What really set the social world ablaze was the belief that the two of us were getting married for love.
A sweet love match—almost unheard of among noble families.
“But I heard Argenttas and Allozés never got along.”
“Exactly. The three ducal houses were always like that.”
“Then how did this happen…?”
So it was only natural that our marriage became a scandal shaking the entire empire.
Like Romeo and Juliet, a marriage between two families that had been near enemies.
The reason we let people believe this was a love match was simple:
If we didn’t, we’d have to reveal the existence of the Pheros.
The three ducal families, who held unrivaled power through elemental abilities, had a fatal weakness—without a Phero, their heads of house couldn’t wield their powers properly.
So this marriage needed to look like a sweet romance born from a hostile relationship.
In other words, we had to look like a lovestruck couple who couldn’t live without each other.
“Do you think you can act that convincingly?”
In the original novel, Dielo Argenta failed miserably at this act and ended up the subject of much gossip.
It was written like this:
[This pure and gentle man, who couldn’t tell a single lie, could only follow Croa Allozé around helplessly as she did whatever she pleased.]
But today, that wouldn’t do.
I had no intention of being the target of rumors.
In the original, Croa gets scolded by Duke Allozé for not even being able to keep her husband in line.
“If not…”
Dielo Argenta responded with an awkward, faint smile—just as expected.
Then there was only one solution.
“Just promise me one thing.”
I stepped in close and whispered to him before entering the ballroom.
“I’ll take the lead. Just follow me.”
Don’t act awkward.
You can do that much, right?
The empire’s method of announcing an engagement is quite unique.
I carefully walked, making sure my white veil didn’t slip, while thinking about the tradition.
“Lady Croa Allozé of House Allozé enters!”
Through the open door, I could see nobles eagerly waiting to hear news of me and Dielo Argenta.
Though the veil obscured most of my vision, no one seemed surprised that Dielo and I didn’t enter together.
That’s just how it works in the Empire.
Whispers about our impending marriage had already been ‘accidentally leaked’ among the nobles—just as both houses had intended.
And once a ball like this was hosted jointly by the two houses, other nobles would join in, pretending they hadn’t known.
While staring at the bride hidden behind the white veil, they’d gossip under the pretense of guessing who the groom might be.
“A marriage between House Argenta and House Allozé… who would’ve imagined?”
“Indeed. Who knows how House Cartiel feels about this…”
Even though they were whispering, everything was clearly audible.
With two of the three ducal families now united, House Cartiel’s position had become uncertain.
So people’s gazes were divided between me, the veiled bride, and the members of House Cartiel.
“Cartiel of the Wind.”
That family was now at its peak, thanks to its duke, Siete—one of the strongest leaders in Cartiel’s history.
The stronger the head of house, the more powerful the knights blessed by Cartiel’s winds.
Apparently, the monsters hardly dared to approach the desert they guarded.
The Cartiel nobles were engaged in a serious discussion among themselves.
The man who appeared to be in his thirties was likely Duke Siete himself.
True to a wind-wielding house, he had once been a wanderer, and now had deep connections not only with the empire’s upper circles but also with commoners.
Still, compared to House Argenta—who had planted people all over the empire over generations—his information network likely paled in comparison.
“Oh my, the bride is already here.”
As I watched Cartiel, I spotted some noblewomen playing their parts awkwardly.
A few from lower houses, who had no prior information, genuinely seemed surprised there was even a bride present.
“I wonder which gentleman will lift that veil…”
Only the man destined to be her husband may lift the bride’s veil.
And since the groom never enters with the bride, she must walk the ballroom alone—
Taunting all the marriageable noble sons.
Who will win the hand of the precious daughter of House Allozé?
“Lord Dielo Argenta of House Argenta enters!”
A loud voice rang out.
‘Then, I’ll leave it to you.’
I recalled what I said to Dielo before we parted.
‘I’ll lead, so just follow.’
‘That’s alright, isn’t it?’
The raven-haired young duke, who had blushed at my words, now stepped into the ballroom.
“My goodness.”
“He’s grown into such a fine man.”
“Oh wow…”
His white uniform was adorned with deep blue decorations—symbolizing the endless sea House Argenta protected.
The trim complimented his pale blue eyes.
With that neat black hair and piercing gaze, Dielo walked straight toward me.
It was time.
I smiled under my veil.
Most grooms with a flair for drama would pretend to look for the bride before approaching her—teasing her.
But not Dielo Argenta.
—Tap, tap.
He walked directly to me and stopped.
“…”
The nobles who had made way for him were now gathered around us, holding their breath.
“Croa.”
His voice trembled slightly—likely because of his nerves—but that only added to the illusion.
He looked just like a shy groom in love.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
When I looked up, his fingers gently brushed the edge of my veil.
His hands weren’t weak like the novel had claimed—they were strong, firm.
—Rustle.
As I nodded, his hand lifted the veil.
He lowered himself into the space within the veil that had covered me to my neck.
“…”
“…”
In the dimmed light beneath the veil, I saw myself reflected in his pale blue eyes.
Even though it was all an act, my heart raced.
After all, only the two of us knew the truth about this wedding.
We were co-conspirators now.
“Please, become my wife, Croa Allozé.”
His low voice resonated through the quiet hall.
He moved closer, gently touching his lips to the tip of my nose.
—Smooch.
A soft sound echoed.
“Dielo,” I whispered.
At my call, Dielo leaned in and kissed me.
A brief touch—barely brushing my upper lip before pulling away.
That was the kiss that had earned him ridicule in the original story.
He had seemed reluctant, hesitant to claim the bride.
But he had his reasons.
[It wouldn’t be right to steal Lady Croa’s first kiss when she doesn’t even love me…]
He had said.
But this time, that wouldn’t do.
I placed my hand on his shoulder as he began to pull back.
“…!”
Startled, he looked at me.
“I don’t mind.”
A whisper so soft it could only echo beneath the veil.
His lips parted slightly.
“You said you’d follow my lead.”
I rose onto my toes and closed the distance between us.
“So, go deeper.”
I wrapped one arm around his waist.
This time, I was the one who gently bit his upper lip, stealing his breath.
He opened his eyes wide in shock.
It was a kiss hot enough to heat the air beneath the veil.
“Oh my!”
Cheers erupted.
From the outside, unable to see within the veil, everyone surely thought we were the sweetest couple.
But that wasn’t enough.
I whispered again, just inches from his lips.
“Bolder.”
His hands still hadn’t wrapped around my back.
So I rubbed his back with the hand I had placed around him.
“!”
Naturally, we drew even closer.
Finally, his arms moved to embrace me.
“Love me like you mean it.”
We were supposed to be madly in love, remember?
So act like it. Hurry.
That was the last thing I whispered before I saw his blue eyes glint strangely under the light.
What was he thinking?
I had barely formed the thought when he suddenly pulled me into him.
“!”
His strong arms wrapped tightly around my waist and back.
Before I could even breathe in, he dove in, stealing all my breath.
The kiss was so deep, my legs nearly gave out.
“…!”
My mind went blank.
After several long seconds—or was it minutes?—he finally pulled back slightly.
“Like this?”
Another whisper, just for us beneath the veil.
His pale blue eyes trembled with something like guilt.
I steadied my breath.
“Don’t think of it as stealing my first kiss. I want this.”
His eyes widened slightly.
Of course, I had basically read his thoughts.
I pulled him in again—deeper this time.
We had many to fool tonight.
Before I could say another word, his strong hand cupped the back of my head.
“Ah…!”
I almost forgot this was a contract marriage.
His touch was so hot, so intense, even through layers of fabric.
“So beautiful!”
Applause and cheers erupted around us.
[Dielo Argenta and Croa Allozé fall into passionate love, overcoming their families’ deep-rooted hatred.]
It was the beginning of the scandal that would shake the empire.
