Prologue.
You—so why?
Why? Why? Why? Why?!
The hand holding the document and my clenched jaw trembled violently.
“No….”
I couldn’t believe the name written right in front of me.
It couldn’t be. I must have seen it wrong…
Why is my lovely husband’s name Kailus Hadid? It should be Noah!
Last night, Noah personally cooked dinner and even made a cake for me. This morning, I woke up to his kiss.
And that wasn’t all.
When the weather turned cold, he worried endlessly that I might catch a cold.
On hot days, he would follow me around, fanning me himself.
Whenever I had nightmares—and I had them often—he would wake up before I did, hold me close, pat my back, and soothe me back to sleep.
That man… came to kill me?
Was all of that… just an act?
I couldn’t hold back anymore and tore the document into pieces.
I knew it wouldn’t change anything, but at least I could get it out of my sight.
With trembling hands, I ripped it again and again. The shredded pieces fluttered down to the floor like wings.
This made no sense.
My husband—
My man—
Is the very same Kailus Hadid that I scammed?!
Kailus Hadid was the richest man in the empire, the worst of villains, the mastermind behind everything.
I had never met him in person, but I’d heard his personality was so cruel that no one would even dare dream of betraying him.
From the start, I never intended to scam someone that dangerous.
I only swindled one of his subordinates who was running an errand!
I just needed money after quitting my job to avoid dying from overwork!
It just so happened that the good information I got was connected to Kailus Hadid, and since he was so rich, I thought I could borrow just a little…!
I even planned to pay some of it back once I became the richest person in the world someday!
I never thought he would issue a wanted notice.
I had used a fake name and never showed my face, and I left the capital as soon as I gathered the money.
Even after the wanted posters disappeared and everything seemed forgotten, I lived just fine.
I thought I had gotten away safely… but was I actually dancing happily in the palm of that villain’s hand the entire time?!
“Madam, the master has returned.”
Hic!
A hiccup escaped me from the shock. Noah was here.
“Ah—okay! I’ll be right out! Tell Noah I’ll come to him in a moment!”
“Yes, Madam.”
As the maid left, I hurriedly gathered the torn pieces of paper and threw them away.
“W-What do I do…?”
I’m dead.
How did he deceive me so perfectly?
Just how cruelly is he planning to kill me?
I should’ve at least gotten a good look at his face before running away back then.
“Hazel.”
While I nervously bit my nails, his honey-like voice came from behind.
Is he crazy? He’s already here?!
At the sound of him calling me, I quickly turned around and greeted him, forcing a bright smile onto my face.
“N-Noah, you’re here?”
Noah smiled and opened his arms wide. It was a dizzying smile.
“My wife was here, so I came. I’m sorry for returning late today.”
Like always, I walked into his arms and hugged him tightly.
If I didn’t, he’d surely ask if I was upset with him and hold me for at least three hours without letting go.
The moment I embraced him, I smelled Noah’s familiar scent—cool, soft, with a faint hint of flowers.
The fear and anxiety melting inside me began to fade away.
See? This is my husband. The only one in the world.
Something must be wrong. There’s no way.
“It’s okay. Were you tired today?”
“I was tired because I missed you.”
As he said that, light kisses began to fall endlessly over me.
I ended up laughing from the ticklish sensation.
Only after covering every inch of my face with kisses did Noah pull away, smiling in satisfaction.
Ah… right. There’s no way such a lovely man could be Kailus Hadid—
“Hazel.”
“Hm?”
“Are you cold? Why are you shaking like this?”
“Me?”
“Yes, you’re trembling. It’s summer—did you catch a cold?”
Noah lowered himself with a serious expression. Soon, his forehead touched mine.
“Noah?”
“You seemed distracted. You don’t have a fever, though.”
With that, Noah gave me a gentle smile.
It was definitely the smile I knew. The one I loved so much.
And yet, every time I tried to feel reassured, chills ran down my spine.
Noah bent down further to meet my eyes.
The eyes I always thought looked like jewels… why did they seem so vividly red today?
It felt as if cold water had been poured over me. My lips went stiff.
“Ah…”
“Hm? Were you really thinking about something else instead of me?”
For some reason, Noah’s voice dropped slightly.
I needed to get this man—who was clinging so tightly to me—off first.
Somehow managing to pull away, I said,
“N-No, not at all. I just missed you, Noah, and I was happy to see you, that’s all.”
At that, his arms tightened around me. A lingering kiss pressed against my temple.
“If I knew Hazel was waiting, I would’ve come earlier.”
“I-It’s fine since you’re here now. The bath should be ready, so go wash up!”
“Alright. Ah, there’s somewhere I want to go with you this weekend, Hazel.”
I flinched and instinctively stepped back.
My hands came up defensively without me realizing it.
“W-Where? Where are we going…?”
“It’s a place I really want to show you. Just the two of us.”
J-Just the two of us?
Where exactly is that?
He’s not planning to bury me alive somewhere, right?
Noah’s sweet voice kept sounding more and more dangerous.
My vision darkened.
Even his bright smile began to look like the grin of a grim reaper.
“This weekend…? Okay. W-Wow, I’m excited! Now hurry and go wash up!”
“Alright. I’ll be back soon, Hazel.”
After planting a few more kisses, Noah left.
The moment the door closed and I leaned against it, the blood drained from my body.
That affectionate man… is really that terrifying person?
Really…?
If he truly is Kailus Hadid… what should I do?
If all of this is a lie…
“……”
I should run away, right?
Ah… my sweet, peaceful life…!
