Mag-log inNear the large window overlooking the green valley, Roselyn sat calmly on a plush sofa draped in a warm wool knit blanket. Beside her, Kaelus knelt attentively, feeding a piece of fresh pear to his wife’s lips with extraordinary gentleness—a sight lightyears away from the tense nightmare Rieta had imagined.Seeing her maid arrive looking disheveled, pale, and panicked to death, Roselyn stopped chewing. A warm, gentle smile bloomed across her face, which now looked much fresher, glowing, and radiant with maternal grace."Rieta," Roselyn called softly."My Lady!" Rieta ran forward with stumbling steps, immediately dropping to her knees beside Roselyn’s sofa with a pale face and tear-filled eyes. Her trembling hands immediately checked Roselyn’s arms and shoulders as if to ensure the woman wasn't injured. "My Lady, are you alright? What on earth happened? Lord Valthorne sent such a terrifying letter! I... I spent three days on the road imagining the worst! I was terrified you had fallen
"Kael... uweekk!"Roselyn clutched the edge of the stone sink in the bathroom, her body trembling violently as a wave of nausea relentlessly battered her chest. She hunched over, trying to expel whatever was churning inside her upset stomach, but only clear liquid emerged, accompanied by her ragged, gasping breaths.Cold sweat instantly drenched her temples and graceful neck.Within seconds, Kaelus was right beside her. The silver-haired man dropped straight to his knees on the cold floor, completely unconcerned with his appearance; his usually calm and controlled face was now deathly pale.His large hands wrapped around Roselyn’s waist, steadying his wife so she wouldn’t slump down, while his other hand stroked Roselyn’s back with a tense, trembling caress."Rose! What's wrong? Where does it hurt?" Kaelus’s voice cracked and trembled severely, entirely stripping away the aura of the Supreme Commander feared across the continent. His ruby-red eyes stared at Roselyn with wild, terrifyi
By afternoon, Roselyn and Kaelus decided to stroll along the path toward the local market at the foot of Mount Alteria. The market was lively yet warm, filled with fresh fruit vendors, woodcarvers, and villagers.Roselyn wore a simple lavender cotton dress with a knitted cardigan, while Kaelus concealed his silver hair beneath the deep hood of his thick coat.For the first time in years, Roselyn felt like an ordinary human being. She could touch local woven fabrics, eat warm apple tarts straight from a street vendor’s oven, and walk side by side with Kaelus without any prying eyes looking at them with fear or forced obedience."Try this," Roselyn offered a piece of apple tart to Kaelus's lips.Kaelus accepted the bite without hesitation, his eyes never leaving the joyful sparkle on his wife's face. "Sweet. But still less sweet than—""Don't you dare continue your flattery in the middle of the market, Kaelus," Roselyn cut in quickly with a chuckle, her cheeks turning a delicate shade o
“Kael, what are your hands doing inside my dress?”Roselyn’s voice was sleep-roughened, nearly drowned out by the thickness of the fur blankets and the morning silence on the slopes of Mount Alteria. Her eyes opened slowly, welcoming the splashes of golden light piercing through the cracks of their cabin’s wooden windows.The warm sensation and the gentle stroke of Kaelus’s fingers against her bare lower waist made Roselyn draw a sharp breath, waking her entirely from sleep.Kaelus lay on his side beside her, wearing only loose fabric trousers with his broad chest fully exposed. His slightly messy silver hair fell haphazardly across his forehead. Those ruby-red eyes glowed dimly, filled with a sweet passion that had yet to fade since the night before.“My wife is this gorgeous, how could I possibly just leave her be?” Kaelus whispered low. His lips landed against Roselyn’s neck, absorbing the scent of roses and the warmth of her body without any intention of halting his caress.Rosely
Countess Sirius, standing a few steps behind her son in a simple dark-green satin gown, wiped the corner of her eye with a lace handkerchief. The middle-aged woman looked much more at peace, the mental burden that had weighed upon her chest for years seeming to lift ever since she apologized to Roselyn some time ago.The inauguration ceremony proceeded solemnly. Before the regional council and honorable witnesses, Selen took his oath of loyalty to lead Sirius fairly, ensure prosperity for the farmers, open new and honest trade routes, and eradicate all forms of oppression left behind by the previous ruler.When the ancestral signet ring of Sirius was fitted onto the ring finger of his right hand, thunderous applause and cheers of respect echoed throughout the entire hall.That evening, a celebration banquet was held in the glass conservatory gardens. Beneath the dim glow of crystal chandeliers hung from tree branches, invited guests enjoyed luxurious dishes. Selen took the opportunity
The horse-drawn carriage adorned with the Valthorne family crest moved quietly along the white gravel road cutting through the rolling hills toward the Sirius estate. Behind the teak-framed glass windows, maple trees beginning to turn yellow and red were swept by the autumn wind, painting a serene and eye-soothing landscape.Kaelus sat opposite Roselyn, but the narrow space inside the carriage brought their knees nearly into contact. The silver-haired man did not take his eyes off Roselyn's face, as though every line there were the most precious map he wanted to memorize by heart.Feeling intensely watched, Roselyn turned her head. The corners of her lips lifted into a slight, amused smile. "You're looking at me as if I'm a classified state document that will vanish if you blink, Kaelus.""Classified state documents are far easier to understand than the contents of my wife's head right now," Kaelus replied lightly, his low voice sounding melodic within the quiet carriage. He reached o
No one greeted Roselyn as she left the room. There was only a silence that felt like an insult, making her misery complete.A few servants were called to drag her away, but Roselyn brushed their hands off.Step by step, holding onto the wall, she walked down the corridor with every joint in her bod
Roselyn ran out without looking back. The night chill pierced her skin, shielded only by a thin gown, but it was nothing compared to the frantic hammering of her heart. It throbbed between anxiety and a strange sense of satisfaction for having just trampled on the Duke’s ego.The four-hour journey
"Prove your love, Lady. Try serving me tonight."The voice was soft, yet it carried no melody—only the toll of a death knell.Roselyn remained motionless on the cold marble, letting her knees go numb. Her dignity as the sole daughter of Count Sirius had long been cast aside. All that remained was a
A stifling silence enveloped the balcony, broken only by the sound of Roselyn’s ragged, fractured breaths. Before her, Kaelus stood motionless, like an ice sculpture untouched by time.Roselyn lowered her head, trying to steady her racing heart. "Forgive me for forcing you to witness such a shamefu







