Having lost even her younger sibling, Leila had completely lost the will to live. That was why, even when Yuria slapped her and threatened her with sharp objects, she silently endured it all. Whatever happened to her, nothing seemed easier than death…

“Gasp…!”

Leila’s eyes flew open as her senses rushed in all at once. The dream that passed like a flash of light dredged up Leila’s painful past. She blinked as she recalled the inside of the Viscount’s estate she hadn’t thought of in a while, the chandelier that elegantly adorned the ceiling, and the small but antique furnishings that filled her old workplace.

“Ah…”

She saw an even more lavishly decorated ceiling above her. Outside the bed draped with curtains, everything was utterly silent, and the still air gently caressed Leila as she awoke. Leila slowly moved and looked around.

Nothing had changed since before she fell asleep. Everything was tidy and orderly. Beyond the partially drawn curtain, she could see the arched entryway connecting the bedroom to the parlor. Despite being just one person’s quarters, the space—consisting of a bedroom, parlor, bathroom, reception room, and small study—was remarkably spacious.

All of it was precisely meant for the Grand Duchess. Yet, having arrived only a day ago, Leila still couldn’t help but feel unfamiliar with it. She was certain she would be exposed before she could adjust, or worse, that this room’s view would be the last thing she saw before her head was cut off.

But the Grand Duke had not done so. Instead, he remained silent and continued to insist she play the role of a fake bride.

Just what was his plan? As Leila pondered this and began to rise, a shadow suddenly appeared without warning, making her newly awakened heart nearly stop.

“……!!”

“Did I startle you?”

So shocked she couldn’t even scream, that was exactly what happened. Leila clutched her pounding chest and gasped. It was inevitable, startled the moment she saw Javier. He quietly observed her and then slowly approached, sitting on the edge of the bed.

And then, he simply looked at Leila as she caught her breath. Leila didn’t know why he was just staring at her, so she couldn’t say anything in return. She didn’t know where the courage had come from, but the moment she saw his face, rather than thinking he was frightening, she first noticed the gentleness in his expression and couldn’t look away.

Again, his hand approached slowly and stopped in front of her chest. Only then did Leila realize what he was trying to do. She lowered her head and noticed her disheveled nightgown. The gown had slipped from her shoulder as she sat at an angle, propped up by one hand.

Because of that, the fabric had fallen all the way down her arm, exposing her underarm and the upper part of her chest. Realizing this, Leila hurriedly pulled the collar up.

It was still hard to sit up straight, as her lower belly throbbed and ached. Leila did her best to ignore the sensation and adjusted her posture. As she awkwardly fidgeted alone, Javier, sensing her discomfort, stretched out his thick arm to help her lie back down comfortably.

“Have you eaten?”

Even before answering, Leila flinched and winced. As he helped her lie back, his hand had gently kneaded beneath her chest. Though his touch made her uncomfortable, she figured there was no point in protesting. After all, they were supposed to be a married couple in the eyes of others.

Even if she was just a fake wife.

“I heard something about a meal, but I must’ve fallen asleep before it arrived.”

“I see.”

As soon as he heard her answer, Javier nodded as if he had expected it. Unlike the night before, when she stammered nervously, Leila now answered clearly, and Javier looked at her with approval.

Last night, she had been too shocked by the fact that he already knew the truth, something she had thought she must keep hidden even at knife point. If not for that, Leila would have responded more composedly, as she had planned.

As if trying to ward off her mounting tension, Leila breathed deeply and watched him as he rose from the bed. When he stood, his tall, broad frame made the already large room feel even more filled.

He soon left her side and walked to the door leading outside, only to return moments later as if nothing had happened.

Now, Leila could easily guess what he was doing. Since they had spoken of food, he had likely called for a servant to bring it. As expected, she soon heard the sound of several footsteps, followed by the aroma of warm food from beyond the bedroom.

“Can you get up?”

“…Yes.”

Leila rose from her seat, trying to appear as normal as possible. No—before she could get up, a hand reached out and lifted her small, delicate body with ease. Suddenly finding herself in his arms, Leila stared blankly at the man holding her.

“I heard you couldn’t sit up properly. You seemed unsteady when walking, and it looked like you still had a fever. It seems the aftereffects are worse than expected.”

Javier carried Leila out of the bedroom.

The servants, already moving busily, set down a modest meal on one side of the table. When they saw the two appear together, they stepped back and bowed simultaneously as if choreographed.

Leila was gently seated in a chair by Javier, who handled her as delicately as if she were a fragile glass ornament. She wanted to tell him it wasn’t necessary, but lacked the courage to say so.

“Even if you don’t have an appetite, I’d like you to finish it all…”

Javier muttered to Leila, who was sitting on his lap. His gray eyes gave her an unmistakably clear signal. The modest meal, prepared with care so as not to overwhelm the completely drained Leila after the wedding night, stirred her senses with its aroma.

Only then did Leila realize her hunger and wrapped her arms around her stomach. Misunderstanding the gesture, Javier adjusted his posture and gently caressed Leila’s warm belly. His large, tan hand lingered briefly atop her small, white one.

Though he had phrased it as a suggestion, the message was clear: he expected her to eat it all. Leila, who had survived until now thanks to her quick instincts, caught on immediately. She understood his meaning, but with how weak she felt, she wasn’t sure she could finish the meal.

After all, when one is sick, even the smallest tasks feel burdensome. Leila stared at the table prepared for her with an uncertain expression.

“Your…”

“Hmm?”

The instant she uttered the first syllable of “Your Grace,” his ghost-like reflexes responded. Leila recalled, with a shiver, how possessive he had been and quickly shut her mouth.

“Why? Were you about to say something?”

“…It’s nothing…”

Leila trailed off and averted her gaze. Just calling his name while fully conscious felt unbearable. She mumbled vaguely, trying to return to what she had originally intended to say. If she could just finish this thought, maybe she could move forward.

“What I said last night…”

The moment she began, she saw one of his thick, dark eyebrows twitch. Now that they were eye level, with Leila sitting on his lap, she could clearly see even the smallest reactions. She chose her words carefully.

“Why do you wish to maintain this relationship, even though you already know who I really am?”

Javier, who had been gazing into Leila’s green eyes reminiscent of lush forests, parted his lips slightly as if to respond. Leila perked up, watching his mouth, waiting for the answer.

“That’s because…”

The only thing she had heard from him was a demand—more like a threat—that she should continue pretending. With the chaos of the wedding and the first night, there hadn’t been a moment to ask why. Now, summoning her courage, she finally voiced the question.

But as his reply took longer than expected, Leila grew puzzled.

“I believe I said last night. Because you are my wife. Or are you hoping for another reason?”

“This is practically fraud. Even if my head were cut off for deceiving royalty, no one would be surprised. But you forgave me and chose to keep this going… I just don’t understand…”

“Indeed. Viscountess Delia concocted a clever excuse to pin it all on you. With luck, they could resolve everything by sacrificing just one life. However…”

Javier paused, heightening Leila’s tension.