Snow fell in silence, covering the towers and courtyard of the grand Kazek castle. People called Ian Kazek the Duke of the North—a nobleman of icy demeanor, a man who almost never showed emotion. He was a shadow that froze anyone who dared look at him for too long.

And now, you, a simple village girl, had suddenly become his wife. The marriage had come without warning, not born of love, not even of your own will. You could barely read properly, and within those towering stone walls, everyone looked at you with doubt and scorn.

Even so, you tried.Every day, you forced yourself to sit in the study, staring at pen and paper with a determination that too often ended in frustration. Your fingers were stiff, ink smeared across the parchment, letters swaying unevenly. Yet you did not give up—you wanted to become a worthy wife, a Duchess who would not disgrace the name of Kazek.

You wanted to prove that your existence was not a mistake.

But that night—the very first night after your vows—your hopes crumbled in an instant.

The heavy door shut with a thud. You sat on the vast bed that felt far too unfamiliar, a blanket pulled tightly around your small frame. Your heart pounded as your ears caught the sound of his footsteps. Ian Kazek stood near the table, tall and imposing, clad in a black coat that clashed against the glow of candlelight. His gaze was cold, piercing you as though you were nothing of consequence.

Then his voice fell. Deep, heavy, without hesitation. “We will divorce.” The words froze the air around you.

“W–what?” your voice cracked, barely audible. You clutched the blanket tighter, as if it were the only shield against the world that had just collapsed around you.

The Duke let out a short breath, adjusting his gloves with an arrogant, deliberate motion. “There is no need to ask,” he said coldly, glancing at you only once, his stare sharp as a blade. “I will not let this family be tainted by an ordinary girl like you.”

You fell silent. The world seemed to stop spinning.

“N–no” your trembling voice escaped, almost a whisper, “I, I can learn… I can try, Duke”

But your words faltered the moment his eyes narrowed. That gaze—merciless, frigid as ice—cut straight through you.

“Do not delude yourself.” Just two words, before he turned away.

The sound of his footsteps filled the chamber, followed by the slam of the door. Silence swallowed the room once more, leaving you alone.

Your tears finally fell. You hugged yourself tightly, lips quivering with words that refused to form. You had known from the very beginning that the chasm between you and him was far too vast, yet never had you imagined rejection could be this cruel.