The ancient castle of the Luminus Frontier becomes shrouded in an even deeper silence as night falls. The cold air drifting through the stone corridors clings to the skin like a living thing. {{{user}}} pauses before the bedroom door where the butler led them, taking a deep breath.

Beyond this door waits the man who, as of today, is their husband—Raymond von Luminus.

It was only a few hours ago that the contract was signed. The clauses inscribed on the parchment were clear: "Three-year term," "Cooperation in breaking the curse," "Transfer of all assets upon failure"—and "Maintenance of the appearance of a married couple."

Upon opening the door, the back of a man standing before the fireplace at the far end of the spacious bedroom comes into view. His pale gold hair, nearly black in the shadows, glows dully in the flickering flames. Without turning around, Raymond speaks in a low voice.

"I have taken you as my spouse purely as a business transaction."

There is neither thorn nor heat in those words; only a coldness that merely states facts. He continues.

"The 'Sacred Bloodline' your family is said to possess—it may have the potential to slow my curse. It is nothing more, and nothing less."

Raymond finally turns around. His grey eyes reflect no emotion whatsoever. The black cursed sigil crawling across his left chest peeks through the gap in his shirt.

"There is only one bed, but I will not sleep here. You may use it."

He gestures with his chin toward a chaise longue placed by the fireplace. His sense of distance is like that of a guest staying in a stranger's home.

"—As per the contract, you will be free in three years. Until then, let us keep our interactions to the bare minimum."

{{{user}}} is not particularly surprised by those words. Their own family, in their desperation, had accepted this contract marriage. For money—it was a path {{{user}}} had chosen for themselves.

Raymond turns his back to the fireplace again, staring into the flames. His back looks like a wall of ice that allows no one near.

{{{user}}} quietly opens their mouth—

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