IKMHITM 1

࣪ ִֶָ☾. Chapter 01 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

In a rural estate in Lumen, there lived a widow who was said to have lost her mind. People with too much time on their hands gossiped about her for amusement.

“They say her husband used to drive a freight wagon in the neighboring Arno estate. For the Belper Mansion or something.”

“Then they found him hanging from a ceiling beam, didn’t they?”

“How? Wasn’t he paralyzed from the waist down?”

“Oh, dear lord!”

The gossip always ended with someone crossing themselves and spitting on the ground.

Eve didn’t join in. She thought it had nothing to do with her.

But to think I’d end up going to Belper Mansion myself.

Eve cautiously leaned her face out the window of the moving carriage. The branches of the trees rushing past were all ashen gray. At a glance, they looked like pale fingers reaching out to scratch at her face.

In the distance, a mansion stood tall amidst a birch forest.

Is that Belper Mansion?

The towering structure loomed over everything, more a fortress wary of intruders than a home. Its high gray walls and steeply rising spires looked sharp enough to stab someone to death.

Just then, the carriage came to a sudden stop.

“Hey. Get out!”

Through the roughly flung-open door appeared the face of Hyde, Eve’s eldest brother, fourteen years her senior.

“Enjoying the view like some lady of leisure? Meanwhile, some of us are bouncing along this hellish road with our asses split in half.”

“….”

“Well, it’s your fault, so how about you make it up to me by licking my ass or something? Fair, right? Should I drop my pants now?”

Eve knew from experience that it was better not to respond. Still, whenever she saw Hyde like this, she couldn’t help but wonder.

Do our parents truly believe Hyde is the one destined to restore the family’s honor?

“Forget it. You unlucky bitch.”

Hyde spat and looked up at Belper Mansion. It was so massive that he couldn’t take it all in, even when he craned his head back until it nearly touched his spine.

“You should be grateful, you know. If it weren’t for our family, would someone like you ever get married into a place like this?”

*Grateful? *Her family had always been more interested in getting rid of her.

“You do know the Arnos, the owners here, were founding contributors to the kingdom, right? Sure, their influence has faded, but they were once a prestigious house.”

Then why would such a great family need to buy a bride with money?

“Hey. Once you’re married, at least fix that sour face of yours! We put up with it because we’re family, but no one else here will.”

Hyde’s voice suddenly softened, almost sounding like concern. But Eve knew better. It was nothing more than shallow, self-righteous hypocrisy.

Last night, Eve’s family signed the marriage contract sent by House Arno. It clearly stated that even if the bride were to die in an unfortunate accident or be left disabled, no responsibility would be taken.

“I told you to get out already. Why are you staring into space?”

Hyde grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the ground.

“You’re walking the rest of the way.”

“….”

“I’d love to escort you to the door like a proper brother, but the Arnos made it clear. The bride’s family isn’t allowed past the gate.”

Guess that means they think we’re beneath them. Bastards.

Grumbling, Hyde tossed Eve’s luggage to the ground. That still wasn’t enough for him. He stomped on her hand just as she tried to get up.

“Ah! That hurts, Brother!”

“Let me make one thing clear. Don’t even think about coming back. Once you’re married, you belong to another family. If you die, die here.”

“….”

“No answer?”

“…Yes.”

As if she had any intention of going back. Eve swallowed her rebellious thoughts and answered meekly. Satisfied, Hyde finally lifted his foot.

She didn’t get up right away. Instead, she watched his mood, wary of setting him off again.

“Oh, and don’t forget to send money home.”

“Money? How could I…”

“You idiot. I don’t care if you steal it or skim off your dowry, just figure it out! Don’t you know your poor sister-in-law is pregnant? And Mother’s always sick in bed! Someone has to support the family!”

It had only been seconds since Hyde declared she was no longer part of the family. Eve had to stifle a bitter laugh at how easily he flipped his words, like turning over a coin.

“If you’re that desperate, try flirting with your husband or something.”

Hyde’s gaze clung to her, repulsive and leering.

“You’re stiff as a board, but your body’s not half-bad. Shake it the right way, and maybe he’ll stick something in you.”

Hold it in. Just a little more. This is the last time. Make him drop his guard. Once the carriage leaves, I’ll make my escape.

“Or how about I take a peek right now? One last look at how our baby sister’s grown.”

She couldn’t hold it in anymore.

Eve grabbed a handful of dirt, ready to fling it straight into Hyde’s eyes. Of course, he would retaliate, but probably not as harshly as usual. Even a scumbag like Hyde wouldn’t be dumb enough to leave visible marks on a bride right before her wedding.

A bitter wind blew in from deep within the forest.

“Ugh, it’s freezing as hell! I’m out of here.”

Hyde, who valued his own comfort above all else, quickly pulled his coat tighter and climbed back into the carriage. Thanks to that, Eve missed her chance to throw the dirt.

She slowly rose to her feet as the carriage rolled off into the distance. Her hair, yanked loose earlier, was a tangled mess.

She had hit the ground hard. Her petticoat had flipped, and her scraped, red knees throbbed with pain.

Before she could even fix herself, her eyes met someone else’s.

Beyond an ornate black iron gate, in a garden blooming with white camellias, stood a man. He was beautiful and blond, with hair as pale as sunlight on a winter morning.

She hadn’t noticed him. He made no sound, but he had clearly been standing there for some time. He must have witnessed everything she had just endured.

Eve wondered what kind of expression he would make. Would he pity her? Or look at her with contempt, as if he had seen something indecent?

Through the grotesquely elegant iron gate, their eyes met. His eyes were a pale gray-blue.

And then, slowly, unmistakably, he smiled.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

She had no recollection of how she had entered Belper Mansion. It wasn’t just that everything had passed in a blur. Her mind had gone completely blank.

Just moments ago, Eve had been standing outside the iron gate. She still vividly remembered the scent of dirt on her hands and clothes and the sting of the cold wind on her skin.

But now, she was seated in a banquet hall, holding a glass of wine. Dazed, she looked down and saw that she was wearing a wedding dress.

How did I get inside the mansion? When did I even change into this?

A whole chunk of her memory was missing. Still in a haze, Eve instinctively licked her lips. A metallic aftertaste clung to her tongue, like she had just swallowed a mouthful of wine.

“The bride has drunk the ceremonial wine.”

Someone whose face was barely visible recited the wedding ceremony.

“Thus, the marriage between Lord Serian of House Arno and Lady Evenie of House Roman is now sealed.”

Serian?

The platinum-haired man from earlier was seated beside her. So that was Serian. He was as pale and unnaturally beautiful as the winter trees she had seen on the road to the mansion. A man like him could easily have a line of women begging to marry him.

But Eve was clearly an exception.

That man… he smiled. He had smiled when she had been thrown to the ground by her own brother.

He wasn’t normal. Eve shot Serian a wary glare, but the moment their gray-green eyes met, her mind went blank again.

“Let us all raise a toast.”

The officiant’s voice grew distant.

“To the couple’s first night together…”

“To the wedding night.”

Under the candlelight, pale faces lifted their glasses.

That was Eve’s last memory.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

When she opened her eyes again, Eve was lying in a lavish bed.

“…?!”

A wave of biting cold swept over her. Shivering, she sat up and gasped. She was wearing a nightgown so sheer it was practically see-through.

“What? Why am I dressed like this?!”

Someone chuckled softly. The voice sounded like that of a flirtatious woman.

“Who’s there?!”

Terrified, Eve grabbed the candlestick from the nightstand. In its flickering glow, she saw long legs, firm knees, and thighs as muscular as a stallion’s.

And above that…

“Oh my God!”

“It’s not God, it’s me.”

Serian stood there, hands raised in mock surrender, smiling disarmingly. It might have been meant to calm her, but it didn’t help.

Because…

“You’re naked!”

“Hm.”

Stark naked, Serian tilted his head and asked with complete seriousness.

“Don’t tell me… you prefer doing it with clothes on?”

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･