The moment I said I’d marry him, Edmond’s face instantly lit up.

He looked like he was about to shout in joy and sweep me into a hug as he walked over with open arms.

I quickly raised my hand to stop him and shook my head.

“But—I have conditions.”

I stepped closer to Edmond and lowered my voice.

“First, for one year, we’re only engaged—not married.”

“Hmm, one year’s too long.”

Edmond narrowed his eyes, giving me the same look a wolf gives its prey. I forced myself to stay calm.

“If you don’t like it, then never mind—”

“No, wait—on second thought, I think I could wait ten years if I had to.”

He switched gears faster than light.

I nodded at his quick agreement and moved on to the next condition.

“Second,” I said, looking up into his piercing blue eyes, my voice flat and firm,
“You must never betray me.”

His eyes widened just a little.

“You understand what I mean, right?”

He answered me with a smile—one I’d never seen from him before.

“Of course, Irene.”

When I saw that smile, I finally let myself relax just a little.

I felt like I had won something in this gamble.

…Back then, I didn’t know.

That this very promise would one day trap me.

Everything moved fast after we made the deal.

Edmond didn’t give me a moment to change my mind. He immediately took me out of the inn and put me into the Wolfgang family’s carriage.

Before sunset, I was standing at the gates of the Wolfgang estate.

Even though I had accepted his offer after thinking it through logically, I started getting nervous once I arrived.

‘There’s no way they’ll accept me easily.’

His mother, his little sister, and the mansion staff would probably all look down on me.

‘I have to stay sharp.’

But the moment I entered the mansion, I knew something was off.

As soon as the doors opened, rows of servants bowed to greet me. Some of them even smiled and offered me towels and fresh clothes.

“Yes, a bath and a change of clothes first. Then we’ll show you around the estate.”

“No, sir, it’s nearly dinner time. Wouldn’t Miss Irene be hungry by now? I suggest we prepare dinner first, then show her around.”

The man who looked like the head butler adjusted his glasses and listed about twenty reasons why I should eat first.

Edmond nodded with a serious face as if he were truly considering every point.

“James is right. Okay, Irene, take a bath, change, and then let’s eat together. After dinner, we’ll go greet my mother. See you in a bit!”

And just like that, I was whisked away by maids who didn’t even let me process what was happening.

Edmond waved at me cheerfully as I disappeared down the hallway.

‘Wait… what?’

From that point on, everything felt like a whirlwind.

And I… did absolutely nothing.

Whenever I stood still, Wolfgang’s staff would come over with warm smiles and take care of everything with polite, precise movements.

At Venomaine, I was always treated like an outsider, so I had learned to do everything myself.

That’s why this kind of treatment felt so strange.

Especially coming from Wolfgang, Venomaine’s biggest rival.

Even weirder, the staff didn’t seem surprised by me at all.

They treated me like I’d always belonged here. No suspicion, no questions.

Eventually, while a brown-haired maid was helping me change clothes—even after I said I could do it myself—I decided to ask.

“Um, do you… know my name?”

“Yes, you’re Miss Irene.”

“No, I mean… besides the name…”

She looked at me innocently, confused by the question.

“Actually… I came from Venomaine.”

I slipped the fact in gently, just to see how she’d react.

‘There’s no way Wolfgang treats a former Venomaine this kindly.’

I expected at least a moment of silence.

But nope.

“Yes, I know!”

She answered with a cheerful smile, like it was no big deal.

Totally thrown off by her response, I blurted out:

“Wait, but then… why are you all treating me so well? This is Wolfgang, and I’m—”

The maid blinked with wide green eyes, a little surprised, but she smiled warmly.

“Well, because you’re going to be our mistress now.”

“…What?”

“You came here with the young master today, right? That means you’re his future wife. So, of course, you’re our mistress.”

Only then did I realize what Edmond had done.

He must’ve run around announcing his proposal plans to everyone in the house.

“Wait, but… how do you all know my name?”

She laughed softly again.

“Oh, the young master talks about you all the time. I don’t think there’s anyone in this mansion who doesn’t know your name by now.”

“…”

…Was this really the same Edmond I knew?

‘Did he really like me all this time?’

Everything pointed to yes… but it still felt like a perfectly staged play.

After changing clothes, Edmond and I sat down to dinner—and it was the most luxurious meal I had ever seen.

“Eat a lot, Irene.”

He didn’t take his eyes off me the whole time.
It was honestly overwhelming.

After dinner, he gently grabbed my wrist, eyes sparkling.

“Let’s go meet my mother and sister. They just got back.”

That’s when I knew the real test had come.

Edmond might be fine with me, but the other Wolfgangs? Probably not.

I braced myself as I was led into a room where a lady with elegantly styled brown hair and sharp eyes waited, along with a girl who had the same brilliant blue eyes as Edmond.

His mother was strikingly beautiful, but her tightly closed lips and piercing gaze made her seem impossible to approach.

Strict, no doubt.

The girl—Edmond’s younger sister—stared at me without a hint of a smile.

I froze up instantly.

‘Stay calm. Act confident. That’ll earn their respect.’

“Irene, this is my mother. And this is my sister, Reina.”

Unlike me, Edmond smiled brightly as he introduced us.

I walked forward and tried my best to smile.

“I’m Irene. It’s nice to meet you, Duchess, Lady Reina.”

I didn’t mention the name “Venomaine.” That part of me was gone. And here, that name was probably forbidden.

I bowed, my heart pounding.
No one responded.

I didn’t dare lift my head. I was sure I’d see cold stares.

The silence was suffocating.

‘It’s fine. It makes sense that they’re shocked. I just showed up, and I’m from Venomaine…’

‘Of course they wouldn’t like me. But if I can just show them my ability—’

Right then, a gentle voice broke the silence.

“Dear, you can lift your head now.”

Dear?

Startled, I raised my head, and the kind voice came again.

“Oh, do you feel awkward being called that already? Would you prefer I use your name?”

Her sharp eyes had softened. I stumbled over my words.

“Y-you can call me whatever you like…”

“How sweet. Thank you.”

She smiled gently.

“I’m Rosette, Edmond’s mother.”

It was the first time I realized that someone with such sharp features could smile so warmly.

“Please treat this place as your home. If you need anything, let me or Edmond know, dear.”

There it was again—dear.

‘This feels like I’m already married.’

I almost replied with, “Thank you, Duchess,” but changed it at the last second.

“Yes, thank you… Mother.”

“Oh my, thank you, dear.”

Her smile deepened, and she repeated that word again—dear.

“I’d love to chat more, but it’s getting late. Let’s talk tomorrow. Reina, show your new sister-in-law to her room.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Reina stood up and, surprisingly, walked over with a bright smile.

“I’m Reina. Just call me Reina, sis.”

Before I realized it, she had already taken my hand in hers and led me off—smiling like sunshine.

Sister-in-law?
But I’m not married yet…

“Come on, I’ll show you your room right away.”

She beamed as she led me down the hall.

Despite looking so much like Edmond, Reina had a completely different vibe—bright and cheerful.

Edmond had a colder, heavier aura. Reina was warm and easy to talk to.

We quickly became friendly, and before I knew it, I was chatting with her in a room so fancy I felt like I didn’t belong.

After she left, the clock struck around 11 p.m. when someone knocked.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me. Edmond.”

“Come in.”

Of course. He left earlier while Reina showed me around—he must be back now to keep the second promise.

The promise to never betray me.

I didn’t think much of it when I told him to come in.

That was my mistake.

Because Edmond stepped in… looking completely different from earlier.

No buttoned-up shirt.
Just a bathrobe.
Bare chest. Wet hair. Skin still damp from a shower.

“Ahem.”

I quickly turned my gaze away, coughing awkwardly.

‘Did he do that on purpose?’

Trying to distract myself, I avoided eye contact.

He walked straight toward me, where I sat on the bed.

“I came to keep my promise.”

“…Right.”

Fast, wasn’t he?

I had to admit—he was serious.

“Can I come up?”

“Yeah.”

He climbed onto the bed, now face-to-face with me, leaning closer.

A fresh soap scent washed over me.

The closer he got, the more I tensed up.

“Can I touch your shoulders?”

I nodded.

He gently held both my shoulders, leaning in, his eyes soft and hazy.

The scent and his intense gaze made my heart pound uncontrollably.

I’d never reacted to him like this before.

“Irene, I’ll ask one more time. I can remove it later with magic, but… are you really okay with bonding?”

“Even if you can’t remove it later, I don’t care.”
Edmond replied calmly.

“What about you? Are you okay?”

“…Yes. I’m okay.”

“Then…”

Suddenly, Edmond’s eyes turned sharp—like a predator.

He held my shoulders tighter and whispered low:

“Then… excuse me.”

His breath warmed my face.

And then… his lips touched mine.

Ah…

Our breathing started to mix, slowly becoming one.