Sunlight seeped in through her slightly parted eyelids.
'It's morning again.'
She was barely able to get up from her seat only after pressing down hard on her splitting head with one hand.
"...Ah."
The spot next to the bed was empty as always.
Tears welled up in Shioana's eyes as she gazed at the completely crumpled sheets. Was it because she hadn't been apart from Etienne for a single moment since the wedding?
She felt a little lonely.
"...I guess I’m crazy.”
To think she missed him so much, even while resenting him for how much he had changed.
Shioana, who had been lost in thought for a moment, tried to move her body, but her whole body throbbed so much that she involuntarily let out a scream.
As she groaned and rang the bell, a waiting employee found the room.
"Madam, if you are awake, I will prepare the bath."
As she soaked in moderately warm water, the muscle pain seemed to subside a little.
“What day is today?”
At her question, the young employee blushed and told her that three days had passed since the wedding.
"...Ah."
To think it's been three days since I left the bedroom!
Shioana lowered her head. Her face flushed bright red at the thought that everyone in the mansion knew about the two of them.
Meanwhile, Etienne passionately hugged Shioana, as if he had forgotten that he hated her.
'I really didn't even realize so much time had passed.'
Completely intoxicated by the sweet whispers and hot gestures he offered.
Shioana spoke up, hiding her embarrassment.
"Where is Your Excellency?"
"Madam, His Excellency went early this morning with Viscount Conrad to have an audience with His Imperial Majesty."
"...Ah."
Shioana realized once again that Etienne was Duke Bernhard.
After her bath, Shioana went out into the garden feeling stifled. The view of the garden, enjoyed while drinking a cup of tea, was exquisite.
However, no matter how delicious the tea and beautiful the scenery were, Shioana felt somehow uneasy.
"I miss Harriet and Martha."
She quickly felt down at the thought of Martha, whom she had never been separated from since birth.
'I promise the child's treatment and a comfortable life for the two of you.'
Etienne did not want to see Harriet, and she understood.
'Because he will think it is the child I gave birth to.'
She didn't know how things ended up getting this messed up.
Shioana ran her hand over her forearm, which was covered in small goosebumps from the eerie feeling.
Just then, there was a sound nearby, and Shioana turned with an expectant look on her face.
However, instead of the face she had been waiting for, Grand Madam Bernhard stood there like a statue with a stubborn expression.
"Hello, Madam."
As always, Katrina ignored Shioana's greeting and sat in the seat across from her.
"I plan to stay here for the time being, so keep that in mind."
"... Yes."
Shioana struggled to compose her crumpled expression at the appearance of the Grand Madam.
Because she and her mother-in-law, Katrina Bernhard, have never once had a good relationship, from their first meeting until now.
"Just because you are a noble doesn't change anything."
Shioana clutched her dress with both hands at the signs that unpleasant words were about to begin.
She could have just ignored it, but hearing Katrina's voice itself was overwhelming.
"Our family is one of the most prestigious in Urcheka, so not just anyone can become a member."
Katrina glared intensely at Shioana's face. It was as if that look was saying, "You are that nobody."
'I didn't become a member of the Bernhard family by my own will, so why do I have to hear this?'
It was Etienne who went ahead with the marriage that was unwanted.
Then Katrina held out a piece of paper.
"I have come up with a special plan for you, as you lack the necessary qualities. Becoming the mistress of the Bernhard household means becoming the greatest noblewoman in the Empire, so you must study and master it diligently."
It was densely filled with embroidery, dance lessons, playing musical instruments, poetry recitation, and etiquette classes.
"..."
Just looking at it made her head spin, so she instinctively scowled.
"Take this as well."
Katrina placed the bundle of medicine on the table.
"This is a medicinal herb I specially brought back from Persia. They say that if you take this for a long time, you will have a son, so make sure you take it at every tea time from now on without fail."
"..."
'Women are useless, so how about having about ten sons?'
The voice of Count Noah, who treated her like livestock to bear children, came to mind.
When Shioana made a very displeased face, Katrina smiled kindly and spoke.
"Surely you aren't trying to disappoint our Duke, are you?"
"...That."
She didn't want Etienne to be disappointed in her.
Even though he wasn't the affectionate lover he used to be, she felt loved while she was in his arms.
'So, can I get my hopes up a little?'
A blush spread across Shioana's cheeks as she recalled Etienne's beautiful red eyes.
***
Etienne was away from the mansion for ten days starting from the day Katrina arrived.
Because of that, Shioana was being harassed by all sorts of experts Katrina had brought along.
'Madam, shall I kick a little higher?'
'Madam, embroidery requires sincerity stitch by stitch.'
The classes that continued non-stop all day wore Shioana out.
"When on earth is he coming back?"
At night, she would lie alone in her bedroom, missing Etienne. She would sometimes bury her nose in the pillow that bore his scent.
"I hate you, but why do I miss you so much?"
Shioana, who was sweeping the empty space with her hand, drifted off to sleep.
And on the night of the tenth day, several carriages visited the mansion.
Etienne had returned.
"His Excellency Duke Bernhard and his friend have arrived."
Guided by the employee, she hurriedly stepped out to the entrance to greet the guest.
Shioana feigned composure, but her heart fluttered at the thought of seeing Etienne.
"..."
However, Etienne and his guest were not the only ones to get out of the carriage. Diana Vale was holding Etienne's hand.
"Oh my, look who it is, Diana!"
Katrina Bernhardt dragged her injured leg and gave Diana a tight hug.
"Madam, we are just coming back from the seaside. We went out on a boat and saw dolphins. Have you ever seen that fascinating creature, Madam?"
Diana's face was overflowing with vitality as she excitedly began to speak.
"Oh dear, I’ve only heard about it. I hope you’ve been doing well. Let’s go inside right away. I was just about to have lunch."
Katrina patted Diana's shoulder and led her inside.
The other guests followed suit, leaving only Shioana and Etienne at the entrance.
She had a lot she wanted to say when she met him, but when she actually saw Etienne, she couldn't easily open her mouth.
No expression was visible on Etienne's slightly tanned face.
'Etienne, didn't you want to see me?'
Shioana hid the hurt feelings that threatened to spill out of her mouth.
"...Your Excellency."
At her voice, the area around Etienne's mouth seemed to twitch slightly, and he nodded his head.
Then, without saying a word, he went inside, and Shioana was left alone in the dust left by the carriage.
The guests invited by the Duke drank and made a lot of noise until late at night. They played card games, sang while playing musical instruments, and danced joyfully.
While everyone was having a great time, only Shioana, sitting in the corner, was seized by a lonely and melancholic feeling.
'...Duchess Bernhard.'
Everyone treated her with great respect, but in reality, that was all.
'I just feel like I could be gone.'
Still, being able to watch Etienne like this, she couldn't easily bring herself to leave.
Shioana, having given up on returning, opened the book again.
"There are so many interesting things over there; why are you reading a book, Madam?"
Someone sat down next to her and cheerfully started to speak.
The man with light blonde hair and red eyes smelled a little of alcohol, but his broad smile made him look like a decent person.
"Because they are things I don't know how to do."
"No one is familiar with something from the start."
“But me..."
"I understand. Since you are not from the Urcheka Empire, it will likely take some time to adjust."
The man gave Shioana a look of empathy, then playfully placed his hand on his chest and bowed his head.
"Oh, I apologize for the late introduction. My name is Gabriel Tenubis."
"If it were Tenubis..."
"I am His Majesty the Emperor's cousin."
Since it was the first time she had ever met a member of the royal family, Shioana blushed, not knowing what to do.
"I have committed a breach of etiquette."
"No, I should be the one apologizing since I interrupted your newlywed life."
At Count Tenubis's words, Shioana's flushed cheeks deepened even more. Gabriel smiled at the sight.
'There is absolutely no need to worry.'
He had no idea how surprised he was by the news of his longtime friend Etienne Bernhard's sudden marriage.
Since he was unable to attend Duke Bernhard's wedding due to circumstances, he was very curious about what kind of person the Duchess was.
"Duchess, I will be sure to bring a wedding gift on my next visit."
"It's okay."
And so, the conversation between the two ended there, and it was just as Gabriel was about to stand up.
"..."
Shioana looked up at Etienne, who was standing in front of the two of them. He was glaring so fiercely that she felt her shoulders shrink for no reason.
"You seem to get along well?"
Even at Etienne's somewhat sharp voice, Count Tenubis did not lose his gentle smile.
"Did you rush here because you wanted to see the new bride? Then, Duchess, I shall take my leave."
Gabriel greeted them with an exaggerated gesture and walked away from them.
"Get up! Shioana."
"There are still guests..."
"You're not even a guest, so what does it matter?"
She bit her lip tightly at Etienne's cold words. There wasn't a single thing wrong with what he said.
This wasn't Shioana's home, and she was nobody here.
The book she was holding fell to the floor with a thud as Etienne suddenly grabbed her arm.
He pulled Shioana's arm painfully as he climbed the stairs.
He finally stopped when he reached the dim hallway. Etienne, tilting his head so that it almost touched Shioana's lips, spoke roughly.
"Shioana, were you planning to seduce a member of the royal family this time?"
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