Chapter 02
The princess woke up but didn’t want to open her eyes, so she kept them shut, lying still in bed.
Knock knock.
A quiet sound came from the door, followed by a familiar voice.
“My lady, are you awake?”
It was Fay — the maid who had been kind to her ever since she came to the Grand Duke’s mansion. But today, the princess didn’t want to see anyone, not even Fay. She especially didn’t want anyone to see that her husband hadn’t even spent their wedding night in their bedroom.
Still, the bright sunlight seeping through the curtains made it clear that it was time to get up.
“Come in.”
Her voice was soft, but Fay heard her and came in, followed by a few other maids. The princess felt uncomfortable but tried not to show it as the maids quietly tidied up — picking up her discarded dress and putting away her jewelry. She could feel their curious glances on her, sharp as knives cutting into her.
“My lady, His Grace asked if you’d join him for breakfast. Shall I prepare it?”
The princess couldn’t answer right away.
Why was he calling her?
Was he feeling guilty for being with another woman last night?
Or was he trying to thank her for pretending not to notice?
“Tell His Grace that I’m thankful, but I won’t be eating breakfast. Don’t bring me anything.”
“But you barely ate anything yesterday, my lady. You’ll make yourself sick.”
“I’ll be fine. Just bring me some cold water.”
Fay hesitated, then poured her a glass of water. The princess took a sip, swallowing it slowly — it was only then that she started to feel awake.
She forced herself to face reality. After washing up and dressing simply, she sat in the drawing room with a cup of tea, thinking about her situation.
A half-blooded princess. A spoil of war from a defeated kingdom. The wife of the Grand Duke who destroyed her country. A Duchess in name only, lower even than his mistress.
Still, at least she wasn’t sold off as a slave. Maybe that was something to be grateful for.
As she was lost in bitter thoughts, someone entered the drawing room.
“Why didn’t you eat? Was the food not to your liking?”
“Your Grace. May the Goddess grant you peace.”
The princess’s formal tone didn’t match how a wife should speak to her husband, and she realized it the moment she said it. He stared at her, surprised, but didn’t reply.
“We’re husband and wife. Call me by my name.”
“…Why did you call for me, Your Grace?”
He didn’t answer. Maybe her cold tone made him angry. She finally lifted her eyes and looked at him — his fiery red eyes and expressionless face made her heart tremble. When their eyes met, she quickly looked down.
“Haa…”
His sigh made her flinch. Then he slowly walked closer.
“My wife.”
“…”
Hearing him call her my wife felt strange. When he stopped right in front of her, she forgot to breathe. His tall, imposing figure felt suffocating. She wanted to run away. Instinctively, she stepped back — but he stepped closer again.
“My wife.”
“…Yes.”
“Do you… dislike me?”
The unexpected question made her mind spin.
Why was he asking that?
What would happen if she said yes?
Would he throw her away?
“N-no…”
“Then… are you afraid of me?”
“…”
She wanted to say no, but the words wouldn’t come out. She just stared at him, reading his mood.
“You don’t have to be afraid. We’re husband and wife, aren’t we?”
His forced gentle tone made her lips twist bitterly. Husband and wife? They hadn’t even spent the wedding night together. The woman who did was probably the real “wife.” She was just a Duchess in name only.
Still, being a tribute bride wasn’t the worst fate — at least she had food and shelter. She had to hold onto this empty title, because losing it meant being sent back to her ruined homeland.
“You should rest. I heard your health isn’t good.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“For now, the steward is handling the Duchess’s duties. Once you’ve recovered, I’ll assign them to you.”
She almost laughed at that. He didn’t want her involved in any affairs of the household — he didn’t even trust her to manage domestic duties. She understood perfectly and just nodded.
After studying her face for a moment, he finally told her to rest and left. The princess watched his broad back as he walked away — and suddenly felt an emptiness so deep it hurt.
Why am I living like this?
***
Evening came.
Though she didn’t want to, she headed to the dining room. Her stomach had been growling all day — apparently her body had grown used to the luxury of regular meals.
> “Welcome, my lady.”
He stood up to greet her, pulling out the chair beside him — not across from him as usual. It was odd, but she said nothing and sat down. Her head was spinning. Why was he acting like this? Out of guilt? Or to thank her for being such a foolish, compliant Duchess?
> “You didn’t eat this morning, so I had dinner prepared a bit earlier.”
> “Thank you.”
Her voice was stiff. The Grand Duke called for the butler to bring in the food, and soon the table was full of beautifully plated dishes — many of them were royal foods from her homeland.
> “I thought you might miss the food from Wales, so I had them recreate what you used to enjoy.”
> “…I see.”
Her hands trembled as she picked up her fork. She didn’t want to eat, but she forced herself to.
Who told him I liked these dishes?
In truth, she hated them.
Because back in the palace, the crown prince had mocked her — saying a bastard like her didn’t deserve royal food. Then, as a cruel joke, he’d ordered the servants to tie her up and force-feed her until she almost choked.
Everyone at the palace knew what happened, but no one dared report it to the king. Since then, she hadn’t been able to eat these dishes again.
She forced herself to chew and swallow while nausea rose in her throat. The Grand Duke silently watched her, then began eating too.
Just then — knock knock.
“Your Grace.”
It was his lover, Helena.
“What is it?”
“Forgive me for interrupting your meal. Oh, the Duchess is here as well. Greetings, Your Grace.”
The moment Helena appeared, his voice turned cold. She bowed politely to the princess, who forced a smile and nodded in return.
“Excuse me.”
Helena leaned close to whisper something in his ear. The princess tried not to look. Jealous words hovered on the tip of her tongue, but she bit them back and kept eating.
After listening to Helena, the Grand Duke stood.
“I’m sorry, my lady. There’s an urgent matter with the knights. Please continue your meal.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m done anyway. I’ll return to my room.”
She couldn’t eat another bite. Her stomach was already turning. She just wanted to leave, to vomit everything out somewhere he couldn’t see.
Without looking back, she walked out quickly. She didn’t want to see him leave the dining room arm-in-arm with Helena. She could still feel his burning red eyes on her back, but she didn’t turn around.
Back in her room, she ran to the bathroom and threw up everything she’d eaten. Her whole body shook. When she finally came out, he was standing in the middle of her room.
“Was the food not to your liking?”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Then why—”
“It’s nothing. Please don’t worry about it.”
Her voice came out sharp and tired. She couldn’t take it anymore.
“How can I not worry? You’re my wife. You’re weak because you barely eat.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not that easy to kill.”
“…”
He clenched his fists, clearly frustrated.
“Why would you say something like that?”
“…”
“My lady.”
She didn’t want to hear his scolding tone anymore. She just wanted to sleep and forget everything.
“I want to rest, Your Grace.”
“My lady!”
“I’m sorry. I guess I’m just tired from everything.”
“Do you even realize you’re my wife now?”
The way he said it — like he was mocking her — made her quietly nod.
“Then why do you act so distant and afraid of me? I’m your husband.”
“I know.”
“Then why—”
“I understand the duties of a Duchess very well, so please don’t worry.”
She cut him off coldly. She knew exactly what those “duties” meant — bearing an heir, managing the household, tolerating his mistress. She knew it better than anyone.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“It doesn’t matter. This marriage was arranged, wasn’t it? There’s no need to act close just because of that.”
He froze at her words.
“I know this marriage is political. I won’t interfere in your household affairs, so you don’t need to worry.”
“…”
“You can keep seeing your lover too. I’ll attend the official events as your wife — that’s enough. As long as you keep up appearances, you can have as many mistresses as you want.”
She said it as if it didn’t bother her at all. The Grand Duke turned away abruptly and walked toward the door. Before leaving, he looked back and said quietly:
“Tomorrow, I’d like to hear you call me by my name… Elena.”
Elena Wales — the bastard princess of a fallen kingdom, offered as tribute to the Grand Duke of the Labyrinth Empire.
At that moment, she realized she hated her name.
It sounded too much like Helena — his lover’s name.
Whenever he called her, it would feel like he was calling the other woman.
And that’s how the princess came to hate her own name.
