Chapter 1

A man and a woman dressed in formal ceremonial attire stood side by side inside an old chapel marked by the passage of time.

There were no beautifully arranged flowers decorating the hall, no smiling guests offering their congratulations, and no luxurious banquet waiting to follow the ceremony. The only person present was the priest who would both witness and officiate their marriage.

The chapel looked far too worn and shabby to truly be called a wedding venue, but Cotton felt so happy that she wondered if she might collapse from a heart attack at any moment.

Taking a deep breath, she glanced up at the man beside her.

Standing straight and dignified at her side was Rickton—the man who had once been her lover and would now become her husband.

Perhaps sensing the way Cotton nervously fidgeted with her hands, a pair of deep navy eyes—reminiscent of the dark ocean—turned toward her.

“What is it?”

Since they couldn’t speak while the officiant was continuing the ceremony, Rickton asked the question silently with the shape of his lips. Cotton, who had unconsciously been about to speak, moved her lips carefully instead.

“I’m just happy.”

Rickton watched the movement of her lips intently. His eyes curved gently, as if he found her adorable.

Then he took her hand and lightly stroked the back of it with his thumb.

Despite her excitement, Cotton had been stiff with nervousness at this wedding—her first. Yet that small touch alone melted away the tight tension that had gripped her.

Feeling the trembling fade, Cotton realized her heart could still beat even faster than this.

Her husband had sharp, striking features, and unlike his face suggested, his personality was rather rough. According to things she had heard from others, he had spent years on the battlefield.

Even so, Rickton showed her a side of himself that only she seemed to see—gentle and tender.

That alone made her heart race unbearably.

Cotton looked toward the large cross mounted on the wall behind the officiant.

Sunlight passed through the stained-glass window, scattering colorful rays that shimmered down upon them like a blessing.

She was overwhelmingly happy.

So happy that even the dust floating before her eyes looked like sparkling stardust.

So happy that this moment felt like a scene from a romantic poem recited by a wandering bard.

So happy that this marriage felt like a gift given by God.

Cotton sat motionless on the edge of the bed, quietly staring at the unmoving door.

Like a statue, she slowly turned her head and looked around the room.

The pitch-dark bedroom had gradually grown faintly bright as dawn light seeped through the windows.

The candles she had carefully arranged to create a romantic atmosphere had all melted down and gone out.

The tea she had prepared to drink together had grown cold; not a trace of steam remained.

Cotton lightly touched the perfectly neat blanket.

Coldness seeped into her palm.

For a room meant for their wedding night, it felt strangely lifeless and icy. She unconsciously rubbed her arms.

“He must be very busy,” she murmured quietly.

Then she waited again.

How much more time passed after that?

A knock finally sounded outside the door.

Cotton jolted to her feet.

Her previously shadowed face brightened instantly. Running to the door, she opened it with a wide smile, as if she had forgotten all disappointment.

“Rickton! Why are you only now—”

Her cheerful voice faded slowly, like a flower wilting.

Standing there was not Rickton, but a maid who bowed politely in greeting.

“Your Highness, what would you like to do about breakfast? Shall we bring it to your room?”

“…No. I’ll eat with my husband. He must be busy—please let me know when he returns to the residence.”

The maid’s expression turned awkward.

“Ah… His Majesty is already having breakfast.”

Already?

Had he returned only at dawn?

Cotton told the maid she would go as well. After changing clothes, she left the room.

Rickton sat in the dining hall, already eating his meal, dressed neatly as always.

Perhaps he hadn’t noticed her presence. Even when she entered, he didn’t raise his head.

Cotton sat across from him.

Seeing the face she had missed all night stirred emotions she had thought she had calmed.

“Were you very busy? I waited all night.”

She deliberately let a hint of disappointment slip into her voice.

Only then did Rickton glance at her, as though he had just realized she was there.

Cotton expected a gentle smile to follow, along with a soft apology in his low voice. Whenever he had something to apologize for, he always soothed her that way.

But the voice that came instead was cold.

“Why? What do you want?”

Cotton hesitated in confusion.

“…What? Well… it’s our wedding night.”

“Our wedding night?”

Rickton twisted his lips in open mockery, as if he had heard something ridiculous.

“You don’t seem to understand what a wedding night means. Weren’t you already deflowered? Rolling around with some lowborn trash… I suppose your manners have sunk to the gutter as well.”

Even though food still remained on his plate, he set down the fork and stood.

The icy sarcasm made Cotton’s heart drop.

Just yesterday he had whispered sweet words of love to her.

Why was he suddenly like this?

Panicked by his completely changed attitude and the incomprehensible words, she hurriedly grabbed his arm.

“What do you mean—”

But she couldn’t finish.

Rickton had turned his head.

His face was frighteningly stiff.

The gaze he cast down at her was so cold and displeased that she could no longer bring herself to hold onto him.

When Cotton’s fingers loosened, Rickton clicked his tongue.

He shrugged off his coat irritably and tossed it to a servant.

“It’s filthy. Wash it.”

Then he left the dining hall without another word.

Cotton stared blankly at the door that slammed shut.

It had happened just one day after their wedding.

Chapter 1

Cotton descended the staircase, heading somewhere with determined steps.

Behind her, the maids followed anxiously.

“Your Majesty the Empress, His Majesty is very busy today. He won’t be in his office.”

“That’s right. He hasn’t been on the throne very long. Please return to your room.”

They tried to block her path and persuade her to stop.

But when they finally reached a certain door, they sighed helplessly.

Knock knock.

Cotton knocked, but there was no response from inside.

She had expected this.

After experiencing it countless times over the past year, she simply turned the handle.

Today, she could not turn back.

Inside stood the back of the emperor’s aide, Aberden.

The voice she had heard through the crack of the door must have been his.

But he was not the person she came to see.

As she stepped further in, Rickton came into view behind him.

With his hair neatly combed back, he sat at his desk, focused on reviewing documents.

She had assumed he might be here, but actually seeing him made her feel strangely empty.

The many days she had turned away before reaching him flashed through her mind.

Had he really not been in the office on those days?

Or had he simply ignored her like today?

“Your Majesty.”

Cotton walked toward the desk and called him.

Rickton didn’t move.

“Your Majesty, could you spare me a little time?”

Still no response.

Even after calling again, he remained the same.

Aberden, who had greeted her earlier, began glancing nervously between them.

Finally, after several attempts, Rickton raised his head.

“There seems to be some budget waste in this section. Are proper audits being done? Tell them to bring the accounting ledgers immediately.”

“Ah—yes… understood.”

While Aberden hurriedly wrote down notes, Rickton continued discussing other matters.

Cotton listened quietly.

Since he wouldn’t look at her, she had no choice but to wait.

Once he finished his work, surely he would spare her a moment.

Holding onto that hope, she looked at the husband she hadn’t seen in so long.

The conversation went on for quite a while.

The longer it lasted, the more exhausted Aberden’s face became.

Cotton’s head slowly lowered like a sunflower drooping at sunset.

Even though she stood right before him, she felt invisible.

The courage she had gathered slowly burned away.

“Prepare everything I mentioned.”

After what felt like an eternity, Rickton finally set down the document he had been reading.

He stood and picked up his coat. It seemed he was about to leave.

Seeing the opportunity, Aberden quickly stepped aside and raised both palms politely toward Cotton, signaling her chance.

She gave him a small nod and walked toward Rickton.

If not now, she might not even see him again for a long time.

“Rick—”

She had only just begun to say his name.

A gust of air brushed past her.

Rickton walked right by her.

Cotton stood frozen.

She couldn’t even turn around.

Although she had endured this treatment for the entire year since their marriage, it was never something she could grow used to.

Watching the scene, Aberden hesitated before finally bowing and hurrying after the emperor.

After blinking slowly for a moment, Cotton turned as well.

She wanted to try stopping him at least once more.

But before she could step forward, an irritated voice drifted through the still-open door.

“…Didn’t I tell you to stop her? Why are you letting her barge all the way into my office? Make sure she stays quietly locked in her room.”

Cotton slowly stopped walking in the hallway.

The noise of their footsteps faded away.

Left alone in the silence, she quietly clasped her hands together.

It felt as though all the blood in her body had drained away.

She needed something—anything—to hold onto.