Your Highness, It’s Not Me, It’s Them!

I felt my heart trembling wildly within my ribcage but pretended not to notice, maintaining a composed expression. Then, I responded a bit brusquely.

However, the man didn’t reply. The snow piled high on his black hair melted and trickled down in streams, drenching his face.

…Damn it, why does he have to look so sexy with his face wet like that? Is he trying to break someone’s heart on purpose? Why is he like this?

He silently gazed down at me with a cold expression, radiating an icy aura. Then, without warning, he shifted his gaze and started glancing around.

He seemed to be organizing his thoughts, likely figuring out what he wanted to say. Couldn’t he prepare this beforehand? Why waste time standing here?

“…”

“…”

The longer the silence stretched, the more anxious I became. And it wasn’t just me. Even the maids near the door were nervously pacing, their worry evident.

The head maid and another maid whispered to each other in hushed tones, debating who should step in to defuse the situation, fearing their necks might be on the line. They seemed thoroughly frazzled.

Well, life is precious, isn’t it?

“What do you need to tell me?”

“…There’s something I didn’t get to say earlier, so I came back.”

My heart tensed, and my fingertips trembled. To steady myself, I gripped the book in my hands even tighter.

Just as a dull ache began to creep into the back of my neck, he finally spoke, still avoiding my gaze and fixating on the floor instead.

“I’ll be back in time for the meal, though it might be a little late. I came to tell you not to eat without me. Let’s see each other then, my lady.”

With that, he turned and walked out, leaving the door to shut firmly behind him.

…Did he really have to make such a big deal out of saying, “Let’s eat together”? Is that how everyone communicates here?

Wait—does this mean we’re eating together again? Is he planning to eat while making sure I can’t? Is he getting a kick out of this? Is he trying to train me with food or something?

“Oh, my head…”

What I needed most at that moment was a bamboo forest—a place where I could vent all my frustrations aloud.

If only I could crack open that man’s head to figure out what’s going on behind his emotionless mask. What schemes is he hiding?

“Are you all right, my lady?”

The head maid approached me quietly, her voice tinged with concern. I closed the book I had been reading and shook my head.

“Do you have any medicine? Something for headaches?”

“I’ll bring it right away.”

She hurried out and returned shortly, carrying a tray with a glass of water and a pill. The pill was round, black, and so large that it looked impossible to swallow in one go. It reminded me of traditional herbal medicine.

Next to it was a flat, candy-like piece, which made me tilt my head in confusion. The maid handed me the black pill and explained:

“This is medicine for headaches or indigestion. It’s quite bitter, so you must eat the candy afterward. Please chew this first.”

Of course, medicine is bitter. But isn’t it funny for an adult to need candy after taking medicine? How bitter could it possibly be?

Scoffing, I popped the black pill into my mouth and bit down. That’s when I understood why the candy was necessary.

‘So, there are pills bitter enough to make your skull explode. Cough, cough.’

Tears and snot streamed down my face as I chewed the unbearably bitter pill. I eventually had to gulp down water just to swallow it.

The maid quickly pushed the candy into my mouth, and the sweetness neutralized the sharp, burning bitterness lingering in my mouth. Finally, the stinging sensation subsided.

This was far worse than the white, hard tablets you get at the pharmacy. Surely this bitterness alone could cure headaches.

“It’s surprising, though. I didn’t expect His Grace to visit this building.”

I sniffled, wiped my face with a handkerchief, and blew my nose. Then, rolling the candy around in my mouth, I asked:

“Isn’t there an unspoken rule about staying in our respective buildings?”

“Well, technically, the entire duchy is under His Grace’s domain, so he can go anywhere he pleases.”

True, he is the owner here, so it makes sense.

“They told me not to set foot in the east building, yet he comes and goes freely… I mean, His Grace does as he pleases.”

“It’s just surprising because he’s never visited this place before.”

“I guess there’s always an exception. Exceptions are convenient.”

“How long do you plan to keep addressing him so formally?”

“Could you bring me more water?”

To avoid another lecture, I pointed at the empty glass and averted my gaze. The maid squinted at me but didn’t press further as she left the room. Taking advantage of her absence, I stood up.

“I’m going to wash up.”

My face was likely a mess, stained with tears and snot, so I headed to the bathroom where I had bathed earlier. A maid followed me and handed me a bowl of water.

‘Ah, refreshing.’

After washing my face, I felt a bit better but still slumped my shoulders.

I had hoped for some free time until dinner, but it seemed His Grace wouldn’t leave me alone. I was growing uneasy, wondering if he saw me as nothing more than a puppet to manipulate.

Should I skip the meal entirely? Feign a headache and claim I’m too unwell to eat?

“Ugh, my headache won’t go away. I don’t think I can manage lunch… Ow.”

I placed my delicate hand on my forehead and pretended to be a frail, sickly lady, attempting to act for the first time in my life.

Collapsing onto the sofa, I let my body go limp and moaned pitifully. Yet, the maid showed no reaction.

‘Shouldn’t she be panicking by now, asking if I need a doctor?’

The atmosphere felt odd, and I darted my eyes around cautiously. That’s when I noticed the maid giving me a look of sheer exasperation.

Unfortunately, our eyes met, and my face instantly burned with embarrassment.

“You truly are incapable of lying, my lady. I’ve never seen a noblewoman display such clumsy acting in all my life.”

“Ahem…”

It seems I’m just not cut out to be an actress. The maid’s heavy sigh made me want to crawl into the nearest hole and disappear.

“There’s one more thing I should tell you.”

“What is it?”

“His Grace gave an order from the moment you first arrived here. No matter what happens, you must attend meal times.”

“What if I just don’t go?”

“On your first day, my lady, you also refused to attend the meal.”

“Oh, and then?”

“His Grace declared that if we failed to bring you to the table, he would have us all executed.”

“…What the hell, hngh.”

I almost let out a curse but hastily clamped my hand over my mouth.

“His Grace is, at least, a man of considerable mercy.”

“Oh, sure, such ‘mercy’ must have frozen solid somewhere. How grim must the world be if that’s the standard?”

“If it had been anyone else, they would have executed me without a warning, my lady.”

“…”

I think I must’ve been reincarnated into the wrong life. How could I have been dropped into such a terrifying world?

“And His Grace has been very eager to see you, my lady.”

“For someone eager, he doesn’t even look me in the eye…”

“He could simply be shy.”

“What?! Shy… who?”

The idea made me scoff. That face, shy? Not in a million years.

Who could possibly look at that expressionless mask and think of shyness? If this were a drama, that would be an NG scene a hundred times over.

Despite my disbelief, the maid remained utterly serious.

“My guess is that His Grace wants to personally confirm that you’re doing well.”

“If he’s that curious, why doesn’t he just come check himself? Why do I have to be the one to go and prove I’m alive?”

“Sharing a meal is a simple way to assess someone’s health. That’s probably why he insists on dining with you.”

Seen in a positive light, that might make sense. But to me, it feels like he’s just tormenting me.

I can’t understand why he’s so insistent on forcing me into those awkward, chilly meals where conversation never happens. He doesn’t even look at me while we eat!

“…He must just want to see me choke.”

“Please, try not to think so negatively, my lady.”

“Do you think that’s as easy as it sounds?”

“He is your future husband, after all. Even if you don’t want to, just pretend to go along with it. It’s better for both of you.”

I slumped my shoulders and nodded faintly. The maid, still unconvinced, sighed softly before tidying up the table and leaving the room.

‘I need a plan.’

This barren castle feels so isolating, as if I have no one on my side. It’s depressing.

Am I really destined to end up as that man’s puppet?

As the seconds ticked away, the dreaded knock came, accompanied by a thunderous announcement.

“My lady, His Grace has returned.”

At last, the moment had arrived.

I clenched my fists, gritted my teeth, and rose from my seat with determination, striding toward the door.

This time, I wouldn’t let myself be pushed around. I wouldn’t let him snatch my plate mid-meal again like this morning!

They say a woman’s grudge can bring frost in the middle of summer. I’ve endured everything up until now with sheer stubbornness; I won’t crumble over something like this.

‘Let’s go, pretty boy. No titles, no mercy.’

Braving the freezing wind, I marched to the east wing without hesitation, sniffing a few times as my nose started to run.

I arrived at the entrance of the dining room where we had breakfast earlier, steeling myself once again. Beside me, the maid gave me a determined nod and pumped her fists in encouragement.

“Best of luck, my lady. Stay strong.”

“…I’ll try.”

Drawing strength from her support, I took a deep breath and opened the door.

Then, boldly, I threw open the second door and stepped inside.