Chapter 1. I Think My Husband and I Are Becoming Strangers
“Madam!”
I was scribbling something in my notebook when I looked up at the sound of my maid Anna’s voice.
It’s here. The moment has come.
“It’s time for your meal. Please come down to the dining room.”
Ugh… time for another battle.
“Alright. Is my husband coming to the meal too?”
I asked just in case. Anna glanced at me carefully and then nodded.
I couldn’t hide the grimace on my face as I slowly got up and crossed the room.
“Phew. Alright. I can do this.”
Taking that first step required determination.
I stepped outside, frowning like I was being dragged to the slaughterhouse.
The Duke’s mansion was still as beautiful as the first time I saw it — grand, cozy, and spacious like a well-decorated palace.
The Vetra Palace was a source of pride for the people of this land.
They thought it reflected how important their master was.
I personally didn’t agree with that “great master” part.
Outside the window, gardeners moved leisurely around the garden, and the summer fountain sparkled under the sun.
I watched in silence, then muttered to myself.
“Everyone looks so peaceful… except me.”
“…Madam.”
Once I said it out loud, my heart wavered even more.
It’s been a little over a month since I became the Duchess of Vetra.
But this place still feels unfamiliar.
Because it feels like my husband hates me.
I walked slowly toward the dining room, but then I noticed something — another pair of footsteps overlapping with mine.
Someone was coming from the opposite hallway corner.
That confident stride… it had to be my husband.
The master of the mansion, the Duke of Vetra — Ezequiel Vetra.
I paused briefly, then steeled myself and kept walking.
We’d see each other at the table anyway. No need to avoid him.
‘Madam,’
Anna seemed to notice too and gave me a subtle look.
As I silently exchanged glances with her, my thoughts spun fast.
Should I just greet him since we’re running into each other?
Even if I’m only a one-year contract wife, it’s better to get along while we’re together, right?
So I deliberately made my footsteps louder.
Just a few more steps until we met—
Clatter!
There was a loud noise from the other side.
Footsteps stumbled as if someone had panicked — like they’d seen a tiger.
Clatter-clatter-clatter.
His footsteps quickly grew distant.
Anna and I stared at each other in disbelief.
“Did that just happen?”
“Probably…”
I quickly turned the corner to check.
All I caught was the flutter of my husband’s coat disappearing around the far end of the hall.
It was now certain.
My husband ran away.
Because he noticed I was coming.
“He really just left without even showing his face? Isn’t that too much?”
“Like the wind… he vanished.”
Even as Anna spoke, I could only mutter in shock.
Dear heavens. What kind of man runs away from his own wife?
Fine, let’s say someone like that exists — But why does it have to be my husband?
* * *
Still, he couldn’t avoid me forever. Obviously — we were supposed to eat together.
When I saw Ezequiel’s awkward expression at the dining table, another small stone of resentment settled in my heart.
“If we were going to meet here anyway, why did you run away?”
I teased as I sat across from him.
He calmly replied,
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d notice. I should’ve been more careful.”
What a shameless man.
He probably ran off on instinct, even though he knew exactly what he was doing.
“Ezequiel. Don’t just avoid my gaze. Look at me.”
Only then did he raise his head — after staring at the tablecloth like he wanted to burn a hole in it.
His blue eyes looked like cold shards of ice. His jet-black hair and snow-white skin made a striking contrast, giving him a refined elegance.
He looked like the very personification of winter.
One look at his face could melt your anger, even for a second—he was that handsome.
And yet… if I could go back in time, I would run to my past self and slap her back.
“Don’t sign a contract marriage with this man!”
Feeling frustrated, I frowned. My husband noticed and slightly lowered his head.
“The food is getting cold, my lady.”
His tone was stiff and formal.
A sweet “marriage first, love later” story? That was just wishful thinking.
‘It’s a loveless marriage, so I guess keeping distance is expected…’
Then why do I feel so down?
Maybe it’s because the past me actually believed I could win over the male lead. How foolish.
“You don’t even like talking to me, but now you’re acting all caring?”
“Aren’t you the one who doesn’t like talking to me?”
“Then let’s just focus on the food, since we’re both the same.”
“If that’s what you want, gladly.”
My blood was boiling—not from butterflies, but from irritation.
As I bit into my steak, I couldn’t help but think:
Ezequiel is the true male lead.
He’ll meet the original saintess heroine—the sunshine girl—a year from now.
That’s why he doesn’t even see me.
‘Thinking I could twist the original story… That was just a fantasy.’
If this was how things were going to be, why did the heavens bother giving me hope by making me remember my past life?
My husband just silently watched me sigh in defeat.
His dark eyebrows twitched slightly.
Servants entered the room, carrying more dishes to fill the awkward silence between us.
As I looked at him—still showing no interest in me—I decided to be blunt.
“Ezequiel. Is it because this is just a one-year contract marriage that you won’t let yourself get close to me?”
He choked on his tea. Ugh.
His blue eyes trembled slightly, like I’d hit the mark.
But he quickly collected himself and calmly replied,
“Please don’t say that. I don’t hate you. I do want to grow closer to you.
During this one-year marriage, I intend to fulfill my duties as your husband.”
I swallowed the words that rose to my throat.
No. I was going to say it anyway.
“But your actions say otherwise. Then why are you avoiding me?”
“That’s…”
His pupils shook again.
He raised his teacup to his lips and trailed off.
In the end, he never gave me a real answer.
Not wanting to start eating separately from tomorrow, I decided to pretend it didn’t matter.
“Anyway, I’ll do my duty as your wife too.
All I have to do is manage the duchy, right?
So please stop avoiding me. It doesn’t feel good.”
“I didn’t know. I’ll keep that in mind,”
Ezequiel answered seriously.
After that, the rest of the meal was filled with awkward silence.
As soon as I finished eating, I quickly stood up.
“I’ll head back now. You can finish your meal in peace.”
“There’s still dessert.”
“What if you get indigestion from looking at me too long?
I’ll just take it to my room.”
Then he gave a crooked smile.
Before he could say anything else, I rushed out of the dining room.
I glanced back to see Anna following me with a tray of pudding and bit my lip.
‘Is this really what a contract marriage should be like?’
Back in my room, I kicked off my shoes, slumped on the sofa, and started eating the pudding.
Ten months left until the marriage ends.
How was I supposed to live with a husband who clearly didn’t like me?
Suddenly, something I overheard at a noble ball long ago came to mind.
“Noble marriages are like that.
The husband and wife each have lovers, and their only job is to produce an heir!
So if things don’t work out with your husband, just find a lover.”
Even if that’s how the world works…
Shouldn’t the male lead at least be polite to his own wife?
Even if I’m not the original heroine, and just a temporary stand-in.
Even setting his personality aside, isn’t basic courtesy the least he could show to someone he’s living with for a whole year?
“It’s not like I did anything wrong…”
I clenched my lips to hold back the rising tears, then my eyes fell on the photo sitting beside the bed.
It was the picture we took to commemorate our contract marriage.
“Sigh… Things seemed okay back then.”
In the photo, both Ezequiel and I were smiling brightly.
Staring blankly at it, my thoughts slowly drifted back… to a moment from the past.
