian still believed there was no way to know whether Heitius Viscount truly loved Iveline.

At the time, the two had merely appeared to be experiencing a love story of the century.

Cassian considered it highly likely that some kind of deal had taken place between them.

[If it isn’t this man, I’ll live and die alone for the rest of my life!]

Back when marriage talks with the Emperor were underway, Iveline suddenly brought a man wearing a robe and declared that she would marry him.

The explosive announcement caused an uproar throughout society.

[Even if the Lady has no title of her own, isn’t a viscount still an unsuitable marriage partner for her?]

[Moreover, while marriage talks with His Majesty are still underway, she dares to choose a viscount as her husband?]

It wasn’t as though she had been abandoned or treated coldly.

A noble lady who had been cherished like a precious jewel in a ducal family was going to throw away the position of future Empress and become a viscount’s wife?

The imperial officials vehemently opposed the situation, unable to understand it at all.

Many questioned the mismatched marriage, but Iveline stubbornly pushed ahead with her marriage to the viscount.

In the end, the conflict was settled when the Duke of Selrdian appeared at a banquet shortly before handing his title over to his son.

[There really is no parent who can win against their child.]

The former Duke of Selrdian, who appeared at an official gathering, said that he had finally surrendered completely and approved of his daughter’s marriage.

It was an act that dared to deceive the Emperor, yet the Imperial Family could not bring themselves to retaliate.

<The Love of the Century That Transcended Class! Finally Recognized by Everyone!>

<The Selrdian Lady Who Chose True Love Over Power! Exclusive Look at Their Tearful Love Story!>

<Who Is Heitius Viscount, the Man Who Captured the Heart of the Lady Even Over the Perfect Emperor?>

The entire Empire was buzzing with the story of the two.

Since many people viewed Iveline and Heitius Viscount positively, there was little room to raise objections.

Some gossipmongers spread conspiracy theories, claiming there had to be something behind the marriage, but the two paid no attention and set a wedding date.

Iveline was attacked on her way to the wedding ceremony, creating an unexpected variable.

But thanks to that, Cassian gained an opportunity.

“I don’t know when it will come, but the time will eventually arrive.”

All he had to do was deceive Iveline until the right moment came.

He only needed to maintain this farce until then.

After all, there was absolutely no chance he would ever fall in love with her.

A smile spread across his cold expression.

Putting on his gentle mask, Cassian grasped the doorknob, then turned around and ordered,

“Tell the servants to watch what they say. Make sure they don’t find out.”

It had been three days since I woke up after the accident.

I still had trouble moving because my body hadn’t fully recovered, but it was fine.

After all, Cassian was always by my side, taking such good care of me!

“Madam, it’s lunchtime.”

Apparently it was time to eat, because Cassian personally pushed a trolley into the room.

“Soup again today?”

“You still need to eat soft foods for now.”

Cassian scooped up the steaming soup with a spoon, blew on it gently, and fed it to me.

Fortunately, today was better than yesterday.

The watery, thin soup had been replaced with a smooth cream soup.

Tender chicken went perfectly with finely diced potatoes and onions.

There was a slight bitter taste for a moment, but overall, it went down easily.

“I think that’s enough.”

“There’s still half left.”

“This much is enough.”

I’m getting tired of this too after eating it constantly.

I want kimchi.

Or maybe spicy fish stew loaded with hot pepper powder.

No, I want spicy porridge with seafood and kimchi.

I’m getting sick of eating nothing but chicken-gomtang-like soup.

But Cassian had no way of knowing that, so he looked troubled and spoke sadly.

“……Even if it’s difficult, could you please finish what’s in the bowl?”

“But……”

“I hope your body recovers quickly. So, for my sake…… could you take one more spoonful?”

Seeing him lower his eyelashes pitifully and plead so earnestly made my heart pound.

I wanted to grab this man by the collar and—

‘What am I thinking right now!’

I covered my burning cheeks and immediately answered.

“Give it to me!”

“Yes, Madam.”

When I opened my mouth, Cassian smiled brightly and picked up the spoon.

As though he didn’t want to spill even a single drop, he carefully fed me the soup and didn’t forget to give me my medicine afterward.

“Do you remember anything?”

“No. Other than the fact that you’re my destiny.”

I handed him the empty medicine bottle and winked, but Cassian’s reaction was strange.

“……I see.”

He was covering his face with his hand and avoiding my gaze.

He must be very embarrassed.

“Is there anything you want to say to me?”

“Anything I want to say?”

Come to think of it……

“What happened to the wedding? Do we need to hold it again?”

I had gotten into a carriage accident on the way to the temple, so would we have to set another date?

“We only need to submit the documents. We’re already a legally recognized married couple.”

“But……”

“Madam, put your worries aside and focus on recovering. Your health comes first.”

As if telling me there was no need to worry anymore, Cassian gently stroked my hand.

“If there’s anything you’re curious about, feel free to ask, Madam.”

“How did we meet?”

“We met at a banquet. The moment we saw each other…… we knew.”

“Oh my! Then, was it love at first sight?”

“Yes. It happened at first sight.”

I thought it would be a political marriage, but was it actually a love marriage?

Ah, it would have been nice if I had my memories.

‘How far did we get?’

Judging by his answers, it seemed like we had been together for quite some time.

I subtly placed my hand over his and slipped my fingers between his.

Cassian flinched.

“It’s already been two hours. I should return now.”

Cassian hurriedly stood up and pointed at the clock.

Before I knew it, the clock hands were pointing at four.

“You’ll come again tomorrow, right? Honey?”

“Of course. Please get plenty of rest.”

Cassian smiled, called for a maid, and carefully closed the door.

Maid Mary approached me after I finished eating and politely bowed.

“Lady…, no, Duchess, what kind of tea would you like…….”

“Mary, I think my husband is shy.”

“What?”

Mary blinked at me, and I let out a small laugh.

“His ears are bright red.”

“Oh…… um…… I see.”

Mary’s reaction seemed somewhat awkward, but just thinking about Cassian being shy like a little kitten made my heart pound again.

“I wish tomorrow would come sooner.”

“I wish this would end quickly.”

After leaving Iveline’s room, Cassian walked down the hallway while roughly loosening his cravat.

He had thought she would be easy to deal with because she was defenseless, but the way she subtly intertwined their fingers and tried to initiate physical contact was downright brazen.

Even if he was her husband, there should still be boundaries between men and women.

The way she immediately seized every opening proved that she was no amateur.

After briefly reviewing what had happened, Cassian reached his destination and roughly opened the door.

“I need a new truth serum.”

Matthew, the physician of the Heitius ducal family, had been writing Iveline’s medical records in the infirmary. He turned around in surprise at the sudden demand.

“Again? How many times are you going to try? There are no more new truth serums.”

Matthew, who had been making new truth serums every time Cassian ordered him to, firmly expressed his refusal to continue with such unreasonable demands.

Seeing his friend’s reaction, Cassian sat down on a chair with a troubled expression.

‘Why isn’t it working on that woman?’

Was Matthew’s skill lacking?

[I’ll confess everything! The one who committed the embezzlement is Viscount Ego!]

[Please spare me, Duke! I only did what Baron Willock, the mastermind, told me to do!]

That couldn’t be the case.

Prisoners who had taken Matthew’s truth serum had confessed every single one of their crimes and begged for their lives.

Thinking that perhaps another truth serum might work, he had even purchased new ones through the guild.

[This truth serum contains a hypnotic agent. At this level, even the most ordinary criminals have no choice but to open their mouths.]

[Even someone under an evil curse will willingly confess the truth after taking this truth serum. It costs 1,500 cro, but it has never failed even once.]

Even after purchasing various truth serums made by different merchants, the result was no different.

Thinking perhaps the dosage was insufficient, he even mixed it into her soup and personally fed it to her.

[Do you remember anything?]

[No. Other than the fact that you’re my destiny.]

Whenever he questioned her, Iveline would flutter her eyelashes and wink with one eye.

She would merely twirl her green hair around her finger and act embarrassed.

Come to think of it, her slender fingers looked rather empty…….

‘Have I gone mad? I almost thought about giving jewelry to nothing more than bait.’

To clear his mind, Cassian lightly shook his head.

Fortunately, Matthew hadn’t noticed Cassian’s state and asked an important question.

“How are things with Viscount Heitius?”