Franz pressed his lips into a thin line as he watched Linden's back turn towards Belissa.
He took a deep breath as he watched Linden speak affectionately to his wife.
Linden was good at dealing with people.
Franz always tried not to get carried away.
But it was difficult today.
Franz shook his head, not hiding his displeasure.
The atmosphere of the banquet hall began to become more cheerful and festive.
He straightened his figure and walked across the hall.
In contrast to his heavy heart, the lively and enthusiastic atmosphere made him feel uncomfortable.
After the bride and groom completed their first dance, the rest was left to the guests.
There were no other tasks left for Franz.
All that remains for the newlyweds is to complete the wedding.
Elisia must have known that, which is why she left her seat.
With a tense face, Franz left the hall.
The guards standing at the huge doors quickly opened their doors as the prince approached.
He turned away from the brightly lit banquet hall, and a dimly lit corridor stretched out in front of him.
Franz began to walk slowly down the candlelit hallway.
All that could be heard were his footsteps echoing down the corridor.
About halfway there, a light breeze was heard.
Moonlight began to filter through the windows lining the corridor.
Franz looked outside.
The thick clouds had cleared, and the moon appeared bright.
“…Your Highness.”
Just as his gaze was fixed on the moving clouds and the moon, a quiet voice came from behind one of the pillars.
Franz turned slowly, as if he were used to this.
“Are you finished investigating already?”
“There was nothing to investigate at all.”
Haroun smiled and approached Franz.
Today he was wearing a dark gray cloak like the color of the clouds.
If he had taken a few steps back, he would have disappeared into the shadows.
“There was no unusual movement in Ambrose today.
The Baron seemed busy dealing with the heavy rain.”
“You mentioned heavy rain.”
“Yes, part of the city wall collapsed, and the Baron was struggling to repair it.”
Haroun stopped his narration, and tilted his head, contemplating Franz's face.
Franz frowned under his insistent gaze.
“What's wrong?”
“You are not what I expected you to be.”
“What did you expect?”
“Some tension or excitement?
Like a groom on his wedding night?”
Franz furrowed his brow in dissatisfaction with Aaron's joke.
“Did you learn that nonsense from Linden?”
When Franz responded sharply, Aaron scratched his cheek shyly.
“Then even the Duke thinks that Your Highness does not look like a groom today.”
“You're too curious.”
“Aren’t you going to the bride’s room?
This path leads to the office, not to the bedroom.”
Franz's face froze at Haroun's precise observation.
He hit his target.
Haroun sighed.
“To complete the spiritual bond, you must complete the marriage.
Don’t you remember that?”
His voice, which had been full of joking, turned serious.
“You know full well that the potion is about to expire.”
“Did you check the necklace?”
“Hmm?
Ah—that diamond necklace that Her Majesty the Empress gave her?”
Haroun blinked, momentarily confused by the sudden change of subject.
“It is not a mana stone.
It is a pure diamond.
There is no magic spell on it.”
"good."
Franz muttered, rubbing his forehead.
When he turned around, Aaron stood in his face.
“If you've lost your way to the bedroom, I can guide you.”
“Haroun.”
“Okay, okay.
There's no need to get angry.
It confuses your energy.”
Haroun raised his hands indifferently.
Franz stared at him and then bit his lip.
Then he turned his head in the other direction—toward the prince's bedroom.
“I will consummate the marriage.
This is why she became my wife.”
“This is how it is said”
Franz's decisive words were followed by a faint laugh.
Franz let out a heavy sigh.
When he was about to speak again, Haroun's gray cloak had turned black like a shadow, and his body had disappeared like smoke.
Elysia stood nervously inside the Second Prince's bedroom.
She came here to complete the wedding.
It was a little early, but she had no choice because of Belissa's constant insistence.
Belissa was insisting that it had better be over with quickly.
The wedding night won't last long.
Elisia did not agree, but Belissa's insistence prompted her to come anyway.
She cast faint glances at the room.
The bedroom was perfectly prepared for the newlyweds.
A transparent curtain hanging from the ceiling shades the bed, and red rose petals are scattered on the sheets.
The air was saturated with the fragrance of roses.
The candlelight glowed amber, mixing with the pale moonlight to illuminate the room.
Everything was exactly identical to her previous life.
Even the slightly open window and the swaying curtains.
The only difference was the book in her hands.
She went to the library before coming to the bedroom, and chose the largest book she could find.
She didn't even look at his address.
What mattered to her was how much time he would occupy her.
A book this thick should last her through the night.
She put it on the table with that thought in her mind.
After the wedding is completed, Franz will most likely leave immediately.
She would be left alone to endure the long night—and she needed something to comfort her loneliness.
The book will be her companion.
She reached out her pale hand, gently rubbing the hard cover.
For the next two years, Elysia will read countless books.
The number of nights she will spend alone.
“When did Franz come to me drunk?”
She ran her fingers over the golden letters on the cover, lost in thought.
The consummation of the marriage itself was not what was important.
What happened that night was merely the completion of the spiritual bond.
The most important thing was the night she became pregnant.
This was the night to be avoided at all costs.
She wanted a child—and at the same time, she didn't want one.
If fate cannot be changed, the loss of the child will be inevitable.
If she was lucky, maybe she could protect it.
Perhaps if she refused to visit Mrs.
Roshanak, or avoided going down the stairs with her, she would not have a miscarriage.
But none of that was certain.
Elisia did not want to risk her child's life.
If there was a possibility of losing it, she didn't want one at all.
She didn't want to be tormented by false hope.
Losing one once was enough.
She sat on the edge of the bed and closed her eyes tightly.
She wanted to get out of this room as quickly as possible.
She knew exactly what would happen next—and it was disgusting.
Franz will enter, drunk.
He will tear her clothes and take her violently.
He wouldn't care about her feelings.
It's going to be a rough night.
She would cry from humiliation and pain.
Even if she begged him to stop, he wouldn't—until he got what he came for.
Once he was done, he would leave her without hesitation.
And he would leave, leaving Elisia alone in the cold room.
“It's okay.
I've been through this before.
It's nothing.”
She hugged herself tightly.
Although Franz had not arrived yet, she felt as if the matter had already begun.
That was terrifying.
What she hated more than seeing Franz again in her return to the past...was knowing that she would have to share her body with him again.
That she would have to relive that terrifying night.
Her emaciated body began to tremble.
She tried to calm herself over and over again—but the fear wouldn't leave her.
“I want to run away.”
She opened her eyes wide.
Escape.
Yes, she can run away.
Why hadn't she thought of that before?
She couldn't avoid the wedding—but maybe she could avoid tonight.
If she could just get through tonight, she wouldn't have to endure another terrifying night.
The promise she had made to Franz sank under the weight of terror.
She doesn't even remember him anymore.
Elysia jumped to her feet.
When she got out of bed, the rose petals scattered and flew.
Crimson roses fell around her apricot-colored dress.
She stomped her steps as she headed towards the door.
Her heart was beating violently as she approached.
She swallowed bitterly, and extended her hand toward the handle.
She opened the door—and her eyes widened.
Franz was standing there.
His golden eyes, now deep and dark, looked at her from above.
Elysia sank into despair.
There is no longer any escape.
The wedding night has begun.