Chapter 1
It was a bright, beautiful spring day.
The wind was gentle, the sunlight warm — the kind of day when life awakens everywhere, and green buds sprout on tree branches.
But despite the season, Seriniel was trembling like someone left to freeze alone in the snow.
“……”
Her gaze, which had been fixed on the ground for a long time, slowly lifted upward.
And there — reflected in her pale green eyes — sat a man on an ornate chair, encrusted with jewels.
He leaned lazily against the armrest, one leg crossed over the other. His posture alone radiated arrogance.
But Seriniel couldn’t blame him.
No matter how brave or noble someone might be, they would end up looking just like her if they stood before Rexion Rosenvester.
It was like being a tiny rabbit cornered in front of a wild beast.
That comparison wasn’t even an exaggeration.
Anyone who knew Rexion — noble or commoner — said the same thing:
“Even if you stabbed his heart with a sword, he wouldn’t die.”
“And even without a sword, he could kill a man just as easily.”
Just meeting his dark eyes was enough to make one’s life seem to fade away.
Seriniel’s hands trembled harder as she realized what she had just dared to say to a man like that.
But she had no choice.
Finally, after a long, heavy silence, Rexion spoke.
“So what you’re saying is…” He looked down at her, his tone cold and slow.
“…you want me to help you divorce your husband?”
“…Yes.” Her voice quivered.
“You do realize,” he said flatly, “that Velles will never allow it.”
Velles Berdellet — her uncle, the man who killed her parents and seized her family’s title.
“He and your husband, Calian Helkar, have… mutually profitable interests,” Rexion continued. “Especially now that Calian’s mining business has begun to grow.”
Seriniel said nothing. He was right.
“The mines mean big money. And when there’s money, there are taxes. But Velles is probably using his political connections to grant Calian tax exemptions — in return for a share of the profit.”
Every word was true.
Seriniel hadn’t known any of this before her death — but she did now.
Velles, holding such an advantage, would never allow her to divorce.
Neither would Calian.
Their final goal was simple: her death.
To take the mines she owned, and then kill her once she was no longer useful.
“You made a foolish mistake, Seriniel.”
“…”
“That mine was yours originally. If you hadn’t handed the rights over to Calian, none of this would’ve happened.”
Yes. Her biggest mistake had been trusting her husband.
And that mistake had led directly to her death.
“That’s why I came to you, Duke,” she said, clutching her trembling hands tightly.
“Because you can crush my uncle and husband’s resistance with ease.”
Rexion gave a short, cold laugh.
He clearly found her request absurd.
A random woman walking in, asking for help with a divorce — how ridiculous that must sound.
“But I promise you,” she said quickly, “it won’t be a deal that harms you, Duke.”
“Oh? And what’s in it for me?”
“Just like my uncle and husband have their own business relationship,” she replied, “you and I can form one of our own.”
“And what sort of relationship would that be?”
Seriniel took a deep breath, then said firmly,
“I’ll give you a share of the mine’s profits.”
Rexion tilted his head slightly. “That’s it?”
“Soon,” she continued, “the mine will start producing Magic Ore. You must know how valuable that is.”
Yes, she knew — because she remembered the future.
That mine, once overlooked, would become worth more than anyone could imagine.
“I’m sure that would benefit you, Duke.”
The Rosenvester family was one of the empire’s richest houses, but even they couldn’t ignore the profit from Magic Ore.
Seriniel thought this offer would be enough.
But Rexion’s answer shattered her expectations.
“That’s all?”
“…What?”
“I don’t care about that mine, Seriniel Berdellet.”
He stood up slowly, his tall frame casting a long shadow over her. Step by step, he approached.
Panicking, Seriniel backed away — until her back hit the cold wall behind her.
“Calian Helkar and Velles may be using each other for money,” he said, his tone sharp, “but you weren’t, were you?”
“…”
“You actually loved Calian.”
She didn’t answer.
Because it was true.
Seriniel Berdellet had loved her husband — blindly, foolishly, completely.
She hadn’t realized how stupid that was until it was too late.
Now, standing so close that she could feel his breath, Rexion stared down at her.
“Tell me, Seriniel. Why do you want this divorce so badly?”
Her eyes dimmed — filled with painful memories.
“Are you sure she’s dead? Check her pulse, Calian.”
“Why bother? The doctor will confirm it soon enough.”
Seriniel remembered every word.
She had heard them — the moment her breath stopped.
“Relax, Leraye. We’re finally free now. Just the three of us — you, me, and our child. Our real family.”
And then—
“Seriniel doesn’t know a thing. Especially that I’m the one who killed her parents.”
Her heart twisted. The voices replayed in her head — her uncle’s cruel laughter, her husband’s soft tone.
“Even if she finds out someday, it doesn’t matter. She’s useless. Once she’s served her purpose… she can die.”
Her fists clenched.
The betrayal burned like fire.
After a few moments, she opened her eyes again — and met Rexion’s gaze.
“I don’t love Calian Helkar anymore,” she said quietly. “And I never will again.”
Rexion’s brow twitched slightly.
“People’s hearts change, Duke Rosenvester. That’s all there is to it.”
“…”
“I’m not asking for forever. Just one year. Help me divorce him, reclaim my mine, and free myself from my uncle. After that… I’ll disappear.”
Please, she tried to say — but before she could, Rexion’s hand grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him.
“You really don’t understand how deals work, do you?”
“…What do you mean?”
“You shouldn’t have told me what you could offer. You should have asked what I wanted first.”
His voice turned low and dangerous, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“Here’s how this will go, Seriniel Berdellet.”
He paused, then spoke with icy clarity.
“I’ll give you everything you want — your divorce, your freedom, your uncle’s downfall. Even more, if I feel like it.”
She blinked, uncertain where he was going.
“And if people call me a scoundrel for seducing a married woman…”
His smirk deepened.
“…then so be it. I’ll enjoy the role.”
Her heart skipped a beat.
What kind of “price” was he talking about?
“In return,” he said softly, “you’ll give me what I want. Two things only.”
He reached out, brushing her trembling cheek with his hand.
“One — you must abandon that pathetic man completely.”
“…What?”
“And two — you’ll marry me. Not for a year, not for convenience — for life. Forever.”
Seriniel froze. Her eyes widened as if she hadn’t heard right.
Rexion leaned closer, his breath brushing her ear as he whispered,
“In other words, Seriniel Berdellet… it’s time to switch over to me.”
