TCDSS 02

Chapter 02

It felt like walking through a grand mansion in medieval Europe. It was beautiful and fascinating enough to look around, but she was too busy focusing on keeping up with the middle-aged woman she had first seen upon opening her eyes.

In the end, she was led back to her place by the man called the Duke.

And now, she was on her way to the actual wedding.

Dragging the hem of her white dress—simple yet elegant—she walked down a vast corridor lined with imposing pillars on both sides. Just walking this path alone made her feel the authority of the Ignote ducal family.

In front of what seemed to be the wedding hall, she saw a tall man.

Black hair like darkness, and vivid blue eyes.

Even in this dire situation, he was so handsome that it left her momentarily dazed. The ornate decorations of the building and the bright sunlight pouring down all faded in comparison to his presence.

At that moment, their eyes met.

Seeing the cold expression on his face, her body flinched.

Every time their gazes met, it felt as though he was peering deep inside her. It almost made her wonder if he knew the bride’s soul had been replaced.

Hesitantly, she stood beside him.

To make matters worse, the hall was far larger than it appeared from the outside, and it was filled with elegantly dressed guests.

They all smiled and appeared cheerful, but she could see it clearly—the guarded glint hidden beneath their expressions.

As she stiffened under the overwhelming atmosphere, a heavy voice fell from above.

“You shouldn’t look so stiff as the bride. Relax your face.”

That’s easy for you to say…

She hadn’t even properly experienced college life yet—she had only just started using her ID—and suddenly she was getting married!

Come to think of it… how old was he?

It was strange how such a thought crossed her mind even in this hopeless situation. Then again, despair had never been anything new to her.

“The contract is valid. So fulfill it properly.”

Right… he had said something like that earlier. A contract.

Marriage was supposed to be about two people meeting, falling in love, and finding happiness together. It seemed the original owner of this body hadn’t been destined for such a future either.

A strange mix of guilt and pity twisted inside her for “Sasha,” whose soul had been lost, leaving only the body behind.

Receiving someone else’s affection would have been uncomfortable… but if this was just a contractual marriage…

“On this blessed day, we begin the wedding ceremony of Duke Kyler Ignote and Lady Sasha Ivern.”

At the loud announcement from someone dressed in white, the murmuring guests fell silent.

As he stepped forward first, she had no choice but to follow a beat behind.

They walked down the long aisle and stopped beneath a large statue of a goddess. She quietly positioned herself beside him. While the officiant spoke about the goddess and other things she barely understood, she was startled by the sound of him clicking his tongue and instinctively turned to face the guests.

Their disapproving gazes, glittering beneath luxurious dresses and jewelry, were unmistakable.

The overwhelming presence of the groom and the dazzling surroundings gradually dulled her sharp anxiety, replacing it with resignation.

Right… what’s really different from my past life? Back then I had no one, and now… there’s just someone present.

Had she really thought this life might be a “gift”?

How foolish.

“Under the radiant wings of the benevolent Nelly, may eternal harmony bless the ancient House of Ignote.”

As the priest-like figure finished, the gathered guests echoed, “May harmony be with you,” bowing their heads.

Glancing sideways, she saw the duke’s firm jawline, rigid and imposing. It felt as though he stood above them all.

As expected of a ducal house—second only to royalty—its authority was beyond imagination.

After countless thoughts in such a short time, she left the banquet hall with a complicated expression.

After being led away by the man who had now become her husband, everything blurred as she followed someone’s back, trying to organize her overwhelmed thoughts.

One realization kept repeating in her mind:

I’ve been transported into another world. I’ve become Sasha Ivern… and tonight… I’ll spend my first night with Duke Ignote…!

After the wedding, she had braced herself for greeting the guests, but instead, the middle-aged woman appeared again like a guide.

After receiving a few words from the duke, the woman led the way, and soon they were walking back into the mansion.

Sasha was guided by the woman, who introduced herself as Rose, to change out of her wedding dress, eat, and bathe.

Everywhere she went was vast and luxurious—so much so that it felt unreal, like a place untouched by ordinary life.

“This will be your room for tonight, Lady Sasha.”

Standing before a door on the third floor, Rose turned to her.

Overwhelmed by the immense space, Sasha instinctively slowed her steps, half-considering retreating down the stairs—only to be caught immediately. Pressing her lips together, she followed.

“This is the Duke’s bedroom. You will stay with him tonight. Your own room will be shown to you tomorrow.”

Finally… his room.

As she hesitated at the entrance, Rose quietly walked away.

Even the head maid seemed as elegant as a noble.

The room, decorated in deep navy and gold, was spacious, refined, and calm—perfectly matching its owner.

Standing there, Sasha let out a quiet sigh.

As dusk settled in, her earlier tangled thoughts vanished the moment she stepped into the bedroom.

Because of one overwhelming problem now directly in front of her.

Her eyes fell on the white bed sheets bathed in the reddish glow of sunset.

And suddenly, only one thought filled her mind:

The wedding night.

Holding hands or hugging someone tightly was already unfamiliar to her… and now this?

Back when Rose mentioned it, she had only understood the word vaguely. But now, seeing the bed in front of her, she swallowed nervously.

“I… I don’t think I can do this yet…”

“That would be a problem.”

Gasp—

As she turned to flee, her vision was suddenly blocked.

A cold voice fell over her, making her shoulders tremble.

Slowly raising her head, she saw sculpted lips, a sharp nose—

And those cold blue eyes looking down at her.

Duke Kyler Ignote.

His overwhelming presence and emotionless gaze radiated chilling coldness.

He was handsome enough to cloud her thoughts—but even that thought froze under his oppressive aura.

“I told you this would happen. It was included in the contract. Running away would be troublesome. Were you trying to escape because of this earlier too?”

Ah… yes… if it were Sasha, maybe.

But unfortunately, I’m not her…

His gaze intimidated her into silence. As she bit her lip, he reached out, pulling it free from her teeth.

The unfamiliar sensation of someone touching her lips made her eyes widen.

“There’s no turning back now. I clearly explained we would share the night.”

His low voice lingered as his arm wrapped around her waist.

Before she realized it, she was sitting on the bed.

He moved without hesitation, efficient and precise—

And before she knew it, she was completely undressed.

And so, their wedding night began.

Knock, knock.

“Lady Sasha, are you awake?”

At the morning call, her long lashes fluttered before her eyes slowly opened.

As she turned slightly—

“Ah—!”

She froze.

A sharp pain shot up from her waist, making her head throb.

Yesterday, the master of this mansion—Kyler—had come.

He was extremely busy and rarely stayed at the estate. He returned only every few days, and even then, he often left again the next morning.

And on the nights he returned…

The room remained quiet as Sasha slowly sat up, easing her sore body.

“Rose. Just prepare some bathwater.”

“Yes. I will prepare the bath and your meal as well.”

Hearing Rose’s calm voice brought her some comfort as she got dressed.

It had been ten days since her first awakening—and her wedding.

This was the third time she had woken up in the duke’s room.

During those ten days, no one demanded anything from her, as if giving her time simply because she knew nothing.

“Rose, when did the duke leave?”

Speaking casually to her wasn’t easy. The elegant woman felt more like an aunt figure than a servant.

“He left at dawn after a light meal.”

She didn’t know what kept him so busy, but he truly seemed like it.

She didn’t dare ask.

Everything in this unfamiliar world required caution.

“Then call me if needed.”

After Rose gracefully withdrew, Sasha bathed, ate a simple breakfast, and began wandering around the mansion.

Recently, she had often visited the garden fountain, but today she entered his office for the first time.

It was vast—too large to take in at once—with tall windows, a large desk, and a meeting table.

Her gaze drifted to the stacks of documents before settling on a pile of envelopes.

“Letters…?”

There were over a dozen, all sealed.

But they didn’t seem like something he would receive.

Pearl-colored envelopes, some tied with ribbons…

Clearly sent by women.

“Love letters… probably not.”

Or maybe… they were.

A realization suddenly struck her.

“There’s no one else in this house who would receive these… so if they’re this decorative… they really are love letters…?”

He was practically godlike in appearance—but cold and blunt. He didn’t smile, barely spoke…

Even in bed—

Her face flushed as memories of last night resurfaced.

His movements, the sensations he had given her… they were still vivid.

In ten days, only three nights—but each one had left a deep imprint on her.

“He must be really popular…”

She couldn’t open them—they weren’t hers—but the implication was obvious.

“Should I live quietly… or actively secure my position here?”

In her past life, she would have fought for survival.

She had lived in a world where having nothing meant not surviving at all.

But here…

She had spent ten peaceful days only because she had married a powerful duke.

For survival, maintaining this relationship made sense.

But what if…

“What if this marriage is just a facade for something else?”

The fact that it was a contract held her back.

Should I open just one…?

Her gaze fixed intensely on the pearl-colored envelope at the top, as if she might burn a hole through it.