Chapter 01
The quiet room was so still that only the sound of breathing could be heard. In such an unbearably dull place, Chloe stared blankly out the window.
Outside, a snowstorm raged. It was nothing like the occasional snow she used to see back in her hometown. The northern blizzard was fierce enough to freeze a person solid in an instant.
‘I wonder if he’s alright.’
As she gazed at the scenery that looked like a painting, Chloe suddenly thought of someone—her husband, powerful enough to withstand such a disaster without faltering.
It had already been over ten days since he had left on an expedition to subdue monsters. If he didn’t return today, it would mark fifteen days since he had been gone from the estate.
Chloe, who had unconsciously placed her hand on the window, flinched at the cold touch. When she hurriedly pulled her fingers away, she saw a dark fingerprint left on the glass.
The window, spotless without a speck of dust, was clear to the point of transparency. That smudged fingerprint became its only flaw.
Just like Chloe in the House of Arhen.
She stared at the stain until frost began to form over it again. Through the narrow view, no wider than a finger, she saw figures charging through the storm as if defying the disaster itself.
At the very front—
A man riding a pitch-black horse,
Carrying the proud banner of the Arhen duchy.
Calis Arhen.
The head of the Arhen family, Chloe’s husband, was returning to his domain like a hero.
‘That is…’
With a strange woman.
A celebratory banquet was held at the estate to welcome the duke’s return.
But instead of looking joyful, the members of the household appeared solemn. Chloe, who had longed for her husband’s return, was no different.
“…It was definitely a woman, right?”
“Yeah. And she was right in front of the lord…”
They were speaking so crudely of their lord. Chloe should have reprimanded such insolent servants—but she couldn’t.
Because even she was completely focused on the topic of their conversation.
‘…A woman.’
It wasn’t the first time Calis had brought someone back from an expedition. He often took in refugees under the pretense of protection.
But this woman was different.
Unlike the others, she had traveled alongside him. Not only that—she had ridden on his horse and was even held in his arms for protection.
Just who was she to receive such treatment?
‘Did he not have a spare horse?’
Impossible. If that were the case, he would have ordered another knight to escort her.
If not, then—
‘No. What am I thinking?’
As her thoughts spiraled, Chloe forced them away and decided to focus on the banquet.
“…It’s been a while.”
Amidst the swirling speculation, the man of the hour finally appeared.
Chloe stood up as if nothing was wrong. She approached him calmly, lifted her dress slightly, and greeted him.
“I’m glad you returned safely.”
Now it was Calis’s turn.
Normally, he would have kissed her hand without hesitation. But today, he delayed.
Her pale hand hovered awkwardly in the air, trembling slightly.
‘…Why?’
Ever since that incident, the relationship between Chloe and Calis had completely broken down.
Still, they had always maintained formalities—for the sake of their roles as duke and duchess.
But now?
Even a basic courtesy—something even strangers would observe—was being avoided.
It didn’t take Chloe long to understand.
Behind Calis, someone was slowly approaching.
Though she couldn’t even clearly see the figure yet, Chloe already knew who the woman was.
The woman, supported by a maid, walked in with crude, unrefined steps. No matter how luxurious her clothes were, they couldn’t erase her shabby origins.
And yet—
She was lovely.
Her cheeks, flushed red from the cold.
Her thin body, lacking nourishment.
Her long, unmanaged hair.
“Cal!”
Her warm smile, like summer sunlight, and her gentle voice—
All of it.
‘Ah…’
There was no way she wouldn’t recognize it.
That woman was his—Calis Arhen’s woman.
“My lady? What would you like me to do?”
The maid’s voice finally reached Chloe’s ears. Her senses sharpened again, and she looked ahead.
In the mirror, two necklaces lay before her.
Right—she had been getting ready for dinner.
Understanding the situation, her expression turned dry and cracked.
Those necklaces were ones she had carefully prepared days in advance for tonight’s banquet.
Even if Calis hated her, Chloe kept trying—not to be loved, not to be desired like that woman, but simply to be treated as a human being.
Though judging by today, even that seemed too much to ask.
“…Just put on anything.”
Her voice was flat.
After hesitating, the maid chose a diamond necklace. It rested elegantly on Chloe’s slender neck, masking her worn appearance slightly.
“Let’s go down.”
Usually meticulous about her appearance, Chloe didn’t bother checking herself today.
The dining hall was empty when she arrived.
She sat quietly, staring at the vacant head seat.
Time passed.
“…My lady, shall we prepare your meal first?”
Even after thirty minutes, Calis had not appeared.
“I’ll wait.”
She shook her head, clutching her hungry stomach.
After an hour—
Laughter echoed from afar.
Two people entered, still laughing, but froze upon seeing Chloe.
Calis even glanced nervously at the woman beside him.
Only then did Chloe realize—he had deliberately been late.
They had been waiting for her to give up and leave.
“The food is ready. Please sit.”
She forced a smile, hiding her shattered heart.
“Let’s sit.”
Calis took his seat without apology, focusing only on the woman beside him.
“…Who is she?”
Chloe asked before the meal began.
“You’re asking when you already know? She’s a guest I brought.”
“You didn’t introduce her earlier.”
When they first met, the woman had frozen upon seeing Chloe.
It was only proper to introduce oneself—but neither of them had.
“…Um…”
Finally, the woman spoke.
“My name is Helena.”
Helena.
A name Chloe knew all too well.
As if it were her own second name, like a mark that had always followed her.
“…Nice to meet you, Miss Helena. I’m Chloe Arhen.”
Helena’s face darkened.
Calis looked at Chloe with resentment.
‘So even my name displeases them…’
She fell silent.
Throughout the meal, Chloe was completely excluded.
Calis and Helena laughed, talked, and shared their own world—cutting food for each other, explaining dishes, completely ignoring her.
Even until dessert.
“Helena will be staying here from now on.”
Finally, Calis spoke.
A sense of dread filled Chloe.
“Please be kind to her.”
‘No…’
Her anxiety spiked.
Not here. Not in front of everyone.
For her dignity—if nothing else.
“She’s the woman I love.”
But—
The man Chloe loved remained selfish until the very end.
And with those words, her world collapsed.
