Prologue 01

#01. Prologue

The ballroom was noisy.

The gathered nobles had forgotten their usual pride and were sneaking glances at the black-haired young man.

His black hair seemed to absorb all the light around him.
His red lips contrasted sharply against his pale skin.
With sharp eyes and a high nose,
he looked like a sculpture carved by the gods.

He was a breathtakingly beautiful man—but no one dared to approach him.

Maybe it was because of his glowing blood-red eyes,
or the cold, sharp aura he gave off.

Or maybe… it was because of his terrifying reputation.

‘Demon’ Pavel Volkov.

He was the eldest son of Duke Volkov.

In the past, people didn’t even call him by name. He was known only as “The Demon Heir.”

He was so foul-mouthed and violent that no one could last long by his side.

Back then, few believed he’d ever succeed the Duke.

But now, Pavel was clearly the Duke’s official heir.

Over the past few years, Pavel had proven his talent and earned the loyalty and respect of the vassals.

It was hard to believe that the same person was once dismissed as a savage and useless heir.

And just look at his strong build.

Anyone meeting him for the first time wouldn’t know he was once so sickly that people thought he’d die young.

Having completely left behind his pathetic past, he now stood at the center of power, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Isn’t this the first time Pavel Volkov has shown up at a social gathering?”

“As the heir to Duke Volkov, yes—it’s his first public appearance.”

“Well then! We can’t miss this chance to introduce ourselves!”

People whispered eagerly, itching with curiosity.

But even if they were dying to get close to him, no one could move so easily.

Pavel Volkov might have been young,
but he couldn’t be ignored.

He had title, power, and a bright future—and above all, a terrifying reputation.

They said the “Demon Heir” struck out without warning, no matter the time or place.

What if they tried to approach him and ended up getting hit?

The shame—and the injury—would be too much to bear.

That’s why everyone hesitated.

And then… something happened that made them even more afraid to approach.

CRASH!

“Ahh!”

A glass fell to the floor and shattered.
At the same time, Pavel Volkov grabbed a man by the collar and slammed him to the ground.

“Kyaaah!”

“Oh no!”

Once for the shocking strength—he threw a grown man with one arm.
And again for the fact that this happened not in a bar fight, but at a noble’s ball.

People gasped and stared, horrified.

“What happened?!”

As the crowd murmured in confusion, someone who had seen the whole thing explained:

“That man on the floor—Count Gracheu—he asked the Duke’s wife to dance.”

“So what?”

“He whispered something to her, and the Duke heard it… then grabbed him and threw him like that!”

“Huh?”

He just said something—and got thrown for it? What did he say?

People stared at the fallen Count Gracheu, soaked and messy from crashing into a drink table.
He groaned in pain and trembled on the floor.

People frowned at the pathetic sight.

No matter what rude thing he said, shouldn’t a noble challenge to a duel instead of just throwing him like that?

As murmurs grew louder—

“Stop it, Pavel.”

A beautiful woman grabbed Pavel Volkov’s arm.

People froze in fear.

What if the “Demon” turned on her too?

But to their surprise, the woman calmly continued.

“You’ve done enough.”

And shockingly…

“…”

Pavel Volkov lowered his arm without a word.

Gasps echoed around the room.

Who was this woman? No one had seen her before.

“Looks like even a demon listens to his wife.”

Someone whispered.

So this was the woman who had been “sold” to the demon because of her family’s debts.

The gossipers were thrilled.

“Oh dear! With such a violent husband, her marriage must be miserable.”

“She’s so pretty. If she hadn’t married early, she would’ve been very popular in society.”

Then it happened.

Pavel Volkov’s blood-red eyes glared at the gossipers.

His cold stare made them freeze and hiccup.

Hic! Hic!

It felt like their hearts would jump out of their throats.

His eyes were that terrifying.

They wanted to run, but their bodies wouldn’t move.

Once again, it was the Duke’s scary wife who saved them.

“Pavel. I’m tired.”

She spoke in a weary voice.

At once, the Duke responded.

“I’ll have the carriage prepared.”

“No. It’s too early to leave. Let’s go get some fresh air on the balcony.”

She gently pulled him away, and he followed.

As the doors closed and the red curtains fell, hiding the “Demon” Duke, everyone let out a huge sigh of relief.

***

On the Terrace

“Pavel.”

The Duke’s wife, Sasha, called her husband in a stern voice.

“We agreed—no causing trouble today. You can’t just throw someone like that.”

Normally, Sasha scolded gently, and Pavel would listen.
But this time, he had something to say.

“But he insulted you.”

Pavel replied gruffly, and Sasha frowned.

“Well, yes… but…”

She thought back to the man Pavel had tossed across the room.

That greasy-looking guy—Count Gracheu—had come up to Sasha and said all sorts of dirty things.

He hadn’t even noticed her husband standing nearby.
He’d talked about knowing how miserable her marriage must be and invited her to sneak away to have some fun!

If Pavel hadn’t stepped in first, Sasha would’ve slapped the man herself.

There was no way she could let someone like that go unpunished.

But Sasha quickly pushed that thought away.
Now wasn’t the time to be angry.

“But Pavel. We’re not living in that little side house anymore. We can’t act however we want like we used to.”

“…”

“We’ve moved to a bigger stage now. People trust us. We have to live up to that.”

Pavel frowned and glanced back toward the ballroom behind the curtains.

That bastard Count Gracheu… he should’ve crushed him more.

Even though Sasha had pulled him away, he still felt unsatisfied.

“Pavel.”

Seeing where her husband’s attention was, Sasha spoke more firmly.

“I liked the old days.”

Pavel replied in a low voice.

“When it was just you and me.”

He muttered with frustration.

“There’s nothing I like about now. Except you.”

He sighed deeply and buried his face in Sasha’s shoulder.

His warm breath tickled her neck, and Sasha flinched slightly.

She gently pushed his face away.

“…”

Pavel stared at her with a sulky expression—the same one he’d always made as a child when she pulled away.

Sasha smiled softly. He was still cute in moments like this.

“But we can’t stay like that forever. Time has passed, and everything’s changed.”

She continued.

“We need to start building relationships now. Make friends. Meet new people.”

Even though Pavel still frowned, he quietly listened.

Their eyes met in silence, and Sasha suddenly made up her mind.

It was finally time to say something she’d been thinking about for a long time.

Speaking gently again, she said:

“Pavel, if you ever start to like someone, don’t hesitate. Just confess and make her your lover.”

“…”

“And if things get serious, tell me. I’ll divorce you so you can marry her.”

Whew. She had finally said it.

Sasha smiled, relieved she’d gotten it all out.

She believed Pavel would understand her sincerity.

But—

“…What?”

Pavel slowly raised his head.

His face was cold.
Terrifyingly cold.

A face Sasha had never seen before.

When she looked at him in surprise, Pavel slowly wiped his face with one hand.

For a moment, he put on a calm expression again.
But the emotion burning in his eyes remained unchanged.

He tapped the balcony railing behind him.

Tap. Tap.

Then spoke.

“Lover.”

“…”

“Divorce.”

“…”

“Remarry?”

He repeated the words in a stiff, flat tone.

Each word felt strangely threatening.

Sasha, who had always treated him like a little brother, hesitated at his reaction.

Why is he acting like this?

Pavel was all grown up now. It was natural for him to care more about women his own age.

Even though it made her a little sad, she knew it was only right.

That’s why she had tried to quietly step aside without getting in the way.

She thought he’d be thankful.

‘Then why does he look so angry?’

Sasha was completely thrown off by his reaction.

As he looked at her, Pavel clenched his fists and barely held back his anger.

But the voice that came out between his teeth was low and dangerous, like a wounded beast.

“You said that just to make me go insane, didn’t you?”

Sasha’s eyes widened.

Pavel looked directly into her beautiful golden eyes and warned her:

“Don’t even think about running away.”

“Running away? Pavel—”

She reached out to grab his hand, but Pavel was faster.

His large hand—roughened from hard training, despite its elegant shape—caressed Sasha’s cheek, then brushed against her ear.

Sasha let out a soft gasp, and Pavel’s eyes flashed.

“Sasha, my wife.”

He leaned down and whispered as he gently touched her ear.

“You saved my life. So you’re responsible for it. Until the day I die.”

His deep, heavy voice made Sasha close her eyes.

Her eyelashes trembled.

She could no longer pretend not to understand the feelings in his words.

Just what had happened?

Things weren’t like this in the beginning.

Yes, even on the day of their wedding…