“I truly apologize. I cannot marry you. Please, I beg you, let’s call off the engagement.”
One day, just before the wedding, my fiancé visited my estate with a determined expression. His words made me clench my fists in shock. I had heard rumors that he and my sister were planning to elope, but I never imagined it would come to this. Trembling silently, I could barely speak when my sister, her eyes welling up with tears, addressed me.
“Sister, I’m so, so sorry. But I can’t lie to myself anymore. I can’t stand in front of God and celebrate your marriage.”
Unbothered by the confusion around them, my fiancé and sister held hands and gazed into each other’s eyes. It was unbearable to watch, so I covered my face. Struggling to maintain my composure, I made them an offer.
“A forbidden love with true feelings—how romantic. Of course, I’ll support you both. I’m sure the two of you can overcome any difficulties that lie ahead.”
I forced out the words, suppressing the scream that threatened to burst from my throat. My sister grabbed my hand, offering a distorted smile.
“Sister, does this mean you're agreeing to switch your fiancé for mine?”
“Oh, that reminds me—Father was summoned to the royal castle the other day. I suppose it was to discuss your engagement. Very well, I’ll gladly accept.”
Maybe that engagement was the trigger for their reckless actions. The man had a terrible reputation for his drinking, gambling, debts, and womanizing. I could guess the types he associated with, but since the king himself arranged this engagement…
“Thank you, Sister. Your fiancé is a hero who saved the country, you know. I wonder what sort of monstrous face lies behind the mask he always wears?”
Her words made my mind go blank, and I collapsed onto the floor. I was going to marry the hero who saved the country from the Black Witch—how could I be anything but ec-sta-tic?
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
“Oh, Sister, it’s too late now. I won’t hear any excuses about not wanting to switch your fiancé for the cursed duke!”
“No, no, no, no, no! This is a lie! It’s impossible—I might just die!”
“Don’t worry. Father said it’s fine as long as you serve as a decorative wife. Even you, my absent-minded sister, can manage that simple job.”
My screams echoed through the quiet estate. I couldn’t stop, and I kept yelling… until I suddenly felt lightheaded. I must have fainted from excitement, and when I regained consciousness, I was in a carriage. No doubt my parents had hurried me off before things could get even more complicated.
And so, I was on my way, with nothing but myself, to become the wife of the duke.
* * *
“The duke isn’t here?”
“I’m terribly sorry…”
The steward who greeted me upon arrival had a displeased expression, and the maids around him looked uncomfortable. The steward, who introduced himself as Larry, gave me a long look from head to toe before snorting. His attitude made it clear I wasn’t welcome, and I couldn’t help but laugh. There was no need to put on a pleasant face now. The maids averted their eyes as I faced the steward. It seemed they’d decided to pretend this confrontation didn’t happen.
“You’ve got some nerve, laughing about your husband’s absence after marrying into a higher-ranked family.”
“It’s just that the lack of a proper welcome for the bride was so traditional, I found it amusing. I’m looking forward to hearing the classic ‘I will never love you’ declaration on our wedding night. I can’t wait!”
Things were unfolding exactly like a romance novel. As I ticked off the clichés of a political marriage in my head, Larry pressed a hand to his forehead, as though fighting off a headache. What’s more, he was incredibly handsome. Could he be the duke’s milk brother? Maybe he was eliminating any suspicious individuals as the duke’s close aide.
“Please stop smirking and twisting your body like that. It’s unsettling.”
“How could you call a maiden unsettling? How cruel!”
I pretended to cry, and he furrowed his brow.
“This is strange. I expected the gloomy older sister to replace the flower-brained younger one, but instead, I get a gutsy eccentric. You’re nothing like you were during the broken engagement. Care to explain?”
“Dukes have spies, don’t they? And they don’t even bother to hide it—how charming!”
I was so moved that I trembled with excitement, and I could see Larry’s face twitch.
“Don’t worry. I’m no enemy of the duke. I’m just a gloomy fangirl who adores him. Let’s get along from now on.”
“If you think that introduction proves your innocence, I must question your sanity.”
“Well then, take your time getting to know me. But in return, I expect you to tell me all about the duke!”
As I declared this, pointing my index finger at him, the beautiful steward let out a long, deep sigh.
* * *
Thus began my daily life working for the Duke. Even though I was merely a decorative wife, unable to even meet him face-to-face, I was determined not to be a useless burden. Just think about it—what a blessing to be able to work for the person you admire! Filled with the joy of my good fortune, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.
First stop: the laundry room. But there he was again—Larry, standing guard like a statue. Was he really so free that he could spend every day watching me?
“The duchess, performing menial tasks? How unbecoming.”
“It’s all for the beloved Duke. Now, hand over the sheets.”
I held out my arms with a bright smile, but he refused to pass me the pile of laundry.
“When you wiggle your fingers like that, it gives me the chills.”
“Is that so? If not sheets, then how about a pillow?”
“Please stop rubbing your hands together like you’re plotting something.”
“Stop being so annoying. Fine, hand me the nightgown.”
To think I’d be touching the nightgown he wore! How embarrassing!
“Why are you breathing so heavily?”
“I wasn’t planning on doing anything inappropriate.”
“Please refrain from making indecent comments this early in the morning.”
“There wasn’t a single inappropriate word in that exchange! Could it be that you, Larry, are the one feeling frustrated?”
“If you keep this up, I will sew your lips shut.”
Having no choice, I gave up on laundry and moved on to cleaning.
“This… this is the Duke’s private chamber!”
“Please stop taking such deep breaths.”
“Wait a moment, I’m busy inhaling the air that the Duke exhaled.”
“Leave this room immediately.”
“Oh, I’m sorry! I won’t say anything weird anymore!”
“I’d prefer you say your bizarre thoughts out loud, rather than keep them to yourself. That way, at least I can stay on guard.”
“Isn’t that a bit harsh?”
Of course, my argument didn’t sway him. I was swiftly kicked out of the room. It’s not like I’d ever set a trap or anything. Left with nothing else to do, I started polishing the hallway while grumbling to myself.
“If his private room is off-limits, I’d even settle for cleaning the bath!”
“That is absolutely out of the question.”
“Why is Larry so stingy? I’ve even been banned from the kitchen!”
“Anyone would ban you after seeing you engrossed in a suspicious book.”
“It’s just a book on ‘charms.’ I’m only reading it as a self-discipline exercise.”
“There’s nothing about that I find convincing.”
“As if I’d ever do something my beloved Duke would dislike!”
Although I was technically the Duchess, at least on paper, no one except Larry ever spoke to me. When I played the role of a servant, people averted their faces as if they’d seen something repulsive and kept their distance.
But thanks to Larry’s company, I never felt lonely in the mansion.
* * *
One day, when I thought I had gotten pretty close to Larry, I found myself cornered by him in a rather agitated mood. He pinned me against the wall.
“Well, it’s a good thing I’m the one here. But, with a face that beautiful, you really shouldn’t be cornering women like this.”
I wondered if part of Larry’s job was to use his charm to test the women around him. As I tilted my head in thought, he leaned in even closer.
“What exactly is your goal? I can’t make any sense of it. If you’re working as a spy, you’re doing a terrible job.”
“I just want to help the Duke live a peaceful life.”
“You want to curry favor with the hero who saved the country?”
“No, it’s the opposite. I just want to support the hero who saved me.”
With nothing to hide, I met his gaze head-on, staring into his deep purple eyes.
“If you’re so eager to be of use, why not take on the curse yourself?”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, you didn’t know? While lifting the curse is difficult, it can be transferred to someone else. But only if the person receiving it truly desires it.”
“…That’s it!”
“Pardon?”
“I never imagined the curse could be transferred! This is perfect—I’ll finally be able to help! Larry, fetch the mask at once!”
“The mask?”
“Yes, the mask the Duke always wears—it’s a cursed object, isn’t it?”
“No, it’s actually a holy artifact that suppresses the curse…”
“Oh, is that so? Then how do I take the curse upon myself?”
As I fell deep into thought, Larry, with a flustered expression, asked in concern.
“Wait a moment. What would you even do if you took on the curse?”
“That’s a valid concern. Would the Duke send me back to my family once the curse is lifted?”
“That’s what you’re worried about?”
“As his wife in name only, I feel like he’d discard me without hesitation once the curse is broken. Could it be that His Majesty originally intended to transfer the curse to my sister?”
At my rather disrespectful speculation, Larry shook his head.
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