TNBTW | Episode 20

***

As the guests departed after the wedding banquet, the warm glow of dusk began to settle over the manor.

‘I can’t imagine going through this twice.’

Edith sighed as she soaked in the hot bath, letting its heat ease her fatigue.

A sham marriage was exhausting enough—how taxing would a real one be? No matter how much she thought about it, the idea of doing this again seemed impossible.

‘And yet, we didn’t even do much for the banquet… and I’m this worn out.’

She had been tense throughout the formal debut in high society, but thanks to the Emperor and Skyle remaining by her side, nothing eventful occurred.

No one in their right mind would dare interrupt a conversation between the Emperor and a Duke, after all.

‘I didn’t even manage to speak to the Young Lady of Valesia in the end.’

Since the Grand Duke had left before the banquet concluded, there hadn’t been a chance to exchange words. Not that Edith thought starting a conversation would have been met with warmth in any case.

What could possibly be going on? The situation eluded her entirely, leaving her in contemplation when a curt knock knock sounded at her door.

“I’m awake, Bill!”

Usually, Bill would inquire, “Lady Edith, are you asleep?” so Edith assumed this time would be no different and replied preemptively.

“Glad to hear it.”

However, the voice outside was not the familiar tone of her reserved steward. Startled, Edith shot upright.

“Your Grace… no, Skyle?”

She hastily threw on a light shawl and opened the door to find Skyle standing there, just as she had guessed.

“I didn’t expect you at this hour. Did something happen?”

Her voice was laced with confusion. Though it had been a month since she had begun staying at the Duke’s mansion, their encounters had been surprisingly rare—mostly limited to shared meals in the dining room.

Skyle embodied the quintessential workaholic, leaving early and returning late, and apart from the occasional dinner when he heeded her advice to care for his health, their interactions were sparse.

“We were married today. Legally, we are now husband and wife.”

“…Yes, that’s true.”

Though she already knew this, Edith nodded in agreement. It wasn’t as though she had forgotten their wedding just a few hours earlier. What puzzled her was why he felt the need to remind her now.

“This means our contract officially begins today.”

“Ah, yes! That’s right.”

Her curiosity deepened as she nodded again. Come to think of it, the contract did state that it would take effect following the wedding. Having lived in the Duke’s residence for a while, she had momentarily forgotten.

“I am here to uphold our obligations as a married couple.”

“Obligation?”

Edith’s eyes widened at his sudden declaration. The contract had indeed stipulated that both parties were to fulfill their obligations according to their roles. For Edith, this meant performing the duties of a Duchess, which, in turn, granted her certain privileges.

After all, wasn’t that why she had painstakingly memorized the social register?

‘The duties one must uphold as a married couple….’

What exactly were those? As she mulled over his words, she froze.

The dimly lit corridor glowed softly with the warm light of amber sconces. Skyle stood against this backdrop like a halo.

Come to think of it, had he just come from a bath like her? His attire was more relaxed than usual, giving him an air of ease.

A dark night. A newlywed couple. A freshly bathed husband. Duties of a married couple.

Their first night. The clues connected in her mind, leading to a singular conclusion that drained the color from her face.

“I… I, uh…”

Too flustered to form a coherent sentence, Edith realized in that moment how foreign she truly was to this world.

This wasn’t the modern world she had come from. Here, producing heirs was of paramount importance, and fulfilling marital obligations naturally included bearing children.

It hadn’t occurred to her, primarily because she wasn’t a typical noblewoman with reasons for an arranged marriage, and secondly because she had never seriously considered marriage in the first place.

Not to mention, hadn’t they provided separate bedrooms? Perhaps she had been lulled into a false sense of security by that arrangement.

‘With the Duke? That? Me?’

Though his hair and attire were too composed for someone about to retire for the night, Skyle stood only a few paces from her, exuding a clean, understated fragrance.

The realization of their proximity sent a wave of tension through her. Her thoughts strayed, and she couldn’t help but notice how absurdly handsome he was—a fact she had already known but was now acutely reminded of.

Towering over her, his striking frame, sharp jawline, and cold yet captivating eyes seemed to embody the perfection of divine craftsmanship.

‘But still, that’s… that’s a completely different matter!’

Appearance was one thing; their relationship was another. To Edith, the two were entirely separate issues.

Yet the inexplicable tension made her swallow nervously. Just as she squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself—

“I’ll be away from the mansion for a month starting tomorrow. An urgent business trip has come up.”

“I’m not mentally ready for this…!”

Their voices overlapped, his calm statement clashing with her panicked outburst.

“…What? A business trip?”

It was Edith who recovered first, blinking at him in confusion. She had braced for something far more dramatic, only to open her eyes and see the slightest flicker of emotion cross his usually stoic expression.

“The duration may extend depending on circumstances, but I’ll keep you informed. That said…”

Skyle tilted his head slightly, his expression strangely complicated as though he were facing an unfamiliar problem.

“Is my absence something you needed to mentally prepare for?”

Caught off guard in multiple ways, Edith could only stare at him silently. Gradually, the faint crease in his brow smoothed out.

“If that’s the case, I’ll make sure to consult you before making any decisions next time. It’s something I hadn’t considered.”

“No, it’s not that at all!”

So that’s what marital obligations meant—informing her of his schedule!

Snapping back to her senses, Edith waved her hands frantically, desperate to clear up any potential misunderstanding.

“Actually, Your Grace—”

“Skyle.”

Out of urgency, her use of the formal title which she hadn’t used in a while, prompted his immediate correction.

“Repetition is the most effective way to form habits in language.”

“Yes, that’s right, Skyle. I thought you meant… something else entirely.”

Calmed by his steady tone, Edith hesitated before continuing, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

“Well, like producing an heir, for instance…”

The mere thought reignited her mortification, her regained composure crumbling as she trailed off.

‘What ridiculous assumptions am I making?’

Feeling her face growing hot, Edith automatically lowered her head but before she could lower her gaze entirely, his cold voice halted her.

“That’s a needless concern.”

Startled, Edith raised her head to find Skyle’s face unusually cold, devoid of its usual composure.

“I intend for the Devion line to end with me.”

What followed was even more astonishing. Skyle was the inaugural duke of the House of Devion—a title so prestigious that no one could be unaware of its significance.

In an era where some would go to great lengths to purchase even a minor title from an obscure family, he had claimed the title of duke—a rank earned through his own merit and honor.

And yet, what Skyle was saying now was no different from declaring he would abandon it all. A lineage that ends is, in essence, a house erased from history.

“Why would you…”

“Everyone would want that. Especially the temple.”

Edith kept her mouth shut at the sarcastic response. His mention of the temple made her realize what he meant.

“But regardless of their opinions, it’s what I desire most. So there’s no need for you to concern yourself with this matter.”

Edith opened her mouth as if to speak but closed it again, unsure of how to respond. Recognizing that he had no intention of continuing the discussion, she remained silent.

“I heard from Bill that you’re planning a tea party. Is that correct?”

“Oh, yes! I heard it’s customary to host one after a wedding.”

Grateful for the shift in topic, Edith answered easily. After all, organizing a tea party was a clear-cut duty as the Duchess of Devion.