Chapter 02
As I walked through the hallway, I could feel the pitiful looks being thrown my way.
The servants of the Valdormer household.
To them, I was just an unwanted guest from an enemy family. A poor woman ignored by her husband.
Even in the past, when I had lived here for over five years, I had never once been treated as the lady of the house.
That made sense, though—Kallion, the master of the house, never once treated me like his wife.
Back then, their gazes used to pierce like needles. But now, they didn’t bother me at all.
It felt like being just another object in this mansion.
I walked up to one of those “objects” and asked casually:
“Which way is the study?”
I already knew where it was, of course. But going straight there would seem suspicious.
The maid looked startled but quickly answered:
“Ah… It’s at the end of this hallway.”
“Thank you.”
I replied indifferently and walked away slowly.
I could feel the servants staring at me in shock—perhaps surprised by how calm and dignified I looked.
In the past, I would have shrunk under those looks. Not realizing that doing so only made them disrespect me more.
Not anymore.
Leaving their stares behind, I walked with complete composure.
***
Meanwhile, Kallion sat in his office, reviewing documents. He paused and began thinking.
She said she was in the study… Reading a book?
Yuliana de Heister.
The second daughter of the enemy house, Heister.
This marriage was simply a political arrangement to bring peace between the Valdormer and Heister families.
And as if paying a penalty, the Heister family sent their most insignificant daughter.
In this world, sacred spirits dwell in light, darkness, fire, ice, and trees. Spirit families—like Pabelluf royalty and the Four Great Houses: Valdormer, Heister, Silverstel, and Marcellino—were chosen to control them.
But over time, all except Valdormer had lost their powers.
Kallion had inherited powerful dark spirit abilities, but the Heister family’s fire powers had nearly vanished.
Only the current head and eldest son of the Heister family had even a trace of that ability. The rest were ordinary people.
That’s why the proud Heister family lowered their heads and offered marriage first.
She was a sacrifice thrown out like a bone to tame a wild beast.
That was her.
Still, despite her status, she had openly shown affection toward him since they were young.
At first, it was just annoying.
What gave her the confidence to like me so much?
He began to see her feelings as pathetic.
Two people from enemy families—yet she wore her heart on her sleeve. He thought it was foolish.
But on their wedding day…
She seemed different.
No longer did she stare at him with blushing cheeks.
Her red eyes held no emotion at all.
He had never seen her like that before.
Even today, he had expected her to cry like a fragile girl.
But instead, she was strangely calm. That made him suspicious.
At that moment, Layla—his secretary who had been organizing documents—walked up.
“I’ve finished sorting the reports on the Highland and Schultz territories,” she said softly.
Kallion snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her.
“Thank you, Layla.”
“Would you like some tea?”
“Yes, please.”
Layla was from the Sorrento family, a vassal of Valdormer.
She was smart, kind, and most importantly—very perceptive.
She always picked up on his mood and offered helpful solutions.
Unlike someone who was obsessed with meaningless feelings.
Kallion took a sip of the tea she had made and smiled in satisfaction.
“Kallion… Your work is almost done. Shouldn’t you visit your wife?”
Kallion frowned at her question.
Layla, knowing him better than anyone, clearly felt sorry for the bride left alone.
If anyone else had asked, he would’ve shut them down. But since it was Layla, he calmly replied:
“I’d rather rest here for now.”
Layla looked visibly relieved.
Kallion, with his eyes closed, didn’t notice.
“I’ll close the curtains so you can rest.”
“Thanks.”
She gazed fondly at him as he rested.
***
The next night. And the night after that.
Kallion still didn’t visit their marital room.
I wasn’t surprised.
I spent my days peacefully, reading books in the garden.
A bit of peace felt nice for a change.
Eventually, both families would find out that we weren’t acting like real husband and wife.
When that happened, he would be the one to suggest spending a night together.
Just as I thought that, I heard footsteps.
Kallion came toward me, frowning.
He sat down across from me and asked coldly:
“What’s your plan?”
It was our first conversation since the wedding.
And that’s what he opened with?
“What do you mean?”
“It’s been a week since the wedding, and we haven’t even seen each other. That’s unlike you.”
He clearly didn’t believe I had changed.
I calmly turned a page in my book.
“Isn’t that what you wanted?”
My casual reply seemed to irritate him.
“Tell me what you’re scheming, Heister.”
Calling me by my last name now, huh?
I sighed and closed the book.
I hadn’t planned to bring it up yet, but since he was getting impatient…
“Kallion. Since this marriage will only be uncomfortable for both of us, I have a suggestion.”
His expression hardened.
“What is it?”
“Our families will soon realize we’re not acting like a real couple. For the sake of the alliance, they’ll expect us to at least pretend to fulfill our duties.”
His eyes changed slightly.
As if surprised that someone like me could say something so reasonable.
“So what are you suggesting?”
I met his gaze and smiled.
Then, I threw his own words back at him:
“Let’s sleep together once a month—on a set date.”
He blinked, stunned.
“What?”
Had he ever looked so dumbfounded before?
I confirmed it again:
“Outside of that one night, I won’t care what you do or where you go. Let’s not interfere in each other’s lives.”
His eyebrows furrowed.
He was clearly trying to figure out my real motive.
“How about the 15th of each month?”
That was the date I had conceived Denian in my previous life.
As if making dinner plans, I spoke smoothly.
Kallion’s frown deepened.
“A scheduled night? Don’t you have any pride?”
He thought I was using this as an excuse to get close to him.
But it didn’t matter.
“Think whatever you want.”
He sneered.
“Just don’t get the idea that I’ll fall for you from this.”
“I won’t.”
My calm response made him more suspicious.
He stared at the ground, thinking deeply.
But I hadn’t said anything wrong.
And he was too rational to ignore that.
Eventually, he spoke again:
“Fine. I accept your proposal.”
Then he added firmly:
“But only if we completely stay out of each other’s lives, as you said.”
I smiled softly.
“Of course.”
