Imprinting.
Some even said it was a privilege only demons could enjoy. But Cedric thought differently. He had no doubt it was a curse inflicted upon demonkind.
A single night of intimacy. What kind of twisted magic made you feel intense affection and obsession for one person for the rest of your life?
At first glance, it might seem like a very romantic story. However, Cedric knew the evils of imprinting far too well to naively praise it. A relationship where people felt mutual affection was fine—especially when both parties were demons. All you had to do was live your whole life loving and wanting only each other.
However, the problem arose when a demon became imprinted on a human—someone with no imprinting properties at all. And if that spouse was someone who harbored dark intentions like Rebecca...
It became even more dangerous. Cedric resented Manakin for binding him to Rebecca throughout their marriage. Until now, the seer had successfully connected countless members of the demon realm's royal family with safe partners, protecting them from the evils of imprinting. There had not been a single mistake in Manakin's choices.
But of course... I can't believe she made such a catastrophic error when it came to me.
It was terrifying to even imagine himself yearning for and obsessing over Rebecca for the rest of his life. Rebecca threatening to leave him if he didn't do what she wanted, and Cedric—afraid she would abandon him—slowly going mad with obsession.
If that happened...
He would voluntarily become Rebecca's slave, eager to lay anything and everything at her feet. That was the common fate of those in power who had gone insane due to imprinting. He never wanted to fall apart in such an ugly way under the pretense of love.
Moreover, wasn't he the guardian of Lillian's Heart?
It was clear that if he lost himself to obsession, this entire continent would be headed for catastrophe.
"I'm sorry, but I have no intention of going along with your plan."
Cedric lazily traced the tip of Rebecca's small chin with his thumb as she looked up at him. Unlike his gentle touch, his gaze was ice-cold.
"I will divorce you one way or another. And until then—"
Cedric paused for a moment, and his eyes became even harsher.
"I will never take you into my arms."
It was a decisive declaration and a final warning. However, Rebecca—who should have been exposed by now—still looked as though she didn't know what he was talking about.
You look genuinely confused. Are you really going to keep pretending?
Not many humans knew about imprinting. But from the very beginning, Rebecca had acted as if she knew something about it. Of course, whenever he'd interrogated her, she'd always remained as clueless as she appeared now.
As time passed, Cedric had become more certain that she knew about imprinting.
And that she's trying to use me by forcing an imprint.
He'd long since grown numb to the sense of betrayal she evoked. When Cedric looked at her indifferently again, Rebecca's beautiful eyebrows had suddenly furrowed deeply.
I guess she's finally run out of patience.
When Rebecca's schemes were exposed, no matter how hard she tried, she could never fully control her emotions—especially when he rejected her so coldly. He was certain her true feelings would now come spilling out in a fit of anger.
"...Who said that? Of course I wouldn't want to sleep with you either."
Cedric's blue eyes lost focus and wavered. Rebecca glared at Cedric, her displeasure plain on her face. She quickly adjusted her gown and stepped back, coldly swatting his hand away.
"You have too much confidence, Your Highness."
The corners of Rebecca's mouth twisted upward into a sneer. Faced with that expression, Cedric couldn't easily find words to respond. He'd seen Rebecca angry countless times. But it was the first time he'd seen her coldly mocking him.
"Are you really doing this because you still don't understand why I've been so cooperative about the divorce?"
She even turned it around on him, criticizing him for not understanding her intentions. Cedric eventually gave up trying to hide his confusion. Rebecca stared at him in silence for a while. It was also the first time since their marriage that he'd looked into her red eyes without seeing any trace of longing.
"I don't love you anymore."
Her red lips moved softly once more.
"I don't even want you anymore."
Cedric's eyes slowly widened. Rebecca's eyes, her lips... Had they always looked like that?
As he listened to Rebecca's voice echoing like an auditory hallucination, Cedric found himself thinking about that involuntarily.
Rebecca's face, the words she spoke—no, everything about her—was so unfamiliar.
Rebecca blinked slowly at Cedric and continued again.
"So don't worry. I will never throw myself at you like that again."
"As soon as the divorce is finalized on my terms, I'll leave for the Mansion of Darkness. Then we won't have to see each other anymore."
Not even a faint trace of affection could be read in Rebecca's red eyes. She didn't have eyes that longed for him, or even eyes that resented him. All she directed toward him was an indifferent gaze—as if looking at something utterly worthless.
"So stop wasting my time by constantly doubting me... Can you just go back now?"
Once again, a cold and unfamiliar dismissal.
The next morning.
I stretched out on my bed, savoring the sunlight streaming in through the window. My whole body ached, probably because I hadn't slept all night and had tossed and turned instead.
Cedric looked pretty shocked, didn't he?
Had I gone too far? Maybe I'd hurt him more than I should have because I was angry.
I shook my head as the thoughts spiraled.
No, it's actually a good thing.
I had to make it absolutely clear to Cedric that I was no longer as clingy as Rebecca had been before. Only then would Cedric's hostility toward me gradually decrease.
"If we were to spend the night together even now, even after the divorce, I would never be able to go a single day without you."
Of course, Cedric's cool yet dangerously alluring voice came to mind several times throughout the night...
Spend the night? Just one night?
You're fantasizing way too much about your first time, Your Highness.
I got out of bed, shaking off the strange feelings from last night. As always, there was a list of today's schedule on the nightstand. But I only glanced at it before turning my head. There was no need to read it properly. Rebecca had no interest in the Grand Duchess's duties, so there was never anything scheduled.
It's unfair to be possessed by a villainess, but this is one good thing—there's nothing to do.
I was sitting on the bed massaging the nape of my neck, which had stiffened overnight, when—
"Your Highness, are you awake?"
Mina, who had prepared the washing basin just in time, opened the door and peeked her head inside. She came over naturally and helped me wash my face. After I finished rinsing with water infused with rose petals, Mina handed me a soft towel. I glanced up at her as she gently dried my face.
"The story—are you doing well with it?"
Mina pursed her lips, looking a little embarrassed by my subtle question. I had asked Mina a favor the other day: to tell the other employees, little by little, that I was no longer abusing them. Ideally, to spread the word that I'd become kinder.
"Well, I'm saying it, but no one seems to believe me..."
Mina trailed off.
Of course. If you told them a rabid dog changed overnight, they wouldn't believe you either.
I was glad I'd managed to secure six months after the divorce. In the meantime, I had to somehow prove to the mixed-blood demons that I had changed and win their favor.
Good. Let's start with the employees in the Mansion of Darkness.
If I didn't have a schedule, I could make one. Besides, before moving to the dark mansion, it was necessary to take a look around.
"Mina, how many employees are in the Mansion of Darkness?"
"There aren't many people there. About two hundred?"
"Good..."
I nodded and looked at Mina again.
"Go to the chef right now and deliver my order. Tell them to prepare it as quickly as possible."
A rattan basket filled with desserts for two hundred people. Mina held it in one hand, her expression as light as if she were carrying an empty bag.
They say the strength of mixed-blood demons is two to three times that of humans...
I watched in fascination as Mina walked, humming a song and even swaying to the rhythm.
"Why are you so excited?"
"Um, because we're going to the Mansion of Darkness?"
"Is there a pot of honey waiting for you there or something?"
"It's not a pot of honey, but there is someone there who's famous for being as sweet and radiant as honey!"
"A famous 'someone'?"
"....."
Mina's cheeks immediately turned bright red, and she twisted a strand of hair around her finger. From the looks of it, there must be a popular senior staff member working in the Mansion of Darkness.
"Ah! By the way, Your Highness, why are we suddenly going to the Mansion of Darkness?"
"...I was just curious. I'm starting to get tired of staying in the Mansion of Light."
I muttered quietly and turned my gaze toward the dark mansion looming closer.
As could be seen from the family name Twins, the Twins lineage began in ancient times with mixed-blood demon twin brothers. Those twin brothers eventually became the progenitors of all mixed-blood demons. So inside the Twins family's castle, two mansions symbolizing the twin brothers stood side by side: the Mansion of Light and the Mansion of Darkness.
However, the Mansion of Darkness remained only as a symbol and was rarely used by the Twins family.
After crossing the garden path and finally arriving in front of the dark mansion, I looked up at the building and tilted my head.
Why is such a beautiful place left empty?
As a twin building, its size and appearance mirrored the Mansion of Light. Three cone-shaped roofs rose high atop the large structure, and the windows on the first floor protruded forward, creating a dimensional effect. The only difference from the Mansion of Light was the color scheme. Unlike the Mansion of Light, which had ivory-colored bricks and a light brown roof, the walls of the Mansion of Darkness were a stylish gray, and the roof was black.
I gazed at the dark mansion for a while, captivated by its unique charm. Then I took a long breath, feeling a sudden surge of tension. After all, no one inside would welcome me, right?
Of course, they'll pretend to be polite on the outside.
No matter what their reaction was, I'd already brought dessert, so I was definitely going in. But I couldn't help feeling uncomfortable about suddenly having to face people who probably hated me.
I hesitated for a moment, the tension mounting—
A soft and charming low-pitched voice seemed to welcome me from behind.
"I see you've come here, Your Highness."