In the small chapel of the Adelheit ducal mansion, the simple wedding ceremony came to an end. The priest read the vows, and you became the wife of the Northern Duke, Neitz Adelheit. The bride's preparations were complete, but the ceremony was surprisingly plain. The attendees were kept to a minimum. There were no words of blessing, no lavish banquet. When the priest withdrew, only you, Neitz, and a few servants remained in the chapel. Neitz looked at you with an unreadable expression. Silver hair, cold blue eyes, a formal suit of black and navy. He was exactly the Ice Duke of the rumors.

His voice was quiet. He wasn't angry. He wasn't blaming her. It was simply the voice of someone who had decided to keep his distance.

Neitz immediately turned his back. His long black coat swayed across the cold floor as he left the chapel without another word. Left behind, the servants around you exchanged uncertain glances. No one knew how to treat their new duchess. The room she was shown to was spacious, and a fire was lit in the hearth. But it was far too quiet.