CHAPTER 18………………………………………………
“So, take my hand.”
Warmth flowed through his voice, and Psyche’s frozen fear slowly melted away.
It was the first hand ever extended toward her. It felt like a single ray of light reaching her.
She carefully grasped Karhis’s outstretched hand, and a small voice slipped out from between her tightly closed lips.
“Please… don’t abandon me. I’ll do everything, everything I can as the duchess, so please don’t leave me.”
A desperate, tightly restrained voice escaped her mouth.
Psyche gripped his hand even tighter.
As if it were her salvation.
Perhaps, for her alone, it really was a lifeline.
Karhis bit down hard on his lip and met her eyes.
A pair of pale, watery eyes.
The earnest gaze directed at him wasn’t unpleasant.
It was different from before. Unlike then, when her eyes had been hollow and empty.
“I will never abandon you. Never.”
“Ugh… ah…”
His answer carried no lie—only pure sincerity.
Psyche broke into sobs.
Karhis silently allowed her to lean on him.
The trembling in her shoulders gradually subsided, and together they walked forward.
A large gate came into view nearby.
Soon they arrived atop a gate inscribed with a magic circle—something she had never seen before.
Psyche looked around in wonder, her mouth slightly open.
As she stepped onto the magic circle etched with formulas, the portal began to ripple.
“Ah!”
“It’s safe, so don’t worry. Just don’t let go of my hand. If you do, you may arrive in a completely different place alone.”
Afraid she might be separated and left alone somewhere else, Psyche tightly closed her eyes and clung to his hand.
How much time had passed—perhaps several dozen seconds?
She heard his voice again and opened her eyes.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Ah…”
“This is the ducal estate. It’s your home now as well.”
A vast white expanse stretched out before them, with a grand mansion standing upon it.
Its walls were neatly painted in a muted, monochrome tone.
It had the air of a thousand-year-old noble estate that never changed.
“Let’s go inside.”
“Alright.”
As the doors opened, all the servants of the estate bowed in unison.
Psyche was bewildered, but soon returned their greeting with a gentle smile.
At that moment, the butler approached them.
“Welcome, my lady. I am Lennon Har. I look forward to serving you. After the wedding, I will explain your duties as the duchess.”
“Alright, Lennon. I look forward to working with you. I will do my best as the duchess.”
Seeing Lennon’s smile, Psyche made a spirited expression.
All the servants were kind, and even the butler seemed considerate.
She thought the beginning here was better than expected.
A smile kept slipping out uncontrollably.
Karhis beside her cleared his throat.
“First, let’s proceed with the wedding.”
“Ah, yes, of course.”
“I’m sorry, but there are no guests. However, we have at least properly decorated the venue.”
“It’s fine. I wouldn’t have had any guests on my side anyway… I don’t mind.”
Psyche replied bitterly and entered the annex.
Led by his hand, she entered a modest but well-decorated wedding hall.
After a bit of touch-up makeup in the waiting room, the pure white wedding dress she had traveled in began to shine.
Psyche finally realized she had become the Duchess of Ferdian.
Soon, Karhis opened the door and approached her, offering his hand.
Unlike the white knight’s uniform from earlier, he now wore a black ceremonial suit.
Her heart began pounding as if it would burst.
Unaware of it herself, her cheeks turned red.
Biting her lip, she took his arm.
Step by step, she walked down the white aisle.
It felt strangely unfamiliar.
She had never even vaguely imagined getting married to someone.
And yet here she was.
At that moment, Karhis leaned close and whispered softly.
“From now on, you are mine.”
Psyche felt as if her breath would stop from overwhelming emotion.
A wave of indescribable ecstasy pressed against her chest.
If being the wife of the man beside her meant this feeling, she thought she would be very happy.
What is this feeling?
Their steps stopped before the officiant.
After a long ceremonial speech, the officiant asked Psyche:
“Psyche Benoit, do you swear to take the name Ferdian and become the wife of Karhis Ferdian?”
“…Yes.”
“And Karhis Ferdian, do you swear to accept Psyche Benoit as your wife?”
“Yes. I swear without change.”
Their eyes met.
Silver-white eyes gazed only at her.
Psyche felt a hidden sense of relief and satisfaction rising within her.
“I hereby declare you husband and wife.”
With those final words, the officiant left.
Now only the two of them remained in the silent hall.
It was Karhis who broke the silence.
“May I call you my wife now, Psyche Ferdian?”
“…Of course.”
Psyche smiled brighter than ever.
Her curved lips were lovely.
Her eyes reflected her heart completely.
“The ceremony is now over, my wife.”
“…Yes.”
“Until dinner, both of us will be busy. I must attend to work, and you will be guided by Lennon. I’m sorry I cannot stay with you.”
“Please go ahead. I’ll be fine alone. The servants seem very kind, so I don’t think there will be any issues. Don’t worry.”
She nodded calmly and looked toward Lennon standing by the annex.
“Madam. I look forward to serving you.”
“No, I should be the one grateful. It’s nice to meet you, Lennon.”
“I will now guide you through the ducal estate, Madam.”
Under Lennon’s guidance, Psyche moved constantly.
Office, bedroom, training ground, dining room, reception hall, and finally the garden.
Nothing in the estate was neglected.
The servants’ meticulous care filled every corner.
“How is it, Madam? If there’s any design you’d like changed, please tell us. It is within the duchess’s authority.”
“Lennon. The estate is perfect. It’s beautiful, flawless, and exactly to my taste. I don’t think anything needs changing.”
“You flatter us. Though I and the head maid have maintained it without a lady of the house, now the master has arrived. It is your responsibility now, Madam.”
“I do know the basics of managing a household. Accounting books, budgeting, things like that.”
“It is truly fortunate that you have come, Madam.”
Lennon looked genuinely relieved.
“By the way… where do I work?”
She felt oddly happy to be welcomed by someone for the first time.
“You may work in the lord’s study. A separate room has been prepared for you, so please don’t worry.”
“Lennon, I’m feeling tired. I think I need to rest. I’d like to go to my room.”
“Your room is on the third floor. Enter the left door among the two white doors. The lord’s room is on the right.”
“Understood. Thank you for your hard work today, Lennon.”
Psyche passed by him and went up the stairs.
The scent of old wood filled the staircase, yet everything was intact and elegant.
It was a quiet, gentle mansion. Her home.
She was so happy to have stepped into this space that was now hers.
Though tired, she reached the third floor with light steps.
As instructed, there were two white doors.
Which one was it again… right? Or left?
She bit her lip and thought for a long time.
She regretted not listening more carefully because she had been too excited.
The hallway was empty.
After much hesitation, her hand reached for the right door.
Click.
She opened it.
A neatly arranged white bed stood inside, with no other furniture.
Thinking she had chosen correctly, she carefully sat on the bed.
“Now… things will be different.”
She would no longer cry helplessly like before.
She would not beg for affection or act pitiful.
She would not just watch passively—she would become independent.
She wanted to change. More than anything.
But her thoughts were interrupted.
Karhis emerged from the bathroom.
“Madam… why are you here?”
His voice was filled with confusion.
His silver eyes looked genuinely bewildered.
Only then did Psyche realize her mistake.
Wet silver hair… and his half-naked upper body.
Her eyes widened.
His lean yet defined muscles were visible across his bare torso.
She saw the strength in his arms that had been hidden under clothes.
Thankfully, he was still wearing pants.
Her face flushed bright red.
“I—I, I mean… I didn’t know which door to enter and thought this was my room!”
Her explanation tumbled out in panic.
But it was already too late.
Karhis’s expression hardened.
Cold, unreadable.
“I’m sorry… I think I’ve committed a great mistake…”
Her voice grew smaller under his icy gaze.
She slowly stepped backward, bowing repeatedly.
Then his tightly closed lips finally parted.
“Madam. Come here.”
His tone sounded like an order.
Psyche’s shoulders tensed.
Unable to refuse, she stepped slowly toward him.
She kept her head down, afraid she might see his bare upper body again.
Seconds passed—long and heavy.
