YSGD 1

Chapter 1

It was an extremely strange sensation.

Like being submerged in water and then suddenly yanked back up to the surface—
a sharp, tingling chill ran from the top of my head all the way down to my toes.

“Young Lady! Are you all right?”

“Oh my! The bride has—!”

“Shall we call a physician?”

Voices buzzed all around me, echoing from every direction.

After sound came touch.

A pair of large, solid hands wrapped tightly around my body.

And then—
the violent pounding of a heartbeat.

“Gasp!”

Naturally, I opened my eyes.

“Uh….”

As I jolted awake like someone snapping out of a dream, the first thing that filled my vision was a pair of blue-violet eyes.

Their irises shimmered with an almost bewitching hue, yet unmistakable irritation clouded them.

The face that had been so close slowly pulled away, and soon I could see the man’s full features.

This definitely wasn’t the time to be thinking about things like this, but still…

What the hell? He’s ridiculously handsome.

Despite his utterly cold expression, his looks alone made me want to linger nearby and stare.

Pitch-black hair—dark as ink, yet somehow glittering like the night sky.
A high, straight nose and a clean, sharp jawline.
His face looked as though it had been meticulously sculpted entirely from straight lines.

And the most striking feature of all was the very thing I had just locked eyes with—

“What kind of stunt is this?”

A voice as heavy and commanding as his appearance flowed out.

Like a low rumble echoing through a cavern, the deep bass reverberated through his broad frame.

His voice was pleasant to the ear—but his tone was razor sharp.

As he demanded what I thought I was doing, he pushed me away.

He was so strong that I staggered, and only then did I notice the pure white dress I was wearing, along with silk gloves.

…Is this a wedding hall?

Why on earth was I dressed like this?

Still unable to make sense of anything, I awkwardly scrambled to my feet, following the man as he rose.

The sights that entered my vision one after another made me feel as though I were drifting through a dream.

This was a small chapel.
Standing in front of us was an elderly man in priestly robes, staring at us in shock.

“Are you all right? May we… resume the ceremony?”

“Just continue already!”

Before I could even respond, a shrill, hysterical voice rang out from behind.

It belonged to a noblewoman dressed to the nines.

She wore a blazing red gown adorned with excessive jewelry, arms crossed as she tilted her chin irritably.

Despite her sharp tone and flamboyant attire, the elderly priest dared not say a word—clearly, she was someone of high status.

Beside her sat a middle-aged man with an icy expression.

He waved his hand dismissively, urging them to hurry along.

“…Hah.”

The young man standing beside me let out a deep sigh, frowning.

Now that he was standing, I could see just how large he was.

A powerful build and impressive height—
I had to crane my neck far back just to meet his gaze.

As I stole a glance at his face, a realization struck me.

This is definitely…

One of those romance-fantasy possession situations I’d only ever heard about!

“Ahem! Then we shall proceed with the wedding.”

I was completely disoriented, yet strangely, the situation didn’t feel entirely bad.

My greatest strength has always been my top-tier adaptability.

Let’s quietly check first… I can stand.

Both legs—fine. Limbs—intact. Okay.

My vision had been a bit dizzy earlier, but that was probably just the after-possession effect.

Five fingers on each hand. Toes—
I wiggled them. All good.

Though… am I a bit shorter than before?

While I was busily inspecting my new body, the priest continued speaking without pause.

“We now move to the declaration of holy matrimony. Under the grace of God, Grand Duke Xenos Celeste. Do you swear to take Lady René Blanche, daughter of the Marquis of Blanche, as your Grand Duchess, and to uphold love and fidelity?”

“…….”

Perhaps because of the priest’s slow, measured tone, most of his words went in one ear and out the other.

But a few key phrases stuck.

So that guy is a Grand Duke?

Well, with a face like that…
He must be the male lead of some romance fantasy novel, right?

Yet no matter how hard I searched my memory, the names Xenos Celeste and René Blanche rang no bells.

Then again, I could barely remember the names of people around me in real life, let alone fictional characters.

The biggest problem was obvious—

I seemed to have possessed someone, but I had absolutely no idea which novel this was.

So this is how my former life as a text addict comes back to bite me…

From web novels to academic papers, I’d read anything and everything.

Now all that information was mashed together into a useless mess.

Whatever. Forget it.

At least… I liked my husband’s face.

With looks like that, he had to be at least a second male lead—no, probably a main character.

Considering my personal ideal type—
first priority: face.
Second: face.
Third: height and physique—

his appearance was definitely appealing.

While I was seriously admiring his looks, the Grand Duke, who had hesitated for a long moment at the priest’s question, finally spoke in a heavy tone.

“I… swear.”

Wow. That didn’t sound like a vow at all.

Honestly, now that I thought about it, suddenly gaining a husband wasn’t exactly appealing to me either.

“Lady René Blanche. Do you swear to take His Grace Xenos Celeste as your husband, to fulfill the duties of a Grand Duchess, and to share a lifetime of sincerity and respect?”

Uh… well… we literally just met…

But really, what else could I possibly say in this situation?

“I swear…”

…There was no other option.

“I hereby declare, before God and all witnesses, that the two of you are now husband and wife. May this sacred and glorious union shine for eternity.”

As if discarding an annoyance, the priest rattled off the final words and hurried away.

At the same time, the Grand Duke finally spoke again.

“Today will likely be the first and last time you and I ever face each other.”

“……”

Wait. Seriously?

Did I just get married and immediately dumped into a separation?

Before I could respond—

“You knew this going in, didn’t you?”

“Well—”

“Don’t expect any husbandly duties or obligations from me. I won’t expect anything from you either.”

Hey, let me talk too!

Not that I had much to say—but who would feel good being told to shut up and disappear?

What’s with him? Doesn’t look like it, but he sure talks a lot.

Talkative men are a no for me.

And with a personality this bad?

“….”

My interest evaporated instantly.

“Since this is uncomfortable for both of us, just live quietly, as if you’re not even there. Don’t draw attention to yourself.”

Well… guess my husband luck is nonexistent.

I’d never relied on anyone else in my life anyway, so it didn’t bother me much.

The Grand Duke, who hadn’t even tried to hide his contempt, strode away with heavy footsteps.

The few remaining attendants followed like the receding tide, and soon the chapel was empty.

In truth, the only official guests had been that middle-aged noble couple.

And even then, the man quickly followed after the Grand Duke.

Were they on his side? Or mine?

The answer came quickly.

“…How vulgar.”

The malice was far thicker than anything the Grand Duke had shown.

The noblewoman, eyes sharp with cruelty, confirmed the chapel was empty before speaking coldly.

“It seems the Grand Duke and we are of the same mind. How delightful. So, as you always have, know your place and live as though dead—unseen, unheard.”

At that moment, a small maid approached silently and bowed politely.

“Greetings. I am Betty, a maid of the Grand Ducal household. I have been assigned as Your Grace’s personal attendant.”

“Please take good care of my daughter. She is ignorant of the ways of the world—little better than a fool. As her parent, my worries are endless.”

So, to summarize…

This flashy noblewoman was the bride’s mother?

My mother?

The Marchioness Blanche instantly changed her demeanor, unfolding her fan with practiced elegance.

Of course, she didn’t forget to glare at me with murderous intent from behind it.

The icy gaze shooting out from behind the fan sent chills crawling up my spine, and I shrank back without realizing it.

Honestly, I was just grateful the maid had arrived.

“I will do my best. Um, however…”

Suddenly, uncertainty crept into the maid’s previously emotionless, professional tone.